"You are seriously an amazing cook."

I shoved another forkful of the baked risotto Elijah had made into my mouth. Just a few hours before he had waltzed into my apartment, carrying grocery bags and proclaiming that he was making dinner.

Who would I have been to deny him the opportunity?

It also helped that I was excited to taste another one of his creations. He really was an amazing cook, and he made it clear with all the little baked treats and surprise meals he would send my way.

I found it cute how each time I would try something, he would get nervous. He had no reason to, though. My reaction was always the same. He was a talented.

He grinned. "If I knew that the dish would make you that excited, I would have made it a lot sooner." I rolled my eyes playfully, swaying in my seat a little as I took another bite. Elijah laughed, placing a kiss on my temple.

I mean, excellent food was excellent food, right?

He had already finished his, having practically inhaled it before I had taken my first bite. I mean if I was an athlete I would probably eat as much as he did too, and as fast. But since I wasn't, my bites were much smaller.

"Seriously, Eli, you could sell this." I took a sip of the sweet tea that I had made earlier, having felt bad about not being able to help with the diner. When it came to cooking, I was pretty sure an otter could probably do a better job than me.

He laughed, kissing my temple. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"Oh, I more than enjoyed it," I said after I had swallowed the bite that I had just taken. "How do you feel about becoming my personal chef?"

He wrapped his arm around me and hauled me over so I was practically sitting in his lap. I raised my plate so it wouldn't spill from the movement before I took another bite.

"I wouldn't mind cooking for you every day. I would make breakfast, lunch, and dinner if it would make you happy."

"Oh, it would." I smiled. "You aren't off the hook for dessert though, either."

"I already have mine," he said, winking with a devilish grin.

I hummed, shaking my head at him, and finished my food. "Maybe you should still go to culinary school." He smiled, shrugging. "You know you could probably skip culinary school and just become a chef honestly," I added, setting my plate down.

"I'm not that good of a cook, Love."

"But you are, though. Don't even try to convince me otherwise," I exclaimed. "Plus, I think that you would look very handsome in a chef's coat," I added an image of him wearing just that, popping up in my mind.

He grinned, his eyes raking over my face. "Would I now? I might have to consider that then."

"Yep. You just might," I said with a wink and pecked placed a small kiss on his lips. I pulled back just as he dove in for more and giggled when his eyes narrowed.

"Where is it that you think you are going?" He reached for me and I shook my head.

"Nuh-uh, you promised we would watch a movie, and I know if we start doing whatever the heck it is, that has that glint in your eyes, we will never watch one." I patted his cheek lovingly. "So, what movie do you want to watch?"

"The movie can wait."

His eyes had darkened, the pupils of them dilating a bit, as I walked my fingers up his arm. I leaned in so that my lips simply brushed over his, but didn't quite plant. His eyes steadied on mine, and I glided a finger over the nape of his neck.

"Well, I am right here." He blessed the world with that beautiful smile, but I winked. "I am right here, and ready to watch a movie."

He swallowed, his eyes still focused on my lips, and when he leaned his head up, I leaned back, earning a glare. I smiled coyly at him, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

"You are enjoying this way too much, love."

I blinked, feigning innocence. "I don't know what you are talking about."

I began to lean back, but my path was stopped when his arm wrapped around my midsection, keeping me from moving where I was. His other hand curled gently around the back of my neck, his thumb moving in tiny circles. On second thought, a movie suddenly seemed less appealing.

"Okay, you are right. Maybe the movie can wait."

"Really. Why the sudden change of heart?" He asked huskily, his words fanning over my mouth. I wet my lips.

He locked in on the movement, his grip on me tightening.

He had nothing to worry about. I wasn't going anywhere.

Elijah leaned in again, his lips molding with mine perfectly, and I shifted further into him. He pulled away just as a delicious burn rose, and a small whimper left my lips.

"Actually, I am starting to want to watch that movie now." This time it was my eyes that narrowed as he winked, tilting his head as if he was innocent.

"That was evil," I muttered.

