A/N: I'm slowly starting to get back to writing. Next up is hopefully Private Dancer. The muse has been rolling around on that one so let's all pray that she focuses on that story next. Once again I'm sorry for the delay and I hope everyone enjoys.

I grab the check before she has a chance to reach for it. I normally wouldn't mind her looking at the bill when we go out to eat but considering that this dinner is close to seven hundred dollars I'm scared of what she will say. I quickly place my credit card in the pouch and hand it to the waiter before I turn my attention back to her.

"Alex"

"This is my treat." I say with a smile as I reach for her hand once again. The need to simply touch her has become so great that it's hard to control myself at times. "Please"

"I won't argue with you" She tells me as she smiles one of the sweetest smiles I have ever seen "I'm sorry for not giving you this before."

I raise up slightly and lean forward. I cup the right side of her face and tenderly caress it as I bring her lips to mine. The kiss is gentle, loving, and so out of character for the two of us. Because of the inherit dangers of her job we have always refrained from public displays of affection of this manner. I'm amazed that she hasn't stopped me or scanned the crowd first and I'm thankful. I only end the kiss when I spot the waiter coming towards us out of the corner of my eye.

"I don't think I've ever told you enough on how much I love you." She says to me as I take the check and sign it quickly adding a nice tip for the waiter.

My heart melts all over again hearing her declaration of love for me and it takes all I have not to tear up some. When the hell did I ever become so emotional. I swallow past the lump in my throat and take a deep breath to calm my racing heart.

"That goes both ways my love" I finally say and I can see by the flicker of concern in her eyes that I wasn't able to hide my turmoil of emotions as well as I thought "Are you ready?"

She stands as quickly as she can and is by my side assisting me to my feet. As we walk through the restaurant she places her hand on the small of my back and guides me through until we are standing outside. I am about to motion to our driver when she tells me she wants to walk through the park for a few. I consider for a moment telling her no because I am so worried she is overdoing it but one look into her chocolate brown eyes and I'm done for and nod in agreement.

I slide my hand through her arm that she has offered me and we silently begin walking through Central Park. I am so at peace and happy just to be doing such a simple event with her that I can't help but wonder when and why did we ever stop this.

"This reminds me of our first date." She says breaking the silence as she stops at an ice cream stand that is on the walk way "Do you remember?"

"How can I ever forget" I say laughing "We had spent the better part of a month trying to coordinate our first date but the criminals would never allow it."

"The best I could do was show up just as you were leaving one night and give you a walk through the park."

"As I recall it involved dinner as well."

"Alex, sandwiches bought at the local diner that is premade and pre wrapped does not account for a proper dinner date."

"No but simply spending time with me and talking to me about something other than work does." I tell her as I lean forward and place another quick kiss on her cheek "If you want to know the honest to God truth that was probably the best first date I had ever had in my life. It was simply two people spending time together trying to get to know each other. There was no expectation of a fancy restaurant, having to buy the best outfit, and overall being uncomfortable."

"I won't argue with you it was a stress free date." She says as she walks up to the vendor and orders two ice cream cones both chocolate and vanilla mix. "As I recall I did have the chance to buy you this desert as well before my phone went off and I had to once again leave."

I laugh at the memory of how pissed she had looked when her phone rang as she handed me her ice cream cone. The conversation was short and the fear in her eyes was prominent when she looked at me and said that she was being called away. I had tried my best to settle her fear when I told her that she would have to wait for the second date to watch me make a pig of myself with ice cream. I could see the fear instantly melt away and a genuine smile cross her face as I told her that.

"Maybe we can finish that first date?" She says as she hands me the exact ice cream she had ordered and pulled me from my thoughts.

I take the ice cream from her and we set off again walking in silence. We had never had a need to talk constantly when we were around each other and I enjoy that more than anyone will ever know. We are almost to the lake when a sound pulls me from my thoughts and I realize she is slightly dragging her leg. I don't think she realizes it but she does that now when she becomes overly tired or has over extended herself.

"Liv let's have a seat" I say as I see an open bench and start to guide her that way. Once we are seated I place my hand on her thigh and leave it there. We watch the children run around the pond and feed the ducks that are there. There is so much laughter and happiness in front of us I can't help but let my mind allow myself to think this is what it would be like if we had children. It is a thought that sends shiver through my body.

I am pulled from my thoughts when I feel her stand next to me and I am about to ask her to sit longer when I realize that she has stood to take her jacket off. She leans forward and drapes it over my shoulders before sitting back down and wrapping her arm around me. I lay my head on her shoulder and close my eyes. This is the relationship we had in the beginning, this is the relationship I had wanted toward the end, and this is the relationship I want till I'm lowered into my grave. I know without a shadow of a doubt this is the relationship we are re-establishing and in the end it will be stronger than ever before and nothing will be able to break us apart again.