Here's another update. It's lengthy. I hope all of you are still enjoying this. I'm up for suggestions if any of you have any. Please take the time to review. I enjoy reading what you have to say. :)
You're a what?
November 29th, 2011
"I can't believe you two haven't banged yet."
At Nikki's statement, Skye rolled her eyes as she continued walking through the clothing racks in a small boutique in Columbia, South Carolina
"I mean the guy flies out to watch you compete at Survivor's Series and you guys didn't even come close to doing it?"
"Nicole, really, it's none of your business," Brie stated disapprovingly.
"Uh yeah it is when my friend hasn't gotten any in..." Her brow rose, looking pointedly at said friend.
"A year," Skye supplied, meekly.
"A fucking year," Nikki blurted out with a shocked look.
Eyes widened in alarm, Skye quickly glanced around the small store and found strangers looking their way. "Nikki!"
"Seriously, Nicole," Brie commented with a slight chuckle. "I think the whole town heard you."
"Well, it's unbelievable. A hot piece of ass like hers should be getting some every opportunity she gets especially with that fine specimen that she's dating."
Brie shook her head and continued browsing while Skye sighed. "Believe me," she began. "I want to. I just don't want to rush things."
"You've known the guy over a month," Nikki pointed out as she held a shirt up to her chest and glanced at herself in a nearby mirror.
"Yeah, but I've only been in the same place as him a total of five days if that. Our situation is different."
"All more the reason to jump his bones every opportunity that you get," Nikki concluded, putting the garment back with a disgusted look. "You've already established yourselves as a couple and it's very evident the guy is hot for you so just seal the deal already."
"Like I said, I'm not opposed to it."
"Then what's the problem," Brie asked, walking back over with a few things in her hand to try on.
"I don't know if I'm ready to go there with him yet. I mean sex usually means that the relationship is reaching a point that I don't know if I'm quite ready for."
"You mean commitment," Brie questioned, gently.
Skye shrugged a shoulder, "Look, I know it seems stupid, but with my track record with falling hard and fast with guys I really don't want to scare this one off. Yes, we're a couple, but what if I disappoint him when we finally do the deed?"
"I think you're being ridiculous," Nikki stated, honestly. Skye scoffed and shook her head. "Sweetie, those guys are not worth a second thought, okay? You deserve better than them." With a smile, she placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "You got a great guy. He's completely smitten by you. Don't ruin a good thing because you're scared of letting him in too soon."
"Wow," Brie remarked as she stared at her twin in awe. "That was some pretty damn good advice."
Nikki gave her a look, "Don't look so surprised." Turning back to the non-Bella, Nikki continued, "I say that you let your heart just go with it. Stop letting your head get in the way. Joe's not going anywhere."
"How can you possibly know that," Skye asked with a soft chuckle.
Nikki sighed, "Fine, I don't, but I swear if you don't jump that guy I will lose all the respect that I have ever had for you – just saying. I would have hopped on that man the very moment that Samoan ass presented himself."
"Lord, if Nick could hear you now," Brie laughed. "Does Skye have competition or something?"
"Obviously, I meant that hypothetically," Nikki replied, rolling her eyes.
"So," Skye began slowly. "You don't think I'd be rushing things by sleeping with him so soon?"
"It's not that early," Brie argued simply. "The two of you have talked nearly every single day since you met. It's not like you met him last week. You know things about the other, personal things."
"Don't let what happened with those jerks stop you from being with Joe in that way," Nikki advised. "They cheated on you, Skye. None of that was your fault. Why do you keep making it out like you were to blame for it?"
"Because," Skye shot back, incredulously. "Obviously, there was something about me that turned them off and lured them into the arms of other women."
"There isn't," both twins exclaimed.
"How can you both be so sure," she questioned pitifully.
"Because we know you," Brie pointed out, gently. "Don't feel so pressured into doing anything that you're not ready for."
