Their day started lovely.
After their sweet lovemaking, they took some time to relax afterward, and enjoy each other's embrace, not connected anymore, only lying against each other. Joan even fell asleep yet for a little while, before Luke's sweet kisses over her exposed bosom woke her up, so they could start to gather themselves.
They fluently changed into their daily clothes, Luke moved the single beds apart again and shifted the nightstand between them while Joan packed their things back to the suitcase so they both could go to the buffet for breakfast. Nobody was looking at them in the slightest judging way. Reversely everyone was ignoring them, so they peacefully ate full plates of food, each of them according to their tastes, drank some hot tea to start a new day with a warm drink and simply savored the rest of their morning together, before Luke went to the reception to pay, so they might take off.
The road was also going quick today. No matter which one of them was driving, they stopped always for half an hour by a gas station in need of a toilet, or to buy some snacks and coffee, but surprisingly no sudden stops in the middle of nowhere for a quickie in the backseat.
It was mainly because both of them were completely satisfied with their morning intimacy, and also because they already wanted to be closer to their new home, so the sooner they arrive in Charleston, the sooner they will relax and gather energy for the last day of their travel to Darlington.
Yet still, unawares Joan had no idea, they might spend one whole day in Charleston by relaxing, because of the one-day delay of their movers.
Luke was sweet the whole day. He's been singing along with the radio to her favorite teenage songs, also he didn't have any comments about her coffee today, and he even brought the topic of starting thinking of names for both possibilities, boy and girl.
So far they could think of Dennison and Benjamin for a boy, and of Dennisse and Abbigale for a girl. They wanted the baby to carry with its name also its Christian meaning, and the great meaning of being its father's, whom they will not forget.
When they stopped for dinner in another small and cozy restaurant near Charleston, Joan could feel her exhaustion weighing on her quite heavily after the entire day. The truth was, that the previous day she lasted a little bit longer, because of her nap in the car. Today she did not sleep at all, because she was too invested in her and Luke's tiny carpool karaoke, or in a simple conversation of the two. They already planned to decorate the house, since Luke had the pictures of its interiors in his phone. They decided to have a bedroom upstairs, with one guest room and one child's room, and they also made a clear picture of how the child's room might look if it is a boy, or if it is a girl.
They chatted about the baby for so long, Joan felt so relaxed only at the thought of how caring older brother Luke will be since he already was taking care of everything which was connected to Joan's pregnancy and the future of the baby sibling of his.
But she did not sleep in entire day not even for a little while, and as she was sitting in the restaurant after the delicious dinner, looking at Luke who just finished eating, and checked his phone to find out how far away they are from Charleston yet, she felt the sudden dizziness.
Her eyes start closing, and as she leaned her back against her seat to relax her body, her head starts gently falling to her chest.
Luke noticed very quickly, it made him smile, how adorable she was when she was this much tired because of pregnancy. It was very surprising, that she suffered from morning sickness only during the first several weeks, but now she was mostly tired instead of being sick… which he assumed was probably only for the best.
It certainly better to be falling asleep during the day, instead having your head buried deep in the toilet.
He reached with his palm to hers in her lap, her eyes instantly flying open to search for him, spotting his pleasant smile.
,,We have one last hour and a half till Charleston, so would you like to spread on the backseat and take nap, before I might set you into a proper bed in our hotel ?" her son caressed the back of her palm with his thumb, while he gently held her hand in his, looking into her eyes with his blue forget-me-nots.
,,That'd be nice, I'm exh-aaaau-sted," Joan let out feebly before yawing through her last word, covering her mouth with her free palm, her eyes briefly closing again.
,,I know, and you deserve a nap," Luke stroked with his thumb over her palm again, before he refocused his attention to the waiter, who came with the check.
Joan barely perceived how Luke paid, but when he took his cup of yet warm coffee, she felt the sudden urge to go the toilet, before they might take off, so she wouldn't have to ask him to stop at a gas station.
,,Darling, I'm going to the lavatories before we leave, so don't hurry with the coffee, okay ?" brunette smiled at him, reaching his cheek with her palm, stroking him softly, receiving an approving nod from him, before she gathered her purse and stood up, walking towards the toilets.
Before she left the toilet, she ever so slightly freshened up by splashing a bit of cold water on her face and neck, wiping it off with a paper towel. Only then she left back into the restaurant, and as soon as she spotted their table, her eyes immediately widened in near jealousy, when she saw a very young girl sitting next to Luke, smiling at him, and what worse, he was smiling at her back.
