Chapter 5

A/N: Warning (and Spoiler, sadly): We're now entering mature territory. Hope you'll enjoy this long chapter and if  you do, please let me know. Comments make this author very happy (and write faster). <3

ELLE

Two days before Noah comes back, Elle talks Lee into a trip to Ikea.

"So, how's the wedding planning going?" she asks, holding up a brightly colored pillow before putting it back in its bin.

"It's a lot. And I don't get why. It's like, forever away."

"Can I help?"

"Not yet, I think. Thanks. But soon-ish? Rachel has some ideas."

"Put me in, coach!"

"Ha, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into." Lee steps on the back of the cart with one foot and starts pushing it with the other. "I'm hungry."

"We're almost done."

"Why the sudden urge to decorate anyway?"

Elle shrugs. "I put it off long enough."

"That you have."

Twenty minutes later, Lee has wolfed down his meatballs, leaving him with only soggy fries.

Elle spoons over a couple of her meatballs and he smiles at her.

"So, what's the date again? I want to put it in my calendar."

"May 25th. Don't worry, you'll get a Save the Date soon. -ish."

"Okay, cool."

"Hey, um..." Lee starts. "Do you wanna be my best... person?"

"Duh?!" Elle grins and pushes two more reward meatballs onto Lee's plate.

"Okay, good."

"You know, for a minute there I thought you weren't going to ask me."

"Who else would I ask?"

"I figured maybe Noah."

"Pffff, as if!"

Elle shrugs. "You have become a lot closer in the past years. And I mean, he's your brother and all."

"Well, yeah. But come on." Lee balls up his napkin and aims for the nearest trashcan. "So, how are things, anyway? With you and Noah?"

Elle looks down on her plate. "We've been talking every day."

"Is it weird?"

"No. Not at all, actually," she admits. "You know that he's flying in on Friday, right?"

"Yeah yeah, he texted me. But how are you doing with the whole thing? Are you... excited? Happy?"

Elle pushes a couple of fries around her plate. "I guess, I'm nervous."

"I figured."

"I mean, it's been six years. So much has changed. We've changed. I just don't know if... I don't know."

"Well, yeah, things have changed. But it's still just Noah, you know? And he's still completely gaga over you."

Elle can't help it. She's a sucker for this type of reassurance. "Yeah?"

"Oh please. He's embarrassing."

They finish eating and after, Lee looks at Elle expectantly. "Sooo, are we done? Or do you need anything else?"

Elle checks. "We just need to get that nightstand from... aisle 34."

"Woah!? Elle Evans, everybody! Buying a nightstand after only four years!"

*

In her car full of pillows, nightstands and plants, Elle thinks about what Lee said. And he's right. It's still just Noah.

Only Noah was never just. He was kind of everything. And the past couple of weeks have been reminding her of that.

The phone calls and texting play a huge part in it. They've made her feel close to him again. And being close to Noah makes her happy in ways not much else does.

She loves how happy he always sounds when she calls first. Loves that he doesn't try the least bit to hide it. A couple of days ago, he was on a subway train with bad reception when she called. She offered to call back later but he didn't let her hang up. Instead, he got out of the subway and told her that he'd been meaning to walk more anyway.

Something shifts after those first couple of calls. She decides to trust the feeling. She doesn't want to think about the fact that he hasn't made his job decision. She doesn't want to be scared.

She wants to trust him. And she wants, well, him.

*

The next day, Elle is fluffing her new pillows when a text announces itself.

"Don't forget that you have a date tomorrow."

"Ah, right, good thing you reminded me."

"Brutal, Shelly, brutal."

Elle smiles, sits down on her bed and glances at the Ikea boxes again. She's not entirely sure why, but she ended up grabbing two nightstands.

It takes her a couple of minutes to type her next message. She holds her breath when she hits send.

"I was wondering, since you're only going to be here for a couple of days, if you'd like to stay at my place?"

