A New Beginning

It's Saturday and I'm due to go out with Alex for the day.

“How do I look?” I asked, walking into the living room.

“Amazing. How excited are you?”

“Pretty damn excited. I haven’t seen him since Monday.”

“When you first kissed him.”

“And he kissed me.”

I felt like a teenage girl going out on her first date ever.

“You are too adorable and so is he. That letter he wrote? And your response? That was too much cuteness.”

“He brings out a side to me that - oh, I’ll tell ya later.”

He was knocking on the door.

“Or tomorrow.”

I rolled my eyes. I opened the door and immediately saw a smile on his face.

“Good morning.” he greeted before kissing me.

I fucking missed those lips.

“Good morning.” I said kissing him back.

“Ready to go?”

“Absolutely.”

I waved goodbye to Iris, then we were out the door. It was eleven o’clock and my mind was set on food.

“I love your shirt. Hell, I love your outfit.”

“Thank you. I figured this would a proper outfit for today.”

“You look gorgeous.”

I blushed, shutting the car door.

"Ya hungry?" he asked.

"Yeah. You?"

"Yep. Where were you thinking?"

"Somewhere that has chicken and waffles."

He busted out laughing.

"Somewhere that has chicken and waffles." he said.

I didn't understand the humor in what I had just said.

"Why is that funny?"

"Just the way you said it."

I shook my head and began to laugh myself.

“You are so strange.” I said.

“Thank you.”

We found a place that served chicken and waffles which absolutely delighted me.

“Yay!” I cheered walking toward the restaurant.

He came up beside me.

“You say I’m strange. Look at you.”

I smirked and continued moving. I didn’t even bother opening the menu since I knew what I was going to order including my drink.

“Are you excited about today?” Alex asked.

“Yeah. I need to be out in nature today and who better than with you?”

“Long week?”

“You have no idea. I do enjoy what I do for a living, but I’ve been looking forward to see you all week.”

“The feeling is definitely mutual.”

“Well, where do you want to-“

We were interrupted by our waiter who must’ve been clearly interested in me because Alex was giving him the dirty eyeball. When we finished ordering, I gave him a look of my own.

“What’s your issue?” I asked.

“What are you talking about?”

“That look.”

“He was eyeing you up. I wasn’t gonna stand for that.”

I rolled my eyes for the second time today.

“I appreciate that, but that wasn’t necessary. I can handle myself.”

“Still.”

“Alex, just get over it.”

He was exhausting and that was exactly what I didn’t need, especially today.

“Ok. I will. I’m sorry.”

I simply sighed and glanced back up at him.

"Alright."

Just a couple quiet minutes passed when we received our drinks; it was really awkward and I did not like it one bit. However, after this, things went back to the way they were.

"Anyway, let's make sure the day goes much better than what just happened." he said.

"Agreed." I said smiling.

The rest of brunch went well and then we were on our way to a trail. The one we settled on was beautiful and where it was us and nature whereas there were in the presence of other people; it's something I so desperately need.

"What do you think?" he asked after we got out of his car.

"I think it's just what the doctor ordered."

I walked over to where he was standing, immediately wanting to take hold of his hand, but I also didn't want to startle him by my touch.

Just do it. What's the worst that could happen?

I brushed my hand against his and took his hand then I awaited a response. He responded by intertwining our fingers and I felt like a teenager once again; I loved this feeling.

"This is gonna be a great day. I just know it.” I said enthusiastically.

“I couldn’t agree more.”

We started down the path and soon I was peaceful and the happiest I’ve been in over a month with someone I care about so much already in such a brief amount of time.

“This weather’s perfect.” I said while we took a short break.

“You can say that again.” he said, wrapping his arms around me.

It was a bold move, seeing that he was behind me, but I didn’t mind a single bit.

“I hope you don’t mind that I’m doing this.”

“Not at all.”

“You sure?” he said, starting to pull away.

I brought his hands back to my stomach and melted into him.

“I’m sure.” I said.

“Thank goodness.” he said, kissing the top of my head.

I could stay like this forever. We must’ve stood there in silence for ten minutes when I felt his phone vibrate.

“Someone’s texting you.”

“They can wait.”

Until Alex, I hadn’t felt this special since Kyle and I’s wedding day. He looked into my eyes and held me close as we slow danced to our song. I started to tear up at the memory.

When your legs don't work like they used to before
And I can't sweep you off of your feet
Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love?
Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks?

And, darling, I will be loving you till we're 70
And, baby, my heart could still fall as hard at 23
And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand
Well, me, I fall in love with you every single day
And I just wanna tell you I am

So, honey, now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
Maybe we found love right where we are

When my hair's all but gone, and my memory fades
And the crowds don't remember my name
When my hands don't play the strings the same way
I know you will still love me the same

'Cause, honey, your soul could never grow old, it's evergreen
And, baby, your smile's forever in my mind and memory
I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
And maybe it's all part of a plan
Well, I'll just keep on making the same mistakes
Hoping that you'll understand

That, baby, now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
And maybe we found love right where we are

La la la, la la la, la la la, la la la lous

So, baby, now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Oh, darling, place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
Then maybe we found love right where we are
Oh, baby, we found love right where we are
And we found love right where we are

I used to love that song, but now I can’t stand to hear it; it’s too painful to listen to. Tears must have fallen down my face and onto my shirt because I heard him whisper my name.

“Is everything okay?”

I didn’t answer him. This is when he moved, so he was kneeling in front of me.

“Yeah. I’m fine.” I said wiping my eyes.

When I didn't look at him, he began to worry.

"Harper? Something's up. What is it?"

"It's gonna sound ridiculous."

"Har. Just tell me."

