"See you tomorrow, mama," Reba sighed as she hugged her mother goodbye.
"Good night, poppets," Jackie smiled and got inside her room and closed the door. Reba and Skeeter both waved their hands in response then proceeded to walk a few more steps towards their room.
Skeeter took their keycard from his breast pocket when they finally reached their door. The singer sighed, as she watched her boyfriend fumbled at the key card. She was looking forward to finally resting after a full day in Washington.
"I'm beat," Reba complained as she leaned her forehead on her boyfriend's right shoulder.
"I know," Skeeter chuckled and kissed the top of Reba's head. He was still working to open their door; the key card wasn't working for some reason. He furrowed his brow as he tried once more. Finally, he heard the click and the light on the door lock turned green.
He looked at Reba before opening the door, wondering if she already fell asleep. He didn't want to just move and startle her. He had learned his lesson well not to mess with a sleepy redhead; he did not need a cranky Reba tonight.
"Honey, let's get inside," The former geologist gently nudge his girlfriend that was leaning heavily on his shoulder.
"Huh," Reba looked up, seemingly lost.
Skeeter chuckled at his girlfriend's bewildered look. "Let's get you to bed," he replied and then kissed the tip of Reba's nose. For such a formidable woman who was honored alongside a group of men, his girlfriend was looking mighty cute and innocent at the moment.
Reba let go of Skeeter and went on autopilot with her sleep addled brain. She proceeded to open the door to their room and let go of it, forgetting that her boyfriend was just right behind her. Good thing, the former geologist's reflexes were still fast despite the lateness of the hour so he managed to stop the door before it smacked him right on his face. He shook his head smiling, not having the heart to get annoyed at his girlfriend.
Reba immediately went to the bathroom, took off her evening gown, shoes and undergarments, and picked up the sleep wear she left on the hotel's bathroom hook. Skeeter followed her closely and did his own routine.
A few minutes later, the couple found themselves in their bed, finally ready to call it a night.
Reba just turned the lamp on her side off. Skeeter was still sitting, his back on the headboard, while he checked his phone for any messages he missed. Reba didn't care and snuggled on her boyfriend as her arm hugged Skeeter's waist, her face burried on the side of Skeeter's stomach.
Seeing that he had no important message that needed to be addressed immediately, he put his phone on his bedside and switched off the lamp. He adjusted his position, finally lying down, and accomodated Reba's form on his side.
He shook his head smiling, looking down at his girlfriend. Sometimes he still thinks it was all a dream. He still couldn't believe his luck, finding love at his age, and most importantly, winning the heart of the woman beside him.
Today was a big day. He couldn't be prouder of Reba with her latest achievement. He was tickled to pieces remembering the number of times Reba proudly introduced him to someone as her boyfriend.
He snorted remembering the slightly snarky look Reba thrown some Washington socialite they met earlier. The woman, who was probably older than Skeeter, was getting handsy. Skeeter's well aware that he's not that blessed with looks, but he's got a good head to know when someone's flirting with him. And the blonde socialite was clearly flirting with him as he stood there awkwardly, thinking how he could escape the bizarre situation he was in. Reba probably saw him and the handsy socialite as the singer suddenly came out of nowhere and introduced herself to the woman. The socialite seemed like a fan and was thrilled to meet Reba, obviously falling for Reba's southern charm.
"I dunno if you've been introduced, but this is Skeeter, my boyfriend," Reba told the socialite, laying her southern charm thick, but wanting to cut the hands of the woman off. She saw how touchy the woman was with Skeeter. The singer would have gotten upset at her boyfriend too for not doing anything if not for the fact the he was seriously looking like a deer caught in the headlights, frozen on the spot.
The socialite tried her best not to look horrified, realizing how awkward the situation was after she'd just flirted with the silver-haired man. She nodded and smiled then pretended to see someone she knew. She bid goodbye to the couple and walked fast, regretting her actions towards the geologist.
"Oh thank goodness," Skeeter muttered under his breath, feeling extremely relieved when the socialite finally left.
"You are hopeless," Reba chuckled. "You were honestly sweating, honey," Reba snickered as she touched Skeeter's chest and fixed his slightly skewed bow tie.
Skeeter rolled his eyes at his girlfriend then took hold of her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Let's go woman."
Reba chuckled and let Skeeter navigate their way.
Skeeter's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a light snore coming from Reba. The redhead moved, looking for a more comfortable position. She turned her back to him, but took his arm to make sure he'd spoon her. Skeeter willingly obliged and settled behind the singer.
"I'm so proud of you, honey," he whispered, then kissed the back of Reba's head.
Though she was only half-awake, the words registered to her and the redhead smiled, hearing her boyfriend's words. "Thank you, honey," she rasped and pecked the geologist's hand she was holding onto her chest.