His reply is instant. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Then I think that can be arranged. I'll grab an Uber from the airport and will text you when I'm on my way, ok?"

"Sounds good :)"

"I can't fucking wait."

Elle flops down on the bed, heart racing.

In 24 hours, Noah will be in her apartment. Possibly in her bed.

*

By Friday morning, she's feeling daring. And by Friday 6:45 p.m. she's at the airport.

Noah told her repeatedly how much he can't wait to see her. Seeing her even earlier must be a good thing then, right? Especially since the evening plans have changed, no thanks to Lee.

His flight ends up being delayed an hour and counting and Elle wonders if this is some sort of cosmic joke. Just when she decides to silence the nagging voice in her head, this happens.

The constant barrage of "delayed, delayed, approaching, delayed" is starting to make her dizzy, so she sits down.

How can so many flights be delayed at the same time?

"It's a mess up there tonight, huh?" the lady sitting next to her says, pointing her walking stick up at the sky. Or well, at the ceiling.

"Seems so."

"How long have you been waiting, honey?"

Elle sighs. "Six years."

"Pardon?"

"Six-ty minutes, I mean."

"Ah. Well, we're lucky. At least we got a place to sit." She gestures at the many other people waiting, quite a few of them with exasperated looks on their faces.

Another twenty-five minutes later, DL 577 from Boston is finally landing.

Her phone lights up a minute later.

"Hey, sorry, flight got delayed, landed just now."

Elle is just about to respond when people start swarming through the doors.

Noah looks exhausted. Beautiful, of course, but exhausted.

Elle feels a twinge of guilt but doesn't have time to dwell on it. He's already pushing past people and bags and headed straight for the exit.

She catches up to him when he's already outside, his eyes fixed on his phone.

"Need a ride?"

***

NOAH

"Where did you come from?" is all he gets out.

"Excuse me? No 'Hi, Elle!', 'Good to see you, Elle!', 'Thanks for picking me up!'?"

Noah laughs and drops his bag to the floor. He wraps his arm around her shoulders and leans in for a kiss. And then for one more. Because she's really here.

"Hi. Good to see you," he says, grinning, touching his forehead against hers. He can't remember why he was so annoyed a moment ago. "So, not only are you putting me up, you're also picking me up?"

Elle nods and he has to kiss her again.

When she asked him to stay with her, he was waiting in line for a ridiculously overpriced coffee. It had been an exhausting and very long day. And because he planned to get everything done for the week before heading to LA at noon the next day, it wasn't going to be over anytime soon.

He read the message three times, asked if she was sure, before he let himself believe it. He tipped the barista a 20 for his 11 dollar coffee and not a single thing managed to annoy him the rest of the night or the next day. Not until he boarded a plane that ended up one and a half hours delayed, that is.

He's back to ecstatic now, though. Because not only did she want him to stay with her. She also came to pick him up.

Things are looking bright.

Things are looking less bright, however, when they get to Elle's car and she informs him that they're expected at Rachel's birthday party tonight.

"Lee told me you'd agreed to go!?" Elle asks at his blank look.

"Yeah well, not exactly. I think I told him that that sounded fun and that I'd like to be there. But I had no idea then that I was actually going to be here."

"He played us." Elle rolls her eyes. "He knew I'd try to get out of the party if he didn't act like you'd already agreed."

"We could cancel?" Noah proposes, once they're in the car. He reaches for Elle's hand. "And go to that restaurant like we planned?"

"I'd feel bad if we canceled now. They're already at the bar. And it's only Rach and Lee and a few friends, so nothing too crazy. And we don't have to stay long." Elle puts the key in the ignition. "Do you want to drop by my place first and take a quick shower or something? And then to the bar?"

Noah shakes his head. "Let's go straight to the bar then. I don't exactly smell daisy-fresh but there's no way you'll manage to get me out of your apartment once I'm there."

"You smell good to me," she says.

