Valerie spent most of the day preparing for Alistar to come over. She was a ball of nerves since she woke up. She didn’t know how her mother was going to act and what kind of ludicrous questions she would ask. She knew her mother was very skeptical already thanks to the expensive “gifts” that had been given to her. She tried to push the bad out of her mind as she set to preparing the meal. She wanted this dinner to be good especially since it would be the first time Alistar had eaten her food. She found herself getting excited about this. She knew she was a good cook and she knew he would enjoy dinner. Underworld queen or not she would still like to be able to cook for her man. Her mother had always joked saying food was the way to win a man’s heart and she was sure that if that was true she had already won. Time trickled by rather quickly as she cooked, her mother arrived home and greeted her and went to change for dinner. Surprisingly her mother seemed a little excited about the dinner herself. Alistar was very punctual, he arrived at exactly six o'clock on the dot. Valerie had all but raced to the door when she heard the knock that announced his arrival. She swung the door open smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek and welcomed him in. Valerie led him hand in hand to the living room where her mother was sat with a book. Mrs. Brooks set the book aside standing up thrust out her hand. “Hello Alistar, I’m Mrs. Brooks welcome to our home, please take a seat. Alistar took her hand in both of his and gave her his most genuine smile. “Thank you Mrs. Brooks it's very nice to meet you, you have a very lovely home. The three took to their seats and an awkward silence crept through the room. Valerie not being able to stand it finally spoke up. “So mom what would you like to know about Alistar?” Mrs. Brooks blushed at being put on the spot by her daughter. “Well I guess I will just ask and get it out of the way...What are your intentions with my daughter?” Valerie rolled her eyes… Her mother sure knew how to play mom and dad. Alistar didn’t miss a beat. “Well Mrs. Brooks I do like your daughter very much, my intentions are to court her as a gentleman should and see where it goes.” He smiled as he took Valerie’s hand in his. Valerie looked from him to her mother and she couldn’t help but notice her mother soften at his words. Damn he was good. “Well I can say I am happy that you have values and morals bestowed to you, your parents must be very proud.” Alistar gave a smile to Mrs. Brooks and graciously thanked her for her kind words as they all filed into the dining room to eat. Dinner was pleasant, Valerie’s homemade pot pie was a hit and her mother seemed to like Alistar very much. She finally felt like she could breathe again. They all finished up their dinner and Valerie and Alistar began to clear the plates, her mother decided it was best to take her leave and let the two of them have a moment. She was fully decided by the end of the meal that Valerie had picked a good hearted boy who seemed to have a good head on his shoulders, even if he did give out gifts that were a bit over the top. She could hear the two kids laughing in the kitchen as she made it to the living room and she couldn’t resist the smile that played on her lips.
Alistar splashed the bubbles in the sink at Valerie and she couldn’t help but giggle, she liked this side of him. He actually seemed like any other normal guy for the moment. Valerie playfully splashed him back and to her surprise he grabbed her at the same time and pulled her close. He searched her eyes for a moment and it seemed he had lost himself in them, he swiftly shook his head smiling and kissed her deeply. The two of them were lost in each other. They were both going through so many emotions that when they finally parted they both just stood there staring at each other. Valerie blushed and turned back to the task of washing the dishes. Alistar cleared his throat then whispered. “I know what you feel, I’m feeling it too.” She couldn’t help but be startled by this. How could love happen so fast? She still had so much to learn about him. Valerie smiled sweetly and asked that he take his leave so she could think all of these new emotions over. Before he left she remembered to ask him if he had a phone. Alistar smiled and took his phone out of his pocket. They exchanged numbers and said their goodbyes. Valerie caught him right before he got into the car and ask that he pass her number along to Eudora which he happily agreed to and then he got in his car and he was gone. Valerie sat staring for a moment after he was gone. She knew love was spontaneous but was this really love or just because she was his match? She wasn’t sure but she fully intended to ask Eudora. She sighed and decided to go inside, she hoped her mother wouldn’t notice her retiring to her room so quickly she just wanted to be alone. Valerie slipped in the door and up to her room without a word from her mother, she must have been really into her book. Valerie laid across the bed alternating from elated to upset. She couldn’t help but over analyze the situation she hated the way her mind worked sometimes. Suddenly her phone buzzed and she had a text message.
*Hello my dear Alistar passed your number along*
Valerie smiled she knew if anyone could explain it would be Eudora.
*Hello Eudora… Can I ask you a question? *
Seconds felt like hours but finally her phone buzzed.
*Of course my dear, ask away. *
Valerie’s fingers tapped at the phone as if her life depended on it.
*Are my feelings for Alistar my own or because I am his match?”
Valerie kept her fingers crossed the whole time she waited.
*They are your own my dear love cannot be manipulated not even for the reaper himself*
Valerie could have jumped for joy. Real love. She was so happy she squealed.