Gail easily found Lisa and Rachel, but it was surprisingly difficult to locate one Dr. Stewart.
"Wow, she's like a professional Hide and Seek player. I swear we have searched every nook and cranny" Rachel laughed as they walked down the stairs, a slight air of defeat amongst the three ladies.
"I think she just has decades of extra practice playing here. I think we need to change her surroundings and then see how good she can hide" Gail justified as she followed Rachel.
"Come on Holly, games over. We give up" Lisa called as she stepped off the last step. "Truth be told, I'm seriously questioning my friendship with her. She works with dead people and she can vanish off the face of the earth in thirty seconds. Are we positive she isn't some kind of vampire or something?"
This comment caused Rachel and Gail to laugh out loud as they debated the possibility of Holly being a vampire.
"You can't possibly be considering that" came Holly's voice from behind them causing all three ladies to jump.
"Holly! Where on earth did you come from? You almost gave me a heart attack" Lisa exclaimed. "See…vampire" she said looking back at Rachel and Gail.
"Without a doubt, she must be a vampire!" Gail laughed full heartedly.
"Well, I never hear you complain when I nibble on your neck" Holly said with a smirk before walking into the living room.
Gail quickly stopped her laughing as she turned a brilliant shade of red.
"Okay, guys, my turn to count" Holly said as she took position in the middle of the living room and covered her eyes. "30….29….28…"
"Let's show her how this is done ladies" Gail instructed before taking off upstairs to find a hiding spot in a bedroom closet. She leaned against the wall and slid to the floor. This house was so big, it would take Holly at least a few minutes to open all the closets before she came to Gail's. She laughed out loud at her genius plan.
So confident in her hiding spot, that Gail was just about to close her eyes and take a little rest when the closet door swung open. To Gail, it felt like she had only been hiding for only two seconds and was completely shocked to see Holly standing there smiling down at her. "Hey, how did you find me so fast?" Gail protested as she began to stand up.
"Shhh…don't move" Holly said, stepping into the closet and closing the door behind them. She positioned herself on the floor right beside Gail.
"What are you doing?" Gail asked in a whisper.
"I just thought we could…" Holly began, a twinkle in her eye, before leaning in and capturing Gail's lips with her own. She put her hand behind Gail's head and brought her deeper into the kiss. Gail tilted her head slightly, helping to deepen the kiss as their tongues dueled for dominance.
Gail put her hand on Holly's shoulders, pushing her away slightly. "But how did you find me so fast?"
"You are above the living room. I could hear someone in the closet."
"What if it wasn't me?" Gail asked, leaning in to kiss Holly again.
"Well, then Rachel or Lisa would have had a rather enjoyable Hide and Seek experience" Holly winked, before taking Gail's lips again with hers.
"What?!" Gail exclaimed, pulling back quickly from Holly.
"I'm just kidding. I knew it was you. I could hear you giggle."
"I don't giggle!"
"Oh, but you do" Holly laughed as she pushed forward and seized Gail's lips with her own. She could feel Gail smile into the kiss briefly before wrapping her arms around her, pulling her closer. As the kiss intensified, Gail shift herself so that she was sitting on Holly's lap. She moaned into the kiss, as Holly's hands found their way under her shirt and began caressing her back, pulling her closer. Gail's hands also quickly found their way to Holly's hair and began running through it.
A bang from the floor below brought the women from their passionate bubble. "I suppose I should continue looking for Rachel and Lisa" she said with a laugh, wiping her lips with the back of her hand.
"I suppose it would be a little questionable if you didn't" Gail smiled, sliding off of Holly's lap and beginning to stand up.
"No, stay for a bit. I'll come find you last. Plus you might want to fix your shirt" Holly smiled, pointing to the front of Gail's button up.
Gail looked down to see all the buttons undone, exposing her black lacy bra. "How did you do that?" Gail squeaked, grabbing the two sides of her shirt and pulling them closed as she leaned back against the closet wall.
"Oh, one of my many special abilities" Holly said with a wink as she gave Gail one last quick kiss before sliding out of the closet. Gail couldn't help but smile and shake her head as she began buttoning up her shirt again.
It didn't take Holly long to find Rachel or Lisa and after several more rounds of Hide and Seek, the ladies retired to the living room. Lisa and Rachel were sitting on the couch, while Gail had taken a spot on the floor. She had created a little nest for herself from random blankets and pillows she found during the move. She now had her back leaning against the wall as she watched the two other women chit chat back and forth.
"Gosh, I can't remember the last time I played Hide and Seek" Rachel chuckled as she reclined back on the couch. "That was surprisingly a lot harder than I remember."
Lisa couldn't help but laugh as she nodded her head in agreement. "It is also surprisingly terrifying when you knew that a police officer was looking for you" Lisa laughed full heartedly.
"I don't know about that. Police officer or not, I think it is terrifying knowing that it is Gail searching for you" joked Rachel.
Gail now nodded her head in agreement. "This is what I have been trying to tell you ladies. I am scary, not this nice person you all seem to think I am" smiled Gail.
"Whatever you say, Gail. I think we know the real you" grinned Lisa as she winked at her.
Just then, Holly walked into the room, and over to Gail. Gail automatically opened up her lap for her to sit between her legs. Holly quickly settled between them as Gail wrapped her arms around her waist. Holly let out sigh as she leaned back against Gail, her head resting on Gail's shoulder.
"Comfy?" Gail whispered softly into her ear causing her to shiver.
She turned towards Gail, her lips gently brushing against Gail's cheek. "Very" she whispered back seductively. She couldn't help but smile as she felt Gail shiver and tighten her grip around her.
