Thanks for the message funkyshaz...... work has been a killer, am typing as fast as I can, sorry it is taking so long.
T.
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As agreed, Joey cooked. It was a simple grilled salmon and salad dinner. With Joey determined to get as much raw, unprocessed food into Belle as possible. While herself and Aiden knocked back a few beers, Joey pressed Belle a fresh juice of apple, pineapple and mint.
As all unplanned, non-fussy nights are, it was exceptionally brilliant. Joey kept herself busy in the kitchen preparing dinner, which allowed Aiden and Belle to snuggle and talk on the sofa. And Aiden, so far, had respected Joey's wishes and hadn't mentioned Charlie again. Although, he knew he would sometime soon in the future.
Belle was extremely touched that Aiden and Joey had rekindled their friendship. She was very aware of the special bond they shared and it eased her own pain knowing Joey would be there for Aiden when she eventually died. Nicole would be there as well Belle knew, however, Belle got the impression Nic was headed for a total melt down of her own. What with her Dad being in jail and the emotional mess of Trey planting the bomb on the school bus, Belle was uncertain how Nic would hold up on her own.
It was over their dinner that the conversation naturally turned to love, friendship and finding 'the one'. Both Belle and Aiden admitting how lucky they were that they had found each other and had been able to work through all the obstacles they had been forced to face along the way. They were blissfully in love and extremely happy all things considered.
They were both looking at each other with their hands clasped and eyes full of love when suddenly Belle remembered a silly game she had played years ago. It had amused her back then and knowing how many beers Joey and Aiden had consumed she believed they were suitably inebriated to enjoy it too. She went to the kitchen returning with three bits of paper and three pens.
"We're going to play a game." She declared, a little short of breath.
Aiden and Joey both looked at each other, neither sure what to expect. They shrugged and each took the paper and pen Belle was holding out for them.
"What's the game?" Joey asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Belle was busy writing on her paper and appeared deep in thought. "Um, just give me a minute. I haven't played this in years. I just need to make sure I get it right." She said without looking up from what she was doing.
Joey and Aiden relaxed into their chairs and drank from their bottles.
"OK, got it." Belle was smiling to herself, pleased she had remembered. "It's really simple." She said as she looked from one to the other. "I will ask you four questions and all you have to do is write down your one word answers. Don't over think things, just write down the first thing that comes to mind. OK?"
[A/N: If you want to play the game, feel free! Hell, if you really want to get in the spirit of it all and your over the legal age, not pregnant, not driving a car or not operating heavy machinery today then have a shot of vodka on me!]
Joey and Aiden were both smiling curiously. "OK." They said in unison.
Belle felt a little thrill run through her, she felt childish and giddy for the first time in a long time, she was enjoying the feeling. "OK. First question." She paused and again quickly looked from one to the other. "And no cheating, don't look at what the other is writing!" She raised her eyebrows and waged her index finger about to emphasize her point. "OK, question one: List your favourite colour and four adjectives to describe that colour."
"That's easy." Joey almost yelled, putting pen to paper straight away. Double checking she had listed the colour and then numbering the four adjectives clearly when she had finished.
Aiden thought for a moment but was soon busy writing himself.
When they had both finished Belle went on. "OK, question two: List your favorite animal and four adjectives to describe it?"
Neither moved for a second. "Don't think about it too much." Belle said. "Just go with your natural response."
They did and soon Belle was on part three.
"OK, for number three, I want you to close your eyes and listen to this story." Belle paused, she looked from one to the other making sure their eyes were closed before she went on. "OK, imagine you are walking through a beautiful, beautiful old forrest. It is a gorgeous hot summers day with not a cloud in the sky. The trees are tall all around you. All the colours are very vibrant, a beautiful blue sky, lush green trees, dark rich soil. There is a very very gentle breeze blowing delicately on your skin. You are all alone on this walk, just you and nature. Suddenly you come into a clearing, you can feel the heat of the sun as it beats down on you, pausing, you look up and see a cascading waterfall and crystal clear rock pool. It looks very beautiful and inviting." Belle briefly pauses before going on to let Aiden and Joey really feel like they were there in the forrest by the waterfall. "Remember, you are all alone. You strip off and dive naked into the water." Belle stops. Aiden and Joey both open their eyes, the image Belle has painted is very clear in their minds. "List four adjectives to describe how you felt diving into the water." She says.
