Author: Julie Mack
Email: mackteach@aol.com
Rated: PG-13
In our own ways, we are ALL Lois and Clark. The only thing different are the names and the circumstances. This is for ALL the Loises and Clarks out there.
*****
CHAPTER 1: A Close Encounter of the Unexpected Kind
“Miss? Are you all right?”
Her eyelids fluttered as she came to her senses. She looked around her. Her eyes still weren’t focusing, but she could make out shapes, figures. She again heard a voice, the same voice that she had heard from a distance, but now it was closer.
“Miss?”
Her head turned towards that voice. It was soft and soothing, with a note of concern. And very masculine. Her eyes began to focus. She saw a face and deep brown eyes. As she became more aware, she looked away from those eyes and focused on her surroundings, trying to remember.
Where was she again? Oh yes, the airport. She had just gotten off from a long flight. Typically, the airport was crowded with people arriving and departing for that last bit of summer vacation. The baggage claim. That’s where she was. Suddenly, everything came back to her. She had been reaching for her luggage when suddenly everything had gone black.
“Miss?” This time there was more concern in the voice. She looked at him again. What she saw almost made her faint again. But, she wasn’t the fainting type. She concentrated on what he was saying and tried to ignore the fact that his big strong arms were cradling her. How could a man be so gorgeous, she wondered. Seeing that he now had her attention, he whispered.
“Are you all right? Can I help you with anything?”
She swallowed and had to stop from pinching herself. “No, I mean, yes, I’m all right.” She tried to stand by herself, but he insisted on helping. “Thank you. I’m fine.” She was. Really. Just a bit woozy and dazed. She didn’t know if it was from being this close to him or the ….
“You hit me!”
He stuck his hands into his jeans pockets and grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, I’m sorry, it was an accident. I didn’t realize that my swinging her luggage off the belt would smack you on the head. Are you SURE you’re all right?”
“Yeah, I’m okay. Just a bit woozy. By the way, I love your work.”
“Thanks. Can I help you with anything, a ride home maybe?”
“But…what about her?”
“Her who?”
“Her. Your girlfriend. She’s right over there, isn’t she?”
He sighed audibly. “She’s not my girlfriend. It’s all a publicity stunt to help her break into the business. Her publicist is with her, see him? He’s the big guy who looks like he’d have no problem chewing me up and spitting me out. THAT’S her boyfriend.”
He turned and gazed into her eyes. Something silent passed between them, an unspoken message that surprised both of them. And that was also quite natural and comfortable.
“I’d rather be with you. That is, if you’ll let me take you home.”
All she could do was smile and nod in agreement.
His face broke into a smile that lit up the room. “Great. Wait right here.” He headed over with the suitcase to where the woman was waiting. He talked to her and her publicist for a few minutes. She smiled and gave him a light peck on the cheek. She and her boyfriend turned and walked away, luggage in hand. He looked after them for a few seconds before turning towards her, a huge grin on his face.
“OK, let’s go.” He picked up her luggage and took her hand. It took a few minutes to reach his car. By then, the long flight coupled with the knock on her head made her even woozier. He stopped and looked intently at her. He placed her suitcase in the back seat, lifted her up effortlessly and carried her around to the passenger side of his Bronco. He carefully placed her in the seat and fastened her seatbelt, softly kissing her on the forehead.
“If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.” She spoke more to herself, but he heard her as he closed her door.
He hopped behind the wheel. “This is no dream, beautiful.” As he switched on the ignition he placed one hand on the wheel and the other one tentatively on her thigh. She looked at him and saw something in his face that made her realize that she had nothing to fear. What was it? Hesitancy? Insecurity? She placed her hand over his and gave him a reassuring smile.
“Do you trust me?”
“I do. I don’t know why, but I do.”
As they left the airport and headed down the freeway, she leaned back and closed her eyes. A sigh escaped as she let herself relax and enjoy the ride.
“For you, I’d give her up and all of the girlie bars,” he whispered coolly.
She smiled. “Just give her up. I’d be satisfied with that.”
“What about the girlie bars?”
“Well, a guy’s gotta have a hobby.” She smiled again and turned to look at him. She was rewarded with his smile.
His hand reached up to cup the side of her face. Softly he whispered, “Maybe I’ll find another hobby.” His hand moved into her hair and began to massage her scalp.
“Hmmmmmmm.” Her eyes closed as she drifted off to a light sleep.
He was a careful driver but snuck occasional glances to look at the woman dozing in the passenger seat. Who was she? Why was he so immediately attracted to her? She had said she liked his work, so she obviously knew who he was. Instinctively, he knew that she wasn’t one of those “groupie” types. He sensed a kindred spirit, someone he could talk to and get to know. He sensed a friend, a true friend. He needed a friend. He needed HER. He knew that much.
He exited the freeway and drove onto Pacific Coast Highway. He loved this road and this part of southern California. He had grown up here and knew it like the back of his hand. At the first opportunity, he pulled off to the side of the road, unwilling to continue on without talking to her.
She felt the car stop and slowly opened her eyes. She was greeted by a pair of dark brown eyes gazing intently at her, a slight frown creasing his forehead.
“What’s wrong?”
“Who are you?”
“Who am I? I’m the gal you conked on the head, that’s who!” Her teasing tone told him that she had forgiven him for the incident. He smiled, but was still cautious.
“No, seriously, who are you?”
She looked at him and realized that he was unsure of himself. So was she. She had never been as quickly attracted to a man as she was to him. Except for once, a long time ago. That was another person, another time, she thought.
She looked deeper into his eyes and saw something else. Mistrust. Who could have hurt you so badly, she wondered. She decided that in order to gain his trust, she would have to open up to him.
“Who am I? Well, that’s difficult to say. Let’s see. Let’s just say that I’m someone who wants to be with you. Enough?”
“For now. I feel like I’ve known you for a long time. That’s scary.”
“I know. I feel the same way. I don’t usually drive off with a guy I don’t know.”
“I need you. Now.”
“Here? Now?”
“Here. Now.”
“But, we’ve just met.”
“You said you trusted me.”
“I do. But that was when you were taking me home.”
“What’s changed? I’ll still take you home. But, you should know that your home is with me now.”
He leaned over and placed his hand under her chin, gently stroking her soft skin, the words “with me” echoing in his eyes.
“Just one question.”
“Yes?”
“Can I have your autograph?” Again, her teasing tone put him at ease.
He smiled. “Personalized, from head to toe, gorgeous.”
“Yeah? Autograph? Address? Phone number? Screen name? The whole thing?”
“Everything. It’s all yours. Just ask.”
“Oh, be careful. That’s a lot you’re offering.”
“But that’s not all…”
“It’s not?”
He pulled her close and whispered the first digit of his telephone number in her ear and proceeded to gently suck on her earlobe. She stifled a groan, closed her eyes, and gave herself over to the feelings and sensations that his touch created. He whispered the second digit and left a trail of kisses down her neck as both of their hearts begin to unify in beat.
