It was getting close to noon, the time of day that the weather starts to
warm up. Amy started getting pretty warm. She was still wrapped in the
blanket in Bruce's arms. The heat woke her up, her movement woke Bruce.
"What happened? The last I remember, I was waiting for you to finish in the bathroom so I could brush my teeth," Amy said in a groggy voice, as she stretched her arms out and tried to get out from under the comforter.
"You fell asleep. I tucked you in." Bruce laid still just watching Amy.
"I'm hot" she whined. Bruce helped her get out of the covers. Amy rolled over to face him once she was free.
"What happened to sleeping apart?" she asked in a sly voice.
"I fell asleep when I tucked you in." Bruce decided to get up and make coffee. As he tried to get out of the bed, Amy yanked him back in.
"Na uh, you're not getting away that easy. How could you fall asleep tucking me in? We have daughters the same age, so I know that you don't fall asleep unless you MEAN to," she said through a huge grin. Bruce rolled to face her when he fell back in the bed.
"Ok You caught me; I wanted to cuddle you one last time. Happy?" Bruce smirked at Amy. She usually irritated him with this behavior but he decided to humor her.
She leaned in to kiss him, he backed away.
"Uhm, didn't you say that you were waiting to brush your teeth when you fell asleep?" Bruce chided her. He was thinking that making out on the bed was a bad idea.
"Yeah... Sorry" Amy had a hurt expression. She turned from him and tried to get up but Bruce yanked her back.
"I'm just messing with you. I don't think it's a good idea to be kissing in bed though," he said as he looked into her eyes. Amy perked up at his explanation.
"You're right on both accounts. I'll just kiss you with my mouth closed." She gave him a peck. He pecked her back. She kissed him again but with a slightly longer kiss, mouth still closed.
"Ok see how you get carried away!" Bruce exclaimed as he turned to get up out of bed.
"Cant blame a girl for trying. Kissing you is my new favorite thing," joked Amy as she also finally rose out of bed. Bruce had walked around to her.
"I kind of like it too..." He grabbed her face gently with his hands and planted a bigger kiss. It wasn't as dangerous away from the bed. Amy wrapped her arms around his waist.
"... but we really should brush our teeth!" he jested. Amy playfully shoved Bruce away from her. They laughed. Bruce let Amy freshen up first while he went looking for breakfast in the kitchen.
From what he could gather, Amy only bought cereal for breakfast. With the time their excursion had taken, it had been 18 hours since their last meal: Cereal wasn't going to cut it.
"Amy?" Amy stumbled into the kitchen.
"You didn't make coffee yet?" She walked over and slumped down at the nook table.
"No, not yet... Listen, do you want breakfast or lunch? It's been awhile since that Chinese food and I don't think the cereal is going to tame our hunger. Not unless you don't mind me eating 4 bowls." Bruce spoke as he looked for a pot to boil water for the coffee.
Amy watched Bruce work around the kitchen. She got a kick seeing his domestic side.
"It doesn't matter to me. I'll be fine with cereal and you can have all the cereal you want. Maybe we won't waste any of the food this way. Damn it, I forgot sugar for the coffee," she said as she watched him scrambling around the cabinets.
"Well I'm skipping it then. You still want some?" Bruce asked, ready to dump the pot of water.
"I guess I slept enough that I can skip it too. ... Sorry about the sugar. –I forgot you like your coffee like you like your women... light and sweet!" Amy chided him.
"You got jokes this morning huh?!"
"What can I say; I'm in a good mood. It's been a while since I've felt so good." Amy was beaming.
"I feel good too, but I'm still going to need to eat." He grabbed the cereal box, 2 bowls, 2 spoons, milk, and headed towards the table.
"Ooooh, I like the advantages of having a big man around –breakfast in one big swoop!"
"And I like having a woman around to clean up." Bruce shot back.
"Oh I think I can handle bowls and spoons."
They were having fun. The new romance did feel right to both of them. It was comforting and relaxed. The feeling was new to both of them. They started to eat their cereal.
"Oh man! Did you charge your cell? I know I left mine in my purse," Amy said as she put her spoon down, signaling that she was going to get up.
Bruce playfully tried to pin Amy's leg so she couldn't get up.
