After taking a long shower, Alex and Lisa dress and venture into her kitchen for some food. He leans against the counter and watches her pull out sliced ham, cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard from the fridge. Looking over at him, she realizes she’s being watched. Smiling, she sets the items down, then turns to him; his black t-shirt from earlier appears slightly wrinkled from sitting on her floor.
Approaching him, Lisa runs her hands up and around his neck. Leaning into him, she asks, “What are you thinking about?”
He grins, his arms moving around her waist and his fingers pushing into the back pockets of her white shorts. Her yellow halter-top, tied up around her neck, provides Alex with exposure to her back, something he intends to take advantage of during their day together. “Just how sexy you look in this outfit.” He leans in and kisses her, lingering on her lips for a moment. “How much I love you.” He kisses her again. “How happy I am that I can love you without fear of persecution.”
She smiles against his lips. “I love you, too.” Considering what he’s said, she moves her fingers across his cheekbone and asks, “Alex, how does this work for you?”
“I’m not sure I follow your question. How does what work for me?” Looking into her eyes, he sees no fear from her, just maybe slight confusion.
“I’m sorry. What I mean is how will everything that’s happened affect you? Do you remain like this, in your human form, or will you have the ability to come and go as you please?”
He lifts his gaze up to the ceiling, hoping the answers are there, but they’re not. He takes a deep breath, thinking how to answer her. “I’ve been thinking about that. This is new to me so I think we’ll be learning together. I’m not allowed into Heaven or Hell, but it doesn’t mean I can’t talk to angels and demons. I should be able to sense both, but I’ve only been exposed to an angel so far.” Alex thinks back to the conversation he had with Michael.
“You won’t be called down there…” motioning to the floor, “…or up there?” motioning to the ceiling.
“I doubt it but, honestly, I have no idea.” Not ready to discuss the inevitable or how this may affect Lisa’s long term life with him, he says, “How about those sandwiches?”
She nods and goes back to the sandwich items she’s pulled out of the fridge. Walking to her breadbox, she pulls out the loaf of bread and sets it down. She pauses. “Alex…” Her gaze remains on the bread as she speaks. “What happens with us? I’m human and you…” She trails off, then shifts her eyes over to him.
Seeing the confusion and fear in her eyes, he takes a deep breath and drops his gaze to the floor. “I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about that, or that you’re ready to hear it.” Shaking his head, he crosses his arms over his chest. “There’s a lot to consider, and a lot to take in.” Slowly, he lifts his eyes to her.
Pursing her lips, she nods a few times, turning back to the bread. Pulling out four slices, she ties the loaf back off and sets it back in the breadbox. Opening her cabinet, she pulls out two paper plates, setting them on the counter. Placing the bread on the plates, she leans against the counter, her palms pressing down.
Quickly, she turns to face him. “Please, just tell me.” Lisa closes her eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath. Opening them, she steps closer to Alex. “Please, I can handle it. I think I’ve done pretty well so far.” She smiles, resting her hands on his forearms.
Alex studies her, looking into her eyes, hoping to see her thoughts. He uncrosses his arms and places his hands on her arms, moving them up and down her skin. “There’s so much…I have no idea…” He stops, looking away from her.
“Alex.” She reaches up and cups his face, turning his gaze back to her. “I trust you. I love you, no matter what.”
Looking at her, he sees the woman he’s fallen in love with, the woman he fell from Heaven for, the woman he went to Hell to save. She returns his love for who he is, without judgment. A small smile reaches the corners of his lips. “You are an amazing woman, you know that?”
She smiles and shrugs her right shoulder playfully. “Thank-you. You’re amazing, too.”