Hi Readers: Before we begin, I want to apologize for restarting this story. However, I felt like I rushed things a bit too fast. In fact, I do not even know whether I am ready for them to be engaged. But what I am ready for, is to give you the best story I can. Here we go.

Chapter One

October 8, 2012 – Casey Home, Lemont, IL – No matter how many times he tried to tell her that he was okay, that he wasn't hurting, and that he was okay with her death; there was just one thing that Alexandra Jacobs knew. And it was that deep down, she was not the only woman that he's been in love with for the past couple years; because love doesn't just disappear when you separate from your spouse, even if you feel like there's nothing more you can do to salvage the relationship that you once had with the woman you love. The truth is, there's always going to be a small part of you which will always love your former spouse; especially when they are departed. When they are no longer here on earth for you to talk to them as friends, and just seem them from time-to-time even after you've moved on with your life, which is precisely what her boyfriend is trying to do with her. And while some people may say that they are moving too fast due to the fact that they are already sharing a bed ten days after the death of his spouse in a tragic car crash; the truth is, she and Matt have been living with each other and sharing a bed with each other (intimately) for quite some time now.

And that was due to the fact that this home in Geneva was never his marital home where he lived with his late wife Dr. Hallie Thomas-Casey, but it was instead what you would call a "love nest" where the two of them have been meeting up in secret since they began seeing each other on a regular basis. And while at first, it was on a strictly professional level (as he is her boss as the head of the company which she works for); and the truth is, it took some time for their relationship to turn romantic as it wasn't automatic. In fact, it was only when Matt's late wife left him to go to Africa did their relationship truly become romantic. That was when the feelings that they had between one another could no longer be denied; at least, only until his wife came back. Because when she came back, they didn't know what to do; other than to go back to the way things were before she left to go volunteer in Africa this past summer. And that was due to the fact that he wanted to go back to his wife and see if they could salvage their marriage. And they truly did try pretty hard. They really tried hard, until the tragic day where his wife died in a tragic car accident. And that was why she was here right now.

It was due to the fact that this was the time that he needed her the most, for her to be here with him as his supportive partner in, which is something that she plans on doing and being, no matter how long it takes for Matt to feel better. After all, that's what you do for the person you love. When you love someone, you help them through everything that they have to go through in life; just like the marriage vows that she hopes to one day make to the man she loves. But right now, she shouldn't really be thinking about that; due to the fact that Matt is in no place to even think about getting married, not so soon. Not when he just lost Hallie. Not when he just lost his wife, whom he made the same vows she hopes to one day make with him to a few years earlier. But for now, she was more than okay with doing something else; and that would be to act like his wife, as she supports him the way a wife would. Supports him as he navigates these hard times and helps him get through them as easily as he can; and as healthy as he possibly can. After all, he has been doing some not-so-healthy things as of late, which most certainly included waking up early (and not telling her about that).

But now that she knew that he was down here, she decided to get in his indoor pool with him (thank god, as it's freezing out); regardless of the fact that it was currently half-past midnight. Yes, it's that early in the morning. Then again, can you really say it's early? When it comes to grief, it can hit you when you least expect it. She just wishes he would've told her, then they could've been together the entire time; and maybe he could've had her here the entire time, swimming with her in his arms. I mean, that's if it's what he wants; if it isn't what she wants, then she most certainly will let him keep swimming out here alone. But if now, then she plans on joining her boyfriend (and one of her bosses) in the pool. And yes, you heard that right. Alex is dating her boss. And that's due to the fact that she works as a model for his company. More specifically, she's a lingerie model for Casey Apparel; a company which is owned by her boyfriend's corporation, but which he doesn't run. Rather, his sister Christie Casey runs it; as well as all of the other brands which it owns, up to and including L&P. That's the specific brand that Alex works for, L&P (which is short for Love & Passion); the lingerie and swimwear line that they have as part of Casey Apparel, which is actually how she and Matt met.

