Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer, my OCs belong to me.
This chapter is dedicated to Alphabloodwolf and anyone else who reviews.
I'd set my alarm to wake me up early. I wanted to be up and out as soon as possible. If I reached the furniture store early enough, hopefully they could deliver the bed this afternoon.
"What's the time?" Zoë groaned as I hit off my alarm.
"Six thirty." I replied.
"Why you getting up so early?" She complained. "I thought you finished the house."
"The decorating, but there's still more to do." I said as I gathered my clothes together. "You don't have to get up anyway, I'll grab all my stuff and I won't be back in. I'm only having a freshen up, not washing my hair."
"Whatever." Zoë grumbled as she hid her head under her pillow.
I grabbed my bag and brush too so I really didn't have to come back in the room until after I'd been out shopping.
Once in the bathroom I tucked my hair into a shower cap to keep it dry before I showered my body to freshen it up and also do some body hair maintenance since I wanted to be nice my first night in my new house. Once I was sufficiently clean, I got out of the shower, wiped and dressed before I wiped over the steamed up bathroom mirror. I brushed my hair in the bathroom, but wall it really took was a tug here and a pull there made it look like it was deliberately messy. Once my hair was done, I tidied around the bathroom, picked up my bag and headed downstairs for breakfast.
Mam and Dad were sat at the kitchen table eating breakfast together. I felt a little guilty about disturbing them and considered going back upstairs, but Mam spotted me.
"Good morning Seren." She said lightly.
"Morning Mam. Morning Dad." I said brightly as I stepped into the kitchen and headed to grab some cereal.
"I thought you would be having a lie-in this morning since there's nothing left to do on the house." Dad said.
"Well, there's actually moving in." I said, glancing at my parents a moment to gauge their reaction before I went back to pouring my cereal.
"You are planning that today?" Mam asked.
I shrugged and carried my bowl to the table and sat down.
"I want to make sure we got a bed, but otherwise yes." I replied, since I had to tell them, and sooner was better than later.
"I had hoped you'd give us a bit more warning." Mam chastised, "but I also anticipated that it would be sometime this week."
"Me too." Dad agreed. "You wouldn't have been working so hard to get it all ready if you weren't planning on moving in as soon as."
"Ok." I said, and ate a spoonful of cereal.
"I take it you are up this early in order to purchase a bed?" Mam asked.
"Yeah." I confirmed. "I want to get to the shop early as soon as it opens so that if I can't fit it on the flatbed I can get it delivered this afternoon."
"Good thinking." Mam said with a nod. "Perhaps you would also like a shopping advisor?"
"Really? You'd actually come with me?" I asked excitedly.
"Of course. I don't want you ending up with something unsuitable." Mam said firmly.
"Thanks." I said and smiled.
"Then I suppose I should go get ready." Mam said as she gathered up the breakfast things.
"I'll go get the truck keys from Rupert." I said as I stood up too.
"I guess I'll do the dishes. I've got a little time before work." Dad said with a shrug. "And I guess you'll be wanting the special card today." He added as he pulled a platinum coloured credit card from his wallet.
"Thank you my Malachite." Mam said happily and kissed him as she placed her fingers on the card but didn't take it off him.
"It's your money too, Duchess." Dad replied their faces still close.
"I know, but I thank you for knowing I wish to treat our daughter today." Mam crooned.
"What?" I asked, I intended to buy my own bed.
"You're still here?" Mam asked. "I thought you were going to get the truck."
"I am." I said and left, well my parents house I guess I'd have to call it from now on, and made my way to my house since I was pretty sure Rupert had crashed there once he finished running.
I was right. I found him camped out on the living room floor on a pile of blankets and curled up in a sleeping bag. I grinned as I stalked toward him and knelt beside him. I ducked my head and blew across his face. His nose twitched and I giggled as I reached out my little finger to gently stroke his ear.
He snorted a little and his eyes opened.
"Morning sleepy head." I said, smiling at him.
"What…what time is it?" He asked.
I checked my watch. "Five past seven."
"What? I need to get up or I'll be late for work!" He exclaimed as he jumped to his feet.
"Well before you hit the shower can I have the truck keys?"
"What for?" He asked.
