Author's Notes: I actually managed to have a chapter with no really bad swearing. Imagine that. LOL. Anyway, LO:CI and all its characters belongs to Dick Wolf and company. I'm just taking them for spin. Any and all mistakes made are my own. Read, review and enjoy. :o)
Saturday, August 19
Angel's Home, 3:00 p.m.
Angel had stepped into the shower when Bobby decided to get out of the bed. He slipped on his boxers and lounge pants, picked up his cell phone and walked out of the bedroom into the TV room. He sat down on the couch as he dialed the number to his home.
"Hello?" a young female voice answered.
"Courtney?" Bobby asked.
"Hi, Uncle Bobby! How are you?"
"I'm fine, sweetheart. How…how are you?" "I'm fine. Daddy said me and Uncle Lewis are spending the night here tonight. Are you coming home soon?"
Bobby smiled to himself as he tried to think of what to tell his goddaughter. "I won't be home for a while, Courtney. I…I've got some business to take care of."
"Oh," she said, sounding slightly disappointed. "I'll get to see you tomorrow, won't I? At your birthday party?"
"Of course you will."
"Okay. Uncle Bobby, can I ask you a question?" "Sure. Ask away."
"The other kids that will be there. Are you sure they'll be nice?"
Bobby smiled to himself again. Courtney was very shy, so it took her sometime to make new friends. Rob had told him that the last
time he and Courtney had gone to a party where there were other kids her age was to his ex-girlfriend Alyssa's parents' home about
a year ago. A couple of Alyssa's nieces had been very mean to Courtney while they were hula hooping. They made fun of her
because she couldn't quite get the hang of it. They teased her so badly, she ended up in tears and told her dad. When Rob tried
talking to the girls' parents, one of the mothers said that if Courtney weren't so slow that maybe she wouldn't get teased. The straw
that broke the camel's back was when Alyssa actually agreed with her sister-in-law. He was so furious, he took Courtney by the
hand and left the party. He hadn't talked to Alyssa since that day.
"They'll be nice, Courtney. I promise. If not, you come and tell me or your dad. We'll have a talk with them and their parents. Okay?"
Courtney sighed. "Okay," she said with a smile. "Uncle Bobby, Daddy says you have a new friend named Angel. Is she coming to the party? Is she nice? Do you think she'll like me?"
Bobby silently groaned to himself. "Good God, Rob! What have you told Courtney?!" he thought. "Yes, Angel is very nice. I invited her to my party, but I don't know if she's going to come."
"Oh. Do you think she'll like me?"
"I think she'll like you. I know she does like kids." "That's good to know, I guess."
Bobby chuckled. There were times when Courtney sounded like a 30 year old woman instead of a 10 year old girl. "Yes, that is good to know. Could you put your dad on the phone, please?"
"Okay, Uncle Bobby. I love you." Bobby smiled. "I love you, too, sweetheart."
Bobby heard Courtney put the phone down so that she go find her dad. "Hello?" Rob said.
"Robby-Boy, please explain to me why my apartment is full of people while I'm not there," Bobby said playfully.
Rob laughed. "Well, Bobby-Boy, if you'd kept your horny ass here for the weekend, I wouldn't have invited all of these people here."
Bobby chuckled. "I guess I should be grateful that you didn't invite Pauly and Salvatore over for a game of poker. I'd never get the smell of cheap cigars and liquor out of the apartment." "Oh, man! Don't even bring those 2 idiots up. I wouldn't unleash their smell on my worst enemy." Bobby heard Lewis' voice in the background. "Hold on for a sec, Bobby," Rob said. "Okay." Bobby heard Rob tell Lewis and Courtney to make sure they get everything on the grocery list if they wanted to have homemade pizza for dinner tonight. Then he heard them tell Rob goodbye and the door open and close.
"I'm back," Rob said. "What were we talking about?"
"Nothing in particular," Bobby replied. "What in the hell did you tell Courtney about Angel and me?"
"I told her that you've got a new female friend named Angel and that she's nice. That's all I told her."
Bobby sighed. He didn't know how he was going to explain his and Angel's relationship to Alex's nieces and nephews, let alone Courtney. She always asked so many honest questions that it was sometimes difficult for Bobby not to talk to her like she was an adult. As for the nieces and nephews, they've been assuming (incorrectly he might add), thanks to John and Shannon, for a while that he and Alex would get married and have kids together. "God, I hope they don't get upset or anything like that," he thought.
