Sorry for the wait. I had some continuity issues. The chapter you are really wanting will be along quickly.


Auggie sat up and turned toward her. "And you are just now telling me?" His tone was calm, though he was obviously alarmed.

Annie slowly sat up and took his hands in hers. "She didn't see me. I just wanted to know how she was."

Auggie sighed. "I can't say I blame you."

"She looked happy."

"That's good."

"I don't want to interrupt her life."

"There's never a good time for something like this." Auggie reasoned.

"Could you look into her schedule and see? She always kept it online."

"Her schedule isn't going to tell you if she's happy."

Annie sighed. "Maybe a time that she doesn't have any appointments the next day or something."

"Yeah. I'll do that in the morning."

"Thank you," Annie said, sincerely.

"Anything else I should know?"

"Nope."

"Then come here." He pulled her toward him and they laid together in each other's arms.

...

Auggie reached over and turned off his alarm. He rested his head on the pillow for a moment, then, without warning, climbed on top of Annie.

"The edge of the bed is that way," Annie mumbled, pushing him back in the direction from which he came.

Auggie kept himself over her. "Nope. I don't get lost that easily. Time to go to the gym."

Annie groaned. "Okay," She said before pushing him again.

This time he easily fell to the side and rolled off the bed onto his feet. He walked to the bathroom while Annie tried to wake up.

"I'm really going to miss the heavy bag from our old gym." Auggie said as they walked toward the fitness center in the hotel.

"We'll find a new gym with the right equipment." Annie assured him. "Or we'll install one in our apartment."

Auggie nodded. "I like that idea. Think they would allow me to install one in my office?"

"I don't know. These West Coast tech companies are pretty progressive."

"Hm." Auggie said, his thoughts wandering. "I wonder if my office walls are glass or not."

"You should probably figure that out before it matters."

Annie and Auggie warmed up on the treadmill then moved to the limited weight selection. One other business traveler came in, but a look at the blind man on the pull bar was enough to cause him to stay on the treadmill.

Auggie was impressive and Annie found herself getting in very little workout as she watched him. She did work up a sweat, which Auggie noticed as they walked back to the room.

"Join me in the shower?" He asked.

"You don't have time." Annie replied.

Auggie felt for his watch, then realized he hadn't worn it to the gym.

"Seven oh five," Annie told him.

"Oh, I don't have time." Auggie said as he moved toward the shower.

...

"So, Friday?" Annie asked over dinner that evening, referencing a text that Auggie sent her mid-morning.

"Danielle has this weekend free. The girls have some soccer games, but Michael's schedule is also free. I made an appointment for a wedding consultation at the hotel on Friday."

"Did you use your real name?"

Auggie scoffed. "Of course not."

"That will put her in a good mood." Annie quipped.

Auggie sighed. "Would you prefer to break into her house unannounced?"

"Maybe."

Auggie shrugged. "I can cancel the appointment. You know her better than I do."

"No, this is fine. I'm just dreading it."

Auggie looked toward Annie and spoke softly. "It's going to be horrible, but we'll get through it."

"That's not really reassuring." Annie replied.

Auggie shrugged. "It's been a long day. Gonna need a more exciting problem for me to put actual energy into it."

"Hm." Annie said. "No energy, huh?" She said as she ran her hand over his leg.

"Maybe some energy." Auggie clarified.

"Energy to come to bed?"

"I actually need to do some work on the computer. Give me an hour? Then I'll join."

...

Thursday came quickly. Annie wanted to buy a new dress, but wore the one from the night Auggie proposed, instead. The Agency and Auggie's new job were paying for a lot of things, but she needed her spending to be realistic.

Auggie put on a crisp shirt and blazer. He waited patiently for Annie to put on her makeup.

"I promise we won't stay long," Annie said. "I just want to talk to the three executives that are hiring. My cover of being fired from the Smithsonian ruined a few of my connections. I need them to see how wholesome I am."

"That dress is hardly wholesome," Auggie replied, remembering when his hands explored the different textures.

"It looks more wholesome than it feels." She explained.

"If you say so."

She smiled. "I'm ready when you are."

Auggie wordlessly got up and walked over to her side. "Lead the way, darling."

Auggie and Annie entered the small warehouse space that had been turned into a gallery and Auggie took a deep breath. "I don't smell patchouli." He said.

"What do you think we are, Portland?" A stranger responded, then walked away.

"Oops," Auggie responded, realizing he was overheard.

"And I was going to use that as my new scent." Annie joked.

Auggie stood a little bit closer, hoping not to be overheard. "What's wrong with your old scent?"

Annie swallowed and put her other hand on Auggie's chest. "I just don't feel like it's… me anymore."

Auggie nodded and gave her a kiss on the top of the head. "The end of an era." He stated in a normal tone. "Now, what's this I hear about a hands-on exhibit?"

