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Chapter 7: People and Mimosas

When Lucy woke the next morning, she was wrapped in soft white sheets, the remnants of sweat, and John's arms. She felt just like she did when she was a girl on Christmas morning, so eager to turn and see the present that was currently sleeping next to her. But she didn't turn to see him. Instead, she laid perfectly still, not wanting to wake him for fear that if he woke, the magical spell that came over them both the night before would be gone forever. So, she watched out the hotel room window as several birds landed on and flew off the balcony. Eventually, the sun shone into the room just enough to wake up her guest.

John smiled as he woke, the smell of Lucy's hair was a pleasant way to wake up he thought. He moved his arms tighter around her waist, letting her know that he was awake. She turned to meet his eyes with a quiet smile. "Good Morning." John said as he smiled and pulled her closer.

"Good Morning." Lucy replied. "How are you feeling this morning?" She asked as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Great, really great." John answered with a knowing smile. "Maybe a little tired…you really did a number on me last night, who knew you were so demanding after midnight…Ouch!" John exclaimed as he began to tickle Lucy in response to her playful shove.

"If I remember right, you were the demanding one last night, but unlike you I still have a little energy left." Lucy declared as she rolled on top of John and took control of his arms pinning them to his sides.

"Okay, you have my attention." John said as he relaxed and let Lucy take control of the situation.

"Do I?"

"Yes…you have my attention Lucy." John whispered as if it was a secret that only they knew.

Lucy gave a knowing smile and bent down to kiss her guest. She began to slowly work her way down his neck, to his long torso, her lips had just about reached their southern destination when John's cell phone began to ring.

John shot out of bed. "Lucy, what time is it? I was supposed to be at County by 8 AM."

John and Lucy scrambled to find his cell phone in the crumbled pile of clothing and sheets from the night before. Finally, Lucy picked up the phone and tossed it to John.

"Umm Hmm. Hello." John sheepishly smiled at Lucy as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck. Lucy crawled back into bed and snuggled deep in the covers. "Yes, Dr. Weaver, I over slept. I will be in as soon as possible. Yes, I understand. It won't happen again." John hung up the phone and sat next to Lucy on the bed.

"How did we sleep this late John, its nearly 10?" Lucy asked.

"I guess we were really comfortable, I know I was." John replied as he leaned in to kiss Lucy.

"Me too. I'm sorry you have to leave." Lucy said while placing her head on John's shoulder.

"I was sort of hoping we could have breakfast or something. I feel bad rushing off like this." John was interrupted.

"Don't worry, I know the demands of the hospital too, I know you have to go. I understand." Lucy replied bravely. "Besides, I was planning on having a brunch with some of the other members of the wedding party. This hotel is supposed to have a great breakfast buffet, you should grab something on your way out." Lucy said as she got out of the bed and straightened her clothes.

Lucy walked John to the door, fully aware that the magic from last night was gone with the ringing of the phone, reminding them both of the obligations they held and the wedge that would always drive them apart. Both seemed sad to say goodbye to each other.

"I guess I'll see you around." Lucy said standing in the doorway.

John had turned to go when he stopped and turned around. "I'm not leaving like this. Don't brush me off. Listen, I am in a hurry so I'm going to say this the best way I can. Last night was not some one-night stand for me. Was it for you? Because I don't think it was. I don't want… this… to be it. I want to see you again. Tonight, if possible." John let out a sigh as if he had been holding on to the words all morning.

"Okay…come by the restaurant, I'm off at 11 tonight." She replied with a smile. "I don't want last night to be a one-time fling either."

"I didn't think so." John said as he wrapped his arms around Lucy pulling her up for a breathtaking kiss that pinned her against the hotel door.

"That being said… you are ridiculously late for work. Go, I'll see you tonight." Lucy smiled as she pushed John from her and down the hallway.

John was rushing out of the hotel lobby when he remembered that Lucy said there was a breakfast buffet there. He knew he wouldn't have time to stop on his way to work and he knew not to dare ask Kerry for a lunch break. So, he thought he would stop by and grab something to go. As soon as he walked in he regretted his decision. For there she sat, surrounded by her friends, who John hated, and who now hated John. Roxanne.

It was too late to detour when he saw her, he knew she had seen him too. John kept his head down and headed for the coffee station.

"What are you doing here?" Roxanne asked as she approached John, who by this time had his hands full of coffee, bagels, and cream cheese packets.

"Just grabbing some breakfast and then I'm leaving." John replied.

"It's a free country, you can eat breakfast here. I just find it odd that you would come here knowing that my friends and I brunch here every Sunday. Wait… you're not just getting here. You're just leaving here aren't you." Roxanne smiled and laughed to herself.