"I think you're ready for that Samoan ass," Nikki reiterated causing Brie to shoot a warning glance her way. She sighed, "Okay, fine, I say you just fly out to Pensacola and see where the weekend takes you. In fact, surprise him."
"I don't want to intrude on his family time," Skye pointed out, turning her attention to the rack of clothing behind her. When the two had last spoken, Joe had informed her that he wouldn't be able to fly out to Chicago like he had originally planned, stating that he had forgotten about his mother's birthday happening that very same weekend.
She tried not to let the fact that he hadn't had invited her to fly out and attend upset her too much. She was still a bit put off when he didn't try to make plans to see her during Thanksgiving the week prior. Besides, they just started dating. She shouldn't be offended that he wasn't ready for her to meet his family just yet, well she wasn't offended entirely.
"I don't get why he just didn't invite you," Nikki commented in confusion.
"I'm sure that he was just trying to make sure that he didn't push me into meeting his family too soon," Skye reasoned.
"Well, if you're not scared to meet them then why don't you fly down there? I highly doubt that he'd just turn you away."
Skye stared at Nikki a moment, considering it. "I don't know..."
"Yes, you do," Nikki countered. "Stop thinking with your head and think with your heart. Where do you want to be this weekend? Sitting at home with your older brother watching some boring hockey game or down in Florida with your hot boyfriend?"
Skye chuckled, "Well, when you put it like that..."
Nikki squealed and clapped excitedly, "Yes! Let's get you a little something to wear on your special night."
Before Skye knew what was happening, her friend was dragging her toward the lingerie part of the store.
That Friday, Skye pulled her rental car into Joe's apartment complex after following Jon Fatu's directions that he had texted her a couple days before.
Tonight, hopefully, will be the night that they move their relationship to the next level and boy could she not contain her excitement.
She knew that he was only in Pensacola for a couple of days and she wanted to surprise him by flying out and spending those days with him. She had been slightly bummed when he couldn't visit her in Chicago, but she understood that he rarely got time to spend with his family, so couldn't be too upset.
If it hadn't had been for Brie and Nikki's encouragement, she probably wouldn't be in Florida right now, so she'll have to thank them somehow.
Turning off the ignition, she released a few breaths and looked around the parking lot, trying to spot Joe's Tahoe. She found it parked in a parking spot not too far away, indicating that he was home. Climbing from the car, she grabbed her small rolling suitcase and placed it down then locked up the vehicle.
She headed toward the staircase leading up to the second level of apartments. Bypassing the first four doors, she finally stopped in front of his and brought her hand up to knock.
Taking a few steps back, she rested against the wooden railing which overlooked the parking lot below and waited for him to open the door.
When the door swings up, she wasn't quite prepared with how surprised he'd be to see her. In fact, the slacked jaw look he was giving her made her giggle slightly.
"Surprise," she greeted, stepped forward and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Uh, hi," he greeted uncertainly, guiding her away from the door, but not breaking their hold. "What are you doing here?"
She pulled back, "Well, I figured since you couldn't come see me that I'd fly out to see you." When continued to give her a weird look, she wondered if maybe she should have called first. "Aren't you happy to see me?"
"Of course I am," he assured softly as he reached back to close his door a bit which confused her. "I just wasn't expecting you."
"Well, it wouldn't be surprise if I called ahead," she countered simply, eyeing the cracked door suspiciously. "Did I come at a bad time?"
He followed her gaze. "Kind of," he answered, honestly.
Unhooking her arms, she took a step away from him to study his demeanor a bit. He seemed on edge, nervous about something and her eyes immediately went back to the door. "Do you have company or something?"
His eyes casted downward and responded, "Yes."
She felt her insides go cold. Now if this had just been a member of his family she doubted he would look this guilty. No, he looked very guilty about who was in his apartment. She couldn't help but let the utter feeling of dread fill her. This was not happening to her again.
She slowly took a step toward the door, preparing herself for the inevitable.
