Without further ado here is chapter 7...
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SMASH!
Chapter 7
Karen's POV
Did I really just ask Derek if I could move in with him? Did he really ask me not to move out? Are we really walking together hand in hand? Am I really doing that whole ask myself questions as if it didn't happen thing? Yeah, I will stop that now! As I look down to where we are walking, hands intertwined I start to feel safe and even loved, something I haven't felt since the beginning of my relationship with Dev. What happened with Dev still hurts but this; what is happening right now would not have happened if it wasn't for Dev, so I suppose in a way I have to thank him.
"Stop it," I hear Derek pull me out of thought.
"Stop what?" I reply sounding slightly perplexed.
"Stop thinking about Dev," he replies looking directly at me.
"Am I really that transparent?" I respond laughing a little as I return his stare, loving how easy this is.
"Well, Love, yes!" he replies giving me his 'Derek tone', I think I really am falling for this man. Maybe – we'll soon see...
"In which case remind me to send him a thank you card!" I reply earning myself a bewildered look from Derek.
"What?" he asks now allowing the muddled look to seep through to his voice.
"Well," I start while turning my gaze to the road ahead, (but I could still feel his gaze firmly on me), "if he didn't break my heart then you would have probably never have told me you love me -" I continue but am interrupted by Derek. "Now I didn't exactly say I love you, I said I understood love," he interjects in mock defence.
"Really? Really Derek? You ask me to not move out before I have moved in and you're saying that, that particular moment in time didn't start it?" I reply in mock annoyance while Derek moves his hand to slip around my waist. Considering its been less than an hour of being an official couple and months of stolen glances, I reckon we're allowed to look a couple out of the movies.
"Yes," he says but unable to maintain a straight face and starts to laugh a hearty laugh, which sets me off, and we are left laughing down the street – for all of five minutes.
"Anyway," I continue once we had both stopped, "if you didn't profess your love for me then we would have never ended up together." I look up at Derek and see a look of slight embarrassment coupled with content.
"That is indeed very true!" he states while holding me closer as if to say, 'back off she's mine!' At this I can't help but to chuckle slightly and I lean my head against his shoulder and ask, "Derek where are we going?"
"You know what Darling, I don't have a clue," he says and again we both start laughing. To others we must seem relatively drunk because we have been laughing for pretty much this entire walk at nothing particularly funny. I am pulled out of thought by Derek's comforting voice saying in a near whisper, "how about we go back to the hotel and see where things lead?" At this I can't help but feel nervous, my stomach starts to do flips and I start to tense. Am I ready for where this is heading? Are we ready for where this is heading?
"Don't worry Darling, I will not make a move," he starts clearly feeling my nervousness. "We can order room service and talk about the arrangements for when we get back to New York, what do you think?" he continues in his comforting British accent.
"Ok that sounds like a plan," I reply my body now relaxing into his hold. We walk the rest of the way in a comfortable silence.
Derek's POV
Well this is an interesting development! I have just been told that I professed my love to Karen-by-Karen, which now that I think about may be what I did. She is walking with me, my arm around her waist and she hasn't flinched. Ok maybe once when I suggested going back to the hotel but I know why that is.
No, that isn't what I was thinking at the time but now that it has been brought up… No no I'm only joking but I don't know how I am going to restrain from sweeping her off her feet and doing exactly that. I mean we are going to be living together; I have only ever had women coming, "sleeping," and then going. I don't even have a guest bed. I suppose she can have my bed and I'll take the couch. Yes, that will work I mean I spend most of my time on that couch working anyway so it won't make much of a difference to me. Wait! She said she has to thank Dev for getting us together, does that mean we are together together. Oh I'm so confused! Then again I don't exactly understand the workings of a woman's mind, so I suppose it is easily understandable – not exactly an excuse but you know what I am using it as my justification!
"Stop it," I hear her harmonious voice repeat what I said earlier.
"Using my phrase against me, are we?" I reply now spinning her round to face me.
"Well I could see the wheels turning, and we can't have you hurting yourself now can we?" she replies sticking her tongue out at me at which I give a look of mock hurt.
"Come on, we should go up," I reply taking her by the hand and into the elevator. Once in the elevator I look down to see she hasn't let go nor have I let go. "So what was I thinking then?" I reply breaking the silence. "Sorry?" was the response I received.
"You said you could see the wheels turning, why were they turning dear Karen?"
