Chapter Twelve
I woke up feeling better than I had in weeks, I realized that the last time that I had slept completely through the night was the last time that I had slept in this room over a year and a half ago. I looked around, but I didn't see Todd and I wondered where he was.
I stretched my arms and began to get out of bed when Todd came in through the door carrying a tray with pancakes, bacon, eggs and toast on it. "What's that?" I asked
"It's breakfast in bed, of course, how did you sleep?"
"I slept well, how about you?"
"It was a good night." He said as he handed me a plate and then he slid into the bed beside me. "Do you have to go to work today?" he asked.
"No I took a couple of days off, why?"
"That's good, I wouldn't want your work to interfere with the plans I have for today."
"What plans?"
"It's a surprise, now be quiet and eat your breakfast. My driver will be here in fifteen minutes and I don't want you to leave hungry."
"What do you have planned Mr. Manning?"
"You'll see. Eat up," he said as he put his toast in my mouth to keep me quiet.
We ate breakfast together and then Eddie, Todd's chauffer showed up. "What are you going to be doing today?" I asked.
"I have to go to the office for a little bit, but I will see you later," Todd said as he leaned down and gave me a kiss on my cheek, "have a good day."
I got in the limo and Eddie drove me to the Llanview country club where it didn't take me long to figure out that Todd had booked me for a massage, manicure, and a facial. I felt so pampered; this was just the thing that I needed. I had been so stressed lately that it was good to take time just for me. I fell asleep while the masseuse went to work untwisting the knots that had been building in my upper back. After my massage I went in for my facial and manicure. I was gathering up my things to get ready to leave when the receptionist came in carrying a box. "This is for you," she said. I opened up the box and there was a red dress inside with a tiny note with "wear me tonight" written on it. I smiled as I pulled the dress out of the box. I felt like Cinderella getting all dressed up for a fancy ball.
Eddie drove me to the Llanview Airport, where Todd was waiting outside the terminal. My curiosity was piqued. Was he planning a trip? Eddie got out of the limo and opened up my door for me. Todd came and grabbed my hand to help me out of the car. "You look amazing," Todd said as he looked me up and down.
"Thanks to you."
"No, you always look amazing."
"You didn't need to go to so much trouble."
Todd smiled, "for you, it's no trouble at all."
"Why are we here?" I asked my curiosity getting the best of me.
"We're going to take a little flight," Todd said.
I put my hand into his and we walked to his private plane and boarded it.
Once we were up in the air I turned to Todd, "now can you tell me where we are going?"
"Has anyone ever told you that you are impatient?"
"Don't change the subject."
"We're going to New York."
When we got to New York Todd took me to "The Village Tratorria." They had the best Italian food. It was exquisite. Afterwards we went to the Ambassador Theatre and watched "Chicago." During intermission I looked over at Todd, his eyes were lit up, he genuinely seemed happy. I squeezed his hand, "In case I didn't mention it, I've had a great time today. You spoil me."
"Your smile has made it all worth it. Besides, I'm just finally treating you the way that you deserve." The lights were dimming and I knew that the show was about to start again.
After the show we headed back to Llanview and back to Todd's house. "Did you have fun?" Todd asked as he opened up the front door.
"It was a great night. I wouldn't change a thing except…"
"Except what?" Todd asked as a concerned look appeared on his face.
"You never danced with me."
Todd laughed. "I can fix that," he said as he turned on some music. Todd put his hands on my waist as I put my arms around his neck and we slow danced. We were moving closer and closer together. Todd leaned his head in and we were so close to kissing, but I pulled away at the last minute as I could feel the memories and feelings of Spring Fling pressing down on me. The music ended and I pulled away, "I better get going, it's getting late," I said as I headed for the door.
"Don't go. I need you; will you sleep with me tonight?"Todd asked.
Todd's voice sounded so vulnerable, and a part of me wanted to be with Todd, to make love to him, but I couldn't. I wasn't ready and I didn't know if I ever would be. Would I ever be able to get close to him without the hurt, anger, pain and frustration being present as well? I didn't want to hurt Todd, but he needed to know that I wasn't ready to be intimate with him. "I can't sleep with you Todd, I love you, but I can't love you in that way."
Todd looked at me quizzically for a moment as if he didn't know what I was talking about, then he stepped back, cleared his throat as if he could clear the tension that had been building with that gesture. "I know that you're not ready to make love. I just want to be with you like we were last tonight. Just sleep. I promise."
"What if I'm never ready?"
"I don't care about that. I just want to spend time with you and to love you in whatever way you let me," Todd said as he cautiously reached for my hand.
"I'm sorry. I just…"
"Don't apologize to me, Marty, don't ever apologize to me, if your not comfortable here then you should go. I'm the one that should apologize for making assumptions, it's just that last night was so great, I don't want to lose that."
"I want to spend the night in your arms, like last night."
"Are you sure? You wouldn't be uncomfortable."
"If I am, you'll be the first to know it."
Todd and I went upstairs, he gave me a t-shirt and some of his sweats to borrow for the night. I grabbed the clothes and headed to the bathroom to change. When I came out, Todd was laying in the bed. I climbed in and got comfortable with all of the negative feelings and unwanted memories dissipating. It was the strangest thing that I would feel comfortable lying in bed next to him, but it felt natural to me, like an old routine that I was settling back into. Todd wrapped his arms around me and it wasn't long before I had fallen asleep.
