Loving Her Part Two – Up Close

Chapter Five

By the time the two lovers finally emerged from between the sheets it was already two thirty in the afternoon. After showering and dressing, Arthur decided to go out and grab some lunch for the two of them. He poked his head into the bathroom and smiled upon seeing Ari sitting cross-legged on the counter top brushing her teeth. "Ari, honey, I'm going to run out and grab us some lunch, okay?" He chuckled as Ari attempted to talk around her toothbrush. She rolled her eyes at him before simply nodding and looking back into the mirror. "Alright, I'll be back soon."

Lost in his thoughts, Arthur didn't notice the hurried footsteps behind him as he made his way towards the little café just around the corner from their new apartment. He looked up from his shoes as a warm hand slipped into his. Ari was next to him, looking ahead of them as if she had been there the entire time. If it hadn't been for the slight blush in her cheeks from running, he would have thought she had been.

Arthur laughed and brought their joined hands up to kiss her fingers, her new engagement ring brushing his fingers. As they reached their destination, he held the door open for her and took the opportunity to lean down and kiss her cheek. Ari just laughed and made her way up to the counter to order for them. While Ari spoke fluent French to the young girl at the register, he came up behind her and put his arms around her waist.

Moving off to the side to wait for their food, Arthur leaned down once again to whisper in her ear. "You're wearing a dress today. Why is that, special occasion?" he asked, fingering the material of her flowing, light blue summer dress.

She laughed again, in an increasingly good mood. "It was easier to throw on than a pair of skinny jeans. They're hard enough to put on, let alone when you've just gotten out of the shower."

"So no special occasion, then?"

"Oh, you know. Some guys asked me to marry him," she replied shrugging. Arthur could hear the smile in her voice. He laughed as he planted a kiss on her temple, grabbed her hand in one of his and their food in the other, before heading for the door. They walked hand-in-hand, Ari swinging their arms back and forth until they reached the apartment.

Only minutes after returning home, there was a knock at the front door. Ari looked up from where she was setting the table on the balcony for lunch, puzzled. Arthur glanced towards the door, equally as confused. Who could that be? "I'll get it," he said as he made his way towards the door and out of Ari's view. She went back to setting the table until she heard Arthur groan. "What are you doing here?" Ari smiled, setting down the glass she was holding. There was only one person that could make Arthur react that way.

"Eames!" she yelled as she made her way around the corner, past Arthur, throwing her arms around the Forger's neck. He laughed and picked her up off the ground, making her laugh as well.

"Hello, love," he said placing her back on the ground. "See Arthur, your girlfriend is happy to see me." Arthur grumbled as Eames took Ari's arms from around his neck, bringing her hand up to kiss. He stopped short, raising an eyebrow. "I stand corrected," he said, gesturing to the ring on her finger. "And when, darlings, did this happen?"

Ari blushed, but continued smiling. Eames just chuckled, clicking his tongue. "Oh, well it seems Artie Boy has been keeping secrets. Does Cobb know? I didn't even know you were seeing each other."

"That alone is sad, Eames. It appears as though you are losing your touch," Arthur commented, smirking despite himself.

"Oh, ha-ha. Good, you've found a sense of humor. If you hadn't I'd feel increasingly sorry for our dear little architect here. Spending her life married to a stick-in-the-mud like you. Poor girl."

"Alright, alright. That's enough you too," Ari cut in, laughing.

"So, when did it happen, then?" Eames asked again.

"Earlier today," Arthur answered somewhat dryly.

"Oh, so that is why you two were being all lovey-dovey at the café? A little too much PDA if you ask me."

"Wait, you-" he was cut off by the forger.

"Followed you? Yes, of course, darling. I don't just know where your new apartment is."

Arthur opened his mouth to reply but Ari thought it best to cut in before things got a little too out of hand. "Okay, you two. Eames, why don't you come in and stay for lunch."

"Lunch? Ari, love, you realize it's almost four thirty, right? What have you guys been doing all day?" he asked raising an eyebrow, laughing as Ari blushed. "Right, well I think I'd best be going."

"Oh, Eames, come on-"

"No, Ari, it's ok," he smiled down at her. "Today is about you two," he said sincerely. "So I'll just be on my way. Maybe I'll go and find that sexy blonde that works back at the café. What's he name? Bethany? Brittney? Oh, whatever, her name's not important. Keep in touch though, alright?" Ariadne laughed as Eames kissed her cheek. He then clapped a hand on Arthur's shoulder before turning to go. He walked a couple of feet before turning back towards the couple. "I will be expecting a wedding invite though. And if I don't get one, please realize, darlings that Arthur isn't the only one who knows how to do research around here." He winked at them and with that, he was gone.

Arthur closed the door and scrubbed his hand down his face, sighing. "Thank God we got rid of him."

Ari rolled her eyes. "Right, well he's still being invited to the wedding," she said walking back towards the half-set table.

Arthur's head snapped up, eyes wide. "He's what?"

Ari laughed.

Okay, so there it is. Hey, has anyone else noticed that 1) I haven't been getting very many reviews lately and 2) the chapter are getting shorter? Just a thought.

And pshhh, no I am not try to guilt trip you into reviewing. Why would you even think that?

Oh, and by the way that was the end of part two. So, I think I'm going to focus a little bit more on some of my other stories. Unless, of course, I get a massive amount of reviews or something. They're pretty inspiring.

Thanks to those of you who have been reviewing, though. I really appreciate it (:

Love, always,

May