THE MOMENT

Simon stood with Nathan's hand in his. He was dropping him off at Hannah's apartment for Alex. Alex had work so Simon decided to do her a favour, plus, Nathan was his son after all.

Hannah had JJ round when Simon arrived and JJ took Nathan off to play, using his phone as a distraction for the 6 year old.

"How is she?" Hannah asks, getting Simon a beer from the fridge.

"Shes...Shes dealing with it in her own way," Simon says and Hannah nods, she knew exactly what he meant.

Alex liked to do things on her own, whether it be emotionally or physically, she was a independent person at heart. She rarely accepted help, even when she was weak.

"I know what you mean, she's difficult like that, she doesn't like to express her problems because she feels like shes putting the burden on someone else," Hannah says and Simon nods back.

"How is she in other ways? How is she with you?" Hannah asks and Simon chuckles lightly.

"I wouldn't call us friends or anything, I'd say we're just two people who have a son, and now we're just trying our best to look after him," Simon replies.

"Simon, don't lie to yourself. I know you still look at like shes the world to you, I know because I look at JJ like that, and Alex looks at Nathan like that, obviously in a slightly different way, but these people all make our world turn," Hannah says and Simon gulps.

"Why do you have to be right?" Simon asks, running a hand over his face.

"Because I'm a woman, and women are always right," She laughs and Simon chuckles.

"Now thats questionable," Simon replies and JJ reappears with Nathan carrying the Guess Who board game.

"At least we know who the adults are around here," Simon says and Hannah smiles at him.

"Tell her," Hannah says and Simon looks into her eyes, she was deadly serious.

"Tell her you love her and watch her face, watch her eyes and her lips, just...Please," Hannah says, "I need someone who isn't me to be there for her,"

"But Han-"

"Don't 'but' me just do it," Hannah orders and Simon gives her a single nod.

"As you wish, your royal highness," Simon smirks and Hannah rolls her eyes as she laughs.

"You make me laugh," Hannah says and Simon smiles back.

"At least I make someone laugh," Simon jokes and he looks at Nathan, "You gonna come and say bye to your dad buddy?"

Nathan quickly stands up and rushes over to his father, he gives him a tight hug and then says goodbye.

"I'll see you later okay?" Simon asks and Nathan nods.

"See you later, daddy," Nathan grins and he runs back over to JJ.

"See you later guys," Simon says, smiling softly towards JJ and Hannah.

He then walks downstairs and out of the front door, heading for Alex's workplace.

When he arrives he steps inside the restaurant and walks up to the bar. He orders a single malt whiskey with a single cube of ice.

"Will you be eating tonight, sir?" Asks the bartender.

"Not today, thank you though," Simon says, a small smile dancing on his lips, "On second thought- I'll have a meal...Am I allowed to ask for a specific chef?"

"I'll ask about that sir," The bartender smiles and he heads out of the double doors into the kitchen.

He returns after a few minutes and smiles at Simon, "Alex would be happy to cook for you sir,"

"Thank you," Simon says and a waiter walks over and guides him to a table.

The table is by the window, so Simon can overlook the street as night set in.

Simon reads the menu that was placed on the table and he decides to go for a steak.

The waiter returns and Simon orders that and himself another drink after he'd finished his last one while reading the menu.

He waits 20 minutes for the meal, and the waiter doesn't bring it, Alex does. Alex puts the plate down in front of Simon and she sits down in the chair opposite.

"Thank you," Simon smiles at her and Alex smiles back.

The waiter brings over his drink as asked for and Alex looks at it and back to Simon.

"Is someone building up some liquid courage?" Alex asks, glancing from the glass to Simon.

"No," He lies, "Just...I just like drinking whiskey sometimes, you know?"

"Sure," Alex chuckles, leaning her chin on her hand.

"Are you going to sit and watch me eat?" Simon asks and Alex laughs again.

"I want to know what you think," Alex says and Simon smirks.

"Aren't you supposed to do that after I've finished?" Simon asks and Alex stands up.

"Fine, have fun eating alone," Alex chuckles as she walks back to the kitchen.

Simon enjoys his meal, even if he does eat alone, he was proud of what Alex had achieved and he was surprised by the delicious piece of art he'd just consumed. He sighed with delight when the waiter collected his empty plate.

"Would you like a dessert sir?" Asks the waiter, offering Simon a dessert menu.

"Yes please," Simon says and he orders a sticky toffee pudding with ice cream.

It takes another 20 minutes for his dessert to arrive. He eats it like it could be the last thing he ever eats, savouring every second. When he's finished he pays for his meal and then sits with his whiskey.

He waits all evening for Alex to finish, in total he has 2 and a half small glasses of single malt whiskey. Alex and he meet outside and she gives him a smile.

"What happened about a month before your wedding isn't gonna happen again when we get home is it?" Alex asks and Simon shrugs.

"Only if you want that to happen," Simon winks and Alex laughs and gently punches his arm.

"Me and you are done, Si. And you know that," Alex says as she pulls on her coat and walks away.

"Oh..." He whispers, she can't hear him as she walks away, pulling her collar up round her neck.

"You comin'?" She calls and Simon just nods, watching her smile widely before walking away yet again. Simon's head hangs as he begins to slowly follow her. He was heartbroken by her words, but she seemed so happy just being friends again. Simon had no idea what to do.

"Alex," Simon says and she turns to look at him.

"Whats up?" She says, pausing and looking at him.

"Don't freak out," Simon says and her eyebrows immediately furrow.

"Tell me," She says, a hint of firmness in her voice.

"I'm in love with you, I always have been,"

______________

Thank you for reading!

What do you think Alex's reaction will be?

Again, thanks for the support, I can't even express the amount of thanks I have for the 13k I have on this book.

Also go check out stargirl which is a new vikkstar123 AU. it would be incredible if you could go and check it out and leave some love

~KatnissBajanCanadian❤