"I want to go pick out some things for the house and there's more room in the back of your truck compared to the boot of my car." I explained.
"Ok. My truck keys are on the dish. When you heading out?"
"As soon as Mam's ready." I replied.
"She's going with you?"
"She's good at all kinds of shopping, and always spots the best deals." I explained.
"Ok." Rupert said and kissed the top of my head.
"See you later." I said, tilting my head up to kiss his lips.
"You'll be here after work?"
"Try and stop me." I growled and wrapped my arms around him before deepening the kiss.
Rupert laughed as he pulled away.
"I'll see you later." He chuckled. "Now I really need to hit the shower or I'm really gonna be late for work."
"I guess I can let you go." I said as I stepped away. "For now."
Rupert laughed again, brushed my cheek and said, "See you later my Little Star."
"See you later my Rupert." I whispered, and stroked his cheek too before I really stepped away from him and headed to the door. "Tara."
"Bye." He said, and waved to me.
I waved back before I grabbed the truck keys and left the house. I decided to drive the truck down to the visitor car park since I had to go that way anyway. I parked up and went back to my parents' house.
Mam was already to go, having pinned up her dark curly hair and was wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Something that was comfortable for shopping.
"I've left a note for the others and I'm ready to go." Mam said.
"Ok. I parked the truck across the road." I said and we left for the truck.
I got behind the wheel and Mam got in the passenger seat. I set out for Port Angeles where there was a big furniture store that did same day delivery.
"Are you certain you want to rush into this?" Mam asked.
"I'm sure. I'm ready for us to at least live together if nothing else. I miss sleeping with him."
"You…neglected to tell me about this development." Mam said carefully.
"Oh not that. I'd let you know about that cause I know you'd want to know. I meant just sleeping in the same bed as him. He's big and warm and snugly, like a teddy bear that can cwtch me back." I explained.
"I suppose I see where you're coming from. Your father and I shared a bed often in a platonic sense and I suppose you're right about a big teddy bear that can cwtch you back." Mam said with a smile. "Very well, I accept that you wish to sleep in the same bed as him, but do you wish to move out completely yet?"
"I can't move half way out." I pointed out.
"I meant that perhaps you could still live at home and merely stay over at Rupert's when he isn't running." Mam suggested.
"No. If anything I'd prefer to live with Rupert and stay over at yours if I'm feeling lonely when he's running." I said.
"You really are determined to move out?" Mam asked.
"Yes." I said firmly.
"It is a landmark. One of my children is flying the nest, and the youngest to boot." She said, sounding a little choked up.
"I'm only younger than Zoë by a minuet or two." I said, frowning a little, that had been the card Zoë always used to outrank me when we were babies.
"Still you are my youngest." Mam said sadly.
"But Addie is the baby, we all know that." I pointed out. "And I've been living away from home for several years now. And miles away at that."
"I know, but it was merely you going away to school, but your home was still with Dad and me."
"I got to move out sooner or later." I said gently.
"I know, but I had selfishly hoped it would be later." Mam said with a sad smile. "However, if it's to be sooner the least I can do is make sure you have somewhere comfortable to sleep."
"I can buy the bed myself." I said firmly before she had chance to offer.
"It would be no problem." Mam insisted.
"I know Dad gave you the 'blow the bank' card, but I want to buy the bed myself. Besides, you paid for the kitchen, that's more than I could ask for."
"You know it's rude to turn down someone's generosity." Mam chided.
"Mam, please let me do this? If you want to buy me spare linen or whatever, that's fair enough, but the bed and bedding I want to buy myself." I said firmly.
"Are you sure?" Mam asked, looking a little hurt, but I had to be firm about this.
"Yes. I mean, did Gran and Gramps buy you a bed and everything when you first moved in with Dad?" I asked.
"No." Mam confirmed.
"Then let me do this. I got enough savings so it'll be nothing."
"Very well." Mam said reluctantly.
"Thank you." I said with a smile and continued driving to Port Angeles while our conversation drifted more toward Res gossip.
It was a little after eight when we reached the furniture store and it hadn't long opened, which was a good thing. There wasn't many people out buying furniture this early so it meant Mam and me could browse to our hearts' content.