"The fact you ignored that text for me made me feel special, but then it brought me back to the song that played during Kyle and I's wedding reception. I can't stand the song anymore, by the way."

He smiled until I brought up Kyle.

"What was the song?"

"Thinking Out Loud byEd Sheeran." I sighed.

"You shouldn’t hate it because of a piece of shit like him.”

“It hurts to listen to it. It’s too painful.”

He stood up and took my head into his hands and kissed me rather passionately then I proceeded to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him the same way.

“I’m feeling better. Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Anytime.”

"Wanna continue walking or do you wanna go do something else?"

"Like what?" I asked, biting my lip.

"Umm..." he said scratching his head.

I knew what I wanted to do. I just needed to hear what he was thinking.

"What do you wanna do?" he asked, clearly deflecting.

"Alex, I asked you first." I said, giggling.

I was incredibly amused.

"How about twenty more minutes of walking and then we head back to my apartment?”

“Great minds think alike.”

I was in such a mood to just make out with him since I was having raging hormones and maybe not have sex although who knows how the rest of the day will go; he is wildly attractive, after all.

“Glad we’re in agreement.”

By the time we arrived at his apartment, we were drenched as rain began to fall harder than what was expected; it was only supposed to sprinkle, but instead, we got a downpour.

“I’m gonna go get you something to wear then put our clothes in the dryer. Okay?” he said.

Within five minutes, he came back with some clothing for me to wear and I proceeded to head to the bathroom to change. Once I changed into dry clothes, I handed mine to Alex who was right outside the door.

Holy fuck. He’s hot with his hair wet... well, even hotter.

I got comfortable on the couch and turned on the television.

“You look absolutely sexy in my clothes. You know that?”

I blushed.

“Thank you.”

They were a little big on me, but I was comfortable. He joined me on the couch and kissed my cheek. I moved myself closer to him and placed my head onto his shoulder while he snaked an arm around my waist.

“So, who texted you?”

“I totally forgot about that, actually.”

I laughed. He picked up his phone and checked it out.

“Just Jack. Wondering how my day’s been going.”

“Does he know you’re out with me?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s he think?”

“Of you?”

“Of course.”

“From what I’ve told him, he must really like you because he approves. I’ve never had such a great first date since high school, so he thinks that this is going somewhere.”

I smiled.

“So do I. You gonna text him back?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? Let me text him.”

“You really wanna do that?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.”

He handed me his phone and I texted Jack.

Hey. This is Harper, the amazing girl he’s dating. Today’s going well.

Alex smiled.

“You truly are.” he said against my temple.

This is exactly where I want to be.

“Anything you want to watch?” he asked.

“Something on Netflix. You choose.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

He chose Daredevil and I certainly was not going to complain.

“Good?”

“Mmhmm.”

Roughly two hours later, my stomach began to growl.

“Tell me you’re hungry.” I said.

After five seconds without a response, I turned to see Alex sleeping. I smiled and unraveled from him to travel to the bathroom to pee. I came back to find him with his head in the fridge, clearly foraging for food.

“Hey.” I greeted.

“Hey. Where’d you go?”

“The little girls room. How long were you asleep?”

“Maybe a half hour. I think you fell asleep before me.”

“Oh. Well, I’m glad you’re hungry. So am I.” I said sitting on a chair.

“How about I order something? Chinese?”

“I like the way you think.”

"You know, you're very easy to please."

Oh, you have no idea.

"Well, I don't like to make things difficult."

“I like that.” he said, walking over to me.

My heart began to race as I noticed the look in his eyes.

“How much?”

I hoped I was giving the same look he was giving me. He pressed his lips onto mine and I returned the favor.

"Tell me you're feeling the same way I am." I asked.

He picked me up, being sure to lift my ass and I proceeded to hook my legs around his waist and wrap my arms around his neck.

"How's this for an answer?"

I licked my lips and held onto him tighter before locking lips with his once again. He took this as a hint and we made our way into his bedroom. I honestly couldn’t have taken my clothes off faster and I could tell Alex was thinking the same thing.

“You’re even more perfect than I thought.” he huskily said, pushing me onto the bed.

I blushed again and pulled him toward me. He reached for a condom and I would’ve told him to hurry because I wanted him so badly, but I kept my mouth shut.

“Ready?”

“Absolutely.”

I had never been more ready in my life. I shut my eyes as he laid on top of my body and entered me. I instantly wound my arms around him as he began moving.

“Fuck.” I moaned.

“You good?”

“So fucking good.”

“Me too.”

I was feeling the best I had in over a month sexually and emotionally and wouldn’t trade that feeling for anything in the world. He moved his mouth to my neck and began sucking on it.

“Alex.” I moaned and dug my nails into his back.

I was really hoping I didn’t draw blood.

“Fuck Harper.”

The sound of his moans were ones to behold. When I came several minutes later, I happily sighed as my hips relaxed into the mattress.

“Talk about sexual healing.” I said once I caught my breath.

"Did you just say sexual healing?" he asked, turning his head my way.

I was lying on my right side and looking up at him while he laid on his back.

"Yeah. I've gone over a month without sex and this is the first time in three years without someone who hasn't been unfaithful, so I'm gonna call it that."

"That makes sense."

“Absolute sense.”

I shimmied my way closer to him and he pulled me into him. I sighed, burying my face into his chest.

“You have no idea how happy I am right now.” I said, completely relaxed.

I draped an arm across his chest and quickly became comfortable.

“Not even a little?”

“Maybe a little, but that’s it.”

I drifted off again as I was in the most secure place, all wrapped up in someone who cares about me and I care about the most.

Notes

I know things seem to have moved a bit fast for Harper and Alex, but I feel like that they have such a deep connection already that I'm fine with the speed of it all.