It felt like years later, but December second was finally here. My parents had approved my spending the evening at Loki's, as long as his parents were there, and Kameron's going to the Christmas dance with Thor, as long as she was home at a reasonable time.

After about two hours, Kameron was ready, wearing a wine-red dress with some small beading at the top and a sheer material over the silk skirt. Her makeup was impeccable as always and her hair was curled loosely with a silver clip on the side. I wasn't quite as dressed up as her, but I still had a flowing, long jean skirt on with a mottled mauve, long-sleeve shirt. I even wore a necklace and put on some light makeup before putting my long hair in a fancy bun at the back of my head.

When the doorbell rang, I felt my stomach flutter like a host of fairies were panicking inside. I grabbed my purse, quickly applied a sparkly pink lip gloss, and slipped out of my room. I passed Kameron in her bathroom on the way down the hall and slowed.

"Are you almost done?" I asked. She was still messing with her hair, even though it didn't seem as if there was much to do with the curls.

"I'll be down in a minute," she said, leaving the bathroom and disappearing into her room.

I continued to the kitchen, where the guys were already talking with my mom in the kitchen. When they saw me, they both smiled, although Loki looked decidedly more thrilled and perhaps a bit smug.

"Hello," Thor said, nodding politely to me.

"Alina, you look beautiful." Loki's voice was warmer than ever as he looked me over. He was wearing a nice pair of dark jeans and green button-down shirt that was a few shades darker than his eyes. Thor was wearing a blue-tinted suit with a black tie and his hair was neatly brushed—a rare occasion.

I grinned back at them. "You guys clean up nicely as well."

"Where's—" before Thor finished his question, Kameron walked in, looking even more stunning than usual. She and Thor stared at each other, both obviously enraptured.

Loki smirked a little. "Shall we?" He held out his arm to me. I bid my parents goodbye, then took his arm, calling for Kameron and Thor to get a move on unless they wanted to be late. Once outside, Loki escorted me to his car, a black Mercedes, and we left. I waved to Kameron and Thor as they stepped out of the house and we pulled out of the drive.

"So, what are we going to watch?" I asked as we coasted down the road. "And eat? Also, how far is your house?"

He chuckled. "We are going to watch Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightley. For supper we have chicken Alfredo. And my parent's house is about twenty minutes away." We chatted about random things on the way over, school assignments, friends, which Mike and Ike packet is the best, just the usual. Since we had gotten close during the last month I was very comfortable talking with him and he seemed to feel the same. We understood each pretty well by now, he somehow practically knew me inside and out while I was steadily figuring things out about him.

When we arrived, he opened my door and helped me out of the car, then conducted me to the front door. They had a grand house, themed in white and gold that intimidated me a little as I looked up at it. I had never been so intimidated by a building before.

"Welcome to my home," said Loki when we walked through the large back door. I could even imagine how grand the front door was. "Would you like to meet my parents?"

"Of course," I answered. "This house is so pretty!"

"Thank you. Mother!" he called lightly, walking down a hall with me in pursuit.

A beautiful, blond woman emerged gracefully from a room with a smile. "Loki. And welcome, Alina, it's wonderful to meet you at last." She had striking blue eyes, like Thor, but the same charm as Loki. I felt a little clumsy in front of this elegant woman with the strong, clear voice.

"Hi, it's very nice to meet you," I said with a returning smile.

She leaned her head back inside the room she had just come from to speak with someone. "Loki's date has arrived, dear."

There was a loud grunt and after a moment a man came out. He was tall, thick, just like Thor, only with a closely shaved white beard, longish white hair, and an extremely serious, almost frowning, face. He looked me up and down without a change in his expression. "Nice to meet you," he said without any welcome to his words.

"Um, you too," I said. I think. Kameron wasn't kidding when she said he was scary!

"Well, Alina and I are going to watch a movie until supper gets here," Loki informed his parents, putting an arm around my shoulders before leading me away. When we were out of earshot he said, "I apologize for my father, he... isn't one for people in his home." His arm still held my shoulders, distracting me for a moment.

"Yeah, I got that," I finally said.

Loki and I settled into a room with a huge TV and several comfy leather couches. Everything was already set up, so he just pressed the 'play' button on the remote when we were ready. I hadn't seen this movie before, so I stayed quiet as it started, instead of talking like I usually did through movies.