After scouring the many beds on offer, I settled on a California king size. There'd be room in the bedroom and although we'd lose some of the width, it was the length that was more important considering Rupert is so tall. I let Mam decide on the perfect mattress because I knew she'd pick well.
The bed was flat pack and they had one in store so I decided to take it with me, although the store assistants were kind enough to help Mam and me get it out to the truck and load it on the flat bed. It just about fit. I put the cover on myself as the shop assistants wheeled away the flat trolley. I know the frame was in a box and the mattress already in plastic wrapping, but if the rain picked up then they'd soak through anyway.
"Is there anywhere else you wish to go?" Mam asked as I got back in.
"I want to go get bedding, but I think I'll get the bed back home first just in case." I said as I pulled off.
"That is for the best." Mam agreed.
"You want to come to the super market with me?" I asked.
"Why not. I'm very much prepared for when I return to school, the day out makes a change. Especially when it is for something as mundane as shopping."
"Great." I said with a smile.
As soon as we got to my house Mam helped me unload the truck, which was easy now we didn't have to pretend to play up weakness, and the fact that Mam had no problems manoeuvring things out of the truck despite her being under five foot tall.
With the bed safely in the house, Mam and me headed out to the supermarket. I bought a duvet and covers, plain ones in a umber yellow so it would stand out a little from the walls, but it didn't really matter so much since I planned to buy a traditional blanket from the craft store back on the Res to use as a throw. I was considering getting some for the living room furniture too because it was important to support businesses on the Res. We'd probably order our kitchen table and chairs from the Ateara factory too. Maybe even Uncle Tony would make them, even if we had to pay the extra because he was now ranked among their master builders. Although I wouldn't care if it was Loki either, Leda had told me how well he was getting on, he'd even added a door to their tree house that Old Quill wanted photos of to add to their catalogue.
When we were in the supermarket Mam pointed out that if I was going to move in that Rupert and I would need food. I didn't want to do a big shop, I thought that was something I should do with Rupert, so I went for the basics of milk, eggs and bread then got a few things for dinner tonight. I also bought some new toiletries including toothbrushes, I thought it would be good to have all new for our new house.
"Would you like me to help you assemble the bed?" Mam asked once we were heading home for the second time that day.
"Probably for the best because of the frame."
"We should probably stop by the house on the way to pick up the drill and Alan key fittings."
"Ok." I replied.
I remembered to pull up outside my parents' house and I went inside with Mam while she got the things we might need. Of course Mam didn't have to dig them out because she's so organised. Mam really did live by the motto 'a place for everything and everything in its place' when it came to things in the house. A little had rubbed off on me and Addie, not at all on Zoë, but we weren't nowhere near as borderline OCD as Mam.
Then we headed back to my house and unloaded the shopping. We put all the food away apart from what we got for lunch and ate our lunch before we put the bed together. It took us an hour, and that included dressing the bed too and tidying up after.
"I think I'll come back to pack before I do anything else." I said.
"Of course you can." Mam said taking my hand. "You're welcome at any time."
"Thanks." I said and hugged her.
We went back to my old home and I went up to my room and began packing my clothes into a suitcase. I'd come back to get my books later, but as long as I had clothes to tide me over I'd be good. Plus my hairdryer and brush so I could at least do my hair.
Once I was packed I went downstairs where Mam was doing some therapy baking. She turned when she heard me enter the kitchen.
"I'm packed, well my clothes are packed, I'll have to come back for my books once I've got somewhere to put them." I said.
"Oh goodness." Mam said, and she sniffed, trying to hold back tears. "I can't believe one of my children are moving out."
"I'm only up the road." I said to Mam as I cwtched her and tapped her back.
"I know. But still." She sobbed.
"I'll be down to see you tomorrow." I assured her.
"Only to pack up the rest of your belongings." Mam said mournfully.
"No. So we can have a gossip. We can have a good gossip now we don't live together." I pointed out.
"I suppose." Mam sniffed.
"And you can come visit me too." I pointed out.
"It will be nice to have somewhere else to visit." Mam conceded.
"But I have to go now so I can cook dinner for Rupert so it's all nice for when he comes home."
"Of course, but should you not tell Zoë?"
Oh yeah, she didn't know yet.
"I'll phone her to let her know and if she wants to talk about it, she'll know where I am." I said with a shrug.