"Don't hate the player baby, hate the game." He shifted me so I was no longer straddling him, but sitting next to him. I stared at him wide-eyed, realizing that he was serious, and he glanced at me with a raised eyebrow and a devilishly handsome expression. "I thought we were watching a movie?"

I glared at him, and he chuckled, his lips tugging up into that all too familiar smirk.

Two could play this game.

Raising on my knees, I leaned over slowly, brushing my lips against his ear. I had no idea where the sudden courage came from, but if he wanted to play that game, then I would at least give him a little competition.

"That's too bad," I whispered, my hand coming up to his hair, and tugged slightly. I smiled when I got the reaction I wanted. He tilted his head, his chin lifting his eyes darkened again. "Things were just getting good."

Elijah's eyes widened, but I moved back just in time.

Played like a true pro. Well not really.

"So about that movie," I said, getting up and bringing my plate to the sink. I desperately wanted to go back and give up the game that we were playing, but my competitive nature won out. I glanced at Elijah, who hadn't moved and was looking at me with a heat-filled expression in his eyes. "Well, what are you still sitting down for? Come help me get snacks," I said with a coy shrug.

One point for Rowan. Zero for Elijah. Okay, half a point for Elijah.

I started looking in the pantry for popcorn. When I spotted the box of hot chocolate mix, I decided to pile it into my hands as well. My eyes flitted back to Elijah as I maneuvered through the kitchen, my face warming when I looked at him. The intense expression that had been in his eyes had melted, and he was now watching me with a soft and light cast. Maybe watching a movie wasn't the move tonight, after all. All these months had passed, yet he still made me get all fluttery inside.

"What?"

"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?"

His strides brought him over to where I was quickly, and he extended an arm, wrapping it around my waist. When Elijah pulled me toward him, I almost dropped the box of popcorn.

"I believe so," I said, raising my head as he wrapped his other arm around me. Actually, I knew so. He told me every day. I lifted my head, and he beamed down at me. I don't think I could describe the look in his eyes if I tried, but I knew that I never wanted to go away.

"Well, I am going to tell you again."

"I'm listening," I said cheekily, laughing lightly.

His smile grew, and he placed a kiss on my forehead, before connecting his mouth with mine. It differed from all the other ones we had shared. His mouth moved against mine tenderly, as if he never wanted the embrace to end. I traced his lips with mine, the same emotions I had felt in the car, rising again. When he pulled back, his eyes were still closed, and he hugged me.

"You are beautiful," he whispered.

I smiled, my heart melting "So, are you."

His shoulders shook as he laughed. "And here I was thinking that I was something a bit more manly.

I shook my head with a light laugh. "I think it is still manly." His head raised from my shoulder. "I am not just talking about how you look," I added with a tilt of my head, running my hands over his shoulders, the strength in them as apparent as always. "It is how you're on the inside too. You will always be beautiful to me. Until I find a better word."

He shook his head, his smile growing as something in my chest fluttered. "Alright fine. Call me beautiful whenever you want then." He tugged on the edge of my sleeves.

"I was going to even if you said no," I mused. "I would fight anyone who says otherwise."

"Well, we know who is wearing the pants in the relationship now."

I cracked a grin. "You. I just tell you what color pants to wear," I finished.

Elijah leaned his head on my shoulder, his shoulders shaking from silent laughter. "You are something else." I just smiled at that. "You are right. You can tell me to wear any color and I will wear them."

Even though I had been messing around, his voice was soft. Almost as if he wasn't joking at all. Almost as if this was a serious conversation. I pushed on his arms slightly to see his face but he hugged my waist tighter and I stilled.

"That would mean that you would have to wear rainbow polka dots then," I muttered, having lost my playful mood and just feeling light in his presence, enjoying the way his arms were wrapped around me.

"If it makes you happy then heck yes," he whispered, "I would wear it a thousand times over again."

He let out a soft breath as I played with the hair along the nape of his neck, raising his head and bringing his lip to my forehead. When he pulled back his eye were soft. I took a deep breath, the words I had been wanting to say all evening just at the tip of my tongue. I just needed to open my mouth and speak.

