Authors Note: Hey guys. I'm soooooo sorry for the huge gap in updating. As usual, I haven't been feeling well, struggling with health/emotional stuff, etc. I had hoped to have more chapters the next time I updated, but I figure at this rate, one chapter is better than nothing.

Enjoy!

Chapter 107: Zak's Turn

Alicia's Point of View

After a few brief moments of kissing, I had gently pulled back, but only enough so that I could rest my forehead against Zak's. I saw him smile before he contentedly closed his eyes. I smiled myself before closing my own eyes.

As we sat there with our arms wrapped around each other, I let my thoughts wander to the immense relief I was feeling that, once again, we were able to work things out. After the events of the previous night, I really had no intention of leaving him, but I was afraid he would push me away for my own safety. But in all actuality, I felt safer when I was with him, as confusing as that may sound.

However, I was a little worried about how – and when – I'd be able to return to his house. I didn't want to make things worse by being afraid of going back, but I had to admit, I was afraid.

Before I could dwell too much on the subject, Zak interrupted my thoughts by gently pulling his head back from mine to look at me.

I opened my eyes to look back at him.

"So, what shall we do now?" Zak asked softly. "Do you want to go out somewhere and celebrate?" Zak added.

I was surprised by his thoughtfulness.

"Because we've known each other six months? Really?" I asked in surprise, with a smile on my face. "I thought that only existed with dating milestones," I added.

Zak smiled at me as I felt his arms gently squeeze me.

"Six months of knowing you is definitely worth celebrating..." Zak replied softly, completely serious.

Oh my...

I could my heart beating faster.

"You're so sweet..." I said softly, feeling a bit shy, but also a bit misty eyed.

Zak smiled a bit to one side as he leaned foreword and lightly kissed my forehead before pulling back.

"Shhh, don't tell anyone," Zak joked, causing me to laugh quietly.

"I won't," I promised, which caused Zak to smile.

"Good, it's bad enough that any evil spirits that haunt me are probably rolling over in their graves at my sappy attitude as of late," Zak teased, causing me to laugh, despite the events that took place the night before with one of the so called "evil spirits".

"Well too bad for them, I like sappy Zak," I teased, gently squeezing him with my arms, and Zak's face was practically beaming.

"So...what do you think?" Zak asked, referring back to his question of celebrating.

I glanced at a clock on my wall and saw that it was 10:45am. I suppose we could go out for an early lunch or something, but if I was going to be honest with myself, I was really tired from the last night, on top of not having slept very well.

"As much as I would love to...I'm really tired," I started, hoping I wouldn't hurt Zak's feelings.

"That's okay doll," Zak said, giving me a reassuring squeeze with his arms. "Maybe we could do something later after you rest for a bit? Go out somewhere? Or order in?" Zak added.

I smiled, thankful for his understanding, and happy with his idea.

"It's a date," I said, smiling at him.

Zak grinned in return.

"Alright," Zak said. "I'll go so you can rest," Zak said, as he easily lifted me up onto my feet in front of him, and then stood up himself.

I hesitated slightly.

You are supposed to be trying to be more confident...

"Stay...?" I asked, my voice more quiet than I had hoped I could muster.

Zak looked at me with a stunned expression on his face.

"You mean...uh..." Zak trailed off, looking flustered himself.

I couldn't help but laugh quietly.

"You look tired too...so...why don't we both just take a nap here?" I said, feeling a little unsure of myself.

You're so silly, you've slept in the same bed with him before, I thought.

Zak raised an eyebrow as he smiled slyly at me.

"Don't get any ideas," I joked in a serious sounding tone.

Zak laughed.

"I'll behave," Zak replied.

"Good," I said, and then forced myself to take hold of his hand and led him over to my bed.

As I climbed onto the bed and moved to the far side, I heard Zak speak up.

"I'm liking this 'being confident' thing," Zak teased.

I couldn't stop my face from flushing.

"Shut up," I mumbled, but laughed quietly as I laid down on my right side.

Zak just smiled as he got onto the bed himself and laid down on his left side, so he was facing me. Once he was settled, he grinned knowingly at me.

Here we go...

"What?" I asked, just knowing that some form of teasing or embarrassing remark was coming.

"I'm the first man in your bed, right?" Zak said slyly, smirking at me.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Shut up Bagans!" I exclaimed, playfully punching him in the shoulder, causing Zak to laugh.

"Ow," he jokingly pouted, rubbing his shoulder as if I had hurt him, and I just laughed.

"Baby," I jokingly muttered, which caused Zak to laugh.

I then watched as Zak reached up with one hand, and gently took hold of my hand that was resting on the bed between us.

I smiled at him and wrapped my fingers around his hand so that I could hold his hand in return, and I felt my heart melting at the sweet look that came over his face. He looked like it was the first time a girl had held his hand.

I smiled to myself as I felt his hand tighten slightly around mine before his eyes closed.

"Sweet dreams doll," Zak said softly, his eyes remaining closed.

I couldn't help but smile again as I let my own eyes close.

"Sweet dreams Zak," I replied softly, and quickly felt sleep overtake me.

A few hours later...

I woke up to find myself comfortably – and pleasantly – cocooned under a warm blanket, and a warm body behind me.

I was laying on my left side now, and Zak was spooning me from behind, one arm wrapped around my waist. The blanket I kept folded at the end of my bed was covering us both.

As I became more aware of my surroundings, I noticed I could feel Zak's warm, soft breath against the back of my neck, which caused a shiver to run down my spine.

