Take the Next Step
A few months had gone by since Claire and Trevor had severed their professional relationship and were both fully enjoying their newfound romantic one. Every day Trevor was finding new things out about love. They were presently sitting in Claire's office, talking over some early morning coffee and bagels.
"It's like…I hook up couples who are true love but I've never known what they are really feeling. Seems kind of off doesn't it?" he asked as he sipped his coffee. They'd agreed he could talk Cupid business in the privacy of her office.
"Ironic might be a better way to describe it," Claire stated.
"Ok…anyways…it's just weird finally feeling all fo these emotions. It's like a roller coaster," he mused.
"Good emotions I hope," she sighed, sipping her coffee.
"Definitely," he answered. Just then there was a knock on the door and Jackie poked her head in. She and Champ had been filled in on the agreement.
"Sorry to interrupt but you're eight-thirty is waiting," she said. Claire and Trevor both stood up, grabbing their trash and tossing it in the can.
"I'll see you for lunch," he said, kissing her on the lips before he walked out.
"Bye," she called and waved. He waved back and she sighed.
"See I knew it would work," Jackie prodded with a smile.
"Yeah…you were right. The Hospital Board believes he's cured and we couldn't be happier. I honestly feel a lot more content with Trevor then I ever felt with Alex," she admitted.
With that Claire ushered in her eight-thirty appointment into the office and shut the door. Trevor was making his way to Taggerdy's to start the early shift. He ran into Champ as he walked in and couldn't help but smile.
"Did you get laid?" Champ asked and Trevor looked insulted.
"No. I told you I can't risk losing my immortality forever," he scoffed.
"Then why do you look damn happy?" his roommate asked, starting to take down the bar stools.
"Things are just going great. I mean I am really happy with Claire. I think maybe the whole time I've been here I've been thinking about her. But not until recently did I realize what was happening," he rambled, jumping up on the edge of the bar.
"Ok lover boy. I get it. Make yourself useful and help me," Champ remarked, tossing a towel at Trevor. Together the two men finished setting up the rest of the bar. The lunch crowd wouldn't be in for a few hours so Trevor just sat around, staring at nothing. He didn't notice the door open and the three pair of footsteps walk in until a bar stool scraped against the floor. He looked up to see Maggie, Jacob and Katie.
"Hi guys. We're not open yet," he told them.
"Oh we know. We just wanted to stop by and thank you," Maggie stated.
"Thank me? For what?" he feigned innocence and ignorance.
"For introducing u s," Jacob replied. He and Maggie were holding hands just high enough for Trevor to see them. He caught sight of the diamond ring on her finger.
"Whoah…engaged?" he asked, pointing to it.
"We just thought you should know," Maggie restated.
"Well congratulations. When's the wedding?" he questioned.
"Two months. Katie is our flower girl," Jacob answered, looking extremely proud.
"I have a pretty dress," Katie informed Trevor with a smile.
"That's great guys. But I mean…all I did was…ok so I take credit," he said after a minute.
"Maggie was right. You are a match maker," Jacob said, offering his hand up for Trevor to shake.
"Congrats guys. You sound very happy," Trevor said as they headed out. He only had to wait another half hour until the lunch crowd started to trickle in. He waited anxiously for Claire. He'd twisted Champ's arm into serving them while Trevor was on break. She finally showed up and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"How was work?" he asked as Champ filled their water glasses.
"The usual. People who need counseling and are usually hysterical when they get ot the office," she said.
"But it's what you love to do," he commented.
"I know it is. So anything interesting happen in your morning?' she asked as Champ walked back over.
"Well you remember Maggie and Jacob?" he asked as they placed their lunch orders. Champ gave Trevor a look that clearly said 'you owe me' before walking away.
"Of course I do. She stopped coming to the singles sessions a while ago," Claire answered. She'd been worried.
"Well they're engaged. They're getting married in two months. They stopped by with Katie to tell me and thank me," he boasted.
"I bet that made you feel good. That match really counted," she said with a smile.
"Your food," Champ interrupted.
"Thanks," Trevor and Claire said in unison.
"Yeah I did feel pretty good," he answered. They fell into silence as they started to eat. Occasionally they would look up to see the other sneaking a glance.
"Can I ask you something?" Claire finally blurted.
"Sure," Trevor answered, looking up from his food.
"You do love me right?" she started.
"Yeah…as crazy as it sounds…yes, I do love you," he answered, looking at her curiously.
"Why do you ask? Are you having second thoughts?" he questioned.
"Well I was just sort of wondering…why we haven't…." she trailed off. Maybe this wasn't the best place to bring this up. It was after a public place and a rather private topic.
"You know what…why don't we go somewhere more private and talk about it," she said, interrupting her own thought process.
Trevor just shrugged and tossed some bills on the table. Claire pulled out a few more just so that Champ would get an extra tip and they headed out to her car. They ended up at Trevor's apartment.
"So what did you start to ask?" he asked as they seated themselves on the couch. Claire took a deep breath.
"Well I was going to ask…why we haven't you know…consummated our relationship," Claire stated nervously.
"You're feeling sex deprived aren't you," Trevor sighed.
"Just a little," she answered, wrapping an arm around his neck.
"You know I can't…the whole losing immortality thing," he said, bopping her on the nose.
"Trevor come on…aren't you even curious?" she begged, pouting. She leaned over and kissed him.
"Claire…come on…" he sighed. He was still unsure as to what he wanted. Part of him wanted to go home. But he'd gotten used to Earth. He was certainly getting used to this love thing. Without a word Claire dragged him into his room and tackled him to the bed.
"Look," he gasped. She turned her head to see the final bead moving. What she didn't expect was the bright flash of light that came after it.