"Very well." Mam said, sobbing again as she pulled away from me. "Go now! Before I make a spectacle of myself."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm just being silly and once you've gone I can pull myself together."
"Do you want me to get Dad?"
Mam shook her head.
"Please go." She sobbed.
"I'll see you tomorrow." I whispered and left.
It wasn't quite the send off I'd expected, but if Mam was going to be emotional, I knew she didn't like to be in front of us kids. I walked up to my house pulling my suitcase behind me and I did feel sad. I was leaving home and this was a big step.
I was sobbing by the time I reached home and let myself inside. I dropped down onto the bed and cried for a while, sobbing into my t-shirt so I didn't tear stain our new bed.
Once I thought I'd cried long enough and I was heading into crazy town, I pulled myself together, got up off the bed and headed to the bathroom. I washed my face to try and refresh myself before I headed to the kitchen to make dinner.
It was chicken casserole, pretty basic, but it meant I could put it in the oven and forget about it while I went to have a shower and change into something nice. Not because I thought Rupert was expecting it, actually him not expecting it was part of the reason I was determined to dress nice, but mostly it was the fact that it had been a while since I got to dress up. This seemed like a special occasion to me.
Before I headed into the shower I remembered to phone Zoë. I put my phone on speaker while I unpacked my clothes into the built in wardrobe so I could dig out my nicest dress and underwear at the same time. It rang six times before she answered.
"This had better be important Chwaer." She said.
"Well it's not, but I thought you'd like to know that I'm officially moved out of Mam and Dad's, so the room's all yours." I said.
"Seriously?" Zoë exclaimed.
"Seriously." I confirmed.
"But, why didn't you tell me earlier?" She demanded.
"Because you weren't in by eleven last night and I was tired, and you showed no signs of getting up this morning. I mean I always intended to move in as soon as the house was liveable, and it is now the kitchen is done."
"What about furniture?" Zoë demanded, like she'd found a flaw in my argument.
"We got a bed. That's all we need for now. Otherwise we can picnic on the floor for food." I said blasé.
"That'll get boring." Zoë grouched.
"I guess." I said, determined not to bite and get into an argument. "Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know. And you know you can visit me anytime."
"Yeah." Zoë replied.
"Well I'll see you tomorrow, maybe? Now I haven't got anything to do with the house maybe I could come get to know Mischa better since you actually seem serious about her and the likelihood of her actually becoming my future sister-in-law is high."
"Yeah. Of course. Maybe we could go out somewhere for the day." Zoë suggested.
"Hit Port Angeles, the cinema and some food?" I put out.
"We'll see." Zoë stated.
"Ok. See you tomorrow. Tara." I said quickly wanting to be done with this conversation.
"Tara." Zoë said and she hung up.
I made sure my phone was hung up then placed it on the bed before I went to shower. This time I did wash my hair since I'd have time to dry it properly. I mainly concentrated on washing my body in lashes of shower gel.
I got out and wiped before I wrapped a towel around my hair and body. I went to check on the casserole before I went back to the bedroom. It took about half an hour to blow dry my hair into bouncy curls, and I had to use my hand mirror propped on its adjustable handle/stand to see what I was doing. I suppose I'd have to buy a full mirror at some point.
Rupert had put the blankets he'd slept on last night into the bedroom closet so I got the biggest one and carried it out into the living room to spread it out on the floor. It would have been nice to have candles or maybe a few lamps for ambient lighting, but I guess we'd have to make use of the bare bulb for now.
I went to the kitchen to check on the casserole, it wasn't far off done and there was an hour to go. Just the right amount of time to finish off my bread rolls. The dough had proved well in the time I took to shower. I pulled on my apron and finished off separating the dough into rolls and I put them into the oven to finish baking.
I cleaned the kitchen tops and swept up the little flower that had fallen on the floor. I carried plates and bowls out to put on the blanket ready for serving. I'd bring the casserole out in its dish and place it on top of the ceramic heat protector once it was fully cooked.
Soon the house was filled with the delicious scent of casserole and fresh bread, my mouth was already watering. I couldn't wait until Rupert got back so we could eat. Once the bread rolls were done I put them onto a plate and left them to keep warm until it was six o'clock. I carried the rolls in first and went back to the kitchen to carry the hot casserole pot into the kitchen very carefully. I placed it down in the centre of the blanket and sat down to wait for Rupert.
