Third Person POV
Chris' confession brought a level of comfort to Opal. Knowing that he did in fact desire her but wanting to help her remain true to her convictions, gave her a peace.
No words were spoken after his admission. Instead the tears and whimpers ceased and Opal's body relaxed. Realizing she needs to stop questioning his intentions and fully trust him she rests her cheek against his chest. Chris shifts his body, laying down with Opal cuddled into his chest.
He holds her, stroking her back, running his fingers through her hair, allowing her body to relax. "I love you. I love you more than I could've imagined loving anyone, Opal. I'm not going anywhere, and I need you to believe that."
"What if you get tired of waiting, Chris? I can't ask you to change your beliefs to meet mine," Opal asks. Her voice is soft, timid.
"You don't have to ask me. I want to be with you, which means I'll do whatever I have to for that to happen. I just need you to trust that."
Opal lifts her head from his chest, turning to look Chris in the eyes. She gives a quiet nod before bringing her lips to his. It's soft and subtle, speaking just as many volumes as if it were deep and passionate. "How about we try that sleep thing again?" Chris suggests.
Opal agrees but doesn't let go of him. "Hold me? Until I fall asleep."
"Love, I would hold you until my dying breath if that's what you needed," he whispers against her temple before they settle into the sheets. "But for tonight, I'll hold you til you sleep."
~~~~~
Opal POV
"This is incredible," I say as I wipe away the tears that fall silently against my cheeks. I look over to Chris, seeing his jaw tight and I know he's clenching his teeth.
After a lazy start to our New Year's Eve, sleeping in, we had decided to come to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.
"I remember when it happened," I begin. Chris shifts his gaze to me, giving me his attention. "I was in my first semester of college. I'd been walking through one department to get to my Humanities class. I happened to glance up at the television that was off in a corner and saw a plane hit one of the buildings, just assuming that a plane had lost control." Chris shifts to lean against the railing in order to face me better. "While waiting for class to start one of the guys came in and told us the second tower had been hit. At that point all of us knew this wasn't random. It took mere moments before our professor came in and told us all classes were canceled and the college would be closing."
Chris still doesn't speak. I didn't really take into consideration what coming here might do to him. "Are you okay?"
"I am. It's just a reminder of the evil in the world. A reminder that so many didn't make it home to their families all because they were doing their job."
We spend a bit longer just taking in the sight before us before I start shivering uncontrollably. "Let's get you some place warm."
"What time is it?" I ask as we start our trek down the sidewalk.
"Just before three," he answers.
"So we've got two hours until our dinner reservations?" He nods. "How about we grab some coffee and just make our way back to the hotel?"
The walk back was somewhat quiet. I don't ask Chris why, because I already know. His mind is lost thinking about all of the first responders who lost their lives. Countless families whose lives changed in a split second. This isn't a situation that he needs to talk to me about because I already understand it without his words. He's worried about being in any type of similar situation himself. There's not really any comfort I can give him concerning those worries. But I do what I can by giving his hand a tighter squeeze as we walk into the elevator of our hotel. He returns it with a easy smile. I don't let go of his hand until we're back in our room, removing the tight gloves that were wrapped around our fingers.
Before Chris can even remove his jacket I wrap my arms around him, resting my head on his shoulder. I can feel the tightness he held begin to dissipate at my affection. I start to pull away only to find his grip tighten. "Just another minute," he pleads. I happily grant him several more.
Knowing that it'll take me longer to get ready for our date tonight, Chris takes a quick shower and dresses in gym pants and a t-shirt for the time being. As I begin to walk past him to the bathroom he stops me, grabbing my waist before catching my lips with his own. Taken by surprise I can't help but moan against his lips. He lets me go and moves across the room.
"What was that for?" I ask.
"Just cause," he smirks.
"Mm...that's the best reason," I breathe out before moving into the bathroom to prepare for the night ahead.
I decide to give myself the full pampering treatment, desiring to look my best for him tonight. I wash my hair leaving the conditioner in while I shave. I use my Victoria Secret Heavenly body wash, enjoying the aroma it creates in the bathroom.