"So, uh, did Alannah call you this morning?" Rob asked, interrupting Bobby's thoughts.
"Yeah, she did. We had an interesting conversation.," Bobby replied. "She even made an interesting proposition."
"Really? How good was this proposition?" Bobby thought for a minute. "Let's just say I would forward the picture I got from her to you, but I deleted it."
"Was this proposition good enough to make you leave your present location?"
"No, it wasn't," Bobby replied quietly.
"Are you disappointed that you didn't leave?"
Bobby sighed heavily. "No, I'm not disappointed that I chose Angel over Alannah. I'm disappointed in myself. I let myself react to all the sexual suggestions she was making."
Rob let out a wry chuckle. "Good grief, Bobby-Boy! I talked to Alannah for maybe less than 30 seconds and I had a hard on by the time I hung up the phone. You can't beat yourself up for having a bodily reaction to Alannah's voice. You know that. You should be disappointed in yourself if you left Angel to go to Alannah."
"I know. You're right." Bobby took a deep breath, then said, "I invited Alannah to my party."
Rob was quiet for about a minute. He let out a low whistle. "Is Angel comfortable with that? Is she going to come to the party?" he asked.
"Angel's okay with Alannah being at the party. Angel may or may not come. She hasn't decided yet."
"Well, if Alannah is going to be the reason Angel doesn't come to this party, may I suggest you un-invite Alannah?"
"Alannah wouldn't be the reason," Bobby said. "Angel is…gets very nervous when she meets new people. If you think about it, I'd the only person she really knows."
Rob said, "That's not true. She knows Alex, Lewis and me. She'd have some friends there."
"You don't get it, Rob. From Angel's perspective, this is my family she's meeting for the first time. To her, you would be judging whether or not she was worthy to be with me."
"She told you all of this?" "She didn't have to. I figured it out just by listening to her talk about meeting her late husband's family for the first time."
"Well, I hope you talk to her and try to calm her fears," he said.
Bobby smiled. "I will try my best," he said.
Bobby remained for a few seconds before he said quietly, "I think I'm in love with Angel." He imagined Rob had a surprised look on his face. "Really?" he asked.
"Yeah, really. The fact that I just said that out loud terrifies me."
"Why are you terrified?"
Bobby took a deep breath, then released it before answering, "I'm terrified because I'm letting someone get close to the madness and insanity that is my life. I'm letting someone get close enough to crush my heart and my feelings." He took another deep breath and released it. "Maybe I should just walk away now to avoid all the trouble this relationship will cause. I'm better off being alone."
Rob scoffed. "Bobby-Boy, you've got to get out there and live a little bit. Don't give up on Angel just yet. Give the relationship a chance to grow before you throw everything out of the window." Bobby remained silent for a few minutes, letting Rob's words sink into his brain. He sighed heavily and shook his head. Telling Angel how he felt about her was going to be a very daunting task indeed.
"I think you're ready for this relationship to work, " Rob said. "You wouldn't have bought that ring for Angel if you weren't sure."
Bobby let out a wry chuckle. "I guess you're right."
"Of course I am. When are you going to give it to her?"
"Well, if she decides to come to the party, I will give it to her then. In front of everybody."
"Whoa! This party just got really, really interesting. I think I'd better bring my camcorder to record all of this."
Bobby let out a small laugh. "You know me. I don't do anything half assed," he said. Rob answered, "Yeah. That's for sure."
Bobby glanced up at the digital atomic clock that was hanging on the wall. It read 3:15 p.m. "I better let you go. I've got to get ready for a night out on the town," he said.
Rob said, "Okay. We'll see you tomorrow afternoon then."
"Later, Robby-Boy."
"Later, Bobby-Boy."
Saturday, August 19
Angel's Home, 3:20 p.m.
Bobby stood in the doorway of the bedroom, leaning against the doorjamb, watching Angel as she put on her panties before she sat
down on the bed to put lotion on her body. He definitely enjoyed the way she smoothed the lotion over her arms and legs. She
looked up at him and smiled when she realized he was watching her. "You enjoying the show?" she asked. Bobby blushed a little.
