The sunlight is streaming through the window at an odd angle. I stare at it and realize that its not the sunlight that is the problem but the window, it's not mine. I turn my head on the pillow and see blonde hair. Memories come rushing back of the past few hours and I inhale deeply. Laura me mind supplies she's fast asleep. I swing my legs over the bed and sit up and assess meself.

Hair: Rumpled

Shoulders: Sore

Chest and belly: Sticky

Legs: All right

Assessment: Shower and coffee.

I look about the room and smirk at seeing pieces of clothes strewn every which way. The pattern of breathing beside me is changing, Laura is about to wake. I turn and watch the growing consciousness form. Her cheeks twitch and her eyelids flutter before opening fully. "Morning" I say softly. She smiles at me it's on the tip of my tongue to tell her all my fears, which have kept me from her until now, but it's not the right time.

She seems to sense this, "Fancy a dip?"

I smile and lean in to kiss her cheek.

We've both utilized the shower—separately. I doubt I could've kept my hands off of her otherwise. I'm shaving with a pink disposal razor but I could care less, it's fresh sharp and clean. Every now and then my attention drifts towards the candy floss colored plastic but I quickly refocus on the task.

As I exit the bathroom I spy Laura and she's holding something. "here I bought this for you sometime back and could never find the right time to give it to you."

I look down and see it's a dress shirt, "Thank you lass."

"Coffee?" She asks

"Aye, big cup"

The shirt is a bit stiff but it's better than the rumpled one on the floor. The new one might raise a few eyebrows but the wrinkled one would raise more. I pad downstairs and see that Laura has opened those beautiful glass doors leading to the garden. The sunlight streams in bathing everything in brilliant light. I see why this was the first element on the list of creation. A mug slides towards me full of dark rich coffee. I take a sip before speaking. "I enjoyed last night, in fact I want you again. I want that and more…I want everything. I want to apologize for waiting so long for making us wait."

She regards me over her coffee, "What happened last night?"

I'm puzzled by her question and it must show on me face for she elaborates, "What made you change?"

I tell her of Allie's murder and she pales but I have to continue.

"Every woman I have kissed or who has kissed me since Val died has been unobtainable. That sleep doctor, the mother of the witness in that bizarre murder with the swapping spouses and Allie. Nothing ever came out of it for a while I thought I was cursed. You've kissed me", I point to my cheek and she nods slightly. "Then you got snatched by those twins...Follow me logic?"

She nods again. "I don't want you hurt but I'm selfish and I want you more and me realizing that is what changed last night."

She puts down her cup and I'm ready for what she has to say but she doesn't speak she merely puts down her cup and stalks purposefully towards me. She nuzzles her face into my chest and wraps her arms around me. I reciprocate and pull her closer if that is possible. She doesn't speak and I'm not going to force it she'll tell me what's on her mind when she is ready until then I'll hold her.