"It should be fine; you charged it before we left. Get it when you finish eating."
Amy squeezed his legs with hers affectionately.
"Ok. Hey do you want to go on a run with me?" Amy was trying to set up the day. Nothing else came to mind.
"You run?" Bruce was amazed, he didn't think she enjoyed exercise –only did it for fitness. He poured a second bowl and started to scarf that one down.
"Yeah, you know that! –don't you? I used to go running all the time with Vincent or Lolly. I haven't done it in a while... so... do you want to?"
"Ok... Well I don't know –Are you going to dump me for Vincent when we get back to Hartford? 'Cause I don't take rejection well!" he joked as he finished his second bowl.
Amy looked at him with a smirk. She just finished her first bowl. The difference in appetites was notable.
"If this is how you eat without exercise, I don't think I could afford to keep you trim!" she coyly replied.
She got up and tried to sit on Bruce's lap. He accommodated her. Amy wrapped her arm around his strapping shoulders as he put his hands on her hips. They sat looking at each others eyes, smiling.
"You got to look at the end results... Don't you want your man buffed?" Bruce flexed his right bicep playfully.
"Hmm you're right." Amy felt his bicep as she replied. They laughed. Then their eyes caught each other and Amy decided to kiss Bruce. It started innocently with multiple light soft kisses, but the position they were sitting in made them kiss a little more tenderly. Bruce broke away from it. He wrapped his arms around Amy and turned the kiss into a hug.
"C'mon lets get going." Amy got up at his words. She felt a little guilty. She wasn't purposely trying to sabotage their agreement, she was just so happy and it was hard to keep her hands off of him.
"I'm sorry. I... I'm just..."
"Hey hey, it's ok. There's nothing to be sorry about..." Bruce hugged Amy, comforting her. He smiled and got back in sarcastic mode:
"I'm irresistible, you can't help it!' he teased.
"Aren't we happy with ourselves?" Amy laughed.
"So are we running now?" asked Bruce.
"Looks that way," she said in a let down tone to mess with him.
"Sure, pout now. I'm going to remember this if you ever try to give me the 'I got a headache' line. I'm going to remind you how you once were upset that I kept my hands off you!" he chided her. They giggled.
"Whatever!" Amy retorted back.
Amy cleared the table and washed their dishes. Bruce walked into the living are. The cabin was quaint, as Amy had said. He could picture future getaways here with Amy. He started to wonder how much Lolly would sell this place for. It would be great to own the first place he spent with Amy as more than friends. He felt a tinge of sadness, it reminded him of Maxine and Jarred. Jarred had class... the man had class.
Bruce's eyes came across a radio. He walked toward it and tried turning it on. It worked. He looked for a station to play. Amy walked in.
"Wow, can't believe that works. This place is like a time capsule," she remarked.
Bruce stopped at a station playing Michael Jackson's "Remember the Time"
Do You Remember
When We Fell In Love
We Were Young
And Innocent Then
Do You Remember
How It All Began
It Just Seemed Like Heaven
So Why Did It End?...
"Talk about a time capsule. This brings back memories." Bruce looked as if he was reminiscing about something.
"This isn't THAT old. I used this song once on Michael" Amy said laughing.
"Are you serious?" Bruce was surprised. He had used the song on Mia.
"Yeah! Michael and I used to play this game, where we envisioned ourselves vacationing in exotic places... The song has a part where it says 'You and me... in Spain...prrapapa prrapapa' so I tried to used the song once to rekindle our marriage. See if he could remember those times. Listen! –Its coming up..."
Remember The Times
Do You. Do You, Do You,
Do You, Do You
Remember The Times
In The Park, On The Beach
Remember The Times
You And Me In Spain
Remember The Times
What About, What About...
"So this song reminds you of Michael?" Bruce asked coyly.
"No just bad memories." Amy was solemn. She couldn't even really remember good times with Michael.
"Same here. I used to sing it to Mia. Didn't work for me either."
Bruce thought it was a good time to tell Amy about Mia. "Almost Doesn't Count" by Brandy began to play on the radio.
Almost made you love me
Almost made you cry
Almost made you happy, babe
Didn't I didn't I
You almost had me thinkin'
You were turned around
But everybody knows
Almost doesn't count...
