Chapter 18: What's the time, Mr Wolf?
. . .
''I'm not sure, Ellie... Isn't it too revealing to be worn like this?'' Jo asked with clear hesitation in her voice.
''Mo-o-om, seriously.'' Ellie moaned in response. ''It looks perfect.''
Mac smiled to himself, thinking that Ellie probably wanted to wear something too short or too tight. Or both. Also, he wondered if it might have something to do with the boy who played on her soccer team. But when he entered the bedroom he totally forgot about it all, as suddenly it became clear to him that it wasn't Ellie's outfit that was being discussed. It was Jo's.
She was standing in the middle of the room, wearing a really nice dress. He was never good with colors so he wasn't sure what to call this shade of blue, but it reminded him of the summer sky at night. It highlighted both the darkness of Jo's hair and the paleness of her skin, perfectly.
''But it's almost backless.'' Jo noted with the same hesitation as before, turning slightly.
''No it isn't.'' Ellie protested. ''It doesn't end right above your bottom.'' She said and Jo glared at her over her shoulder.
''Also... don't you think I'm too old for a strapless dress?'' She asked. ''I mean, it's not like it won't stay in place, but...'' She stopped suddenly as she turned around and noticed that Mac had entered the room. ''I really think I need a shawl.'' She added and tried to grab the black, silky piece of fabric that was carelessly spread on the bed, but Ellie was quicker and moved it out of her mom's reach.
''Mom, you have beautiful skin and a beautiful figure. Let's leave shawls to old ladies, OK?''
Jo's gaze was still fixed on Mac but nonetheless she rolled her eyes. She cleared her throat and asked, ''What do you think?''
His eyes glided over her bare shoulders, relishing the softness of their lines, the fragility of her clavicles, the sensuality of her cleavage.
''Umm...'' He murmured, as he was aware that what he was thinking right now shouldn't be vocalized.
''In my opinion, it looks even better when mom's hair is up.'' Ellie said and stood on the bed behind Jo. In one swift movement she gathered Jo's hair and kept it up. ''Don't you think?'' She asked, looking at Mac above Jo's head.
He had to admit that he couldn't recall seeing Jo wearing her hair like this. Usually her hair cascaded down her shoulders and her back in soft waves or sometimes she had it done in a ponytail, but never like this. It showed off her neck perfectly, making her look even more sexy. He swallowed hard as suddenly he couldn't keep himself from wondering how it would feel if he kissed her neck. He wanted to know if she would shiver. Or if she would put her hand on his head and run her fingers through his hair, while he slowly caressed her with his lips. Did she have a sweet spot? Or maybe a ticklish spot that would make her giggle?
''No, Ellie, I think it's too much.'' Jo suddenly said, sounding slightly irritated. ''I'll wear it loose, as always.'' She added and intended to move away from the bed, when Mac stopped her.
''Actually...'' He started, but broke off, not sure if she wanted to know his opinion.
''Yeah?'' Jo urged him to continue.
''I think... I like you with your hair up.'' He said timidly. ''I mean, you look different than usual. Really nice.''
''So usually I don't look nice, huh?'' She asked, tilting her head and looking at him.
''That's not what I mean.'' He groaned.
''I know, I'm just teasing you.'' She said and smiled at him. ''OK, El, don't you have homework to do?'' She asked.
''I'm almost done.'' Ellie said.
'' 'Almost'? Why does it sound to me like you barely started?''
''I dunno...'' Ellie shrugged her shoulders.
''It's already 10 p.m. Please, finish up and go to bed.'' Jo asked and Ellie reluctantly left the room. Only then Jo reached for the silky shawl, folded it and placed on top of the chest of drawers.
''I thought you said the other day that you bought the perfect dress.'' Mac said. ''Was it this one?''
''Yeah...'' She sighed. ''I thought it was perfect. But then...'' She hesitated. ''I don't know. I wouldn't had second thoughts about it 10 years ago, I guess.''
