Saturday and Sunday proved to be a love fest of sorts. Other than needing to use the bathroom and something to eat occasionally, Anthony and Edith never left the bed. They talked endlessly about their childhoods, education, families, travels, everything that made them who they were. Edith, snuggled against Anthony, told him about Graham, and how, after he had died, she had found herself again, in a small sleepy, little town. She explained how she had started writing her column and she how she and Thomas had started the foundation with the money Graham had left her. She chose not to mention her failed relationship with Gus Glassheen. While it had haunted her for almost two years, it had suddenly been burned away in the love and passion she felt for Anthony. Never in her life did she feel that anything was so right.
As the weekend wore on, Anthony discovered a part of him that he never dreamed existed before. In his wildest dreams he never thought a woman would want to be with him the way Edith did. He had always enjoyed sex, but with Edith the experience was more than he had ever hoped it could be. The way she responded to him, the way she kissed him and ran her fingers through his hair; the way she touched him. And she wanted him. Throughout the weekend he had been awakened softly by her kissing his cheek, ears, mouth, and that was enough to arouse him and love her again. But the one thing that surprised him the most was his ability to perform. At forty-eight, many men needed prescription help in getting an arousal, but Anthony's blood flow was just fine. Hopefully, the way he loved this woman would be just the prescription he would always need.
As twilight settled on Broderick Street on Sunday afternoon, Anthony suddenly felt a change in Edith. She had made a small dinner for them and while she was cleaning up the dishes, Anthony had the urge to hold her again. Pulling her to him and kissing her, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him tightly to her. He felt her body tense, her grip on him fierce and strong.
"My darling, what's wrong? You're shaking," he asked through a voice filled with concern. "It's cold in here, let's go back to bed where we belong. It's warm in there."
"Is it where we belong?" she asked looking up at him.
Edith was voicing what had been running through Anthony's head all weekend. He had left for about two hours on Saturday to go home and get some clothes. He kiddingly told her that he couldn't go to work on Monday in his tuxedo. He had brought enough clothes, casual and professional ,to last about a week. He wasn't sure if he would stay that long, but he wanted to be prepared. The fact was that Anthony didn't want to leave her – ever. He knew what he wanted and that was to live with her, be with her morning and night. Had they moved too fast? Did she want him with her on an everyday basis?
"Yes, it is as far as I am concerned," he answered her pressing a kiss to her temple. It's my favorite place in the house," he murmured.
Once back in bed, pressed against each other again, Anthony felt her relax. With her head on his shoulder , and her arms and legs across his body in a small voice she said, "Would you think me too forward if I told you that I didn't want you to go home, ever. I love you, Anthony. After this weekend, I know that I could never sleep in this bed alone again, and I don't want to."
"Oh Edith, my love, my darling, I don't want to be apart from you either. These last two days have only proven to me how much I love you, want you, need you in my life. If you are asking me if I want to be here with you, then the answer is a most definite yes," he said in that low voice of his that sent tremors through her body.
That was all that Edith Crawley needed to hear. Shifting her body so she could kiss him they made love again but this time it was different for both of them. They had made a commitment to be with each other and that declaration only made this round of loving that much sweeter.
The first Monday in December was windy and cold – colder than normal for San Francisco. They had stayed in bed as long as they could, but Anthony had a 7:30 surgery scheduled so they grudgingly got out of bed about 5:30. While Anthony showered and got ready for work, Edith scrambled to fix him breakfast.
She remembered that he had told her that he liked 3-minute eggs, so by the time he entered the kitchen his egg was done as well as two pieces of toast and coffee.
"My, what have I done to deserve this," he joked as he entered the kitchen, pulling Edith into a kiss before he sat down.
"Well, let's see, just what you have done," she quipped as she sat down opposite him. "You have made a certain woman extremely happy and content. And quite frankly if you didn't have a surgery, I would jump your bones right now."
"Well, you would have to catch me first. I think I would probably run to the rec. room and hide under the covers," he laughed as he finished the last of his toast and coffee.
"The rec. room. You are a very bad man with a wicked sense of humor," she answered as she put her arm around his waist and walked him toward the door.
It was there by the front door that Edith helped him into his coat and handed him her black umbrella. Looking at her standing there in her silk robe, he thought his heart would burst with the love he had for her. Pulling her to him he kissed her long and slow. The eight hours he would be apart from her would be torture. Thank God his work kept him busy.
"I will call you later this morning, after surgery, just to check in with you," he smiled as he opened the door. "I don't want to leave you. You know that, don't you?" he added.
"I know darling, I don't want you go either," she said as she kissed him again. "I'll be here when you get back. Now, be a good little boy and go play with the other doctors before I forget myself and call you in sick."
Anthony turned and headed down the stairs, but before he got to the bottom, he turned and sprinted back up. Edith didn't have time to react as he had her back in his arms kissing her again. "I love you," he said to her. "Never doubt for one moment the love I have for you. You are everything to me," and with that he turned and left.
Edith was in a state of euphoria. She showered and looked at the clock on the counter. She dressed and did her hair and makeup and looked at the clock again. By 6:30 she had changed the sheets, straightened the bedroom and cleaned up the kitchen. Looking at the kitchen clock she knew that he was just heading into surgery. This was going to be a long day. At 8:00 she called the office and told them to tell Michael that she wasn't going to be in today. She had enough columns written that she could afford to take one day off. For lack of a better word, she was "antsy". She dusted and cleaned a house that was already clean. She tried to sit and read one of her new magazines, but couldn't concentrate. What was wrong with her, she had never been like this before.
She walked back into the bedroom and fell on the bed. Kicking off her shoes, she pulled the comforter over her and snuggled into the pillow that he had used. She knew what she wanted, she wanted him. She wanted him in bed with her now, kissing her, petting her, and finally loving her and releasing this built up pressure in her. She would have to get a grip on herself. But as she closed her eyes for a little nap, she wondered if he might be thinking the same thing.
It was a good thing that the surgery was a small one and all that Anthony had to do was observe one of his interns. It was all he could do to concentrate on what was going on. When the surgery was complete he pulled out his cell phone and called her. He had to hear her voice.
"Hello, darling," she answered. Looking at the clock she saw that it was 10:00. Damn, time was moving slow.
"Just wanted to hear your voice," he said. I feel like I have been away from you for days."
"I know, it feels the same for me."
"I haven't had a chance to look at my schedule yet, but Mondays are usually fairly light. I'll try to be home around 5:30. I thought we could get a bite to eat and maybe do some Christmas shopping."
"I'd like that. Seems I shopped with you before," she teased.
"Yes, he answered laughing. "And it was an experience that changed my life. Well, I'm almost at the office and Mazie and the girls look busy. I love you darling, see you later."
"I love you too, Anthony. Have a good day ."
As Anthony approached his office he motioned for Mazie to follow him.
"Mazie, what's my schedule like today. I would like to leave the hospital about 3:30 if possible. I have someplace I need to go."
Maxie brushed past him and pulled up his schedule. "Nothing here that can't be re-arranged," she said looking at him over her glasses.
"Good," he said as he walked to the office door and closed it. "Now, I need your help."