"Alright, let's never dedicate Michael Jackson's songs to each other," Amy said as she plopped on the couch.
Bruce came and sat next to her. She could see that he had something on his mind. He had lost his lighthearted look. Amy was worried.
"Deal... Listen Amy, Mia gave me some serious news yesterday. She called as I was heading home from the courthouse."
Amy just stared at him with nervous wonder. Bruce continued.
"I don't really know how to tell you..."
I can't keep on lovin' you
One foot outside the door
I hear a funny hesitation
Of a heart that's never really sure
Can't keep on tryin'
If you're looking for more
Than all that I could give you
Than what you came here for...
"Just say it. It's ok. You can tell me anything." Amy spoke in a gentle voice.
She put her hand on his knee and stared intently in her eyes. Her mind fluttered with thoughts: Was Mia going to try to take Rebecca? Did she want Bruce back? Amy anxiously stayed locked on Bruce's eyes.
"I know I can. Look, I want you to know that it doesn't change how I feel about you. Us. I understand if you don't see me the same. It was a stupid thing to do... a moment of weakness... I knew it immediately afterward, but it was too late. I realized I wasn't in love with Mia anymore. I–"
"Bruce, I was seeing David, why would I hold it against you if had sex with Mia" Amy understood where Bruce was going. Or she thought...
"It was only once, a few weeks ago and last night... she told me she was pregnant. And that the baby's mine..."
Amy stunned, she wasn't expecting that part. Her mouth gaped open. It was one thing to have a fling with an ex, another to share a child. Amy's heart dropped; Mia would have her claws in Bruce for another 12 years minimum after Rebecca went to college. Intimidating thought...
Aaliyah's "I Care 4 You" played in the background. Bruce continued to speak with ferocity.
"... I've gave it a lot of thought during the drive last night; and I just don't believe her. I used a condom and it didn't break. She was seeing other men, but she swears she didn't have sex with anyone other than me. I don't know why she insists its mine, other than the fact that I take care of my responsibilities. It's only been a couple of weeks, how would she know this early? I can't bring another child in this world with that woman. I can't Amy..." Bruce was in anguish, the reality of the situation was setting in.
Amy grabbed his hands and pulled him to her. She held his head to her chest. Bruce started to cry.
"What happened? The last I remember, I was waiting for you to finish in the bathroom so I could brush my teeth," Amy said in a groggy voice, as she stretched her arms out and tried to get out from under the comforter.
"You fell asleep. I tucked you in." Bruce laid still just watching Amy.
"I'm hot" she whined. Bruce helped her get out of the covers. Amy rolled over to face him once she was free.
"What happened to sleeping apart?" she asked in a sly voice.
"I fell asleep when I tucked you in." Bruce decided to get up and make coffee. As he tried to get out of the bed, Amy yanked him back in.
"Na uh, you're not getting away that easy. How could you fall asleep tucking me in? We have daughters the same age, so I know that you don't fall asleep unless you MEAN to," she said through a huge grin. Bruce rolled to face her when he fell back in the bed.
"Ok You caught me; I wanted to cuddle you one last time. Happy?" Bruce smirked at Amy. She usually irritated him with this behavior but he decided to humor her.
She leaned in to kiss him, he backed away.
"Uhm, didn't you say that you were waiting to brush your teeth when you fell asleep?" Bruce chided her. He was thinking that making out on the bed was a bad idea.
"Yeah... Sorry" Amy had a hurt expression. She turned from him and tried to get up but Bruce yanked her back.
"I'm just messing with you. I don't think it's a good idea to be kissing in bed though," he said as he looked into her eyes. Amy perked up at his explanation.
"You're right on both accounts. I'll just kiss you with my mouth closed." She gave him a peck. He pecked her back. She kissed him again but with a slightly longer kiss, mouth still closed.
"Ok see how you get carried away!" Bruce exclaimed as he turned to get up out of bed.
"Cant blame a girl for trying. Kissing you is my new favorite thing," joked Amy as she also finally rose out of bed. Bruce had walked around to her.
"I kind of like it too..." He grabbed her face gently with his hands and planted a bigger kiss. It wasn't as dangerous away from the bed. Amy wrapped her arms around his waist.