I was slightly startled to hear Zak speak. I had thought he was still asleep.

"Are you cold?" Zak asked quietly.

"No...that was a different kind of shiver..." I admittedly quietly.

Where did that boldness come from?

"Oh really? What kind of shiver then?" Zak asked quietly again, somewhat slyly.

Before I could answer, I felt his face nuzzle into the nape of my neck. He pressed one light, gentle kiss against the skin of my neck before pulling back.

My eyes closed on their own accord for a brief moment, before I gathered my composure and opened them again.

Oh boy...

"Your breathing tickles a little bit," I answered honestly.

"Hmm, tickles huh?" Zak asked, and it was at that moment I realized my mistake.

"No-" I started, but then shrieked with laughter as Zak's hand at my waist began tickling my stomach.

"Stop!" I called out, laughing as I tried to shove his hand away.

But then, a better idea came to mind, and I rolled slightly away from him until I was laying on my stomach, which prevented him from being able to tickle me. I turned my head to look at him and grinned.

"Awww, ruin my fun why don't you!" Zak jokingly whined, causing me to laugh.

I stuck my tongue out at him as I settled into a more comfortable position on my stomach, and folded my arms up under my pillow.

Zak laughed at my reaction, and then his face became slightly serious.

"I have to tell you something," Zak said.

I felt my stomach tighten up with nervousness.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Nothing bad doll, I just wanted to let you know that last night, after you left, I decided that I'm moving," Zak said.

"Moving...?" I questioned, somewhat fearful.

Did he mean he was leaving Vegas?

"Just to a new house. I want to start fresh too," Zak replied.

I felt my stomach instantly relax.

"Jeez...I thought you meant you might be leaving Vegas," I admitted.

I felt Zak's hand reach up and gently stroke my back before he spoke.

"Oops, I'm sorry doll. Didn't mean to frighten you," Zak said.

"It's okay," I replied, my body relaxing more as he soothingly rubbed my back. "Why the sudden decision?" I added.

"Because...of what happened to you last night," Zak said softly, his hand still softly rubbing my back.

"Because of me?" I asked, shocked. "Zak...you love that house. The backyard, the dungeon you and Billy built..." I said.

I didn't want him to move out of a house he loved just because of me.

"I'll admit, I loved that house at one time. But not anymore...I don't feel like it suits me anymore. And besides, you are much more important to me than a house," Zak explained, looking at me intently.

"Are you sure...? You don't have to decide so quickly...I'm sure I'll be okay to go back in a few days-" I started to say, but Zak cut me off.

"No...I don't want you to step foot inside that house again. You're too important to me..." Zak said softly, his hand reaching up and gently stroking some hair back away from my face. "Besides, it feels more like a bachelor pad now, and I don't live that type of life anymore. I want something that suits me better, and doesn't have the attachments that my house has now...that skull and a few of my other dungeon items are going into storage. They won't be a part of the new house," Zak added.

I couldn't help but smile when he said how important I was to him, and then as he explained the rest of his reasoning, I had to admit, I felt relieved.

"Only if you're sure..." I said softly, not knowing what else to say.

"I already have Ceci looking for me," Zak said, smiling at me.

"Well...okay then," I said, laughing at my own moment of not knowing how to respond.

Zak laughed before he leaned over and gently kissed my forehead, and then he pulled back and checked his watch.

"Five o'clock...what do you want to do about dinner?" Zak asked.

I thought for a few moments.

Normally, I would of said to just order in, but if Zak was willing, then I decided I wanted to go out. It would be another good step toward working on my self confidence.

"Still feel like going out?" I asked.

Zak's eyebrow raised as he smiled at me.

"I'm up for it if you are," Zak replied.

I smiled in return.

"Alright, let's go out then," I said, then had a thought. "Do you mind if I grab a shower first?" I asked.

"Only if I can join you," Zak teased, smirking at me.

I laughed and tried not to let my face flush.

"You can join me, by showering at your own house," I replied, looking smug at my smart answer.

"Aww damn," Zak said, laughing. "But yeah, that's fine. I should go let Gracie out for a bit anyway," Zak added, as he sat up and stretched his arms.

I laughed quietly as I turned onto my back and then sat up as well, yawning quietly as I did so.

"You should start bringing her over here when you come over. Cheryl wouldn't mind," I replied.

"You sure?" Zak asked, looking at me.

"I'm sure," I answered.

Zak smiled.

"I'll keep that in mind," Zak said, before leaning over and gently kissing my cheek. "So, does eight sound good?" Zak asked.

I smiled and nodded.

"Eight is good," I replied, and Zak smiled before he stood up.

"Alright, I'll see you then doll," Zak replied. "Oh, and I have a place in mind, and it's kind of fancy," Zak added.

"So, is that a subtle hint to dress up?" I teased, causing Zak to laugh as he walked around the bed to my side.

"Yep," Zak replied, leaning down and kissing me gently before pulling back. "Or you could just go naked," Zak teased, smirking at me.

"Oh my god, get out of here!" I replied, embarrassed, but unable to stop myself from laughing as I pushed him away from me.

Zak laughed and then winked at me, before leaving my room.

"Later doll," Zak called from the hallway.

"Later Bagans," I called back, and heard Zak laughing as he walked down the stairs.

I smiled to myself as I got up off the bed and began preparing to get in the shower.

Authors Note: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I know a lockdown is way overdue. I have one or two more ideas to throw in before the next lockdown. I hope the mushy stuff isn't getting old, lol.

Also, belated Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. And since I most likely won't update before, Happy New Year!