They met at a photoshoot, and later started dating in secret; and it was actually really easy for them to sneak around, as she's recently been promoted to the head of the entire division (L&P). However, she's sure that's not solely based on merit; rather, she has a feeling that her boyfriend had something to do with it. But right now, that isn't what's on her mind; rather, her boyfriend is on her mind. The boyfriend who was currently out here, in the pool alone, which is about to change as she plans on getting in the pool with him so that she can make him feel better, not that she wants to do that out here. Rather, she should be making him feel better inside where it's nice and warm; something she plans on telling him when she's in there. Setting her towel down on the pool chair with Matt's, Alex took a breath as she made her way over to the stairs that would lead her into the pool so that she could make her way over to the man she loves; doing so quietly, as she didn't want to disturb Matt in his thoughts (which may or may not be about his late wife).

After all, she wants him to open up to her at his own pace; if he doesn't feel like he can talk to her yet, then she doesn't feel like he should. But right now, she's at least going to do something, which is place her hand on his face. "Hey, what are you doing out?" Turning to look at his girlfriend, Matt sighed. "As much as I tried, I couldn't sleep." Alex agreed with matt as he said that, grateful to the fact that he decided to tell her the truth rather than lie to her; something she plans on mentioning to him as she got close to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. At the same time, Matt put his hands on her legs and then wrapped them around his waist, which is precisely what Alex wanted him to do, because it allowed them to hold each other close. After which, she placed her hand on the back of his head and just cuddled up to the man of her dreams as she leaned her forehead against his forehead this morning. Leaning in, she then proceeded to kiss the man she loves as a way to try and make him feel better; while also wrapping her legs around his waist even tighter so that they could hold each other close, something that Matt really wanted as he felt like he needed Alex right now.

So much so, that he placed his hands on her legs as they cuddled up to each other in the pool; something that was really nice, especially as he felt Alex lay her head down on his shoulder. After which, he bent down and pressed his lips to her shoulder and kissed it, which was his way of showing her just how much he truly appreciates that she's here with him during one of the hardest times in his life. "Thanks for coming out here." Alex agreed with her boyfriend as he thanked her for coming out here, before leaning back and wrapping her arms around his shoulders; holding him close, she leaned her forehead against his and whispered to him "Baby, it's no problem. I love you. And that's why I'm here. You have no need to thank me for doing my job as your girlfriend." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, smiling due to the fact that he has the woman he loves here with him. He then proceeded to kiss her once more, ahead of him speaking to her. "I just have a lot on my mind at the moment." Alex agreed with Matt as she wrapped her arms around his neck, as that's something that she already knew and understood; I mean, the fact that he has a lot on his mind was obvious.

He just hasn't been himself lately, which is why she wants to be here for him as much as she can; something that Matt appreciates, especially when he gets a chance to run his hands up and down her back. Something that he got a chance to do when they were in bed, but that he likes doing here in the pool as well. "What time is it anyways?" Turning her head, Alex kissed his neck. "12:30 AM." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, while also leaning back and staring into her eyes; meanwhile, she placed her hand on the back of his head as she started to take things nice and slow with her handsome boyfriend. "I love you." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, as she loves her boyfriend too. "I love you too, and that's why I'm here for you babe. I'm here to help you get through this." Matt agreed with Alex as he put his hand on her back before stroking it with his thumb, as they both continued to hold each other close in the pool. And the truth was, this feels like what Matt needs right now; he needs to have Alex here. "I don't want you to leave."

Leaning back, Alex turned Matt's head before leaning in and kissing him softly. "Baby, I'm not leaving you. I promise. I'm here with you because I love you, and I want what's best for you, which means that I need to be here to help you get through this." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, well aware that was the case. "I hope you know that I really appreciate that." Alex agreed with Matt as he told her that, well aware that was the case. "Baby, you really don't think I already know that you appreciate the fact that I'm here? I know that you can only open up to certain people, which is why I'm here." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, really happy that she was here with him. He then felt her wrap her arms around his neck as they both held each other close. Meanwhile, he ran his hand up and down her back as they both cuddled up to each other here in the pool. "Listen, I am not going to say that you should head back to bed; but I think you should." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, before turning his head and kissing her neck as they held each other.