Of their own volition, her hands began an exploration of his upper body. His arms, his shoulders, his chest. Her hands buried themselves in his hair and pulled him closer. He slid his hands down her back and pulled her even closer, if possible. He couldn’t seem to get close enough to her.
She groaned as she realized the intimate closeness that they were in. She was convinced that even through the layers of clothing he could feel her heat and how aroused she was.
He completed whispering the final digits of his phone number as he calmly unfastened the buttons on her blouse. He felt her body against his as he ran his fingers through her hair.
Their breathing quickened.
The glare from the Highway Patrolman’s flashlight temporarily blinded them.
“Sorry, kids, but there’s no stopping along PCH. Too much of a chance of an accident of some sort.” Seeing her state of disarray, he immediately turned off the flashlight and directed the conversation at him. “Um, that stuff is probably better done in the privacy of your home. Why don’t you two head on home?”
He cleared his throat and looked at her questioningly. She grinned. “Let’s go home.” Again, she was rewarded with his dazzling smile.
“Right you are. Thanks, officer.”
“You’re welcome. Anytime.” The patrolman headed back to his car.
He looked at her again. “Home?”
She heard the hopefulness in his voice and returned his smile with one of her own. “Home. Yours.”
He started the Bronco and headed towards Malibu and his home.
CHAPTER 2: Getting to Know You
As the door unlocked and opened, he reached in and turned on the lights. “Come on in.” He led the way into his home carrying her suitcase. He looked back and watched as she hesitantly stepped inside and looked around. He was proud of his home and hoped that she would be like it.
“Can I get you something to drink? Water? Soda? Make yourself comfortable.” He knew he was babbling, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. If I keep talking, then maybe she won’t disappear, he thought to himself. He rambled on about his home telling her how he had remodeled it, painted it, and decorated it.
She half-heard what he was saying, knowing that he was as nervous and unsure as she was. She looked around and was pleasantly surprised at what she saw. She had expected something, but certainly not this. This looked…normal. Pleasant. Lived-in. Comfortable. She started to imagine herself sitting in the couch, cooking in the kitchen, waking up… She shook her head to clear her thoughts. What was she thinking? There was no way that she could live out this fantasy. She had duties, responsibilities. This was just an short interlude, a break from her normal routine. Tomorrow she would be back on schedule. Tomorrow. But tonight was different.
“You know, this is not at all what I expected.”
He looked at her with caution in his eyes. “What do you mean?”
She silently sighed, noting that the barriers were again up around him. Stop it! she wanted to shout. I am not going to hurt you. “Just that I always pictured important people in large elaborate mansions. This isn’t. This is…nice.” She smiled to show him that she was being sincere and honest.
He relaxed a little and gave her a cautious smile. “I’m glad you like it. I don’t have too many people over.” He walked towards her. “In fact, you’re the first one who’s not family.”
She took a step towards him. “Well, then, I’m honored. Do you have a Coke?”
He stopped an arm’s length away from her. He wanted to just reach out and embrace her, but didn’t want to seem needy. He smiled warmly at her. “Sure, let me get it for you.” He turned back towards the kitchen and was surprised to find her falling into step with him. He looked at her curiously.
“I expect a complete tour, you know.” Her teasing tone helped put him more at ease.
“Oh, absolutely. Now, this is the kitchen. And this is the refrigerator.”
She giggled, the sound causing his stomach to tighten up. “No, really? Do you actually have food in there?”
“Yup, I do.”
“Um, do you have a phone I could use? I need to make a call.”
“Sure. Do you need some privacy?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“No problem, there’s one in my den.” He showed her where the den was and returned to the kitchen.
As he got the ice cubes, his thoughts turned back to her. He didn’t know the first thing about her. Why should he be jealous of whomever she was talking to? But he was. He didn’t like the feeling, but he couldn’t stop himself. He was jealous. Jealous of the fact that she had a life that he didn’t know anything about. Jealous of the fact that there was someone else. He finished pouring the soda into a glass and headed back towards the den. He stopped at the doorway as he heard her voice.
“…OK then, sweetheart. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.”
His heart sank as he listened to her conversation. Who am I kidding, he thought. This would never have worked out. He entered the den. “Here’s your Coke.”
She hung up the phone and looked at it for a moment. At the sound of his voice, she looked up and smiled warmly at him. “Thanks. I never acquired a taste for coffee, so this is how I get my caffeine. People always look at me funny when I have a can before 10 AM.”
She reached for the glass he offered her, brushing her fingers across his. A jolt of electricity seemed to pass between them. He looked at her. She looked at him. Their gazes locked and neither was willing to be the first to look away. Still looking at him, she raised the glass to her lips and sipped. What are you thinking, she wondered.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, why do you ask?”
“Just that you’re staring at me.”
“Am I? Well, that’s probably because you’re staring at me too.”
He looked away, slightly embarrassed at being caught. “Let me show you the rest of the house.”
“Actually, I’d rather sit and talk if that’s okay with you.”
“Talk? Oh, yeah, sure.” He led the way back to the living room and sat in his favorite chair. She sat on the couch, her leg up under her. After she had settled, he asked the question at the front of his mind. “Who are you?”
She smiled and continued to sip her soda. “Does it matter?”
“Yeah, it does. I don’t know why, but it does.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do. Think about it.”
He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “OK. It matters because I’m attracted to you. For some reason, you’ve gotten into my head and I think my heart, and I can’t get you out. I’ve only known you for a couple of hours and already I feel like we should be together. I know, you think I’m crazy.”
“If you’re crazy, then I’m certifiably insane.” Her soft reply, almost to herself, startled him.
“So, you feel it too?”
“Feel what? An immediate connection? An immediate sense of belonging? A feeling like you’re exactly what I’ve been waiting for all my life and never thought I’d be able to find?”
“Yeah, all of that. And more.”
“Nope. Don’t feel any of that. Not at all.” She took another sip from her drink, refusing to meet his direct stare.
“Liar.”
She put her glass down and looked him squarely in the eyes. “I do not lie.”
He smiled and got up out of his chair and sat next to her. He reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, slowly moving his hand towards the back of her neck to pull her towards him. All the while, he looked deeply into her eyes, searching for a sign for him to stop. Seeing none, he continued to pull her towards him, intent on kissing her.
As his lips barely touched hers, she whispered, “I just don’t always tell the truth.” She moved minutely forward, just enough to complete the touch and the kiss.
His mouth closed over hers and his tongue began an intimate exploration of her mouth. She tasted of soda, with a lingering taste of chocolate. He loved chocolate. His tongue swept the roof of her mouth and touched her tongue, teasing it. He loved how she tasted and how she softly moaned at the back of her throat. He deepened the kiss as his hands began an exploration of her upper body.
