Reign of Fire: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter Twenty Two- First times for everything

No one was up yet, just Creedy who quietly went through the typical routine one does when they make breakfast. Holly's sleeping pattern had begun to improve over the last few days; she was still far from a full recovery, which was doubtful anyway, but the pain was less and she was able to limp around his room when necessary and obviously refusing to be too dependent on him which only caused Creedy to chuckle and roll his eyes. He more than loved having her there with him, he soon realised that he slept better with her wrapped in his arms and the huge grin he seemed to wear all of the time was accepted by all to be a permanent fixture.

Humming a tune he had once heard Holly destroying, Creedy placed the assortment of foods onto a tray and turned slowly to face the door, concentration etched into his masculine features.

"I see she already has you wrapped around her little finger!" Quinn laughed, making Creedy jump and look up at the door in shock.

"Jesus! You scared the shit out of me Quinn, I coulda dropped the tray and I spent ages getting this ready." Creedy looked at him sternly.

"Good Lord you really are in love with her aren't you? Anyway, how is she, don't tell me she is up at this time every morning- I thought she would have taken advantage of being able to sleep in."

Creedy placed the tray on the table, "She can't help it, she used to be up before dawn ever since she was little and the pain from her back wakes her up too." Quinn frowned.

"Isn't she healing or something? Surely the pain should be getting better by now; can't the Doc do something?"

"It's only been a few days Quinn, it will take time but she's coming on leaps and bounds. I was thinking maybe if we threw a party it might help her feel better. We could have it tonight, there is still plenty of my label left and party food and we can easily get some music together..."

"Whoa calm down Creed, you just said yourself she is still on the mend, do you think it's wise to have a party tonight?"

"No, no your right. What was I thinking?" Creedy sighed and leant against the kitchen table, "I just want her to know how much she means to me, to us. I want her to be better and I know how throwing a party always makes you and me feel on top of the world."

"To be honest mate, I don't think she's the partying type. Unlike us she has never known anything other than the dragons and all the pain and destruction that they leave in their wake; maybe all she needs to know that you love her. If anything, it'll be a little tender loving care that will get her back on her feet in no time."

"What would I do without you Quinn?" Creedy smiled.

"Cry, drink copious amounts of that poison you call alcohol and be clueless for the rest of your miserable existence." Quinn stated, matter-of-factly. Creedy snorted in indignation.

Quinn moved from one foot to the other, worrying his bottom lip.

"Creedy, about what happened with Kayleigh, I mean...no one blames you for doing what you did, I know I would have done the same. Don't look at me like that Creed, I only mentioned it 'cos I wanna know how you're...feeling. I know you more than likely haven't spoken to anyone about it."

Creedy put down the tray and ran his hands through his curly hair, he looked up at Quinn, the concern evident on his best friend's face.

"I'm not sure." Creedy collapsed into the nearest chair, he didn't look at Quinn. "I was terrified that I was gonna lose Holly, I love her so much; I've never felt this way before. When I heard what Kayleigh said and saw what was happening, I just lost it- all I felt was anger, not even betrayal or pain, just anger that she dared to even go near Holly. When I...I...you know, I don't even really remember it. It was like everything was a dream, only when I saw Holly sitting there crying did it all begin to sink in."

"Have you two spoken about it?" Quinn sat opposite him.

"Not out rightly, I don't think either of us is ready for it just yet."

"How are things between you two? As far as we can all tell, you seem incredibly happy and Holly, well not that we see much of her but the odd glimpse has led to rumours that she is smiling more." Creedy grinned.

"We're taking it a day at a time, getting to know each other. Holly has a lot to work through so we're just enjoying each others company."

Quinn laughed, "That's a first for you mate, another first I believe."

"Hrmpf."

"Now, now, calm down. I'll let you get back to your princess and I'll get back to mine."

As Creedy once more balanced his tray up the stairs, the thought of a party kept pounding at his brain. The thing Holly would hate most of a party would be the crowds...so what if he could throw one for just the two of them?

Holly sighed as she was hobbling from one place to the other. She knew she was supposed to be up and about, and that her wounds would heal quickest by keeping on the move (to warm her now over sensitive nerves), but that didn't mean the pain got any less, and the painkillers still made her feel drowsy. Doc had examined her thoroughly for almost half an hour, and had informed her Quinn wanted to see her after that. Which meant she had to go all the way to the other side of the castle to seek him out.

After that, she'd been visiting with Alex who had been cleaning out her wardrobe and had insisted on passing some of her smaller sized outfits onto Holly, saying how if she didn't fit into them now she would never do so after her pregnancy in any case. As Holly had tried on a particularly nice blood red wrap-around blouse, Alex had enthusiastically encouraged her to keep it on as it matched really well with the black stretchy combat pants she was wearing under it.