I didn't wait long. Actually it was more or less as soon as I was sat down that Rupert let himself into the house and he stopped sniffing at the air.
"Something sure smells good." He said, smiling at me.
"You hungry?" I asked.
"Starved." He said, dropping down opposite me.
I scrutinised him for a moment.
"Did you wash your hands before leaving the garage?" I asked.
"Sure did." He said, and held his hands out for inspection, laughing a little.
"Good." I said with a nod before I removed the lid of the casserole. "It's only chicken casserole today, but I thought maybe we should do a big shop together. But we got the basics for now. At least we can have pancakes for breakfast." I rambled on as I served out a portion of casserole for Rupert.
"Breakfast?" He asked, pausing in the middle of accepting the steaming bowl off me.
"Uh-huh." I confirmed and looked down to concentrate on serving my own portion into a bowl.
"Does that mean you've moved in?" He asked.
I nodded my head.
"Guess that means I'm officially moved in too. I'm gonna have to go get the rest of my clothes later." He said and I saw him smile out of the corner of my eye and I met his eyes and smiled back.
"If you'd like to do it after dinner I don't mind helping." I said.
"If you want, but it looks like you've already been busy today, though I don't know where we're going to sleep tonight."
"In our bed." I said, trying to sound cool about it and hoping I succeeded.
"Our bed?" Rupert asked.
"That's the shopping I was doing today." I admitted. "You paid for the house so I had to pay for something and I thought if we at least got a bed to sleep in then we can call it home."
"So you went out to get a bed?"
I nodded.
"Today?"
"Yeah."
"And they already delivered it?"
"That's what I wanted the truck for, so I could bring it back with me. Mam came with me to give her advice and she helped me to put it together." I exclaimed.
"So she's really ok with this?" Rupert asked
"Yeah. She was a little emotional about me finally actually moving out, but I think it's more because I'm the first of her kids to do it." I stipulated.
"Wow this bread is good. I know you've always made your own bread but to eat it this fresh." Rupert said before chewing some then looked thoughtful before he continued, "And I guess it is hard when it's your first kid. I remember what Mom was like when Gabe moved out, but by the time Josh did, I think she was glad because she could see the value in the space. There'll only be Billy and Arri left when I move out so I'm not sure how that's gonna go down."
"I'll still come with you. Maybe she won't cause too much of a scene if I'm there too." I said hopefully.
"Maybe." Rupert said. "Though we could take her some of your casserole and rolls as a peace offering."
"If you think it's a good idea."
"Well it is, but then again, it's so good, I really want a second helping." He said and helped himself.
I giggled and waited until he put the ladle down so I could pour my own second helping.
"You look nice." He said.
"Yeah. I thought I'd dress up because it's a special occasion, and I haven't had a chance in a while. So much has happened." I finished warily.
"Yeah. You think it's gonna be boring now things are more settled?" He posed.
"Nah." I said, and gave him what I hoped was a flirtatious smile. "I'm sure we can make it exciting together."
"You're a smooth talker my Sexy Star." He whispered as he leant closer to me.
"I try to be." I whispered back as I closed the distance and placed my lips to his.
We kissed for a moment before I pulled away.
"Now if you've finished eating we should go get your clothes. Get it out of the way."
"Yeah." He said as he stood up and helped me carry the empty dishes to the kitchen where we put them in the dishwasher to wash while we run our errand.
I hadn't expected to need to put tidy shoes on, so I pulled on my flip-flops so they'd sort of go with my dress.
Rupert took my hand as we stepped out into the warm evening and we strolled over to his house. Rupert rapped on the door then opened it and we strolled in through the kitchen and to the living room.
Rupert's mother Nikki turned to us as we stepped into the room. She held up her hand to stop Rupert before he had chance to open his mouth.
"I know. You're moving in tonight. Well officially moving in tonight I guess since you haven't slept here since the bathroom was in place." Nikki said.
"Um…yeah." Rupert stammered.