She lost herself in his kiss. She never thought that she could be kissed as thoroughly as this ever again. Her tongue played tag with his and after a while she forced her tongue into his mouth to more fully taste him. She had never gotten drunk before, but was sure that this was how if felt. She was drunk. She was drunk on him. She moaned softly at the back of her throat.
CHAPTER 3: We’ve Got Tonight
Her moan startled her out of her reverie and back to reality. She pushed against his shoulders and broke off the kiss. She took deep breaths as she watched his reactions to the abruptness of the break off. He opened his eyes. Oh god, his eyes, she thought. I could get lost in those eyes.
“Wha– What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. Everything. Oh god, I’m making a mess of this.” She looked at him, avoiding direct eye contact. She didn’t want to hurt him, but apparently there was no way she couldn’t do that. She hated the thought of leaving him all alone. Be honest, she reminded herself. It’s the best way. She took another deep breath, slowly letting it out, forming her words in her mind before saying them out loud.
“I am attracted to you like I have never been to any other man in a long time. I want you to know that. But….” She saw him start to retreat from her and hated what she had to say next. She hurried on with what she had to say, afraid that if she didn’t get the words said, she never would. “But, I shouldn’t be here. I mean, I CAN’T be here. I don’t belong here. This thing between us, it’s magic. I’m too much of a realist to believe in magic. I’m sorry.”
With every word she spoke, he began to withdraw back into the shell that he had built around himself. His voice took on a formal, neutral tone. “Don’t worry about it. It was no big thing anyway.”
At the cold informality in his voice, she looked into his eyes and again saw caution and mistrust. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I don’t want to hurt you. I know someone has hurt you in the past. I don’t want to add to that. I don’t want you to be alone.” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.
She is so beautiful, he thought. I could easily fall in love with her. He heard the longing and regret in her voice and wanted to reach out and comfort her. But her words came back to him. I don’t belong here she had said. You do, he thought. I need you. He tried one last time.
“Everyone needs a little magic in their life.” Please hear me, he silently pleaded. I need you here if even for just a little time.
She wiped at her eyes and gave him a shaky smile. “I know. Please believe me. I know.”
He gently took her hand and watched her face. “You told me when I first met you that you trust me. Do you still trust me?”
“More than you know. But, I still can’t be here like this.” She willed herself to ignore the way his thumb was softly stroking the back of her hand.
“Can you at least tell me why?”
“Please don’t ask me. I have my reasons.” Her eyes pleaded with him to understand.
She has her secrets, just like I do, he realized. “Will you at least stay and talk with me for a little while longer?”
“I shouldn’t….” She felt her resolve slipping away as her body began to react to his nearness.
He heard the hesitation in her voice, and decided to press his small advantage. “I still haven’t finished the tour of my home.” He smiled. He watched as she mentally weighed her choices. He saw her facial reaction as she realized that the choice had pretty much already been.
“Well, how can a girl ignore that? I have a curiosity about other people’s bathrooms.” She smiled and he breathed a silent thank you.
“Shall we continue?”
He got up off the couch and reached out towards her. She placed her hand in his and again felt that jolt of electricity between the two of them. Their smiles got wider.
“By the way, what’s your name?”
“No names. Just call me…..friend. Buddy. Pal.”
“Friend. I like that. I don’t have very many. In this business, you can’t be too sure of anyone.”
“Well, since I’m not ‘in the business’ as you say, trust me on this. I’m your friend.”
“I know.”
They walked through his home, hand-in-hand. He told her about how he had remodeled this room and painted that room. She oohed and aahed over his bathroom and teased him about his very masculine and “jock mindset” den. They spent some time on the Internet, lurking and laughing over what people thought about his latest movie. They discussed the pros and cons of having a professional football team in Los Angeles.
They returned to the living room and sat side-by-side on the couch and talked. She turned the conversation to his work and was glad to realize that he hadn’t become “Hollywood”. In her mind that made it easier for her to spend some time with him. He was real. Down-to-earth. The guy next door. The kind of guy you bring home to meet the parents and announce that you’re going to spend the rest of your life with him. The kind of guy that you would love forever.
The more he talked to her, the more he wanted her. He was hooked. He knew it. She smiled at him, laughed with him, and teased him. He loved it. He asked her questions about herself, but she subtly deflected them and always turned the conversation back to him. He sensed that she was genuinely interested in his work and so opened up to her about the trials and tribulations of being a working actor. He told her about the insincerity and hypocrisy he sometimes encountered. As he was telling her about a funny incident on the set, he noticed that she was staring at him.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just that you have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen on a man.”
He felt himself blush. He had never taken compliments very well. “Thanks. Your eyes are pretty spectacular too.”
“That’s because I’m near-sighted.”
He chuckled and the sound turned her stomach into knots. “No, really.”
“Really. I’m near-sighted.”
He reached out to cup the side of her face. “Don’t you know that friends are supposed to agree with friends.” That simple touch again caused the electricity to jump between them. Can’t you feel that, he thought. We do need each other.
She placed her hand over his. I need you, she thought. “Yes, but friends can also disagree.”
He moved closer to her, his hand moving down and stroking the side of her neck. “Don’t you know that the eyes are the mirrors to your soul?”
She closed her eyes for a moment, said a quick prayer, and figuratively jumped in. “And what are my eyes saying right now?” She opened her eyes and stared directly into his heart.
He gasped as he saw the yearning and desire in her eyes. The same yearning and desire he felt. His heart skipped a beat.
“They’re saying that you want me to kiss you as much as I want to kiss you.”
“Is that all?”
“For now.”
Their lips and mouths came together and they both surrendered to the desire that they felt, their hands stroking and caressing each other through their clothing. The kiss went on for what seemed an eternity. When they both came up for air, they were awed by the emotions that had been contained in that one kiss. Longing. Desire. Hunger. Need. Love.
“Wow. Friends don’t kiss like that.” Her attempt at humor diffused the tension in the air. They both nervously chuckled.
“No, they certainly don’t. Can we be friends?”
The question instantly sobered them both. She reached out and placed her hands on either side of his face. “I think we already are friends, don’t you?”
He grinned. “Yeah. We are. The next question is what now?”
She smiled warmly. “Now? We leave things where they are and you call me a cab. It’s morning and this Cinderella has to return to where she belongs.”
His smile left him. “So, this is it? Will I ever see you again?” He hated sounding so needy, but wanted her to know that he wanted to spend more time with her. Talking. Getting to know each other. Kissing. Doing more than kissing.
“No, this is a big town. We’ll probably bump into each other. But, reality has a way of waking a person up. You’ve got your life and I’ve got mine. The two don’t necessarily mix.”
“But, friends stay in touch with each other.”
She placed her hand on the side of his neck and pulled him towards her until they were forehead to forehead. “We’re more than friends. You know that. I know that. You’re important to me.”
He sighed. “I need you.”
