The calm before the storm

'' You hit me? '' Freya was genuinely in shock. She tried to lift herself from the ground but her body was paralyzed. Her head was spinning.

'' I...'' Ryan put his hand out to help her but she didn't take it. He cursed himself inwardly. He didn't mean to hit her. He was just...so angry.

'' Don't bother. '' Freya helped herself up. She distanced herself from him.

'' I'm sorry. '' He held her hand. '' Freya , I was just so angry. ''

'' And does that give you the right to do whatever you please?'' She pushed him away. '' I don't want to talk about this. ''

'' Freya- ''

'' Alec loves her and she loves him. That's what's important. ''

'' What about the fact that they killed our daughter? '' Ryan retorted.

'' What about the fact that you had your sons kill her father? '' Freya said bitterly. '' Haven't you had enough of this chaos in our lives? And now that Alec wants to settle down and start over , shouldn't we be by his side? ''

'' What about what was taken away from us? '' He growled .

'' Your ego was hurt. That's all. '' Freya wipped the tears from her eyes. '' For once , do something that will make your son proud. ''

She glared at him and stormed out. He watched her leave.

'' I'm sorry but I can't take such an insult quietly. ''

'' Why are you up so early? '' Gwen rolled into the sheets trying to avoid the rays from the windows. She left a tiny window , enough for her to see Alec. He had his back to her and he was looking outside the window intently. She observed his back. His back was broad and his muscles folded over his bones like drapery. Each bend , each turn...he was tempting. The sun hit his body and he shone like embers. She found herself smiling stupidly when she thought about how he'd made love to her last night. It was intense , intimate, emotional. She couldn't forget how they'd looked into each other's eyes as they moved.

'' Fuck! '' She abruptly gasped. Alec turned .

'' Are you alright? '' He came to the bed . '' What's wrong? '' He tried to touch her but she covered her face with the sheets as fast as she could. '' Gwen? ''

'' It's nothing! '' She was practically burning under those sheets. Why was she reacting like this? She felt his hand rest on her waist and her heart started to beat terribly. What was he doing? His hand moved slower and slower , then he started to press on her waist.

'' Look at me Gwen. '' His voice was magical.She realized she was naked underneath the sheets. She carried herself in a bundle and rushed to the shower.

'' Coward! '' Alec laughed. He lay in the bed , the bed where they'd become one over and over again . Where they let the world vanish , where they let themselves have their own little paradise. A place where time stood still , where bliss was never ending. He hugged the pillow she'd slept on. He loved her scent.

Gwen got out of the shower. Her hair was wet and she dried it with a towel. The room was tidy and a sweet aroma filled it. Alec just came in with coffee and bagels. He was done freshening up. His golden hair was messy and he looked sexy in his vest and sweat pants.

'' Breakfast is ready! '' He announced proudly.

'' Did you make this? '' Gwen was surprised.

'' Well ...I ordered them. That's almost equal to making them , right? ''

'' No it's not. '' Gwen giggled.

'' Well , you were taking centuries in the shower , so I figured I had to be a man and get you breakfast. '' He pulled her by the waist and she crashed into his chest.

'' What...are you doing ? '' She was already blushing.

'' I'm helping you. '' He took the towel from her hands and gently dried her hair. As he did this Gwen felt time stop. He was so gentle , so caring. God knows how she ended up with him. She was grateful to have him.

'' Don't stare too much. It's weird. '' Alec joked without taking his attention off her hair.

'' I....I...'' Gwen awkwardly looked away. A gentle smirk adorned his face and she couldn't help looking again. '' I love you , Alec. ''

'' I know. '' He lifted her chin and kissed her. The towel fell to the floor when the kiss deepened. His hands were quick to wrap around her and hers quickly went around his neck.

'' Aren't we supposed to have breakfast? '' Gwen breathed in between the flurry of kisses.

'' That can come later. This is more important. '' Alec led her to the bed. '' I need you...''

In the rising heat , Gwen's phone rang. She put her hands as a barrier. Alec was already on top of her. '' It may be important. ''

'' You can call back later. '' He pleaded with her. He was already turned on.

'' I'll just answer real quick. '' She slithered away and picked up the phone. It was the private detective she'd hired, Fin Porter. She felt her heart sink. She walked to the window and answered the call.

'' I'm listening. ''

'' You'll have all the answers you need tomorrow.'' Mr. Porter assured her.

'' Okay. '' She ended the call. Something was getting her restless. She was afraid of what was coming.