About thirty minutes into it, the food arrived. Loki paused the movie and took me to a beautiful dining room. He quickly unwrapped the warm food and served it for me. The chicken was delicious, although I wasn't a huge fan of the noodles, but that was normal. As usual, I took my time eating and didn't even finish my plate. It always seemed like meals were too large for my small stomach.

When dinner was done, we returned to the movie room, resuming Pride and Prejudice. The characters confused me, but since I knew the story at least I kind of knew what was going on. Since the movie was so bemusing, I fully immersed myself into it, trying silently to predict what would happen next. I was so invested in the movie; I didn't notice Loki's hand creeping onto my own until his fingers slipped between mine.

I looked over at him questioningly but couldn't think of anything to say. "Alina..." he whispered, appearing to relish my name, but he couldn't seem to go on.

I smiled. He didn't need to say it, it was plain to see, even in the dark of the room. He loved me. "I know," I whispered back, laying my head on his shoulder. I couldn't fathom how he already loved me so deeply—I felt like I had to hold back my own love because there were so many unknowns, but he was already head-over-heels.

"You understand me so well." His nose nuzzled the top of my head in silence for a few moments. I would be sure to set boundaries, but later. Right now, I simply enjoyed being with him.

We stayed like that for the rest of the movie. I used my thumb to stroke his pinky slowly while I could feel his breath in my hair. Even when the movie was over, we sat in the dark, watching the credits. I felt so comfortable with him, even though I had every reason to continue to mistrust him for his past. Somehow, I couldn't though. This felt like the real Loki. The one I was falling in love with.

"Loki?" I whispered hoarsely, not wanting to break the silence, but needing to voice my thoughts. "How is it that I feel so differently about you than I did with Steve? Before I dated anyone, I thought that one boyfriend wouldn't be much different from the other. But the difference I feel with you and Steve is crazy. I can't believe I ever thought I loved him."

He was silent for a moment. "True love?"

I giggled and nudged him slightly. "I'm serious."

"Maybe you did love him," he said softly. "You love Steve for the person he is, for being your friend. You thought you loved him because you were so alike. But perhaps you were too alike. You are both gentle, kind, strong people, but I think it was too much of one type of personality. You didn't need someone who matched yourself, you need someone who was different. Someone who would pull you into a direction you never thought you would go. Someone who is sarcastic to your funny; quiet to your enthusiasm; mischievous to your kind. We pull out the best in each other, bringing us to a balance. That's how I knew you were the one for me. We are perfect together." He looked me in the eyes, sincerity written on his face.

A smile gently tugged at my lips. "Yeah," I agreed. "We are." He bent a little closer, but I only snuggled into his shoulder. He put his arm around me, resting his head on top of mine.

"Would you care for dessert?" he asked after a few moments.

I pulled away to look at his face. "What do you have?"

"Cookies and cream ice cream."

I blinked. He looks serious. He doesn't... Kameron wouldn't tell him... His expression had no hint of humor in it. I don't think he knows how ironic this is. I smiled again. "My favorite."

**********

I often thought about what he had said about us, especially when I was in my bed at night. He was right. He always seemed to be. We did seem ideal for each other, all our flaws and skills balanced just right. But things could change within the years we were in high school and even into college, I wasn't sure if I was ready to commit myself totally to him, not knowing if he would be my husband in the future. The world held too many unknowns for me to completely commit to a man I had only known for a few months.

Will he be willing to wait for me? Will he even want to date me if I'm this unsure? I think I love him. Well, love is a strong word... maybe I shouldn't use it yet. But what if something happens? I don't want to pour too much into this if it will just fail.

I had no answers. Love was more unpredictable than I had imagined. But maybe that was a good thing. Maybe this was a chance for me to take a leap, even if I was afraid. Loki seemed ready. I was just too inexperienced to be absolutely sure.

Is Loki as ready as he seems though? Or does he have the same doubts as me?

**********

I'm going to marry her someday, Loki thought as he watched Alina walk into her house after he dropped her off from that magical first date. The thought made a smile cross his face as he waited to make sure she would get inside. Yes. I know I will. She's so careful she might make me wait a while, but she will be my wife someday. The word sent a thrill through his heart, as did the wave Alina sent him from the doorway, letting him know she was about to walk in. He waved back, even though she probably couldn't see him. My wife, Alina. Someday.