"Look, Skye, I can explain everything…" She pushed past him roughly and entered the apartment intending to find some beyond beautiful woman inside, but instead her body froze at the sight that she discovered before her.
Her blue eyes widened as she stood stock still in the middle of the living room staring at the little girl sitting on the floor playing with a bunch of Barbie's.
The little girl's braided, pig-tailed head raised to look up at her with bright brown eyes. It was very clear who her father was just from looking at those familiar eyes.
Clearing his throat, Joe came over to where the little girl was sitting. He reached down and picked her up, settling the young on his hip. "Skye, I'd like for you to meet my daughter, Lexi."
Blinking, Skye stared at the pair of them and instead of opening her mouth to acknowledge the huge bomb that he just dropped, she found herself unable to form the words. As the shock wore off, it was quickly replaced with panic. He has a daughter. He's a father. Holy shit.
Obviously, Joe could see the discomfort in her features, so he whispered something for his daughter to give them a moment. Lexi nodded and he lowered her down.
Skye's watched the little girl closely as she disappeared down the hallway toward what she would assume was the child's bedroom.
When there was a soft click of the door, Joe slowly approached where Skye was standing, but halted when she quickly backed away from him. He sighed and ran a hand over his slicked back hair, "Skye...look..."
Shaking her head sharply, she stared at him with a warning gaze as her body slowly trembled. She wanted to say something. Hell, she wanted to yell till she was blue in the face, but she just couldn't make a sound. Swallowing, she looked wildly around the room, finding pictures of the little girl sitting around in various places along with a bunch of girl's toys littering the floor.
No wonder he didn't invite her for the weekend to meet his family or for Thanksgiving. He didn't want her to find out his secret. Why was keeping this from her?
"Please just let me explain," he began with desperation in his eyes.
Running her fingers through her hair, the panic and hurt that she was feeling was starting to really set in and she needed to get out of here before she allowed herself to look weak in front of him. She needed to go. Now.
Without uttering a word, she spun around and headed straight for the front door, ignoring Joe's pleas. She rushed through the door, snatching up her suitcase that had been left forgotten just outside.
Minutes later, she was behind the wheel of her rental driving who knows where with her mind reeling. "He has a daughter," she whispered in disbelief. No matter how many times she had said that very statement, she still couldn't believe that it was true.
Beside her, she heard her cell phone ringing in her purse. She knew that it was Joe. Who else would so conveniently be calling her during this time? Ignoring it, she concentrated on the road ahead of her. Her eyes moved to the right and found the beautiful Gulf staring back at her from the distance.
The sounds of waves could really clear her mind, so she found herself directing the car in that direction.
Soon she was plopped down in the sand staring out at the crashing waves as her mind replayed the events that had transpired barely ten minutes ago. She felt her phone vibrate in her back pocket, having turned the ringer off when it kept making its incessant noise.
Pulling it out, she noticed that Joe was now resorting to texts now since he figured the five missed calls were not working. Her eyes moved across the words. I'm sorry. I know I should have told you. Please come back.
She slid her thumb across the screen and dismissed the text. Instead, she went to her contacts searching through the different numbers and finally selecting the one that she was looking for. After selecting the number, she pressed the phone to her ear.
The voice of Brie Bella filled her ear, "Hey, girlie. Are you in Florida?"
"Yep," she answered, tightly.
"Uh oh, you sound upset," her friend observed. "Look, Nikki's here too, so let me put you on speaker."
"Girl, what's the matter," Nikki asked immediately. "I thought this was about getting some this trip."
"Well, that was the plan until I showed up at his apartment unannounced finding him not alone."
"That son of a bitch is messing around on you," Nikki questioned, heatedly. "Do I need to come down and whip his Samoan ass?"
"Nikki, chill," her twin ordered. "Let her finish."
"He's not cheating," Skye cleared simply.
"So, what's the issue then? I'm not getting it," Nikki pressed, confused.
With a sigh, Skye choked out, "He has a daughter."
