A/N – Thanks for your comments! Glad you're enjoying it! I'm trying to have Anthony be Anthony, but at the same time show a little growth. It's tough with him because he is crazy. He did always have moments of clarity though.
Chapter 29 - Camaraderie
Violet sat in her office thinking about Sonny. She couldn't attend the dinner he had planned because of an emergency in the other building with one of her patients. Her phone rang.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"What time do you get off tonight?" Sonny asked.
"Four. Why?"
"Can I send a car for you?"
She closed her eyes. She was really going to do this. "Okay."
Sonny blinked a few times, surprised she agreed. "Oh, great. I'll send Francis."
"I'll see you then."
He smiled. "Bye."
Jumping up, he motioned for Max. "We need to stop at the market. I need to put a pot of sauce on."
Max licked his lips.
"Not for you."
Max pouted. "If there is any leftover, I call it."
"Deal."
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Mid-afternoon, Liz went to Violet's office for their last appointment.
"Come in."
She sat down. Violet seemed a little preoccupied. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Liz gave her a look and Violet grinned. "Who's the doctor here?"
Elizabeth crossed her arms. "I'm waiting."
Violet chuckled. "I have a date tonight and I won't have time to go change. I'm just a little nervous. Okay, I'm a lot nervous."
Liz smiled. It was good to know that Violet was just as skittish as the rest of them. "Well, do I know this person?"
"I can't tell you that," she said looking away.
Liz had a feeling that it was definitely Sonny. "Well, I don't think he'll care about your outfit."
"Elizabeth."
Liz chuckled. "You'll look fine. Most men don't stress over that kind of thing."
"He's not your typical guy."
"Well, if you don't make a big deal, he won't." She knew that Sonny wouldn't care as long as Violet was in his presence. "I'm happy for you."
"Thanks. Enough about me, how are you doing?"
"Wonderful. I'm going home and Jason—let's just say we have been successfully moving forward."
"Great. So, you're okay with the intimacy?"
Liz nodded. "Yes. It's fun and he's a really good kisser. I'm falling in love with him and he feels the same way."
"I know I'm not supposed to get wrapped up in my patients, but I'm so happy for you both. You deserve to find happiness. Elizabeth, you are doing so well."
"I feel so much better and more empowered. I thought coming here was going to break me, but instead I found myself again. I'm not dwelling on what happened. All I can think about is my future and Jason. I think he's the one."
Normally, Violet would dismiss a statement like that from someone so young, but Elizabeth seemed to defy the odds and she was rooting for her. "For your sake, I hope that he is and that he gives you everything that you need."
"He already is and I'm learning how to make him happy too."
"Jason is a pretty simple guy. He doesn't like complicated. It kind of makes things easier when someone doesn't want all the drama."
"True."
"Are you nervous about the trip home?"
"A little bit. It's more about my concern for my family. I just don't want them to get hurt."
Violet nodded. "Well hopefully, it will all go off without a hitch."
They talked for a little while longer and then it was time for her to go.
"If you have any problems coping, you call me and I will be there for you," Violet promised.
Liz hugged her. "Thank you for everything."
She opened the door and then turned to look back. "If it is Sonny that you're seeing, then I think it's great. He's a good man and I can already tell that he adores you."
Violet didn't confirm or deny. "Thank you for saying that."
Elizabeth understood that it was a tricky because she had been Sonny's therapist. She smiled and left, happy that Sonny had a date.
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Nicole pulled Johnny into her room and kissed him passionately. He moaned as they stumbled towards the bed and then sat down as she straddled his lap.
"Where did that come from?" he asked softly.
"I'm going to really miss you."
He kissed the tip of her nose. "I'm going to miss you too."
"Really?"
He nodded. She was so beautiful. Her eyes just melted him. He pulled her closer and kissed her slowly, memorizing her mouth. His hand slid up the back of her shirt, causing Nicole to moan. She moved so she could go under his shirt and ran her hands down his muscular chest. He pulled them apart and ripped his shirt off before claiming her mouth again. Nicole was so hot for him. "I have never wanted anymore more in life," she said against his lips.
"I want you very badly, but not here."
She pouted.
"Trust me, when I get you in my apartment, I'm going to make you scream."
Nicole grinned. "That can go both ways."
"Bring it."
They kissed torridly. The door flew open and Liz screeched to a halt.
"Oh my God—leaving now."
She ran out and they looked at each other and laughed.
"Yeah, maybe this isn't the best place to be intimate," Nicole said leaning her forehead against his.
"Maybe you should go see what she wants."
"Did she look upset?"
"No, just mortified," Johnny said.
Nicole smiled. "I will go in a few minutes. For now, I have some more kissing to do."