Wou-wou, slow down Joan… There is no need to upset yourself. You just spoke about it last night, and today he was so nice and kind to everyone you've met along the way, for example, that gentleman who needed help with his tire near the road, or the woman by the coffee machine on a gas station. This is probably just some girl, who started chatting with him to kill her time in this restaurant, while her parents pay the bill or something, so stay calm…
Joan inhaled through her nose and exhaled out through her mouth with lightly closed eyes, before she opened them again and with a light smile she walked back to her and Luke's table, listening to his and the girl's chuckle.
,,Hi, Luke would you mind introducing us ?" his mother smiled at him and then at the girl sitting on her spot.
,,Oh hi, you must be Luke's mom, I'm Lily," the young girl instantly jumped up, showing her hand to Joan, who politely greeted the young slim thing, and slowly sat back to her spot.
,,Well nice to meet you, how did you two got into chat ?" Joan asked smilingly, looking from girl to Luke, whose palm landed on top of hers on the table, trying to soothe her inconspicuously.
,,Lily joined me before her parents might order their food, because she thought I was alone here, so we had a brief talk about our travels," Luke nodded smiling, pointing to the big table where sat a tall hefty man with small wife by his side and three boys. Two of them looking younger than Lily and one older.
,,We are traveling from New York to Orlando, our grandma lives there and we once in a while make a big family road trip in our trailer to visit her," Lily nodded, while holding her hands humbly behind her back, Joan could see even a slight blush on girl's face, when she peered at Luke couple of time during her speech.
,,That is so sweet of you," Joan smiled now honestly, putting her palm on her chest.
,,That's what I said," Luke uttered, chuckling softly. ,,Well I told to Lily, that we are on a road trip to Charleston from Hattiesburg, because we always wanted to go see the South Carolina-"
,,-Well you will love Charleston, we just came from there, and the sunset, which you might manage since it's in two hours, is soooo gorgeous !" Lily nodded eagerly before she got interrupted by her own mother calling at her from their table. The young girl turned back to Luke and his mother smiling politely ,,I gotta go, well it was nice meeting you Luke-" her eyes sparkled before she looked at Joan and nodded ,,-You too Mrs. Ramsey. Goodbye, and have a safe travel."
,,You too," Joan nodded at young girl, watching her disappear. Only then she turned back to face her son, who slightly shrugged and finished his cup of coffee. ,,That was rather sweet from her, she look cute, and …you seemed to be having a nice chat." Joan rested her chin in her palm, her elbow supporting her against the table while she looked into Luke's eyes.
,,Well we had, but she did look cute only because you came in and interrupted her, because before you walked into our chat, she was flirting with me quite obviously…" Luke chuckled silently watching his mom gape at him, and slowly turn to the girl who was already sitting at her table with her family. ,,Don't worry, I didn't give her the slightest opportunity to think she might have a chance by me," Luke whispered to Joan's ear, making her breathe in ease and her eyes slightly flutter at the smoothness of his voice.
She slowly turned back to him and smiled at him warmly ,,Each following day you seem to be more and more mature, I can't begin to explain how proud of you I am."
,,I might say the same, because you didn't make any jealous scene when you walked into our conversation, which I thought you might make due to your mood swing, but you pleasantly surprised me," Luke's eyes sparkled with honesty and contentment when he was looking in his mother's chocolate orbs and his palm slowly caressed over her back affectionately.
,,Alright, my baby boy. It's time to continue our journey so we might as well see the breathtaking sunset which your new friend Lily described," Joan chuckled softly, making Luke smirk at her note, before they both stood up and left the restaurant, fluently walking to their car.
They sat into the car, and took off for their last hour and half of travel.
It didn't take even five minutes since they left the parking lot, and Joan, who was looking absentmindedly outside uttered ,,So… how exactly did she flirt with you ?"
She didn't face her son, making him laugh at her question, she smiled knavishly in response, still facing the window.
,,Well you know, the usual stuff," Luke answered only in purpose to tease his mother.
,,Usual stuff ?" Joan slowly turned her head to have a look at his face laced with a wide grin.
