Chapter Six: Surprises

Alex

I hadn't realized I'd fallen asleep until I heard the phone ringing. The fire has died down a bit, and as I reach for the phone I get up to stoke the logs, starting to feel the night's chill between it's dying embers.

"Hello?" My voice is heavy with sleep, but yours is clear and close.

"Hi. Were you asleep?"

"Mmhmmm."

"Long day?"

"Did you check your messages?" I start waking up slowly, trying to clear my head so I can talk to you.

"Yeah, sounds rough. Tell you what, would you like a present?"

"What? Who delivers at this hour of the night?" I look around for the clock in the dark room, and finally give up, "What time is it anyway?"

"It's ... 11:30 Pacific."

"What are you doing up so late? That makes it 2:30 in the morning where you are."

"Does it?" You pause and I can't help but wondering if sleep has clouded me more than I thought.

"Don't you want to know who delivers at this hour?"

"Um... yes of course. Who delivers at 11:30 at night?"

"I do."

I shake my head, thinking I must not have heard you correctly.

"What do you mean, you do?"

The doorbell rings, pealing through the house and I can feel my heart start beating faster. You can't be... no way. I pull myself away from the large stone fireplace, trying to wake up more quickly. All of a sudden I'm not convinced I'm awake yet. I must be dreaming.

I get to the door and look out the peephole to see a familiar shape, wearing a familiar smirk. I open the door and discover that I'm not dreaming. As you step through the doorway and wrap your arms around me I'm too shocked to respond.

Olivia

The look on your face is priceless, you had no idea. I can't keep from smirking at you as you open the door, and I rather like that you're speechless as I wrap my arms around you.

"Hi Lexi, did'ja miss me?"

"Oh my god what are you doing here?"

"I took some time off." You pull away from me and take in the sedan in your driveway, and my bags on the doorstep. As you look back at my face your chin quivers and you start to cry.

"Hey... hey hey... None of that. This is supposed to be a happy surprise."

"I am happy. That's why I'm crying you idiot."

"Well since everybody's happy, can I come inside? It's freezing out here. What is up with this weather?"

You laugh, and grab for one of my bags as I drag the other two inside, pushing the fourth with my foot.

"It's Oregon... and almost October. Things change quickly around here. Besides, we're almost in the woods, the chill falls in early and stays late."

With the door closed behind us, you reach for a light switch but I take your hand, holding it in mine and looking at your home by firelight. It's a warm, cozy place despite its large size, and I can easily see how you can be so comfortable here. I'm surprised at the furnishings, it's a little cottage chic for your taste, and I can only assume the bureau furnished it for you before they brought you here. Still, telltale signs of your style peek in odd corners, and in the beautiful black and white photoscapes on the walls. I make a note to tease you later about your whiter than white walls, but for now, I just want to be close to you.

"What do you think?" You break our silence as I turn from my study of the room and back to you.

"It's big."

"Mmhmm."

"The fireplace is beautiful."

"It's my favorite thing. Can you imagine this in my old loft? Or in your rinky-dink apartment?"

"Hey now! My apartment is not rinky-dink."

You raise your eyebrows and your glasses slip down your nose, but you don't respond.

"Ok, maybe it's a little rinky-dink. But I have this fabulous interior decorator..."

You stop me with a kiss, and clearly you're over the element of surprise. I can't help moaning against your lips, melting into you. I pull my hand from the pocket of my coat and wrap my arms around you. I've waited seven months for this. The rest of my surprises can wait till later. Right now, I want to enjoy this one.