Tender

Watching Ryan's eyes, Alec's heart beat a little faster. Oh if only he could rewind his life to right before he made such awful mistakes. To back up and erase his choices. The things that had separated him from the one person who had gotten through to his heart - and he hadn't even realized that until it was too late. 

Realizing he'd been holding his breath, he turns his sights out the windshield for a moment, giving a quiet laugh. "I seem to have forgotten how to get out of your car." 

Looking down, he fiddles with the key he'd retrieved from his pocket, ready to go inside the house. "Ever wish that there were some magic words that could take you back in time so you could redo everything you regret?" 

His eyes drift back to Ryan's again. "I always thought fairytales were stupid... until I found myself wishing there was a way to rewrite my life and have it all magically turn out okay in the end. But..." He sighs deeply. "I suppose that's what a man gets for thinking he's got it all under control and forgetting about the things that mean the most to him." He shakes his head. "Seeing Carson make a similar mistake is like reliving it... and seeing you..." 

He reaches out slowly and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear with a gentle touch. "...Just makes me wish all the more for that fairytale." 

Without stopping to think, he leans over quickly and gives her cheek a tender kiss before pulling back and slipping out of the car. Shutting the door, he taps his palm on the roof before turning and heading to the house without looking back.

Rosalyn manages a quiet laugh at Chad's humor about the lobster. She hadn't thought of how his job might affect his food preferences. "I like seafood too. Actually, it's been quite a while since I've had any. Usually I only come to town for shopping during the week. Or church on Sundays. It's probably been about six months since I was in town for supper at all, and I think that was after some auction or something. I'm pretty sure the meal was hotdogs."

Closing her eyes and just letting herself relax next to Chad, she tries to forget about her dad for now so she could enjoy the evening. Easier said than done, but if anybody could get her to have fun, she had a feeling, it would be Chad.

"There's a decent restaurant I've been to once or twice - I can't remember what it's called, but it's basically a steakhouse and they've got some seafood too..."

...Though not remembering the restaurant name, she still knew how to get there, so once they finally arrive to town, she directs Chad the right way. By the time they get to the restaurant it was supper time, and by the time they get settled, order and receive their food, Rosalyn's stomach was ready to handle the scrumptious smelling food. She'd chosen a dinner with both shrimp and lobster, taking advantage of actually getting to eat here again.

"Thank you, Chad..." She pauses her eating to look across at him, truly thankful that he'd still been willing to stick around after what had happened. "I don't know what things will be like tomorrow... but I'd still understand it if you didn't want to stay. I wouldn't hold it against you."