iSuffer From Insomnia
Carly was extremely cuddly as she slid into bed with Sam that night. She hugged the blonde around the waist, planting a kiss into her shoulder.
"I'm so proud of you… That was a very grown-up thing you did today…"
Sam flushed. Carly felt her partner's body grow even warmer.
"She's a good kid, Cupcake…"
It took a moment before Carly realized Sam was referring to their daughter's girlfriend. Sam kept flapping her gums.
"It's just… I wanna protect the kiddos from every bad thing that might happen, but I know I can't, and…"
Carly cut Sam off with a kiss.
"You and Shelby'd die trying. They're good kids, Honey. They'll make mistakes – everybody does – but we'll be here to pick them up when they fall. It's not like they're running off to Vegas…"
Sam had clearly gotten distracted.
"Ooooh, Vegas…"
"Focus, Samantha…"
Sam's brain snapped back into focus.
"Sorry, Cupcake… You were saying?"
Carly laughed. Sam knew very well what she was saying. Carly knew what she wanted, even if she had to knock her wife in the head to make her realize.
Carly chose to push the issue. She rolled slightly in bed, until her leg found its way between Sam's.
"Carls! The girls…" she said in a hushed tone.
Carly grinned.
"So what? They're asleep…"
Sam wanted to protest, but Carly did weird things to her – she had since they were teenagers themselves. Sam let herself be led. For a change, Carly was the one in control. Sam didn't want to admit that she liked it, but she absolutely did. She knew she'd been neglecting Carly and her wifely duties, but it hadn't been intentional.
Carly was being aggressive tonight, but Sam managed to return the favor, her lips finding Carly's, albeit somewhat off-center. Sam playfully bit her partner's lower lip.
MEANWHILE, IN THE GUEST BEDROOM…
Melanie Puckett curled up in the guest bed, covers well over her little blonde head. She was babbling into her cell phone in whispers, telling Bridget everything she'd always wanted to, but feared, due to witnesses. She'd loved the little Korean girl very nearly her entire life – ever since they met that day in the park at four years old. Melanie had only truly begun to realize it this past summer, before starting Ridgeway. That day trip to Lake Union had answered a lot of the questions that were swirling around in her head.
He was a very nice boy, someone she'd known forever. They certainly hadn't intended to, but it had just happened, just like Mama's first kiss with Uncle Freddie had 'just happened'. He was a nice boy – polite, funny, and handsome – the son of her parents' friends.
It had all started innocently enough, joking around, acting goofy, and having fun. She was his type. She was smart, funny, and pretty. Hell, both girls were pretty, on account of their twinship, but he appreciated the way she was. He appreciated the fact that she was quiet, shy, and didn't act like one of the boys.
They'd gone for a walk, specifically steering themselves away from the water. They walked hand-in-hand, thinking nothing of it.
She playfully shoved him. He tickled her. They chit-chatted about nothing in particular. It was nice this way. Having basically grown up together, they felt completely at ease with one another. Melanie thought this had to be what her parents felt for Uncle Freddie growing up.
Melanie, having been lulled into an abnormal sense of security, found herself talking candidly with this boy – her old friend David – about love. Not that she'd thought of him in that sense ever in her life, but she trusted him. She found herself feeling sorry for him, plus the fact that he'd never been kissed.
They never said a word about it, but mutually agreed that it was okay. He had kissed her. It was soft, sweet, and gentle – everything he had always been to her. It was warm and comforting.
There was only one problem: There were no fireworks.
Melanie remembered withdrawing, breaking the moment. She was all whipped up at the time, though she didn't have the words to explain why. He was perhaps her oldest friend – She remembered Mommy toting her and Ashley to the hospital to see him days after he was born – but that only went so far. She was a big girl. She didn't cry, but the words came out in a heated, spluttering mess. She sounded very much like a scared little girl.
"David… I… um…whoa. It was really nice, but… I dunno… something was… kinda off…"
He was a wonderful boy. He threw his arm around her slight shoulders, leaned over, and kissed her again, gently on the forehead. He spoke quietly. It made her feel safe.
"It's okay… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…"
"Shush… Just… can we keep this between us?"
Melanie was thankful that he had enough respect for her to not brag. Deep down, there were things she could obviously say she loved about the sweet, if slightly awkward boy. He reminded her so much of Uncle Freddie, it was creepy.
Bridget mumbled on over the phone.
"Honey, you're like a million miles away… Everything okay? I can be there in twenty minutes…"
Melanie laughed.
"No… I'm okay. Just thinking about something…"
Bridget worried. Melanie thought it was adorable.
"No, Cupcake… I'm fine, really…"
The blonde yawned.
"Nighty night, Sweetheart. I love you…"
The couple said goodnight, Melanie cozying up to the pillow, her very favorite stuffed animal from childhood tucked under her arm.
DOWN THE HALL…
Ashley felt uneasy. She was happy and contented, but the thought of a title defense a week from now kept her tossing and turning, hoping against hope to get comfortable. She was all whipped up, but then it happened.
Megan snuggled closer, tucking her head into the space between Ashley's head and shoulder. Sam had allowed the redhead to spend the night on the condition that she stay in the guest room, but Melanie knew that neither she, Ashley, or Megan would get any sleep under that arrangement. They'd switched rooms as soon as they were sure Carly and Sam had retired for the night.
The redhead planted a kiss on Ashley's cheek. Sensing who it was, Ashley Puckett relaxed. She was too tired to worry anymore. She knew it would be okay. She yawned quietly and allowed her eyes to shut, all the while winding bright red hair in her fingers in the darkness.
