Ella's sleep that night is fitful. Thoughts of the meaning of what Tom meant. Was goodbye really final? Could she live without seeing his face again? Just as that thought crossed her mind, she was awoken by John's arms encircling her. She felt disgusted, not by John. Of course, not sweet, forgiving John. But by the overwhelming sense that she didn't deserve him.
She slowly unpeeled his arms, careful not to wake him. She gets out of bed, and out of their shared bedroom. She pads down the stairs, walking to her favorite place, the big armchair in the library. She falls into it, letting out a sigh that is merely a catalyst for tears to fall. As she cries, she remembers how she met John. How it had been a while since she had even thought of life before...well, all of this.
"So you're trying to set me up with a cop? What part of my life screams 'I love cops'?" Ella turned to her favorite bartender, Hannah, and gave her best attempt at looking hard.
"Look, girl. I get it. You like your solitary life. You dated that asshat from your job and it went south." Hannah saw this wasn't going to go farther unless she pulled fewer punches. Ella was a hard sell, to say the least.
"I don't wanna talk about him. Can I get another vodka cranberry, please?" Ella shook her glass, as she tried to change the subject.
Hannah grabbed her glass and turned to refresh the drink. When she turned around to hand the glass back, she pulled away at the last second. Ella looked on confused at the bartender's actions.
"What the hell?" Ella questioned.
"Remember we had that run-in with a gang of angry bikers? It was in the paper and everything?" Hannah put down the drink in front of Ella.
"Yeah. I was terrified something bad would happen and my favorite dive would be no more. As would you." Ella sipped quickly, which urged Hannah to go on.
"Well, I never told you much about the guy who took 'em on. Young guy, attractive, lanky. He punched out three of those brutes before any other asshole in here even got up to help. It wasn't until he turned around til I realized I knew him. Went to Gotham City High School with him. John Blake. He came over to ask if I was alright and offered to pay for what was damaged. Of course, my boss wouldn't let him pay. But John left his card behind, says to call him if they ever come back. Turns out he's a cop now. Comes in every once in a while. Talks to get his mind off of work. Seems lonely. But he's a good guy. Lives by the book, ya know?" Hannah dug into her waist apron before she pulled out a pen and John's card before placing it on the bar. She jotted down his number and shoved it into Ella's free hand. "If anything, just go on one date. Clear the bats out of your belfry and move on."
"That's a hell of a story," Ella remarked as she looked from the number back to Hannah. "It's all true?"
"He's also a volunteer at a boys' home. Probably a boy scout too." Hannah smirked at Ella.
"I usually don't have a soft spot for puppies. But what do I have to lose, right?" Ella pocketed the number and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill, and laid it on the bar next to her now empty drink. "Twenty bucks says this is a terrible idea."
"You're on. That about covers your bill anyway." Hannah laughed, prompting Ella to snort as well.
Ella made it back to her small apartment, it was only half-past nine and she was still a bit tipsy, even after the longish cab ride home so she thought, iwhat the fuck/i. Why not give this John guy a call right?
She pulled out the number and dialed it before walking over to the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water for her quickly drying mouth. She downed a third of the bottle before a voice answered.
"This is Officer John Blake. Hello? Hello?!"
"Hi, this is Ella." There's her voice. She'd found it finally.
"Hello, Ella, I'm sorry I don't recognize the name. Do you have the right number?" Even over the phone to a potential wrong number, he was a sweetheart. Ella was in it now.
"Right. Of course, we haven't met yet," Good save, kid. "You once helped out a bartender friend of mine, Hannah? You gave her your card and she gave me your number. She has this crazy idea that you and I would make a cute couple and I'm just tipsy enough to ask you out without ever seeing you." Ella silently screamed at herself for telling a guy she doesn't know that she's tipsy and, obviously, vulnerable.
"I remember Hannah. Tough cookie. How is she these days?"
"She's good. Still tough as hell. I'm surprised you didn't immediately start regaling me about how you took on three guys all by yourself. I guess I'm used to guys peacocking around me."
"I'm no peacock." He laughed into the phone and Ella felt like she heard his halo shimmer.
"I like that, John. Um, would you wanna maybe meet for coffee sometime? My treat." She wanted to see if John would play along or if he was the type to always pay for everything.
"I'll let you pay on one condition." Here it is.
"And what's the condition, Officer?" She felt herself ease into the conversation that much more.
"You buy me a donut. I am a cop after all." He laughed again, music to Ella's ears.