"Oh," Brie began.
"Shit," Nikki finished.
"Yep," Skye sniffed, wiping under her eyes. "I just walked in and there she was."
"Well, what'd you do next?" Brie wondered.
"I left," she answered, incredulously.
"Without letting him explain," Brie asked gently.
"He lied to her," Nikki defended.
"He probably didn't know the best way to tell her," Brie reasoned.
"How hard is it to say 'hey I gotta kid'?"
"That just shows your level of maturity, Nicole."
"Whatever, Miss Perfect," Nikki countered, causing Skye to roll her eyes.
"Could you both focus on me please," she pleaded.
"Sorry," they said in unison, sheepishly.
"Okay, this is not a big deal," Brie assured her. "Yes, he shouldn't have kept this from you, but maybe he was just scared of your reaction. I mean he's a father, Skye. There's no changing that. He was probably thinking about his daughter in all this too, you know?"
"I know," she pretty much whined back. "That's not what's bothering me."
"Well, if him being a dad isn't a deal breaker than I'm confused with what the real issue is," Nikki remarked.
"It's me," she answered, loudly. "I'm the issue! Am I really capable of being in a relationship with a guy who has a kid? I'm already insecure about my ability of being the guy's girlfriend!"
"I don't see why not," Brie answered honestly. "You're good with kids. Why does this scare you so much?"
"We get that you had shitty parents, but that doesn't mean you aren't capable…"
The moment that Nikki had brought up her parents pretty much caused her flash back to all those unhappy times of her childhood. She tuned out the rest of what Nikki had to say and spoke up, "Look, I got to think about some things. I'll call you both later." Without waiting for their replies, she hung up and dropped the phone into her lap.
After spending nearly an hour on the beach, Skye pushed herself up to her feet with her phone and flip-flops in her hands then headed back to her car. She had spent enough time mulling this whole situation in her mind and she needed to get to a hotel room to think about what she was actually going to do.
Twenty minutes later, she plopped down on the bed staring at her cell phone. She hadn't heard from Joe in nearly an hour after his only text. Maybe he was accepting defeat.
Frowning, she clicked at the screen to check the voicemail screen where she saw Joe's unanswered voice messages. There was three total and her thumb hovered over the first one, wondering if she should listen to what he had to say.
With a sigh, she tossed the phone to the side and sat up, crisscrossing her legs on the bed. Burying her face in her hands, she let out a groan. This impromptu trip was not going as planned. She wasn't expecting to be here sitting in a hotel. She was supposed to be with Joe hopefully doing other things and not alone, confused out of her mind. It amazed her how quickly her plans had changed.
Her mind went to Joe. His face had been so dejected when she wouldn't allow him to touch her or to explain. She figured his messages were filled with his pleas for her to give him the chance, but she rejected them by not answering them.
Her heart felt heavy. She had been so focused on her own insecurities that she had forgotten to even think about what he was feeling at the moment. He certainly was a great guy and she was sure that he had his reasons to keep this from her. He deserved the opportunity to provide her with some answers. She would just have to suck it up and listen to whatever he had to say.
When her body continued to just sit upon the bed, she rolled her eyes. "You're being pathetic," she muttered, uncurling her legs then slid off the bed, and standing. After sliding her phone into her back pocket, she went over to grab a zip-up sweatshirt from her suitcase and threw it on. Turning, she went over to the dresser to grab her purse and the keys to the rental then headed to the door.
Ten minutes later, she stood outside Joe's apartment door gnawing on her bottom lip. After checking her watch, she found that it was after eight o'clock and she wondered if she'd be interrupting anything. "Just knock," she whispered. Shaking her head, she brought her knuckles up to tap on the door a few times then readied herself for him to answer. When he did, he stood before her with a skeptical look upon his face. "Hi," she greeted meekly.
"Come in," he requested, stepping aside and allowing her to walk past. After closing the door behind her, he spoke up when she saw her glancing around cautiously. "She's asleep, so you're in the clear."