,,Mhmm," he nodded, describing further ,,She was smiling at me, saying that it's pity we didn't meet in Charleston so we could spend some more time together, how sexy I look, also how frustrated she is, spending the whole road trip with her prude brothers and even more prude parents. Then she touched lightly my biceps and told me how strong I am, and then she let out, that I look like a guy who wouldn't mind tugging her into the lavatories and having a quick fuck with her. I chuckled aloud at that, knowing she wasn't completely wrong, except I wouldn't be into having that quick fuck with her, but at that time you already showed up and saved me…"
,,Dear Lord…" Joan breathed after her son finished explaining what happened in the meantime she was on the toilet.
,,I know," he chuckled again, still looking in front of himself, focusing on the road.
His mother let all of the words settle in her head, Luke patiently waited for any further comment she might have to what happened, until she finally let out very curiously to his surprise ,,And…who might that person be with whom you would be able to have the said…quickie in lavatories ?"
Her eyes were looking outside the car, but her flush on her face and the smile she tried to bite back was telling Luke, she would be probably into it as much as he. It did not shock him, it only intensified his desire to stop anywhere even right now, and bring her to the back seat, before he realized her sleepy condition from before she went to the mentioned toilet.
,,Well, of course, there's only one person, and I think you know her too well," Luke uttered teasingly, his voice rousing, making Joan's eyes flutter.
Now she slightly regretted that they left the restaurant maybe too quick.
,,Alright, we'll see what we might do about that tomorrow…" Joan said casually, causing Luke to turn his face to her briefly, in slight but ever so pleasant, and almost exciting surprise, watching his mom give him that kind of seductive look that sends a shiver down his spine.
I swear to you God, if she will add one more tease like this, I'm pulling over on the next exit of this road…
But unfortunately just at that moment Joan yawned again, and Luke smiled warmly, taking a look at her, how she relaxed against her seat.
,,Do you want me to stop so you can take the blanket and pillow from the trunk, and have a nap before we arrive at our hotel ?" her son asked kindly, smiling at her when she looked at him, his voice was so pleasant.
,,N-mm, it's okay, just…keep talking, and I will doze off for a bit," brunette admitted with dreamy smile, and lightly closing eyes due to her tiredness.
,,Alright, well, today was a very nice day, and I'm so glad how our travel went by. Also the dinner was delicious, I think you enjoyed your risotto as much as I enjoyed my French potatoes, and now when we arrive to the hotel I have a tiny surprise for you," Luke softly smiled for himself, hearing his mom's light groan.
,,Really ?" her voice was very sleepy, and her eyes were closed, she did not pay attention to his words anymore, only to his voice, which made her slowly but surely fall asleep, before he might be able to finish what he wanted to tell her.
,,Yes, well the movers will have a one day delay, and so I booked our hotel for two…mom ?" he whispered his last word, looking at her, how she was breathing in ease already, her palms resting on her little bump and her head tossed back against her seat, just like in the restaurant.
Luke smiled widely at her cute, sleepy form, he focused back on road and turned back on the radio, lowering the volume to have it on a pleasant level of loudness so he shall enjoy Pretty Woman from Roy Orbison, without interrupting his mom's peaceful nap.
She is so gorgeous when she's asleep…
Luke smiled while observing his mother still sleeping soundly without interruption on the passenger seat, while he already parked in front of their hotel and turned the car off.
He took a breath as if to speak lightly to wake her up, before swiftly changing his mind, and smiling even wider, leaning closer to her instead and pressing a soft, loving kiss to her lips.
Joan stir from her dream, smiling at her son's warm lips on hers, kissing him back, her eyes fluttering slightly open yet sleepily, while she kissed him fluently deeper, until she realized where they were.
,,Mmm-Luke…" she muttered to their kiss, not stopping him though, as her palm stroked his cheek. ,,We are exposed on the parking lot," she murmured again, this time he finally drew slightly back.
,,I know, we're by our hotel already," he smiled at her delirious form, waving with his brows.
,,Already ? I slept for whole hour ?" Joan rubbed her eyes and slowly narrowed to look properly around.
,,And a half," Luke nodded, unbuckling himself, helping his mom to do the same, before they get out of the car.
,,Alright, I think I'm not going to make it into the shower tonight, but directly in bed, and I will peacefully shower tomorrow morning before we might take off ah-aaaawwwhhh-gain," Joan announced, covering her mouth with her palm just at the time her mouth opened wide with a long, proper yawn.
She was way too exhausted, and still delirious after wake up only moments ago.
,,I understand you," Luke nodded, picking their suitcase from the trunk and stepping with it to his mom to hold her gently, protectively to his chest, before he led their way inside the hotel, her sleepy form clinging to his body, her eyes nearly closing again.
