Angel and Charlotte spent the morning and afternoon exploring the French Quarter on foot, taking in various shops and sights. He treated her to lunch, took her on a stroll down the river, and the entire time couldn't take his eyes off of her. The way she moved in her sundress, showing off her delicate curves, which shaped her so attractively, and the glow in her reddish cheeks against her light pale skin, delighted him so.
Her excitement at discovering the unique shops and art places had vastly improved her mood, and her genuine excitement washed over Angel, giving him a small taste of what it's like to live again. She also wasn't shy with him, like before the night they'd almost made love. She took his hand and firmly held it as they walked the cobblestone sidewalks along the stores. He loved the feel of her hand gripping his, and fresh regret nudged him, but he pushed it away and focused on sharing in her good feelings today. He joked with her, enjoyed her excitement at discovering what all the area had to offer, and let all of his worries slip away for once. As the day grew long, the pair was back walking along the river past Woldenberg Park, moving among the bustling crowd, until they stopped by the Riverwalk Gazebo.
Angel checked his watch, "It's almost six. We should start heading back."
Charlotte nodded, having gone quiet. He looked at her, "Is something wrong?"
Shaking her head, Charlotte looked to her left towards the river. Silently, she tugged at Angel's hand to follow her, and she led him to the Gazebo.
"Charlotte?"
She turned and looked at him with determined eyes and slightly quivering lips, "Angel. I've been thinking. I want you to know I forgive you for what happened the other night. You're right. We need to know more about me."
Angel nodded, offered a soft smile of understanding and squeezed her hand in his, a sign of encouragement to keep going, She did, "But, I suffered last night, sleeping alone, and even if we can't be together in that way, I don't want to feel the way I felt last night, ever again." Stepping close to Angel, Charlotte pressed her forehead against his, their noses touching, and he felt her body go still. Time froze for both of them, and she whispered, "I miss you. Will you please sleep with me tonight?"
She felt his hands drop hers and reach up to softly grasp her shoulders. His warm breath tickled her lips, his lips so close to hers, and she desperately wanted to taste them. She felt his head move back, and she silently pouted. Angel's fingers lifted her chin up to look him in the eyes, and she saw the softest, gentlest smile he'd ever shared with her. "I'd be honored."
The moment seemed to pause again, and with her chin nestled in his fingers, Angel leaned in. Charlotte felt his lips brush against hers. The kiss was soft, chaste, but full of feeling. When they broke the kiss, Angel saw that her eyes were wet, and he drew his fingers along under her lids, wiping them dry. Charlotte pressed her cheek into one of his palms, putting her hand over his. "I was so scared. I didn't want to push you away, but I couldn't hold it in either."
"When I stopped you the other night, I saw the pain in your eyes, and I despised being the source of it. I never want to be a source of grief for you ever again." Angel gifted her a second kiss, then added, "I want us to find out who you are, bring you back to who you truly deserve to be, and then find out path. Together."
His admission made Charlotte's heart swell, and she sniffled away fresh tears. Pulling on Angel's hand to guide him towards home, she urged him to run with her, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go find out what Cassie's discovered!"
Angel let her lead him, impatiently, through the crowds and streets on the way back to his sister's shop.