When he walked past her, she cringed, but felt the need to explain sheepishly, "That's not why I was looking. I'm sure she was quite confused by the crazy lady who bolted at the mere sight of her and I just wanted to make sure that I didn't stare at her like she had two heads again."
He cracked a bit of smile. "Well, to put your mind at ease, she didn't seem at all fazed by your quick exit." Then his face turned somber again. "I, on the other hand, was very much troubled by it."
She nodded slowly. "Yeah, I'm sure you were. Can we sit?"
"Sure," he answered, leading her over to the couch. After they were both seated, he sighed, "Look, I'm sorry that you had to find out this way. I mean we've been talking for nearly a month and a half now and there were many opportunities to throw Lexi's name in there somewhere, but I…" He looked away as he trailed off. "I was scared," he managed to admit, surprising her.
She never would have thought that he'd be scared of anything yet this scared him. "Why," she asked softly.
He released a breath and began to explain, "My ex and I have not been a couple for a well over two years. She's moved on and I've tried getting back into the dating scene, but every time I mention my daughter – they all sort just decide that it's not worth it and bail. I guess they didn't want the extra, emotional baggage." His eyes met hers again. "I didn't want that to happen with us. I mean we already have the whole long distance thing against us. I wanted to be sure that I wasn't wasting my time again."
"I understand," she assured him. "I'm sorry for not giving you the chance to explain earlier. I was too busy – freaking out that I couldn't think of anything else except to run away. Unfortunately, you'll learn that I have tendency of doing that when things in my personal life get too complicated for me to handle emotionally."
"Do you still feel that way," he asked with hesitation.
She nodded truthfully and he sighed. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, go ahead," he said as he ran his hand over his face.
"Are you a good father," she asked which seem to puzzle him.
When she gave him a pleading look, he blinked and nodded, "I mean, yeah, I guess so. I worry about not being able to see her all the time and how it might affect her, but I think that I do the best I can."
She eyed him closely, "Do you tell her that you love her every chance that you get?" When he nodded uncertainly, she smiled sadly. "Good. Then you're a thousand times better than my parents ever were."
When he didn't seem confused by her statement about her parents, Skye could only conclude that her brother had given Joe some info about them during their talk last weekend.
"How much did Phil tell you," she asked quietly.
"Not much," he admitted. "He said that you didn't like talking about them much."
"There isn't a need to considering that they haven't been a part of my life for nearly fourteen years." Shaking her head, she stated, "Needless to say, they were not good people." When she saw the look of worry on his face, she quickly cleared, "They weren't abusive or anything just terrible parents who never gave a damn about me which they were very vocal about."
"Why didn't you ever tell me about them before now?"
"When you speak about your family, it clearly evident that you had a great childhood and I didn't. I mean yeah your dad was away a lot, but you always said that when he was home – his family was high priority. I never had that. I was kind embarrassed, I guess - maybe a little envious. I was never thought of at all as a kid. I was just there. The only happy memories I have is because Phil was there too. He was just as a miserable, but he made sure that I knew that I was at least loved by someone. He took care of me." She smiled faintly at the thought of her brother and how much they had overcome.
"You're parents never told you that they loved you - ever?"
"Not a single day of my life," she answered, shaking her head, "which was weird because I knew they were capable of saying the word because they told my brother all the time."
Joe gave her an incredulous look, "Why just Phil?"
She released a bitter chuckle, "Not Phil. They treated him just as bad. No, I have another brother - Mike."
"Why haven't you mentioned him," Joe asked, gently.
She sighed, "I resented him for most of my life because our parents treated him differently. They gave him things like a car, clothes - love, but they couldn't spread it out to their two youngest." Shaking her head, she continued, "Mike and Phil had a falling about twelve years ago when Mike stole money from him when he was running his own wrestling federation. Mike stole a lot. It pretty much put an end to the business. I'm very loyal toward Phil because he always looked out for me and Mike never did. Mike only thought about Mike. He was more and more like our parents which we despised. We haven't spoken since that altercation. Even though I wasn't out of high school yet, I helped out and even wrestled during that time, so his betrayal directly affected me too."
