Chapter 23: Yes it Does. The girls reached the room and went inside.  Kevin and Howie sat there and looked up when they saw Lauralee.  They stood up and gave her a hug. “Thank God,” Kevin whispered as he hugged her. “You OK?” Howie let go of her. “Think so.  Where’s?” Kevin pointed to the bedroom door.  “Do you guys mind?” “Come on guys, I’ll treat y’all to coffee downstairs.” Kevin led everyone outside and closed the door. Lauralee knocked on Alex’s door. “Go away!” “Alex?” Lauralee heard steps clambering to the door.  There stood Alex.  He looked like he hadn’t shaved in days, and he was in a tank top and sweatpants. “Hey.” “Hey.  Can I come in?” Alex let her in.  The bed was clearly unmade, and there were water bottles littering the floor. “Trying to drown your sorrows?” “Marcus kept the minibar under lock and key.”  He turned to the room and began to pick up the bottles quickly and smooth out the bed.  Lauralee took a seat on the bed.  Alex knelt down in front of her, put his head in her lap and began to cry.  “I’m so sorry.” Lauralee lifted his head and wiped his tears.  “Laura told me what happened.” “She did?” “Everything.” “Everything?  Even the last part?” Lauralee nodded and swallowed hard. “I want to tell you that in person.” “So did I.” Alex gave her a look she hadn’t seen before.  His eyes took on a new softness, and his body seemed to give out to total relaxation.  He sat up on his knees and took her hand. “I love you, Lauralee Deverson.” “I love you too, Alexander James McLean.”  Alex placed his hands on her legs, and leaned to kiss her, their tears mixing with each other.    His hands roamed up and down her thighs, as their kisses became pushed to a frenzy.  She entangled her hands in his hair as he pushed her gently on the bed, not letting the kisses stop.  He dragged his lips to her neck, kissing and gently nibbling on her flesh.  At that moment they knew.  He stopped and looked up to her eyes. “Say it Alex.  Say it and mean it.”  She held his cheek with her palm. His lips were inches from hers, and their noses grazed each other. “I want to make love to you.” Lauralee gave a little smile. He smiled slightly, and he bent down to kiss her again, ever so softly as he lifted her shirt up over her head.  She didn’t take her eyes off of his as she did the same thing. The moment was perfect: Alex’s unmade bed, water bottles on the floor, Alex’s scruffy face.  It was real. ~*~    “Lau?” “Hmm?” “Are you disappointed we waited?”  Alex leaned down, where Lauralee lay on his chest.  She looked up at him.  “No.  I’m glad we did.  It wouldn’t have been right before.  It was perfect.”  She turned around and leaned on her side to face him. “This is why I waited,” he traced her lips with his fingers. “Huh?” “I wanted to be sure this was right.  When I was in Europe, it was easy to have your pick of girls.  I didn’t want you to think that I was looking for a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am.” “I never did.  Alex, if that was the case, we would have done this months ago.  You could have had me at hello.” “But when I first met you, that was the furthest thing from my head.  I wanted to get to know you.  And now look at us.” “We’re in love.” “We’re in love,” he planted a kiss on her forehead.  “God that feels so good to say it!” Lauralee laughed.  “I couldn’t agree with you more.” They just lay there for a little while longer.  They got up and put their clothes on.  Lauralee leaned on her arms overlooking the city lights.  Alex put his arms around her waist and leaned his head on her shoulder. “Beautiful view isn’t it,” Lauralee sighed. Alex turned to look at her.  “Yes it is.”    Lauralee laughed.  “I meant the sky.” “I didn’t.” He turned her around, kissed her, and was walking her back to the bed when they heard the door open. “Honey we’re home!” They heard Nick’s voice blaring through the room. They stopped and laughed; their lips still pressed against each other. “Maybe later?” Alex sighed.  Lauralee gave him a smirk. “Looks like I’ll be sleeping at Laura’s tonight.” They walked outside to see Brian, Nick, Kevin, Howie, Laura and Veronica standing there. “Please tell me you made up, or else I’ll have to bring the Evian truck in the room,” Brian picked up the phone. Alex grabbed the phone from his hands and hung it up.  “No need to Rok.” “So, everything’s OK?”  Veronica looked hopeful. Alex put his arm around Lauralee and looked up at him.  “Yeah, everything’s perfect.” “Hold the press!”  Kevin walked up to Alex and grabbed his face.  “I’ve seen that look before.” “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Yes he does,” Laura did the same thing to Lauralee.  “Is that bed unmade?” “No,” Lauralee smirked.  “Do I have to go in there and check it out?” “Bite me Laura!” “OK, OK!”  Laura took her hands off of her face.  “Listen, we’re all going to go to a club tonight, Veruka.  You guys want to go?” “Um, no… we’re going to stay in I think.” “Yeah,” Alex acting skills were professed as he faked a yawn.  “I think we’ll just watch a movie or something.” “OK, why don’t…” Howie heard the door slam to Alex’s room.  “…I please stop talking to myself.”  He smiled to the rest of the group. “When the room’s a-knockin’” Nick shrugged his shoulders. “I guess she’s sleeping over my house tonight,” Laura smirked. Chapter 24 Contents Chapter 22