Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Professor Layton franchise
Mention of periods in this chapter incase you don't like that you can skip until the first bracket.
Chapter 3 The beach episode
Today was the day. The day they would visit the beach, get some sun and splash around in the ocean. Emmy had been looking forward to this day. She figured she could finally get some exercise. A fit lady like herself had to maintain her shape after all. The hefty sand for running, building sand castles and playing beach volleyball, the strong ocean current for swimming, splash battles and scuba diving and the constant straining of her abs while wearing a bathing suit. Emmy had always loved going to the beach since she was little. She was also looking forward to spending the day with the professor again. Yesterday was...surprising, to say the least. She had trouble not thinking about the way they had danced together and how he glanced over at her during dinner. It felt strange, but good. She liked getting his attention.
Emmy blushed at the sudden realisation and turned over in bed. Flora was taking a shower at the moment. She said she wanted a fresh start before heading over to the beach. Emmy had protested, saying she would need to shower after, not before. Flora figured she could do both, to which Emmy had laughed and laid back down on her pillows. She wondered if she could talk about last night with Flora. She didn't think Flora had noticed anything strange about her and the professor, but Emmy was unsure if there was even anything strange to begin with. All she knew for sure was that she was confused. Flora might not be the one to talk to about such matters, since it was her adoptive father after all. Emmy sat back up and groggily scratched her dishevelled mane. She had always had unruly hair since she was little, but today was something else.
''Maybe it's the spanish air.'' She yawned.
She stepped out of bed and walked over to the dressing table. She sat down on the chair in front of it and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Emmy needed little to no make-up and her hair usually only needed a quick brush. After brushing her hair, she walked over to the bathroom and knocked on the door.
''Flora darling can I come in for a moment? I would like to splash some water in my face before getting ready.''
No answer.
''Flora?'' Emmy asked curiously. ''Are you alright?''
A low groan was heard on the other side of the door. Emmy was starting to get worried.
''Flora if you don't answer i'm gonna come in.''
''Wait!'' She shouted.
Emmy could hear Flora fumble around in the bathroom before opening the door. On the other side Emmy found a flustered, teary-eyed Flora with a towel wrapped around her middle.
''What's wrong.'' Emmy asked softly.
Flora averted her gaze before walking back into the bathroom. Emmy followed, expecting some big issue. Then she saw. On a towel, hanging on the side of the bathtub, a small red smudge stained the cloth. Flora picked up the towel and sighed.
''I think...I just got my first period.''
Emmy was shocked. She remembered the first time she herself had gotten her period. She had been in her uncle Bronev's living room when blood started staining her white trousers. Uncle Bronev had panicked immensely and had even taken her to a hospital. The nurse had scolded him about scaring Emmy without a reason and tried to educate him. Somewhere Emmy was glad the professor didn't get to live through a similar experience. Emmy wrapped her arm around Flora's shoulder to comfort her.
''It's alright dear. Do you know what it is? And why it happened?''
Flora blushed slightly and nodded. ''I've read about it at school and other girls in my class already have it.''
''I'll let the professor know how to help you and how he should prepare beforehand ok? For now you can borrow some tampons from me. Don't worry, it's all natural. If you experience any pain or nausea let me know.''
''Thanks Emmy. I'm glad you're here.'' Flora said with a timid smile.
The two ladies cleaned up and got ready to meet up with the gang for breakfast. At breakfast, Emmy took the professor apart to update him on the situation. He was surprised at the development and worried for his adopted daughter. Emmy assured him she would be alright, but she would need him to understand and show his support. The professor thanked Emmy with a hug. Emmy accepted this gladly.
Some time later, everyone had packed and gotten ready for the beach. Randall had convinced the professor to just wear his black swimming trunks and a white vest to cover up his chest. Hershel had tried to protest it, saying it was far too revealing for a gentleman and he should wear trousers at least, but Randall had always been hard to say no to when he put his mind to it. Clark had agreed to it as well, saying it was way too hot for trousers anyway.
At the moment they were all crammed together in a small tram. It was a tourist tram that was specially designed to take tourists from the hotel to the beach. Emmy was squashed in between Luke and the professor at the moment. She was wearing a red, wavy top with yellow strings attaching it around her neck. Underneath a pair of white shorts and flip flops. She was pressed up against the professor, with her arms uncomfortably against his chest. He was looking up at the ceiling to try and make things less awkward, but it failed nonetheless.
