Simon wasn't sure what he was expecting when Izzy opened that door. It looked like an apartment. Had he really been expecting it to be some kind of dungeon or lair? Why did it feel so strange to him that it looked so normal? There was a closet to put coats on their left and place for shoes under the long thin table on the right.

Simon watched as Izzy took off her shoes and dumped her bag on the table. It was a nice table. Made of wood with coloured panels on the top. Beside Izzy's purse was a large rather beautiful bowl Simon had to assume was for putting keys and similar items the moment you walked in. Feeling more comfortable though not exactly at home, Simon took off his shoes and placed them beside hers.

"Come in," Izzy said gently, moving farther into the hallway. "I'll give you a tour."

"Of my own apartment?" he replied.

"As far as you are concerned you've never been here before," Izzy answered with far more understanding than he'd been expecting. "So I thought a tour would be nice."

"It would," Simon smiled back. Something felt different now than it had the last time he'd seen her. Before she'd been upset, desperate and well to be honest needy. The way she'd looked at him in the hospital had made Simon feel like he had failed her somehow by not knowing her. It had been rather overwhelming to get such an intense feeling from what he considered a stranger, but now everything seemed calmer. Simon could feel the anxiety in his chest easing.

"First door on the left is the main bathroom," Izzy said. "The next one's the second bedroom we are using as our office."

"Our office?" Simon asked.

"Both our computers are in there," Izzy replied.

"Why'd we set it up that way?" Simon asked.

"Sometimes it's nice to be in the same room but not actually doing the same thing," she answered. "You used to say it was all the benefits of company without any of the drawbacks."

"I did huh?" Simon chuckled. He had to admit the introvert in him kinda loved the idea, but he would never have thought to implement it with a romantic partner. Clary would have hated it. She always said it felt like he was ignoring her whenever he looked at his phone in her presence.

"Straight ahead is the door to our bedroom," Izzy continued. "There is also an en suite bathroom as well." Then she turned to face the big open doorway.

"Couch and tv means this is the living room," Izzy said gesturing with her hand past the archway and into the living space.

"Makes sense," Simon commented. He noticed that the couch looked rather newer than his mothers and hoped that meant he'd sleep better tonight.

She walked through the open archway and past the couch before turning left through another door. Simon wasn't surprised by what was in there. Afterall, they really only had one room left to cover.

"And this is the kitchen," Izzy said. "It isn't much, just the basics and a small table but it's enough for us." She stopped and turned to face him before adding, "And that's your tour."

"Thanks," Simon said with a slight smile. It was nice not to feel lost in an unfamiliar layout. He had however recognized a few things familiar to him. So the pillows and furniture were mostly new but there was a book sitting on the table he remembered buying and the coffee maker on the kitchen counter was his as well.

"I know it's not that big," Izzy was saying. "But it's enough for now. You said once that if we could get higher paying jobs we might wanna think about buying a house after-." She broke off and Simon somehow knew what she had planned to say.

"After the wedding," Simon said, deciding to say it rather than leave the words unspoken and hanging in the air between them.

"Um well yeah," Izzy mumbled. "Sorry I slipped up. I promised myself I wouldn't bring it up."

"It's okay," Simon said, 'cause it was. Her mentioning it hadn't triggered any anxiety for him. Maybe he could do this? Maybe he could get to know her and his life would feel more on track again.

"I'm just not really sure what the protocol is here," Izzy continued. "I was so amazingly relieved when you woke up I just wanted to- well you can guess I'm sure. But now- everything just got so complicated so fast."

"On that we can agree," Simon replied. "Complicated is actually an understatement." She laughed. There was a light beauty to her laughter and for the first time Simon saw more to her than just a stranger. She wasn't familiar per say but she was at least warm and welcoming. Maybe he could come to feel at home here?

"Do you want to unpack your things?" Izzy asked him.

It was true Simon had a small bag he'd brought from his mothers and it seemed to make sense so he nodded. Izzy walked with him back to their bedroom and opened the closet.

"I will confess most of this is mine," she admitted. "But you do have a spot here for your work shirts and" she turned to indicate which she meant before adding, "And that whole dresser is yours."

"It's okay," Simon chuckled. "I might have forgotten a few years but I do remember enough to know that any man who moved in with a woman should know better than to expect the majority of the closet space."