"Yes, I am. Very much," he replied. "Would you mind putting some lotion on my back, please?" she said, holding out the lotion bottle
to him. Bobby walked into the room, and placed his cell on the nightstand table. He took the bottle out of her hand and sat down on
the bed. Angel moved her hair out the way as she turned with her back towards Bobby. He read the label on the bottle before he
poured some of the lotion in his hands and rubbed it on Angel's back.
He inhaled deeply. "I like this scent. This 'Black Currant Vanilla.' It smells very sexy." Bobby put his arms around Angel's waist,
pulling her closer to him and whispered in her ear, "Which just enhances your sexuality even more and makes me horny." She smiled
as she crossed her arms over her bare breasts and leaned against him. She looked up at him and said, "Thank you for the
compliment. Am I going to have to change scents if you're going to be in a constant state of horniness?" Bobby laughed and shook his
head no. "As long as you're around, I'll always be horny." It was Angel's turn to laugh. "You're so silly," she said. He kissed her
cheek and gave her small squeeze before letting go of her.
"It's true," Bobby said as he got up, stripped off his clothing and headed into the bathroom to take his shower. Angel remained sitting
on the bed, shaking her head and smiling. "He's just like Garvin sometimes," she thought. "Always expressing what he really
feels and thinks." She got up, picked up Bobby's discarded clothing and laid the garments in the chair that was next to her clothes
hamper. She grabbed her robe that was hanging from the back of the chair and put on it. She picked up the empty water bottle off the
dresser, heading towards the kitchen to place in the recycle bin. The house phone started ringing as soon as Angel got into the
kitchen. She dropped the bottle into the bin, then pressed the 'speaker' button on the phone.
"Hello?" she said.
"Hola, mi hija," a male voice said.
"Hola, Papi! Como estas?" Angel asked with a smile.
"Bien, bien," Charles Pierson, Angel's father, replied. "How are you, Baby Girl?" he asked.
"I'm okay, Papi," she replied. "I thought you and Uncle Howard were going fishing this weekend."
He sighed. "We were, but the cabin we were going to be staying in was already booked, so we're gonna try again next weekend." "Oh, okay," Angel said.
"Anyway, I figured I'd better give my only daughter a call since she doesn't call me to tell me things."
Angel frowned at the tone of Charles' voice. "Okay," she said cautiously. "Que pasa, Papi?"
"You and your Mama. That's what's up. Both of you think you're slick by not telling me that some crazy son of a bitch attacked you at DeMarco's funeral!"
Angel let out an exasperated breath as she shook her head. She knew Aggie Jane's husband, Jasper, must have called Charles and told him what happened. "Daddy, I'm fine. Brewster didn't hurt me. I pressed charges against him. His court date is next month," she explained.
"Oh, no, Baby Girl! That doesn't cut it! What I don't understand is why weren't you on the plane with your Mama to come home! Someplace that's safe!"
"Daddy, I can't be running home every time at the first sign of trouble! You know as well as I do that's there's just as much crime in Nashville as there is in New York City. You seem to keep forgetting that I'm a grown woman."
"I'm perfectly aware that you are a grown woman, Angelica Marie Pierson! But you seem to forget that you are a SINGLE woman ALONE in an UNFAMILIAR and DANGEROUS city!"
"Unfamiliar?! Dangerous?! Alone?! Papi, you keep forgetting that I've been coming up to New York ever since I met Janelle in college. I'm not alone. I have friends here. You and Mami taught me how to take care of myself and to look out for and stay away from trouble. At least give me some credit for using the common sense y'all drilled into my head!"
Angel listened to Charles' heavy breathing. She took a couple of deep breaths herself to help her calm down. She knew she was right
about she just said. He knew it, too. It was just going to take him a little bit longer to wrap his mind around the truth. Ever since Angel
had been a little girl, her father had always been overprotective of her and James, the youngest of her 4 brothers, because they were
the babies of the family. Laurel always knew they could handle anything, but Charles always needed lots and lots of convincing before
he admitted he was wrong about his 2 babies' capabilities.
"Papi, I love you, but you know you can't protect me forever," Angel said softly.