"Elijah-"

"Rowan-"

He sent me a sweet smile.

"You first, Love."

I took a deep breath. I wanted to tell him, but fear clutched at my heart, pulling those three words back, and locking them within me. I ran a hand through my hair.

"I wanted to say thank you for coming with me to my appointment today."

I was a big chicken.

Elijah smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. "You're welcome, baby. Thank you for letting me come."

"You are always welcome," I said, tilting my chin up, as I pulled back, and grabbed the box of popcorn off the counter. Like instinct, Elijah went for the packets of hot chocolate. "I stopped, bringing my mom along with me to my appointments a long time ago. I usually go alone, so it means a lot that you came." He didn't say anything, his smile speaking for him, and I remembered that he had started to say something as well. "What were you going to say though?"

His back was to me, but I noticed the way he stilled a bit, his shoulders tensing slightly. He placed the pan he had pulled out from the drawer underneath the oven, onto the stone, and his eyes flitted to mine.

"I wanted to talk to you about your EEG appointment," he said and cleared his throat.

I eyed him, feeling like there was something else that he had been wanting to say, but brushing the feeling off. I walked to the microwave, placing the packet on the translucent tray that was in there, before shutting it.

"What about it?"

I grabbed the silver bowl which was strictly reserved for popcorn, from out of the dishwasher, placing it on the counter. Once I was done, I faced him, wondering why the air between us felt off all of a sudden. Flags went off when he didn't look at me, and I walked over, placing my arms around his waist, and resting my head on his back.

"Did I do something?"

He glanced back at me, and I raised my head as his eyebrows shot up. He turned around swiftly, wrapping me in a hug. "No. I am sorry. You didn't do anything at all." His chest vibrated as he spoke and held me against him. "I was just going to ask if you were really okay with me going?"

I caught his eyes.

"Of course I am. I would love it if you went."

I gave him another hug, before I pulled away, standing on the tips of my toes as I stretched my arm to open a cabinet above the stove. My hand quickly found the vanilla extract, and I grasped it with a satisfied smile.

I knew that he was going to ask for it, so I figured that I would get it. Hot chocolate was another thing I hadn't known could be even better than it already was until Elijah had come along. Just like with every other aspect of my life, he had a way of making everything better. I placed the small glass container on the counter.

Elijah smiled with a thank you, pouring a small amount into the pan. He then grabbed some cinnamon, adding it to the milk that was in the pan. He turned the burner down, and I marveled at the way he had made something so ordinary as making hot chocolate, seem like an art form.

"Okay, good," He said, glancing at me, and I smiled warmly.

"Why did you ask?" I still felt like there was something he wasn't saying.

"No reason. I just wanted to make sure that I hadn't overstepped by asking you to plan it on a weekend so that I could be there."

I placed my hand on his arm. He looked at me, and I could see remnants of worrying lingering in his eyes.

"Elijah, I want you to come. I am sorry if it seemed like I didn't before, I just am not used to people coming. You were not, and never will be, overstepping for wanting to support me."

His head moved up and down slightly, and the frown that had been on his lips disappeared. "I just wanted to make sure. I know that it is new to you, so I want to make sure that you are one hundred percent comfortable with everything."

I looked over my shoulder at him, with a smile, as I grabbed the now-ready popcorn from out of the microwave, and the concern that had been in his eyes dissipated. "I am sure. I want you there."

His features relaxed again, and he finally smiled, before facing the stove again.

"I want to be there."

He turned, traveling to the pantry, and emerged having swapped out the packets of pre-made cocoa mix, for the unflavored cocoa powder I had bought last week. He had mentioned last time that he liked to make his hot chocolate from scratch, so I had bought it on a whim. When he was done, we both walked into the living room and sat on the couch.

"Before we turn on the movie, I had one more thing that I wanted to talk to you about." He smiled when I paused and shook his head. "It's nothing bad but have been meaning to talk to you about it for a while."