After about 10 uncomfortable minutes the train finally arrived at their destination. The crew sighed in relief when the doors opened, letting them out into the refreshing ocean air. The sun was set high in the sky without a cloud in sight. Clark had checked the weather earlier that morning to make sure it would be worth going to the beach in the first place and had told them it would be a perfect 30 degrees without clouds. Luckily, he was correct. The wind was soft and warm against their skin, enveloping everyone in a pleasing salty aroma. The azure blue sea stretched out far and wide on the horizon. A slight blur consumed the sands on the beach, revealing just how hot it actually was. Luke was the first to take a step onto the sand and yelped slightly at the temperature. He dashed forward with a determined scream, trying to find a spot to settle.
The rest eyed the sand with hesitation. They decided it would be better to keep their shoes on for now and followed Luke. The beach was quite busy and finding a spot close to the ocean was harder than they originally thought. After searching for a while, they settled on the slope of a small dune, a bit further from the sea. They were happy to have found the spot, since the rest of the beach started filling up soon after. They set down their belongings with a huff and started putting everything in place. The ladies put their towels in the sun to get their optimum sunbathing done. The professor zipped down his vest and hesitated. He didn't know why, but he felt embarrassed. He decided to wait to take it off until he wanted to swim.
Clark and Randall quickly shed their extra clothing and started flexing in front of their ladies. Brenda facepalmed together with Luke and Angela giggled. Luke was wearing blue swimming trunks with little brown bears on them, a rather cute and very Luke-like sight. Flora was sporting a pink bathing suit with red dots circled around her waist. She had picked it out herself and was proud to show it off. Brenda was wearing a longer light blue dress over her swimsuit, which was tied around her waist a string. She took it off to reveal a two piece dark blue swimsuit which fit her very nicely.
Angela was wearing an off-shoulder red crop top with black denim shorts underneath. She also took them off to reveal her red bikini. Randall had howled like a wolf when she took her shirt off, making her throw the cloth over his face. Finally, there was Emmy. Nobody was really paying attention to her while she was undressing, but it was hard to look away once she was done. She stretched out and looked over to the group. To her surprise, the grown-ups were all staring at her with their mouths hanging slightly ajar.
''W..What?'' She asked with a blush.
Emmy was wearing a strapless white bikini. The top was curved perfectly around her bosom, her brown, long hair curling gently over her shoulders. To say she was in shape was an understatement, her bottom round and firm, her thick thighs ready to take down any enemy and her abs amazingly visible on every part. Her naturally toned skin seemed darker against the white fabric. Randall nudged the professor in his side and leaned over to whisper in his ear.
''You can't be serious, right? You gotta do something about this Hersh.''
The professor pried his eyes away from Emmy to look back at Randall.
''What on earth are you saying.'' He whispered back.
Angela and Brenda had walked over to Emmy and explained why they responded the way they did. Emmy didn't know what to do with this information and just babbled on how she really liked to work out and all that. She felt embarrassed but also slightly pleased to get a response out of the professor as well.
''God look at her man. It's too much!.'' Randall whispered aggressively in his ear.
The professor moved away and rubbed his ear. He knew what his friend was trying to say, but he just couldn't think of a way to help him out. He was struggling to look at her properly as well and decided to focus on setting everything in place for now.
''Come on Luke, the ocean calls for us!'' Emmy yelled out and started dashing towards the water.
''No fair Emmy, you got a head start.'' Luke quickly followed.
Flora grabbed the blown-up tube she had brought along and started jogging behind them as well yelling ''wait for me!''
The rest of the gang sighed deeply.
''Gosh I knew Emmy was pretty but this beats every level.'' Brenda sighed and sat down next to Clark.
''I'm glad you agree dear. You don't mind if I stare at her every once in a while right?'' Clark said with a smirk.
''No not at all, as long as you don't mind me looking as well.'' Brenda said while placing a hand under her chin.
Clark was surprised by his wife's response and stared at her with his mouth wide open. The rest chuckled at the display. Brenda and Angela eventually settled on the towels to get their sunbathing done. Clark and Randall eagerly rubbed sun lotion on their shoulders and backs. The professor sat alone on one of the towels under a parasol. He felt a bit lonely with his daughter, assistant and apprentice in the water and his friends flirting to the side. After some time he decided to walk towards the ocean line. He took off his vest just in case he was forced into the water (which he probably would). He waved over to Randall to signal his departure and headed towards the sea. When he finally sunk his feet into the cold liquid, he sighed with relief. The water felt heavenly compared to the scorching sand. He was quickly spotted by Flora who swam up to him.
''Professor great timing! Emmy is being bothered by a group of guys.''
The professor looked around in the water and found Emmy indeed surrounded by four men. Luke was being held by one of the men by his arm, clearly protesting and struggling to get free. Emmy seemed furious. She started getting into a fighting stance when the professor quickly made his way through the waves.
''Gentleman. Might I ask you why you are bothering my friends?'' The professor said firmly when he finally reached the group.
