Happy New Year everyone! (Or is it too late to say that? Nevermind-)

As a treat for the big occasion, here ya'll got a chapter from Allens POV. Ya'll seemed pretty happy about it the last time.

Here's an extra question for you (there'll be another one at the end of the chapter): Any New Year's resolutions? I'd personally like to be... braver, take more risks. I most likely won't, but... who knows.

***

"Love? Paige?"

No answer.

A smile made its way onto my lips, only growing wider when she huddled even closer. Slowly, carefully, softly, I ran my fingertips all over her face; her eyebrows, her cheekbones, the perfect little cupid's bow.

I strangled a howl of joy at the thought of her lips on mine. The careful way she'd pressed her lips to mine, the sound of her heart when I just grazed my tongue over her mouth... the innocence was oddly adorable.

I'd never thought I'd find the whole 'lack-of-any-experience-what-so-ever' thing attractive, but now that I was living it... there was something incredibly hot about her inexperience, and her shyness... I smiled when I looked back down at her. She was out like a light, which gave me much-needed room to think.

She had kissed me. I had never imagined in my wildest fantasies that she would ever make the first move...

I shook my head at the thought of other first moves we'd have waiting for us... soon, hopefully. Very very soon.

First of all, we'd need a real kiss. Not the elementary-school bullshit earlier tonight. I wanted my tongue in her mouth, her tongue in mine, her beautiful ass in my lap, her breath leaving her mouth in short, hard gasps... the thought alone made me glance between Paige and my crotch.

Dear goddess, please do not let her wake up right now, we've come so far tonight alone, and I cannot handle us drifting away from each other again because of a poorly timed boner.

I shook my head in disgust. She's 16. Keep your paws to yourself, Allen.

My eyes found their way to the TV where the comedian-guy was joking about lasting 2 minutes during sex. Weakling. I turned the TV off and wrapped my arms around my precious, pulling her on top of me, and burying my nose in her hair.

She smells like forest and pasta and strawberry shampoo all at once- weirdly complementary scents.

I shifted around on the bed and groaned.  I can't sleep like this. Button shirts and dress pants were great for fancy dinners- as pajamas? Not so much.

With a sigh, I placed Paige by my side and headed for my closet unbuttoning my shirt as I went. I dropped it into the hamper, letting my pants follow right after. I glanced at myself in the mirror. Could use an extra trip to the gym, Ally-boy.

Perhaps Joseph would be up for some working out... goddess knows Kya would appreciate getting rid of him for a few hours during the week.

I shook my head and looked at my current outfit if you could even call it that- boxers and socks. The socks went the same way as my shirt and my pants. I tilted my head to the side... on a scale from one to ten, how much would Paige freak if she woke up to me wearing this?

My optimistic side said three.

My common sense said 12,4.

I sighed and pulled on a pair of joggers and took my socks off, heading back for the bedroom. She was on her back now, her nose wrinkling in her sleep, her lips opening and closing soundlessly.

Carefully, I crawled back into bed and pulled her on top of my chest once again. She sighed and smiled in her sleep, her fingers moving over my bare chest as if she was trying to get a hold of something.

I grabbed her hand and brought it up to my lips, kissing the knuckles one by one before placing it back on my chest, to which she responded with flexing her fingers, her nails digging just a little into my skin. I had to suppress a moan. Even unconscious, she knows what my kink is... the moon goddess truly does pair us with the person perfect for us in every way.

She turned her head from side to side and sighed. Her adorable little button nose scrunched, and she smiled. Her eyelids fluttered, and she nuzzled her face closer. "A...Al... yes..." she breathed deeply, almost a moan, her nails digging just slightly into me once again.

Dear goddess, if you kill me now, I will die a happy man.

I smiled, closed my eyes, and laid my head back, enjoying the weight and warmth of her body on my chest, the feeling of the beautiful mane of hair moving every time she shifted her weight around, the steady, almost melodic sound of her heartbeat.

Seconds later, I felt myself drift off into sleep, to the lullaby of Paige's calm breathing on my chest.

