A gleaming ray of sunlight illuminated a small portion of Cody's bedroom. It was a thin and weak light but it was enough to penetrate some of the darkness. The two avid lovers laid quietly in the bed that they had stained with their love and lust. Cody, with his arms wrapped around Bailey, stirred in his sleep. He took in some oxygen that sifted through the atmosphere. The dirty blonde young man woke up as his eyes fluttered open. Cody looked around his surroundings and saw Bailey in his arms. He smiled and then kissed her on the neck. Bailey smiled in her sleep and sweetly murmured his name.

"Cody…."

Cody kissed Bailey's neck again. "Yes, my love?"

Bailey then came to the conscience world and opened her eyes and looked over at Cody.

"Cody?"

"Good morning, Bailey."

"What time is it?"

"I do not know but I also do not care."

"If it's still early in the morning then I want to sleep some more. You can wake me up around ten."

Cody leaned over Bailey's head and looked at the radio clock and saw that it was six thirty in the morning."

"It's six thirty. Do you want to stay up or go back to sleep?"

"There's no work today. Wake me up later, please."

With that, Bailey lazily dropped her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes. Cody stifled a laugh and then kissed Bailey's neck once more. He then rested his chin on her shoulder and took a few strands of her hair in his hand. He played with Bailey's hair and marveled at it and then kissed it. He took a moment to drink in the simplistic beauty that Bailey possessed while asleep. She seemed so calm and at peace with herself when she rested. Cody smelled Bailey's hair and breathed in her natural scent. He could stay with Bailey in the same position forever but life did not function that way. There were responsibilities to uphold and duties to fulfill. Cody knew that the real world was not meant for people lay around in bed all day with their lovers or by themselves. Life had intended for people to stay busy and to grow as human beings. Cody accidentally sighed into Bailey's neck which tickled her and caused her to wake up.

"Cody, what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry, Bailey. I accidentally breathed on your neck."

Bailey shrugged her shoulders and the rolled around in Cody's arms.

"I may as well stay awake."

"Don't for my sake. Go back to sleep. I don't mind waking you up later."

"No, Cody. It's fine. I think I had at least eight hours of sleep anyway."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Great. So, what do you want to do?"

"You promised that we would read a book together."

"I know. And we will read something. But how about we wake up a little more by eating something?"

"Okay."

"Are you hungry?"

"Not really. Maybe we could start out with toast and some water or tea."

"I'll make us to tea and toast. Do you want ginger peach or green?"

"I'll go with green."

"Great. I'll be back."

"Okay."

Cody kissed Bailey on the forehead and then got out of bed. He scavenged for his boxers and then found then within a minute or so. He wiggled into them and then left the bedroom. While Cody went to the kitchen to make toast and tea, Bailey sat up in bed and held the single bed sheet up to her naked body. She looked around to see what she could use to cover herself up. Bailey scrunched the sheet up and wrapped it around her body and then got off the bed. She walked around and found Cody's shirt. She picked it up and then returned to the bed. She allowed the bed sheet to drop from her body and had commenced to put on Cody's white shirt. Once Bailey was satisfied with her temporary covering, she got off the bed and made it. Then she neatly piled up some the clothing items on the floor and then got on the bed. Bailey sat down in the middle and crossed her legs. By the time Bailey sat nicely in the middle of the bed, Cody had returned with a plate of two pieces of toast. He walked over to Bailey and sat next to her. Bailey took a piece of toast before Cody had the chance to put the plate down on the bed.

"Is the tea too hot to bring in?"

"Yes and that I can't carry two mugs and a plate."

Bailey giggled. "I know. I was just checking."

Cody smiled at Bailey and then picked up the other piece of toast and took a bite out of it. Bailey followed his example. Once their moths were clear of food, Bailey took the opportunity to ask Cody a question.

"Cody?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"What will we read?"

"I don't know. What did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking of something that was short."

"Do you want to read something like a fable or tale?"

"Yes! Exactly. How did you know?"

"Lucky guess."

"Do you have anything that we could read from?"

"Hmm…Let me think."

