Reign of Fire: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter Twenty Three- Ideas

The sun had barely risen as Holly made her way down the stairs leading to the courtyard. Her back had slowly but steadily been improving over the last few weeks and she was going crazy being pampered day in, day out. Much as she loved Creedy for his attentions, her soul had started feeling restless and she was eager to get back into shape.

She had woken up long before sunrise as usual, and had found it impossible to return to her slumber. Creedy had still been fast asleep, he was so NOT a morning person, even though he tried hard to become one for her sake, bless him! And so she had carefully untangled herself from his temptingly warm embrace and had dressed to go downstairs, leaving him a note on where to find her. He was so protective of her and the last thing she wanted was for him to turn the whole place into a fucking uproar on finding her gone.

As she cautiously picked up her movements of old, she noticed her thoughts continuing to slip back to him. If he had been feeling guilty over the whole ordeal with Kayleigh, he had more than made up for it by now. He'd been a true angel around her, sensing her every need and fear, and acting upon them accordingly. So this was what it was like to be loved… She gave another angry kick mid-air. What had she done so far to return his affections? Absolutely fucking nothing, except lying around in her bed and sleeping the day away.

How did this work? How did you show the person you loved that you actually DID love them? She could make him breakfast upon returning to their room…she could wash his clothes next turn as she knew he hated that chore. Cooking and cleaning, just the things he loves you for Holly! Sets you out from the other broads! She knew for fact she would never be the perfect little housewife, nor did Creedy expect it from her. If anything, their relationship seemed quite the other way around with Creedy being so used to looking after other people. She sat down on the stairs again, wiping her brow with her sleeve as her back seemed to have had enough for one morning.

There was one thing that would please Creedy to no end…

The thought alone brought an uncharacteristic blush to her face. Could she do that to him? With him? Would she be able to be that close to him, all naked at that, and not freak out about it? The last time he had made a cautious attempt had not exactly been successful. What if she were the one to make that attempt this time? As she pondered her options she suddenly knew exactly where to turn, the one big sis that was actually still available here on earth for some face to face advice!

The perfect opportunity presented itself when right after breakfast, Quinn and Creedy announced they would go to check on the crops with some of the other men and would probably be gone for most of the day. Creedy seemed quite upset to be leaving Holly all to herself for the first time since her operation, at which Holly had only given him an evil glare and had threatened to personally kick his ass down to the fields if he wouldn't stop fretting.

"I'm not a porcelain doll sweetheart, never was before and one petty bullet sure as hell didn't make me one. I think I can manage without you for just a few hours."

He suddenly grinned. "Did you just call me sweetheart?"

She pulled up a perfectly arched eyebrow. "Oh shit…I think I actually did. Fancy that…" Lovey-dovey nicknames…so, she had really fallen off the deep end then!

Creedy could only chuckle at her astounded look before nipping another kiss on her nose and leaving. His tough little Holly was actually mushing up, and probably hated herself for it! He loved how every day she seemed to warm more towards him. This morning she had actually left him a note when slipping out to train. And had had the audacity to draw a heart around her name! Upon her warm, slender form leaving him however he had soon woken up himself and unable to return to sleep had stared at her note for another hour. He realised how used he had grown to waking up beside her, and was secretly wondering how long it would be before he would be allowed to wake up all naked, enfolding her equally naked form in his arms once more before returning to sleep. Patience Creed, she will come to you when she's ready, you know you wouldn't have it any other way! Give her time to get over her traumas mate!

"Eh Creed, you're ready mate?" Swallowing his thought he just vaguely nodded in Eddie's direction. Oh I'm ready aright, if only Holly would know how ready!

"Hey…" Alex looked up from her book and smiled at seeing Holly linger at her door, obviously meaning to talk to her about something.

"Hey hun, what's up?"

"Just wanted to see how you were doing is all…I mean, I'm supposed to get you through this pregnancy and all but it seems I've been a bit preoccupied lately…"

Aha. So that's how she wanted to play this. Alex patted the bed to indicate Holly sitting down next to her, and moved her book over to her once she did. Holly noticed she was doing some reading up on childbirth and parenthood. The picture in front of her showed a baby at 22 weeks, which was apparently where Alex was at now.

