The Past, Present and Future

"True, and that's one of the things that I love about you," Zora admitted as she caressed his cheek, "I love that you are honest about things, almost cuttingly sometimes, but that's fine," she said, happy he was who he was.

"That's good to know, cause I don't feel like playing the afflicted widow at the moment, even if black does look good on me," she teased him, trying to lighten the mood and the conversation somewhat.

"Besides the fact, if you die, then who will make all those delicious Christmas cookies?" she asked jokingly.

Shivering a little at his attention, Zora glanced somewhat surprised Broen when he asked his question. It was something that she had rarely thought that much about usually. She hadn't really had a serious, beyond a few months relationship, in years. And yet, here it was more than a few months, and she felt no itchy feet or desire to look anywhere else.

"Honestly, I am not too sure," she told Broen turning a bit to look t him better. He was still very handsome even though the altercation with Crawford had left him scarred. The scars, in her opinion, suited him almost, made him slightly dangerous looking too. Although, the pocket dimension was aging him slightly, and that worried her somewhat.

"Before this, us, I'd have not wanted anything more than a person's company, now, well,..." she said looking at him thoughtfully as she reached out and caressed his cheek. Could she see herself with him in a year, two, five? Yes, yes she could, she realised.

"I think, that I'd eventually like to be with you for as long as that is, whatever form it takes," she admitted very seriously.

"I know you are getting your feet on the ground, learning to deal with emotions and reconciling the past, and by no means do I want you to stop or halt any of that, but I would also like to be able to help you out if or when you need it," she told him.

Broen had never really taken advantage of her position of wealth (well, not since he'd become normal again), and she respected and loved him for that, but she was also of the mind that why have money if you can't spend it on those you love?

Moving a bit closer when Broen straddled her, Zora placed her hands around his waist. Then looking up at him when he tilted her head a little, enjoying the playful possessiveness of his kisses, she regarded him quietly as he spoke, "All true, but you are my henchman," she laughed. She didn't actually care what Broen looked like, looks were fleeting, it was the rest that was important.

"I already have a son, Jeremiah is enough, and if I need more kid time, Celeste has a few I can borrow," she told him with a grin, actually quite relieved that he didn't want children.

"But, you do need to know, that I can't have children, and if down the road, in like two, three, five years, you suddenly change your mind..." she said, searching his gaze, "I can't give you that..ever," she told him firmly, her tone gentle, just needing him to know that there was no possibility if he ever changed his mind.

"Broen, you don't need to give me a good life," here she kissed him softly, letting the kiss linger, "you just ... I dunno, maybe have to feed me," here she poked him jokingly, cause it was true, she was an awful cook, "And want to be part of all my craziness," she told him as she wrapped her arms fully around his waist and pulled him closer to her, and then whispered jokingly, "You know, they say I'm stinking rich, very hot and have questionable taste in men.. maybe, you might want to take advantage of that?" she teased.

“Hey…” Zora said softly, grabbing his hand when Broen leant away, realising that she had hit a nerve with her joking, “You are not a punk ass, nor will you amount to nothing,” she said very firmly.

“I don’t believe any of that and I don’t want you to either,” she gently admonished Broen as she looked at him very seriously.

“You are possibly one of the strongest, most tenacious, smartest, and surprisingly, loving people I know,” she told him, needing him to see that he was worth a lot more than he gave himself credit for.

“You grew up in a very difficult household, had to leave home because of those circumstances, and then went through a hell I can only imagine,” she said not caring if this honestly bothered him or not, “then after that, all the horrible shit you went through here with the shooting, the loss of your powers and Crawford.”

“All of that would have probably defeated a lesser person, beaten them down," she pointed out, "However, you overcame all that, by yourself, Broen,” she reminded him. “You have or are getting your life back on track, you are back at school, are an amazing cook with tons of talent, you won’t take a penny from me, nor have you asked, knowing full well that I would easily give you whatever you needed,” she said in a softer more gentler tone as she looked at him, seeing his scars and just amazed at his fortitude and willingness to overcome adversity.

“You have always been honest with me, and supportive and have actually made me a better person in so many ways. A lot of times, I find myself wanting you to be proud of me and not think I'm some rich, selfish or spoilt socialite...” she confessed quietly.

“I love you because of all that, of who you are and how you make me feel when I am with you,” she said. “You really are so much more than you give yourself credit for, Broen…” Zora told him softly as she kissed his hand and brought it to her heart, hoping that he understood now why she was with him.