"Should I put my shirt back on?"
She looked him up and down. "Not if you want to live."
He chuckled and kissed her again. Yeah, he was definitely going to miss her.
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Carly pulled Liz into her room. "What's wrong?"
"I'm so mortified. I don't know why I didn't knock."
"What happened?"
Liz was bright red. "I walked in on Johnny and Nicole making out."
Carly laughed.
"It's not funny."
"It's very funny. What did they do?"
"I don't know. I ran out of there."
"Were they clothed?" Carly asked.
"Mostly."
"Then no harm no foul."
Liz took a deep breath.
Carly grabbed her hand. "Come on, let's go torture Manny and Jason. I found the Cosmo."
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Nicole and Johnny joined everyone in the rec room.
Carly smirked and Nicole grinned. "Somebody looks awfully happy."
"I'm not that happy," Nicole said.
"Hey," Johnny said.
Carly laughed.
"Well, it's not like this environment is conducive to some good making out."
"I'm so sorry I interrupted," Liz said.
"It's okay sweetie. We hadn't gotten that far."
Johnny made a face and Liz laughed.
"So Johnny, Francis was telling me some very interesting stories about you," Tess said mischievously.
Johnny groaned. "I'm going to kill him."
"You can't kill him. He's my guard," Liz said.
"Do tell," Nicole said.
Johnny looked over at her. "You're supposed to be on my side."
"Trust me, I'd be happy to be on any of your sides," she said looking him up and down playfully.
"Well, let's just say that one night, the people at Jake's got to see most of his sides."
"Really?" Nicole said as her eyes got big.
Johnny put his head down on the table.
"This is going to be good," Manny said gleefully.
"I'll never live this down," Johnny muttered.
Jason grinned. Delores was enjoying the camaraderie.
"You see Johnny, in his drunken glory, challenges some chick to a game of strip poker for money. She totally played him and got him down to his underwear."
Johnny cursed under his breath.
"Her friend stole his clothes and no one would help him. So, he had to do the walk of shame into the parking lot and then into the Towers."
Liz's mouth dropped open. "I would have been so embarrassed."
Johnny's head popped. "Why? You have a great body."
Liz blushed and Jason shot him a look.
"What? Did I lie?"
Nicole snorted and Carly laughed loudly.
"I also have nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, I was drunk. I really didn't care."
"They found his clothes and empty wallet in the garage the next day."
"At least she left my I.D."
Jason shook his head. "I'm glad I didn't see that."
Tess jumped. "Oh, and there was this one time that Francis and Max played a practical joke on him. They snuck into his apartment and played sounds of guns firing while he was sleeping. He jumped out of bed in his underwear, went to grab his gun, but didn't know that they had switched it with a banana. He dropped and rolled and was trying to shoot them with it. He didn't realize it wasn't real until Max fell onto the floor laughing."
Everyone had tears in their eyes.
"That shit wasn't funny. They almost gave me a heart attack," Johnny said.
Tess started to say more and Johnny got up, circling the table.
"One more word and I'm going to pick you up and remove you from the room."
Tess smiled deviously. "There was this one time…."
Johnny ran for her as she screamed for John to help. He was too busy laughing as Johnny picked up Tess and ran out of the room.
Nicole wiped her eyes. "I would pay to see that video."
"Knowing Max, one probably exists," Jason said.
"We have got to ask him," Liz said.
Johnny came back into the room.
"Alright, what did you do with my girl?"
"I was going to throw her in the shower. She's on her bed pouting."
John grabbed her crutches. "I'll get her."
Johnny sat down and everyone started laughing again. "Francis is going to die."
Nicole kissed him on the cheek.
Manny stood. "I think I'll go visit Tess to get some more ammo."
Johnny sighed.
"It was your turn on the chopping block," Jason said.
"When do you get yours?"
Jason smiled.
They hung out for a while and then Liz and Nicole went back to her room. She wanted to spend more time with her friend, knowing it might be awhile before she saw her again.
They were gossiping when the door flew open and a frazzled Violet rushed inside.
"I look horrible."
Liz chuckled and looked at Nicole. "She has a date."
Nicole grinned. "Nice. Let me do my magic." She got up and dragged Violet into the bathroom and put the toilet seat down. "Sit."
Violet sat down and Nicole grabbed a makeup remover pads and wiped it under her eyes. "You don't need a lot of makeup. I'll just touch it up."
Violet slightly smiled. "Thanks."
"Don't even mention it."
Nicole worked quickly and then put some water and product in her hands and then ran her fingers through Violet's hair. "Better. Stand up."
Violet stood.
"I don't like that top. Hold on." She went into her closet and grabbed a green wrap dress. Even though she probably had three inches on Violet, it would still work."