The men turned around to him with angry looks on their faces. Emmy straightened her stance and crossed her arms.
''We were just wondering what a babe like her was doing with a little baby like this.'' The man who was holding Luke scowled.
''Fuck you're not saying THIS is your boyfriend sweetcheeks?'' Another man said while pointing at the professor.
Emmy's face started to redden with frustration. She was ready to kick their asses, but she tried to remain calm. She wanted to remain a lady in front of the professor after all.
''I would very much prefer if you would let go of my friend and leave us be. We don't want to bother anyone now do we?'' The professor said calmly while gesturing around them.
Groups of people were staring at the little group and some had even started to gather closer to see what was going on. The man holding Luke finally let go of his arm and looked at the other members of the troublemakers.
''Fine.'' A third muttered and gestured to the others to move along.
They moved back to the beach, leaving the four of them alone. The other people shrugged and continued with their own activities. The professor looked back at Emmy and Luke and sighed.
''What happened?'' He asked.
Emmy still looked like a tomato and smacked the water with a flat hand.
''Those...those ugh I wanna just...crush their heads and dunk them underwater.''
''They kept shouting dirty things at Emmy and other things about how she should join them and leave us. It was really frustrating.'' Flora added.
''And then they just grabbed me and said that she had to come with them now cause they had me and they just wanted a ''good time''.'' Luke said while angrily splashing around.
Emmy placed her arms over one another and sighed. ''Thanks for helping professor...I don't know what I would've done otherwise.''
''Probably kicked their butts.'' The professor chuckled.
The rest joined him in his chuckle.
''Let's try to forget those jerks for now and have some fun! The professor has joined us in the water after all.'' Emmy said with a grin.
The other two agreed and devilishly grinned as well. The rest of the afternoon was spent engaged in water battles, throwing around children in the water and seeing who could hold their breath the longest. The nasty event from before was long forgotten and the crew played until they had no energy left. Once they returned, the professor and Emmy immediately dropped down on their towels, completely exhausted. Flora and Luke still had their child-like never ending motivation to keep going and convinced the other two couples to join them in a sand castle building competition. Emmy had been a little sad to not be able to join, but spending some alone time with the professor was a win in her book as well.
The professor was laying on his back on the towel and placed his left arm over his eyes to shield the sun. The sun was nice and warm on his skin, drying the ocean water. Emmy had laid down next to him on her belly with her head propped up on her arm. She had closed her eyes and yawned. The professor moved his arm from his eyes to his forehead and turned his head slightly to look at her. The sunlight made the leftover droplets shine beautifully on her chocolate skin making him lick his lips. He noted how one drop made its way from her neck in between her nicely developed chest.
Emmy could feel him staring at her and opened her eyes. It startled him slightly when their eyes met, but he continued to look at her nonetheless. She smiled a small smile at him and he could feel his cheeks warm up.
''Thanks again for earlier.'' She said softly. ''I was really ready to take them out.''
The professor removed his arm from his face and propped himself up on his elbow.
''I can't imagine how frustrating it must be. To deal with people like that all the time. Although I do understand why they thought you were attractive of course.'' The professor said with a smile.
Emmy blushed and looked down at her towel. She didn't know how to respond to a compliment from the professor. She fiddled with the towel like she would with her camera and turned her gaze back to the professor, who she noticed also had a slight blush on his face.
''I never really thought about how I look. I just like to take care of my body I guess.''
''Have you been bothered like this before?'' the professor asked.
''Yes definitely. Men can really be something sometimes.'' She sighed.
The professor frowned at this. As a gentleman, he couldn't imagine putting a lady in a situation like that, no matter how beautiful she is or not. Respect and consent are the most important things.
''I have never felt unsafe with you though.'' Emmy said softly and looked back down at the towel. ''Maybe you could pretend to be my boyfriend.'' she said with a sheepish grin. ''That would hold them off.''
It was mostly a joke, but secretly she hoped he would agree to her stupid plan. The professor placed his finger under his chin and looked to be deep in thought.
''I suppose we could try.'' He said while sitting up.
Emmy laughed and also sat up. he actually agreed?
''Alright then, when do we start?'' He asked.
''I guess right now.'' Emmy scooted closer to him and leaned with her shoulder against his chest. She looked up at him with a big smile and pink cheeks. What was she doing. The professor was taken aback by her abrupt strategy but eventually wrapped his arm around her.
''Very well then. Pardon the intrusion.''
''What intrusion? You're my boyfriend now right?'' Emmy said with a giggle and placed her head against his shoulder.
The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing. The sand castle contest was overwhelmingly won by Luke and Randall, who had teamed up to build a giant sand top hat. Emmy and the professor explained to the group how they would pretend to be together to ward off any potential pests like before. Randall and Clark had both raised their eyebrows at the suggestion, but decided to question their friend about it later.