"Oh my gosh. Well, then. It's a date." Ella smiled into the phone and settled on meeting John tomorrow morning for coffee and donuts.
"Oh and one more thing, Ella. Since we haven't met yet, how will we know when we see each other?" John raised an important question. She kind of forgot the whole 'not knowing each other' thing. Their conversation was so easy, it just seemed...right.
"Well, you can usually spot me by my curls. I have long dark curly hair. And I'll try and pick a spot right by the door to the coffee shop. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy." Easy. Peasy. Lemon. Squeezy. Really, girl?
"So look for curls by the door. And what happens if I sit at the wrong table?" John tried his hand at being playful.
"I assume that will be terrifying for whoever that poor girl must be. You're a cop, man. Look for the girl with the curls and who is obviously waiting for someone. Use those deductive reasoning skills." Ella threw it right back at him.
"Nice comeback. I like that." John appreciated her barbs and didn't chide her for it. That's some serious points in Ella's book.
"Why thank you. Hey, do you text at all or are you strictly a phone call type of guy? Because it is getting late and I need to shower before bed." Ella laid the chum in the water and waited for the shark to attack.
"Yeah, I text." He didn't attack as any other guy did, didn't mention her showering or being nude or all alone at all. So weird.
"Ok, save my number. Ella. E-L-L-A. I hope to hear from you soon, John."
"You will, Ella. Go shower, let me know you made it out alive." He giggled and it was pure saccharine.
"Funny one. Ok, talk to you later, John." Ella made a face at herself, suddenly upset to not be hearing his voice again tonight.
"Talk soon. Bye."
"Bye."
Ella ended the call and all but ran to her bathroom and peeled off her clothes with ferocity and jumped into the shower. She took her time lathering up her body, careful not to get her hair wet as she would freshly wash it in the morning. She ended her shower and toweled off before she put on her comfy silk nightgown and settled into bed. She momentarily closed her eyes and opened them as she heard her text message notification sound. She picked up her phone from her bedside table and smiled as she read the text.
John: This place sound good? I haven't been but they have good reviews for the donuts. LOL ;)
She opened the link to the coffee shop and noticed it was only a few blocks away. She replied, Sounds perfect. Can't wait to try it out.
John: It's a date then, see you tomorrow.
She replied with a wink face then put her phone on the charger, turned out the light, and had a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, she took extra care to manage her curls and put on a little makeup before getting dressed in a simple purple top that did wonders for her olive skin tone and some curve-hugging jeans and flats.
She walked the couple of blocks to the coffee shop and sat inside at the table to the right of the door. She faced the door to be able to see everyone walking in. She went to grab her phone from her purse when the door's overhead bell rang. She turned to look up at the man walking in and he was gorgeous.
Short, cropped hair. Tall as hell. Slender but built enough for the sweater he was wearing with the sleeves rolled up to be dancing across his pecs. Dark brown eyes that turned to meet hers. She was taken aback when he came to sit across from her.
"Please be Ella. Otherwise, this meet-cute is starting horribly." He giggled, and there goes the music to Ella's ears.
"I'm Ella. Which makes you John. Nice to finally meet the man behind that giggle." She offered her hand across the table and John shook it firmly, thankfully he didn't try and kiss the back of her hand. Ella hated when guys did that on the first date. "You are definitely punctual. I just got here myself. Didn't even get to have that awkward moment where I decide to get a coffee before you got here."
"Well, ya know, it's the cop in me I guess. Or maybe the boy scout in me." He smiled and adjusted his rolled-up sleeve.
Damn, he really was a boy scout!
"Why don't we go up and get those treats now? I could use something strong and something sweet." Ella stood up and waited for John to stand as they got in line.
They have a bit of small talk about what to order and then they are next in line. Ella orders a medium caramel latte with a shot of espresso and a raspberry crumb donut. She then stepped aside to let John order a small black coffee with three creams and three sugars and a chocolate glazed donut. Pulling out her wallet, she smiled at her extravagant order and his relatively plain one. She paid for their treats and put the change in the tip jar next to the register and smiled at the cashier.
While they waited for their coffee and donuts, Elle looks at John surveying the people in the coffee shop. You can take the cop off of the job, but you can't take the job out of the cop.
"Do you do that a lot even when you're off the clock?" John's head spun back to Ella's voice.
"Sorry. Force of habit, I guess. This city has its way of getting itself into trouble, ya know?"
"I know. But don't worry. I'll keep you safe, Officer." Ella smiled at John and his eyes crinkled at the corners as he felt more at ease.
