Fourty-Three. Relief

A/N, she is an anxious girl. She takes after me. Don't judge.

♥️

*Eleanora Elliot*

He watched carefully as we rinsed off in the outdoor showers.

Getting back to the car he grabbed my clothes and held the towel as I got dressed again, drying myself completely.

I dried under my neck and let my hair back down.

We switched and I held the towel to cover his waist as he changed into clean boxers before putting on his pants and shirt again.

I watched as he put on his belt and it was so sexy.

He got me in the car and got in his side.

"What's for dinner?" I asked.

"You'll see. I called and pushed the reservations back a bit just so we can make it in time." He said and I hummed, his hand on my thigh as I checked the time.

"It doesn't feel like it's been this long." I said.

He shrugged. "How are you feeling?"

"Good. Nervous. But good."

"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" He asked, gently rubbing his thumb back and fourth on my thigh.

"When the time comes can you kind of talk me through it?" I asked softly.

"Absolutely."

"But... when I get over that hump I'll let you know. I think it'll be apparent." I smiled lightly.

"I appreciate that. Any expectations or things you want to avoid?" He asked.

"No. I think it'll come naturally to us." I responded.

He hummed, kissing the top of my head.

We got to the restaurant in no time, he got me out of the car and we walked inside.

"Sokolov." He said and the lady nodded, motioning us to follow her.

We were seated, he got me to sit before he did and I immediately looked at the menu.

"Look." He handed me the wine menu.

"I think I'm going to go with a lemonade or tea. It sounds refreshing after the sweet ass snowcones." I smiled and he shrugged, "good idea".

We got a waiter who fortunately spoke enough English.

I motioned to the Strawberry Lemonade.

He got a water.

Then we got food.

I ordered a Gyro, he got something similar with a different kind of meat.

The waiter left.

"Thank you. I appreciate the way you are with me so much. I appreciate your patience and understanding more than you know." I chewed my lip, gradually feeling more anxious.

He put his hands palm up on the table.

I slid mine in his own.

"Breathe. We have a full meal to eat. I swear I'd never bring you harm. But I can tell you're getting more nervous." He murmured so gently.

"I don't know how to get over it."

"It's okay. I'm here to help you. I'm here to love you and make you feel good. You have a heart of gold and nothing will change our relationship regardless of tonight. My love for you runs deeper than pure attraction." He said and I nodded.

"You're right." I sighed.

"I know you haven't had an amazing experience in a few years. I want to change that. So how about when we are done eating, we go ahead and drive home, take it very slow, as slow as you need. We have all night, there's no rush. I'll be slow, I'll be gentle, I'll talk to you the whole time if that's what you need from me." His blue eyes bled sincerity.

"I don't know how you both can be so patient. I'm overreacting so badly. It's not even that deep." I laughed at myself.

"It is. It is that deep. This is a very personal thing to do with someone. Complete vulnerability and someone took advantage of yours. You have every right to fear that treatment." He frowned.

I shrugged. "Yeah."

Our food came out. I was being stupid.

"Do you think giving Hale a call will help? He'd be happy to make you feel comfortable." He handed me his phone as I left mine at the ocean cabin.

I nodded and went to the restroom quickly as I rang him.

"Lore."

"No it's me."

"Hi baby, everything okay?"

"I'm getting in my head and being ridiculous for absolutely no reason and for some reason I can't calm myself. It's not that big of a deal but he's being nice and accepting and I for some reason can't accept his reassurance so he told me I could call you-"

"My baby-"

"I'm scared for absolutely no reason I trust him with my whole soul and I know I'll laugh at myself when it's over with-"

"Honey-"

"But I can't shake the fear. I know he'd never hurt me and this is an absolutely ridiculous thing-"

"Nora."

I frowned.

"You there?" He asked.

"Yeah."

"You're doing good. It's anxiety trying to protect you from past hurt. You told me that two nights ago. You need to take the feedback you give, love. This man loves you with every piece of his soul. Just like you love us with yours. But I still got scared. Your reassurance wasn't bleeding into me until we had a real talk. You told me I could feel the way I did, you told me that my mind was trying to protect me from possible hurt, I listened, and you need to listen to yourself." He said calmly.

"He's telling me that too. What I told you."

"Because he means it with the same sincerity you did."

"You're right. You're so right. Okay."

"Go eat dinner, my love. Get over the fear, you're going to be just fine. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you."

"I love you."

I hung up and honestly... he was exactly right.

I walked out and sat myself down.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

I sighed, relieved, still a bit shaky. But better.

"I am. Thank you." I smiled at him.

He didn't take a bite until I did.

And we ate, and talked about completely irrelevant topics.

It was everything it needed to be.