Changes in the Wind
Homecoming
"What's next?" Eric asked as he packed up the rest of Calleigh's stereo equipment while Tim finished connecting the remaining cables for his own stereo system, which was now housed in the spot just vacated by his girlfriend's.
"Think we're done for the night. The rest of the unpacking can wait till tomorrow or sometime soon," Tim announced. "I just wanted to get the desk and stereo set up tonight. Nothing else is as important. I've got enough clothes already unpacked."
"Good, I'm beat and I need a refill," Eric said, holding up his empty beer bottle. "Want one?"
"Yeah. Thanks," Tim replied, before switching the CD player on and inserting a disc. Success was met with a tired half smile as the music filled the room.
"How'd you get her to agree to switch out stereo systems, or doesn't she know?" Eric asked. "You know hers isn't even that old."
His question was met with a chuckle. "I told her we were a package deal."
"And she went along with that?" Eric asked laughing.
"Of course she did. Besides hers is crap. I don't know who talked her into wasting her money on it," Tim replied shaking his head, accepting the cold beer his friend offered. "Thanks. And thanks for your help tonight. It was more stuff than I thought," he said, looking around at the pile of boxes that took up the far corner of the room and the open boxes, plus wrapping papers scattered all over the living room floor.
"And still, your apartment is pretty full of stuff. What are you gonna do when your lease is up?" Eric asked. Tim shrugged as he made his way to the couch kicking papers out of his way while he crossed the room, too tired to pick them up. Delko chose the chair closest to where he had been standing. "Well, my folks have some room in their attic if you need to store anything."
"Thanks. I'll have to go through the stuff sometime. I really haven't figured out what to do with the furniture, most of it is pretty worn," Tim said, sinking into the cushions, leaning back and closing his eyes for a minute.
"Yeah, not likely Calleigh will see any of it fitting in with the decor here," Eric teased before putting his beer down on the coffee table. Tim flung a coaster at him and he caught it with a laugh, before placing it under his drink. "She's got you well trained," he said, laughing more.
"Right, like you've never been here before," Tim remarked, careful to set his own beer on a coaster. "You do everything she asks like an eager puppy, so I don't think I'd be pointing any fingers."
" I know, it's true, it is hard to say 'no' to her, could be her prowess with the weapons. Calleigh does like things neat and tidy, must be a daily challenge for you," Eric remarked with humor.
"Ya think?" Tim asked sarcastically.
"Makes me wonder how the two of you do it," Eric said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. Tim raised his eyebrows, wondering where this was going. "I mean, I think it's great that the two of you have gotten together, but it's not like you're a pairing I could ever see. You are a bit … different," he remarked, to which Tim merely shrugged. "Do you just cancel each other out or something?" he asked, earning a laugh from his friend.
"I don't know, it just works, I guess. I try not to think about stuff like that. Maybe you should ask her, I bet she thinks about that stuff. On second thought, maybe you should just not think about it at all," Tim joked.
"So does this mean no more going out for the two of us?" Eric asked, his expression once again serious.
"No. I can still go out Delko, maybe just not as often," he began.
"And not with any random women. I get it. Not that I could ever find any for you, anyway," Eric interrupted. "Not even my leftovers."
"You're unbelievable. I didn't need your help. What makes you think I'd even want your leftovers? I did fine myself. Better than fine actually and way better than you," he announced raising his bottle in salute.
"True, you did, this time anyway," Eric said shaking his head in disbelief, but joined his friend with raised bottle. "Still…" he began, but allowed the thought to trail off.
"What?" Tim asked, his brow knit in confusion.
"Moving in. That's kind of serious." Tim nodded. "Have you ever? You know, with anyone before this?"
"No," Tim answered, shaking his head. "And never wanted to. You?"
"Nah, not even close. Can't even imagine it," he said shuddering. "You tell your folks yet? Will they know where to find you?" Tim shook his head. "Do they even know you're dating, or did you keep it from them as well?"
"I might've mentioned it," Tim shrugged. "I don't talk to them that often. The phone is still hooked up at my apartment for the time being. If they need me they can reach me on my cell. I'll tell them eventually, I suppose," he answered, shrugging again and taking a slug of his beer.
"So is it comfortable?" Eric asked motioning with his head to the pale green striped sofa Tim was relaxing on.
"It's okay," came the reply. "Not as comfortable as mine, though."
"'Cause you know that's where you'll be when you piss her off," Eric teased." and notice I said, when, not if."
"Funny," Tim answered tossing a floral pillow from the sofa at his friend's head.
