Even when she is questioning his drinking, hearing her voice was like a salve to his heart.  Staring at his drink, he replies, “You are probably right.”  Setting his drink aside for the moment he turns to face her with a large smile lights up his face.  His thoughts wander on just how much of a beautiful woman she has grown into in such a short time.  His smile pauses as his eyes linger over her body.  With his smile blooming again, he comments “I see you received a haircut. I really like how you have it done.”  Working hard to redirect the conversation to something other than his glass of gin.  Michael knew that he should lay off of the nightly glass for a while, but seeing her glowing with life only makes it harder.  His thoughts are almost always distracted with thoughts of her.  At one point he thought it would get easier seeing her everyday, but instead it only gets harder.<br/><br/>“Pfft, A man is a man. I will admit that the progress you are making is wonderful, but with as beautiful as you are he would be a fool to not be attracted.”  Fearing he may have said to much he turns slowly grabbing his gin and taking a sip.  “Run? Me? Who would I run from?” he tried not to sound cynical but he couldn’t understand why he just didn’t tell her after all this time how he really felt.  He laughs lightly and tips his glass in her direction, “Cheers.”  Taking another sip.   Standing he walks toward Alliana, he wants to hold her, kiss her, tell her how deep his feelings are for her.  Instead he rests his hand on her arm, “Alliana, I simply do not know what I would do without you around.  You bring a smile to sour man with just your presence. Thank you.”   Just holding her arm, was so very comforting.   Kissing her forehead, “I think it is time I called this a night.  Sweet dreams love.”   The last of those words simply rolled from his tongue as natural as walking.  He heads for the stairs to sleep.<br/>