I’ve Got You

Then, Aleshia plummeted into it out of nowhere, with her quirky attitude, and that poem that touched something deep inside him. Along with that, came a profound sense of devastation that this woman also happened to be untouchable.

There was more. The trip to the hospital made Cameron Lovell reflect more on his viewpoint. His original opinion fixated on the idea that children were too much responsibility. If he entered a relationship and ended up having to look after someone’s child barely a year into it, the idea itself was absurd. Something his parents would disapprove of. You were supposed to enter a relationship, take time, maybe get married when enough time passed, and only then did you start with children.

Yet, squashed as he was in the hospital, surrounded by the rather odd proportion of mothers, young and old, with children, from new-born babies to tottering kids – he found himself absently watching them off and on for the two hours he waited.

He allowed himself to think more on the poignant question. What was it he lacked in life? What did he miss? This question plagued him the night before. There passed the fathers, beaming proudly at their spawn, or dragging them along as they kicked and screamed. There came that one kid, who stared at him for a straight ten minutes, unashamed. There came the baby in the pram, who giggled when he pulled faces at it.

He stumbled over the subject, as if aware of how crazy he sounded. Aleshia listened raptly. It seemed like on some level, Cameron Lovell had reached similar conclusions to her.

“I found myself seriously contemplating about what it would be like if I had a child. It was something I never considered before. You kept me up most of the night thinking about it. And I sat there, awkwardly, watching others or having them watch me. And I wondered. Everything so far has lacked color for me. Would something like a kid make any difference to it? Would accepting that sort of responsibility, to care actively for something that will thrive on love and attention? I don’t know. I’m considering it.”

Aleshia smiled. “I still am, as well. I have just under six months to consider it, before I take up a job as a full-time mother.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m fully amenable to the idea. But the fact I’m even considering it at all might be something to do with the idea that I like you a little more than expected.”

Aleshia held her breath, thrilled at the word. One hand raised up to her mouth.

“I want to try something, Aleshia. Forgive me if this seems forward.” He stood up, circled around the table, until he was next to her. Then, slowly, he lowered his face onto hers, until their lips touched in a delicate kiss. She inhaled sharply, an explosion of warmth rippling inside, and reached up as he began to withdraw, to capture his lips in a more intense kiss. It was as if tiny bolts of electricity surged through them at the contact, sending alien, wonderful sensation to every nerve. They continued the kiss, gently playing with each other’s lips, eyes closed as they became lost in the moment.

Reluctantly, Aleshia withdrew. She opened her eyes, dazed, breathing heavily. “Fu*k,” she said.

Cameron Lovell chuckled. “Fu*k,” he agreed. “That was something.”

“It… yes. Fu*k sake. I really shouldn’t. I can’t be in another relationship so soon.” She ran a tongue over her bottom lip, replaying the memory of their kiss. “But I also think it’s because I’m scared I’m just reaching out for affection. I don’t want to end up using you as some kind of proxy. I’m also scared of being alone.”

He nodded. “I understand.” He ran one thumb over her flushed cheeks. He waited, forming the words in his head before speaking. “If you’re scared of being alone, I’ll be here for you. Whether we end up together or not, it doesn’t matter at this point. I’ll help you move in. I’ll be a friend if you need it. I’ll be more if you want it. Whatever happens, I know one thing. I don’t want to see you running out my life so soon.”

A shiver of happiness went through Aleshia. Touched by his words, she reached out to grasp his hand in hers. She had no idea how to express the emotions swirling inside. They wanted to burst out of her. She managed with, “Thank you. That means a lot.” She also felt the threatening presence of tears behind her eyes.

He grinned. “We should probably finish off the food.”