“I know. I feel it too. You and I are more alike than either of us realize. It’s like we’re…peanut butter and jelly.” She smiled.
“Salt and pepper.”
“Bacon and eggs.”
“Black and…”
“No, bacon and eggs. Let me make you breakfast before you call me a cab.”
“Can’t I take you home?”
“It’s better if you didn’t.”
“Why? What are you hiding? I still don’t know anything about you, but you seem to have found out everything about me.” His voice and tone got louder and harsher. He was scared. Scared that she would be out of his life and he would be left with the same feelings of loneliness and need that he always had.
“You know everything about me that you need to know. I’m your friend. Probably one of your best friends. And more. You know that. Please, don’t make this any harder than it already is.”
He resignedly sighed. “I’d rather have eggs and toast. Bacon has too much fat in it.”
She lightly kissed him, but broke it off before it became another soul-searing kiss. “Eggs and toast it is.” She rose from the couch and headed towards the kitchen.
He watched her walk out of the living room, trying to figure out what had happened over the past couple of hours. He got up and went to his den. He sat down at his desk and wrote on a pad of paper. He tore off the top page and brought it with him as he went towards the kitchen.
She was in the kitchen cooking the eggs and softly humming to herself. This looks so right, he thought. Can’t you see that?
As if she had read his thoughts, she looked up and smiled at him. “I know. I would love nothing more than to cook for you everyday. But….”
“I know. Here.” He handed the piece of paper to her.
She put the spatula down and took the paper. “What’s this?”
“My autograph. Address. Phone number. Screen name. The whole thing.” He tried to smile and make a joke of it.
She laughed softly and his heart skipped a beat. “You remembered.”
“I always will.” Their gazes locked and again an unspoken message passed between them. Trust. Friendship. Caring. Loyalty. He cleared his throat. “If you ever need anything, no matter wh–”
“I know.” She looked away briefly as she blinked back tears. “Your eggs are done.” She placed them on a plate along with the lightly buttered toast. “The cab should be here in about ten minutes. I called while you were in the other room.”
“OK.”
An awkward silence descended between the two of them as they waited for the cab. The eggs and toast were left untouched. They tried to make small talk, but both of them were wrapped up in their own thoughts. Regret and longing did silent battle with responsibility and reality.
The cab arrived. She reached for her suitcase, but he picked it up first. They walked silently to the cab. She turned towards him and raised her hand towards his face, stopping inches away.
“Good bye…friend.”
He looked deeply into her eyes and saw her unshed tears. “Oh hell,” he growled. He grabbed her and pulled her closely to him. He kissed her. He kissed her with all the longing and desire that had been building up in him for the past few hours. He kissed her to let her know that he cared for her, that he wanted her in his life, that he needed her. That he loved her.
Tears fell from her eyes as she poured her soul into the kiss. She returned his kiss with all the longing and desire that had been building up in her. She returned his kiss to let him know that she regretted not being able to share his life as completely as possible. She returned his kiss to let him know that he had a friend that he could trust. She returned his kiss to let him know that she cared for him, that she cherished him, that she needed him. That she loved him.
The honk from the impatient cab driver startled them both. Still embracing her, he pulled his head back and searched her face. What he saw seemed to satisfy him. He kissed her again lightly, released her, and stepped back. He smiled brightly. “See you around, friend.”
She smiled and affectionately squeezed his hand. “Bye.” She stepped into the cab. He shut the door and watched as the cab pulled away. He turned and slowly went back inside, yawning. The long sleepless night coupled with the emotional roller coaster he seemed to have been on urged him to seek the comfort of his bed. He heeded the call.
Several hours later, he awoke. By routine, he went to his computer and set it to retrieve his mail before going to the kitchen. As he cleaned up, his mind wandered back to the night. He thought of her. Her smile. Her voice. Her laugh. Her kiss. He wasn’t sure how he was going to get through the day. He heard the tinny little voice from his computer telling him that the file was done. File? He didn’t usually get files in his mail, just short emails from his family. Curious, he went into the den. He saw that the downloaded file had been displayed on his monitor. He smiled. Suddenly, the day didn’t look so dreary. He clicked on “Print”. As he waited for the printout, he sat back and stared at the monitor.
She was there. Or rather, a picture of her was there on his monitor. Underneath it, were words that went straight to his heart. “I will always be your friend. I love you.”
He sighed. It was enough. For now.
CHAPTER 4:
Could I Have This Dance? She watched as the groom waltzed his bride around the dance floor. Anyone watching her would only see her bright smile and a slightly wistful look. The same look that was on the faces of all the other single women at the reception. That’s the way it was at weddings. You could almost read their thoughts. The married women looked on with world-weary eyes, knowing what was in store for the young couple. The single women looked on with hopefulness, seeing only the beauty of the moment.
She sighed. She had resigned herself to the fact that she would always be a bridesmaid, but never the bride. How cliché, she thought. But, that was a decision that she had made. Not necessarily of her own choice, but based on the circumstances and situation. Except for that first one so long ago, every relationship that she was in had ended after only a few dates. She supposed that what they said was true. Some girls are just unlucky in love.
Unintentionally, her thoughts wandered back to him and their night together several months ago. She had never felt as comfortable and at the same time as uneasy as she had in the short time she had been with him. They had only shared a few kisses. But in those kisses, an entire relationship and connection had formed.
Over the past couple of months, she had thought of him often. She had read the stories and heard the newscasts. She had even, believe it or not, bought the tabloids to read any little blurb that they had about him. His new movie. His girlfriend. She had to smile at that. She remembered his telling her that it was all a publicity stunt. Along with all of the articles, there were always pictures. Pictures of him. Smiling. Laughing. At a movie premiere. At a benefit dinner. Advertising some product. His career was going well and she was happy for him.
If she really scrutinized her feelings, she would admit that she was proud of him. Every guy she had met or been set up with since that night had paled in comparison to him. Face it, you’ve been spoiled, she berated herself. You found the guy who could work his way into your heart and you walked away from him. She sighed. She had had this internal debate with herself countless times before. It’s funny how a few hours can change a life, she thought. Hers would never be the same.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts. She put on her best smile as she saw the mother of the bride walking towards her.
He stood leaning against the doorway, apparently watching the people. But he didn’t see anyone else but her. She was talking to someone, he guessed the mother of the bride, and she looked as beautiful and as breathtaking as the night he had accidentally hit her with a suitcase. He inwardly chuckled at that memory. Other memories came forward. He remembered a kiss in his car along Pacific Coast Highway. He remembered other kisses too. Kisses that gave as much as was taken. Kisses that touched him deep in his heart and soul. He remembered the feelings that came along with those kisses. Longing. Desire. Caring. Completeness. Friendship. Love.