"Looks like it starts over here." Annie said, leading Auggie to the end of a long table of sturdy sculptures. She put his hand onto one with various textures and moving pieces. It didn't look interesting, but perhaps it would be better explored by touch. "I'm going to go grab us a drink."

Auggie had no idea what he was feeling, but it gave him a bit to explore. He was trying to determine if he thought it was interesting, or just a pile of crap, when somebody approached and put her hand on his back. "I guess you are the intended audience here." A woman's voice stated.

"Is that so?" Auggie asked in a tone that showed slight irritation, but wasn't rude. He moved away from her touch.

"It's the new trend in art around here. Multi-media, interactive, heck, there's even an artist that has put Braille on his paintings, but I assume you know about that." She motioned toward the cane Auggie was holding.

"Not really," Auggie replied. "I just moved to the area with my fiancé. She's actually the art buff in the relationship."

"Of course," The woman replied. "Well you should have her hunt that exhibit down sometime. It looks like crap, but perhaps for the intended audience, it's something special."

"I'll do that," Auggie replied. He could appreciate whatever the artist who's work he was exploring had done, but it was nothing he could get too excited about. He moved to the next piece that was a little more simple and explored that while he eavesdropped on the couples around him.

A couple of them were talking about him. It was something he was used to, and found pretty interesting at times. He preferred to hear what people were saying about Annie, and got his wish as she walked up.

"Sorry that took so long," She greeted as she pushed a beer into the back of his hand.

"Not a problem. I was just enjoying the art."

"Really?" Annie asked.

Auggie shrugged. "You talk to anybody?"

"Yeah, I met one lady at the bar that I have been wanting to talk to. Glad I did. I don't think I want to work for her." Annie made sure nobody overheard that detail.

"Now now, dear. I'm not going to support you forever." Auggie teased.

"Yes you would."

Auggie nodded. "Yeah. Probably."

They both laughed and leaned into each other. "Let's mingle," Annie said, touching Auggie's arm.

"Lead the way, sweetheart."

Annie led them around the room, targeting each potential employer like an asset. After the third conversation, Auggie pulled her aside.

"Annie, this isn't critical. You aren't running an op on these people. Though you are doing a great job, in that regard."

"I'm just trying to get to know them." Annie responded.

"Are you satisfied?" He asked. "Because as the blind guy at the art show, I'm ready to call it a night."

"One more." Annie said, noticing a man that was standing across the room. "You can wait here if you want. There's a table at your five."

Auggie turned and easily found a chair at the table. He sat back and took a long drink from his beer. He didn't hear anybody approach, so he was slightly startled when a woman's voice spoke.

"Hello there."

Auggie turned toward the voice but didn't speak.

"I'm guessing you aren't the art enthusiast in the relationship." The woman said.

Auggie smiled. "I prefer the ballet."

The woman stared, trying to determine if he was serious. At the long moment of silence, Auggie leaned toward the voice slightly. "That was a joke." He whispered.

"Oh," She laughed. "Sorry, I thought perhaps you just enjoyed the music, or that maybe I misunderstood the cane, or..." She faded as Auggie gave her one of his most charming smiles.

"You got the cane right. I'm here with my fiancé." He motioned in the general direction of the people in the room.

"Yes, I saw the two of you earlier." She said.

Auggie turned toward her and put out his hand. "Auggie Anderson." He said.

"Sheila Shields." She responded shaking his hand.

"Really?"

"Unfortunately."

"What is your connection with this event, Miss Shields?"

"Misses," She corrected.

"My apologies," Auggie replied.

"I'm here with my husband, who is currently chatting it up with your fiancé."

Auggie shrugged. "She's a talker."

"She's looking for a job?"

"Yes, we just moved to the area."

"Where from?" She asked.

"Washington DC," Auggie replied. His instinct was to evade, but that wasn't the life he and Annie planned to have.

"Wow, that's a big move. What brings you out here?"

"My job." Auggie replied.

"Is it that hard out there?"

Auggie looked confused. "I'm a programmer. I had three offers in the Bay area."

"Oh," She replied.

Auggie could tell that she was surprised at this news. It wasn't uncommon for people to be surprised at his employability. He shrugged. "We just needed to get away from DC."

"Well, welcome."

"Thank you," Auggie replied as he heard Annie approaching.

She pulled a chair close to Auggie and patted his leg. "Hi, I'm Annie." She introduced herself to Sheila.

"Shiela Shields." She responded.

"Oh, I think I was talking to your husband!" Annie replied.

"Yes. I was just getting to know your fiancé, as well."

Annie smiled. "Speaking of which, I was going to steal him away for the rest of the evening. Do you mind?"

"Not at all. Great to meet you Auggie."

"Likewise," Auggie responded.

Annie offered him her arm, and they walked out of the building.