"And by the looks of it you weren't here alone last night. Wow, John, didn't take long to get over me I see." Roxanne said as she walked off.

"Good to see you too Roxanne." John smiled and waved as he headed out of the breakfast area. He didn't have the time or energy to put up a fight with her today. He didn't want to fight today. He was genuinely happy and all smiles as he headed to the hospital, still dressed in his now crumpled blue suit from the night before. He finally felt that crazy youthful passion for someone that he'd been longing for. He was glad he had told Lucy how he felt about her. He felt as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders now that she knew what he'd been feeling and fighting for so long.

When John left the room, Lucy laid on the bed trying to catch her breath from the events of the last 24 hours. She stared at the ceiling sporting a permanent grin on her face, like she knew a secret that was hers alone. Her thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing.

Lucy rolled excitedly to answer the phone, knowing it was probably her college friends wondering if she was coming to brunch. "Good Morning, Lucy's room."

"Good Morning….you sound chipper today." Stacy, one of Lucy's sorority sisters from college commented.

"Do I? Well….I'm very well rested today I guess." Lucy replied.

"I'm not buying that, but I'll get it out of you after a few mimosas. When are you going to get down here?" Stacy asked.

"Just let me change and pack up somethings and I will be down there soon." Lucy answered.

With that Lucy began to pack up her bags, throw on some jeans, a little make-up, run a brush through her tousled hair, and she was out the door.

It didn't take long for Lucy to find her friends. They were the loud table in the back, a few nursing hangovers, some still in their clothes from last night, but all making noisy conversation and having a great time. Lucy sat her bags down and flopped down next to them.

"So, what is with the ear to ear smile today? Would it have anything to do with the hunk in the suit last night? We saw you two head off after the wedding." Stacy was fishing for information.

"No, No, just got a good night's sleep, that's all." Lucy smiled as she got up from the table and headed towards to fruit bar. She wasn't ready to share John with anyone just yet. She felt exhilarated knowing that they shared a secret that was only theirs. "But I will say, I'm starving." With that, Lucy headed for breakfast.

Lucy was in her own world when a voice from the past took her from her revelry.

"Lucy….Lucy Knight." Lucy looked up and across the fruit bar to the voice calling her name, Roxanne.

"Hello, good to see you again. How are you?" Lucy felt like she'd been hit by a truck. She could feel all the blood sinking from her face. But she faked a smile and prepared for the false pleasantries.

"Well, I was having a great brunch date with my girlfriends until I ran into…well…I obviously don't have to tell you that John was here at the hotel last night. By the looks of it, I'd say he was here with you last night." Roxanne accused.

"Excuse me…John Carter. I'm sorry you had to run into him, I know that must have been awkward, but I haven't the slightest idea what he was doing last night or why he would be here. I haven't even seen him in weeks." Lucy replied with a fake look of concern on her face.

"Sure you don't, just like you weren't fooling around with him all year long behind my back. I should have known you were lying to me that day at the coffee shop, he broke up with me that very afternoon." Roxanne yelled at Lucy catching the attention of Stacy who jumped to Lucy's defense.

"Hey lady, who do you think you are? Stacy questioned.

"Not the future Mrs. Carter thanks to this slut." Roxanne said with arms crossed.

"Wow, Roxanne, I am so sorry you and John didn't work out, but believe me when I say, I did not interfere, and there really is nothing going on between Dr. Carter and I." Lucy defended herself again.

"Okay, then why are YOU here and what were YOU doing last night?" Roxanne asked.

Stacy immediately responded for her friend. "Lady…not that its any of your business, but Lucy was parting with us all last night at our sorority reunion." Stacy paused as she pointed to the table of mimosa drinking, twenty something, females. "In fact, she ended up passing out and sleeping on the bathroom floor of my hotel room last night. So back off."

"Thank you, Stacy, for sharing those embarrassing details with a stranger." Lucy said with a wide smile.

"Anytime." Stacy replied and walked back to her table.

Roxanne stood there in disbelief, embarrassed for accusing Lucy in front of the entire hotel. "I'm sorry Lucy…I saw him this morning, got angry, and jumped to conclusions I guess."

"That's okay Roxanne. I know it can be hard to see an ex. I gotta get back to my table now. It was…good…seeing you again. Take care." Lucy said as she walked away, trying to steady her nerves.

Lucy sat down at the table, feeling every eye in the restaurant on her. "Thank you for the alibi." She whispered to Stacy. "Did it have to be so embarrassing?" She asked.

"Well the more detailed the lie, the more likely someone is to believe it. By the way, when you ready, you owe me all the details, got it." Stacy said.

"Got it." Lucy replied sipping her mimosa with a smile of victory on her face.