Once again, Joey and Aiden were quick to put pen to paper. They were enjoying the game, the numerous beers they had consumed making them giggle excitedly as their curiosity rose.
"Last one." Belle said when they were again ready to go on. "Again you need to imagine." She paused and let them both clear their heads and close their eyes. She went on, speaking very slowly as she did. "Imagine you are all alone in a tiny tiny room. This room has no windows and no door. There is no light in the room. There is no sound. You are alone. How do you feel?" Again Belle pauses, and hopes the image has been built. Aiden and Joey open their eyes.
"List four adjectives as to how you felt in that room." Belle said quietly as she lay back on the sofa and watched Aiden and Joey both scribble their answers to the last question. She was curious as to what had been written.
[A/N: If you were playing the game, finish your answers before going on.]
Having finished writing Aiden and Joey also lay back on the sofa. Each holding their respective pieces of paper close to their chests, suddenly feeling a little shy. Aiden swigged from his bottle.
Belle can't wipe the smile from her face. "OK. We all need to swap papers so that your actual answers are read out and not changed at the last minute!" She said, somewhat sternly but jokingly.
Belle looked at Joey and took her piece of paper, then gave hers to Aiden and Aiden gave his to Joey. Satisfied they all had someone else's answers Belle went on.
"So we'll do it one question at a time. I'll tell you what your answers mean and then we all have to read them out."
Joey stole a quick glance at the paper she was now holding, a shy nervous giggle escaped softly from her lips. Reaching for her beer, she drank thirstily.
"So, question one, your favorite colour." Belle looked between the two, a twinkle in her eye. "This should represent how you see your personality, what you think of yourself." She looked down at Joey's paper and began to read. "Hm, so Joey's favourite colour is blue, which she describes as cool, calm, flowing and lovely."
They all laughed and agreed it was true. Joey felt embarrassed at the compliment, she felt herself blush. She had never thought of herself as cool, calm, flowing, whatever that meant and lovely definitely wasn't how she would have described herself. To her blue was simply the colour of the ocean on a beautiful day. It was where she always felt the happiest. She particularly loved that point in the distance where the sea collides with the sky and they become one.
Joey read Aiden's next, a smile on her face. "Red." She arched an eyebrow before continuing. "Hot! Fiery! Bright and passionate." She really emphasized each word before finishing with just the right hint of sarcasm. "Mm...., see yourself as bright and passionate, hey?" She eyed Aiden.
There was more laughter, before Belle was quick to voice her very audible agreement to Aiden's passionate side.
"OK, stop! I do not need to know." Joey was holding her hands up, not wanting Belle to go on.
As the laughter died down, Aiden read from Belle's paper. "Black. Hidden, protective, dark and calm." He lent over and kissed his wife softly on the lips. "Definitely protective." He said a cute little grin but sad eyes on his face.
Belle pushed Aiden gently away, keen to get on with the game. "Question two. Your favorite animal." She laughed suddenly, making the other two slightly nervous again. The answers here had always amused her. "Your favorite animal should reveal your ideal partner." She said rather wickedly.
Joey immediately laughed, knowing what she had written, she suddenly thought of Charlie.
Belle looked down at Joey's piece of paper. "Interesting.........., Joey's animal is a cheetah!" Belle eyed Aiden quickly then suddenly all three were laughing. It wasn't mean or nasty, just they all knew about Hugo and Charlie. Belle went on. "Joey's cheetah is spotty, powerful, defined and fast."
Embarrassed, Joey covered her face with Aiden's piece of paper as the other two continued to chuckle softly, she let herself fall back into the sofa, as her blush continued to deepen. She knew what they were thinking and she had to admit the comparison did seem amusing through her beer buzzed mind. She was pleased no-one mentioned Charlie by name.
Aiden made a few bad cheater jokes before reading what Belle had written. "Puppy." He said. "Which Belle has described as cute, droopy-eyed, fluffy and cuddly. Aw, babe is that me?" He asked all too cheekily stretching his arm out and wrapping it around Belle's shoulders, a big grin spread across his face. Belle slapped him playfully across the arm without saying a word. They stole a quick kiss from each other.
"Cute? Really? Are you sure Belle?" Joey added, again with just the right hint of sarcasm. She watched Aiden's mock shock at such a comment before she went on to read his. "Dolphin!" She was surprised at Aiden's favourite animal. "Curious, sleek, intelligent and affectionate." Joey and Aiden both looked at Belle. Both knowing Belle was Aiden's ideal. They were suddenly unable to comprehend that soon she wouldn't be here. Their world felt surreal. Joey watched as Belle reached over and gently stroked Aiden's face, she could see the love that they felt for each other.