"Liza came over for tea and comfort because Seren moving out is making her feel old. Didn't like to point out that the fact I'm older than her mother, it made me feel even older." Nikki joked. "Anyway, since Seren was moving in I figured you'd be moving in today so I asked Billy to get your stuff together. This isn't a throwing you out, but a saving you time so you can get back to enjoying your first night together."
"Thanks Mom." Rupert said and hugged Nikki.
"You're welcome, but you'll have to go up to your old room to get your bag."
Rupert nodded as he stood up before he turned to me.
"I won't be long." He said.
"Ok." I said.
Rupert gave me a smile before he headed for the stairs.
As soon as he was halfway up the stairs Nikki patted the sofa cushion next to her. I sat down obediently.
"You look beautiful." She said as she rearranged my curls a little. "You ready for your first night together?"
"Well we shared a bed down in Wyoming, it's not going to be much different to that." I said with a shrug.
"I don't know. Sharing a hotel room is a little different from sharing a house. It's a big step."
"And one I've been psyching myself up for, for years. It's actually a bit of a relief that it's finally happening. Whatever happens tonight, I think we can safely say it will be my choice because you raised Rupert to be a good guy."
"Good answer." Nikki said with a chuckle. "Smart answer."
"Thanks." I said with a smile.
"I also got you a house warming gift." She said, getting up from the sofa and heading to the little alcove cupboard. "It's not your main one, that'll come later, but just something from me to you."
Nikki came back to me with a big bundle in paper. She placed it in my lap and I unwrapped it as she sat back down. Inside was a blanket, the type I was going to look for to use as a throw, a traditional woven Quileute blanket. The red, ochre, black and white design of a wolf and the ocean was beautiful and would go well with the pale green walls of the bedroom.
"It's beautiful." I whispered.
"I wove it especially for you and I even used a little silver thread. Not exactly traditional, but then I'm not exactly traditional." Nikki said with a wink. "I wanted to get star somewhere into the work and so I thought, star shine."
"Thank you." I said, and gave Nikki a big hug.
"You're welcome." She said and tapped my back.
We broke apart when we heard Rupert coming down the stairs. I bundled the blanket back into the paper and put it under my arm as I stood up.
"Billy actually packed my stuff right." Rupert said, tapping the holdall flung over his shoulder.
"Your brother isn't entirely useless." Nikki said as she stood up.
"Hey!" Billy complained as he came down the stairs behind Rupert.
"How did you know I was talking about you?" Nikki teased.
"I got good hearing Mom." Billy complained.
"Yeah. That doesn't give you the right to eavesdrop."
Billy rolled his eyes.
"Well I guess this is goodbye." Nikki said to us. "Perhaps me and Harry can come visit tomorrow evening, but we'll give you space your first night."
"Thanks Mom." Rupert said a little uncertainly while Billy held back his laughter and I scowled at him because he's a grown man of forty-two. I know he's the youngest boy, but that doesn't mean he should still act like an obnoxious teen.
"See you tomorrow." I said to Nikki.
After some more goodbyes I left with Rupert, hand-in-hand again.
"What's that?" He asked, indicating the bundle under my arm.
"A house warming gift from your mam, but I'll wait till we're home to show you." I said with a grin.
"Oh, really? Nothing embarrassing I hope." He said with a nervous laugh.
"Very." I said. "Well, considering it was your mam who bought it."
"Really?" Rupert asked, sounding doubtful.
"Not really, but I thought I'd tease you a little." I said and laughed.
"You really gonna be teasing me?" Rupert asked as he put his arm around me.
"From time to time." I replied with an unrepentant smile.
"That's my girl." He said in a low husky voice that sent a shivering thrill through my entire body that was amplified when he kissed my lips. It was only a brief peck, but it still shimmered. "Let's get back so you can show me this gift."
"Ok." I said and kissed him back before we headed home again. "I love thinking that."
"Thinking what?"
"That we're heading home. Home. Our home." I said and sighed wistfully as I leant my head against his shoulder.
"That is a good thought." Rupert said as his arm tightened around me and he kissed my temple that sent another wave of pleasure through me. What I wouldn't give to turn to him and kiss him silly, but we should get home first.
We got back to the house and I smiled a little before I said, "So you want to come see the bed and we can put your mother's gift to use?"
"Why not?" Rupert said as he grinned back.
