I know the last chapters came kinda quick, but that was because they came on the weekend. Externship keeps me pretty busy and when I come home, I just want to relax, eat, watch something, or nap because I have no creative energy.
Anyway, that's why there was a bit of a delay. I felt you guys deserved an explanation.
So yeah, here's the next part.
Hunter was walking around the garden the following morning trying to avoid responsibility. "So our dear Fitzy is getting married tomorrow?" He chuckled to himself. "I hate to admit it—even aloud to myself where no one who matters can hear me—I am actually very happy for Fitz and Jemma; they do make such a beautiful couple. It would not surprise me if he wanted to marry her the first day they met. Well, I wish them all the happiness…I just want no part in preparing for this wedding." He sighed. "It must be nice to fall in love. Hopefully one day I shall find me a woman who is not only attractive, but wise; one that I may share more than just physical pleasure with. Though in all honesty a life with nothing but intimacy wouldn't be such a bad thing either."
On the other side of the garden wall, Fitz was spying on Hunter while Trip and Coulson waited behind him. "Can you see him?" Trip quietly questioned. "What is he doing?"
"He's monologuing to himself," Fitz answered back in a hushed tone. "It's going to be a long while before a pause in his one-sided conversation."
"Then we'll just have to interrupt him." Trip then raised his voice so that Hunter could hear. "And you are certain no one will hear us out here, Governor?"
"I made sure that the gardens were clear before I asked you men out here," Coulson was also playing along, "for I have stumbled upon the most unbelievable scene that I surely thought was a dream."
"Oh? Do go on, Sir."
"I had awoken early and was making my way to my study when I heard my niece lament. Naturally curious, I paused to listen. Bobbi was standing at her bedroom mirror confessing to her reflection how she's still madly in love with her former husband." Hunter quickly covered his hand over his mouth so that no one would hear his surprised gasp.
"Governor, you must have been dreaming."
"I pinched myself to ensure whether or not I was dreaming; alas, I was awake. Bobbi tries to deny her feelings for him with their verbal spars, but even then she says she anticipates when they occur because—in a demented way—it creates more conversation time with Hunter. Evidently, she has also recounted her feelings via the written word—though I will not invade her privacy and search for it."
"So why doesn't she just tell Hunter how she really feels?" Fitz asked.
"My niece was brought up a proper young woman. Therefore, she believes it is proper if the gentleman initiates the courting. Besides: she doubts that Hunter will take her seriously if she admitted her love for him."
"The man hardly takes anything seriously. He would undoubtedly turn it into a joke and mock her mercilessly."
"And I give Bobbi high praise for her intelligence," Trip commented. "She is a truly classy and remarkably smart lady. Well, it isn't smart for her to love Lance Hunter, but there are things that no doubt turn even the smartest of people into simple fools." Hunter resisted the urge to throw at rock at Trip. "And in all honesty, that man is more attracted to women of lower class and lackluster intelligence."
"Is that your way of saying Hunter prefers all bust and no brain?"
Trip let out a small chuckle. "I suppose that is a cruder way of summarizing what I said." He quickly regained composure. "No, we must not let on that we know any of this. Let us hold on to the hope that Bobbi will find someone truly worthy of her love. Until then: let's go to breakfast, for I am starving."
"Amen to that," the men headed back to the house.
Hunter stumbled around the garden wall to the now vacant spot where he heard the men talking. "Bobbi's still in love with me?" He pinched himself. "No, I am awake." He looked toward the house. "They talked honestly about it, even down to the less than kind words about me. I suppose by now I would remark how Bobbi would be lucky to fancy a man as handsome as I—and I suppose I just did—but yet I can't because it would hurt her and I care about that. I care? It's as if that revelation is rekindling my romantic feelings toward her; which is not necessarily a bad thing—I did marry the woman after all. Bobbi is very attractive, and God yes she is smart, and I do have a thing for blondes." He leaned against the garden wall. "My God, I think I've fallen in love with my ex-wife." He heard footsteps. "Speak of the most beautiful, intelligent, she-devil."
An irate Bobbi stood in front of him. "I have been asked to come and get you for breakfast."
"You look as if you take no pleasure in doing so."
"I don't." Hunter laughed. "What, dare I ask, is so funny?"
"I was just thinking back to the first morning I tried to cook you breakfast in bed, but failed miserably."
She skeptically raised an eyebrow to him. "Why?"
"I don't know...I just felt like reminiscing a bit." He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek before heading for the house. "See you at breakfast, love."
…
Following breakfast—where Bobbi couldn't help but notice that Hunter kept staring at her—Bobbi sat on the terrace reading a novel while May was finishing her meditation techniques. "I'll be seeing you May," Bobbi called to May without taking her eyes off her book.
May gave her a small wave and turned the corner where Jemma and Daisy were waiting. "Please tell me you're not going through with this ridiculous plan."