''Jo, you look really good.'' He said, as he thought that was what she wanted to hear. She glanced at him and he panicked slightly,fearing that it probably wasn't appropriate to say something like this. ''I mean, for your age.'' He added quickly. She narrowed her eyes at him as the thought of Christine ran through her head. Christine was younger than Mac. Younger than her. Much younger.
''Yeah, for my age.'' She repeated after him with a slight hint of bitterness. Then she tossed her duvet aside, pulled out her pajamas and headed to the bathroom.
''Do you need help with the zipper?'' Mac asked in an attempt to ease the tension. Then he chuckled slightly, trying to hide any sign of excitement about this idea.
''Nah.'' Jo shook her head. ''Despite my age I'm still able to reach my back, you know.'' She added and disappeared in the bathroom.
''That went well.'' Mac murmured to himself and sat down on the bed.
. . .
''Yes, Amy, I'll keep you posted.'' Jo said on her phone while trying to catch up with Mac. ''I'm not sure yet... I really hope it is something easy, that can be done quickly. Otherwise, we're going to miss our flight and there won't be any need for you to come tonight.'' She sighed, slowing down noticeably at the same time. Mac turned around to face her.
''Jo...'' He started, reaching out to grab her hand in order to hurry her up as she ended the call and slipped her phone into her jeans pocket.
''Yeah, yeah, I'm coming.'' She sighed. ''I just can't believe how unfortunate it is. We were already on our way out!'' She said, getting into the car while Mac held the door open for her. He circled the car and got in on the other side. ''Please say it will be something easy and we will make it.'' She asked hopefully.
He turned to face her and smiled lightly at the look on her face and her beautiful eyes fixed on him. Then he shook his head lightly and sighed as well. He knew how much she wanted to make it to the wedding, but he couldn't help. The call had come in still during their shift. True, there had not been more than a couple of minutes of it left, but technically it wasn't over yet.
''Here, I got you a scone.'' He offered her a small package from a vending machine.
''A scone.'' She huffed.
''You don't want it?'' He asked with a clear surprise.
''Is it the one with almonds?'' She asked, opening it and studying its contents suspiciously.
''Yup.'' He nodded and started the engine.
''At least.'' She murmured and took the scone from him. Then suddenly her phone started to ring. ''It's Ellie.'' She said in a slightly more cheerful tone. ''What's up, babe?'' She asked, answering the phone. ''No, just order for yourself, I'm pretty sure we won't make it home on time.'' She said and held the phone between her shoulder and her head while she pulled the scone out of the package. Then she glanced at Mac, who hadn't driven off yet and was looking at her. ''What?'' She asked with a frown.
''Seat belt.'' He reminded her and she rolled her eyes. She tried to reach for the seat belt while still holding her phone between her shoulder and her head, but it wasn't really working. She let out a groan and said, ''El, hold on a sec.'' She handed the phone to Mac, but before she turned back to grab the belt she slightly bent slightly forwards and added, ''Say 'hi' to Mac!''
''Hi, Mac!'' Ellie said loudly on the phone and Mac smiled. With a slight hesitation he lifted the phone to his face and answered.
''Hi, Ellie.''
He wasn't sure what else he should say, so he just waited for Jo to be done and handed the phone back to her.
''So... big, cheesy pizza only for you, huh?'' She asked, sounding noticeably jealous as she scrutinized the scone at the same time. ''Four? Who's with you?'' She frowned slightly. ''Tyler? Really? He told me he wasn't coming...'' Mac glanced at her, seeing how she furrowed her eyebrows, listening to what Ellie was saying. ''Oh, OK... Have fun then. I hope we're gonna be home soon.'' She sighed again and Mac smirked. When Jo was happy her happiness was totally contagious. But when she was down... ''Yeah, I love you too. Take care.'' She finished her conversation and took a big bite of the scone. ''Hmm...'' She murmured.
''What?'' Mac asked, glancing at her fleetingly.
''Tyler came to visit tonight.'' She said and took another bite.