"... but we really should brush our teeth!" he jested. Amy playfully shoved Bruce away from her. They laughed. Bruce let Amy freshen up first while he went looking for breakfast in the kitchen.
From what he could gather, Amy only bought cereal for breakfast. With the time their excursion had taken, it had been 18 hours since their last meal: Cereal wasn't going to cut it.
"Amy?" Amy stumbled into the kitchen.
"You didn't make coffee yet?" She walked over and slumped down at the nook table.
"No, not yet... Listen, do you want breakfast or lunch? It's been awhile since that Chinese food and I don't think the cereal is going to tame our hunger. Not unless you don't mind me eating 4 bowls." Bruce spoke as he looked for a pot to boil water for the coffee.
Amy watched Bruce work around the kitchen. She got a kick seeing his domestic side.
"It doesn't matter to me. I'll be fine with cereal and you can have all the cereal you want. Maybe we won't waste any of the food this way. Damn it, I forgot sugar for the coffee," she said as she watched him scrambling around the cabinets.
"Well I'm skipping it then. You still want some?" Bruce asked, ready to dump the pot of water.
"I guess I slept enough that I can skip it too. ... Sorry about the sugar. –I forgot you like your coffee like you like your women... light and sweet!" Amy chided him.
"You got jokes this morning huh?!"
"What can I say; I'm in a good mood. It's been a while since I've felt so good." Amy was beaming.
"I feel good too, but I'm still going to need to eat." He grabbed the cereal box, 2 bowls, 2 spoons, milk, and headed towards the table.
"Ooooh, I like the advantages of having a big man around –breakfast in one big swoop!"
"And I like having a woman around to clean up." Bruce shot back.
"Oh I think I can handle bowls and spoons."
They were having fun. The new romance did feel right to both of them. It was comforting and relaxed. The feeling was new to both of them. They started to eat their cereal.
"Oh man! Did you charge your cell? I know I left mine in my purse," Amy said as she put her spoon down, signaling that she was going to get up.
Bruce playfully tried to pin Amy's leg so she couldn't get up.
"It should be fine; you charged it before we left. Get it when you finish eating."
Amy squeezed his legs with hers affectionately.
"Ok. Hey do you want to go on a run with me?" Amy was trying to set up the day. Nothing else came to mind.
"You run?" Bruce was amazed, he didn't think she enjoyed exercise –only did it for fitness. He poured a second bowl and started to scarf that one down.
"Yeah, you know that! –don't you? I used to go running all the time with Vincent or Lolly. I haven't done it in a while... so... do you want to?"
"Ok... Well I don't know –Are you going to dump me for Vincent when we get back to Hartford? 'Cause I don't take rejection well!" he joked as he finished his second bowl.
Amy looked at him with a smirk. She just finished her first bowl. The difference in appetites was notable.
"If this is how you eat without exercise, I don't think I could afford to keep you trim!" she coyly replied.
She got up and tried to sit on Bruce's lap. He accommodated her. Amy wrapped her arm around his strapping shoulders as he put his hands on her hips. They sat looking at each others eyes, smiling.
"You got to look at the end results... Don't you want your man buffed?" Bruce flexed his right bicep playfully.
"Hmm you're right." Amy felt his bicep as she replied. They laughed. Then their eyes caught each other and Amy decided to kiss Bruce. It started innocently with multiple light soft kisses, but the position they were sitting in made them kiss a little more tenderly. Bruce broke away from it. He wrapped his arms around Amy and turned the kiss into a hug.
"C'mon lets get going." Amy got up at his words. She felt a little guilty. She wasn't purposely trying to sabotage their agreement, she was just so happy and it was hard to keep her hands off of him.
"I'm sorry. I... I'm just..."
"Hey hey, it's ok. There's nothing to be sorry about..." Bruce hugged Amy, comforting her. He smiled and got back in sarcastic mode:
"I'm irresistible, you can't help it!' he teased.
"Aren't we happy with ourselves?" Amy laughed.
"So are we running now?" asked Bruce.
"Looks that way," she said in a let down tone to mess with him.
"Sure, pout now. I'm going to remember this if you ever try to give me the 'I got a headache' line. I'm going to remind you how you once were upset that I kept my hands off you!" he chided her. They giggled.
"Whatever!" Amy retorted back.