"Come on May," Daisy tried to coax, "are you sure you're not the tiniest bit interested?"
"I prefer not to stick my nose in other people's business. I want no part in this or its inevitably doomed aftermath," May went inside.
"She needs to lay with a man now."
"Daisy!" Jemma admonished.
"What?"
"Could we just stick to the Duke's plan and not make those kind of remarks about other people? Now that May has left and Bobbi is alone, this may be our only chance."
"Okay, fine," Daisy and Jemma walked within earshot of Bobbi. "Oh my God Jem, are you serious?" Bobbi was obviously trying to avoid what was certainly idle gossip. "Tell me everything, and do not skip out on any details."
Jemma fidgeted a little. "I don't know; I promised Leo I wouldn't tell anyone."
"Well in all fairness, you didn't tell me; I overheard it. Now come on; what's this I hear about Lance Hunter being in love with your cousin?" The book dropped out of Bobbi's hands, but she quickly snatched it up and carried on pretending she wasn't listening.
"When Leo went out to look for his mask after the party ended, he noticed Hunter by the pool talking to himself."
"Surprise, surprise."
"Hunter was carrying on a conversation with his reflection in the water about how he has fallen in love with Bobbi all over again."
Daisy squealed with delight. "I always knew there was still something between them! I have to go tell someone."
"No, you can't! Leo even felt guilty after he told me this morning. No one can know; we don't want word getting around to Bobbi."
"Why not?"
"Do you honestly think my cousin will take Hunter seriously? She will mercilessly mock him with that knowledge. Yet even if Bobbi did harbor feelings: she is far too proud to act upon them. She will take his positive attributes and qualities and find something wrong with them to convince herself she is not in love with him."
"Then we need to go and convince Hunter to woo her back. We can use the 'we overheard you talking to yourself' excuse because in this instance it is the truth."
"Leo told me how Hunter spoke of Bobbi being a strong, independent woman who bows to no man's whim. She would surely turn him down if Hunter courted her."
"Maybe we can hint at ways that she can court him," Daisy smiled. "It worked for you and Fitz."
Jemma blushed. "That is not entirely true. Leo always loved me; I merely asked for confirmation."
"Please, you were the one who initiated the romance when you put your hand on his knee to stop him from his incoherent babbling. That story is romantic. I'm sure if Bobbi was the one who courted Hunter, that could also make for a romantic story."
"But wouldn't Hunter assume she's taunting him?" Jemma faked a plan. "I will tell Leo to go to Hunter, tell him that he knows what he said by the pool, and start listing the reasons why Hunter should not be in love with Bobbi."
"You mean like ruin her reputation?"
"No, just speak of her negative aspects and remind Hunter of the reasons why they are no longer married."
"I suppose that's fair. Hunter really isn't that bad of a guy and he deserves to find a woman who will truly love him...or at least one who is good at pleasuring a man."
"Really, Daisy?"
"Hey, maybe Hunter should bed May."
"Daisy!"
"May can not be so stiff and serious all the time; she needs to loosen up."
"Honestly, Daisy."
"You will probably change your mind about a couple in bed together once you and Fitz-"
"I think that's enough of that! We have made our point on that subject and now the subject must be changed."
"Speaking of change: why don't you go change into your wedding dress so I can see how it looks on you?"
"Wouldn't you want to see it with the veil or the train?"
"Seriously, do not wear those. I'm telling you: it would look much better with just the dress and the flower crown."
"Do you really think so?"
"Why don't we go and see for ourselves?" Daisy gestured for Jemma to go inside and then followed her.
Bobbi dog-eared her place in the book she had since been pretending to read before setting it down on the empty seat beside her. "I suppose that explains his strange behavior this morning. Jemma never lies—and when she does she is terrible at it—so this is obviously the truth. Then there is the fact that Hunter has yet to have a successful relationship since our marriage ended…just as I have." She paused when she realized that. "Being the wife of Lance Hunter wasn't all that terrible; it did have its merits. He could be a gentleman if he wanted to, especially with those little, rare romantic gestures…" she cleared her throat. "I can not keep falling in love with that man," a beat, "and yet I do." Bobbi growled in exasperation. "He's stubborn, he's irritating, he's crude and immature, he's a drunk, he never stops talking, good God I can go on and on." A small smile escaped Bobbi. "Though Hunter does bring out a less serious side of me. There was a point where I didn't mind when he drove me crazy, and some of his less tasteful jokes were rather amusing." She tried to get a cool composure. "Jemma, Leo, and Daisy are the only ones who know about this; so I just have to go on as if nothing has changed and I still hate Hunter…even though everything has changed and I do love Hunter." Another sigh. "I need a cold shower to clear my head."
I planned out the next few chapters so trust me, this is the best place to stop.
Also, I love how Hunter and Bobbi ship FitzSimmons. I just wanted to express how adorable that is.