The Balance in Love Ch. 03

CHAPTER THREE

"Ayla, are you hungry?" Shane asked, looking up as she walked through the door.

"Starving," she murmured, dropped her heavy book bag to the floor.

"Good, I have Chinese waiting," Shane told her. Ayla smiled and gave him a hug.

"Did you get all of your exams made up from last semester?" Shane asked. Ayla toyed with the broccoli on her plate and nodded.

"I'm all set to register for next semester too," Ayla murmured.

"Aya, I know you're still upset, but it wasn't your fault," Shane reminded her gently.

"I know that. I'm not even ready for kids yet. It was just such a shock ..." she trailed off and took a sip of her cola to force herself to remain calm.

"Have you told your dad?" Shane asked cautiously.

"It's only been three weeks Shane, are you insane? My father would kill you!" Ayla exclaimed. Shane laughed and shrugged.

"I'm not worried about your dad," Shane said.

"You're insane," Ayla retorted with a laugh.

Shane smiled, reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze. "It's good to see you smile and laugh again," he murmured. Ayla smiled again. "I have to get to work soon, will you be okay on your own?" Shane wanted to know.

"I'll be fine," Ayla promised. "I'm sorry for worrying you," she added.

"Don't apologize for being upset," Shane told her with a kind smile. He finished the last few bites on his plate and carried his plate into the kitchen.

"I'll clean up," Ayla offered. "Then, Carly, Rachel and Abby are coming over to watch a movie," she told him. Shane's smile widened and he hugged her gently.

"I'm glad. I have to go get ready for work, I'll see you in a few hours," he murmured.

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"Ayla!" she turned around at the sound of her name being called and smiled when Rachel came to a stop next to her.

"Hey Rach," Ayla murmured.

"How'd your first class go?" Rachel wanted to know.

"It wasn't too bad, except Dimitri is in it," Ayla answered. "I'm heading to Starbucks, wanna come?" she asked.

"Do I ever. I haven't had a cap since break," Rachel agreed.

"Then lets go."

"How have things with Shane been since the miscarriage?" Rachel asked after taking a sip of her cappuchino.

"They've been pretty good. We're being more careful these days, but we're going pretty strong," Ayla answered, swirling her hot chocolate around to cool it down.

"I'm glad to hear that. We were worried about you for awhile," Rachel told her friend.

"I know, I'm sorry about that. I kinda lost it for awhile. I wasn't prepared for anything like that but I was still really upset and guilty about it," Ayla murmured.

"You couldn't control it Ayla, you shouldn't have felt guilty," Rachel reminded her.

"So Shane kept telling me," Ayla said with a wry smile. She glanced at her watch. "Speaking of, it's his birthday and I need to get to the store, I'm making him a special dinner tonight," Ayla said, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Want some company at the store?" Rachel asked.

"Sure! You can help by picking out pastry for dessert," Ayla agreed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Aya?" Shane called as he walked through the front door. He smiled in appreciation at the smells that wafted in from the kitchen.

"Happy birthday sweetie," Ayla said from the doorway of the bedroom, clad in only a silk bathrobe that was untied, revealing the treasures beneath.

"You look amazing and whatever you're making smells fantastic," Shane breathed. Ayla smiled and blushed at that. "I don't know what I want more, the food or you," he added.

"Let me make it easy on you, dinner has another hour and a half," Ayla told him. Shane grinned, dropped his bag on the floor, hurried to Ayla's side and swept her into his arms. "I love you Shane," she whispered as he carried her into the bedroom.

-Two weeks later-

"Damn it Dimitri, do you have to follow me around like a puppy?" Ayla asked, not bothering to hide the irritation in her voice.

"Your grandparents want us to be friends. What is the problem?" Dimitri countered.

"I have a boyfriend Dimitri, that's what," Ayla answered, crossing her arms over her chest.

"He's an American. He has no idea how to handle Russian women," Dimitri said.

"I'm an American woman, not a Russian woman and he can handle me just fine!" Ayla spat.

"What's going on?" a smug voice asked from behind her.

Ayla groaned and rubbed her eyes. "What do you want Dylan?" she asked without turning around.

"I've transferred," Dylan answered.

"Leave her alone!" Shane's voice was hard as he positioned himself between Ayla and Dylan.

"Or what?" Dylan challenged.

"Don't test it," Shane suggested. "C'mon Aya," he added, when he felt Ayla put her hand in his.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"She won't even talk to me," Dimitri complained to Mikhail.

"She's a proud girl who thinks she's in love. She probably sees you as a threat. Give her time. My flower will turn around and see you for the good Russian Jewish boy you are," Mikhail promised him.

"Oh stop being such a Yenta! She is not from the old country Mikhail! Let her find her own match!" Anastasia scolded from her seat by the window, rocked her rocker as she knitted.

"Find her own match! I remember a time when a matchmaker arranged the marriages," Mikhail said grumpily.

"And I remember when I was a single girl without a husband or children! Times have changed Mikhail! Get over it!" Anastasia retorted. She turned her attention to Dimitri. "I have another grand daughter who seems interested in you. Perhaps you should pursue Abby," she suggested.