"I thought so," Eric replied before tossing the pillow back. "Although, I might let you crash on mine if she prefers you not mess up her couch with your sloppy self."
"And maybe that's where you should be heading now," Tim suggested getting off the couch and collecting the bottles, "cause we have first call out, in case you forgot."
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks for reminding me. If I'm not at my best tomorrow, it'll be all your fault, you know," he said, raising himself from the chair and stretching with a yawn.
"And whose fault is it on all the other days?" Tim asked with raised eyebrows.
"Wouldn't you like to know? But that life is over for you now. Not that this one is too shoddy. Speaking of your love life," Eric began before Tim interrupted.
"And I wish you wouldn't Delko," Tim told him with a smirk before bringing the empties to the kitchen.
"When is she due back?" Eric called through the room.
Tim shrugged as he wandered back into the living room. "Don't know. Her return trip was open ended. Soon, I hope."
Eric shook his head and grinned. "I still can't believe it, you know. Maybe you could have me to dinner, so I can see you two up close in your natural environment."
"Don't hold your breath," Tim answered.
"Calleigh will invite me. She loves me. Well, obviously not the same as you, but she probably likes me more. I'm more fun than you," Eric said.
"You keep telling yourself that Delko, then remember who she's with," Tim said, laughing as he walked him to the door.
"Not a nice way to treat the guy who helped carry that ridiculously heavy, ancient desk of yours," Eric said, sulking.
"Fine. Maybe you can come to dinner. See you in the morning, Thanks again for the help."
"You're welcome. Night."
"Night." Locking up, he turned his attention to the boxes waiting to be unpacked and the litter on the floor. His first thought was the right one, he realized, the unpacking could wait for now, there was nothing he needed just then. Yawning, he turned the stereo off and flicked off the lights as well, before heading to the kitchen. Surveying the mess with a squint, he tidied up only what couldn't wait till tomorrow and then shut the light off. His cell phone rang as he made his way to the bedroom and the number on the screen caused an automatic smile to pass his lips.
"Hey," he said, as he flopped on the bed and turned on the bedside lamp.
"Hey yourself. Where are you? I wasn't sure if you'd still be up," Calleigh said in her familiar and since arriving in Louisiana, more pronounced drawl.
"Tired, but still awake. I was hoping you'd call when you got in. I'm at your place," he told her.
"Did you get your stuff moved in?" she asked.
"Yeah, Delko just left. We got everything in the truck. The rest I just left in the apartment. You can look over the kitchen stuff. Too many decisions."
"Well, if your stuff is there then you can call it your place now," she said and he could hear the grin in her voice. "I'll go through the kitchen with you. You have some nice things. Are you all unpacked?"
"Are you kidding?" he asked sarcastically, which made her laugh. "But you now have a much better stereo system in place."
"Priorities, huh?"
"Absolutely. But not everything I need is here."
"Missing something?"
"Yeah. When are you coming home?" he asked in a low voice as he sank into the pillow. 'Home. Sounds nice. Calleigh and I have a home together.' "I kinda miss you, you know."
He heard her deep sigh. "I miss you, too. How 'bout tomorrow? Will that be soon enough, cause I'm about done here visiting and I'd kind of like to welcome you properly. I should be home before 7:00 if the airport traffic's not too bad and my flight's not delayed."
"Sounds good. I'm interested in that welcome you have planned," he snickered. "I wish you had let me take you to the airport."
"You were working remember? And I seem to recall you were so busy, we barely got a chance to say goodbye before my flight left."
This time it was his turn to sigh. "Yeah, I remember."
"Think you'll be home tomorrow when I get there?"
"Yeah, I should get off at a reasonable hour." There was no question he would be home before she got there, he'd arrange for Delko to cover him if need be, but he didn't want her know what he had planned for her homecoming.
"I can't wait. Seems like I've been gone for a week."
"No kidding. I miss you. Oh, Delko's wrangling for an invite to dinner, just so you know."
She laughed, a sound that was always music to his ears. "Well, as long as it's not in the next couple of days, he can come to dinner. I'd kind of like you all to myself for a couple days at least. We have some catching up to do. He's had you the last few days."
"Think I can oblige you with that," he chuckled.
"We both have to get up early tomorrow, you have to work and I have a breakfast outing with my great Aunt May, so we should try to sleep."
"Yeah, okay," he said reluctantly. "Night Cal. Hope you have a good flight. I love you." Those three words rolled off his tongue pretty easily since his first time saying them at Alexx's party. Now he couldn't imagine a day going by and not telling her and usually several times at that. He'd said the words a few times in the past to other girlfriends and mostly meant them, but not the way he did with Calleigh. With Calleigh, there was just no question about the strength and depth of his feelings and nothing holding him back anymore. And, he had to admit, it was nice to hear them back.