"I know, Baby Girl, I know," Charles said. "You can't blame me wanting no harm to come to any of my children, especially to my only daughter. I'm sorry if I've upset you. I just need to make sure that you're okay."
"I'm not upset, Daddy. I'm fine. Really."
"Okay, okay, okay. I believe you," he said with a smile. "Anyway, your mama said that she met that boy you were seeing 2 years ago."
Angel rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. "'That boy' you're referring to has a name. It's Robert. He goes by that or Bobby."
Charles grunted. "Hmmph. Until I meet him, he has no name. I will refer to him as 'that boy.'"
"Daddy, that's mean." "Like hell it is! I didn't call Garvin by his name until you two had been married for 5 years. You forget, Baby Girl, he was 'that boy' while you were dating. I started calling him 'that motherfucker' when y'all got engaged."
Angel shook her head. Charles was being just like his own father, who would begrudgingly let potential mates for his children into the family. If he or she did something that was wrong in his eyes, he would let it be known how displeased he was. "Bobby is very nice," she said.
"All I know is that he's white, a cop and tall enough to be playing for the Knicks. How old is he, Angelica?"
"What difference does his age make?"
"Nothing, but I still want to know."
"If it doesn't make any difference, I'm not telling you."
"Oh, Lord!" Charles exclaimed. "He's older than me! I knew it! I knew it! That's why Laurel didn't tell me!"
"Daddy, please! Quit exaggerating!" Angel said. "He's not as old as you." She sighed. "If you must know, Bobby will be turning 45 tomorrow."
"45?! 45!? Hell, he might as well be 57! He's older than all of you kids. You just couldn't find someone close to your own age, could you?!"
Angel smacked her forehead. "Oy vey," she muttered under her breath. "I don't care about Bobby's age! I like him for who he is. A very sweet, kind and gentle person."
"Those are very nice qualities, mi hija, but you should be with someone your own age. Someone you would have something in common with."
"What makes you think I don't have anything in common with Bobby?!" she asked in disbelief. "We can talk to each other about anything and everything."
"He's older than you, Baby Girl. He's lived longer than you have. His life experiences are probably more extensive than yours," Charles countered. "He's seen more than you have."
"Daddy, just say what you're really thinking. You think when Bobby turns 50 and goes through his midlife crisis, he'll dump me for a younger woman."
Charles was silent for a moment before he replied, "That's exactly what I'm thinking. You don't need be with someone who will break your heart and turn on you for someone younger than you."
Angel sighed heavily. "Daddy, sometimes you are unbelievable. You're condemning him before you even meet him. That's so unfair. At least give him a chance before you pass judgment on him."
"Is that boy really worth all the heartache you're going to have?"
"I would like to try to have a relationship with him, so I'll go through whatever heartache comes along."
"Do you love this boy? Is he The One?" Angel was quiet for a few seconds before replying, "Maybe. I don't know."
"Well, if you are willing to find out, then I'm willing to give him a chance to get in my good graces." Charles sighed heavily. "I want what's the best for you."
Angel smiled. "Yes, Daddy. I know you do. Bobby's a good person. You'll see."
"Alright, Baby Girl, I better let you go. Me and your mama are going over to Howard and Evelyn's house for dinner and to play cards."
"Okay, Papi. I'll talk to you later."
"Te amo, mi hija. Bye."
"Te amo, Papi. Bye"
Angel pressed the 'speaker' button to end the call. She sighed as she turned around to lean against the counter. Talking to her father
drained her sometimes. She let out a small chuckle as she remembered the conversation she had with him regarding Garvin 15 years
ago. Charles had the same concern then as he did now: was this man good enough to make his daughter happy. Angel knew her
father was just trying to make sure his sons and daughter picked the right person that they wanted to spend their entire life with. His
own father-in-law asked the same questions of Laurel when she decided that Charles was The One. As Angel pushed herself off the
counter to head towards her bedroom, she muttered to herself, "If I'm ever like this with my children, I swear I'll shoot myself in the foot."