However, he just didn't know if he could sleep. "Not sure I can sleep right now." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, more than okay with that. "And we don't need to sleep. We can just cuddle up to each other and relax." Matt smiled as he heard Alex say that, before turning his head and starting to take things nice and slow with the most beautiful woman in the entire world. Running his hand up Alex's back, Matt turned his head and kissed her neck softly before grabbing her bra. "Can I take this off?" Moving her hand to the side of Matt's face, Alex agreed. "Yes." Matt agreed with Alex as he started to take things nice and slow with the woman he loves, before swimming over to the stairs; while at the same time, he took off her bra to make things easier when they're upstairs. "I want you in bed." Alex agreed with her boyfriend, as that most certainly is what she wants as well. She wants the man she loves to take her in his arms. "Me too baby." Matt smiled, agreeing with the woman he loves as he carried her out of the pool to take her up to bed.

Now this was the perfect way for him to distract himself, for him to take things nice and slow with the woman he loves in their bed; the bed which he plans on sharing with her for the rest of their lives, due to the fact that he can't see himself being with anybody else. He can only see himself being with Alex, which is something that she loves. She loves that Matt can only see himself being with her for the rest of his life, which is why she isn't scared whatsoever about them having unprotected sex. In fact, she just loves it so much due to the fact that Matt is just the best in bed. There's just something about the way that he makes love to her which makes her want to moan all the time, which is precisely what she's in the midst of doing for her man. "MATT!" Matt smirked as he heard Alex say that, before moving his hand to the side of her face and continuing to take things nice and slow with each other. "God, I love you so much." Alex agreed with Matt as he told her that, as he loves her too. "I love you too Matt, forever." Matt smiled as he heard Alex say that.

After which, he rolled over onto his side as he wanted to take a breather; something that Alex knew, which is why she rolled over onto her own side and got close to him. That way, she could cuddle up to him as they both held each other close; here in the comfort of their bed (which is something that they both want to do at the moment). They both want to hold each other, as they just take it easy and relax in bed for a moment. "Thanks for being here for me babe, even though I know this is an awkward time for us. I'm grieving, but I want to be with you." Alex agreed with Matt, as she knew that this was awkward too. But at the end of the day, there's nowhere else she'd rather be other than here with him; as he's the man she loves, and the man she wants to be with as he goes through this hard time. "Baby, I'm here because I love you and want to be with you during this hard time." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, while also tugging her body against his chest some more; he then ran his hand up and down her back as they held each other.

As they held each other, here in the comfort of their bed, which is precisely what they want to be doing right now. They want to be holding each other, as they cuddle up to each other in bed; with Alex running her hand up and down his muscular chest, which is something that reminded Matt of the first time they slept together, and how he missed it when he wasn't with her. "I really regret having gone back to this past summer." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, laying her head down on his chest as she cuddled up to the man she loves. "Do you regret what we're doing right now?" Turning his head, Matt was surprised as he heard Alex say that; he then shook his head as he started to stroke her back wit his thumb. "I will never regret the fact that we're already together. Because the truth is, I am in love with you Alex; I haven't been in love with Hallie for a while. Instead, you've been the one in my heart." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case as he's told her that before. However, she did have a question for him.

"And we aren't moving on too fast, are we?" Matt shook his head. "No, we're just picking up where we left off; where we should've never left." Turning her head, Alex smiled as that was exactly what she wanted. She wanted to be with this incredible man as they held each other close, here in the comfort of their bed, because that's what Matt wants this to be now. He wants this to be their bed as they cuddled up to each other every night for the rest of their lives. "I want you to move in Alex." Turning her head to look up at Matt, Alex was a bit surprised as she heard him say that. "Really?" Matt nodded as he wrapped his arm around her, before moving his hand to the back of her head; he then leaned in and proceeded to take things nice and slow with the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world. The only woman that he's truly loved for the longest time. "Let's talk about it in the morning, okay? Right now, just take things slow with me until we fall asleep in each other's arms." Matt agreed with Alex, doing just that for the woman he loves.