I try not to snort the drink up my nose or choke as I laugh. Taking a sip of my sparkling cider while Elijah tells me very bad puns and funny family stories was a bad idea.

Once I can breathe, I wheeze, "No. That.. That was terrible!"

Elijah laughs as well. "The look on my brother's face was priceless."

"I bet it was," I sigh. We were telling each other stupid stories about our families just because we want to. No worry about how loud we are laughing or if the other would think we're crazy.

After I can finally breathe I look at the table in front of me. A fitted white tablecloth, two wine glasses, although my glass has sparkling cider in it, and an almost empty plate. The scene looked like it was out of a romance movie.

It was actually perfect.

"Thank you." I whisper as I wipe my mouth with my napkin.

Elijah tilts his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. "For what?"

I gesture to restaurant. "This. All of it. Definitely one of the best dates I've been on."

Elijah shrugs.

Leaning against the table, I take his hand. "Seriously. Thank you."

I take a deep breath while releasing hsi hand so I can move my bangs to the side. "I don't exactly get out much. And when I do it's with my parents or on a really bad date."

"Why is that?" Elijah asks as he removes his jacket, showing the light blue shirt that was hidden underneath. "Work?"

I bite my lower lip. "Kinda. Uh, you remember when we met and I had all those books in my hands?"

Elijah nods, showing he is listening. He's actually listening to me and not looking at every other woman that walks by.

"Well, uh," I move my bangs again. He's making me nervous, but it's a good nervous. "I had just finished a very long day. Really long. Like," I look up at the ceiling, thinking, "two three-hour lectures and a twelve hour shift in the middle. So I'm always really busy."

Elijah slides to the edge of his seat. "Lecture and work, wow. What do you do?"

"I'm becoming a nurse," I say with a big smile. "Lecture covers my class time. The shift gives me a few hours and some extra money."

"Impressive."

"Glad you think so." I glance down at my plate. My stake almost finished, mashed potato residue around a little bowl, and green bean juice left as well.

Elijah's plate wasn't as full as mine was, which doesn't help my lack of figure, but is just as empty now.

I shift nervously. Then I feel fingers wrapped around my hand.

"I've enjoyed this," he mumbles. "I think I've needed it more than you."

I glance up at him. His eyes tired and sad.

"I understand what it's like taking care of your siblings," I tell Elijah. "My brother, my brother, he uh, he's in the hospital I work at, even on the same floor as me. I arranged it that way so I can keep an eye on him while I work. It... It's not easy being cool-headed when you have fifty million things swirling in your head and you're worried about your siblings."

For a moment I see a bit of Elijah I can tell how truly tired and worn he is. His beautiful eyes staring at me, his face showing lines from age, even his hands that are wrapped around him feel rough to the touch, yet warm with burning energy.

"It seems I'm the one who must keep my siblings in line most of the time."

I nod to him in understanding. My sister is going crazy, wanting to do everything under the sun but go to school. She lives with me for now, so I can keep her in line, but I understand how hard it is.

For a few moments we stay like that: staring at each other. When the waiter comes, Elijah releases my hand to reach for his wallet.

"No, No! Let me!"

He raises his eyebrows. "No, let me," he speaks calmly, but I can tell that he has his opinion on it.

Well so do I. He shouldn't be the one to pay for everything. I raise my chin. "Split it?"

Elijah shakes his head.

"You get dinner and I get the movie stuff?"

For a moment he seems to consider this. "Although I'm against it... If it will make you happy, we can do that."

I smile and clap my hands together quietly. "Yay."

After he pays, we begin to walk to the movie theatre. The sidewalks are noisy, but in a quiet way that makes it feel like home. The streets are lit up, but we hug the shadows. Even still, we see people rushing everywhere. One person bumped me, took one look at Elijah, then quickly ran away.

Weird.

Listening to my heels click on the pavement, I hug my body to Elijah's as we walk and a breeze blows.

He must have felt me shiver, because after a block or two of me shivering, Elijah slips off his coat again and places it around my shoulders.

I shiver again, but this time from the way his fingers brushes against my bare back as he slides his coat around me. I thank him with a shy smile.

Another block later, I remember that we never discussed movies.

"Oh, what kind of movie do you want to see? You got action, rom-com, comedy, kiddo, you name it."

He shrugs. "What would you like to see?"

I bite my lower lip. Should I tell him? I mean, I don't want to scare him away...

"What is it?" he asks as we arrive at the ticket booth.

I look at the titles where the letters form Incredibles II. Oh, Pixar, you're going to make this guy run for the hills.

I look back to Elijah. "Ok, don't laugh... but I really want to see Incredibles II. I love Disney, Pixar, Marvel, DC, you name it. I have been waiting years for it be made and a few extra weeks to actually see it."

I wait for him to laugh and call me a child and suggest something else, like the other guys I have dates with have done. But he doesn't. Instead he nods his head.

"Ok. Let's go see that."

My eyes grow wide. "Really?"

When he nods again, I wrap my arms around his in excitement then drag him to the ticket booth to buy the tickets before he can change his mind.

I pull his coat around me as I rush to the concessions counter. The man standing behind the counter looks bored. When I bounce up to him, he stands straighter.

He gives me a grin.

"Jumbo popcorn, a Dr Pepper, and-" I look behind me. "Do you want anything?"

Elijah shakes his head. I tilt my head. Elijah's body language has changed. He is probably watching me become an energetic puppy. That or he's wondering where I'm going to put all the food I'm getting.

No... that doesn't seem it. I look back at the guy. Now I see it. The guy behind the counter looks like he could reach across and kiss me. Or something more.

Eww.

"And a box of Twizzlers. Please and thank you."

The cashier types in my order into the machine. "$11.17" He says in what I assume is an attempt at a seductive voice as he eyes my figure. "Anything else?"

I shake my head and hand him cash. I don't exactly trust him to know my name.

The guy gives me the change and my food.

Quickly, I move away from him. He is starting to get creepy.

Elijah helps carry the jumbo popcorn while I give the tickets to the person at the door.

"Door 4, on the right."

"Thank you," I say with a nod.

While walking down the hallway, I look at Elijah. I don't know if he gets jealous easily, but he is starting to worry me.

"You know, I would have put that guy in his place if he tried anything." I whisper this to him as he find our seats.

When I find a good place to sit, I feel my hip being squeezed and my body turn. I come face-to-face with an angry Elijah. Suddenly, lips land on mine. They're not rough and hard, but soft, yet firm and demanding.

I almost stop my drink. I did drop my Twizzlers.

When we break away I have to catch my breath. My eyes flutter open when I see the same look on his face as before.

"I do not like to claim someone as my own, because they are their own person, but you," he kisses me again, "I would like to call mine."

I press my forehead against his as I calm my breathing. It makes sense now. He wasn't angry, but jealous and protective. My heart pounds in excitement.

I pull him down into our seats, as we watch small children and their tired parents stumble in to the room.

Looking him in the eye as he movie starts. "I would like that."