I led him into the bedroom still smiling up at him. He grinned back at me until we stepped into the room, then his eyebrows went up.
"That is a big bed." He said.
"It's a California King. I remembered what you said about your feet sticking over the end. I know it's only an extra two inches more than you get on a normal king size, but you at least got that and I knew we had the room."
"Thanks." Rupert said, and hugged me.
"And now to add your mom's gift." I said as I took it out of the paper again. I shook out the blanket and spread it over the bed.
"Wow." He said.
"Nikki made it."
"Mom is good at the blanket weaving." Rupert observed.
"Yeah." I agreed as I looked at the blanket now it was all spread out properly.
"I'm gonna shower then we can decide what we wanna do. It's still early so maybe we could go for a walk?" Rupert suggested.
"That sounds good." I said, after all, there was a long time before bedtime and we didn't have much in the way of entertainment other than the one thing we could do together to kill time and I wasn't ready to enter into it in this way, I wanted it to be spontaneous and happen naturally and not just because we're bored.
Rupert wasn't long in the shower and he came out of the bathroom drying his hair with a towel.
"I was thinking in the shower that since you're dressed so nicely why don't we head on into Port Angeles and catch a movie?"
"Sounds great." I said.
"Just give me a sec to pull on pants and a shirt and we'll head out."
"Ok. But I'll still wear my flip-flops because I haven't brought any of my dress shoes up yet." I said, pointing to my feet.
"Then I'll go with the jeans." He said.
Five minuets later we were in his truck and heading to Port Angeles. We both had our windows rolled down and I loved the feel of the air on my face. I sighed in deeply as it blew my hair back from my face and cooled me a little because I was starting to feel a little flushed.
"Do you know any movies that are in right now?" Rupert asked.
"No. I haven't paid much attention." I replied. "I guess we'll have to risk it."
"Well if there isn't anything in, the drive together is nice."
"We've just been on an extended road trip." I joked.
"Yeah, but that was a hell of a long journey. This though, is a nice drive. Just me and my girl enjoying the evening together." He said as he reached out and took my hand.
"I'm glad we can finally do it, and also, a drive and a film, I think that counts as a first date." I said a little smugly.
"Yeah. At least it's miles better than Burger King at silly o'clock in the morning." Rupert joked.
"Definitely." I agreed. "How was your day?"
"Pretty good, not much different from normal though. Unless someone drops in some rare classic most days at the garage is the same. But it's steady work so I'm not complaining. How was your day?"
"Good too. I went to buy the bed with Mam and then we went back out to buy the food. It was nice to spend the day with Mam just the two of us, maybe I'll get some time alone with Zoë before I go back to school, but that depends on if she can tear herself away from Mischa for long enough."
"I think you'll find she'll have a window for you now we've finished with the house."
"Yeah." I agreed, giggling.
"Siblings." Rupert said warily.
"Siblings." I agreed and we both laughed.
We fell into a happy silence for the rest of the journey, singing along now and then to songs we knew on the radio.
We had to park a little way from the cinema, but I really didn't mind the walk with my wolf. It was a warm evening, the rain if anything a misty squall in the air that did nothing more than refresh my flushed face as we walked along the sea front toward the cinema.
Considering it was a Thursday night of course it wasn't that busy at the cinema and we were just in time to catch the start of a rom-com that was just starting. It wasn't my usual choice of film, but given that this was our first date I guess it was probably for the best.
It was called Autumn Rose, about two lonely people finding love in later life. Uncle Simon was the male lead and I guessed this was his way of moving onto older roles. He was over fifty after all and he was fed up of being cast in roles he felt should ideally go to men twenty years his junior. He wanted roles he could sink his teeth into. This was rather similar to roles he'd played in the past, but it did have a bitter sweet ending and I think he did well portraying a whole range of emotions that might actually see him considered for much meatier roles. In fact I wish I'd packed tissues with me by the end of the film. I was wiping away the tears with my hands and sniffing uncontrollably as I was secretly glad I didn't have makeup on.
As soon as the film was over I rushed to the toilet to blow my nose and wash my face. I had to pat my face with toilet tissue since there were only hand driers available. I made sure I didn't have any bits of paper on my face before I left the toilet.
Rupert was waiting outside for me.
