The Night Before A Storm

After driving for a few minutes Elle spoke up. "You know, you let me drive but I have no idea where we're going."

"Do you want to go out for dinner?"

"Not really." Elle admitted sheepishly. "I'm tired."

"Do you want to go home then?"

"No."

"Let's go back to my place first then." Adam said decisively.

"Is that okay?"

"Of course. Let's just stop at a supermarket first."

Elle followed Adam's instructions to a store near his home. The supermarket was crowded and lively, full of people who had stopped to buy groceries on their way home from work. Elle and Adam easily blended into the crowd.

"Is there anything in particular you want to eat?" Adam asked as they walked through the isles.

"Let me cook this time." Elle insisted. "I don't want you to always be doing everything."

Adam gave her a doubtful look but eventually folded when met with her eagerness. Elle smiled, feeling victorious. "What do you want to eat then?" She asked him.

"I'm a bit worried about your skill level. Maybe we should get instant ramen." Adam said with a mischievous smile.

Elle frowned at him, "I'm going to poison your food." she muttered under her breath. Elle picked up her pace, grabbing a basket and leaving Adam behind as she began selecting ingredients.

Adam caught up easily, laughing as he took the basket from her hands. "It's too much fun teasing you, forgive me."

Elle gave him a disapproving look but took his free hand in hers. Walking hand in hand the couple made their rounds around the supermarket.

Back at his condo Elle began cooking while Adam took the opportunity to go to his study and get finish some of his work.

An hour later Elle went into his study as well to call him down for dinner. As they ate Elle kept piling more and more food onto Adam's plate.

"You work so much. You need to regain your energy." She said, "Besides, I know how much you like my cooking."

"It's really not bad at all." Adam said, trying to make up for his earlier comment. "I'd give it a solid eight out of ten."

"I'll take that." Elle replied with a smile. "You know…"

"Yes?"

"I've been thinking about moving out of my father's home for now."

Adam looked up at her, but if he was surprised it didn't show. "Is that so?" He asked cautiously.

"I've been thinking about it for a little while now. With every thing that's going on right now I find it too unbearable to be there anyway. I was being childish when I said I wouldn't leave before."

"Have you looked at places yet?"

"Not yet. I still have a lot of work on my hands. I think I'll do it once my project is over. There's only a week left anyway."

"You should stay here then. At least until you find a place of your own."

"Is that okay? I can stay with Abby too you know." Elle asked, feeling embarrassed. She didn't want him to feel obligated to offer his place to her. They hadn't really been dating for that long after all.

"Of course it's okay. I'll have David go collect your things tomorrow."

"No, that's okay. I have something to take care of tomorrow anyway. I'll gather my things myself."

"Should I come with you?" Adam asked, looking a little concerned.

"That's fine. I'll take a day off work tomorrow and settle everything. You'll have to leave early anyway."

"I actually have a late start tomorrow. There's an inspection tomorrow so David will come fetch me later in the morning. You can have the car to yourself."

"You have a late start tomorrow?" Elle asked excitedly.

"That's right." Adam said with a smile. "I have a late start, so tonight we can do whatever you want."

After they had finished eating they both washed up and changed out of their working clothes, but instead of getting into bed Elle dragged some pillows and blankets downstairs. Adam turned the lights down and put in a movie that Elle had picked at random. Whilst comfortably lounging on the large sofa, the two quietly passed their evening watching a movie.

Elle's eyes were starting to droop by the time the movie finished, but she insisted on watching something else afterwards. It was so rare that they had time to spend together like this lately. She didn't want to waste it. So Adam and obliged and put in another DVD. Within fifteen minutes they had both drifted off to sleep. With Elle nuzzled against Adam's chest, and his arms wrapped tightly around her, they both had a long and comfortable night's sleep.