Because I didn't want everyone hating JakeHarrisLover until my update and the fact that I couldn't sleep, I managed to finish Ch14 at about 2am. Hope you like!
King crab season finally ended and went on record as being one of the longest and toughest ever. Even the top producing boats fished well into December. The weary and battled worn crews trickled back into Dutch and then flew out to join their families for the holidays. Mike and Marie flew into Seattle together. Laci was waiting for Mike at the gate and frowned when she saw the two of them walking off the plane together chatting and laughing loudly. Her frown turned into a smile as Mike let out a whoop, dropped his carry-on bag and scooped her up in his arms. After greeting his wife with a mouth-devouring kiss Mike turned back to Marie, "Where's Mr. Romeo Ava?" he asked with a frown. His opinion of his friend's romantic interest dropped a few notches, how could the man not greet her at the airport?
Laci perked up at the mention of a boyfriend, "So you're dating someone?" she asked with unconcealed interest. Marie sighed inwardly, Laci's jealousy had irritated her since she and Mike had started dating. It was completely unfounded. Yes Marie and Mike had dated briefly but that was all they had ever done and even that ended quickly. They had been close, like siblings since. Mike, ever the gentleman went to grab their bags off the conveyor belt. Ava grasped Laci's forearm, "Listen Laci, I know you've never been comfortable with Mike and I but there has never, never been anything between us except friendship."
"Yeah, I've heard that all before," replied Laci in a tone that clearly showed she thought otherwise. "I know you two were a couple years ago."
"A couple?" giggled Marie trying not laugh. "We went out on two dates, and you know Mike, he's a complete gentleman. Hell I'm sure you went farther on your first date than we did on two. Then things on the boat were so weird that we decided to just be friends."
Laci laughed at that, "He can fish the Bering Sea, but when it comes to women, he's chicken shit. He accidentally touched my boob during the movie on our second date, I think he wanted to die on the spot!"
"So can you sheath the fingernails? Your man is safe around me, and the jealous pissed off high school girl routine is getting real old. Neither of us have ever given you reason to think otherwise and its really unfair. And if you can't trust me, shouldn't you at least trust him?"
Laci gave Marie a hard look, "You know what people say…"
"I know people gossip," interrupted Marie. "Frankly most people think a woman couldn't possibly handle the physical demands of the job so therefore I must be screwing the crew to earn my pay."
"That's how you injured the ankle right? Running from stateroom to stateroom servicing…" Laci deadpanned.
Marie's mouth dropped open and she just stared at Laci who erupted in laugher, "What? Can't take a joke?"
"Real funny. You and Mike must be like Comedy Night at the Improv in bed," said Marie wryly.
"Yeah, we're thinking about taking our act on the road. You're right though, neither of you have ever acted like more than friends."
"So no fingernails?"
"No fingernails."
Mike approached with their bags and he and Laci left Marie at the car rental counter. Before they left Laci decided to extend an olive branch. "Hey Ava? Some of my friends and I are going out tomorrow night, do you want to go with us? Girls night out," offered Laci.
"Umm, I appreciate that, but I'm not sure what my plans are with E-Ethan," responded Marie.
"Ethan, so that's the lucky shmucks name, the crew will be very happy to hear that tidbit," quipped Mike.
Marie rolled her eyes, "And I guess you all are going to terrorize Seattle looking up all the Ethans?"
"The idea has merit. We'll have to think about it."
"Maybe next time then Ava," Laci waved then hooked arms with Mike and they strolled out to the parking lot.
Marie made it to her rental car and drove to the hotel room she had reserved. Before they left Seattle she and Edgar had decided that she needed to have a cover story if their ruse was going to continue. After checking in she decided to drive out to Norman's and see his little ones, she had a baby gift to deliver from the Time Bandit crew.
She pulled in and quickly dodged the rain to get to the covered porch. She knocked on the door and a surprised Edgar opened the door, "Wh-what are you doing here?" he whispered nervously. Ava shook the present in her hand, "I came to see the babies!" she said.
Norman came through the hall, "Hey Edgar is that your girlfri…Oh hey it's Ava! What brings you here?"
"I come bearing gifts! Where are the little ones?"
"They're down for a nap, come on in. Karen's in the living room with Mom."
Ava followed Norman through the house. Karen greeted her warmly and thanked her profusely for the gifts.
"Don't thank her yet Karen, you don't know what's in there," joked Edgar.
"Whatever Hansen," Marie shot back.
Karen opened the box to find matching onesies. She held them up for everyone to admire. Both Norman and Edgar expressed their disapproval. The outfits were black with the Time Bandit emblem and the quote "Future Bandit" on the front and a large king crab on the back. Karen cackled with laughter, the elder Mrs. Hansen was less than amused.
"So Ava, you and your boyfriend have big plans for Christmas?" asked Karen.
"I'm not sure. I haven't had a chance to catch up with him yet. But probably not. He's got plans with his family, and we're not ready for the whole 'meet the family' deal."
"That's the same crap we heard from Edgar," huffed Norman.
"Maybe we're both in the same boat…the relationships started over the summer, and we've been on a three month hiatus. Who knows how things will turn out now? You add family and holidays in the mix and that's just gas on the fire."
"Don't you have family of your own to be with dear?" asked Snefried.
Edgar looked at Marie trying to judge her reaction. Family was a sore spot for her. "No, Mrs. Hansen. I don't have any family to speak of," she answered quietly.
"You're going to be all alone on Christmas?" said Norman in disbelief.
Marie shrugged and smiled softly, "Nothing new there. I've spent my Christmases alone since I was eighteen."
All the Hansen's looked at her aghast. Edgar suddenly felt like crap, a prank was one thing, but that the love of his life would be alone on Christmas was unacceptable.
"Um, Ava, M-Mary can't be here for Christmas either, why don't you join us for Christmas?" asked Edgar cautiously.
"No, no, I won't impose," declined Marie.
"You have to!" gushed Karen.
"Absolutely Ava," seconded Norman.
"Well, if you're sure I won't be intruding…" Marie's heart jumped at the chance to be part of a family Christmas celebration again.
"It's settled then," said the matriarch of the family, "I'll call June and Sigurd and tell them they'll have one more guest for dinner."
Marie chatted with the Hansen's for a while, Norman and Karen needled and needled her attempting to learn anything about Mary, Edgar's girlfriend. Finally Marie excused herself claiming jet lag. When she got into the car there was a text from Edgar:
UR place or mine?
UR's. Expecting bro.?
No. Busy. CU ASAP.
Marie swung by the hotel and grabbed most of her stuff. This cat and mouse game was going to be tricky enough, but they were positive that Edgar's brothers would be too busy with their families to intrude too much in their private time. By the time she waded through traffic Edgar was already at his house. She parked her car down the block a bit, no sense in testing fate. She was just about to knock on the door when Edgar whisked it open and pulled her inside. He tugged the bags out of her hands, slammed the door and pushed her against the doorframe in a scorching kiss. They both started ripping clothes off as they stumbled through the foyer. They made it as far as the living room before they collapsed on top of each other.
Much later the two managed to shower and fall into bed. Both Edgar and Marie were still catching up on the sleep they had lost during the season. In the blink of an eye their bodies responded to the solace of a soft bed, and warm lover next to it. With limbs entwined they fell into a deep sleep. So deep in fact that they neither heard Edgar's cell ringing off the hook nor the key letting Sig into his brother's house...