Noah bends over the console and kisses her until a car waiting for their spot starts honking.

*

Spending the night at a crowded karaoke bar after eight hours on a crowded plane is its own special brand of hell.

Well, not all of it. Because right now he's watching Elle wind her way back to him, two beers in hand.

"Thank you." The cold beer feels good.

Rachel proceeds to tell them about the wedding planning. There's something about seating charts and printers but Noah can't really pay attention. The music is too loud, the air is too stuffy and Elle's thigh is pressed against his as they sit in the tiny booth.

When Rachel turns away to try and get Lee's attention, Noah sees an opportunity. He lets his fingers skim over her naked arm before moving his hand under the table, resting it on her thigh. He can't help it. He can't not touch her when she's this close.

"Is this okay?" he asks, keeping his voice low.

Elle smiles. "Yeah."

He tries not to grin too widely when Elle reaches down and interlaces their fingers.

"I want to kiss you so badly right now," he whispers in her ear, but he knows it's not the time.

It's too soon, with Lee, Rachel and all the other people there. They need to figure out what they are first. In private. Plus, it's kind of exciting touching her like this again, without it being obvious. Not that whatever it is they're doing is a secret. But it's not the time for PDA.

But of course, Lee thwarts the whole plan.

Noah should've known. Lee's been staring at them for the past hour, chewing on an oversized cocktail straw and grinning like the drunken idiot he is.

Noah had planned to cut him off soon. But as it turns out, it's already too late.

"Next up, we have... Lee again! Take it away, Lee!"

Noah shakes his head as he watches Lee get up on the karaoke stage for the third time tonight.

"I'm dedicating this song to my asshat big brother," Lee slurs into the microphone, grinning and pointing. "Who is currently on a mission to win back the love of his life and who seems to think that we're not all picking up on the under-the-table touching."

There's a few laughs and Noah considers putting Lee in a headlock and dragging him off the stage.

Rachel bends over the table. "I'm so sorry, guys. I tried to stop him, I swear."

"I'm going to kill him," Elle says, red-faced and hiding behind her hands.

Noah wants to say something but just then, Lee starts singing. Badly.

"There were nights when the wind was sooo cooold..."

And when he realizes what's happening, Noah can't help but laugh out loud. Because his stupid brother is singing a corny Celine Dion song.

Noah flips Lee off and throws an arm around Elle's shoulders, kissing her head. "It's alright, Shelly. He's going to pay later." Atomic wedgies come to mind.

Thanks to Lee's ridiculous performance, Elle starts laughing, too. And soon, the whole bar is singing along.

"When you touch me like this And when you hold me like that It was gone with the wind But it's all coming back to me"

When the song finally comes to an end, Noah pulls Elle a bit closer.

Because far be it for him to disagree with Celine.

***

ELLE

Things take a turn for the awkward when they arrive at Elle's apartment.

She should've planned this better, taken more time to tidy up. But between work and airport and nerves, she didn't think that far. All she thought was that she wanted him here.

The tour of the apartment is quick. Until Noah stops in front of the photo wall and Elle feels nervous. She doesn't tell him that she only put up the photos yesterday, after having moved them around LA in a box for two years.

Noah plops down on the sofa and kicks off his shoes. He fits right into the corner spot, just like Elle thought he would.

"Still no curtains, huh?" Noah grins, pointing at the window.

"Well, I actually bought some for each room already. Just need to put up the rods."

"I'm also noticing that there's not guestroom?"

"Yeah. No guestroom." Elle bites her lip. She really should've planned this better.

"And where will I be sleeping then?"

"Well, there's no guestroom," she repeats. "And the sofa is no good for sleeping either."

"Understood."

Elle tries to ignore the twinkle in his eyes. "So, um, I put out a towel for you, for your shower."

"Great, thanks!" Noah says, getting up from the sofa. "Be right back."

"I'll fix us some drinks."

Five minutes later, Elle swears she hears him humming Celine Dion.