Dried off but wrapped in a towel I start work on my hair. It's gotten a bit longer since Chris and I first met, resting just below my shoulders now, perfect for lose waves without taking up too much of the length. Before I apply my make up I wrap myself in my robe before stepping into the room to grab my dress and heels.
Chris' eyes move from the football game on the television as soon as he hears the door open. "Rawr," he somehow says with a straight face when he sees me in my jaguar printed robe.
"Hush it, mister."
I watch him stand and begin to walk towards me. "Any chance that might accidentally come untied?" He quirks his head to look at me a little closer.
"Not this time," I tease. I lift the dress out of the closet before grabbing the heels. Once I'm back in the bathroom I decide to add a little more to the playfulness. I slide out of my robe and toss it on the floor just outside of the bathroom, not realizing he's close enough to actually catch it.
"Oh, come on!" he groans.
I chuckle loudly, loving our back and forth, and begin work on my face. I go just a bit heavier on the make up because of the color and elegance of the dress. Rae had given me tips on creating a winged eye look that thankfully I managed to recreate on my first try.
I slip into the dress, finding myself grateful that I've managed to keep a bit of warmth in my skin from late fall trips to the beach when the weather was still warm.
The dip of the v-neck sits just right, not too low that I feel like I'm on display and yet not too high that I feel completely matronly and covered up. The sleeves are sheer but long, covered in sparkling sequins that catch the light just right. A slit reaches mid thigh, again not too much nor too little. I slip into the open toe neutral flats winding the laces over my ankle and tie them off mid calf, silently praying they don't break tonight.
I put the opal C necklace from Chris back on along with the earrings he gifted me the weekend of the wedding. Once I've applied my lipstick and a dab of the Heavenly perfume I give myself one last once over before opening the door.
"Okay, babe. I think I'm ready." I walk out of the bathroom with my head down, making sure not to step on the dress. I'm stunned when I look up to find an empty room. "Chris?" I ask aloud even though I know he's not here considering it's a single room. I check my phone to see if he's sent a message. Nothing. I glance around the room to try and locate a random note. Nothing.
Standing in the middle of the room, utterly confused, I hear a knock on the door. I attempt to look through the peep hole but it's been covered up. I unlock the door, opening it tentatively only to be met with a man in a stunning double breasted deep navy suit, bringing out his blue eyes more than I thought possible.
Chris POV
Leaning against the wall in the hallway just outside our hotel room door, I wait, twirling the single white rose in my hand, giving Opal plenty of time to get ready. I decided I wanted to treat tonight as much like a real date as I possibly can which means 'picking her up' even if it's really just me being on the other side of the hotel door.
When I hear her say my name, ever so faintly, I know she's ready. With all the confidence this woman has given me, I knock and wait, choosing to cover the door's peep hole so she can't see me yet.
As the door opens and I take in the beauty of Opal before me I can feel my heart race and my jaw drop. She gives me a delicate smile in which I can tell she is not sure if she's comfortable with the attention I'm giving her. "What are you doing out here?" she asks, glancing down the hallway.
I don't mean to ignore the question, I'm just still in awe. "Some how I feel like gorgeous is not an adequate word tonight," I say as my tongue runs across my lower lip before I realize I'm biting it. "Wow, Opal."
She tucks her head down, a little unwilling to accept my comment. "It's a beautiful dress. I can't say thank you enough."
I take a step towards her, moving my finger to her chin lifting it. "You look sensational. The dress is just an accessory, sweetheart. It's you that makes the dress beautiful." I bring my lips to hers as a period to my statement. When I pull back her eyes remain closed, a sigh escaping her lips.
When her eyes open I see something there that causes my heart to flutter and suddenly I'm nervous. "This is for you," I tell her, bringing the flower out to her.
"Thank you."
"Now, Miss Lucas, would you join me for a date this evening?" I offer her my arm, smiling when she tucks her own into mine.
"I'd love to." She joins me. "Officer Evans."
May this be the last of all New Year's Eve dates.