Chapter VIII
Alex woke up and smiled as she gently slid herself from Bobby's arm, not wanting to disturb him. She tiptoed, naked, to the bathroom. After using the toilet and washing her hands, she spotted Bobby's white undershirt still hanging on the hook behind the door. She had opted the prior night, for reasons of decency, not to wear it when she got out of the shower, but "That doesn't matter now" she laughed to herself and she grabbed it and pulled it over her head.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled as she ran her fingers through her messy hair. She was glowing with happiness and satisfaction.
Alex walked softly, peeking in the bedroom one more time to make sure Bobby was still sleeping. "After that performance last night, he probably needs all the sleep he can get," she joked to herself as she headed for the kitchen to begin preparing breakfast.
X X X
Bobby semi-awoke on Sunday morning with a big stretch and yawn, then settled back into the comfort of his bed. The cobwebs of his sleep and dreams were still clouding his mind.
As he laid there adjusting to daylight he began thinking: "Man, that is the best night of sleep I've gotten in years. I can't believe how different it feels to have had a good rest --I feel so good and relaxed an--an--and those dreams I had were so real...so vivid...wet dreams I bet..." he thought to himself, as he reached his hand down to touch himself for the tell-tale evidence to confirm his supposition. "Whew...I knew it."
He continued laying and thinking, then turned his head --just to check; "No --just dreams --the other side of the bed is empty, as usual."
Something tickled him on his right shoulder and he scratched with his left hand. "Ouch!" The pain roused him another notch toward full consciousness. "Wait a minute...that sunburn is real...oh, that's right, the lake...swimming...Eames' bikini...tattoo..."
His eyelids fluttered as he forced them open. He looked down at his chest, lightly brushing his fingers of the artwork on his chest. Then, something on the floor caught his eye. He squinted and focused. "Eames' bikini!"
He bolted upright as the reality of the previous day and night came rushing back. He sat in bed, surveying the clothes strewn about the room. He smiled. Bobby was just about to get out of bed and search the apartment for her, when Alex appeared in the bedroom doorway.
"Good morning!" she said, smiling and carrying a tray with their breakfast.
Bobby was beaming. Alex had never seen a bigger more genuine smile. He adjusted himself in the bed, piling up the pillows for both of them against the headboard so they could sit and eat comfortably.
Alex joined him on the bed and slid her legs under the sheets as she recited their menu, "Scrambled eggs, sausage, home fries, toast & jelly, coffee and juice."
"We-we could've gone to the diner for breakfast," Bobby offered.
"We go to diners all the time. This is our first, official breakfast in bed together," Alex said.
Bobby noticed that she, too, was beaming with happiness. Bobby leaned over to kiss her. "Thank you. It looks delicious."
"Mmmm," Alex agreed. "Dig in."
Bobby teased her half-way through their meal. "You know, I could get used to this," he chuckled.
"I hope so," Alex said, then gave him a wink.
When they finished eating, Alex reached for the tray to carry it back to the kitchen. Bobby reached and took it from her, then twisted over the side of his bed and set it down on the floor. "I'll carry that back for you --it's heavy," he said.
"Such a gentleman," Alex said. "I guess you DO still respect me in the morning," she teased and smiled.
Bobby's brow furrowed, his head tilted, as he gave her a scolding look. "C-c-mere...th-this is s-serious," he stammered.
He patted the bed next to him and waited for her scoot over into his arms. Alex gladly nestled against him and her hand automatically began stroking his chest. "What's so serious?" she teased. The newfound level of their relationship was going to take her a little getting used to. For years, she'd been hiding her heart from him --keeping him at arm's length with her teasing or wit or sarcasm. But now, they could actually say the things they've been thinking and feeling for each other. Alex was curious --and a little afraid to hear what he had to say. "If he tells me that last night was a mistake, I'm gonna kill him!" she silently vowed.
"I love you," Bobby said softly, then kissed the top of her head.
"I love you, too," Alex answered. "And you sure showed me how much last night," she thought to herself and smiled.
Then she waited.
Silence.
Bobby just continued holding her, kissing her head from time to time and gently stroking her arm.
Finally, curiosity won and she asked, "And? What else did you want to say?"
"Nothing. Just, I love you," he repeated.
"That's it?" She persisted. She never knew Bobby to be so brief.
"Isn't that enough?" he asked, then kissed her again. "It is for me."
X X X
The work week couldn't pass fast enough, as far as Alex and Bobby were concerned. She was anxious to get her matching tattoo and Bobby was anxious to see it on her.
He had called his friend, Johnny, and told him that they'd be heading down to Maryland on Friday night. After checking with Alex, Bobby gladly accepted Johnny's invitation to stay at his place. Johnny also agreed to do Bobby the favor of contacting the same tattoo parlor/artist who'd done Bobby's tattoo and make an appointment for Alex on Saturday.
Thursday night was the only night of the week that Bobby and Alex had slept at their own apartments, alone. Each had to tend to some errands, laundry and packing before heading down to Maryland after work on Friday.
When Bobby's phone rang at 11:30 p.m., he knew it would be Alex.
"Hello?"
"Hey, you in bed yet?" Alex asked.
"Yeah, I just laid down a few minutes ago.
"I'm glad I didn't wake you. I was just calling to say good-night. My bed feels kinda lonely," she confessed.
"Mine, too," Bobby chuckled. "We-we'll make up for it this weekend."
"That's a deal," Alex gladly agreed. "Hey, I have a surprise for you!"
"What is it?"
"Silly, if I tell you now, it won't be a surprise. I'll see you in the morning."
She heard Bobby sigh.
"Bobby?"
"Uh-huh."
"I love you -- g'night."
"G-night, Eames. I love you, too."
Smiling, each hung up their phone -- and got little sleep as they missed being in one another's arms.
X X X
Bobby, with his weekend luggage,stood on the steps outside his apartment on Friday morning, waiting for Alex to pick him up for work.
His face lit up when he saw her pull up -- only blocking the fire hydrant for a few seconds -- as Bobby tossed his bag in the back seat of the brand new, blue, convertible Mustang GT.
"Where'd you get this?" he asked excitedly, still smiling, as he got in the passenger's seat.
"I rented it for the weekend," she bragged. "Don't worry --I'll even let you have a turn driving," she teased and laughed.
Bobby laughed, "I don't know about us, Eames -- tattoos, convertibles -- maybe we're both in the midst of our mid-life crises," he joked.
Alex laughed as she agreed, but kept her next thought to herself, as she still wanted to surprise Bobby on Saturday with her intended piercing. "Yeah, he'll love that," she smiled to herself.
END Chapter VIII
