I stood at the foot of the bed, Alexander wrapped in my arms and my face resting in the crook of his neck. He remained frozen.

I slowly rubbed his back.

"I am here for you. Forever." I whispered in his ears.

"You're the strongest person I have ever known Alexander. Never doubt that." I whispered feeling him visibly relax.

"Those were just nightmares, love. They aren't your reality. Reality is what we have here. You. Me. Us." I whispered.

"I am not leaving you. You're harming nobody. If anything, you are making my soul happier. More than anyone else, Xander." I felt his arms wrapping around my waist.

"I would never trade what we have for anything in this world. You can never ever in this fucking life harm me." I pressed a soft kiss at the top of his head.

"I am here." I said and chose to remain silent.

A few minutes passed. Alexander was a lot calmer than before. He seemed to forget all the 'no touch' policy he was being fed for years.

I helped him lay back on the pillow. Pulling the covers up, I was just going to leave when I felt a soft tug on my wrist.

"I need you Amy. Can I come with you, please?" He asked in a hushed voice.

"Okay." I smiled and helped him up into my room.

I helped him lay on the right side of the bed. Turning the lights off I asked him, "Do you want me to sleep on the bed or the couch?" I asked cautiously. I didn't want to seem too clingy.

"On the bed." He said in a hushed voice. I nodded and slipped into the covers on the vacant side.

"Amayra?" He called out softly. "Yes Xander?" I answered. "You touched my skin today. What if you get infected?" He asked.

I don't know. My guts say it isn't what you have been told for years. I wanted to say. But I couldn't.

"Can I ask you something Xander?" I asked. "Yes?" He answered feeling sleepy. "Can I collect a few samples of yours for a pathogen tests? I really want to research on something? Will you help me with my project?" I asked him cautiously.

"Does it matter to you? The project?" He asked. I paused. "Yes. It does. My life somehow now revolves around this project." I said.

"Okay. But I am scared of needles. Don't mind if I throw tantrums." He yawned. I smiled at him.

"Can I hug you?" I asked. I really had an urge to cuddle up with him tonight. I don't want him away from me. Not after the nightmare atleast.

"It isn't safe Amy." He said after a short pause. "Okay." I said but still wrapped my arms around him. Snuggling up in his chest, I smiled in contentment.

"As much as this feels good, I really advise you to not touch me Amy. I don't want you to suffer." He said.

"Sleep Xander." I yawned and slept into a dream free slumber.

The next morning I woke up with Alexander by my side. And trust me when I say it was nothing cute or romantic.

Seems like the mighty mystery man turns out to be a blanket hoggler.

I was left out to be shivering in cold and dangling by the side of the bed. Alexander kept pushing me and trying to find space to roll on, the entire night, unconsciously ofcourse. Atleast I hope so.

I rolled my eyes but got off the bed anyhow. I took a day off.

Entering the kitchen, I saw Andrea in the kitchen. "Morning Drea." I chirped.

"Morning Amy. How did you sleep?" She asked. "Good. What about you? How is your Lorenzo now?" I enquired about his son's health.

"Oh he's better now. My husband is there with him as I stand before you." She answered. "Good. If you face any problem, you know whom to contact." I winked at her. She grinned and got back to cracking eggs for the breakfast.

Returning to my room, I saw Alexander sprawled on the entire bed. Ofcourse.

I brushed my teeth, groomed myself and took a bath. Wearing a fresh pair of clothes, I walked out of the washroom only to find the bed empty.

Getting my medical pouch ready with a new syringe, 2 EDTAs which are used to store blood for a longer duration after collection, a small plastic bottle for urine collection and transperent pouches for his hair and cuticle collections.

I left the room and found Alexander leaving his room too. His hair were still wet indicating he just took a shower.

"Good Morning Xander." I greeted with a huge smile.

"Morning." He wished back.

"Why don't you dry your hair and help me with the samples? Are you still up for them?" I asked him.

"Yeah sure." He gulped. He looked nervous. Getting back to his room again, he took out his hair dryer and got back to his work. I followed him into the room.

"Don't!" He semi yelled when I was just going to enter the room.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"Don't enter. It ain't safe." He muttered, almost ashamed of his room.

"Xander, we practically slept in a room, on a bed, in a blanket and more specifically I slept on your bare chest. And I am perfectly fine. Do you still think medium of contamination would be more efficient than the source himself?" I asked laying down on his bed.

"And even if you do. I don't simply care. I am going to be here for as long as I want and you can do nothing to kick my annoying ass out of this room." I said closing my eyes. I heard his deep chuckle.

"You're so stubborn, Mia." He said.

"Mmm hmm." I said.

One second.

"What did you just say?" I asked sitting up again.

"You're stubborn?" He muttered again. "It ain't a complement." He muttered again.

"After that?" I asked. I swear I heard him say Mia.

"And ding! The muffins are ready! Do you want to taste it Mia?" Mom asked.

"Yes momma. Mia loves eating muffins!" I cheered. Mom chuckled and gave me a sweet treat out of the moulds.

"Momma why do everyone call me Amayra but you call me Mia?" I asked her dangling my legs on the kitchen counter.

"Because your momma loves you. So she gave you nicknames." My dad chirped back hugging my mom.

"Hey she's my mom! Only I can hug her Dad!" I frowned. Both of them laughed heartfully.

"I am sorry baby. I'll not hug your mom. Atleast not infront of you." He raised his hands in surrender.

"What would you do behind her back, Mr. Williamson?" Mom asked with a smirk on her face.

"Oh trust me sweetheart, your limping legs already know the answer." My dad retaliated back with a smug look. Mom blushed on his words and pushed him off her lightly. Both of them had a similar look in their eyes.

Look of pure adoration. Look of true love.

"Amayra! Are you okay?" I saw Alexander kneeling beside me.

"Huh? Yeah." I whispered.

"No you are not. You are crying Amy. Tell me what's wrong?" He asked me with a frown. "Is it because I called you Mia? I am sorry if you don't like it." He said with an expression of true apology.

"I really thought the childhood pictures you had in your room... you looked like her. You looked like Mia" He muttered.

~~~

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