Part 2 of 3

Meanwhile

She draws him up the street to the 'Mom & Pop Everything-All-Under-One-Roof Store' that serves the town in emergencies. Like lost luggage. She is making a mental check-list of things he'll need to tide him over then remembers who she is dealing with. His list will be carved in stone somewhere inside his head. She drags him inside and they stand by the door. He is unusually quiescent, she thinks. He must be REALLY tired to let me bully-rag him this way. Well, soonest begun soonest done.

"Now," she says brightly, "let's get everything you need for the next few days until your luggage shows up, if it ever does! And maybe THIS time you'll let me take you shopping for tropical-weight suits. Or perhaps you're ready to change your look a bit?" She gives him a fake once-over, hardly able to tear her eyes off him now that she's got him in her sights.

He stands quietly at her side, just looking at her. She gestures towards the laden every-day-use aisle, "Hey! You're supposed to be shopping for toothbrushes and socks and stuff… not studying me!"

He seems to struggle for a moment then mutters, "Maybe I LIKE studying you. Ever thought of that?"

She is startled. He must be out of his mind with fatigue to make a slip like that! She grabs up a shopping basket, takes his arm and starts him down the nearest aisle, "OK, just point and I'll load up."

He smiles crookedly and mutters, "So bossy! How I missed you." He begins pointing and she tries very hard not to think about what he just said. He obviously needs sleep and a LOT of it! Once the basket is full of toiletries, she leads him into the neighbouring clothing aisles where they spend a VERY enjoyable 10 minutes arguing over apparel. He finally settles for 2 pairs of dark grey slacks and white dress shirts… SHORT SLEEVE dress shirts! She is very proud of herself for convincing him to lighten up. He tosses in a package of grey socks and starts for the front of the store.

"Hey," she interjects, "what about ties?"

He turns, gives her a hooded look then smiles, "The one I'm wearing will do while I decide whether or not to continue wearing ties to work." Her gob-smacked look makes him chuff a quiet laugh. He turns away and she calls out again, more hesitantly this time.

"Um…"

He comes back to her, "Oh, what now?"

"What about underwear?" she mumbles.

His eyes flare and she feels suddenly very chagrined, "You forgot…"

"No, I didn't! I'm certainly not going to let you pick out something so private as that!"

"Fine! But you go back there right now and pick out something! I promise not to look." He snorts and vacillates but she gives him a firm shove in the right direction and he goes.

At the cash register, she firmly turns her back as his purchases are rung up but she keeps an eye on things via the anti-shoplifting mirror in the corner. Mmmm, something black… or navy? How intriguing!

They are back out on the street. Dusk is falling. The air is cooling and gathering that lovely night-time fragrance that whispers of secret dealings and quiet satisfaction. She loves this time of day. She sees him lifting his face to the deepening sky, sees him taking slow breaths, sees him settling.

"It's nice, isn't it?" she asks him, "The evening settling over the island; peaceful, beguiling, intimate."

"Yes," he breathes, "intimate. That's what I missed the most. Almost the most. This languid island air. Everything seems possible at such a time, doesn't it?"

They walk side by side. His arms are full of his purchases so she slips a hand around his forearm to hold him lightly. He starts minutely then ducks his head and accepts her touch. She waits a few seconds then settles her other hand onto his arm as well. Now she is tucked up against his side, almost bumping hips.

Now's the time to say something, she thinks. But she's afraid she'll say the wrong thing… or maybe the right thing but in the wrong way… or maybe the right thing but he won't pick up on it… or maybe… She gives him a panicked look. La Kaz is coming into view. I have only moments to put my feet onto the right path that will lead me to his heart. What do I say? What do I do? Why didn't I write it all down?!

A chilly mist seems to fall in front of her eyes. She's steps away from losing sole possession of him. Once I have to share him with others, my best chance will be gone! I have to say something right now! I have to…

Did you miss me?

They both stop walking and turn to each other.

She looks up at him in surprise. He frowns down at her. They both look slightly taken aback and a bit expectant but neither of them speaks. Finally she whispers, "Did you say that? Or did I?"

"I don't know," he whispers back. "It seemed to come out of thin air." They peer about. The street is full of people enjoying the coming night but no one is close enough to have spoken so quietly. "Maybe we're hallucinating?" he offers, "I'm tired enough to fall asleep standing up but it sounded so close!"

She nods then takes her courage in both hands, "But it's a good question, isn't it? DID you miss me?"

His face shows the internal struggle he endures before the words come in a relieved rush, "Of course I missed you! I missed you when you shoved me into the taxi and waved goodbye. I missed you at the airport and on the flight to England. I missed at the airport and on the flight to Saint-Marie. And then there you were, right in front of me and… and… I couldn't think of a single thing to say! All I could do was rant like a numpty and wish I could shut up." He shakes his head sorrowfully, "I am SUCH a twit."

She squeezes his arm, "You're NOT a numpty, whatever that is. You're shy. There's a difference."

"Being shy or being a twit, it doesn't matter if I end up alone, does it?"

"You're NOT alone. I told you months ago, you have me. You've had me for a long time now and I… I think I'm ready to step up to the plate, if you'll have me." Before he could form any sort of reply she squeezes his arm again, "I missed you SO dreadfully."

She ducks her head and starts walking. He falls into step beside her. La Kaz is fast approaching. She halts just shy of the bright lights and faces him, "I have a confession to make. It's not something I'm proud of. Please don't get mad?"

"What?" he asks quietly. He has managed to shift both bags onto one arm and is slipping his free arm around her waist, feather-light but definitely a bit proprietary, "What could you have possibly done that you need to confess to me? You are absolutely perfect in every way."

She smiles at that but forges on, "Well, I fed Harry twice a day like you instructed…"

"Yes?"

"… and then I… oh! I lay down on your bed!" She covers her face with the hand that isn't busy holding him as close as she could in public. The street had eyes and ears everywhere and, for all she knew, someone was on the phone to her Maman right now! She wonders if Maman would believe them?

His eyebrows fly up and he is surprised into a laughing cough, "DID you now?' Much quieter, he adds, "How did it feel?"

End – part 2