They grabbed their breakfast and returned to their table to sit and chat. They talked about their childhoods or lack thereof. They were both orphaned at a young age. They had that pain in common. They talked about how much they hated school. Turns out they had a lot more in common than being single. They talked about hobbies, their jobs, and where they lived. But after a while, the topic of loneliness crept its ugly little head into their conversation.
They felt comfortable enough with each other to talk about past relationships and the times they had gotten their hearts broken. They listened to each other and gave their undivided attention. After breakfast, they decided that they would meet again and made a date for later in the week. John drove Ella home and they spent almost ten minutes making out in the front seat of his car. When they finally part, Ella leaned her forehead against John's, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Do you, and trust me I do not do this lightly, do you want to come up to my apartment?" She was almost breathless as she put her heart out on the table.
"If I say yes, I hope you know I don't take this lightly." John cradled her head in his hands and made her look at him.
"Then say yes, John."
"Yes."
As soon as they were behind Ella's door, John let her take control. She pulled him by the arm to her bedroom, not worried about giving a tour, that can come later. She wanted him and she wanted him now. She guided him to sit down on her bed, she smiled to herself thinking of how she managed to make her bed and tidy the room this morning. She undresses down to her bra and panties, giving John a little show, then climbed into his lap and takes his mouth again. Their connection only growing stronger with every kiss. John's hunger for her only growing stronger, as she can feel him hardening with every second.
Ella pushed John back to lay on the bed, unfastened his jeans, and pulled them down and off, leaving him in tented boxers. She leaned over to grab a condom and as she found one, John flipped her over onto her stomach.
She had an immediate fight-or-flight response that was only quelled by the feel of John's soft kisses down her back and across her ass. He grabbed a pillow from the head of the bed and lifted her hips as he put the pillow underneath her. He undid her bra and then pulled down her underwear, she laid bare before him and ran a hand down her back which caused goosebumps to tickle at her flesh.
John could smell her arousal and with the pillow lifting her hips, he could see her sweet juices forming. He put on the condom and kissed her neck before he entered her painfully slow. Her moans a song in his ears. He made sure she was comfortable and then when she started to wriggle under him, he began to make love to her. Not fucking her like some cheap prom date. He felt something for her. Already wanted to protect her. Already cherished her.
After his release, and many releases on Ella's end, they lay under the covers cuddled up to one another quietly. Ella guessed Hannah was right about the bats in the belfry thing. She needed that. She already felt like she needed John and that scared her. John played in her hair while she rubbed her hand over his well-defined chest.
"I still mean what I said, ya know." John's words took Ella out of her reverie and she looked up to see a serious look on his face. "What we've just done, I don't take it lightly. While I do see that we were in the moment, I can see a possible future for us, and I hope you do too."
"I really do, John." Elle smiled at him and all her fears had slipped away in a blink. She leaned up to kiss him and it lasted longer than their previous kisses. As if they had been kissing for years. They fall asleep until the sunset. John ordered them dinner and they sat in front of the tv in the living room and ate. John left soon after, promising to text when he got home.
Ella sat on her bed, clutched a pillow, and stared at her phone until John texted her. When he did, she didn't waste a second before she texted him back wishing him a good night and thanking him again for dinner and a wonderful first date. She felt as if she could finally breathe, as if she could be herself and John would like it. And that was a great feeling. She just hoped it would last.
Back in the armchair, back to the present predicament. Ella is at a loss for words. She knows what she has with John was amazing. She has the love of her life. A man who has literally fought for her. But there is still that nagging feeling in the back of her mind. What about Tom? What did he mean by what he said? Later, if the opportunity arose, she would delve deeper into that mystery. For now, she would keep it out of her mind and focus on what was right in front of her.
For now, she wipes her tears and heads back up the stairs to the bedroom. She settles back into bed, but not without jostling John awake by accident.
"Hey, baby, you okay?" John groggily asks, unable to notice Ella's wet eyes.
"I'm fine now but I could use a cuddle honestly." Ella pulls the covers over her legs and waits for John to pull her in.
"Of course. C'mere, baby." John opens his arms and Ella falls into place. John soothes her by holding her close and kissing her forehead. "I love you, Ella."
"I love you too, John." Ella wills herself not to start crying again as her mind starts to wander. She focuses instead on the beating of John's heart, the heart that beats for her, the heart that loves her.
Turns out being in the arms of the one you love is always the best remedy. And with that, Ella falls asleep and dreams of John and only John.
