Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!

I'm seeing the world differently now. It's not that it sucks any less. It's still a living nightmare, but at least now, it's in color whereas it used to be black and white, middle gray, and everything in between. I used to think the deck was stacked against me. House always wins, right? Somehow, I played my cards right and ended up with a royal flush.

I thought just having Alex in my life was enough. She fills the role of best friend but also of sister. She came down to the morgue with me that night and I didn't even have to ask her. I couldn't have asked her. I was too busy preparing myself. I'm glad she was there, though. She's been my family for the last six years. While I wasn't completely happy, I was content with the social part of my life. I had all I thought I needed. Why did I need some extraneous relationship that was undoubtedly going to end with a bad breakup?

But when a young lady is to be a heroine, the perverseness of forty surrounding families cannot prevent her. Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way.

It rained. The only reason she came into the bar that night was because the weather sucked. Had she not, I wouldn't have met her and would have carried on the next day as I had up until that day. I don't meet people in bars; it's not my style. Something about her grabbed me from the word 'go' and I felt compelled to talk to her. I'm glad I did. As we talked, I figured out she's a cop. I played her a bit, alluding to my profession of slave labor, but a part of me was afraid to tell her I'm a cop. All she'd need to hear are three words and she'd instantly have a preconceived image of who I am. So I was Bobby who does slave labor and that was it. I wanted to tell her, though and gave too much away, allowing her to figure it out. She says I fascinate her and in that respect, I lucked out. More often than not, people get fed up with me and take off. She hasn't yet and after tonight, I don't think she will, but anything is possible.

Tonight. For the first time in longer than I care to remember, I'm happy. She's warm to the touch, but she ignites my soul. I haven't felt like this in... I haven't felt like this ever. This is completely crazy, I know. We practically just met, but it's one of those times where I just know. I rely on my intuition heavily and this is one instance where it's shouting loud and clear. I love her and I told her as such. This is where the royal part of the flush comes in. She responded in kind, repeating those three words plus one. Her voice is like a TriBeCa jazz club, smokey and melodical, and to hear her say she feels the same was my complete undoing. She's beautiful and hilarious and sleeping beside me and I can't think of anywhere I would rather be.