''So...?''
''Well, usually I have to ask a dozen times until he agrees to meet with his old, boring mother.'' She said with a mock grudge. ''And yet this time he showed up twice within a week...''
''Do you think he put himself in some trouble?'' Mac asked, furrowing his eyebrows as well.
''Trouble? Well... I guess you can say so...'' Jo murmured. He glanced at her once more and noticed her smirk. She apparently knew something, but wasn't willing to share and he decided it would be too snoopy to ask. ''Oh, shoot...'' Jo sighed and looked down. ''I made a mess.'' She admitted. Mac didn't say anything, only sighed significantly. ''Well, you gave me this scone.'' She added.
''I did.'' He confirmed. ''To make you at least a little less miserable.'' He told her, pulling over and stopping the car.
''I just really want to be at the wedding.'' Jo sighed, getting out of the car.
''I know.'' Mac nodded, walking towards the shop. ''We have three hours.'' He said, looking at his watch. ''We can still make it.'' He held the door for Jo and was just about to follow her and enter the shop, when she turned around abruptly.
''You think?'' She asked, her voice full of irony. She pointed inside with her head and he looked over her shoulder. He saw that the whole place was covered with pieces of glass, with a dead body lying in the middle of the room. Then he looked at Jo again. She entered the room and placed her kit down with a rather loud thud. Then she put her hands on her hips and looked around.
''Great.'' She sighed and pouted her lips.
. . .
''97...'' Jo murmured and placed another piece of glass inside a small envelope. She wrote the number on it and put it down on the pile. Even without looking at her Mac knew what would follow. A deep sigh. And then...
''What time is it?'' She asked and he smirked.
''2 minutes later than the last time you asked.'' He answered, reaching for another piece of glass and carefully dusting it for prints.
''I'm sorry.'' Jo sighed again. ''I'm just so... ugh!'' She groaned and he looked at her with anxiety, as he thought she cut herself. But she was fine, only irritated. ''We're not gonna make it, right?'' She asked.
''I'm afraid we won't.'' Mac admitted truthfully.
''I shouldn't have cut the price tag off of that dress. Now I can't even return it.''
''You can still wear it some other time.'' He noted.
''Like where?'' Jo asked.
''I don't know. To some nice dinner perhaps?'' He offered.
''Oh, right. I have those all the time. Every single night.'' She said, her voice dripping with irony. ''I just wanted to doll up and have some fun.'' She added sadly.
''I know.'' Mac told her. He was looking forward to this wedding, too. To spending some time alone with Jo, without the kids. To seeing her wearing that dress. To dancing with her and taking care of her during the reception.
''I'm done.'' Jo said and stood up. ''Now all I want is to go home, burrow under the covers and sleep through my misery.''
''Actually...'' Mac started, but then hesitated. ''What if we tried to get to the wedding anyway?'' He offered shyly.
''Mac, our plane is taking off in 25 minutes. There's no chance we're gonna make it.''
''I know. But we can drive.''
''Drive? It's like... what? 600 miles?'' Jo noted.
''Yeah...'' He nodded.
''A ten-hour long drive at least.''
''True. But the wedding is at 5 p.m. If we set off, let's say... at 4 a.m. we could easily make it on time.''
''4 a.m.? Are you serious?'' Jo asked, looking at him like he was a lunatic.
''I thought you wanted to go...''
''I do! But it's almost 11 p.m. already. We'll get home around midnight and you want to get up at 4 a.m.?'' She asked with disbelief.
''I said 'set off'. That means getting up before 4 a.m.'' Mac noted.
''Even better...'' Jo murmured. ''No, seriously. Aren't you tired?''
''Well, I am. But you know me – I'll take a two-hour nap and I'll be as good as new.'' He told her with a smile and she smirked slightly. ''It's up to you.''
She stayed silent for a moment and then he saw how her smile grew bigger and bigger.
''OK then. Let's do that!'' She said cheerfully.