Amy cleared the table and washed their dishes. Bruce walked into the living are. The cabin was quaint, as Amy had said. He could picture future getaways here with Amy. He started to wonder how much Lolly would sell this place for. It would be great to own the first place he spent with Amy as more than friends. He felt a tinge of sadness, it reminded him of Maxine and Jarred. Jarred had class... the man had class.
Bruce's eyes came across a radio. He walked toward it and tried turning it on. It worked. He looked for a station to play. Amy walked in.
"Wow, can't believe that works. This place is like a time capsule," she remarked.
Bruce stopped at a station playing Michael Jackson's "Remember the Time"
Do You Remember
When We Fell In Love
We Were Young
And Innocent Then
Do You Remember
How It All Began
It Just Seemed Like Heaven
So Why Did It End?...
"Talk about a time capsule. This brings back memories." Bruce looked as if he was reminiscing about something.
"This isn't THAT old. I used this song once on Michael" Amy said laughing.
"Are you serious?" Bruce was surprised. He had used the song on Mia.
"Yeah! Michael and I used to play this game, where we envisioned ourselves vacationing in exotic places... The song has a part where it says 'You and me... in Spain...prrapapa prrapapa' so I tried to used the song once to rekindle our marriage. See if he could remember those times. Listen! –Its coming up..."
Remember The Times
Do You. Do You, Do You,
Do You, Do You
Remember The Times
In The Park, On The Beach
Remember The Times
You And Me In Spain
Remember The Times
What About, What About...
"So this song reminds you of Michael?" Bruce asked coyly.
"No just bad memories." Amy was solemn. She couldn't even really remember good times with Michael.
"Same here. I used to sing it to Mia. Didn't work for me either."
Bruce thought it was a good time to tell Amy about Mia. "Almost Doesn't Count" by Brandy began to play on the radio.
Almost made you love me
Almost made you cry
Almost made you happy, babe
Didn't I didn't I
You almost had me thinkin'
You were turned around
But everybody knows
Almost doesn't count...
"Alright, let's never dedicate Michael Jackson's songs to each other," Amy said as she plopped on the couch.
Bruce came and sat next to her. She could see that he had something on his mind. He had lost his lighthearted look. Amy was worried.
"Deal... Listen Amy, Mia gave me some serious news yesterday. She called as I was heading home from the courthouse."
Amy just stared at him with nervous wonder. Bruce continued.
"I don't really know how to tell you..."
I can't keep on lovin' you
One foot outside the door
I hear a funny hesitation
Of a heart that's never really sure
Can't keep on tryin'
If you're looking for more
Than all that I could give you
Than what you came here for...
"Just say it. It's ok. You can tell me anything." Amy spoke in a gentle voice.
She put her hand on his knee and stared intently in her eyes. Her mind fluttered with thoughts: Was Mia going to try to take Rebecca? Did she want Bruce back? Amy anxiously stayed locked on Bruce's eyes.
"I know I can. Look, I want you to know that it doesn't change how I feel about you. Us. I understand if you don't see me the same. It was a stupid thing to do... a moment of weakness... I knew it immediately afterward, but it was too late. I realized I wasn't in love with Mia anymore. I–"
"Bruce, I was seeing David, why would I hold it against you if had sex with Mia" Amy understood where Bruce was going. Or she thought...
"It was only once, a few weeks ago and last night... she told me she was pregnant. And that the baby's mine..."
Amy stunned, she wasn't expecting that part. Her mouth gaped open. It was one thing to have a fling with an ex, another to share a child. Amy's heart dropped; Mia would have her claws in Bruce for another 12 years minimum after Rebecca went to college. Intimidating thought...
Aaliyah's "I Care 4 You" played in the background. Bruce continued to speak with ferocity.
"... I've gave it a lot of thought during the drive last night; and I just don't believe her. I used a condom and it didn't break. She was seeing other men, but she swears she didn't have sex with anyone other than me. I don't know why she insists its mine, other than the fact that I take care of my responsibilities. It's only been a couple of weeks, how would she know this early? I can't bring another child in this world with that woman. I can't Amy..." Bruce was in anguish, the reality of the situation was setting in.
Amy grabbed his hands and pulled him to her. She held his head to her chest. Bruce started to cry.