Over the past couple of months, he had thought of her often. He had cursed his computer several times over for automatically deleting the email of her picture. At least he had printed it out. And he had her voice. On tape. She had called, always when he was wishing that he could talk to her. Not that he ever did. She always called and left a message. Sometimes it was a simple “Hi, Friend.” Sometimes it was a funny joke. Sometimes it was to tell him that she was thinking of him. Sometimes it was a few words of encouragement just when he needed them. But always her messages ended with the same words. Words that he had memorized and needed to hear.
“I’ll always be your friend. I love you.”
Eight words. It was amazing how eight simple words could be so important to him. It was amazing how important she was to him. It’s funny how a few hours can change your life, he thought. His would never be the same.
His musings stopped as she moved towards the back of the room. He kept her in his line of sight, but made sure that she did not see him. He wanted to get closer to her. He heard the orchestra begin another song and people start to move towards the dance floor. He watched as several men came up to ask her to dance. She declined each invitation with a gentle smile and kind word. He smiled to himself, pleased that those guys had been rejected. He moved closer to her. As the last gentleman walked away, he came up behind her and softly whispered.
“Care to dance with a … friend?”
Her heart stopped for a moment as the familiar voice registered. She closed her eyes and willed herself to remain calm. Slowly, she turned towards the voice and opened her eyes. She saw a dazzling smile and those same deep dark eyes that she had lost herself in months ago.
She let out the breath that she didn’t know she had been holding. “Hello…friend.”
“Hello, yourself. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you feel as awkward as this sounds?”
He smiled. “Yeah, kind of. Would you like to dance?”
“With you? I’d love to.”
He led the way onto the dance floor. Once out there, he turned towards her. She went directly into his arms. She wasn’t surprised at how natural it felt for her to be there. In his arms. Dancing with him.
As she went into his arms, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of completeness that came over him. This is where she belongs, he thought. I can’t let her walk away from me again.
“You’re a great dancer.”
“Thank you. My mother insisted on my learning. I’ll pass the compliment on to her.” He smiled and looked directly into her eyes, gauging her feelings and emotions. What are you thinking, he thought.
“You do that.” She softly laughed and he fell deeper in love with her. She sighed loud enough for him to hear. “This is very nice. I haven’t danced in a long time.”
“I would never have guessed. You’re very good yourself.”
“That’s because you have on your steel-toed dress shoes.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.
Her teasing nature was infectious. “I sure do. Especially polished for the occasion.”
“Why are you here? Sorry, that came out sounding badly. I mean, why are you here?”
He chuckled. “Same reason as you. Friend of the family. I went to high school with the groom.”
“Good friends?”
“Were. We lost touch when I went away to college. You know how it is.”
“Yeah. I do. I only keep in touch with one friend from high school. And even that is only on special occasions.”
“But, didn’t you just graduate a few years back?”
She playfully punched his shoulder. “Flatterer. No, it’s been a while. Are you happy?”
The sudden change in conversation startled him for a brief second. “As happy as I can be. I could be happier. I’m happy right now.” He looked directly into her eyes as he said his last statement, daring her to contradict him.
Her smile wavered, but her gaze never left his. “I know. I see your picture in the magazines and papers. You look happy, but then I see your eyes and know differently.”
He grew serious. “Is it that obvious?”
She shook her head. “Only to me. Only to a friend.”
He nodded in agreement. “Yeah. My best friend.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I need you.”
She smiled softly, remembering when he had said that to her before. “Here? Now?”
“Here. Now. Always. Forever.”
“I know.”
He was getting frustrated with her one-syllable responses. The music had changed and he didn’t feel like dancing anymore. He took her by the hand and headed for the balcony. He looked for a quiet spot. He spied a bench at the far end of the balcony walk. He sat her down next to him. “Will you stop saying that. How do you know? What do you know?”
She could see he was getting upset. She began to stroke the back of his neck in an effort to calm him down. Her soft touch seemed to have the desired effect. Once he was calmer, she answered him. “I can’t. You know that as much as I do.”
“No, I don’t. I don’t know anything. All I know is that I need you and love you.”
“Don’t….”
“Don’t what? Tell you how I feel? I haven’t forgotten that night. I haven’t forgotten how attracted I was to you. How attracted I STILL am. I haven’t forgotten how I felt an immediate connection to you. Like we were meant to be together. I haven’t forgotten how you reacted to my touch and to my kisses. I haven’t forgotten how you smiled and my heart skipped a beat. I haven’t forgotten how your laughter touched my heart. I haven’t forgotten any of that. Have you?”
As she listened to him, all the memories and emotions came rushing back. She looked down at her hands in her lap. She remembered. She remembered all of it. How his dazzling smile took her breath away. How his concern for her well-being touched her. How his kisses left her weak in the knees, wishing they would never end. How his eyes mirrored what his heart was saying to her. She remembered all of it. The warmth. The caring. The longing. The desire. The love. A tear fell down her cheek.
“No, I haven’t forgotten.” Her reply to his question was so soft he had to lean forward to hear it. She raised her head so suddenly, that he almost didn’t get out of the way. “But, that doesn’t change anything. Reality is still here. You have your life and I have mine.”
“I still don’t know why we can’t be together.”
She sighed. “My life is…complicated.”
He took her hands into his. “Life isn’t easy. What makes your life more complicated than anyone else’s?”
“You don’t understand.”
“Then help me to—”
“Mommy! Mommy!” He turned to watch a little girl in pink lace come running up to them. She stopped in front of them and looked from one to the other. Her eyes twinkled with glee. She looked directly at him, the unashamed stare of a three-year-old who was trying to figure out if someone was a friend or a stranger. “Hello.”
He couldn’t help but be charmed. He smiled back. “Hello to you too.”
“You talking to Mommy?” The child looked at her. Frowning, she turned back to him. “You make my mommy cry?”
“No, honey. He didn’t make me cry. He’s my friend. Friends don’t make friends cry. Friends make friends happy.”
“You happy, Mommy?”
She looked at him and smiled. “Yes, sweetheart. I’m happy.”
“That’s good.” The little girl looked at him with a direct and serious look. “Mommy not happy for a long time. She cry when my daddy go away—”
“Sweetheart, the gentleman doesn’t want to hear about us.”
“Yes, I do.” He got off the bench and squatted down in front of the little girl, level to level with her eyes. They’re just like hers, he thought. “Daddy went away?”
“Uh huh. He past.” She changed the topic. “Me three now. Mommy says me a big girl.”
Pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into place. “And a very pretty girl too.”
“What do you say sweetheart? He just gave you a compliment.”
“Mommy, what’a copiment?”
“It’s something nice. Now, what do you say?”
“Tank you.”
“Not to me, honey. Look the man in the eyes and say it.”
“Oh.” She looked him directly in the eyes. “Tank you. Mommy?”
“Yes, sweetie.”
“Me wanna hug from the man.”
“Do you want him to give you a hug?”
“Uh huh. Me like him.”