He was still laughing at his joke when he noticed her looking at him. It was like whatever mask she'd put on to be normal around him had lifted and suddenly her affection was shining through. Simon was flattered but it also made him nervous so he turned back to the closet hoping she didn't notice he'd seen.

He didn't recognize any of his work shirts. They all looked so nice he felt sure Izzy had helped him pick them out, but when he made his way to his dresser Simon started to recognize some of his old clothes.

He held up one shirt in particular. There were holes in it and Simon found himself really surprised Izzy hadn't made him throw it out before now. He mentioned as much to her and she gave him a sheepish smile.

"That's the shirt you were wearing when we met," Izzy admitted. "I never did have the heart to throw it out."

"How very sentimental of you," Simon replied. "To me it's more like I bought this shirt yesterday and my invisible clone ruined it."

Izzy laughed again. Simon had noticed she seemed to do this alot. In his experience when women laughed at his jokes it was usually out of pity. He didn't think Izzy was doing this but maybe she was just trying to be nice or trying to make him feel more comfortable. Simon wasn't sure yet.

It was then that he realized he was suddenly curious and since there was no reason not to ask, voiced his question aloud.

"How did we meet?"

"Well you were wearing that shirt," Izzy began, pointing at the item of clothing still in Simon's hand.

"That much I had gathered," Simon chuckled.

"My brother in law and I were out to karaoke night which my brother always refuses to attend," Izzy began. "Despite the fact that his husband would love to hear him sing 'You are my sunshine' while drunk. Anyway you were there. You were sitting at the bar nursing a drink. I noticed you but I didn't go over to talk to you until I realized you'd been nursing the same drink for hours." She chuckled. "I guess I just had to know what was so bad you wanted to spend an entire evening sunking alone with your single drink."

"You approached me then," Simon confirmed. Izzy nodded. "That does explain it."

"Explain what?" Izzy asked huffy though Simon could tell she was teasing.

"How a nerd like me ended up with…" he wasn't sure how to phrase it and eventually settled for starting over. "I may not know you very well or remember any of the time we've spent together but even I can appreciate how beautiful you are."

She took a step closer to him and then seemed to check herself. Simon suspected she'd wanted to kiss him and there was a part of him that wanted her to but a bigger part wanted a little more time.

"Just cause I look good in tight clothes doesn't mean I can't also be a nerd," Izzy reminded him.

"That's good," Simon chuckled. "Or this will never work."

It was the kind of joke you make on a first date and it had felt right to Simon but he could see in Izzy's eyes that to her it hadn't. He decided it was time to change the subject.

"What's for dinner?" he asked.

Instantly he knew this wasn't the right choice of topic but it was too late.

"I actually can't cook," Izzy admitted. "If it's more than putting lunch meat on bread or boiling water I'm lost."

"You can't be that bad," Simon remarked.

"Oh I am," Izzy replied. "You have forbidden me from cooking in your kitchen multiple times."

"I mean it feels a bit like you are making the guest cook here," Simon said with a smile. "But I could give it a go."

"Or I could order you something," Izzy said eagerly as if trying to make up for her lack of skills. "Anything you like."

"I actually have almost no idea what my financial situation is at the moment so maybe cooking is a better idea," Simon smiled.

"Our financial situation is fine but I do love your cooking," Izzy smiled at him. Her tone was casual but her words were sure. It was like she was trying to remind him this wasn't a first date from her perspective.

"Right then," Simon said, trying to focus on the task at hand and not the overwhelming feeling of failure generated by the wants and needs of the stunningly gorgeous woman he suddenly lived with. "Dinner it is."

A quick inspection of the cupboards revealed that not only did Izzy not cook but she also hadn't done the shopping.

"Sorry," Izzy whined. "I just have been so busy with you in the hospital and since I can't cook anyway."

"How have you not starved?" Simon chuckled.

"Actually I've been eating at your mom's place most nights," Izzy replied. "That is until you woke up anyway."

The last bit made Simon flinch. He tried to hide it but he wasn't sure if he managed it. All this time he'd been at his mothers he hadn't realized he'd cost Izzy more than merely his absences. If she was that close with his mother Simon had cost her that as well.

"Sometimes Elaine came over here to cook," Izzy continued. "But she usually brought the ingredients."

"You and mom are pretty close then," Simon said slowly.

"I had planned on being her daughter in law so yes," Izzy replied. "She's like family to me." She paused for a moment as if deciding if it was worth daring to say more.