"So anyone up for Thai food. I know a great little place around the corner that delivers" Holly said, looking back up at Rachel and Lisa.
Right on cue, Gail's stomach grumbled. "I could devour some pad Thai, oh and pad se ew and mango salad and Panang Curry and…"
"We get it, we get it, you're hungry" laughed Lisa. "You guys stay, I'll go order" she said, standing up from the couch. "Do you know the number?" she asked looking down at the comfy love birds.
"The menu is in the top drawer beside the fridge" Holly smiled. She mouthed the word 'thank you' as she nestled further back into Gail.
Lisa just winked before walking to the kitchen.
"Oh, gosh. I would really love some coconut rice. Order some coconut rice!" Gail yelled towards the kitchen. "Do you think she heard me?" Gail asked looking down at Holly.
"I think the whole neighbourhood heard you" laughed Rachel, "but I'll go double check." And with that, Rachel stood up to go find Lisa.
Holly and Gail sat there in silence for a few moments. Holly was enjoying the feel of Gail's breath on her neck and shivered when Gail's fingers found an opening between her jeans and t-shirt. Gail's fingers were now gently caressing the skin below.
Gail could feel Holly take a deep breath as her fingers felt the soft flesh beneath her shirt. She let her fingers glide gently over the olive skin that she has grown to adore.
"I could sit here all night" Holly said softly, leaning further back into Gail.
"I couldn't agree with you more" Gail sighed, pulling Holly closer.
"Thank you for today" Holly voiced softly.
"It was my pleasure" Gail replied, her lips gently grazing Holly's ear. "It was a way better workout than going to the gym. I hate the gym."
"I'm serious though" Holly said, turning around to look directly at Gail. "You were nice to my grandmother, my sister, my niece and now my friends. Thank you." She reached up and cupped Gail's cheek, gently rubbing her thumb along her cheek bone. "You are amazing."
"I know, that's what I keep telling people" Gail smiled, earning a little slap from Holly.
"Learn to take a compliment, Peck" Holly laughed as she settled back down into Gail's arms. Gail just smiled as she pulled her closer. This was something Gail could get used to.
Just then, Gail's phone began to ring. She shifted slightly to retrieve her phone from her pocket. "Peck" she answered. "Yes sir. No problem sir. Twenty minutes. Yes sir" and with that, Gail hung up her phone. "Um…that was Oliver…um…I've…something has come up and we've all been called in."
"Something dangerous?" Holly asked, without looking back, trying very hard to hide her disappointment and worry.
Gail could feel Holly tense up a little. "Well, it's serious enough to call in the whole department. But I promise to be careful" Gail said, pulling Holly tighter into the embrace, not wanting to let go of her yet.
"I…I should probably get going…I…" Gail said softly, her lips vibrating against Holly's ear.
"Don't worry, Gail. I understand" Holly smiled pulling away from Gail. She pushed herself up off of the floor and offered a hand up to Gail, pulling her into a hug.
"I'm sorry" Gail murmured into Holly's neck.
Holly just held her closer for a moment more before releasing her. "Call me when…when…."
"I will definitely call you when I'm done, but I will also try to call you when I can" Gail smiled before leaning in and giving Holly a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Do you want me to drop you off?" Holly asked walking Gail towards the front door.
"No, you stay with Rachel and Lisa. Oliver said Chris is already on his way anyways. I'll just meet him outside."
"Okay, um…thanks again for today" Holly said as they stood beside the door. "Maybe you can come back after and I can really thank you" she said with a wink that caused Gail to blush.
"Well…I…" Gail began.
"It's okay, don't worry Gail, I understand" Holly said disappointedly, dipping her head down.
Gail quickly reached over and gently lifted Holly's chin. "I was just going to say that I would have to borrow your shower first" she said with a smile.
"Oh, okay" Holly grinned. "That can be arranged."
"Okay, good" Gail said as she wrapped her arms around Holly's waist, pulling her in close. Holly quickly threw her arms around Gail's neck and leaned in for a kiss. Before the kiss could be deepened, honking from the driveway drew their attention.
"I guess that is Chris, he's such a gentleman. I should get going" Gail sighed.
"Yup, I guess" Holly said, pulling away, gently running her fingers over her lips.
Gail smiled at her before leaning in for one last quick kiss. She then turned and walked out the door. Holly stood there watching as Gail jumped into Chris' car and they drove away. It really had been a wonderful day with Gail. For once, Gail was letting others see the side that Holly had always known and it truly warmed Holly's heart.
"Hey, where is our little officer?" Lisa asked, walking out of the kitchen to see Holly leaning against the front door.
"She got called in. Looks like it will be just us tonight" Holly said with a shrug.
"Well, had I known, I wouldn't have ordered half the restaurant. Oh, well, more for us" Lisa shrugged. "Let's go watch TV" she said, looping her arm through Holly's. Even though Holly stood there with a smile, Lisa knew her friend and she knew that she was disappointed to end the evening so early with Gail.
Eventually, Holly, Rachel and Lisa settled down in the family room. Lisa had the wine glasses already lined up on the coffee table and was happily filling them up. Holly was leaning back on the couch, getting comfortable. Rachel was flipping through the channels looking for the best, cheesiest, tv movie. She suddenly stopped on the news and brought her hand to her mouth.
"Guys, look at this" she said, pointing towards the TV.
Holly and Lisa looked up to see an emergency announcement scroll across the screen. It read "Live: Hostage situation at local grocery store. 14 hostages remain. 2 dead. 2 police officers shot. Condition unknown."