*

"So, I noticed some unfamiliar faces in your photos," Noah mentions, when they sit down with their drinks.

"Some are friends I met at college."

"I figured. You stay in touch?"

"Yeah. Well, two of them moved away but Tony and Lara I still see a lot. How about your college friends? Are they still that intense?" She smiles at the memory.

"I'm sure they are. I'm actually really bad at staying in touch. I barely manage with Chloe. I mostly hang out with friends from work these days because it's easiest."

"Yeah, I get that." Elle loves her after-work drinks with Daria that don't need any planning two weeks in advance.

"I like that you put up some childhood photos, as well. And that you didn't burn out my face in any of them."

Elle laughs. "Like I would ever do that."

"Yeah, well, plenty of people don't like reminders of their stupid ex hanging on the wall."

Elle shrugs. "Well, you're not stupid, so..."

"I'm glad you think so." Noah nudges her foot with his. "And I'm glad I'm here."

Elle puts down her drink and scoots closer. "I'm glad you agreed."

"I'm glad you offered."

"I'm glad I didn't chicken out."

"I'm glad about that, too. And I'm glad I get to do this again." Noah reaches out and pulls her into his lap.

Elle feels her pulse pounding in her head as she looks at him, their faces and bodies so close. It's the first time she gets to be with him like this again, unhurried and with no goodbye looming.

Because their weekend is only just beginning.

Noah's eyes are fixed on her, waiting, as she straddles him. She lets her hands travel up his clothed chest and brushes her fingers over his neck and jaw. The skin there feels a tiny bit rougher than she remembers. She can't wait to find out what else has changed.

The scent of olive and herbs fills her nose and she loves that he smells of her shower gel, of her home.

Elle runs her fingers through the hair at the back of his neck. He used to love when she did that. Still does, it seems, judging by his soft moan.

She finds his eyes again and the way he looks at her makes her heart race.

"I missed you so fucking much," he tells her, voice raspy, fingers digging into her back.

She crashes her lips to his then, tugs on his hair, and he reciprocates eagerly. When his tongue enters her mouth, she twists the fabric of his shirt between her fingers. A moan escapes her and she pushes herself against him. Tasting him and their shared need is intoxicating.

One of his hands is on her neck, the other on her lower back as his mouth captures hers over and over again. When she feels his fingers inch beneath the waistband of her jeans, she breaks the kiss. His eyes look glazed and she bites her lip. The air between them is hot and charged.

She wants this, all of him, but she also doesn't want to rush it.

"Maybe we should slow down a bit," she manages to get out. She presses a soft kiss to his lips before putting some distance between them.

Noah nods his head, inhaling deeply.

Elle moves off of Noah's lap but stays close, her head on his shoulder.

She's glad they stopped but regrets it all the same. It might be a bit too soon but in another way, it's also been way too long. Because they've been much further than this and her body remembers.

"Shelly?" Noah asks after a while. "Would you rather I slept at my parents' place and came back in the morning? I don't mind. Well, I might mind a little," he adds. "But I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

Elle turns to look at him. "No, I... I want you here. If it's okay with you."

Noah smiles. "Okay, good." He pulls her in for another soft kiss. "Shall we get ready for bed then? It's getting late."

By the time they're brushing their teeth, Elle realizes just how tired she is. And Noah looks the same.

When they get into bed, Noah holds up the blanket for her, just like he used to. She lies down on her side and waits for his body to press against hers. She sighs when it does. Because this is the best.

Elle forgets about her bed-time routine, about all the little things she usually does to help her insomnia.

She sleeps through the night anyway.

Or she would have, if a loud thud against the bed frame didn't wake her up.

"Shit, sorry," he says, sitting down on the bed.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I just went to get some water. My body thinks it's 6:30 right now."

Elle sits up and scoots over to his side of the bed. The room is dark, with only the streetlights casting a bit of light into the room.