"You used to say you loved how close we were," Izzy continued, clearly deciding she did dare. "We'd go over for family dinners and your sister and I would play checkers while you and your mom cooked."

Simon didn't speak. His chest was getting tight again.

"My brother even likes you," Izzy said. "And he doesn't like anyone."

Simon wasn't looking in the cupboard anymore. He was just staring. Trying to stay calm. It was just too much pressure.

"I'm sorry," Izzy said. "I just miss you so much and yet you are standing right there. This is hard for me too."

"I know," Simon said slowly. He was focusing on his breathing.

What was his problem? Here was this absolutely gorgeous kind and potentially nerdy woman right before his eyes who was completely in love with him and all he could do about it was panic. Yes, okay so she couldn't cook. Big deal. He could cook well enough for both of them. He'd never had a problem committing to his relationship with Clary. It wasn't commitment issues or fear of love so why was his chest so tight?

"Maybe I should just order something," Izzy said. "And tomorrow we can go grocery shopping."

"Okay," Simon said simply. He still hadn't managed to calm himself back down to where he'd been.

They exchanged a few words about what to order and ended up on subs. Izzy asked what he liked on his sandwich and he took her phone and selected the option without really thinking too hard about it.

Then there was silence and not the good kind. When Simon couldn't take it any long he said he was going to take a shower. He didn't really need one but it seemed like something he could do alone and he needed the space. It then occurred to him that he and Izzy had probably had showered together before and maybe she'd want to join him. The idea did nothing to relieve his anxiety.

She didn't say a word about it however and merely mentioned that she'd keep an eye out for dinner. Simon nodded and headed back to the bedroom and through to the ensuite.

Simon couldn't help it. He locked the door. He knew it was silly but somehow it helped so he decided he didn't care. Stripping down, he got into the shower and as the first wave of warm water hit him, Simon could feel himself relax.

This was silly. Everything was fine and he needed to calm down. What he really needed was to understand why he wasn't calm. Yes she wanted more than he had to offer right now, but why was that so bad? He'd been in the opposite situation with Clary and he knew it. She'd never been as invested in the relationship as him from the beginning and it had very likely failed due to that.

No matter how unnaturally anxious he was Simon knew he had to try, to really try, and love Izzy. He couldn't do to her what Clary had done to him. He could feel the potential with Izzy, could sense something different about her. It was just that he couldn't remember any of why. It felt like he'd skipped to the end of the book and sure the endings were the best part but only because of all the lead up. No one wanted to watch the last ten minutes of every movie, never seeing the rest. It wouldn't make sense or have near the same emotional impact.

Maybe that was what was making his chest tight. A happy ending without the journey to get there just felt out of place, like he'd missed the best parts. Simon needed to know the rest of the story.

Feeling better Simon got out of the shower and then tried to find something in his dresser he recognized to put on. He settled for an old pair of jeans he didn't recognize but were pretty basic and a t-shirt he'd bought back in college.

When Simon opened the door of the bedroom, he saw Izzy sitting on the couch with a take out bag on the coffee table in front of her.

Simon walked forward and took his meal. "Thank you," he said.

"No problem," Izzy replied. She was already eating hers but she hadn't gotten far. Simon suspected the delivery guy had just arrived.

They ate in silence for a moment, but it wasn't like before. This was a more comfortable silence.

"I'm sorry," Simon said when he was done eating. "I shouldn't have freaked out on you like that."

"It's okay," Izzy said. "I told myself I was going to make this easy on you. I just suck at it."

"You don't suck at it," Simon replied, but she gave him a look that said in no certain terms that she did indeed suck at this.

"Cut yourself some slack," Simon told her. "This isn't exactly a common situation."

"Thanks," she smiled at him.

"I was wondering," Simon began. Then he took a deep breath and just said it. "I was wondering if you'd tell me more about us?"

"Of course," Izzy replied eagerly. "Anything you want to know."

"I can't think of anything specific," Simon answered. "I just feel like I got to the end of the movie without seeing the story and I wanna know the story. Does that make sense?"

"Definitely," Izzy smiled. "One tale of Izzy and Simon coming up."

And then she began. She started with the bar story from before but elaborated on it. Simon learned that her brother's name was Alec and his husband's name was Magnus. Izzy had approached him at the bar and sat and talked with him while he'd sulked into his drink.