Violet took it from her. "Nicole, I couldn't."
"I'm not wearing it anywhere. That color will look great on you and it will go with your wedges."
"I don't know what to say."
"Thank you will do," Nicole said smiling. "Change, we'll be out here."
They waited for her to come out and definitely approved of the choice. "Nice," Liz said.
"You don't think it's too much cleavage?"
"Nope. It's perfect."
Violet took a deep breath and grabbed her clothes. "Wish me luck."
"You won't need it," Liz said.
"Now, Sonny can have one kiss, but don't give away the farm," Nicole said.
Violet's mouth dropped open.
"I'm serious. He does have those killer dimples. Don't let them effect you. He gets a kiss and then make him work for the rest," Nicole said as Liz grinned.
Violet sighed. "I have broken so many rules since you guys have been here."
"Admit it. Your life has been way more exciting with us band of misfits around."
"That is very true. Thank you girls. I really appreciate it."
They smiled and watched her leave.
"You think she'll cave?" Liz asked.
Nicole chuckled. "He is pretty smooth. He'll have her underwear off by the main course."
"Nicole," Liz said turning red.
Nicole laughed. "I just said that to make you blush. You're so darn cute."
Liz shook her head and then pouted. "I really wish you could come with me."
Nicole hugged her. "I'm not far. If you really need me, you probably can call Violet and she'll let me talk to you."
Liz shook off her emotions. "Where were we?"
Nicole grabbed the Cosmo. "Things that make your man go wild."
Liz smiled and rubbed her hands together. Jason wasn't going to know what hit him and she was going to make him take back his Cosmo hatred.
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Violet stepped out of the car and was shown into the house by Max.
"Would you like some wine?"
"I would love some." She really needed to calm her nerves.
He poured her a glass and then excused himself.
Sonny came out of the kitchen and smiled at the vision before him. "You look beautiful."
She smiled. "Thank you. That's an interesting outfit."
Sonny chuckled as he looked down at his apron. "You'll be thanking me in a few minutes."
"It's smells wonderful."
He walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek. "Have a seat and get comfortable. I'll be right back."
Before he returned to the kitchen, he turned some soft music on and she sunk down into the comfortable couch and sipped her wine. She was definitely starting to relax.
Sonny came out with some bruschetta and she took the little plate and tasted it. "Good."
He smiled and took a bite of his. "I love this stuff."
"What are you cooking?"
"I made some rigatoni."
"Yum."
"It should be out of the oven any minute."
He had way more layers than people probably gave him credit for. "Who taught you how to cook?"
"It was a combination of people and situations. When I was younger, my mom taught me a few things. I liked to hang out with the ladies, so when I had girlfriends, I hung out in the kitchen. That's where I learned to make my secret gravy. Back then, it seemed like I had a lot of Italian girlfriends."
Violet chuckled.
"And then when I came here, I wanted to eat healthier and the guys ate like crap, so I learned more and would cook for them."
"That was really nice."
"Trust me, Max has already claimed the leftovers."
Violet grinned. "He might have to fight me."
"There's more than enough for the both of you."
"You haven't seen me eat."
Sonny flashed her his dimples and Violet bit her lip. Nicole was right. His dimples were definitely dangerous and right now she really wants to dip her tongue…" Like a record scratching, she realized he was calling her name. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"
She was so beautiful that it was hard for him to remember what he had just said. "Um—do you want more wine?"
Looking down at her glass, she sucked in a breath when she realized she finished it already. She really needed to slow her roll. "Um, I'll have some with my dinner."
He took the glass from her and refilled it. A ding pierced the air and he held out his hand and she took it, allowing him to lead her to the table. Sonny dished out some salad and then sat down. "The food just needs to rest for a few minutes."
She nodded and took a bite of the salad. "Delicious."
He is glad that she's enjoying it. "I had a special vinaigrette flown in from Italy."
She wiped her mouth. "It's definitely worth it."
They ate in a comfortable silence and then he grabbed their salad plates and dished out the main course.
She took a sip of her wine. When he sat the plate down, she closed her eyes and breathed in the aroma. "Sinful."
He smiled proudly. "Dig in."
She tasted it and moaned. "Max is going to have to fight me for this."
"I'm glad you like it."
"It's so good."
She finished it and then ate a little more. "I'm stuffed."
He stood up and offered his hand and she let him take hers. He held it as they walked into the living room and then he pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her waist as their eyes locked and they started swaying to the music. They were both totally hot for each other. Sonny twirled her and then pulled her back into his body.
"Is it getting hot in here?" Violet muttered.
Sonny grinned. "As a matter of fact, yes."