Bobby was in the bathroom, standing with a towel wrapped around his waist in front of the mirror shaving when Angel came back
into the room to get dressed. "How should I dress for tonight?" he asked, sticking his head out the door. She turned away from the
closet to look at him. "Jeans and a t-shirt will be fine," she replied. "We won't do the fancy dress up stuff until the holidays." Bobby
frowned at the small look of sadness that crossed over Angel's face. "You okay?" She forced herself to smile. "I'm good." She
turned back towards the closet to pull out some dark denim capris with cargo pockets and a long sleeve t-shirt, the arms and
shoulders of it were white, the rest of it was gray to match her eyes with a thin black stripe separating the colors. Bobby turned back
to finish his shaving, making a mental note to find out why his Angel was sad.
By the time Bobby had come out of the bathroom, Angel was gone out of the bedroom. He heard the water running in the other
bathroom. He got dressed, except for his socks and shoes, and went looking for her. She was brushing her teeth when he got there.
He stood in the doorway and looked at her. "I…I wish you would talk to me, " he said softly before walking off towards the
bedroom. Angel had a puzzled look on her face. "What the hell?" she thought. She finished brushing her teeth and went looking for
Bobby. He was sitting on the foot of the bed, putting on his socks, when she came in. She sat down next to him and ran her fingers
through his hair. "What's the matter? Did I say or do something wrong?" she asked.
Bobby turned his head to look at Angel. "I saw sadness in your face earlier. If I'm the reason behind that, I want to know." Angel
shook her head. "No, no, no. You didn't do anything." She sighed as she turned to sit Indian style. She looked into his eyes and
smiled. He smiled back. "Mi papi es muy difícil," she said. Realizing that she was about to start speaking in Spanish, Angel stopped to
take a deep breath and then let it go. Bobby reached over and squeezed her hand. "Your dad is being difficult," he said with a smile.
"That I understood." Angel let out a small chuckle. "That was him on the phone earlier. In a nutshell, he's ticked about what
happened at the funeral so he wants me to move back home so that he can protect me." Bobby nodded his head. "Oh. I see. Are…
are you going back to Nashville?" he asked. "No. I don't want to go back home," Angel replied. "I just have to keep reminding him
that I'm not a little kid anymore."
Angel looked down at her hands, then looked at Bobby. "Mami told Papi about you," she said quietly. He blinked a couple of times
before turning his head to look at the floor. "Good things or bad things?" he asked. She reached over to hold his hand in both of hers.
"Good things. Very good things. But Papi is very…stubborn and hard headed when it comes to his children and their
boyfriends/girlfriends/significant others." Bobby grunted and shook his head. "We're over before we even start," he thought to
himself. "So, I am the reason you are sad," he said. "No, you are not the reason," Angel answered. She sighed. "For as long as me
and my brothers have been old enough to date, Daddy always passed judgment on the people we brought home for him and Mama
to meet, especially me and James, my youngest brother." Still holding Bobby's hand, she reached over and ran her fingers through his
hair, then stroked his cheek. "He's just like Papa Lenny, his father, and Papa James, Mami's father. No one is good enough for their
children, especially their daughters. I had the same conversation with Daddy after he met Garvin."
Bobby continued looking at the floor. He opened and closed his mouth a few times before asking, "May I ask what concerns your
father has about me?" "Papi thinks you're too old for me and that when you turn 50, you'll go through a midlife crisis and dump me
for someone younger," Angel replied. He looked at her. "Is that what you think?" She shook her head. "Your age doesn't matter to
me." "But it will be a problem between you and your dad, right?" She let out a small laugh. "No, it won't. Daddy may be stubborn
and hard headed, but he knows as long as I'm happy, he can't keep harping on something that doesn't matter." They kept looking at
each other, a comfortable silence settling over them.
"Are we okay?" Bobby asked. Angel nodded. She reached over and put her arms around his neck. They held onto each other for a
little while, sighing contently. Without saying any words to each other, Bobby and Angel both had decided in their hearts that they
would give this relationship a chance.
Saturday, August 19
Sakura Japanese Restaurant, 5:45 p.m.