While Cody thought of some books that he had, Bailey quietly munched on her piece of toast. She stared at Cody's thoughtful face as she ate. She loved how his face looked when he was deep in thought. She found Cody's expression to be endearing and cute. Bailey was so involved at admiring Cody's expression that she had not realized how soon she finished eating her toast. Bailey felt her hand to be empty and rationalized that had finished eating her piece of toast. Just as Bailey came to her short revelation, Cody's expression changed and he looked back at Bailey.

"Bailey."

"Yes, Cody?"

"How about we read from The Decameron?"

"Do you have it as a book?"

"Yes."

"And I mean a tangible book, not an electric one."

"Of course."

"Oh. Okay."

"I have a story in mind. Is that okay if I have one picked out for us?"

"That's fine."

"Okay. Just let me get the book."

"Sure, Cody. While you get the book, I'll get our tea."

"Wonderful."

Cody leaned in and pecked Bailey on the lips. He then got off the bed and went out to the living room area to search through some of his book shelves. As Cody hopped off the bed, he stuck his piece of toast in his mouth and chewed on it. The way the toast hung from his mouth was a similar sight of that of a happy puppy that had a bone in his mouth. Once Cody was out of the bedroom, Bailey picked up the plate and get off the bed. She left the bedroom and returned to the kitchen. She placed the plate in the sink and then grabbed the two cups of tea and brought them back to the bedroom. Bailey then had carefully set the cups of tea on the bedside table before she settled down on the bed. Bailey did not have any time to herself as Cody quickly came over and sat at her side with a glossy paperback in his right hand. Bailey glanced over and saw the book.

"The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. A Norton Critical Edition."

Cody looked over at the cups of tea.

"I see you got the tea."

Bailey looked at the cups as well. "Yep. Does it matter which one we pick?"

"Nope. They're both green tea."

"Oh."

Bailey picked up a cup of tea and then handed it over to Cody. He took the cup from Bailey's hands after he had set the book down on the bed for the time being. Cody took a few sips of the hot tea and then carefully placed it on the floor away from his feet. He allowed for his feet to rest on the floor as he picked the book back up. As Bailey picked up the other cup of tea and sipped from it, Cody flipped through the pages until he found the tale. The Decameron typically had a hundred tales by the Norton Critical Edition only had twenty one selected tales that best represented Boccaccio's work. Once Cody found the right page, he scooted back against the pillows and leaned up against the headboard. Bailey placed her tea back down on the bedside table and cuddled close to Cody. She leaned against his shoulder while he slung an arm around her shoulders. Bailey reached up and laced her fingers with Cody's fingers that dangled from her shoulder. She leaned in even more so right when Cody was ready to read the story out loud.

"This story that I will read to you, Bailey, is the ninth story of the fifth day."

"What's it about?"

"It's a love story that has a happy ending but only after a trial of misfortunes."

"It sounds interesting."

"Great. I'll read the summary first."

Bailey then eagerly cuddled even closer to Cody before he went into his story-telling mode. With his sturdy voice that was soothing, Cody cleared his throat.

"Federigo degli Alberighi loves but is not loved. He spends all the money he has in courtship, and he is left with only a falcon which he gives to his lady to eat when she visits his home, for he has nothing else to give her. Learning of this, she changes her mind, takes him for her husband, and makes him rich."

Just as Cody finished reading the summary of the story, Bailey placed a gentle hand over his heart. Cody looked down at Bailey.

"Bailey?"

She looked up at Cody.

"What, Cody?"

"Is everything okay?"

"Of course. Everything is fine. Please, read on."

"Okay."

Cody resumed speaking in his story-telling voice. He read on about Federigo, a young man in Florence who was the son of Messer Filippo Alberighi, was renowned above all other men in Tuscany for his prowess in arms and for his courtliness. It had been said that he fell in love with a beautiful and charming lady named Monna Giovanna. Federigo did many things in hopes to win Monna's affections such as participating in jousts and tournament and organize and give feasts and did it without restraint on how he used his money. But after all his efforts of dazzling Monna, she did not return his affections as she was a virtuous woman who was loyal to her husband. In turn, Federigo lost his money and became poor. Federigo spent his days at his farm in Campi.