***

When I opened my eyes, the first thing that met me was... her. The scent, the unruly haystack of hair right under my nose, the sound of her soft, oddly endearing snore.

The evening before came rushing back- our conversations, her shyness at the restaurant, the kiss...

Yes, the kiss. The most innocent kiss I've ever given a woman I wasn't related to, and yet the most wonderful and exciting kiss I'd ever given anyone in my entire life... except she had kissed me. I could feel the shit-eating grin spreading on my face.

I shifted, tipping her off my chest and into the jumble of sheets, and headed for the bathroom for a quick shower. Within ten minutes I was clean, my joggers back on. I sighed. Gotta put on some real clothes.

I headed out of the bathroom, for my closet, stopping in my tracks the second I opened the door. Paige was sitting up in my bed, her hair a messy haystack on her head, her cheeks and the tips of her ears rosy red, the shyest of smiles on her lips.

"Goodmorning, my Love- sorry for leaving you all on your own in the bed," I smiled at her, but her face fell blank. The next second I realized she wasn't looking me in the eyes anymore- her eyes had gone down to my chest and stomach. I nearly choked on my own satisfaction. She's checking me oooouuuuuuuut.

My smile turned into a smirk. "You might want to take a picture- it'll last longer,"

Her cheeks, ears, and neck went from rosy red to scarlet. I winked at her and went into my closet, holding back my laughter as I watched her pull the covers over her face with a... it was either a groan or a squeal, or some mix of the two.

I barely looked at the clothes I chose- I was far too busy getting back to my precious Paige. Once I was finished putting on my clothes, I took a quick glance in the mirror. Black jeans and a Linkin Park t-shirt... not bad. I grinned at myself and headed back into my room.

But Paige was gone. I shook my head to myself. Well, if I can't give her a morning cuddle, at the very least I can make her breakfast. And I also need to get the mail, I forgot about that yesterday...

A few minutes later I was in the kitchen, whisking eggs in a bowl. A smile spread on my lips at the sound of tip-toeing down stairs. The sound of walking on wood was replaced by the sounds of walking on tiles, and I clearly heard her breathing behind me. "Morning again, Love- I'm making omelets, how many do you want?"

"Uh... none,"

I whipped around, adrenaline rushing down my spine. She needs to eat.

She blushed and looked down at her hand. "I don't really like... anything with eggs, except scrambled eggs,"

My mind went blank. "Oh, my bad, I hadn't noticed- what would you like instead? Scrambled eggs and bacon? Or pancakes? Waffles? Grille-" I stopped talking when she held her hands up.

"Eggs and bacon sound fine! Thank you! Jeez," she shook her head. "Not exactly like I need to eat," she added, grabbing at the skin on her stomach through her t-shirt.

I shook my head. "Love, you are not overweight- not even close. And if you really think you are, I'll happily take you to the doctor, to have them tell you that you're not overweight," my eyes scanned over the contents of the fridge, before finally settling on the last pack of bacon.

"Well, if I'm not fat, then I sure as hell am going to be if you keep feeding me like this. What is it with you and food anyways?" she rolled her eyes.

I poured the eggs onto the pan, getting another pan in the cupboard for the bacon. The silence continues for a minute before I sighed. "I have a history of... I just want to make sure you eat. It's a ... well, first off it's a common-sense thing because you need to eat to stay alive, and also it's a mate thing- I like... I like seeing you well-fed," I shrugged and turned around, to Paige scrunching her nose.

I sent her a grin and turned back to our food. "Your grandparents are moving into the new place Tuesday- do you wanna skip school and help them all day, or wait until you're free for the day?"

"I know it's irresponsible, but I really wanna be with them... so I think I'll skip. But only Tuesday- I don't want to get kicked out or anything..."

"They wouldn't dare to kick you out, trust me. But that's completely fine. However, I can't join you until... 12-ish," my appointment starts at 10.20... and it's an hour, so I'll be finished at 11.20, and the drive... "Yeah, around 12," I confirmed.

"Why?" she tilted her head to the side, her chin resting in her hands.

"Therapy. I see my psychologist every Tuesday at 20 past 10,"

"You?! You see a shrink? Why- you're so... stable," she raised her eyebrow.

