Sunday Brunch
…sometime after the New Year
Drake was literally hungry for the first time in a long time. He wanted to eat everything
on his plate. Even on days when he could eat there was always that underlying current
of wondering if he was going to puke it up later, but today he didn't feel that. He was
sharing a private table with Emme at the San Diego Country Club. It was her idea
because Mrs. Watson had a membership and Emme just liked it because it was
private and they could share a secluded table with the sun coming in from the tall
windows and have a relaxing time with each other.
"I know you are a casual guy who probably doesn't like dressing up just to go out for a
breakfast, but I like the fact that no one can bother us here."
He did look handsome in his blue sweater with the yellow stripes he wore that over a
plain white dress shirt that was usually just reserved for attending a wedding, funeral, or
some other event. She loved the dress pants they were probably the same pair he wore
to the Hotel Del Coronado, but that was okay.
"I'm having a good time." Country Clubs might have been snobby and this one probably
excluded most of the Jewish and African-American communities, but Emme wasn't
stuck-up. He did love her for having the idea and was happy to drive them here. Chula
Vista was under fifteen minutes away.
"You really are hungry. You've scarfed down those eggs pretty quick." Her stomach was
a little off so she was nursing a fruit cup and water. It was wonderful to see him eat so
much.
It meant he was getting better. It had to mean that.
"Yeah, I am. I could go for seconds."
"Help yourself." She reminded it him it was an all-you-can-eat affair.
"Do you want some more blueberries for your fruit cup?"
"No, I'm fine." And she was.
When Drake's back was turned she silently flagged a waiter to their table.
"What's this?" Drake asked when he came back; he noticed his emerald green linen
napkin was covering something in front of his place at the table.
He sat down, putting the plate off the to the side.
"I don't know." Emme seemed to be bubbling over with joy.
"You do so know," Drake lifted the napkin off.
It was another green box. That must have been the theme for the day he thought. It said
Piguet on it silver lettering.
"Emme Jessica Watson, what did you do?"
Her blue eyes widened, they were full of hope and vigor, "Open it, Drake."
What was the occasion? Their first Christmas was in the past and it wasn't either of
their birthdays and it was a little too early to exchanging Valentine's Day presents and
that made Drake worried on the inside, but he wouldn't show it.
"Wow. This is very nice. What's the occasion?"
It was a watch. White gold, a very soft but yet sturdy black leather band, roman
numerals; except on the twelve where the companies initials 'AP' were instead, a tiny
circular small seconds feature above the IV, and it was water resistant.
"Just because you're you."
He picked up her hand, the need for more eggs and toast forgotten as he kissed it
softly.
"Thank you."
"You know where I'd like to go?" Emme smiled broadly as Drake took off his old watch,
the one with the brown seventies styled cuff and put on the new one.
"I think, I know, Miss Priss."
"Do you, Don Juanoma?" She stuck out her tongue.
"Yeah, I do." He took his old watch and placed it on her left wrist.
"What's that for?" She loved how it looked.
"Just because you're you."
Somehow that fifteen-minute drive to Emme's house seemed to only take five minutes.
There were no signs of Mrs. Watson around and Emme knew she was passed out in
her master Californian King bed.
Somehow-- they were in the sanctuary of their private bedroom quarters in the exercise
room.
Somehow---their clothes were on the floor when it was just a second ago that they were
at the Country Club having breakfast and exchanging watches.
Somehow—their bodies were joining of their hearts and minds into the pleasure. It still
physically hurt a little, but Emme actually shrieked in a whisper over what she felt had to
be her first orgasm.
Somehow—Drake experienced real pleasure with a real person that he really loved.
And then it was over as they held each other in a warm embrace.
"You'll be there won't you?"
"Where will I be?"
"After my second look surgery, the first face I want to see when I open my eyes is yours.
Even if it should be bad news—I want you there. It's not a chemo day for you, is it?"
"When is your surgery?"
"Next month. I forget the date."
"Drake, I'll be there, nothing could keep me away even if it is a chemo day and I'm
puking up my whole entire body. I want to be there. If it should be a chemo day, I'll just
cancel---"
"No you won't do any such thing."
Emme kissed him on the cheek, "I will be there for you."
He smiled. Truth be told he would do the same thing for her and would when it was time
for her second look.
"Thank you, Emme. Josh will pick you up."
"I just know you're going to be in remission," She squeezed him tighter, "I just know it."
"And I know you will be too. Then we can do all those things we promised."
"Like that long drive?"
"Yes."
Nothing was more romantic in his mind then renting a red convertible. The brand didn't
matter. They would go for a long drive not having to think about "C" words like cancer
and chemotherapy. They could walk along the beach feeling the squishy sand in their
toes, and find a private spot to have a picnic in and to make love with nothing around
them but the ocean.
It was freedom.
"I'm looking forward to that."
"Do you remember the day we met?"
"Yeah you wanted to hide."
"And you were already hiding. And you bit my head off."
"Sorry," she stroked her index finger up and down his chest; with her heart shaped
amethyst ring shining, "I wasn't myself then. Am I forgiven?" She pretended to pout.
"Of course you are. I asked you if your meanness caused your cancer?"
"A pretty reasonable question when I was trying to push you away. I thought you were a
jerk."
"I thought you were a jerk too."
"And look at us now?"
"Naked." And not just physically stripped but mentally too.
Drake Parker was never going to be the same selfish person again and it was all
thanks to her, the young woman who fell asleep in his arms. The woman he never
wanted to leave. He looked at her ring and thought about the next step? They were
chronologically too young, but after surviving the cancer war it was as if they lived a
thousand lifetimes.
Emme Jessica Watson who tried to drive him away from day one with her tightly wound
headscarf and put-on attitude to drive every human away from her because she didn't
want to live then, she wanted to die. Drake's eyes watered when he realized in a
humble way, that she wanted to live because of him.
"Hmm," she whispered into his chest, "I love you, Drake."
"Ssh, go back to sleep. I love you, too, Emme."
Drake let his eyes also close, wondering he if could get into her dreams? He let his
mind process his thoughts before falling asleep himself.
Emme Parker?
Should I…propose?
Relax, man.
We have all the time in the world.
Focus on today…
Author's Note: I had to put a chapter between the Christmas ones and Drake's second
look surgery. This story is nearing its ending point. I don't see it going to fifty chapters.
(Although, that would be a great record to set for the Drake & Josh fan fic section.) I
might have to do a small sequel for some little ideas floating around, but for Knit Cap
the end is near. And, Allie, I couldn't resist a nod to your story Hearts and Minds. (I
suppose Somehow, too, but I was thinking of Drake Bell's song.)