“You have to ask him.”
He quietly watched the exchange between mother and daughter. She’s going to grow up to be a heartbreaker, he thought. But, she’ll be okay. She’s teaching her well.
The girl turned to him and threw her hands wide apart. “Hug?”
“Sure.” He opened his arms and the child placed her arms around his neck. She walked right into his embrace. And into his heart. He was careful not to squeeze too tight.
Being a three-year-old, she squeezed with all her might. He made some choking sounds and she immediately stopped. She pulled back and again looked directly into his eyes. A silent message went between them. He winked and she broke into a giggle. He gave her another quick squeeze and released her, standing up. The little girl went to her. She picked her up and placed her on her lap, heedless of how her dress was getting wrinkled. She wrapped her arms around her. The little girl stuck her thumb in her mouth, laid her head on her chest and promptly went to sleep.
She looked up at him and grinned sheepishly. “Out of mouths of babes….” she whispered.
He reached out and gently stroked the child’s head. “She’s beautiful. And special.” He looked directly at her. “Like her mother.”
Her eyes watered and she broke off her gaze, planting a soft kiss on top of the sleeping child’s head. She gently rocked her and lost herself in thought.
He realized she was thinking and sat back down to wait. Well, part of the mystery is solved, he thought. He thought of the little girl and what she had said. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by her voice.
“We need to talk. Let me put her down. Will you still be here?”
He looked into her eyes and saw her warring emotions just below the surface of her calm exterior. He nodded. “I’ll be here.”
She rose and carried the child back inside. The curtains to the ballroom were open so he could watch her as she gracefully moved across the dance floor towards a couple. She briefly talked to the woman who rose and went with her out the entrance. He felt a slight tug of fear as she left. He knew she would be back, but he hated not being able to see her. He let his vision take in the rest of the room. The groom was chatting away in a group of their fellow high school pals. It seems so long ago that we were all playing football together, he thought. Where had the time gone? He vowed to take more time to keep in touch with the few friends that he kept in contact with.
His attention was caught as she stood at the entrance to the ballroom. She had changed from her bridesmaid dress to a pair of dress slacks and a silk blouse. She walked towards the bride and groom and briefly chatted with them. She hugged them both and headed back towards him.
He stood up as she came out onto the balcony and walked towards him. He could see her smile and noticed that she seemed to walk with a lighter step. She held out her hand and he took it.
“OK. My sister will take care of her for the rest of the day. I’m all yours.”
His smile made the late afternoon brighter. “OK. Let’s go.” They went down the back entrance and headed towards his car. He suddenly stopped. “Where are we going?”
“Home. Mine. I want to tell you about myself for a change.”
“Are you sure?”
She cupped his face and lightly kissed him. “As sure as I’ll ever be. All right with you?”
He hugged her to him and kissed her thoroughly. “Uh huh. For now.”
CHAPTER 5: Book of Revelations
He got into the driver’s seat of his car and smiled. “Haven’t we done this before?”
Her laughter sounded wonderful to him. “Yeah, I seem to recall sitting next to you in a car. But, this isn’t the same one, is it?”
He started to back out of the parking space. “Yeah, I sold the Bronco. It got too recognizable. Luckily, my dad had kept the car I had in high school.” He proceeded to tell her about how he had worked summers to earn enough money to buy the car. How he had continued to work to fix her up. She leaned back, letting his voice and his nearness wash over her, relaxing her. She smiled. When she asked him why there was no brand new sports car waiting for him when he turned sixteen, he looked at her with an indignant glare.
“My parents raised me and my brother and sister as normally as possible. We had to do chores around the house to get extra money. We weren’t the stereotypical ‘business family’.” She put a hand on his thigh and gently squeezed. “I know.”
He placed one hand over hers. “Yeah, you would.” They traveled along for a while in companionable silence, enjoying the ride and each other’s company.
She gave him directions as they drove along. “That’s it there. Third one on the left.” He pulled up in front of a small, neatly-kept California bungalow-style house. “Home.”
They got out of the car and walked up the front walk. He liked the neatly trimmed lawn scattered with toddler toys. He also noticed the flowers planted along the side of the house. Lilies of the Valley. He had always liked those flowers and the delicate scent that they gave off.
She saw him stop and bend down to smell the lilies. “They’re my favorite.”
“Somehow, I’m not surprised. They’re mine too.”
“I know.”
“I still—”
She placed a finger on his mouth to silence him. “Come inside. We’ll talk there.” She led the way. As soon as they were inside, she pointed to her left. “The living room is in there. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll get us some sodas.” She walked to the right, leaving him standing alone in the entrance. He headed towards the living room.
He intended to sit on the sofa and wait for her return. But, as soon as he saw all the frames and awards on the baby grand piano, he was drawn towards them. He looked at them one by one. He looked at them and tried to fit them into the puzzle he was putting together in his mind. The puzzle of her.
He saw pictures of her daughter. The formal baby portraits. The informal, candid ones of her sleeping and playing. He chuckled over the picture of the little girl with what appeared to be chocolate cake all over her face. He marveled at the mother-daughter portraits. He could see that they had the same eyes. The same smile. He smiled at the inner beauty of the two of them that the photographer was able to capture.
He saw the awards. Letters of commendation. Certificates of appreciation. Scholar-athlete. Salutatorian. Honor Roll. Dean’s List. And then he saw one, inconspicuous by its size. He picked it up. It was heavy. A marble paperweight more than an plaque. The words, engraved on the plate, jumped out at him. “Favorite Teacher. Voted by the Senior Class.” Another one caught his eye. A Medal of Valor. He was impressed.
He saw pictures of her. High school graduation. College graduation. Volleyball action shot. Glamour shots. He was again struck by how her entire face smiled. Her eyes, especially. He noticed something that made him stop and think. He looked again at the pictures of her and her daughter. Then he looked at the pictures of her that looked to be about five, maybe six years ago. The eyes, he thought. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes anymore.
He placed the picture frame down and saw one that he hadn’t noticed before. A picture of a man. Formal. Serious. In uniform. With a black border. The little girl’s words echoed in his mind. He “past,” she had said. It was all starting to make more sense.
He felt her beside him. “That’s her father.” He replaced the picture and turned to take the glass of soda from her. He slowly sipped it as he watched her move and sit down on the sofa. He had heard the sadness in her voice. But, he had also heard something else. What was it? Bitterness? Guilt? He walked towards her and sat down next to her.
She looked at him and took a deep breath. “He was killed in the line of duty.” He nodded silently, waiting for her to continue. He instinctively knew that she hadn’t talked about him to anyone before. She needs this more than I do, he thought. He waited.
“He was THE one. The only man I had ever totally, completely, instantly, fallen head over heels in love with. And it was the same for him. We met at the academy. I was a police officer, too. We were partners, friends, lovers. Assigned to the substance abuse education detail. But it wasn’t enough, not for him. He wanted more action. So, he requested a transfer and got assigned to the worst division in the city. He loved it.” She stopped as the memories came flooding back to her.
