"I am glad" Alex said as they reached her front door. They looked at each other, lost in their gazes. Alex snapped back to reality and leaned in to Sarah and he saw her eyes widened then he planted a kiss on her cheek and whispered goodnight in her ear, then leaned away from her.

Sarah gulped and nodded and hurriedly opened her door, turned to wave at him which he did and she entered her apartment. Alex walked back to his car smiling while Sarah in her apartment placed a hand on her heart that was beating wildly and she found herself excited for another date.

And so did their relationship flourished. For the next five months, they were inseparable. Always calling, texting and even writing love letters to themselves which made them feel like they were in highschool. Even Sarah's colleagues noticed her lively mood. They know she's bubbly in nature but she was more bubbly than usual which made them curious. Sarah could not contain her joy neither could Alex.

Since he returned from the war, he has been very moody and keeps to himself but since he and Sarah's relationship, it was evident that there was someone making him happy. His neighbors noticed, his family and Lucas also noticed and are Curious to know the person that makes Alex happy.

Their love was passionate and intense, a whirlwind that had swept them off their feet, making them feel alive in a way that neither of them had felt in a long time. The love letters they exchanged, both handwritten and digital, were filled with heartfelt confessions, dreams for the future, and the kind of vulnerability that brought them closer together with every word.

Alex cherished their time together, seeing in Sarah a beacon of light that guided him out of the darkness of his past. She had a way of making him forget his emotional scars, if only for a little while, and together they reveled in the moments of joy that life had to offer.

Alex wanted her to move in with him a month after their first date but Sarah thought it was too early but later moved in with him four months after their first date.

One sunny weekend, they decided to take a spontaneous road trip along the coastal highway. They explored hidden coves, collected seashells, and found hidden gems among the local towns and beaches. Alex's eyes sparkled with delight as he showed Sarah his favorite spots, and she reveled in his enthusiasm for the world beneath the waves.

Their shared adventures brought them closer, their connection growing stronger with every mile they covered and every story they shared. It was a love that ignited their souls, a love that seemed unstoppable in the face of any obstacle.
But as their relationship deepened, early signs of conflict began to emerge, like cracks in the surface of a seemingly perfect love story.

Alex's past still haunted him, and it was a specter that refused to fade away. He had moments when he would pull away emotionally, leaving Sarah feeling shut out and helpless.

One evening, as they strolled along the beach, the sun setting in a blaze of colors on the horizon, Sarah reached for his hand. Alex's fingers tensed, and he withdrew slightly, his once-gleaming eyes shadowed by the weight of his past. It was a moment that stung Sarah like a physical wound, a reminder that there were parts of him that she couldn't reach.

"Alex," she said gently, "I want to be there for you, to understand your pain. But you have to let me in. You can't keep shutting me out."

Alex's shoulders slumped, and he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, Sarah. I'm trying. But it's not easy. I have these moments where I'm back there, in the war, and I can't control it. It's like a tidal wave of emotions that engulfs me."

Sarah nodded, her eyes filled with empathy. "I can't even begin to imagine what you've been through, but I want to be a part of your healing process, Alex. I want to be here with you, through the good and the bad. Let's face it together."

They shared a tender moment, Alex feeling the warmth of Sarah's support and understanding. Yet, the emotional barriers that he had built to protect himself from his past remained a formidable obstacle to their love.

As their relationship continued, Sarah's demanding career as a journalist also presented its own challenges. Her dedication to her work was something that had initially drawn Alex to her, but it was also a source of tension between them. There were times when her job required her to be away, covering stories that could last for days or even weeks.

Alex, yearning for her presence and support, sometimes felt a pang of jealousy when he saw her throw herself into her work with such passion. He knew it was irrational, and he didn't want to stifle her dreams, but the fear of losing her to her career loomed in the background.

One evening, after she had returned from a particularly intense assignment, Sarah found Alex sitting alone on the porch, his gaze fixed on the sea. She could sense the turmoil within him, the mixture of longing and insecurity.

"Alex," she began, her voice soft and comforting, "I know my job can be demanding, but it doesn't mean I care any less about you. You're the most important person in my life, and I love you deeply. I don't want you to ever doubt that."

He turned to look at her, his eyes clouded with vulnerability. "I know, Sarah. It's just that I've lost so much in the past, and I'm afraid of losing you too."

She moved closer, taking his hand. "You won't lose me, Alex. I'm here because I want to be. Let's work through this together."

With those words, they shared a passionate kiss, a silent promise to keep the fires of their love burning, even in the face of the early conflicts that had emerged. Their love was passionate and intense, and they were willing to fight for it, to navigate the obstacles together, as long as they could continue to experience the joy and connection that had brought them together in the first place.

It was a love that would be tested in the chapters to come, but for now, in each other's arms, they found solace and strength. They were determined to conquer their individual battles and, as a couple, to rise above the early signs of conflict, embracing the love that had ignited their souls like a beacon in the darkness.