The evening was soft and quiet, the kind of night that made the world feel like it had paused just for them. Alex and Mia sat together on the worn leather couch in her apartment, their hands intertwined. They had just finished dinner—a simple meal Mia had made while humming a hymn that Alex found oddly comforting, even if he didn't say so aloud.
"That was amazing," Alex said, leaning back and stretching. "You've been holding out on me with those cooking skills."
Mia laughed, playfully swatting his arm. "You've had my cooking plenty of times."
"Not like this," he teased, his voice low and warm. His hand found hers again, and he drew her closer. "You're pretty incredible, you know that right?"
She blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're not too bad yourself," she said, her tone light but her heart racing. Being near Alex always had that effect on her, a mix of comfort and excitement she couldn't quite explain.
As the evening stretched on, their conversation drifted to their dreams and fears, the future and the unknown. Alex's illness, though still a shadow over them, had become less of a constant weight since their visit to Samuel's chapel. There was a tentative hope now, fragile but real.
But as the night deepened, the atmosphere between them began to shift. Alex's touches lingered a little longer, his gaze holding hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. He leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a kiss that was both tender and charged.
Mia responded at first, the warmth of his affection wrapping around her like a cocoon. But then, as his hand trailed along her arm and further up her breast, a flicker of unease stirred in her chest. She gently pulled back, her eyes searching his.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked, his voice soft but puzzled.
Mia bit her lip, choosing her words carefully. "Alex, I care about you, more than words can say. But…" She hesitated, feeling the weight of what she was about to say. "I've made a commitment to wait until marriage for… this."
Alex's brow furrowed, and he sat back slightly. "You mean…?"
She nodded, her cheeks flushing. "I know it might sound old-fashioned, but it's something I feel strongly about. It's not just about rules; it's about honoring God and the kind of relationship I want to build."
For a moment, silence hung between them. Alex ran a hand through his hair, his expression a mix of surprise and thoughtfulness. "I… I didn't realize this was so important to you," he said finally.
"I should've brought it up sooner," Mia admitted, her voice quiet. "I just… I didn't know how. And I didn't want you to think I'm rejecting you. I'm not. I just want us to grow in other ways first."
Alex sighed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "It's not that I don't respect that. I do. It's just…" He paused, searching for the right words. "I guess I've always seen physical intimacy as part of being close to someone. It's how I've always shown I care."
Mia placed a hand on his arm, her touch gentle. "I get that. And I care about you more than I can say. But for me, love is about more than that. It's about trust, and patience, and building something that lasts. Physical intimacy is a beautiful thing, but I believe it's meant to come after a deeper commitment."
Alex looked at her, his eyes softening. "I don't want to push you into anything you're not comfortable with," he said finally. "I just… I guess I'm trying to understand where you're coming from."
She smiled, relief washing over her. "Thank you for saying that. I know it's not easy. And I'm happy to talk about it more, if you want. Or if you have questions."
He nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "Maybe I do. But not tonight. Tonight, I just want to be here with you."
They settled back into the couch, the tension easing but leaving behind a new layer of understanding between them. As they talked about lighter things—a new movie coming out, a recipe Mia wanted to try, Alex couldn't help but admire the quiet strength in her convictions. It was one of the things that had drawn him to her in the first place, even if he hadn't fully realized it until now.
As the final movie finished, Alex, knew he could not sleep over. "Thank you very much again for dinner Mia, I best take my leave and get some rest."
"You're most welcome and thank you for being understanding," she said with a shy smile. As they walked out the door, with a kiss on Mia's cheeks, Alex said his fare well and drove away into the dark street.
Later, as Mia lay in bed, she whispered a prayer of gratitude. For Alex's continual patience, for their growing relationship, and for the guidance she felt as she navigated these uncharted waters. She prayed for Alex too, that he would find his own path and that they would continue to grow together—in love, in trust, and in faith.
And as Alex drove home, the city lights flashing past, he couldn't shake the feeling that Mia's faith—this thing he didn't fully understand was changing him too. Slowly, subtly, but undeniably. And for the first time, he wondered if maybe there was something… someone… worth exploring after all.