He decided, that he could tell his mom, about the free day in addition in the morning after all, due to how tired she was, and she deserved a proper sleep now. It seems that growing a baby really does take a village.
,,Good evening," Luke smiled at the receptionist with his wide shiny smile, Joan only lightly smiling too.
,,Good evening," the woman greeted them as well, smiling at both.
,,We have a booked apartment on name Ramsey," Luke nodded, waiting till the lady checked what he said in her computer screen.
,,Right, well congratulations to the newlyweds ! The royal apartment is ready for you, with a bottle of champagne on the house to the occasion of your honeymoon, but don't overdo with the bubbles, since I can see you already started a family," the woman cheered, looking with a wide, pleasant smile at Luke and Joan with her tiny but ever so visible bump. Brunette suddenly bulged her eyes at her son, who smiled at her and kissed her cheek, making her nearly blush.
,,Well thank you very much, you don't need to worry, I will keep an eye on her, like I have been ever since we learned the news ! We wish you a good night," Luke smiled at the receptionist who nodded in agreement, handed them the keys, and shown them to the elevator.
Joan was so shocked at what happened in the last past couple of minutes, and thought she is probably still asleep, so she rather stayed completely quiet, only nodding politely. Only when the elevator door closed she looked up at her son with a very confused expression.
,,Am I still sleeping, or you just really checked us in like a husband and a wife ?" Joan asked very very slowly withal curiously, but Luke didn't get the chance to answer, because the elevator stopped at their floor, and he didn't want to discuss this on the corridor, so he only nodded and led her towards the room, navigating himself due to the numbers on the edge of the corridor, until he found the number of their room.
Unlocking, he walked in with Joan still confused, clinging to his side.
Luke put the suitcase aside, and locked the door behind them, while his mother widened her eyes even more and gasped at the beauty of the apartment.
,,Luke this is huge ! And so full of light !" she walked slowly across the little living room towards the balcony, to see the truly gorgeous sunset as the girl described an hour or two ago. Because of her sleep, she lost the track of time, and the fact they were in this amazing apartment, yet checked like a married couple made her so confused, she just decided to roll with it until Luke might explain himself.
,,Well, to answer your previous question, I also felt uncomfortable yesterday with checking in to a hotel on the last minute, and receiving a two single beds bedroom, so I decided to check us in here like a pair, so we could peacefully have a king-sized bed… You weren't the only one who was disappointed last night," he waved with his brows teasingly down at her, as he joined her on the balcony, with two glasses of poured champagne, continuing ,,So here we are… the newlyweds undercover-" he murmured his last word ,,-enjoying this huge apartment with great bed, a whirlpool, and breakfast to bed and all of that for whole two nights, because…. The movers called me yesterday evening, and told me, they had a slight obstacle, and might delay for one day, so I managed to book this apartment for tonight-" he leaned down to Joan and kissed her lips softly ,,-entire day tomorrow-" he kissed her again ,,-and one more night…"
He ended his explaining with one last kiss on her lips, she couldn't hold it in any longer and moaned out loud in emotion to what he did for them, kissing him lovingly back, before he drew slightly back and handed her one glass of champagne.
,,I allow you three sips of the champagne, to sleep better tonight, plus I want to drink to the spare time for ourselves which we just gained," Luke lifted his own glass and cling with hers, Joan still shocked, only lightly holding the glass, and looking from it to her son and back to the glass, while feeling his free arm circling her waist, drawing her closer to himself.
,,If I will wake up now on the parking lot I will probably scream," she breathed out sincerely, making Luke chuckle, at which she giggled too.
,,I assure you this is real, as it can possibly be, love," Luke waved with his brows once again, watching her eyes sparkle, the sunset reflecting in her beautiful chocolate orbs as she nodded, nearly whimpering.
,,I love you, my baby, and if I wasn't this much tired I would jump at you long ago already, do you believe me ?" Joan giggled, letting her small tears of the joy slip down her cheeks.
Luke smiled widely and nodded ,,I do, but trust me…we have so much time tomorrow, it can wait."
And with that he leaned down to her again and kissed her sensually, to her delight, causing her moan very lightly to his mouth, her palm caressing his chest in repay.
When they broke their kiss, they both turned towards the sunset and watched how the orange glow covered the shimmering surface of water, while they both took a sip of their champagne, still clinging to each other in their embrace.