Chapter 10

Say when and my two hands

Will comfort you tonight, tonight

Say when and my own two arms

Will carry you tonight tonight.

Say when-The Fray

On Sunday morning, Moira found the kitchen empty because everyone had gone to bed late. Charles and she had exchanged a long kiss in front of her door after the bonfire, for he would go prepare the lecture he was going to present the other week.

Moira prepared a cup of tea with honey and went to the kitchen porch, watching the beautiful sunny morning and smiled, feeling relaxed with the warm wind, taking a sip of her drink.

She then felt two arms wrap around her and she closed her eyes, leaning against his chest as Charles laid a kiss on the side of her neck, making her shiver.

"Good morning my love."

"Good morning Charles..." She smiled, turning her face to the side and Charles kissed her, feeling the sweet taste of thhe tea mixed with hers.

"Auch!" Moira put the cup on the railing, feeling that something had stung her arm and started to burn. "I think a bee stung me..."

"Let me see." Charles said gently, holding her arm carefully and seeing the little stinger on her skin. "Are you allergic?"

"I don't think so..."

Charles removed the stinger and then led her into the bathroom, setting her down on the stool and then cleaning the reddish spot with soap and water before gently wiping it, and Moira gave a small smile at his care. Charles was incredible and so kind.

The telepath smiled at her thought. He wouldn't be otherwise with her. He then placed a band aid and stroked her face, looking at her with affection:

"Are you okay? Do you feel different?"

"I'm fine, I guess I'm not allergic, don't worry." She told him soothingly and Charles kissed her again with passion.

Moira parted her lips for him, bringing her hands to the back of his head, stroking his hair as his tongue met hers, and Charles knew that this time there would be no bees to interrupt them.

In the afternoon, Moira and Charles went to town, and although it was Sunday, there weren't many people at the movies and they got good seats and privacy.

Unlike the last time Alex had convinced everybody to watch a horror movie, the couple had chosen an action movie that they both liked and they sat down with the popcorn and soda in hands and Moira lifted the armrest from her seat, so she could lean against Charles's shoulder, who involved her shoulders with his free hand as they talked.

"Ready for tomorrow?" Charles asked, because on Monday she would show to her advisor and some professors a part of her project and she smiled, grabbing some popcorn.

"As ready as I can be. My advisor was very interested that I chose your research as the theme of my final paper, quite challenging for a girl. "

"He's going to get a huge surprise to see how much you like and know about it."

"Shocking." She nodded, laughing, and though she felt ready, she was nervous, too.

Few girls studied sciences in college, but it was something she was interested in and would go through to the end.

Charles smiled, holding her free hand and entwining their fingers over her leg and looked at her fingers and stroking them with his, before looking into Moira's eyes and saying in a sincere and passionate voice:

"You're going to do great tomorrow. You're smart and interested and I know your potential, you and your mind are incredible."

Charles noticed that Moira was looking at him with a beautiful smile, shaking her head and she murmured:

"You can't be real..."

"But I'm right here." He said amused, before his face softened and he said: "And I love you."

"Me too."

The couple exchanged a passionate kiss, before the lights went out and the couple broke apart, keeping their hands clasped as they turned their attention to the screen.

In the middle of the movie, when the plot was slower, Moira leaned her head on Charles's shoulder and he then set the popcorn in the armchair beside him, bringing her legs gently over his, since there was no one sitting nearby, keeping his hand over them and he leaned his head against the chair, turning his face toward hers as Moira drew her face closer to his, meeting him in a kiss.

The kiss became more passionate, and Charles's hand caressed her legs beneath his, making her shiver as she nibbled on his lower lip before parting their lips.

Moira placed her hands around his biceps to hold on as his tongue found her. One of his hands went up to her arm, stroking it and realizing she was shivering, both from the touch as from the AC and he broke the kiss.

"Wear this." Charles murmured, removing the black jacket he was wearing and handing it to her, ignoring her protest. "I'm not cold, my dear."

"Thank you, Charles..." She pulled the jacket over her white dress and closed the zipper, feeling comfortable wrapped in the warmth and scent of Charles.

He then put an arm around her waist and Moira laid her head on his shoulder, hugging him, feeling him kiss her hair and she smiled with him, both comfortable as they turned their attention to the movie.

After leaving the movie theater, Moira kept dressed in Charles's the black jacket, who had to admit that it looked amazing in her and despite the sun, there was a cold autumn breeze as the couple walked hand in hand.

The telepath smiled to see a park with swings, where some children ran, and then he pulled Moira gently by the hand, guiding her to one of the swings.

"Oh my God, I haven't been on a swing in centuries!" She laughed, holding the chains as the telepath stood behind her to push her:

"I have't been to a playground since Raven decided she was too old for that."

Moira turned her face back, seeing the expression of longing on Charles's so she smiled, stretching her legs forward and said:

"You can push me."

Charles laughed, pushing her until she reached height and Moira had to admit that she too missed her childhood, feeling the wind on her face. But she wouldn't trade that moment with Charles for anything, it was perfect.

I wouldn't trade it either, my love...

Charles smiled, pushing her higher, feeling his heart fill with more love for her, if possible, with her thoughts and laughs, watching her stretch her legs even further.

When Moira left the swing, adjusting her dress skirt and jacket, she looked at Charles with a smirk and he laughed as he listened to her thoughts and saw her pointing to herself:

"Come on, Charles, I can't be the only adult here acting like a child, come on!"

She then pulled Charles by the hand, who shook his head amused, sitting on the swing and feeling her hands begin to push his back and then two children approached, doing what the couple was doing.

None of them cared about being adults, a college student and a professor with PhD, playing in a playground, because they were together, and having fun.

At night, back at the mansion, Charles and Erik played a challenging game of chess, but unlike the other times, they played in the living room, as Alex was making bets with the group.

I don't know how you can focus with Alex and the others talking, so loud, old friend. Erik thought, looking back and seeing Alex with a pen and a paper, writing what Magda was saying and he ended up grinning at his wife's words:

"My bet goes to my husband... He'll win the game in just some minutes."

"Okay, Erik 2, Charles 1. Got the money from Raven, Sean?" Alex asked as Sean checked the money in his hands and he nodded.

"Raven bet 15 dollars that Charles will win."

"Moira bet $10 on Charles." He then placed the paper on the table, rubbing his hands excitedly and taking 10 dollars from his pocket. "I'll bet on the boss too, he's a telepath."

"I'll bet on Erik, he's the best chess player." Sean said then and they exchanged smiles, shaking hands.

"After sharing part of the money among the winners, what's left we'll use to buy the new Yankees' caps."

"Deal, Alex!" Sean nodded and they approached Hank.

Ah Erik, after years listening to the thoughts of others around me, that doesn't bother me.

I admire you, Charles, for staying calm. Erik told him honestly, staring at his friend before doing his move and Charles smiled.

Thanks, and I have to admit that you have a great concentration while playing too...

And by the way, how's your headache?

Didn't have another, I think it was the stress...

I'm glad you're feeling better. Erik then saw Charles drop one of his pieces and smiled: Let's give them a good game... Will this be my second win in a row?

Not if I win, old friend.

We'll see, we'll see.