-1Chapter 25

I woke up early the next morning, having to meet the realtor at nine. I contacted my bank yesterday and had them transfer my funds to the bank I used to use here. Everything was going smoothly; I was standing on the front porch of my new house with the keys in my hand. On my way here I stopped at a furniture store and purchased a bed that was being delivered later in the day. I had packed my stuff and checked out of the hotel that morning. Leaving my suitcases in the hall I locked up and headed to Meredith's to check on the girls.

I enter the house, in the living room there are blankets and pillows everywhere. Four sleeping women on the floor and one on the couch. It made me smile a little to see them all like this, hair wildly matted to their pillows, some were drooling and some were snoring. Empty bottles of Tequila and Whiskey were strewn all over the room, I also see long strips of toilet paper on the furniture for some reason, I'm not sure I want to know why.

Looking at the sleeping form on the couch made me want to crawl in next to her and hold her tightly against me while I listened to every breath. I wanted to smell her hair and kiss the skin of her bare shoulder. I wanted to do it for the rest of my life. Her eyes flutter open and she doesn't jump like I expect her to, she smiles like she knew I would be here, watching her sleep.

"What time is it?" Her voice is soft and sweet, barley above a whisper.

"Almost noon."

"How long have you been here?"

"Just a few minutes, I hope you don't mind."

"No I don't mind at all." She sits up slowly and rubs her hand across the back of her neck, her eyes close as she groans. "My neck is killing me; I should have just crawled to bed. This couch is so uncomfortable."

I take a few quiet steps toward the couch.

"Sit forward."

When she does what I ask I sit behind her, replacing her hands with my own I slowly work the muscles with my thumbs. She moans her approval a bit too loudly.

"Shhh. Don't wake them up." I whisper. She nods her head and I keep massaging her neck and shoulders until she feels relaxed against me.

"Oh god Alex, that felt amazing." She says in a soft voice.

"When I open my eyes you two better have your clothes on!" I hear Lexie giggle at Yang's comment. "How is it fair that we slept on the floor and she got the special treatment?"

"Well all you have to do is ask nicely Yang, take off your pants." I joke.

"You wish!" She snaps back at me as she throws her pillow, hitting me in the head. Laughter erupts throughout the room.

"Alex when did you get here?" Meredith asks me as she stands, tugging up on her loose fitting pajama pants.

"I came as soon as I heard you needed a male stripper." I wink at her.

"You talked to Derek?" She asks me with a hint of embarrassment.

"I saw him last night at Joe's, he told me you were so drunk you were willing to sacrifice his innocence so all your friends could see a naked man dancing around the living room. Did you ever find anyone to take it all off for ya?" I say with a wide smile.

"No, we did get George to come over but he wouldn't strip. He was so scared he locked himself in his old room." Yang says.

"Figures." I say

"Hey, that's my husband you're talking about." Olivia says as she wipes the sleep out of her eyes.

"I need coffee!" Meredith says as she leaves the room, the rest of them follow her in the kitchen leaving Izzie and I alone on the couch.

"Sorry you didn't get to see any naked men last night." I say. "You should've called me; I am always willing to give a private show." I raise my eyebrows and capture my rolled tongue between my teeth.

"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of." She smiles, letting me know that we are still joking in a playful manner, like we always do. I wish I could tell you that I am not serious about what I said but in all honestly if she ever said she wanted to see me naked I would drop my pants faster than I ever had before. I know from past experience, when she says it she means it.

"Are you still coming to the rehearsal tonight?" She asks.

"I will if you want me to."

"I would like that."

"Do you have any plans after?"

"No, not really."

"Good I want to show you something tonight." She lifts her eyebrow. "No, not that. Something bigger, something to put a smile on your face." I can tell by the look she is giving me, she is still taking this wrong. "Not like that, get your mind out of the gutter."

"Sorry. I guess I'm a little frustrated, sexually."

"It's okay, I completely understand." More than you know.

"I gotta go, but I'll see you tonight at the church."

"Okay, thanks for the massage."

"It was my pleasure."