“What happened?”
She didn’t seem to hear him, lost among her memories. “I hated it. I hated the lonely nights. I hated the not knowing if he would be alive at the end of his shift. I hated it all. But I never told him. He was happy. So I never told him.”
She turned to look at him with sadness in her eyes. “I…left him. He begged me to come back. He said he loved me. He told me that he had passed the exam, he was being moved to detectives. He said things would be different. I believed him. I came back.”
She sighed. “But it was still the same. He was assigned to Vice, and then Homicide. He loved the thrill. The action.”
She stared straight ahead, focusing on something only she could see. “One night, on a stake-out he was ambushed. Turned out that the suspect was also into the drug trade. He didn’t have a chance. They found him in his car. Shot in the back of the head.”
She turned and looked directly into his eyes, the tears falling down her face. “He didn’t even know he had a daughter. Seven months after he died, she was born. The day he was buried, I was buried too.”
“No, you weren’t.” He reached for her hands.
She snatched them away. “Don’t you understand? My heart died when I buried him. I left the force. I made a new life for myself. I became a teacher and I found that was enough. That and my daughter. That’s all I need. I can’t love you! I WON’T love you!” She stood up as if to run away, but sat back down, her shoulders slumped in defeat. She whispered, “I loved him. With my heart and my soul. I have never loved anyone else like that since. Until you.”
He had been lost in his thoughts, thinking of reasons he could use to convince her that they belonged together. At her last words, his head jerked up and he looked at her. He saw her tear-stained face and never thought her more beautiful. He looked deep into her eyes. What he saw there convinced him that his was not a lost cause, in spite of what she had said. He kept silent and let her continue.
“You know how I knew he and I were meant to be together? I looked into his eyes. You said once that the eyes are the mirrors into a person’s soul. Do you remember that?” He nodded. “It’s true. The first time I looked into his eyes, I knew. The connection was immediate. It was the same way with you. That night at the airport. I looked into your eyes and felt that same connection. That same bonding. I didn’t think it was possible to fall in love at first sight. It’s happened to me twice.”
She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “But, I WON’T fall in love with you. It’s too painful. I have my daughter. I have my life here. I have my career. And I have your friendship. That’s all I need.”
He listened to everything she said. He reached for her hand. “Who are you trying to convince, me or yourself?”
She sobbingly sighed. “I don’t want to be in love with you. I–”
He cupped the side of her face and looked intently into her eyes. “I have been in love with you from the first time you opened your eyes and looked at me. It scared me. I didn’t know what to do. I only knew that my life would never be the same. I’ve been going through the motions. I’ve only let a few people get close to me. My parents. My brother. My sister. I’ve played it safe, not wanting to hurt anyone. Not wanting to be hurt. I’ve never had a great love in my life. I’ve never had what you and he must have had, in spite of your problems.”
He removed his hand from her face and again clasped both of her hands in his. “Life isn’t easy. Sometimes it isn’t fair. I’m not a police officer. I’m an actor, and personally I think not a very good one.” He smiled as he saw her eyes widen in surprise at his last statement.
“I’ve been very lucky in my life and my career. I’ve met the right people, been in the right place at the right time, had the right audition when I needed it. I’ve been lucky. I guess luck is still with me, because I met you. I can’t promise that I won’t die on you. Hopefully, we’ll both live long lives. I can promise this: I’ll love you, I’ll cherish you, and I’ll take care of you as best I can.”
She listened to everything he said. As he talked, she felt the walls she had built around her heart begin to crumble. She wanted to love him. She wanted to be with him. If she were alone, she knew what she would do. But, she wasn’t alone. She had responsibilities and obligations.
He watched her as she debated with herself. He knew that what she wanted was fighting a losing battle with her sense of responsibility and obligation. He quickly spoke.
“You’ve always put your needs second to everyone else. I know. I’m the same way. But, even the helpers need to be helped themselves. Take a chance.” He saw that she wanted to grab at what he was offering, but was still unsure. He moved closer to her, his hand moving to stroke the side of her neck. “Don’t you know that the eyes are the mirrors to your soul? What are mine saying to you?” He smiled and waited for her reply.
She looked into his eyes. She physically shivered at the friendship, caring, and concern that she saw reflected in them. Beyond that, she saw something that convinced her to take what he was offering and hold it close to her heart. She saw love. She saw a second chance at complete happiness. She closed her eyes, said a quick prayer, and took a deep breath. She slowly opened her eyes, smiled, and let him see how she felt. He gasped. Her smile had reached her eyes.
“They’re saying that my sister is going to have an overnight guest.”
His smile widened and he drew her closer. “It’s enough. For now.”
She met him halfway. As their lips met, she whispered against them. “I love you.”
“I know.”
CHAPTER 6: The Eyes Have It
He was awakened by a noise that sounded suspiciously like a thumb was being sucked. He cautiously opened one eye to see a pair of solemn brown eyes. The source of the noise was standing a few feet away from the bed, clutching a Winnie-the-Pooh doll close to her chest. She was studying him, her gaze never wavering. He sat up, opened his other eye, swung his legs over the side of the bed, thankful he had put on his boxers before falling asleep, and stared back, locking gazes with the little girl, looking directly into her eyes. She stared back, looking directly into his eyes.
He had always won staring contests with his brother, and he wasn’t above a little trickery to win. He winked.
She continued to stare.
“Does that taste good?” he asked. She continued to stare, slowly nodding her head up and down.
The kid was good, he admitted. Nerves of steel.
Then, as he was about to concede his defeat, she took her thumb out of her mouth, walked towards him, and proceeded to climb up the bed. He watched as she struggled, still clutching Winnie-the-Pooh. He almost reached out to help her, but something told him to let her do it by herself. After a few attempts, she finally succeeded in climbing up onto the bed. She then scrambled onto his lap, laid her head on his chest, stuck her thumb back in her mouth, and promptly fell asleep.
His arms reflexively went around her, hugging her closer to him. He planted a soft kiss on top of her head, inhaling the sweet smell of shampoo. Trying not to wake her, he looked behind him and saw that the rest of the bed was empty. He brought one arm under the child’s legs and stood up, cradling her. He gently placed her on the bed and brought the comforter up under her chin, tucking her in the way his mother used to do to him. The child snuggled deeper under the cover, clutching the doll and loudly sucking on her thumb. He gently stroked her hair and smiled. He was hooked. She had captured his heart as easily as her mother had.
Thinking of her, he remembered back to last night and their lovemaking. They had both been so nervous, it was almost like the first time for both of them. In a way, it had been. She had been incredible. He had always enjoyed sex, but with her it was different. He had never been with a woman who was so responsive to his touch and to his kisses.