As Cody read the story with vigor and warming sensation emit from his mouth and throat, Bailey fell in love with his voice and at the same time, felt sorry for Federigo but reminded herself that he was not real. Bailey paid attention every word Cody relayed to her as he read the story out loud. The story went on and it was found that one day, Monna's husband grew ill and was about to die. He made his last will and made his and Monna's son the heir of his wealth as he was growing older and that if the son could not have an heir himself then Monna would become the heir of the fortune. When Monna's husband died, she mourned over his death and then took her son with her, as part of tradition, to spend a year on one of her possessions that was very close to Federigo's farm. Over time, Monna's son became friends with Federigo and adored his fine falcon. The boy wanted the falcon for his own but knew that he could not take it away from Federigo. One day, the boy grew ill and Monna never ceased to be by his side and tend to him.

At the sound of this sad situation, Bailey shuttered. Cody felt Bailey's slight discomfort and stopped for her sake. He looked at her with compassion swirling in his eyes.

"Bailey what's the matter? Are you sad that the boy is sick?"

Cody gave Bailey a small smile and tightened his grip on her hand and used his arm to bring her so close to him that there was not an inch between their bodies.

"Don't worry, Bailey, I'm sure the story will end fine. But you don't feel comfortable me reading the rest of the story then we can stop."

"No. It's okay. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Please, continue. It is an interesting story."

"Okay. If you say so."

Cody turned his attention back to the story and read on where he left off. Back with the tale, the sick son of Monna requested of her mother that she get the falcon from Federigo as a gift in a hopeful way that he will get better. Monna first thought that she would not dare to attempt to make Federigo from his falcon since she knew how much he has suffered and that the falcon was his only support. She stood up from her son's side and did not answer him. But after a while, she resolved that she would get the bird herself for her son and she told him so that she would get it the following morning. As she promised, Monna parted for morning with another woman as if on a walk and then arrived at Federigo's farm and called for him. He was busy in his orchard but then heard Monna call for him. She asked him to dine with him and he made preparations in a frantic manner as he did not have a lot of money but still wanted to honor Monna with a fitting dinner. He found his flacon to be plump and wrung its neck. He had his servant girl pluck, prepare and put the falcon on a spit to be roasted with care. Later on, when the falcon had been cooked and served for dinner, Monna ate the falcon not knowing what it truly was. Afterwards, she delicately and kindly asked for the falcon to be given to her so that she could give it to her son in hopes that his spirits would be lifted and that he would get better. Monna did try her best to be sensitive with the subject and explain how it feels to a parent who only wants to do what will make their child happy. Federigo, after hearing the request, cried. Monna thought he cried for being sad to depart with his falcon but he actually cried that he could not give her the falcon in the way that she had requested and then explained to Monna what had happened. After her gave her his explanation, he then laid the feathers, feet and beak to her as proof.

Cody paused for a moment. Bailey looked up at him. He turned to see her face.

"Bailey, would you please bend down and give me my cup of tea? I may require some liquid go down my throat before I finish reading this story."

"Of course, Cody."

Bailey removed herself from Cody's embrace and bent down over the bed and picked up the cup of tea that Cody had set down on the floor before he and Bailey had begun reading the story. She came back up and gave Cody the cup of tea. He thanked her and then took a few sips of the warm liquid. He gave the cup back to her and she had set it down on the bedside table next to her cup. Bailey then found her spot against Cody's body again and he slung his arm around her shoulders once more. They linked their fingers together just before and then Cody returned to reading the rest of the story.

Monna, realizing that she would be able to give her son Federigo's falcon, left in grief after thanking him for his honor and for his good will. When she returned to her son, he passed away and few days later. After a period of mourning and bitterness had passed, Monna's brothers had urged her to remarry for she was very rich and still very young. Monna told her brothers that she would rather remain a widow but she was to remarry, she would want to be wed to Federigo. Her brothers laugher at her and thought that she was crazy. But Monna gave them a good reason why she would choose Federigo.

"'My brothers, I am well aware of what you say, but I would rather have a man who needs money than money needs a man.'"

With those words, Monna's brothers stopped teasing her and found Federigo to be of noble birth even if he was poor. They resolved to marry their sister to Federigo degli Alberighi. When Federigo found himself to be the husband of Monna, he was overjoyed and managed his money with much more caution than he did before in the past and he lived happily with Monna for the rest of their lives.