Part of her still can't believe that he's here. In her bed. So she touches him again, to make sure. She glides her hand over his back, presses a kiss to his shoulder.

Noah turns his head to the side to nuzzle her forehead. "Hi."

Elle can't help herself. She has to move closer and slide her hand under his shirt. She has to touch the warm skin of his back.

Noah puts his hand on her thigh, his thumb rubbing circles into her skin. He presses a kiss to her forehead.

He's obviously trying to stay the course she set earlier, when she told him to slow down. But she doesn't feel like sticking to it herself right now. Because it's not enough to touch him like this. Not when he's here, in her bed, all warm and perfect and smelling of her sheets.

She moves her other hand under his shirt, as well, lets her fingers travel along his side, moving forward, until they reach his stomach. She traces his abs before smoothing her fingers lower, until they dance just above his waistband.

Noah moans. "In case you don't remember: It drives me crazy when you do that."

"I remember."

"Elle?" His voice is heavy.

Elle kisses him then, her fingers swiftly sliding below his waistband. His groan vibrates through the room. It gives her goosebumps. She bites his lower lip as she moves her hand up and down.

"Elle... shit... wait." He grabs her wrist to hold her hand still. "You're absolutely sure you want this? That it's not too soon?"

"I'm sure," she whispers into his cheek, heart pounding. "You?"

"I want it so much my head hurts." Elle thinks she sees his mouth twitch. "Can we turn on a light?"

"I'm afraid anyone can see in here if we turn on the lights. I always leave them off."

"You really need curtains."

"Do you really want to talk about interior choices right now? Let's just keep the light out and get under the covers." Elle moves in to kiss him again.

"No way."

"What?"

Elle forgets to breathe for a moment but remembers when he presses a soft kiss to her lips. She watches as he gets up, grabs the overthrow from the floor and wedges it between the frame and the glass, effectively covering the window.

The room is even darker now. She more hears than sees him walk back to the bed and recognizes the soft crackle of him pulling off his shirt. She closes her eyes when his fingers brush along her cheek.

"I've been waiting for this far too long. I want to see you."

The soft light from the bedside lamp flicks on and Elle's brain shuts off. One moment, she's tugging at his pants, kissing his stomach, and in the next, she's lying down, her body arching into him as he slides off her panties and licks at her breast. His hands and lips are everywhere, igniting little fires wherever they touch. When she can't take it any longer, she tells him so.

And Noah listens. He slides into her, so damn slowly, bracing himself on his hands.

Elle can't believe how good it feels, how right. He looks into her eyes as he starts to move his hips and it's almost too much. Too much, with all the pain and longing of six years between them.

"Elle..." he breathes, stopping. Because it's too much for him, as well.

"I know." She reaches up to stroke his cheek, rubs her thumb over his perfect lower lip, presses a kiss to his forearm. He surprises her then, sliding an arm under her back, gripping her shoulder and pulling her up until she's straddling him, with him still embedded deep inside her.

Elle moans at the new angle, loves how his arms are wrapped around her now, keeping her close. She feels his breath against her collarbone, moist and ragged, and her body contracts around him. He answers with a strained moan and with his arms tightening.

"Just need a sec," he whispers, his face pressed into her neck. "You feel so fucking amazing."

Elle loves that she has this effect on him. That he needs to steady himself. That he wants to make the moment last. That he needs this as much as she does.

She licks at his neck and jaw, the scent of her herbal shower gel now perfectly mixed with his sweat. They find each other's lips again. When the kiss turns into heat and need, Noah's hips start to move again, sending tremors through her body. Elle clutches his shoulders and tightens her legs around him.

She doesn't know how she could ever, even for a moment, have considered that anything else could come close to this. Because nothing ever will. Not when he feels so perfect, looks at her like this and touches her in spots only he knows how to trigger.

"I've missed you so much," she tells him and his moan vibrates against her skin. She pushes back into him and they move together, slow and without any rush.

They've got time.