Closing her eyes, she released a breath, "I'm getting off topic. Mike isn't the issue. It's my mother. My father was an alcoholic, so naturally that was an issue growing up, but it wasn't as bad as being psychologically tormented by your mother. I mean the worse thing he ever did to me was forgetting to pick me up after school or soccer practice. My mother was worse. With Phil, she'd just mock his life choices, but with me it was like she loathed me. I was a mistake in her eyes. She never wanted me and she made sure that I knew it."
"When Phil was around, he took the brunt of her distaste, but he finally couldn't take it anymore, so he took off when he was sixteen and stayed with Carol and Chase – his best friend Chez's parents, leaving me behind to deal with them." Her eyes met his again and she felt the need to state, "Don't get me wrong, he tried to get me away from there, but our mother was malicious. She knew how to get back at Phil and that was by not allowing me to leave with him. She even threatened to call the cops if he tried to."
As the tears stung her eyes, she released a bitter chuckle, "Believe it or not that's not the worst of it. I mean yeah my mother mentally belittled me for years, but I always hoped that if I did well in school or behaved that'd she would see something good in me."
Biting her lip, she shook her head. "Look, I haven't told many people what I'm about to tell you."
"Look, Skye, you don't have to," he began as he took her hand into his, squeezing it comfortingly. "I get it. We can save that for another time if you would like to."
"I should to tell you," she whispered, firmly. "I mean I trust you with this. I know you won't judge me." When he nodded, she breathed in and out. "It was my freshman year in high school. It was my birthday, so there's no way I would ever forget what day it was. It was almost as if she planned it this way." Shaking her head, she continued, "Anyway, every year I always hoped that my parents would surprise me with a gift of some kind, but every year I was disappointed, so it was a normal, sucky day as I went from class to class. I was sitting in my last class of the day when I get called up to the principal's office."
Her eyes lowered to her lap where their hands were joined. "When I got up there, there was a woman waiting dressed in a business suit along with a cop, the guidance counselor and the principal. I knew that it was something bad. I wasn't fully prepared with what was going to happen. The woman said that she was a social worker and that I was to go with her. I would later find out that my parents were giving me up. They decided that they didn't want me anymore so now I was the city of Chicago's problem. I was given a trash bag full stuff – things that reminded them of me I suppose - and was tossed out like a bag of garbage basically."
Joe couldn't believe that anyone would do that to their own child. He found himself wanting to wrap her up in his arms and just assure her that he wasn't going to abandon her like those awful people had.
Swallowing, she went on, "They couldn't get a hold of Phil because he was out of town wrestling for a few days. Carol and Chase were not related to me, so I was sent to a foster home for a few nights. When Phil finally found out, it took nearly a week before Social Services would allow me to go home with him. He was only nineteen and the state was weary of letting him gain guardianship of me, so that's when Chez's parents stepped in."
"If it hadn't had been for Carol and Chase being the parents that I never had, I would probably be more psychologically screwed up, but I still have some lasting effects. I mean yes I know that my parents were shitty, but they were my parents, you know? You'd think that two people who had been responsible in bringing you into this world would at least care just a little bit."
"It's not your fault," he stated, feeling the need to.
"I know that," she replied, weakly. "Yes, Carol and Chase and their children are my family now, but it's like piece of me is missing. I think that's where a lot my relationship issues stems from - my need to be wanted by someone. I think that's my problem. When a guy shows interest, I sort of latch on and try to prove that I'm worthy of his love I guess. I can't really blame them for losing interest or running away. I learned really quickly that I really had some issues. So, I stopped allowing myself to open up to people. I never cared till I met you." She gave him the briefest of smiles. "This thing with my mother has really taken its toll on me. It's made me sort of scared of ever becoming a mother myself. I mean don't get me wrong – I like kids, but Lexi is not just any kid. She's your kid." She released a breath. "I don't want to screw this up because your daughter might not like me."