"Night Tim, I love you, too. See you tomorrow."
Switching his phone off, he couldn't help but smile to himself. She would be home tomorrow and there would be no more sleeping alone.
CITW CITW CITW
The stereo was turned up as high as he thought he could get away with without disturbing the neighbors. She'd called him from the airport as soon as her plane landed and he knew she was finally on her way home. Three nights apart felt like an awfully long time and he hoped there would be no more separations for some time. Wandering through the apartment, he looked left and right to make sure there was nothing he'd forgotten to take care of in his haste to make dinner and tidy up before she got home.
Walking over to the sofa to straighten the pillows, he shook his head, realizing Delko was right last night. He was well trained, although maybe whipped was a better word for it, he thought, snickering to himself. No matter, he would fluff sofa pillows, empty trash cans and use coasters if it pleased her. He hadn't gotten around to the unpacking, but all the boxes were neatly piled and pushed against the wall, making them less in the way.
He flicked the lights on the Christmas tree still standing in the corner of the room and stood a moment admiring the sight and remembering the night he strung them. The two had stayed up late decorating the little tree once they arrived home from Alexx's party and then stayed up even later, discussing plans to move in together and making love. This first Christmas together would, for him, always be a milestone moment in their relationship.
The delicious aroma from the dinner warming in the oven wafted through the apartment. It was one of her favorites and always impressed her when he made it, even though it was a fairly simple dinner to prepare, but then any time he cooked she was impressed. His prowess in the kitchen had been a closely guarded secret, but once they began dating, he was eager to cook for her and it thrilled her when he did. Checking his watch for the umpteenth time, he figured she'd be home soon, giving him just enough time to get the salad ready and the table set.
"Not only does he cook, but he cuts a mighty fine figure while doing so," she drawled.
Busy getting the spinach salad ready and sipping on his wine, he never heard her come in. "Hey, how long have you been standing there? I didn't hear you come in," he said turning at the sound of her voice and quickly wiping his hands on the towel by his side.
"Not long, just enough to enjoy the view. I'm not surprised you didn't hear me, you've got the music turned up a bit," she said laughing as she walked to him.
"Sorry 'bout that. I wanted to be able to hear it no matter where I was in the apartment," he said, clasping her in his arms.
"Mmm, you smell good," she said, breathing in deeply as she buried herself in his embrace.
Laughing, he held her tighter. "I think that's the dinner you smell."
She shook her head. "No, it's you, but whatever you're cooking smells good, too. What is it?" she asked as he grazed her lips with his own.
"Veal Marsala, penne pasta and spinach salad. Dessert's a surprise," he said with a gleam in his eyes.
"My favorites. You're spoiling me, you know. The place looks cleaned up, you cooked and the table looks beautiful, with candles and everything," she said as she pointed out the beautifully set table, complete with a vase of lilies in the center. "And look, you even got flowers. They're beautiful, thank you," she said, lightly kissing him. Plus, you shaved," she said, stroking his cheek with her fingertips before following with her lips, as he leaned into her touch. "I should go away more often, if this is the welcome home I get."
"Nah. I'd rather you didn't go away for awhile. I missed you too much." His lips found hers and he kissed them softly, but it clearly wasn't enough for her as she parted her lips for him and deepened the kiss. Responding eagerly, he moved his mouth over hers, devouring her soft lips and exploring the depths of her sweet mouth with his tongue. She'd slipped her hands up under his button down and the feel of her fingers caressing his bare skin was sending shivers down his back. Pulling apart long enough to breathe, their lips connected again as he pulled her as tight against his body.
"I missed you. Take me to bed," she whispered against his lips. He shook his head and she looked at him wide eyed, causing him to chuckle at the sight of the surprise on her face.
"Nope. Dinner first, then bed," he said, gently caressing her lips with his.
"How about bed first, then dinner?" she suggested with a gleam in her eyes.
"Nope," he said, shaking his head once more. "Once I get you into bed I'm not likely to let you out for awhile, so you better eat while you have a chance," he said with a smirk.
Sighing deeply, she leaned into his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Fine. Dinner first, but it better be good."
"It is," he said, moving his arms off her and reaching for the counter. Pouring her a glass of the red wine, he held it out to her and kissed the top of her head. "Here, this will cool you off. I'll get the food."
"Then bed?" she asked, her eyes pleading as she took the wine goblet he offered.
"Oh, yeah. You can count on it."
TBC