I turned down the heat on the stove, taking a deep breath. "I'm stable because I see a psychologist. If I didn't, I'd be all over the place,"

She opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off. "Nope- it's too early in the morning for me to explain anything about that," she pouted, her eyes narrow and chin jutting out. Adorable.

"Anyways... I have plans for today," I grinned at the thought. She narrowed her eyes.

She clicked her tongue, her eyes scanning up and down my body. I automatically puffed out my chest just a little. "What plans?"

I gestured to the small, round breakfast table, where I'd placed the envelope. "Well, first of all, open that," I winked at her and put the bacon on the pan, my mouth watering at the scent.

She walked over the floor, and I heard her trying to carefully open the envelope, finally groaning and just ripping the paper open, the plastic falling down on the table. "Allen, what's this?"

Oh shit, she's pissed. "It's a card, a credit card. We're going shopping, and... anyways, you needed to be able to buy stuff on your own," I shrugged, still avoiding her eyes.

"Allen, that's very sweet of you, but I have no money, and anyways, I have a closet full of clothes, more than I'll ever be able to wear- I don't need to go shopping,"

I couldn't help smiling. Of course, she refuses- she doesn't want me taking care of her, and she doesn't like excess. "You have money- 15.000 dollars to be exact, and you can use them as you please. I know you have clothes, but still... if there's something you want, like a little knick-knack, or a book, or a bracelet... anything, I want you to be able to buy it. And since we're going to see your grandparents and help them move in, you can buy them a housewarming plant,"

Her voice was flat. "A housewarming gift? Are you kidding me?"

I shrugged, turning around. "Yeah, something small, but... like, a vase, or a little houseplant... I noticed they had no houseplants at the other place, what's up with that? Do they have allergies or something?"

She shook her head. "Nah- they weren't allowed to have houseplants in the rooms. They were forbidden a few years ago," she shrugged as if someone deciding whether you could have something as simple as a philodendron in your own home was normal.

"Why?!"

"Well, a few years ago they realized that someone... a few people actually were growing food plants- tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers. And since they were losing money from them not buying the groceries, they destroyed all plants and made them forbidden," once again, her face and voice was calm, as if this was normal and every-day.

A shudder passed through me. "I am so glad that I got your grandparents away from that awful prison- and closing it down,"

She nodded, her eyes on her hands. "Me too... it..." she sighed. "It means a lot to me, you know, that you just... your immediate reaction was to help them, and I'm grateful for that. Thank you," a soft blush colored her cheeks, her teeth biting into her bottom lip.

I looked away from her lip the next second. As much as I wanted to, I had my doubts that she would appreciate me throwing her against the wall in a kiss, before inevitably carrying her upstairs... Allen, get your shit together.

"Don't mention it- I'm happy to,"

Paige sighed, looking up at me through her eyelashes. "Do we really have to go? I don't... I don't know how to do shopping- we never had the money to. And that too; I don't like using your money, and especially... 15.000 is so much money, way too much. It feels wrong, it makes me feel like..." she pressed her lips together and looked away.

Breathe, Allen, stay calm. "Is this about what your father said to you?"

She breathed deeply as if preparing to say something, before shrugging.

Silence filled the room for a minute or two before I'd thought about what I should say next. "Love, my dear, my light- you are my mate, and I am yours. It's my job to take care of you and provide for your every need, and I'm lucky enough to have the money that I can share with you. You are not a ... hooker or a prostitute. You are my mate, who I care for, love with all my heart. Please don't ever let anyone, not even your father, especially not your father, tell you otherwise. I know he's just worried about you, but this is your life to live," I walked around the kitchen island, taking her face in my hands. When I finally got eye contact with her, I noted that her eyes were slightly red.

I pressed my forehead against hers, not cutting eye contact. "I love you, and I know you'll make up with your father- don't even worry about it. He's afraid for you, but he'll realize he doesn't have to be, soon enough. I'd never hurt you, and I'll do everything in my power to make you happy. He'll see that eventually,"

She shrugged. "I don't think he will..." she closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around me. "But thank you,"

I wrapped my arms around her as well, burying my face in her hair. She was so small, thin, fragile in my arms. I held her, and she held me, for a few minutes, until the smell of burning food seared in my nostrils.

