The Mouse I Love-Chapter 6
"There's Central Park. Let's stop there for a minute." Charley said.
Vinnie and Charley were on their way back to Charley's cousin's house. The others decided to let them be alone so Throttle decided to check out the Statue of Liberty. Modo went to give April a lift home.
Charley rode behind Vinnie on his bike like she used to back in Chicago. Her arms were wrapped around him, her body pressing into his. It made him blush. They stopped under a large oak tree and got off.
"Sweetheart, I'm so glad I found you." He said.
She turned to him.
"Why didn't you call, Vinnie? Or write? You've been gone a whole year! I didn't hear from you at all."
The white mouse lowered his head.
"I wanted to. So many times. The Fish Heads had our planet surrounded. We've spent the last few years fighting them. All communication to the outside was monitored. Even delivering mail to family was dangerous. We always had to be sure they didn't intercept any mail we got from them. The worst times were no mail at all. Modo went crazy a lot of times worrying about how his mom, sis, Primer, and Rimfire were. "
Charley felt a pang of guilt. Her three friends had been in the middle of a war. They and their fellow freedom fighters were cut off from any sibilance of normal life. Constant battles, bloodshed, and devastation were the norm. They've seen comrades get killed in front of them and watch neighbors die. And here she was mad because he hadn't gotten back to her!
"Oh, God. Listen to how I sound! Oh, Vin, forgive me." She replied, sadly, "It's just that.. I..I missed you so much."
Before he could say anything, she engulfed him into a big bear hug. He hugged her back and smiled.
"I wish I had gone with you to Mars when you first asked me." She said.
"At the time, I wanted you to come, but now I'm glad you didn't."
She looked surprised and pulled away to glance at him with a puzzled look.
"I would never have been able to forgive myself if anything happened to you." He replied.
He looked at her with a serious look. All joking aside.
"I can take of myself." She said, pointing to herself with her thumb, "I'm no hot house wallflower."
"I know. But a man wants to be able to defend his woman no matter what." He said, "And if I can't protect you..."
He caught himself. He said more than he intended.
"Huh? Are you're saying I'm your woman?" Charley teased.
Vinnie's face got as red as an super ripe tomato. His face was flushed.
"Well, I..." He said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
"I never should've let you go." He said.
"No. I did it. I let fear stop me from being with the one I want to be with."
She put her arms around his neck. He took her in his arms.
"The mouse I love." She said.
Her mouth was inches from his. He dipped his head and pressed his lips against her waiting lips. The kiss was sweet and gentle. She responded by kissing him back with as much passion as she could muster. His bulging muscular arms pressed her against his body.
"Sweetheart...I love you." He murmured.
"I love you, too." She said.
"Well, well. How touching." Said a voice.
Vinnie and Charley pulled out of their kiss and embrace to see none other than Lawrence Limburger and a dozen Foot soldiers surrounding them!