"Alex…it's so tiny!" Alex couldn't contain an affectionate grin as Holly stared at the picture in awe, gently running her finger along the baby's spine.

"It's an amazing piece of nature, isn't it?"

Holly nodded, and she moved uneasy as she suddenly remembered why she was here.

"Alex, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, always, you know that." She bit her tongue as to let Holly finish, although she could already guess where this might lead to.

"I was wondering…I was thinking that is, I mean…I was thinking of planning like…a surprise for Creedy, for being so good to me and all…"

"That sounds really nice. So…what did you have in mind?"

Holly rolled her eyes at her, as she knew by her now wicked grin Alex already knew the answer.

"You're really gonna make me spell this out eh? I wanna…I think I'm ready to take this…us…to another level. I guess I wanna be pretty for him when he comes home and, I dunno…how do I do this shit?"

"You plan on seducing him?"

"Well, seduction is a big word for a novice like me, I mean…what can I possibly offer him he hasn't already had way better before, on numerous occasions?"

Alex smiled at her while tapping back a stray curl from Holly's frowning forehead. "How about lots of love? True love? I can safely tell you he hasn't known much of that yet, at least not from a significant other. He loves you a lot Holly, and I know that feeling is mutual. That's what this should be about, not just the lusty part."

Holly nodded vaguely, still unsure. "But…how do I know what to do? What if I get it all wrong? I mean…I finally give him what he wants and he'll still get disappointed…"

"I doubt it hun. Just follow those damn sharp instincts of yours, the rest will follow."

"Yeah, well those amazing instincts of mine are only telling me to scream and run off the moment Creedy gets close to me, great help they are! I want to be with him Alex, it's not like I'm scared about him hurting me or anything it's just…"

"Nerves?"

"So I assume that's normal?" Holly seemed somewhat relieved at Alex encouraging and open attitude.

"Yeah, especially the very first time. But also in between different guys you know. You'll never know if boyfriend number two will like the same stuff as boyfriend number one and so forth…"

"I don't think I even wanna go there, I'll be more than happy to just let number one put his hands on me and never remove them again!"

She bit her lip. "So you think I could do this?"

Alex closed her book and gave her a hug. "Yes, I think you can. I think the real question is: do you think you can?"

Holly turned inward for a moment, calling forth the image of Creedy's sweet smile, his warm hands on her skin, his admiring gaze never flinching away from anything she'd shown him so far…and never pushing her beyond a line she didn't want to cross yet. Yes, she wanted to be with this man, as much as she knew he wanted to be with her. He deserved it. Hell, SHE deserved it!

"Yeah, yeah I do think I can…just not how…" A nervous, yet happy chuckle escaped her lips, relieved she had made up her mind.

Alex immediately jumped into action. "Good, then let's get you started shall we?"

Holly's brow furrowed in confusion. "Started?"

Alex made her way to her dressing cabinet. "Yes, started! I mean, you do wanna look your best when Creedy comes home tonight right?" And with a triumphant smile she tossed some of her finer sets of lingerie on the bed. "Take your pick…and don't bother returning it OK? I'm guessing you haven't exactly got a collection of these yourself…"

For a moment Holly sat dumbfounded at Alex's generosity, before she made her way over and lovingly started to finger the fine fabrics in front of her. They were gorgeous…and very revealing. "I dunno, do you have something…"

But before she could finish her sentence Alex had guessed her thoughts already, and with a knowing smile she dug into her lingerie drawer once more. "There! That's the one I was looking for. I'll never be able to fit into that one again with my belly and my boobs continuing to swell as they do!"

Holly gasped as she stared at the black silk-and-lace negligee Alex held up for her. It was a semi, reaching halfway down her upper legs, with easy-to-slide-down spaghetti straps and a deep cleavage to the front. As Alex tossed in matching panties she was signed, sealed, and delivered. And she knew she was set to give Creedy the shock of his life…