After the game ended, I told Derek I would meet him back at his house. It's been awhile since we've been alone together and he and I both knew that tonight we wanted to be together.

I nervously zip up my purse and sling it over my shoulder. I look over at Daphne who is fast asleep on her bed. I hope she's alright. Brooks and her have been kind of off lately and I'm not sure why. She seems to be taking it better than I expected, but I can still tell she's a little sad.

When exiting my dorm, I take a deep breath. I'm not sure why but I think that I'm ready. For sex with Derek I mean. I don't really like the word "sex", but you know, it's a little less cheesy than saying "making love". Anyways, I think I've been ready for awhile. Even back at Christmas, I think I could have but right now is it.

I feel like I've used Daphne's car way too much the last few months but she said she doesn't mind. She's glad it's being used and not sitting outside, powering down in the cold Minnesota air.

The drive over to Derek's I'm a bundle of nerves. I know I love Derek and I know I'm ready but it's just nerve racking to think about.

What if I suck? What if he doesn't like it? What if it's so awkward we can't do it again and then we break up? Ugh my stupid brain. I bet it's like this for everyone else but this stuff is annoyingly stressful.

Pulling up to Derek's house I see that both Tyler and Brooks' cars are gone. Which is a little odd but I just roll with it. I exit the car and into the cold air. It is freezing out here. I'm surprised I even made it here without crashing. It's probably like 10 degrees or less out here. I rush to the front door and right as I knock Derek opens the door.

I meet Derek's handsome face. He's only wearing a black T shirts and some grey sweatpants but he looks fantastic. I swear the best type of boys are the ones who can pull off sweatpants amazingly.

"Hi," I say lamely.

He chuckles. "Hi," he says back.

I smile up at him and he lets me in. I run my hands up and down my arms to try and get warm. Derek walks over, embracing me with his warmth and I sigh in delight.

He kisses the top of my head and I close my eyes in contentment, just enjoying being close to him after what feels like an eternity. "I missed you." He whispers.

If I wasn't so calm and happy, I might cry. I've missed him too. I got so used to being around him that it felt wrong to be without him for a while. "I missed you too." I whispered back.

After a few seconds, I look up at him and the tension between us is unmistakable. The heat in Derek's eyes is prominent and I bet I match it with my own.

He leans down to kiss me and I immediately respond. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I jump up and he grabs my legs, me wrapping them around his waist. He doesn't stop kissing me as he makes his way over to the stairs. Walking up the stairs I release his lips and kiss down his neck.

We enter Derek's room and he places me on the bed. I tug on his shirt and he immediately moves down so he's above me, kissing me tenderly. I pull his shirt over his head, him only releasing my lips to get it over his head. I start to go for his pants but he stops me.

There he goes again. As always, he releases me and looks into my eyes. My lips part and I take a deep breath.

"Ash?" He says softly and moves some of my hair behind my ear.

"Yes?" I ask back, staring up at his face.

He leans down to kiss my cheek and whispers. "This is what you want?" As he asks as his he moves one of his hands to the waistband of my pants and looks back into my eyes.

I wordlessly nod at him. He kisses my lips softly. My hands wander back to his pants and after that, pieces of our clothing begin to come off.

After grabbing some protection, Derek puts himself into position. He looks back at me and says, "I love you, you tell me if you want to stop, okay?"

I shakily smile and nod. "I love you too."

He kisses me.

I caress Ash's flushed cheek as she sleeps. She's completely at peace with her head laying on my chest and her arm wrapped around my stomach. Her breathing is even and I can feel her warmth against me.

There is nothing that could top this moment. Being with Ash that way was something I will never forget. In the past, sex was just something I did. Awful to say, but it was true. But being with Ash a few hours ago was like nothing I could have ever imagined.

If someone told me six months ago that I would have a girlfriend and be in love with her, I would have probably laughed. But I can't imagine a life without Ash these last few months. She's the one person who I fully trust and love to be myself with. It's something I never realized I needed until I almost lost her that first time. And then the second time made me realize there was no one else for me.

Ash's eyes flutter open and she sleepily looks up at me. She moves her hand to rub her eyes. "Why aren't you sleeping?" She asks.

I shrug. "Couldn't sleep."

She frowns. "What's-"

I cut her off. "Nothing's wrong. I promise."

She doesn't seem convinced but she nods. I kiss her forehead and she lays back down. I look at the bedside clock and see that it's 2:00 am.

Above me, I can hear the faint grumble of Ash's stomach. I chuckle. "Hungry?"

She's silent for a second but responds. "Maybe..." she suggests.

I shift from under her and nudge her to get up. "Put some clothes on. I know a place." I give her a knowing smile and she looks at me suspiciously.

She pulls on a pair of my sweatpants and pulls the string as tight as she can and also pulls a sweatshirt on. I grab a similar outfit and hand her her snow jacket from the floor. She kisses my cheek in thanks and we head out to my car.

"So where are you taking me at 2 am?" She asks.

I look over at her and her bundled up attire. "Ash," I warn.

"Derek," She mocks back at me.

I laugh. "I love you." Is all I say.

She rolls her eyes but still has a smile on her face. I drive to a familiar spot and she immediately knows when I go to park.

She gasps. "Really?" She asks excitedly.

I nod and she smiles.

We walk hand in hand into the cafe. The bell at the door chimes as we enter. We hear murmurs from the back but they move closer to us.

Bert and Marge emerge from the kitchen and they both smile in our direction.

"Well look who it is!" Marge exclaims happily.

Ash giggles. "Derek insisted on coming here and I was not about to protest. I have been needing a good hot chocolate and cookie."

Marge claps her hands together in excitement and rushes to the kitchen. Bert glares at me.

He points at me. "What was with you getting thrown out of the game today?" He asks.

I sigh. "Just a jackass player. He deserved it."

Ash nudges me on the arm giving me a knowing look. I roll my eyes. "Okay, well maybe I didn't need to hit him but someone needed to." I shrug. And I turn to see Ash glare at me.

"Well no more fights kid. They need you." Bert says confidently.

I smile. "Well thank you Bert."

He nods and heads to the kitchen to help Marge. Ash drags me over to the table we have sat at before and pulls her sleeves over her hands.

"Hey Derek?" She asks.

I look at her, her face seems a little apprehensive. "Was um..." she hesitates.

I know exactly what she's referring too. I smile fondly at her. I reach for her arm that sits on the table and grab her hand from under the hoodie sleeve. "It was great Ash. Don't worry."

She smiles timidly, a blush forming on her cheeks.

Marge and Bert come over a second later handing us out drinks and cookies.

"How are you two doing?" Marge asks fondly at us.

"Good," I say.

Ash smiles at her. "Yes, good."

She smiles. "Well I'm glad, you two are welcome here anytime." She says. "Oh and also, invite me to the wedding."

My eyes widen and Ash starts laughing. When we leave the Cafe, the sun is rising and once we get back to my house, Ash is fast asleep in the passenger seat of my Jeep.