"After about an hour it seemed like you were sulking less which I quite liked so I invited you to join us," Izzy continued. "But you said you were too tired and wanted to go home. You did however ask for my number before you left." She added grinning.

"I did?" Simon asked, stunned.

"Yep," Izzy chirped. "And you called me the next morning."

"You didn't think that was too soon?" Simon asked.

"Nope," Izzy answered. "I always hate it when guys pretend they aren't interested but actually are. It's too much like lying and serves no purpose."

"Fair point," Simon admitted.

"Anyway," Izzy got them back on topic as she continued her story. "You called and invited me out to breakfast later that week. We met up and you had the grand breakfast platter while I had eggs benedict."

"What did we talk about on our date?" Simon asked.

"To be perfectly honest I can't remember exactly," Izzy admitted. "I think we covered the basics like our jobs, our hobbies, and our favourite foods."

And then Simon realized he actually didn't know what she did for a living. He also barely knew how his own career was going but that was a problem for another day.

"So," Simon inquired. But Izzy didn't quite get it until he added, "What is your job, your hobbies and your favourite foods?"

"Oh right sorry," Izzy added sheepishly. "I keep forgetting that you forget even though I know you forgot. Umm so yeah I am a medical receptionist. I like to play open world video games and simulation style games or read a good romance novel. My favourite food is eggs benedict."

"Excellent first date choice on my part then," Simon observed.

"Yes it was," Izzy agreed.

"What kinds of games do you play?"

"The last one I played was called Fenyx Rising. It was an open world game based on Greek mythology," Izzy explained.

"Sounds fun."

"Yeah it was," Izzy agreed. "And then you got me into the Horizon games which were great. Still waiting on the third one of those and we just bought the new Harry Potter game."

"There's an open world Harry Potter game!?"

He couldn't believe it. He loses a few years and suddenly gets the exact game he'd been wanting for since finishing the seventh book.

"Yep," Izzy smiled. "Hogwarts Legacy. We'd just built our characters before- well before you got into the accident. I haven't touched it since."

Simon was suddenly very excited and it was getting easier and easier to imagine his first date with this woman. They'd eaten together and then talked and it had been simple. The difference here is that he didn't have to wait to see her again on another date. He didn't have to say goodnight to her and go back to his place. And best of all he didn't have to wait to get his hands on the controller.

"We should play," Simon suggested. "Right now."

"Alright," Izzy chuckled. She got up off the couch to collect the controller gathering dust next to the tv. She handed it to him and turned on the screen.

It was so relaxing sitting there playing video games while Izzy watched. Simon had never imagined he'd be able to relax like this with her. During the sorting ceremony Simon ended up in Hufflepuff which he wasn't so sure about.

"Isn't that the meh house?"

"I was doing some reading online and it's the only house that gets the Azkaban quest," Izzy explained. "I say we go with it."

"Alright then," and Simon accepted the sorting before going onto the next event in the game.

It was so much easier to spend time with her when they had a task at hand. A task they were both enjoying. Simon was the one with the controller, while Izzy sat beside him and watched. She seemed to have a knack for pointing out things he missed and was clearly enjoying the storyline.

Hours passed. The sun set and the game continued. Simon could feel the tiredness in his eyes and knew he'd have to call it a night soon. But not in the middle of a quest. He powered through and competeled it but then he felt his energy leave him.

"This was fun," he said with a huge yawn. "But I gotta pass out."

"I know the feeling," Izzy agreed. She was yawning too but he suspected determined to stay up as long as Simon did.

Simon planned to just lean over and pass out right here on the couch but as soon as he tried it, Izzy stopped him.

"You won't be comfortable here," Izzy told him. "Come on."

Simon was almost too groggy to argue with her. She hoisted him up and got him walking before he realized she was taking him to their bedroom and suddenly the pressure was back. Izzy seemed to sense his tension before she quickly spoke to reassure him.

"Just sleep I promise," she said. "It's a big bed so we don't even need to cuddle. I just don't want you to wake up with a sore back."

And Simon gave in. He was so tired and wanted so badly to sleep in an actual bed for a change. Simon was already asleep before his head hit the pillow.

So I think after this chapter there will be just two more. I never really had a long term plan for this story and am running out of ideas. I kinda just wrote the first chapter because it popped into my head and then the rest of the story has been made up as I go. Either way I hope you are enjoying reading it. Cheers.

Sneak Peek Chapter 5

... hopefully soon... definietly eventually.