. . .
''You've gotta be kidding me!'' Mac chuckled as he saw Jo exiting their building. She was carrying a small overnight bag and a garment bag with her dress inside. And under her arm she was holding a big pillow, the one she slept with.
''Don't even say a word.'' She murmured when she approached him. He took the bag from her and placed it in the trunk. Then he placed her dress on the back seat, on top of his suit.
''What took you so long?'' He asked.
''Lily woke up. She was all ready to go with us.'' Jo answered and sent Mac a smile. ''I promised her they're gonna watch 'Tangled'. Rick and Ellie will be so thrilled.'' She joked and Mac chuckled. They got into the car and Jo handed Mac a travel mug.
''For me?'' He asked, taking it from her hand.
''Yup. I thought you might need it.'' Jo told him as she buckled up.
''Wow... hot and strong.'' He murmured after taking a sip.
''Just like you like it.'' Jo responded with a smile. She lowered the car seat back all the way down and wrapped her arms around the pillow.
''You're going to sleep?'' Mac asked, disappointment evident in his voice.
''It's 4 a.m.'' Jo groaned. ''I will take over when you get tired.'' She added and closed her eyes.
''Oh right...'' Mac sighed. ''So off we go.'' He said quietly as he left the parking garage. He chose some calm jazz music and turned the radio down a little bit. Jo shifted around in her seat for a while, trying to find the most comfortable position. Finally she let out a soft sigh and became still.
They managed to leave the city pretty quickly as there was almost no traffic at this hour. While waiting in a short line to merge onto the highway Mac glanced at Jo. She was wearing a long sleeve shirt and by the way she was hugging herself he could tell that she was cold. He adjusted the heating, but he wasn't sure if it would be enough, so he grabbed his sweater from the back seat and he covered her with it.
It was slightly after 9 a.m. when Mac pulled into a gas station in order to fill up. He looked at Jo and smirked, as he realized that hadn't even woken her up. He reached out and brushed a strand of her bangs from her face, his fingers gently grazing over her cheek.
''Hey, Jo...'' He whispered softly and she finally opened her eyes.
''Hmm?''
''We're taking a short brake.'' He told her. She looked around and then checked her watch.
''Where are we?'' She asked.
''Still in Pennsylvania. We're gonna pass Pittsburgh in half an hour or so. '' He answered.
''Wow! Are you speeding, mister?'' She asked with a smile, as she stretched.
''Me? Never.'' Mac answered with a smirk.
''I need to go to the bathroom.'' Jo said.
''So go. I'll refill.''
''Do you want me to get you something?'' She asked.
''A coffee would be great.'' Mac answered.
''OK.'' Jo said and got out of the car. She shivered at the morning cold, so she quickly reached inside, grabbed Mac's sweater and put it on. He smiled at the thought of how utterly adorable she looked in his oversized sweater, skinny jeans and biker boots. His eyes followed her until she disappeared inside the gas station.
When Mac was done filling up the car, he went to the bathroom as well. Then he decided to look for Jo. He found her at the counter as she tried to gather all her purchases.
''That's your coffee.'' She said and handed him a cup which he gladly accepted.
''Your french fries.'' The lady behind the counter said and handed a rather big package to Jo.
''Thank you.''
''French fries? For breakfast?'' Mac asked and made a face.
''Oh, be quiet.'' She murmured.
They were just about to exit the gas station when an older man, who was standing next to the coffee machine, waved at them and said, ''Thanks once more. Have a safe trip.''
''You, too. 'Bye!'' Jo answered and pushed the door with her hip before Mac managed to open it for her.
''What did he want?'' He asked, turning his head and taking a look at the man.
''Oh, he wanted to steal me.'' Jo answered with laughter.
''Are you serious?'' Mac asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
''No...'' Jo laughed. ''He asked for directions.''
''Good. I wouldn't let him steal you anyway.'' Mac murmured, taking one last look at the guy.
