The smell of sizzling eggs and freshly brewed tea wafted through the air, tempting Xander's nostrils even before he walked into the kitchen. When he entered, he was greeted by the sight of Amelia standing at the gas cooker, the spatula in her hand moving expertly over the frying pan.
"Good morning!" Amelia chirped, a smile on her face. "Breakfast is almost ready. Have a seat."
Xander's mouth watered at the sight of the fluffy, golden-brown eggs and the warm, steaming slices of bread.
He pulled out a chair and sat down at the table, watching as Amelia expertly flipped the eggs and placed them on a waiting plate. She added a splash of color to the meal by arranging some sliced tomatoes and fresh basil leaves next to the eggs.
"Wow, this looks amazing," Xander said, his eyes sparkling with appreciation. "And the smell is incredible. What did you put in this?"
Amelia grinned, clearly enjoying his reaction. "A little bit of this, a little bit of that," she said, pouring him a cup of tea. "I'm glad you like it."
Xander took a bite of the eggs, the flavors bursting in his mouth. He closed his eyes in bliss, savoring the perfect balance of salty, savory, and slightly sweet notes. "You're going to spoil me," he said, grinning at Amelia. "If this is how you cook every day, I'm never going to want to leave the house."
Amelia laughed at his comment. "Well, I guess that's one way to keep you around," she teased, joining him at the table.
"Seriously though, I'm happy you like it. I know how much you love a good breakfast."
They ate in companionable silence, the only sound the clinking of their forks against their plates and the occasional murmur of appreciation.
As they finished their meal, Xander took Amelia's hand in his, running his thumb over her knuckles. "This is really great, Amelia," he said. "I can't believe how lucky I am to have you in my life."
Amelia blushed, her smile turning shy and tender. "You're the one who's making me feel lucky," she said. "You've been such a wonderful, supportive partner, even with everything going on with your family."
After cleaning up from breakfast, Amelia and Xander made their way into the living room, settling comfortably on the couch. Xander was scrolling through emails on his phone, when he turned to Amelia with a smile.
"So, as I mentioned over breakfast, I'm heading back to work on Monday," he said, his voice filled with both excitement and a hint of nervousness. "It's been awhile since I've been in the office, so I'm not sure what to expect."
Amelia's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh?
"Yeah, it's going to be a bit of an adjustment," Xander continued. "I'm sure there'll be some catching up to do, maybe some new projects to tackle. And I'm also curious to see how everyone's been doing since I've been away. But all in all, I'm actually looking forward to it."
Amelia smiled, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Well, I have no doubt that you'll knock 'em dead," she said. "You're so good at what you do, Xander. They're lucky to have you back."
Xander chuckled, a blush creeping across his cheeks. "Aw, thanks Amelia. That means a lot to me," he said, his eyes shining with affection.
"Amelia, I'm serious about this," Xander said, his tone earnest and determined. "I want to help you find your dream job, the one that you've been longing for but maybe didn't think was possible.
I know that bartending has been good to you, but you deserve more than that. You deserve a career that truly makes you happy.
Amelia's eyes brimmed with tears, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions.
"Xander, I don't know what to say," she said, her voice quivering slightly. "This is... this is so generous of you".
Xander shook his head, brushing off her gratitude with a wave of his hand. "It's not about generosity, Amelia," he said."
It's about wanting the best for the person I love. And if there's anything I can do to make your dreams a reality, I want to do it.
"Amelia reached out and grasped Xander's hand, her fingers tracing the lines on his palm. "You're really something, you know that?" she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm so lucky to have you in my life, Xander.
Amelia's words lingered in the air, the depth of her gratitude and affection palpable in the silence that followed.
Xander's heart swelled at her words, his smile softening as he gazed into her eyes."Amelia, I'm the lucky one," he replied, his voice laced with emotion. "I never knew that love like this was even possible, until I met you. And now that we're finally in our own place, with our own space, I just...
Xander's words trailed off, his emotions threatening to overcome him. But he didn't need to finish his sentence; Amelia could see the depth of his feelings in his eyes, in the tenderness of his touch."Xander," she said, gently cupping his face in her hands.
"You are the most incredible man I've ever known. And I'm so thankful that we're starting this new chapter together, in this new home that we can truly make our own. I love you.
"Xander's smile widened, his eyes shining with happiness. "I love you too, Amelia.
As Amelia's lips pressed against Xander's, their kiss deepened into a passionate exchange. His hands roamed along her body, tracing her curves with tenderness and reverence.
The moment felt like a spark of electricity, igniting the air around them.Amelia's breath quickened as Xander's fingers ran through her hair, his touch sending shivers down her spine. She let out a soft moan as his lips moved from hers, trailing kisses along her neck and collarbone, his breath hot against her skin.
Their lips parted, both of them breathing heavily, their hearts racing with desire. They gazed into each other's eyes, their expressions a mix of love, passion, and adoration.
Amelia smiled shyly, her cheeks flushed with color. "Wow," she whispered, her voice still breathy with emotion.
"I think that's the most romantic breakfast I've ever had.
"Xander chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, I guess I'll have to up my game if I want to top this next time," he said, his voice low and husky.