"How are you guys doing tonight?" the spiky haired bartender asked. Drew, Janelle, Angel and Bobby were sitting at the bar of the
very busy restaurant. They were going to have to wait for 20 minutes before a grill became available. "We're doing good, thanks,"
Drew said. "What can I get for all of you?" "You got any Jose Cuervo 1800?" Janelle asked. "Yes, ma'am. We do." "Cool. Set us
up with 2 shots each, please." "You got it," the bartender said as he walked off. Angel rolled her eyes. "Good grief, Janelle! You
trying to get us all falling down drunk?" Janelle laughed. "No. I'm trying to get us loosened up. Don't hate because I thought of it
first." Angel laughed. The bartender came back carrying a tray with 8 shot glasses filled with the honey brown liquid, 8 slices of lime
and a salt shaker. He placed napkins on the bar in front of each person before he put the glasses, salt and limes down. Bobby started
to reach for his wallet, but Drew reached over and touched his shoulder, shaking his head. "Your money is no good tonight, man," he
said. "Everything's on us." "You sure? I should at least pay half," Bobby said. Drew shook his head and said firmly, "No. Now drink
up." Drew gave the bartender $25, telling him to keep the change. The bartender gave him a big smile, thanked him and walked off.
The happy foursome toasted each other before downing their drinks. Bobby was impressed that Angel knew how to do tequila shots.
"You do a lot of tequila shots during college?" he asked playfully. Angel shook her head. "I was usually the designated driver. I
learned by watching." Bobby leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Maybe we can do body shots later. I could teach you a thing
or 2." She blushed as she exclaimed, "Oh my!" Drew and Janelle looked at each other, laughing. "Oh, Lord! We're going to have to
get them a hotel room before the night is over," Janelle said. Angel nudged her in the side with her elbow. "Girl, behave!" she said,
laughing. "I am behaving. You the one getting your groove on at a bar in a public place. You got some nerve telling me to behave."
Drew just rolled his eyes while Bobby laughed at the friendly banter between Angel and Janelle. He could see the close knit bond
they had between each other. "I almost didn't recognize you without a suit on," a female voice said from behind Bobby. He turned
around and saw Dr. Rogers standing there with a smile on her face. "Hey, Dr. Rogers. Good to see you," he said as stood up to
shake her hand. He noticed that she was wearing a white t-shirt and khaki pants. "I'm not used to seeing you without your scrubs
on." She laughed. "I do manage to sneak away from work every now and then." Dr. Rogers noticed Angel sitting next to Bobby. She
smiled as she extended her hand towards her. "Nice to see you again, Ms. Pierson-Saint John." Angel shook her hand and said,
"Same here, Dr. Rogers. Please call me Angel." "Alright, then. Angel it is. You can call me Liz." Dr. Rogers looked at Bobby, one
eyebrow raised. He shrugged slightly.
Angel pointed to Drew and Janelle. "Liz, these are my friends, Janelle and Drew Spencer. Guys, this is Dr. Liz Rogers. She's
the medical examiner that did DeMarco's autopsy." They all shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. A young auburn haired
woman, who looked to be in her late 20's, the same height and size as Dr. Rogers walked up to the group. "I leave you alone for a
couple minutes and you start making new friends already," the woman said, shaking her head. Dr. Rogers put her arm around the
woman's shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "Don't be a smartass with your aunt, kiddo." She turned to the group and said, "This is
my niece, Candace, 3rd year medical student and all around lovable pain in the tushy." "Aunt Liz!" Candace exclaimed as the group
laughed. Everyone took turns introducing themselves.
"Some friends and I saw you perform at Club Silkie's last night," Candace said to Angel. "You were incredible!" Angel blushed.
"Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the show." Candace reached into her purse and pulled out a digital camera. "Would
you mind taking a picture with me?" she asked. "Sure." Candace stepped up to Bobby and asked, "Do you mind taking the picture?
I'd like Aunt Liz to be in it with me." "No, I don't mind," he answered with a smile as he took the camera from her. Angel stepped
over to stand between them. Bobby managed to snap 2 pictures before the hostess said over the intercom, "Spencer, party of 4.
Rogers, party of 2. Jackson, party of 6. Your tables are ready." "That's us," Drew said. Bobby handed Candace's camera back to
her. He brought up the rear of the group as they followed the hostess to their table.
Angel smiled as she watched Bobby interact with Janelle and Drew while their food was being prepared. It looked like he was having
a great time. At least, he was getting used to Janelle's sense of humor and personality. She knew that they would try make him feel
like he was a part of their family, instead of an outsider. She loved them for that. She remembered back to when Garvin was on his
deathbed. He regained consciousness long enough to tell Drew and Janelle to look after his wife and make sure the right man came
along to make her happy. To Angel, if Bobby could get along with Drew and Janelle, he could deal with anything her father and
brothers may do or say to him.