"Let's see," she starts placing a finger on her cheek and giving me the classic thinker pose. "You were thinking about how this happened," she started pointing to us. "Then you were already thinking about arrangements back in New York and maybe regretting it slightly," she carries on but the last part she said sounding scared and hurt. I pull her into me and wrap my arms around her waist in an attempt to reassure her.
"Regretting it?" I reply, "I could never and am not regretting asking you to move in with me, on the contrary I was thinking if you were regretting it," to this I receive a gentle kiss on the lips but not like the others that preceded it. No, this was a loving tender kiss; a kiss that said a million words without needing an explanation. Once we broke apart she said, "Do you really think I am regretting it after that?" All I am able to do is shake my head, (it would seem as I have been rendered speechless). In what seemed like seconds the elevator bell went signifying that we had reached my floor. We walked out, with me in front leading the way and Karen following closely behind.
Once we were standing in front of the door, I started to rummage through my pockets in search of the key card. Meanwhile, however, Karen was standing casually behind me muttering the words to – wait for it – 'Touch Me'! Seriously, of all the songs you decide to sing while standing outside a hotel room she chooses, what could have easily been one of, if not the most sexual song in this blasted musical!You know what listening to her could be fun; right? In all of – I don't know – a second, I decided to slow my movements down and see exactly how far she would get before she notices that I have practically come to a standstill. By this point she was coming towards the second verse.
"Dim the lights, take it slow like a dream come true
Cause tonight i'mma show you what to do
So come on turn me
Baby be my Marlon Brando
Take a good snapshot
Get me from my better angle
Cause I like it hot
And you know I love scandal"
At the final line I couldn't help but chuckle slightly and shake my head to which I hear, "what?" Karen had now stopped singing and was looking at me sharing the same smile that I was wearing, along with a confused glint in her eyes.
"It's just that last line," I reply bringing the key card out of my pocket and opening the door. "You don't see it, do you?" I ask after realising it had been a while and she still hadn't responded to my last comment. She was in fact though looking more confused than previously.
"No, if I'm being honest, I don't," she says apologetically while walking towards the end of my bed. I soon follow and sit beside her while thinking about how to phrase my reply.
"Well, when word gets out 'a scandal' would be exactly what we would have to deal with," I reply smiling while waiting for a counter argument.
"Oh, I realise that! I am curious though; exactly which part of us are we referring to here? The moving in together us? Or the relationship us? " she retaliates in a less than subtle teasing tone.
"Don't the two go hand-in-hand?" I ask now looking confused.
"Well, yes and no," she says but my expressions still doesn't change and so she continues on. "Usually when two people move in together they are in a relationship, however, two people can also move in together even if they're not in a relationship. It's just unlikely," she carries on and I nod my head.
"Learn something new every day I suppose," I say.
"Really, you never knew that?" she asks revealing a look of slight surprise.
"Kind of, it's just the last time I moved in with someone I was engaged to them!" i state and instantly regret it but she doesn't seem to be in the least bit fazed by my comment.
"May I ask what happened to her?" She asks tentatively.
"Maybe someday but not tonight," I reply. There was a slightly awkward pause before I bring the conversation back to its origins, "so this is a relationship then, huh?" I ask?
"I don't really know what this is but I can tell you that it will certainly be fun and intriguing finding out!" she responds before letting out a big yawn.
"Tired, Love?" I question smirking.
"Hey, it's 10pm and it has long day," she answers as if she was trying to justify herself. This, however, makes me smile and I am reminded as to why I asked her to move in with me.
"No need for a justification!" I state holding my hands up as if to surrender.
"I should get going then," she says shifting her weight to get up.
"Or," I begin and she turns to face me, "or you could stay the night?" I carry on gently pulling her back so she is sitting once again on the bed.
"Would that not raise suspicion?" she asks cocking an eyebrow up.
"It may but honestly Love; I don't care," I respond my voice turning to a low and husky whisper.
"Well then," she responds while moving up towards the pillows.
"I'll take that as a yes then," I laugh while turning to face her.
"Switch off that light before i change my mind!" She exclaimed before closing her eyes and pulling the duvet over her. I do as she says and no later am I lying beside her. I reach over to my bedside table and turn both our phones on silent because there is no way in hell I am letting anyone ruin this moment! By my movement she stirred slightly but quickly settled back down into what seemed like a deep sleep, either that or she's a better actress than she gives herself credit for.
In those last few minutes before sleep took over, I looked over and saw Marilyn winking at me. To this I smile before falling asleep feeling the most content I have in a while.