''I bet.'' Jo told him and playfully winked at him. ''You want me to take over and drive now?'' She asked before she started to munch her way through the package of french fries.
''Umm, maybe later. When you're done with those.'' Mac said and pointed at the french fries. ''Let's say... in Ohio?''
''OK.'' Jo agreed and got in the car. ''Do you think the kids are already awake?'' She asked when Mac was inside as well.
''I don't know. Rick probably is. I'm not sure about Ellie or Lily.'' He said with a smirk. ''What time does Amy come?''
''At 11 a.m. I'll try to call them.'' Jo decided and grabbed her phone. She dialed Ellie's cell phone and waited through a couple of rings. ''She doesn't answer.'' She commented and hung up. ''She's such a sleepy head.'' She added with a sigh.
''Look who's talking.'' Mac laughed.
''Hey! I got up at 4 a.m. today.'' Jo protested.
''You didn't get up. You just moved to the car and continued sleeping here.'' Mac observed.
''That required getting up.'' Jo noted. ''I'll try the land line.'' She said and placed the phone to her ear once more. ''Oh, hello there, darling!'' She said with a smile. ''It's Lily.'' She told Mac. ''How are you?''
''…''
''That's great. Why are you answering the phone? Where is everybody?''
''…''
''Oh, OK...'' Jo nodded. ''Rick's making breakfast.'' She told Mac on the side. ''And Ellie?'' She asked Lily.
''…''
''As I thought...'' Jo sighed. ''Have you tried to wake her up?''
''…''
''Yeah, I know it isn't easy.'' She laughed. ''Well, hopefully the smell of french toasts will wake her up.''
''…''
''Oh, no, honey. Not today. In two days, remember?''
''…''
''Yeah. But you'll have tons of fun with Rick, Ellie and Amy. And with Tyler.'' Jo added. ''Tell Amy that I'll call her in the evening, OK?''
''…''
''I love you. 'Bye, 'bye.'' Jo said and ended the call. ''She asked when we're coming back.'' She said with a sad smile and Mac only smiled in response. Then she took another french fry and ate it slowly.
''I have to admit they smell good.'' Mac said, trying to focus her attention on something else than missing the kids.
''They taste even better.'' Jo told him. ''Golden french fries with creamy dip.'' She said and let out a content murmur. ''Do you want to try one?''
''French fries for breakfast?'' Mac repeated with hesitation.
''Gosh darn, why not? Who said one can't eat them for breakfast? They don't get any healthier in the evening, you know.''
''True, but... I don't know.''
''Mac, seriously, for once in your life don't worry about conventions and what is right and what is wrong. If you want to eat french fries for breakfast just eat them!'' She said and he laughed as he thought how passionately she was talking about french fries.
''Well, even if I wanted one, I'm driving.'' He said and Jo mumbled something under her breath in response. Then she took one fry, dipped it in the sauce and placed it in front of Mac's mouth.
''Here.'' She said and he took a reluctant bite.
''It's really good.'' He admitted.
''See?'' She said proudly. ''Want some more?''
''If you care to share...'' Mac said shyly.
''Just don't bite my fingers.''
''I'll try.'' He promised with laughter.
. . .
A/N I can't even say how ashamed I am about this terribly late update. I'm pretty sure everybody gave up on this story already... But what can I say? I have crazy summer holidays – full of crazy work and deadlines and with having fun as well. It's almost a month since the academic year started and only now I found some time to get back to the story.
Also, I decided to change my original concept, so... You'll see :)
Oh and I'm really sorry for all the mistakes – the chapter wasn't proofread by anyone. My beta for this story is now a collage student, so I don't even feel like asking her to take time and correct it. And my other beta (for other story) is busy with everything but college (at least for now, huh? ;)). Anyway, I hope it's possible to read it and understand it. Sorry that not much is happening in this chapter, but I promise there will be an ''action'' in the next ones.
As always, any comment/opinion/review will be great!
Edit: betaread after posting by UrbanMuse. Thank you very much! :)