"You ok?" Rupert asked as he cwtched me into his side as we started walking out of the cinema.
"Yeah." I said, cwtching closer to him. "It was just sad."
"Yeah." Rupert agreed.
"And they advertised it as a Rom-com, it should be a weepy." I complained.
"Warn you ahead of time?" Rupert surmised.
"I would have at least had tissue ready."
"Yeah." Rupert agreed. "I'll make sure I got some next time just in case."
"Thanks." I sniffed and blew my nose again as we stepped outside.
"So where to now? You hungry?" Rupert asked.
"Not really. You?" I asked.
"Nah. I just wanna get home."
"Yeah." I agreed with a smile.
We walked back to the truck and Rupert drove again. It was dark now so the interior of the truck was like our own little world as we moved along the road to home. And it was different in that we'd been to the cinema before, we just didn't count it as a date, we were just friends sharing a movie together, but even then the closer we got to La Push the sadder I'd feel knowing that we'd soon have to say goodnight, but not this time. This time I couldn't wait to get home because it wouldn't mean saying goodnight to my wolf. Well ok it would, but only as we settled down beneath the covers to kiss and maybe a little more if we felt like it.
Finally we arrived home and we strolled into the house together. He turned on the light as we passed the switch and I smiled up at him.
"We're home." I said and gave him a kiss. "I'm going to clean my teeth and then turn in."
"Yeah. It's pretty late now." Rupert agreed.
I nodded and headed to the bathroom. I cleaned my teeth then headed to the bedroom. Rupert was already in his sleep shorts and he kissed me lightly as he passed me to go clean his own teeth. I changed into my nightie and picked up my own dirty clothes as well as Rupert's and carried them to the bathroom. Since he'd left the door open I stepped inside to place the clothes in the hamper.
Rupert smiled at me around his toothbrush and I blew him a kiss before I went back to our bedroom. I pulled the blanket from the bed and folded it and placed it on the floor for tonight, I'd have to get a chair or something else to store the blanket in the night. I got into bed and waited for Rupert.
It wasn't long before the light in the living room was switch off and Rupert appeared in the door to the bedroom. I smiled at him and pulled the covers down on his side of the bed and tapped it. Rupert smiled, closed the door and switched out the light before he crossed to the bed. He bumped into the bottom and I felt the bottom of the bed give before he moved up to the top until he was next to me.
I smiled at him now my night vision had kicked in and I could see him in the darkness of the room. I put my hand to his cheek and kissed him.
"There you are." He said as he reached out for me and his hand found my waist.
"Can't find me in the dark?" I asked.
"It's a little too dark in here for my low light vision."
"Then I guess I'll have to guide you." I said, feeling a little fluttery as I took his hand and guided it up my body.
"I think I got it now." He whispered as his hands glided lightly over my body.
I felt the thrills grow through me and I leant forward until my lips met his. I wrapped my arms around the back of his neck at first to pull myself closer to him, but then I started letting my hands explore his body. I loved the feel of his abs as I traced them, moving my fingers lower until I reached the waistband of his shorts. I moved my hand back up quickly, as much as I was enjoying this snogging session; I wasn't ready, not tonight. I wanted it to be spontaneous, but not tonight.
Rupert took both my hands and pulled away from me to kiss both of them.
"We should sleep now. I run last night so I'm beat." He said and yawned.
"Ok." I said and kissed his cheek. "And thanks."
"I want you to feel comfortable. It can wait." He whispered.
I hugged him, more a platonic hug, like we used to have and he ruffled my hair, just like old times. I laughed a little as I pulled away.
"Let's get some sleep." He said as he lay down on his back and I lay down next to him and lay my head against his shoulder.
He wrapped his arm around me, resting it lightly against my bum, and that actually felt comforting as I ran my hand over his chest until I found a comfortable spot.
"I like this better than how we did it in Wyoming." He said as he pulled the duvet up around us.
"You do?" I asked.
"Yeah. You haven't go your back to me all night." He joked.
I laughed a little and scooted a little closer to him as I closed my eyes.
"Good night my Little Star." He whispered.
"Good night my Shining Wolf." I replied.
Rupert sighed happily as we both settled into sleep.
Thank you for reading
Reviews are welcome
Gemma x