I pulled away, pressing a quick kiss to Paige's forehead before heading back to the stove to save her breakfast- thankfully, it wasn't completely ruined. "And also, I had to go shopping anyways- buy groceries,"

"Don't you have like, people to buy your groceries for you?"

I chuckled. "Yeah, but I also like to do it myself, when I have time. It's so... normal. It's oddly comforting- relaxing," I shrugged and filled her scrambled eggs and bacon on to a plate, and my omelet onto another plate.

She was biting her lip, looking down at her breakfast. She sighed. "But honestly, Allen- 15.000, it's so... so much. It's more than my parents spend on groceries... or anything in a year,"

I smiled. "Love, I can afford it- easily. That money- it's really nothing. And I want you to have them. So you can buy stuff you like, and stuff for the people you love, and... money is good to have around. It's good for emergencies,"

She pursed her lips, eating some of her eggs. "It just - and yes, I know you said I shouldn't feel like that, but I can't help it- makes me feel kind of like a hooker like you're paying me, for..." she pressed her lips together.

I chuckled. "It's just money, Love- I have plenty. You have to get used to that," I smiled at her, and turned my attention to my omelet- Paige went back to her breakfast as well, albeit the thoughtful expression remained on her face.

It got me thinking too. I suppose I should've expected this, but honestly, I'd thought that she had gotten pretty used to my being rich- considering the house, the six cars, but then again, the expression on her face when she'd picked up the sunglasses in the car yesterday should've probably given me a hint.

When I looked back up, she was looking at me with narrowed eyes. She swallowed the food in her mouth. "Can I ask you something?"

The sound of your voice is like an angel's chorus. "Of course,"

She thought for a second. "When... if I ever get a job, after high school, I'll... I'd like to have my salary on that card, then. I don't want your money," she looked back into my eyes as if she was expecting me to get mad.

"That's not really a question, Love, but if that's what you wanna do, then we'll do that- I can imagine making your own money comes with a great deal of satisfaction," I smiled at her, and her eyes flew up in surprise at my words. She clearly expected me to fight back.

***

About an hour later, we were in my car - the Audi- on the way to the mall. I shifted my eyes to the passenger seat. Paige was fidgeting, running her fingers over the writing on the card.

My eyes went back to the road. "I was thinking that we could go grocery shopping first and get that over with, and then afterward we can go shopping shopping- you can by the birthday gift for your mother and the housewarming gift for your grandparents, and you can spend all the time you want doing that,"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her nodding, her eyes distant. She seemed almost... "You seem a little on edge, Love. Like you're nervous. Why?"

She shrugged. "Honest to god, I've never gone shopping for anything but groceries,"

I furrowed my brows. "What about when you had to buy clothes?"

Another shrug. "Most of my clothes were hand-me-downs from the other people in the... HSA. And the rest... we never looked at things to check if they looked good, I never... tried on clothes or compared colors. We bought what we needed for the cheapest price, and that was that. I mean... I'd had my old sneakers since I was 12. We didn't by anything for fun, really,"

I shook my head. "That explains why you circled so few things in the hospital, I guess. But that's over now- now you can try on stuff and compare colors and be picky all you want. That money on your card are yours, and you can spend them however you want," I smiled at her and wrapped my hand around hers, giving it a squeeze.

She smiled and looked down at our hands, her smile only growing wider. My chest nearly exploded, not being helped by the sound of her heartbeat picking up.

I found a parking spot near the entrance to the mall and ran around the car, opening it for her. As soon as she stepped out, I wrapped my hand around hers once again and threw the door closed, heading for the entrance.

She smiled as we walked inside, hand in hand, and I felt like I grew another six feet. I smiled proudly, my chest puffing out, and headed for the little grocery store in the mall. I used my left hand to pull out a grocery cart, still not letting go of Paige's hand.

Her eyes were shining beautifully as she smiled up at me when we went into the store. "Well, what do we need?"

I ran through the list in my head. "Quite a few things- too