When Cody finished the story, he closed the book and rested it on the bed. He then turned to face Bailey. She looked up at him.

"That was a nice story."

Cody smiled. "I'm glad you liked it."

"I'm glad that you picked it."

Cody kissed Bailey on the forehead.

"Could you please hand me my tea?"

Without saying a word, Bailey gave Cody his cup of tea and then retrieved her own cup. Cody took a few sips of his tea before he returned his attention to Bailey.

"So, Bailey, did I deliver?"

"What do you mean?"

"Have I proven to you that I am capable of feeding your body, soul and mind?"

"Yes. You have."

Bailey then took two quick sips of her tea.

"Bailey?"

"Yes, Cody?"

"Are you comfortable in just my shirt?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Now, let's drink our tea before its gets cold."

"Okay."

For the next few moments, Cody and Bailey finished drinking their teas and then placed the empty cups on the bedside table. Afterwards, they cuddled together. Cody had gentle hand poised on one of Bailey's exposed thighs and slowly rubbed his hand against her naked skin. The motion of his hand was lazy at best. Bailey lifted her head up and gazed at Cody.

"Cody?"

Stopped moving his hand and looked at Bailey.

"Yes?"

Bailey leaned in and captured Cody's lips with her own. Cody leaned into the kiss. Bailey savored the taste and feeling of Cody's sweet lips caressing hers. They broke apart after two minutes.

"Bailey?"

"Yeah, Cody?"

"Do you think that we should get ready for the day so I can take you back to your apartment?"

"Do we have to?"

"I think that we do."

"Fine. But what time is it?"

Cody looked at the time. "It's seven thirty."

"Oh."

"We're going to have to eventually get ready, Bailey. May as well get it over with now."

"Fine."

Bailey got up and scavenged for pieces of clothing to dress up in. She gathered her clothes from the previous night and borrowed some of Cody's clothes. While Bailey got dressed and also get her bag and shawl ready to be carried out with her other clothing items, Cody took care of the cups and washed the dishes in the sink and then got dressed himself. Once Cody and Bailey were both dressed, they appeared to both been wearing skinny jeans, plain white tees and some sort of sweater or sweatshirt. Cody wore a red sweatshirt while Bailey wore a blue sweater. When they were dressed and ready to go, Cody took Bailey back to her apartment.

When they arrived at the apartment, Bailey begged Cody to hang around so that she could change out of his clothes and into her own clothes and then she would return the clothes that she borrowed from him. Cody took his clothes back from Bailey and then pecked her on the lips. He gazed into Bailey's eyes and saw that her ensemble was not that different from her previous one except the outfit consisted of her own clothes.

"So, I guess I'll see you later."

"Yeah."

"We'll see where we are in a month. If we're fine, I'm sure we can stretch it out to six months."

"Will anything significant happen during the next six months?"

"Who knows? It just depends on how we feel and how serious we are."

"Okay. So, when will I see next?"

"You'll probably see me tomorrow in the office. I wish I could come back later to spend time with you, Bails, but I have some paper work to take care of."

"Okay. I understand, Cody."

Bailey leans in a gives Cody a sweet and quick kiss on the cheek. He receives it graciously and then smiles at her.

"Bye, Bailey."

"Goodbye, Cody. See you tomorrow."

Cody waved goodbye to Bailey while holding his clothes and then left the apartment. Bailey watched Cody leave for a little while and then immediately closed and locked the door and took a shower. In the meantime while he walked back to his car, Cody smelled his clothes that had been worn by Bailey. He had sniffed her scent on his clothes and felt a surge of bliss shoot through his body. He loved how smelled after making love with her and he thought she had a slight glow to her earlier that morning even though he was too shy to admit it to Bailey. He wondered how long he and Bailey would last until they would give into their desires again. Cody hoped that they would go by six months without much of any sexual activity. He did love Bailey's body bit he wanted to love her personality even more and have a healthy relationship with her. Cody got inside his car and drove off with the simple thought of looking forward to the next few months of his relationship with Bailey.

To Be Continued…