I wasn't sure if I was mistaken in the flash of nervousness that streaked across his face, but the thought that he was nervous to tell me something didn't sit well with me. I linked our hands together, and his eyes flitted to mine.

"You know you can tell me anything. I won't run away," I said with a wink, reminiscing on a day where I had been in hid position. Although I had no idea why he seemed so hesitant.

I was glad to see some of the weariness in his eyes lifted, with my words, however. Elijah leaned his head back on the couch his eyes remaining on mine. He swallowed, as I rubbed my thumb across his hand in encouragement.

"After Carter's death, my parents and even thought that it would have been better for me to see a therapist for the longest time."

I nodded slowly, searching his eyes.

"For your nightmares?"

He nodded at my question and shut his eyes. Although he seemed calm, it hurt to think that the nightmares had gotten worse for him, and I hadn't known. Nothing had happened, after the first night he had one, but there was a chance he could have hidden them from me.

"I never actually considered going, until I met you." His eyes reopened when he spoke, the hazel irises warm, as he sat up.

I smiled, running a hand through his hair. I doubted that it was all me, but it was sweet to think that he thought so.

"But then I realized that I wasn't having them anymore." I stilled. My mouth opened slightly, at his words, and he shook his head with a light laugh. "I have had nightmares for years, Love, and then all of a sudden they are gone."

"Elijah..." His hand tightened around my hand and for some reason, the urge to cry arose. "That is... that is...I don't even know what to say." I had known that his nightmares had decreased, but not that they had gone away altogether. "That is amazing. Do you know why they may have stopped?" My voice was tight from the happiness but I ignored it, blinking back the tears that came with the emotion.

His eyes searched mine, as the silence stretched until his smile grew into a full one.

"You know I tried to figure out what it was that was different, but the only thing I could think of was you." My breath was stolen away for a second time. "I don't know if it is the light or the hope you walk around with, but you somehow allowed me to come out of the hole I had been digging for myself for years. I think...no I know that you have something to do with the reason why I don't have them anymore."

I was at a loss for what to say and just watched him wide-eyed. "I doubt that it was me," I started. "You have come a long way too, baby. Don't sell yourself short.

He nodded. "I know that, but I couldn't have done it without you, and for that, I wanted to say thank you. I know that you are too darn selfless to let yourself take the credit, but I truly think I owe it to you. I have been happier than I have in a long time, and you are the only thing in my life that has changed."

I blinked, not so sure that I wouldn't start crying.

"It isn't only you," I whispered. "I have been happier too."

Elijah didn't say anything, but he didn't have to because his eyes spoke for him.

I was still slightly skeptical that all of his progress was because of me, but I didn't say anything, just happy to see the light in his eyes. It remained even when I turned the tv on and clicked on the Netflix application after minutes had passed.

Had I really made that much of a difference in his life? The idea that I had made me feel all warm inside. The smile on my face remained even after we had picked the movie. Even though Elijah said that he was indifferent as to what movie I put on, I picked Resident Evil. A movie I knew we would both enjoy.

Okay. I didn't watch it. How could I when he was sitting right next to me, and I was so close yet still so far from telling him those three little words? Who knew that a phrase I threw around all the time could be so terrifying all of a sudden.

"We can pick another movie if you want?" Elijah said, and I startled, as he turned to me with a smirk.

I shook my head. "No, this one is fine."

"He raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because I know for a fact that you haven't been paying attention to a single minute of it." His grin grew wider.

"No, I have been paying attention," I said, staring at the screen not admitting the truth.

"What happened five minutes ago?"

"Umm, Alice just woke up in the hospital."

"That happened at the very beginning of the movie babe. We are thirty minutes in."

"Oh," I said, looking at him, and he winked.

I shrugged sheepishly. "Okay, so I wasn't paying attention."

"I know. Penny for your thoughts?" I laughed when he held up a finger, fishing in his pocket and pulling out a circular and copper-hued object.

"Do you keep that in there just to say that phrase?" I laughed.

"Maybe. Maybe not."

"Smooth," I said, grabbing it, and he winked.