Linka was the first to wake up from their nap. She took the opportunity to look at Wheeler closer than she ever had before. She ran her hand across his bare chest and noted how hard it was "How could something so hard, be so comfortable to rest my head on?" she thought. She also noted how his eyelashes had blonde tips, and how there was a small scar right above his lip. She ran her finger over it and suddenly got a tremendous urge to kiss that scar. He looked so peaceful, she didn't want to wake him so she gently placed her lips over his. She wasn't expecting him to kiss back, but he did. And she certainly wasn't expecting him to do it so vigorously.
"I thought you were sleeping!"
"Nope, I was faking. I was watching you sleep and when you started to wake up, I pretended to be asleep."
"What was the point of that?" she asked.
"To see if the princess would kiss the sleeping beauty to try to wake him up!" He joked.
"What is that scar from?" Linka asked as she traced the scar with her thumb.
"That's from my dad's wedding ring. He was drunk and didn't like something I'd said. I guess my tone sounded like I was being a smartass, so he cracked me across the mouth."
"Oh," Linka said sadly, still tracing the scar.
Wheeler took her hand and kissed her fingers. He wanted to quickly change the subject, "It's a good thing I was up before you though because I was sleeping so soundly, I don't know that you'd have been able to wake me up! That was the best nap I've ever had!"
"Maybe we should get you a waterbed on Hope Island?"
"Nah. Too risky. If I ever made Gi mad, she'd have a field day making sure I never slept again! Besides, it had nothing to do with the bed, and everything to do with the girl in my arms. You're like the teddy bear or security blanket that's been missing from my life."
Linka smiled and said, "Oh Wheeler, that was is sweet. It is nice having your arms around me. I did not think it would be comfortable sleeping so closely to someone, but it is. It is nice."
"I'm glad you think so. I was thinking that when we get back to Hope Island, we should live together."
"We do live together. Same house on an island, one kitchen, one commons area…" Linka reasoned.
"But different living quarters. I was thinking we'd cohabitate. Unless you don't want to. Is it too much too soon?" Wheeler started thinking that perhaps he was pushing too much, pursuing her too aggressively like he used to. "I'm sorry. I don't wanna come on too strong, it's just…we've missed so much time together already. I wanna spend every second with you. I want you to be the last thing I see when I go to bed, and the first thing I see when I wake up."
"That is what I want too. But let us keep our own rooms. We can figure out sleeping arrangements later. But first we should check with Gaia and make sure she is ok with it."
"We're adults Linka. She won't care."
"Da, but what about the others? We do not know their religious beliefs or if they would be morally oppose to it."
"Who cares? They can say some prayers for us if they're worried about saving our souls!" Wheeler joked, but sensed that Linka wasn't satisfied with that answer and wanted a more serious solution. "If it bothers them, then we'll deal with it…and by 'deal with it,' I mean, we'll just have to crawl into each other's windows at nigh and out of them in the morning!"
Linka hit him with her pillow and crawled out from under the covers. "Come on Yankee. Get dressed or else we will be late for dinner."
"You know, I was thinkin'…"
"Uh-Oh, I'll alert the media!"
"Funny Babe, real funny. Anyways, we don't have to go to my parents'. Maybe we can just call them and have them meet us somewhere in the city for dinner."
"You should have thought of that sooner Wheeler, like BEFORE your mother spent the whole day cooking dinner."
"I just want you to be prepared. It's not a good neighborhood, and the living arrangements definitely aren't what you're used to," Wheeler said.
"Wheeler you have seen the house I grew up in and the economic struggles of my hometown." Linka pointed to her present surroundings "THIS is what I am not used to. I am very fortunate to have what I have now, but I have not forgotten where I have come from."
"I know. I'm sorry. I'm just embarrassed and afraid I guess."
"Do not be embarrassed. I am the last person in the world who would judge someone based on their home. Is that what you are afraid of?
"No. I'm afraid of the impression my parents, especially my dad will leave on you. I'm afraid my dad will say something to offend you. He never has been good with conversations with anything other than a bottle."
"I am sure he will be fine, but thanks for the warning. You said he has not been drinking. Perhaps things will be better between you two. And do not make a scene, this is important to your mother."
"Have you been talkin' to her or something?"
"Da. When you were in the shower, I called to ask if there was anything we could bring. So hurry up because we have to stop at Serendipity and pick up a 'Big Apple' Pie and a Chocolate Blackout Cake."
"Serendipity? It's like eight bucks a slice for cake or pie. A whole cake must be an arm and a leg!" Wheeler exclaimed.
"Do not worry. All that matters is that it tastes good. And I do not have anything here to make a cake or pie."
"Are we driving or taking a cab?" Wheeler asked.
"Well since we have to pick up the desserts, I thought we would drive."
"I don't think that's a good idea Babe. We shouldn't leave your car unattended. Nice things don't last very long. They either get stolen or vandalized."
"Wheeler it will take forever if we go by bus. I know this is not very 'Planeteer' of me, but going by car will be better. Besides, it's a hybrid…and if something happens to it, oh well. It is not like I will be needing it on Hope Island." Linka argued.
"Fine, but I hope you've got good car insurance!"