He gave her a baffled look, "That's what you're afraid of?"
"It's stupid, I know, but I'm just really unsure how I can handle all of this," she replied as released his hand to motion to the abundance of girl's toys that littered his living room floor.
"I understand," he answered softly. "I'm sorry if this makes you uneasy, but she and I are sort of a package deal."
"I know," she whispered, reaching for his hand again which seemed to surprise him a bit. "Even though this scares the living shit out of me, I don't want to turn away from this. I mean I know this relationship is new and we still have so much to learn about the other, and maybe I'm the only one that thinks this, but I really see a future with you, Joe." With a soft sigh, she continued. "I don't know what kind of influence I'll be on your daughter, but I'm trying not to let my insecurities ruin what we may have, so I'm not walking away from this."
With a smile, he cupped her face with his free hand, "I see a future with us, too. Despite not seeing you all the time, I feel like I've known you for years and I'm really glad that you are here and that you trust me enough to tell me all that stuff about your parents."
"Well, to be perfectly honest, I had ulterior motives for visiting you," she stated, slyly which causes him raise a brow.
"Oh really," he questioned in amusement. "Care to share or perhaps show me?"
She giggled lightly and leaned forward to press her lips against his. "Nope," she answered, pulling back. "Your daughter is asleep down the hall. I should probably go."
"You could," he whispered as he leaned forward to capture her lips again, and she allowed herself to fall into the kiss as his arms circled around her body, pulling her close. He broke the kiss and whispered, "You don't have to go. It's early. We can watch a movie or something – nothing more. What do you say?"
She inhaled his scent, trying hard not to throw herself at him because frankly he smelled delicious. "Sounds good to me," she answered, sliding away from him. "What do you have?"
He nodded toward the entertainment center where she could see some DVD on a shelf. "Take your pick. I'll go get us something to drink and pop some popcorn."
"Okay," she responded, watching him climb to his feet and walk toward the adjoining kitchen. She pushed herself up and went over to make a movie selection. "Okay so apparently all I have to really choose from is the Rambo series, Terminator, and a bunch of countless other guy flicks?"
He chuckled from the kitchen, "Well, what'd you expect? I let Ambrose borrow my copy of The Notebook and the dumbass never returned it," he stated sarcastically.
She giggled, "He seems the type to be into that type of flick."
"We can check and see if there is something ON DEMAND," he reasoned as he tossed a bag of popcorn into the microwave." He turned around just as she walked into the kitchen to join him, taking off her sweatshirt.
Her eyes caught sight of a picture hanging on the refrigerator of Joe and Lexi from what looked like her most recent birthday party considering the little girl was in the middle of blowing out a birthday cake of candles. Walking over, she stared at it with a small smile, "She really looks like you." Glancing his way, she added, "She's got your smile – those damn irresistible eyes."
"Thanks," he stated, smiling slightly.
"How old is she?"
"Just turned three a few months back," he answered, shaking his head. "Never pictured myself as a father, but she certainly changed that."
Nodding, she stared at him as he poured the popcorn into a bowl. "It suits you," she commented, causing him took at her with a small smile. "You have a tender side." With a wicked grin, she questioned, "So, do you let her braid your hair and have pretend tea parties?"
Deeply, he chuckled, "No on the braiding only because she hasn't quite grasped the concept, but yes on the tea parties. I do the pinkies up and everything."
"I have to capture that on video," Skye teased as she lifted herself up to sit on the part of the counter near the sink. "I'm sure the guys in FCW would die to see Leakee having imaginary tea with his pinky up."
"The things you do for kids, right?"
She laughed with him. "I'll take your word for it."
"What do you want to drink," he asked, heading over to the fridge and opening the door. "I have water, Pepsi, apple juice..."