Joey got up to fetch two more beers from the kitchen. "OK. What's three?" She said on her way.
"Number three." Belle paused as a smile spread on her face, she had just read Joey's answers. She put on her best deep, husky, sexy voice "The waterfall on a beautiful day." She said.
"What does it mean?" Joey was curious as she sat back on the sofa and handed Aiden a beer. She could remember her response - wet, happy, refreshed and calm. She was looking at Belle for some kind of answer.
"The waterfall scene, reveals your perception of sex and your sexuality." Belle stated, now looking directly at Joey, both girls suddenly burst into laughter.
Aiden was immediately curious, he reached over and snatched the paper from Belle. Reading what Joey had written, he laughed himself as soon as he saw the word wet. However, he also liked the words calm and happy. For some reason he thought of Charlie and Angelo, Aiden doubted Charlie would describe her sexuality as calm and happy.
Looking down at what Belle had written, Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Also wet." He looked from one girl to the next, a knowing smile on his face. "Active, serene and excited." He finished off, looking at Belle as he did.
"So Aiden. How is your sexuality?" Joey cheekily asked before reading his answers. "Energized, happy, peaceful and sleepy." Both girls laughed. Although Joey had never experienced it, she had heard others complain about their men falling asleep after sex. Secretly she thought lesbians got a better deal.
They all spoke animatedly amongst each other at the revelations of question three. Then Aiden cut them off, ready for number four.
Belle stopped laughing, she let herself fall back into the sofa. A flicker of sadness crossing her eyes. Aiden and Joey both noticed and both suddenly felt a little more sober.
"Number four, we'll do a little differently." Belle said in a voice trying to convey high spirits. "We'll each just read what the other has written and then I'll tell you what it means. OK?"
Aiden scooched closer to Belle on the sofa and put his arm reassuringly around her shoulders, he had a sinking feeling what number four would reveal.
With the room feeling a little more somber, Joey looked at Aiden's answers and read in a quite voice. "Scared, claustrophobic, panicked, afraid."
Belle lent her head into Aiden's shoulder, a silent tear falling quietly down her cheek. Wiping it away she read Joey's. "Calm, relaxed, at-ease, peaceful."
Aiden was amazed at how completely opposite Joey's response was to his, but he didn't comment. He simply pulled Belle in close to his chest before reading hers. "Panicked, trapped, calm, relaxed." He read from her paper before looking deep into her eyes. "It represents your feelings of death, doesn't it?" He asked Belle solemnly.
Belle nodded before gently slapping Aiden playfully on the knee. "Come on guys, it's only a game." She said, as cheerily as possible. She didn't want the atmosphere to change, they had all been having so much fun.
Aiden wrapped her in his arms and held her tight. Both silently wondering how long they had left.
Joey watched briefly as they held each other tight. Then leaving them to it she headed to the kitchen, taking the empty beer bottles as she went. Standing drunkenly at the sink Joey was smiling as she thought about her cheetah partner and the fact that she was allegedly happy, calm, refreshed and wet with regards to her sexuality. It had been a lighthearted game and a fun night.
Twenty minutes later, having done the dishes and tidied the kitchen, now officially tidier then when she had arrived, Joey left Aiden and Belle's. Belle was tired and Joey didn't want to out stay her welcome. She knew their time together was precious. She said her good nights and thanked them for a wonderful evening. Planting a kiss on each cheek before she disappeared into the night, refusing Aiden's offer a lift and opting to walk instead.
Aiden's question of her love for Charlie, earlier that afternoon, had been playing on Joey's mind. She had tried to ignore it, but it had slowly worked its way into her conscience. Now after the game and the several beers she had consumed, the question was consuming her.
As she left Belle and Aiden, Joey knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. She headed to the beach with a burning desire to hear the crashing ocean and to taste the salt air. She needed to clear her head.
Fifteen minuets later, Joey lay on a table, cast in shadows, not far from the Surf Club. Her hands were behind her head and her feet planted near her bum so her knees were in the air. She was deep in thought, her eyes fixated on the stars and the branches above her head. The sound of the nearby dumping waves and some distant laughter from the surf club were her only distractions. Her mind was full of Charlie and she wondered how Charlie felt about her now.
