Magnanimous

Finally Laila spoke up. As she continued to glare at Noah, who was holding onto her hand, while his other arm was still on her waist, Laila said, "Good. You deserved that." Noah nodded and said, "I did. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel worried or upset. If you don't want me to, I won't go again. I'll just find an excuse and we'll just deal with the consequences when they come." Laila hid her face again after Noah said this and buried it in his chest as she grabbed the back of his shirt tightly. "No, there is no need to do that. I'll get over it. I'll get used to it somehow. After all, it is only for a little while." With hopeful eyes, showing her fragility in that moment, she looked up at Noah and asked for confirmation by saying, "Right?"

Noah pressed another kiss on her lips and said, "Of course" before placing another one. Then he pulled her back into a hug and with his arms around her neck, he started rocking her gentle from side to side again as he said, "I love you so much. You know that right? I wouldn't change a single thing about you for anyone in the world. This is something I have to do right now but I will do whatever it takes to end this situation as soon as possible. It will be over before you know it. I promise." After those initial comforting words, Noah started elaborating on what he planned on doing from here on out.

"Today should have been enough to keep them calm and unsuspecting for a bit longer. The real pressure is off now. So, we have not only bought ourselves time to form a plan to get rid of hem, but also to think of other solutions beside this one. I did drop hints during dinner that I would be busy for the next few days. So, for now we are safe and if I should have to go out with her a second time, it won't be for a while. Don't start thinking that I'll be going on dates with her every day now just because of this. We will keep our eyes and ears on the taps and act when needed. Did that ease your mind a little." Laila nodded before raising her hand in front of him and using her index finger and thumb to illustrate her words as she said, "A little".

Noah chuckled and said, "I'll take it. I still have the rest of the evening to turn that into 'a lot'." Laila rolled her eyes before she said, "Keep dreaming. You'll need more than just an evening for that." But although Laila said this, she was clearly a lot more at ease and even though she might not be ready to admit it, Noah's words had helped. She just needed to hear those words. To get that reaffirmation from him. To know that there was a plan, one that didn't involve him going on dates with Olivia until whenever. Though she didn't like the idea of this potentially happening again, that was a bridge she would have to cross then. Right now she was happy to have Noah back by her side and she was ready to forget all that had happened today and focus on a better tomorrow.

As Laila let go of Noah and turned around, making them both face the same way as Noah's arm remained on Laila's shoulder, she finally noticed that Maria and Steve were no longer in the dining room with them. With a slightly surprised look she looked at Noah over her shoulder as she asked, "When did Maria and Steve leave? Where did they go?" Noah chuckled and said, "They left when you jumped on me and held me like a baby koala bear. I think they figured we needed some privacy and they headed out through the side door. But I don't know where they went after they left this room. Maybe the living room?"

After they both turned around, to open the door that led to the living room, they pushed the door open and indeed. There they were. Playing a game of cards on one of the sofa's. Seeing that image, Laila chuckled, catching the attention of both of them at the same time. Seeing Laila smiling again, they felt relieved and returned to their card game as Maria asked, "Did you talk everything out? Did you give him a nice gut-punch to punish him for today? I won't tell anyone if you did. I'll even swear under oath that you didn't do it. So, don't worry. He deserved it. Just remember to not leave any bruises."

Noah glared at Maria, while fighting back his desire to laugh, whereas Laila didn't even bother to hide her amusement and laughed as she said, "Good to know. I have decided to let him off with a warning for today but I'll remember that. You are a true friend." Maria let out a disapproving, 'ché', before saying, "Noah, you should be counting your lucky stars that you have such a magnanimous wife. Not many would be so forgiving as her. I would chop you up and feed you to the dogs for pulling a stunt like that on me so out of the blue."

This was when Noah finally could no longer keep it in either and the four of them laughed at Maria's threats, before Laila and Steve joined her and Steve on the sofa across from them. Ending Laila's nightmare and make way for some more laughter and her announcement to Noah.