Chapter Five: This Kiss
"Are you sure she said I could come?" sawyer asked. "I don't want her throwin' a fit."
"I didn't exactly give her much choice…but she said she'd at least give you a chance." Dani said, watching her brother pace the length of the living room. Sawyer grinned like a little boy at this.
"Well, that's a start. What time I gotta be there?"
"I don't know specifics just yet. I told her I'd call her for the time."
"You know where the place is?"
"What, where she lives? No, but I could pull strings in the IT department, find out where she's stayin'." Dani said, surprising even her self.
"I meant the doctor's address, but you got an idea there, Dani…never hurts to know." Dani smirked at this.
"What're you gonna do, pay your girl a midnight visit or somethin?" james shrugged. There were times when Dani hated her brother's vagueness.
"Nothin you gotta be worryin' about."
"James...tell me what you're gonna do or i'm not gonna get the address."
"Just gonna send her flowers or somethin'; Jeeze, don't worry, I'm not gonna go psycho or nothin."
"Alright, I'll see what I can do for you…"
"What should I wear?"
"James, it's a doctor's appointment for god's sake! What would you wear to a doctor's appointment?" dani was amazed how out of sorts her brother was about this impending appointment. "maybe it'd be better if you just took her to lunch afterwards."
"I don't know, it's not just any doctor's appointment, i want her to like what i'm wearing...your gonna help me pick somethin out...where should i take her?"
"She likes Italian. Cost me a fortune when i took her to lunch the other day." Dani said, almost laughing.
"Well then aint no need to take her out, I could just cook for her here." James said, suddenly relaxing slightly.
"There's a thought. but how are you gonna get her here and still have food goin'? or are you gonna start cookin when you get her here? you could go either way?"
"We could cook together…you know, get comfortable?" james said, still unsure of his plans. "What am I gonna make her?"
"She ordered the penne in red sauce at the restaurant," Danni supplied.
"Penne, yeah i could do that...maybe some baked chicken...bread, wine..." james continued to mentally list things in his head.
"You sure you don't want to just fly her to Rome and get the real deal?"
"What, you offerin' to pay or somethin?" sawyer asked, cocking his head to the side, grinning at her.
"Hell no! i'm just messin' with you, James! You need to chill man!" Dani laughed at her brother, trying vaguely to remember the last time he'd gotten this messy over a girl.
"Okay, okay. I just hope she likes the food. Damn, I gotta clean, buy the food, and pick out what I'm gonna wear." James came to a halt, turning his puppy-dog grin on his sister.
"What? Just clean up a little, turn on your charm and you'll be all set to seduce her." Dani laughed as he thought about it.
"Why don't you help me clean?"
"I'll call Marcela (her housekeeper) and offer to pay double if she can work her magic on this pig's sty."
"Thank you! i owe you, now i gotta go buy food."
"Hey!"
"What?!"
"Go to the FRESH market...you'll get better quality food from what you buy there."
"Good idea." James agreed, "now, my clothing."
"What the hell's wrong with what you're wearin'?!"
"Look Dani i wanna look nice, I might get laid...work with me here."
"I'll handle it. I know what she likes, aight?"
"That's what I wanted to hear...thank you!" he said, relaxing considerably.
"You are a mess. Git outta here!"
"With your help, I outta be Prince Charmin' this time tomorrow."
"Go, James!"
"Fine." He turned on his heel and left the apartment.
The next afternoon, Ana was already in the waiting area when Sawyer arrived. Three minutes behind schedule, to be exact.
"Can I help you?" the receptionist asked from her desk just to the right of the door.
"No, I found what I came here for."
"You're late." Ana said flatly.
"Chill, Chachi. I got here, didn't I?"
"I don't know why I agreed to this." Ana said, beginning to regret allowing Sawyer to attend this appointment.
"'Cause you're s'posed to be givin' me a chance… a real chance.
"Three strikes and you're OUT. You got that, cowboy?"
