" Alec doesn't talk to me as much as before. He keeps himself busy all day...all night. " Freya rubbed her hands together to gather whatever warmth she could.
Bain wrapped her in yet another blanket and made himself cozy next to her. They were close to the fireplace and...close to each other.
" My son is shattering right before my eyes and there's nothing I can do about it. " Her eyes pierced through the flames. She knew Alec was burning on the inside. He was in a hell of his own.
Bain drew her closer to his chest and kissed her on the forehead. He wasnt good with words but he just hoped she knew he was there for her no matter what.
" They'll make it through this. Trust me. " He spoke into her hair and kissed her again.
" If they don't work things out soon enough , I'll have to shoot them both. "
Freya giggled and pulled his ear.
" Stop kidding around. This is serious. "
Bain sighed and frowned. He was getting tired of this peculiar situation but still, he believed it was for the better that the truth was finally out. Now Gwen just had to choose between her love for Alec and her filial duty. He couldn't help but think about his very own ticking time bomb , Alison. It was always like an anvil on his shoulder. He always wondered what would happen when Ryan found out Alison was his blood. Would he come for her?
Freya saw the distant look in his eyes. She tilted his head lower to her face.
" What is bothering you? " She saw worry in his eyes and that was next to impossible.
He looked down into her blue eyes. Eyes of an angel. Her drew her to his lips and kissed her.
" Freya , I don't want to lose the things I hold dear to me. " He paused. " I can't lose you and I sure as hell will not lose Alison. "
Freya was silent for a while. She knew things were only going to get worse but still , something about being in his arms gave her the courage to face the world.
" Bain..." She didn't know if what she was about to say was a good idea but she was almost certain that she'd stopped using her brain long ago.
" Let's get married."
Bain's eyes widened and his mouth fell open. He couldn't believe his ears.
" Freya...you..." He shook his head. " Sorry...I mean...I...I..."
" You what?" She smiled at his childishness. " Give me an answer before I take back my proposal.
" Are you being serious?" He held her face on his hands. " Freya...I..."
" What do think? Am I good enough to be your better half?"
" Yes , " He smiled. " But I'm guessing you could use some fixing here and there."
" Bain!" She poked his stomach.
" I'm kidding. Freya , it would be an honour for me to call you mine. "
" I think...I can't do this anymore. Alec...things can't be the same...things will never be the same..."
Alec crumbled the paper in his hand subconsciously . He could still hear Gwen's voice in his head. He didn't know how long it had been since that day. It's like he stopped living when she let go of his hand.
Days and nights all seemed the same. Whether the sun rose or not made no difference to him. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. His elbows rested on his office table and he cussed under his breath. Everything good in his life always seemed to find a way to slowly seep away.
The night was beautiful. It was filled with stars. He turned his gaze out his window. The streets were filled with lights and bustling with activity.
" Sir , " Alec's secretary spoke from the door. " It's getting late. I'm leaving and you should be getting home soon too. "
" And what if I have no one to go home to?"
" Sorry , sir. I didn't quite get that."
He looked up at her and waved her off." It's nothing. Good night Sophie. "
She paused for a while. She was starting to get worried about her boss." Goodnight sir."
"You deserve this. You're nothing but a murderer." He looked at his palms." You're covered in blood."
He was burning with rage. Rage at himself , at fate , at God.
" Fuck!" He threw the bottle of vodka on his table to the floor.
He heard the door open but didn't turn to look.
" Sophie! Just...please go home. " He was yelling. " I'm fine here alone. Just go. "
He rose and moved to the terrace and took a deep breath. The air was chilly and the snow had began to fall. He felt like his head was about to explode. He looked up to the skies and closed his eyes.
" I'm losing it. "
" Alec..." A voice brushed against his ear.
He failed to register whether Gwen's voice was in his head or not. He'd been thinking about her for weeks on end.
" Alec..." This time , the voice was accompanied with a gentle touch on his shoulder. His body stiffened and he was afraid to turn and face what stood behind him. He prayed she was really there. He prayed that she wasn't a figment of his imagination.
" Gwen..." He slowly held the hand on his shoulder. It was tiny and warm. He carefully brought it to his lips and kissed it. The distinct fragrance of her skin graced his senses.
Alec breathed and turned to her. She was real. Her beautiful face was before his. On impulse, he enveloped her in the tightest embrace he could possibly give.
She didn't hug him back. She fought hard not to.
" Alec...I..."
" Don't say a word. Just let me live in the moment. " His hands wrapped tighter round her waist. " I've dreamed of this moment over and over again."
Her heart was almost beating out of her chest.He was so close to her. His chest pressed hard against her own. He was warm. She didn't know when her hands slowly rose to hug him.
She knew she had to stop herself but , what the heck. She closed her eyes and let herself be.
And there they stood, in the darkness of night , two bodies , two souls , two lost lovers.