Janelle nudged Angel in the side, leaned over and whispered, "You are too quiet. What's wrong." She shook her head. "Nada. Just
thinking," she whispered back. "Oh. Good stuff? Bad stuff?" "Good stuff." Janelle nodded. "You happy?" she asked. "Yeah." "Well,
that's all that matters then." Janelle smiled as she watched Bobby walked back to the table, a smile on his face as he kissed Angel's
cheek. "This is the happiest I've seen her in a while," Janelle thought to herself. "I hope he knows he's getting a wonderful
woman."
After dinner, the 2 couples went to Dave and Buster's. Angel and Janelle ran around like a couple of little girls, trying every game
there was in the place. "They always like this at Dave and Buster's?" Bobby asked Drew. They were sitting a booth while their
women went off to play skeeball. Angel and Janelle did better than the guys on the shooting games, but they got their asses beat in the
racing games ("No one beats me in racing," Bobby boasted to Angel.). "Oh, yeah!" Drew exclaimed. "They will be the last ones out
of here when this place closes if you let them." Their male server came and placed 2 Cokes on their table. "You want to run a tab?"
he asked. Drew nodded. "Yes, please. Thanks." The server nodded and walked off. "You having fun?" Drew asked. Bobby nodded
as he took a sip of his Coke. "I'm having a great time. Thank you for everything." "You're welcome, man. My pleasure."
Bobby and Drew were able to see Janelle and Angel from where they were sitting. Drew noticed how Bobby was looking at Angel.
"Angel's a very good woman," he said. Bobby nodded, not taking his eyes off her. "She's very special. Any man would be happy to
have her in his life," he said wistfully. "You planning on keeping her in yours?" Bobby looked at Drew, then at his drink. "I hope so,"
he said. Drew nodded. That's all he needed to know. They turned their attention back to watching Janelle and Angel have fun as they
started talking about sports and other things.
Sunday, August 20
Angel's home, 2:30 a.m.
Bobby sighed as he took off his clothes, placing them on the chair next to the hamper. He put on just his lounging pants, deciding to
skip putting on a t-shirt. Angel had already changed into her nightgown and had left the bedroom. He sat down on the edge of the
bed, facing the door. He didn't want to get into the bed and risk falling asleep without Angel next to him. He assumed 'The Thinker'
position, elbow resting on his thigh, his face in his hand. He looked at the floor as he was thinking. "It's my 45th birthday and I'm
happy. Weird." he thought. "Of course with my luck, that's subject to change." Bobby looked up as Angel appeared in the
doorway. She was holding 2 Hostess cupcakes with a candles in each one on a plate in her hands. He laughed as she walked in,
singing 'Happy Birthday.'
Angel stopped in front Bobby, holding the cupcakes out to him. "Make a wish," she said. He closed his eyes briefly, then opened
them, blowing out both candles in one breath. She took the candles out and placed them on the plate. She sat down next to Bobby
and gave him a cupcake. "Cheers," he said, holding up the cupcake. Angel took the other cupcake and 'clinked' it to Bobby's. After
they were finished eating, she put the plate on the dresser. Bobby got under the summer quilt while Angel went into the bathroom to
turn on the nightlight. She came back out and got under the quilt, snuggling into Bobby's arms, her hands on his chest. They looked
and smiled at each other. "Did you have a good time?" Angel asked. "I had a great time," Bobby answered. "Thank you for inviting me."
Angel reached up and put her hand on Bobby's cheek. "You're welcome." He closed his eyes and smiled, nuzzling his face in her
hand. Angel covered her mouth as she felt a yawn coming. "Excuse me. I didn't mean to yawn in your face." He chuckled. "It's okay.
I'm feeling kinda sleepy myself." They kissed each other before Bobby turned to lay on his back. Angel stayed on her side, one arm
laid across his body. "Good night, Bobby." He gave her a small squeeze. "Good night, Angel." Angel fell asleep quickly, while Bobby
remained awake, looking up at the ceiling in the dark. "This relationship won't be easy, Angel," he thought as sleep started to
overtake him, "but I hope you have the strength, patience and understanding to want to make it work."