It wasn’t just about the physical act of joining with her, though. It was about the sharing that had occurred. The bonding. The promises. It was if admitting that she loved him had opened a dam of emotions in her. She shared everything with him. She told him her life story. She told him her dreams. She told him her fears. In turn, he told her everything about himself. His dreams, his fears. They had made love and cuddled and talked and made love again. The memory of her moans and cries as her orgasms came over her triggered a reaction from his body. He needed to see her. To prove that it hadn’t been all a dream. That he really was here. With her. He reached for his shirt and pants. Taking another look at the sleeping child, he left the room.
He found her in the kitchen, standing at the stove, softly humming to herself. He stood at the doorway and smiled. She felt his presence. She looked at him and smiled.
“Well, there you are. Good morning.” Her eyes smiled and sent him a message of love and warmth.
He walked over to her and planted a soft kiss on her lips. “Good morning to you, too.”
“Eggs?”
“Sounds good, but—”
“No bacon. I know. Too much fat.” Her eyes twinkled with merriment. She put her spatula down and reached for a piece of paper. “Here.” She held the paper out to him.
“What is it?”
“My autograph. Address. Phone number. Screen name. All of it.”
He laughed and her heart skipped a beat at the sound. “Touché. You remembered.”
“Yeah, I did.” Her voice felt like a warm caress.
“I had an interesting wake up call.”
“Oh, she found you. Who won the staring contest?”
“She did. Is her gaze always that intense? I felt like I was being dissected and examined.”
She nodded and bit into a piece of toast, holding another piece out him. “Mmm hmm. I’ve told her to always look people in the eyes. That way she can tell if they’re a good person or a bad person. Why? What did she do?”
He described to her what had occurred. As he related the events, her smile got bigger and wider until she was grinning from ear to ear. She turned off the stove and walked over to him. She walked into his embrace and kissed him. Thoroughly. Deeply. Intensely. She kissed him to tell him that she was happy. She kissed him to tell him that she was his friend for life. She kissed him to tell him that she loved him.
“What was that for?”
“She likes you.”
“Yeah, well, I like her too.”
She shook her head as if she were talking to a child. “No, you don’t understand. She likes you. What she did? The climbing into your lap and all that?”
“Yeah?”
“She’s only done that with one person. Me –”
He finished the sentence for her. “And her father would have probably been another one.”
Her smile lost a little bit of its brightness. “Yeah. Her father.” She moved to leave his embrace.
“Hey, hey, hey. Not so fast.” He held her close. “You okay?”
She looked at him and saw the concern in his eyes. “Yeah. I’m okay. We’ve got to talk.”
“Okay.” He released her and sat down at the kitchen table. She finished preparing his breakfast and came and sat down across from him.
“Last night –”
“Was incredible.”
She smiled. “Yeah, it was. I’ve never been like that with anyone. Even him. It was special. Magical.”
“But?”
“But, it’s time to face reality.”
“Even Cinderella got her Prince Charming.”
“Cinderella is a fairy tale.”
“And I’m not Prince Charming. But, I’m here. Now. In your kitchen. Eating your eggs and toast. Got any jam?”
She got up and went to the refrigerator, returning with a jar of strawberry preserves. She sat back down and took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. “What now?”
He spread the jam on his toast. “You tell me. I’ll do anything you want. Except let you leave my life again.”
“I don’t know if I can do this.”
He put down his knife and toast and reached across the table for her hand. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
“That’s enough. For now. I’m new at this love stuff myself. I don’t know what to do next.”
At that moment, a loud yell of “Mommy!” interrupted them. They both grinned and got up from the table together.
“Well, I know what’s next. Rugrats.”
“Huh?”
“Hello? Rugrats. Tommy. Chuckie. Phil and Lil. You know, the cartoon.”
“Oh yeah. Right. The cartoon.”
They both laughed as they watched the little girl come into the kitchen, still clutching Winnie-the-Pooh. “Mommy? Why you laughing?”
He reached down and picked her up. She stared into his eyes. He winked. She giggled.
“Mommy? The man is funny.”
“Yes, sweetie, he is. Should we keep him around?” Please say yes, he silently pleaded.
“Okay, Mommy.” He quickly glanced at her and then at her mother. What he saw in both their eyes made him smile. He passed the girl over to her.
“Well, you passed inspection, big guy. But….”
“But?”
“If you’re gonna hang with us gals, you’re gonna have to stay up to date with all the cartoons. Sweetheart, why don’t you show the man where Nickelodeon is on TV and tell him all about Rugrats?”
She put the girl down and she promptly walked over to him. She placed her hand in his and led him away, chattering about Phil and Chuckie.
As he was dragged away, he turned back and said the one thing that made him perfect to her. “This doesn’t change anything. I will always be your friend. I love you.” With that he swooped up the child and ran out of the kitchen, silly noises and a little girl’s laughter following their exit.
She stood there, arms crossed, shaking her head and smiling indulgently. “And I love you. That’s enough. For now.”
“….and, as it fades to black, the credits begin to roll. Lights! Well, waddaya think?” The lights came on in the screening room.
The director looked anxiously at the producer staring silently at the darkened screen, apparently lost in thought. He removed his glasses and rubbed at his eyes. He turned to talk to the man sitting behind him. “And you wrote this?”
He grinned lopsidedly. That same grin that had brought him legions of devoted fans. “Well, you know me. I never was very comfortable in front of the camera. The commercials, the television, the movies? They were all just a way to allow me to do what I really wanted to do.”
“And that is?”
“Write. I’ve always wanted to be a writer.”
“A writer?”
“A writer.”
The producer shook his head. “Too bad. I always liked your work in front of the camera. There was an honesty about your acting that I don’t see in everyone. I can see that you’re going to be in demand as a writer, though. You write with that same honesty.”
He turned to the director. “This is good. Very good. Let’s talk about how we want to distribute this.”
The producer and director got up and left the room, deep in conversation. They watched them leave. He turned to her and asked, “So?”
She looked into his eyes and saw the uncertainty and the need for reassurance. She warmly smiled and cupped the side of his face. “I loved it. He’s right, you know. It’s very good.”
“Really?”
“Really. But, you don’t need me to tell you that.”
“I know. But, I need to hear you tell me.”
“I know.”
He leaned towards her and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “Let’s get out of here.”
She saw the love and desire in his eyes. She knew that she had the same look in hers. “Yes. Let’s go home.”
“Home?”
“Home.”
He stood up and reached for her. She placed her hand in his and again felt that familiar jolt of electricity. She carefully stood with his help. He placed his hand over her rounded abdomen. “You okay?”
She nodded. “I have my daughter. I have you. I have this baby on it’s way. It’s enough.”
“For now?”
“For always.”
She moved into his open arms and looked directly into his eyes. He smiled at what he saw. She really is beautiful, he thought. Especially when her smile reaches her eyes.
“I love you.”
“I know.”
THE END