She would let herself calm down, the tears finally subsiding long enough for her to pull her head away from her father's chest. They stare at one another, Amelia fixing her hair as it is pushed up slightly.
"I'm sorry for being so…Upsetting. I don't want to see you upset dad." Amelia sighs, "Even if I can't control the situation in the slightest."
"I'm upset, but I know that you'll be okay honey." He squeezes her arms, a reassuring smile on his lips. "I need you to promise me something, before you go back home."
She nods, "I want you to make sure you don't fall for any of his tricks. No matter who it may be, don't let sweet words get to you. If they know your weak spot they'll use it."
He was right, what he was asking of her wasn't too much at all. If anything she had to promise herself that. Someone knowing the deepest parts of her, it would cause her to break in the moment. Amelia was a strong woman, but any person can only take so much. Only being able to handle so many secrets spewed from the cracks.
"I promise." She would promise, even if she wasn't sure she had the strength. It would soothe her father, she couldn't lose him to the elements.
Both stand, hugging once more before Amelia bids her father goodbye. Leaving his property, the car ride back to her condo is slow and quiet, No music, just the sound of her heart beating against her chest. The zooming of cars going by, the commotion on the sidewalks and buildings. Amelia didn't want to hear all of the normal sounds she was used to, she wished the world was quiet.
Falling into a soundless abyss, peace at least. No drumming of her heart piercing her ears, no normality of her surroundings burdening her. Amelia wasn't normal, she never was going to be.
She wonders if this career was the right choice, if she should have chosen something less deadly. Perhaps a nurse, or a school teacher.
No, Amelia hated kids.
Looming danger was not helping the panicked thoughts running across her mind. Amelia wouldn't change her career for the world, but this time it was more personal. Even the smallest secret could unravel all that was covered up. All the work she and Dallas had put in to erase any of the past, now could come up again.
Amelia wanted to vomit at the thought, it made her stomach turn.
Opening the door of her condo, she slams the door behind. Huffing, throwing her bag onto the floor by the door. Her eyes spot Dallas in the kitchen, with a cup in his hands. He's looking directly at her, a surprised look on his face.
"Where were you?" He asks, taking a sip of his tea.
She walks in the kitchen, sitting on the chair in front of him. "Dad's house, someone spray painted graffiti on his house."
"Graffiti, low level." Dallas sighs, "What did it say?"
Amelia puts her hand under her chin, eyes peering up at him. "It was his old criminal alias: 'Shadow'. Dad thinks it has something to do with our case."
There's silence between the two.
"Do you?"
Amelia tilts her head, eyebrow raised. "Do I what?"
"Do you think it's connected?" Dallas asks, Amelia pausing in front of him.
She believed her father was onto something, even before he had said it the thought was on her mind. Thinking about the entire situation made her head throb, she was going to have a headache by the time it was all over.
"I do, but I don't want to talk about it anymore." Amelia waves in dismissal, getting off of her chair and coming around to her partner. She wraps her arms around him, placing her cheek on his back. "I just want to have one small moment to not worry, that may be too much to ask for our lifestyle."
Dallas chuckles, placing his cup down. He turns around, facing his woman: he towers over her by over a foot. The taller man is silent as his hands cup her cheeks, pulling her into a light kiss. Amelia loosens up as his lips hit hers, pressing her chest now onto his stomach.
The kisses were slow, tender and sweet. A reassuring gesture: he wanted her to know he was by her side. He didn't have to say a single word, his kiss spoke a thousand.
He pulls away, Amelia's cheeks feeling hot as she flushes dark shades of red. The smile pulls onto his lips, pushing a strand of hair out of her face. She bites her bottom lip, staring now at him with doe eyes.
"It's not too much to ask, I will provide simplicity for you whenever you need it most." His voice is smooth like butter, deep and mesmerizing. She believed every word he said. "Let us do something simple tonight then, how about a movie?"
Amelia chuckles, a bit shocked. "A movie? I haven't had a movie night since I was a high schooler."
Dallas pulls her closer, "We can let that inner child of yours out for the night, while time allows us." His large hands take hers on his own, bringing them to his lips. He kisses her hands, before his eyes peer down at her once more.
She was head over heels in love with him. It was plain as day.
"I would love that, it would be nice."
A chance to feel young, she was going to take it. With someone she loved, feeling the way she felt when she was a young girl. Doing something so calm as watching a movie together, when everything else around them was chaos.
"Your wish is my command then."
Even after five years, he still managed to surprise her. Helping her in many ways without him even having to try. Dallas never had to put in any effort to be by her side, he was always a shoulder when she was wounded. Flawless with his words, soothing with his touch, beautiful with his physique. Amelia was so lucky to have him as her partner in life, especially in rough moments.
She knew he'd never betray her, she knew she needed him.
Those thoughts were for another time, for now she wanted to dull her mind to the simple things.
"I'll pick the movie then, I hope you like something cliche."
Dallas chuckles at her words, kissing her forehead.
He was all she ever needed by her side, she would die for him. Taking every single secret with her, being able to protect him. That's all she would ever want to do, protect her lover until her dying breath.
Love makes people do crazy things, she was no different. She was human, and love makes even the most sane crazy.
"I never thought you'd be the rom-com type. You never looked at it." His fingers intertwine with hers, pulling her closer to him. "I don't mind, as long as it will help you and your thoughts."
Her lips curl into a small smile. "Thank you, you know you don't have to do this for me." It was a genuine statement. "I always worry like this, you know that well."
"This is different," He starts, "It's personal, I do not want you to break into pieces before you've even gotten to the action. You're strong, but you do need a break for yourself." His eyes are serious, yet filled with care. "Your mental health could worsen."
Amelia needed a therapist, she thought. Something for later, but something she would look into.
"I know, I know." She says dismissively, shaking her head. "I promise you, this will help. Even if it's only once, as long as I get my mind off of things."
"Let's get to the rom-com then. Our room?" Amelia chuckles at his words, beginning to lead him into their bedroom.
"Our room, I love you."
"I love you too."
Her inner child was gleeful with excitement, even her older self was happy with the outcome. A moment with the man of her present and future. In their condo, snuggled under the covers of their shared bed. Something she never thought she would have, having visions of a world alone.
Amelia would never be alone, not ever again: All because of him. Dallas Eric Linch gave her wings, and helped soar into the sky. Not by herself, but side by side next to him.
Soaring by herself would never be an option in her life, never again. Amelia had longed for the companionship of someone who understood her, would let her spread her wings and fly. He not only gave her wings power, grace, he shared parts of himself with her.
A man who was once mysterious, now her favorite part of waking up in the morning. Seeing the constellations of freckles scattered on his cheeks. Being able to connect them each morning, until he stirred awake.
Seeing the same sleepy smile as his eyes fixated on her. Amelia was head over heels in love.
If only she could truly express it to him. One day, she would finally be able to get every last detail of her love out. Until then, a movie night would be a beautiful start to blossom.