Chapter 55 Better man

Nervously Alex walked in the corridor of the hospital. His daughter had interrupted his proposal, but he wasn't willing to wait for another few days till everything was settled at home. He wasn't going to wait, he once did and he had always regretted it. Alex was sure he wouldn't make the same mistake again. So he tried to dress as best as possible in these circumstances and felt the little box in his jacket. A cd in his right hand, determined to find a Discman somewhere.

'Close your eyes', he said before fully opening the door of the room. Stevie was sitting up in her bed and smirked. 'Why should I close my eyes Alex?' 'Just do it, for me, please'. He hoped she would go along easily, cause he was already getting too nervous without her questions. Stevie smiled. He was up to something and she could hear it in his voice. 'Ready?' 'Yeah Alex, closed'.

He walked in and she could feel him pushing her to the side of the bed, when he joined her. 'I'm not sure the bed can take this Alex.' 'I'm only leaning against it ... don't open your eyes okay.' Stevie nodded. She felt him push something in her ear, which made her move away. 'Alex!' 'It's okay'. He gave her a kiss on her ear, which made her smile. She figured it indeed was a little headphone. Alex placed the other one in his own ear and whispered. 'Just listen'.

There was a time
I had nothing to give
I needed shelter from the storm I was in
And when it all got too heavy
You carried my weight
And I want to hold you
And I want to say

She could feel him hold her hand, while listened attentive to the song. She recognized it and it made her smile. It was the song that had played on the radio when they had been at the lake, many months ago. He had taken her hand when they sat in the car, not willing to drive away before the song was finished. It had been the perfect ending of a big step in their relationship. She was surprised he remembered it.

That you are all that I need
For you, I give my soul to keep
You see me, love me
Just the way I am
For you I am a better man
I said you are the reason
For everything that I do
I'd be lost, so lost, without you

Under the stars
At the edge of the sea
There's no one around
No one but you and me
We'd talk for hours
As time drifts away
I could stay here for ever
And hold you this way

When it was finished she could feel him take the headphone out, getting off the bed. She didn't have a clue what he was up to, till she felt him take her hand again; in front of her. 'Now you may open your eyes.' Stevie slowly lifted her eyelids to see him kneeled down in front her. She could feel her heart skip a beat within a sec. 'Alex'. 'Shssss', he said, placing his index finger on his lips. 'Just hear me'. She could feel his hand tremble in hers and the only thing she could do was stare at him with big eyes. Alex looked down for a moment, hoping he could remember the words he so wanted her to hear.

'There's a reason that I made you listen to this song. Cause it's the way you make me feel.' He paused, hardly able to make his voice sound clear, breathing in. 'Stevie ...' He moved a bit. She bitted her lip, already feeling the tears well up. 'You're the one that makes my heart beat. The one I wanna be with. You gave me the most precious thing, our daughter. I never been here, I never felt this, and it's all because of you I am ...' He paused again, searching for words. It made her smile for a moment. 'There are a lot of other things I wanted to say ...' She smiled comforting at him. 'I love you with all my heart Stevie. I love you so much that it sometimes frightens me, but I know you will pull me through. Will you make me the happiest man in the universe and marry me?'

Hopefully he looked up, seeing the first tears leaving her eyes, when the biggest smile he had ever seen of her, shone through the tears. 'Yes Alex!' He stood up and pulled her close. He looked at her with a big smile. 'I love you Stevie'. 'I love you too Alex', she almost giggled, feeling the intense joy inside, before he leaned in to kiss her. Tender, but passionate, when he moved back. 'One last thing'. He showed her the black box, opening it in front of her when she looked totally stunned. 'Oh my, it's beautiful Alex.' 'You like it?' 'Like it? I love it!'

'Shall we tell everyone?' Stevie asked, while Alex caressed her face. He hadn't been able to take his eyes of her for the last thirty minutes. 'Just think about it for a moment, will be back soon.' Stevie looked questioning amused at him. 'I wish I could stay but I really have to pee.' Stevie laughed out loud, seeing Alex' face, knowing it were probably all nerves, and he had tried to hold it up, cause he simply didn't want to leave her side. 'Sorry', he said uncomfortable. 'You're cute Alex', she smirked, giving him a kiss on his cheek. 'Cute? Cause I have to pee?' He looked at her. Stevie shook her head amused. 'Just go'.

'Back'. 'I see', Stevie said with a big smile. She had stared at her engagement ring for the last few minutes, immediately stroking her hand along his face when he sat down next to her. 'I've thought', Stevie said softly. 'I think at least Rose needs to know. When she comes tomorrow we can tell her, her sister's name and that we are engaged. And I can show her my handsome fiancée'. They smirked at each other. 'I can show her mine'. 'Really?' Their faces were close. He nodded teasingly. 'She's very beautiful.' 'Really?' 'Yeah, and she has beautiful brown eyes.' Stevie kept smiling at him, encouraging to continue.

'And those red curls framing her pretty face, and those very soft lips which form the most beautiful smile. Something like that', Alex aimed at the smile Stevie was giving him. 'And she had that very sexy way of biting her lip. Oh and her body, you should see her body. Even after just giving birth she's perfect.' 'Oh really?' Stevie said once again, amused, but impressed with his sweet words. 'Perfect breasts and a cute little bum. Oh and don't forget her sexy legs. But you know what the best thing about her is?' 'Nope', she shook her head, not breaking her smile. 'She's even more beautiful inside.' She kissed him for his great words, which he eagerly replied.

For you I am a better man

James Morrison – Better man