Adalind fixed the table up with the best dinnerware she could manage. Two white ceramic plates and simple silver utensils were all that currently occupied their cabinets. It would have to do.
Her frantic hands passed over every detail on the dinner table, twice, before she returned to the kitchen to complete the meal. She figured a steak dinner, with veggies and potatoes as a side. Simple, yet classy. Perfect for a hardworking man like Nick.
Leaving the veggies to cook, Adalind rushed to the bathroom to look over her appearance once more.
Her golden hair was set in long waves down her back, the half circles beneath her eyes were concealed and her lips were painted pink. She sighed, smoothing out her black dress, everything would be fine. She just had to act natural. Wait, what was that burning smell?
"Crap!"
Rushing to the kitchen in a state horror, the veggies were on fire on the stove , the oven had just gone off, beeping relentlessly, and worst of all, Nick had just so happened to walk through the door at that exact moment.
Adalind had beat him to it, already standing at the stove by the time the man knew what was going on. She quickly turned the stove off, escaping unharmed by the rising flames, and was going to smother the fire when Nick appeared behind her harnessing a wet towel. Swiftly, he threw it over the pan and dumped it in the sink.
Adalind tore herself away from the confused man to pull the steaks out of the oven and stop the incessant timer.
"Are you okay?"
She was too embarrassed to turn back around, so she grabbed a random towel and walked to the dinner table.
"I'm so sorry, I walked away for just a minute."
Adalind turned towards Nick to find him looking at her with a mixture of confusion and suspicion. He was wearing a thick jacket, suitable for the cold Portland days, and his badge hanging off his belt. Of course he would feel suspicious. This was her after all, he probably thought she was trying to burn the house down, or poison his food. She sighed, averting her gaze from his piercing blue eyes.
"Really, I didn't mean- I mean, I wanted to…just surprise you I guess. With a nice dinner, you know?"
Great, now she sounded like a child. Looking back up to Nick, she found his suspicion transforming into shock, then he smiled.
"Its alright, it was accident. And I would love a homemade dinner for once."
His smile was practically glowing, and although Adalind believed he could be faking for her sake, it still managed to make her relax and walk back to the kitchen.
Nick relished the look of relief on Adalind's face, of course at one point he might have believed that she was up to something nefarious, because she almost always was. But things were different now, she had to realize that, right?
The two adults worked silently in the kitchen, cleaning the mess, and finishing with their meal. Adalind sent Nick to the table as she finished each plate.
Smiling nervously, Adalind sat the food down and took a seat adjacent Nick at the small wood table.
"So there's no occasion for this then?"
The question made Adalind flinch and she kept her eyes on her plate, afraid to look him in the eye for fear of choking out.
"Well, I know you must not have had a nice meal in while", she flinched again, "and I suppose that would be my fault."
She paused to gauge Nicks reaction, he had stopped eating and was staring across the room. So far, so good.
"I guess I just wanted you to know how sorry I am. And I know I've said it a lot, but I really truly mean it."
Her courage building, Adalind looked Nick directly in the eyes, baring all of the desperation and guilt that had slowly been building inside of her.
"I wish I could take it all back. Everything I did to you."
She was crying, great, now it looked like she was guilt tripping him, but the tears wouldn't stop. They glassed over her big blue eyes, her chest constricting painfully. She truly regretted it all, because she loved him.
A smooth hand glided over hers and Adalind looked up in surprise. Nick was staring right at her, his face soft and worried.
He sighed, "I forgive you. I have for a while now."
Adalind was knocked off her feet, never once expecting this amount of affection and amnesty from him of all people. The one she had hurt the most.
"You're different now, you're better, and so am I."
Adalind couldn't help but laugh, thoroughly confusing the man across from her. She smiled gratefully.
"Nick, please don't make excuses for me. I was abominable, and I'm glad that I'm different."
Nick smiled, his perfect glowing smile, and Adalind once again felt a warmth in the pit of her stomach. She really did love him, and as much forgiveness as she gained from him, she knew she couldn't expect him ever loving her the same way.
Which is why it was so surprising to realize Nick was moving closer to her. Apparently Adalind had been staring at his mouth too long, and in return Nick moved his sight to her own pink lips. She was even more surprised to find herself moving with him, the two adults pressing themselves against their respective sides of the table.
Adalind kept checking his line of sight to be sure of what she thought she had been imagining. But when they finally met in the middle, and Nick pressed his soft lips against hers, she knew there was no way on earth this could be her imagination. It felt too good, too real.
Slowly, her eyes slipped closed as she smiled against Nick's lips. Finally they pulled apart and simply stared into each other's eyes. Adalind was hoping beyond all reason that she hadn't just crossed a boundary. Nick was smiling reassured at her, his eyes wandering her face, and over her shoulder.
"Except Kelly."
Adalind wrinkled her brow as Nick smirked at her.
"You said you wish you could take it all back. Except Kelly?"
Finally understanding, Adalind smiled and nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly.
"Except Kelly."
She couldn't possible be any happier than she already was, happy to have Nick, and happy to raise their child together.