"Whatever you say, Muchacha…I'm ready; I'm tryin' my damnedest here; I really am." Sawyer said, quickly consenting to the conditions Ana Lucia had laid out before him.
"Alright, fine." Ana said, slouching back against the back of the chair.
"When we seein' the doc?"
"I don't know…" Ana said, unhappy with not knowing when she was going to be able to see her doctor.
"Well, then, let me ask." Sawyer said, getting up from his seat. He approached the receptionist. "Hi, um...when are we gonna see the doc?"
"What's the patient's name?"
"Ana Lucia Cortez."
"Ahhh, yeah right here...in about 5 minutes Dr. Carter will be with you."
"Thanks." He walked back over to where Ana was sitting and took her hand in his. "In 5 minutes we'll be in there." Ana eyed Sawyer's hand holding hers, but did nothing, she simply exhaled heavily and sank back further into the chair.
"So, how you feelin'?"
"Fine. No nausea yet."
"Good, good…you think you'll be up fer lunch later?" he asked, earning a questioning look from Ana.
"Sure. Where at?"
"My place. i cleaned...and maybe you can help me cook." He said, meeting her eyes hopefully. She laughed.
"You obviously haven't heard about how I nearly burned down the precinct a while back."
"What'd you do?" he snorted.
"You ever see Tomb Raider?"
"Yep."
"Remember how the microwave blew up when she tried to heat up a frozen meal? That's about what happened with me." He laughed.
"Damn Lucy...gotta be careful with you, huh, girlie?"
"What does that make you, Ricky Ricardo or somethin'?"
"Oh, God! I hope you aint as big a handful as Lucy Ricardo."
"Does that make your sister Ethel?" Ana asked, drawing a laugh from Sawyer.
"Pretty much, god knows she's just as nosy."
"I think your sister's tryin' to play matchmaker here, Cowboy."
"I think we're all a little desperate." James answered, "I'm glad she's helpin' though."
"Why, exactly?"
"'Cause," Sawyer drawled, "I need all the help I can get!"
"What DO you want from me, cowboy? 'Cause it doesn't seem like its just about the baby anymore."
"Ain't it obvious, Chiquita?" Ana shifted in her seat, folding her arms across her chest.
"Why don't you clarify for me?" He got up, moving to sit on the coffee table, between Ana's knees.
"I want everythin'…nothin' more, nothin' less." James said, taking her hand and putting it to his own cheek. "Just try, please. A little." Ana's skin broke into goosebumps at the first physical contact between the two." He laced his other hand in her hair, gently puling her towards him. "Look at me, Ana."
"I am looking at you." Ana said so softly that it was almost in audible.
"I want you to see the person who cares; who would never hurt you, let you down… the man that loves you." He brushed his lips lightly across hers, trying to coax a reaction from her.
She kissed him back, hesitantly. He smiled and whispered against her lips that he loved her. She kissed him back, more confidently this time, matching the pressure in his kiss before pulling away to speak.
"I think…I think…I love you, too." He ran both of his hands through her hair, pulling slightly, kissing her neck.
"I hope you ain't playin' with me," he whispered, resting his forehead against hers, kissing her nose. "Say it again."
"I love you." He kissed her again, quickly.
"Again. Say it again."
"I love you, I love you, I love you." This time, Sawyer kissed her full force, as Ana's hand wandered up into his hair, resting there.
A couple several feet away cleared their throats loudly, causing Sawyer to reluctantly pull away.
"Can I help you?"
"Dude...try that at home." The man said. Sawyer gave her one last quick kiss before moving back to his chair, her hand in both of his.
"Definitely gonna try that at home." Ana met this statement with a look saying "you'd better."
"You bet…" Sawyer said as the doctor came out into the waiting area.
"Miss Cortez?"
"'S us," Ana whispered softly to Sawyer, who stood, pulling her gently to her feet.
"C'mon, Lucy." She smiled at him.