Getting rejected

Noah got up and walked in Laila's direction. When he reached the foot of the bed, he crouched down, and grabbed Laila's hand as he looked up into her eyes. "I'll thank you for being honest and I can't pretend that I don't mind you having told Maria and Steve before you told me. But I do get that today wasn't every other day. We both did some things that in hindsight wasn't the greatest thing to do. If this managed to distract you from things, then I will consider myself lucky that today was the day that you decided to do this. But going forward, in the future, I hope you will always at least talk to me about things. Even if it is a small thing. I want to know what goes on in your head and in our lives."

Laila felt a tremendous relief in Noah's reaction. She felt tears welling up in her eyes and reached out to hug him to which Noah came up a bit from his stance and hugged her back. Settling the matter fairly quickly and with a genuine apology where it was needed. The way they had handled this situation and the way they had come to a resolve, showed how understanding they were of one another. How well they were able to see the error of their ways and admit their wrongs, without the other using it as a chance to make the other feel worse. Simply sticking to facts, addressing how a decision or conversation affected you and find a way to move forward. For Laila this was a world of a difference compared to her relationship with Jake and it made her realize once more how lucky she was to have a husband like Noah. No gaslighting, no verbal attacks, no one sided conversations. Just an open dialogue where both can say their piece and find a resolve.

After all the difficult words had been said, and a hug was given, Noah and Laila let go of each other and remained seated next to one another on the bed. Noah's arm wrapped around Laila and his hand holding onto hers. As they were sitting there, heads leaning against each other, Laila felt that her apology was incomplete. Somehow she wanted a different ending to their argument. Though this could have been an excuse to give Noah some extra love, while she got some too.

Laila turned her head to look at Noah, who lifted his head off of hers to look into Laila's eyes, before she said, "Don't you think you let me off pretty easily? Are you sure you don't need something more? I feel there is something missing. So, whether it is a thank you for forgiving me so easily or an added apology, I think there should be a little more from me to put this matter to bed."

Noah smiled and the look in Laila's eyes revealed to him what she was hinting at. A hint he was happy to receive and act on. So, without wasting a breath, he pulled her a little closer and said, "Well, there happens to be something that popped into my mind that you could help me with. If the choice is up to me, I am happy to claim my prize and put this matter to bed by taking it to bed." This last sentence was accompanied by a teasing smirk on his face and a seductive look in his eyes. Seeing that her hint had been received, Laila didn't break her eye contact and said, "That sounds like an ending I would be happy to help with."

Noah didn't wait for those words to be said twice and simply responded by sealing Laila's lips with his own. His arms wrapped around her, their bodies tipped over fully onto the bed, and their hands exploring places that continued to feel excited and new despite being a most familiar place. All the insecurities, all the regret, all the apologies, were pouring out and being replaced by their love for one another by touching, holding, kissing. Until all that had to be said, had been told. By one body to the other.

Meanwhile downstairs, a much newer couple in the form of Steve and Maria, were taking a step towards intimacy as well by a different type of confession. Steve was holding the tips of Maria's fingers as they sat on the couch, facing each other as each of them had one leg on the floor and one folded underneath their body. Sitting sideways and looking into each others eyes, one looking a bit more nervously than the other, Steve brought up some valid points to prepare for what he wanted to say. Or better yet, what he wanted to ask.

"You know, I feel that the past couple of days have been going really well. I notice that you aren't rejecting me anymore and I have even noticed how you are taking steps in my direction. This gives me hope for something that I had pushed to the back of my mind for quite some time and I am now at a point where I am wondering if there is still a need for me to do that. I think it is no secret that I like you, that I want to be with you, but I don't want to push you into doing something you aren't ready for. I want to show you that I care about you and that I want to go the distance with you. One of the ways I planned on doing that, is by giving you the title you deserve before I let things between us go past a certain stage. Today showed me that the moment for that next step forward might have come. So, risking getting rejected yet another time, I want to ask you if you would do me the honour of being my girlfriend, with the intention of soon making you my wife?"