She had spent dinner in Jared's company as Creedy apparently had been asked to take over the early evening shift from a mate who had fallen ill with a cold…at least that's what the young lad had tried to convince her of. Much as she loved his company and the way he could make her laugh, she'd known he'd been lying through his teeth. He was exceptionally bad at it! It was her first hint that something was amiss. It couldn't be anything bad. Right? If it had been something bad she would have felt it in her stomach. Or were those feelings numbed by the morphine as well?

Suddenly feeling anxious she said goodbye and hurried back to her room, not noticing the content smiles of her friends behind her. Maybe it had simply been too trying a day for her, maybe all she needed was some rest. As she kicked the door open however and looked straight into Creedy's smiling eyes, she realised sleep would probably have to wait a bit longer.

"Oh wow, look at you! You make me look all shabby now, Alex outdid herself once again!" She narrowed her eyes at him as she started to understand she'd been part of some sort of plot the entire day.

"Don't tell me, you really didn't mind me running all over the place today, did you?"

"Not really no. I could seriously use all the time they could buy me…" He proudly raised his hands around them. "At least tell me my scheming's been worth the effort?"

By now Holly finally took the time to take in the sight around them. He had delicately decorated the beams along the ceiling with purple, albeit faded, paper flowers on a string, and draped some shiny white linen tablecloths over the table and night stands, snacks and drinks at hand for two to enjoy. Candles in small decorated lanterns were burning in several safe corners, and just behind Creedy she spotted a battery operated tape recorder covered in old cassettes, that Creedy had obviously been going through trying to find the right one. Proving that he eventually had, he pushed the play button and the room filled with some romantic Motown songs she recognised from long ago when she and Zara were still little.

"Creedy it's…I mean…you did this for…me?" she nearly choked out the last word, tears threatening to show themselves.

"For us, yeah. I figured we could use a little celebration. For keeping you alive, for getting together as we did…for you making me the happiest guy on this dragon infested planet…"

"You really didn't have to…"

"I know. But I wanted to." Thinking of the best way to make her regain consciousness, he pushed a glass of black label in her hand and she'd swallowed it before she had realised what it was.

Once again refusing to choke, she merely shot him a stern glance. "Am I allowed to have these percentages of alcohol with all my meds or are you just trying to knock me off my feet?"

"Best case scenario it kills every single germ inside ya…worst case you'll go out like a light in five minutes. Which means if I wanna take my chance at dancing with you tonight, I'd better hurry."

Oh dear, here we go again!

By now his hand was courteously extended to her. "May I have this dance, Miss Mathews?"

"You're sure you know what you're asking? I hope those are hard shell shoes you're wearing Creedy.."

How he loved her talent for poking fun at her own weaknesses! But he gently took her into his arms none the less and slowly twirled her around the room. Holly could only marvel at the feel of it. Like before, she managed to adjust her movements to the music quite fluently and followed her partner flawlessly. Only this time she was allowed to lean in closer, and ended up laying her head against his broad chest while wrapping her arms around his waist.

"I think I could get used to this…"

"Aye?"

Was he flirting? His cheeky smile told her he was, and instead of answering she pushed a warm, wet kiss to his mouth. As expected, he responded quite enthusiastically and before they both realised it they had tumbled down on the bed beside them.

Creedy felt as if he had died and gone up to heaven…if they would still consider letting him in there. Holly's slender form beneath him, her soft sighs at his touch…would this be the night? Could he possibly take this any further? To test his theory he softly grind his hips against hers, allowing his hands to wander up and down her sides, slowly slipping towards the knot of her blouse. But no sooner had he started to untie it as he felt Holly's breath quickening and her entire frame freezing up beneath him.

"Creedy…" Yeah, there was definitely panic in her voice!

He quickly turned to his side, allowing Holly to sit up. To his surprise she didn't, she just lay there with a look of fear, doubt, guilt and total confusion on her face, still gasping from their ardent kisses painting her lips a sweet rose. He knew what her body was trying to convey.

"This wasn't about your back, was it love?"

Unable to meet his eyes she quietly shook her head. "I'm sorry…"

He gently took her chin and turned her to face him, placing a tender kiss on her forehead. "Don't ever apologise to me for doing what feels best darlin'. I'd be truly upset if you'd let me have my way with you against your will, understood?"

Unable to express her relief and gratitude towards him, she merely nodded and allowed him to pull her into his embrace.

"Creedy?"

"Hmm?"

"Could we leave the flowers like that for a while? I really like the way they dangle down from the ceiling…and it's been so long since I've seen real flowers at all."

"Sure thing love. Anything to make you smile like that…"

And with that they both settled on their backs, grabbing a snack on occasion while enjoying the view of the wilted flowers above them, having the best party ever.