"Pepsi is fine," she answered, hopping down. "Where do you keep the glasses?" He pointed at the cabinet above the counter that she had been perched upon and she grabbed two.
After grabbing ice from the freezer for the beverages, they headed back into the living room where they got situated on the couch. Joe grabbed the remote and began searching through the movie titles.
Once they had discussed each movie, they finally decided on Hangover II and got settled back.
A few hours later, the second movie – a romantic titled One Day was play on the screen, but the two of them were paying it no mind. It was just a mere twenty minutes into the film before their attention had been pulled away from the screen.
It had begun with Joe's hand gently caressing her arm as his muscled arm held her close. His touch gave her those tingles and she found herself turning her body into him, tilting her head up.
Now she was straddling his lap as his hands moved up and down her body while their lips assaulted the others. When she felt his hands sliding under her top, she pulled away chuckling and his hands stopped their descent. "Not so fast, mister," she scolded playfully
He flashed an innocent look her way as he panted softly. "Sorry, couldn't help myself."
"Perhaps we should call it a night," she suggested as she reached up to smooth back the hair that escaped his ponytail. "It's late and I need to head back to my hotel."
"Or," he began slowly. "You could stay here." When she began to protest, he interjected, "It's nearly one in the morning, Skye. I think we can sleep in the same bed – I promise to keep my hands to myself." He grinned at her. "What do you say?"
"I don't know," she stated uneasily. "What if your daughter wakes up in the middle of the night and walks into your room and finds me there?"
He gave her a gentle look, "My daughter sleeps like the dead and remains that way till somebody has to drag her out of the bed. I promise that you have nothing to fret about."
"Are you sure," she implored.
"Yes," he reiterated. "Now come on." His hands moved her off his lap so that he could stand and he held his hand out for her to take then the two of them were heading toward his bedroom after turning off everything in the living room.
Once in his room, he closed the door behind them then released her hand. "I'll grab you a shirt to sleep in," he said as he walked over to his closet, pulling out a grey Nike t-shirt. He tossed it to her and nodded his head toward the adjoining bathroom. "The bathroom is yours."
"Thanks," she stated as she kicked off her shoes near the bed then disappeared into the bathroom.
Minutes later, she stepped out just wearing the t-shirt that fell just past her backside. When Joe's eyes glanced her way as he was turning down the bed, they locked onto her exposed legs.
Meanwhile, her eyes were taking in his bed attire which consisted of a pair of cotton shorts and no shirt. "Um," she began, clearing her throat. "Your shirtless, I'm without any bottoms, this can't be a good idea."
"Like I told you out there, I will keep my hands to myself. Scout's honor," he told her then gulped. "As tough as it will be."
Shaking her head, she approached the right side of the bed, "It's going to be very difficult trying to fall asleep knowing you're half naked beside me." She climbed atop the mattress and slid her legs under the comforter as he followed suit.
He chuckled, "It's not going to be easy for me either. I'd like more than anything to..."
"Do not finish that statement," she warned with wide eyes. "Seriously, I'm about to go sleep on the couch."
"Fine, I'll behave," he promised, watching her as she got settled. "Hey," he spoke up, getting her attention. "I'm really glad that you're here."
"You can thank the Bella's," she remarked with a shrug. "They gave a bit of a boost of confidence to get on the plane as well as helped me pick out a little something to wear whenever we..."
"You really should not finish that statement," he half pleaded, half groaned.
She giggled, "Fine. I'll just leave it a mystery for now."
Shaking his head, he twisted over to switch off the bedside lamp and laid back.
Her voice broke the silence in the dark. "Do you mind if I come over there?"
He didn't miss the uncertainty in her voice. "You don't even have to ask, baby girl." He felt the bed shift slightly and soon felt the warmth of her body against his side. His arm wrapped around her as she rested her head upon his chest.
Nothing else was said between the two and soon the only sounds that could be heard were their slow, steady breathing as the two eventually drifted off to sleep.