It was getting quite late and Clark suggested they head to the boulevard to get something to drink and eat. The rest agreed and they decided to pack their things and get dressed for the day. Angela and Brenda found they had had enough sun to last them for a bit and Luke and Flora would jump into the pool at the hotel later anyway. They walked back up the beach and started looking around the many stalls on the boulevard. Emmy walked next to the professor and was surprised when she felt a hand slip around hers. She looked at the culprit to find a flustered looking professor at her side. She was happy he was taking his role so seriously.
They continued to walk and explore when they found a cute little restaurant. It was a japanese style restaurant where the tables were close to the ground. They spotted an open table close to the window with a perfect view of the beach. The owner walked up to the professor and offered them a discount if he could solve thé most difficult puzzle he had been struggling with all day. The professor actually had a bit of a tough time with the puzzle and decided to share it with the group. A nice group puzzle was just what they needed to get their bellies rumbling. Luckily they were able to solve it, the owner pleased enough to finally start with their dinner.
The professor sat across from Emmy at the very end of the table against the wall. She had eagerly gulped down her noodles, making it quite the sight. He smiled when he noticed how a small remainder of sauce had worked its way around the corner of her lips. Without thinking he wiped it off with his thumb and licked the sauce off. Emmy looked at him in shock. He suddenly realised what he had done and started to apologize profoundly. Emmy had just found it amusing. He was her ''boyfriend'' after all.
The shenanigans continued the rest of the evening until they had finally made their way back to the hotel. The children had been falling asleep on the way back in the tram and were immediately put to bed. The adults gathered around a cozy fire pit outside in the garden. A waiter had brought over glasses of wine which they were sipping to their heart's content. Around the pit was one large couch and one smaller sofa. Clark and Brenda had claimed the smaller sofa and the other four were on the larger couch. Angela and Randall were cuddled together and so were Clark and Brenda. The professor was sitting next to Emmy, but felt it to be inappropriate to do anything of the sort. They weren't really together after all. They talked about the day and how they would fill in the next couple of days, about work, about the children, about life in general. It was quite nice to just enjoy each other's company without any problems in the world. The professor's life had been quite hectic after all.
''Well, I think I'm gonna hit the hay folks.'' Randall said while stretching out.
''I think I've had just the right amount of wine as well.'' Angela added.
''How about we join them dear.'' Brenda said to Clark.
Clark rubbed his eye and nodded. The four of them said their goodnight's and walked back into the hotel. Emmy swirled around the last bit of wine she had left in her glass. She had been so tired this afternoon, but she felt none of that now. Instead she could feel the heartbeat in her ears. The slight buzz from the alcohol was not helping either. She looked over at the professor to see him looking intensely at the fire. It almost looked like he was concentrating on something.
''Professor?'' She could hear herself whisper.
He blinked a couple of times and slowly looked back up at her. He was closer than she expected. For some reason, she had been leaning towards him.
''Yes my dear?'' He asked with a gentle voice.
That deep voice she endeared to no end. His eyes softened and a small smile grazed his features. The dancing fire left a warm glow on the left side of his face, covering the other side in almost complete darkness. Emmy had always thought the professor was handsome, but this was something she had never seen before. He was intoxicating to look at and before she could hold herself back, she leaned in. She could hear him breathe in sharply when her lips connected with his. His lips were warm and slightly chapped. She wondered why she had never done this before. The warmth from the fire and the warmth from the kiss was completely enveloping her. She pulled back and licked her lips. He tasted like wine, the salty sea air and a slight aftertaste of earl grey. She still had her eyes closed and let herself wallow in the tingly feeling it had left her.
Once she opened her eyes again she was met with a pair of worried eyes. Her gut twisted. She knew she shouldn't have done what she just did, but somewhere she had thought he would want to do the same. He averted his gaze and sighed, as if preparing himself. Emmy didn't want to know what he was preparing himself for.
''Sorry.'' She whispered before quickly getting up and sprinting away back into the hotel.
She had to get out of there before he could speak his mind. She was too scared of what he would say. Too scared to lose what she had worked so hard to keep. Until today she was just Emmy, his trusty assistant and perhaps friend. This afternoon they were just joking around, not being serious. Now she might have ruined everything. She was usually sure she could conceal her feelings, but that blasted wine. She just hoped tomorrow all would be forgotten.
Ooooooh nooooo Emmy :OOO
Finally got this chapter done! Honestly the entire concept of this story was based on the ''beach episode'' and i'm glad how it panned out (although originally in my head they ended up sleeping together).
Let me know what you thought!