(A/N: Hi everyone! Glad you guys like the story. Unfortunately I have some bad news to report. The updates are going to be a little slower in coming because some genius(me) spilled coke on his keyboard and now it's completely dead and I have to wait 2 weeks for a new one. Sorry for the delay, this one is completely my fault and I hope this isn't too bad a convenience. Back to the story!)
Cat POV
Muscle muscle muscle.
All for me.
Mine. ALL mine.
Over his shoulder I see the clock. 9:45. He told me he needs to be up by 10. Hopefully he keeps sleeping so I can wake him up.
I've never woken him up. I'm kind of excited and anxious at the same time.
But look at him. When'd he become so strong? So…muscular.
It's not noticeable, at least when he's wearing his normal clothes that make him look cute. But now, since I managed to get his shirt off him…
Mhmmm.
The only thing that is the same is his skin. So so soft and inviting. I want to kiss every inch, but I don't think that would be a good idea.
Yeah, jumping his bones isn't such a good idea.
Especially since we're supposed to meet Carly, Freddie and the others at a nice kind of restaurant at noon.
OH MY GOD!
How on earth did I get so lucky? Not just once, but twice! We're back together, but haven't said it, and I haven't mentioned holding back since Carly, Sam and Freddie came into town.
I…I can't hold back any longer. I just want to pin him against the wall.
Yep, I'm horny.
It's amazing how we've picked up where we left off before…the fighting. Putting up a good public face, then mainly devouring each other here at home and relaxing.
I don't want school to start.
The reminders are everywhere. Old pictures of us, and a couple new ones. I can tell which is which by looking at Robbie. He looks older, more mature, more confident…
And of course, sexier.
The abs he was working on when we were a couple are complete now, biceps and triceps nice, but not giant by any stretch but still strong.
And those legs.
That was the first thing I noticed once I got so close to him. His legs are incredibly strong. He has a bunch of workout equipment in the basement and uses it when I'm not around I guess. I've never seen him work out.
Would I love to though. See him all worked up, muscles stretched to the max…
CAT! Stop. Just…stop.
I'll have my chance. I just need to give it time. What I need to try and focus on is my music. I'm sooo close on getting 4 songs done. Unfortunately that's including Put your Hearts Up.
Robbie shocked me when I asked the other day what the timetable on that was. He said it was ready to launch when I wanted to launch it.
WHAT!
Talk about out of the blue. I only want to wait until Carly, Sam and Freddie leave town then launch it. I don't like launching something with her in town. Carly that is.
She may be a friend, but she is competition musically.
9:59…
And still fast asleep. Perfect.
I reach over and shut off the alarm clock.
Here goes…
"Robbie…Robbie…" I gently shake him.
"No…Supreme tastes terrible. Cotton candy is better." He mumbles.
Hehe.
He's talking in his sleep.
About what though? I think pizza, but there's no such thing as Cotton Candy pizza.
If there was Robbie would have to handcuff me to a chair to prevent me from running to the restaurant.
"Robbie…time to wake up." I said softly.
"But I want Cat to wake me up. I love her."
Aww!
"It's me Robbie, it's Cat."
I shook him a little harder and his eyes jolted open.
"Cat?"
"Hehe." I couldn't hold in my laugh. "Hi."
"Morning sunshine."
His face is so adorable, he is barely conscious, and is looking at me. Only me. He seems so happy to wake up and have the first thing he sees is me.
"You awake?" I asked, as his eyes started to flutter.
"I'm…I'm trying."
"Try harder." I giggled, poking his nose, causing him to grin.
"Someone's awake."
"Yep. I got to wake you up." I smiled.
He softly yawned and rubbed his eyes.
"You did very well." He smiled, wrapping his arms around me softly. I shifted and hugged him, head on his shoulder.
"What time is it again?" He mumbled, sounding like he was about to fall asleep again.
"10 AM."
"Ugggggh." He groaned.
"Don't want to get up?" I asked, and he nodded, putting his head on my collarbone.
"Why am I so tireddddd?" He mumbled.
"I don't know Robbie. I just don't know."
"Can I have orange juice?" he asked.
"Yeah." I smiled, swing my feet up, but suddenly falling back onto Robbie, who was holding onto my arm.
"Robbie? Why are you holding my arm?" I asked, almost giggling. He's being like a little kid, all clingy to me.
I like it.
"I want to give you something."
"Ok, what is it?" I asked, smiling.
Then he kissed me briefly, and let go.
"You woke me up nice. It's nice to see you so early in the morning." He sleepily said, putting his head back onto my shoulder.
Awww! He's so cute! And he's all mine!
I laughed and pecked his cheek. "Aww. Thanks Robbie. It's nice sleeping next to you too. Your soft."
"Thanks. I'm getting up now." He yawned.
He did exactly that, and all timed perfectly while I made our now normal breakfast of omelets, toast and orange juice.
I don't know why he loves my cooking so much. He seems to enjoy it more than anytime we go out to eat, and always thanks me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Which is more than enough payment for me. I just like to see him happy. And with me.
His reaction is muted now. The first few times I cooked breakfast he treated it like I was doing him a favor. But now that it's become apparent that we're together again, he doesn't say anything. Some people would worry about that, and I did for a couple of days, but I think he realizes I'm not trying to impress him, I'm just cooking breakfast.
He still hasn't learned about the dishes though. I don't mind cleaning up even though I cooked. I know he was raised on the philosophy of 'Chef cooks, the rest do the dishes' but I want to do it for now.
Now in the future…I might not be so generous. But for now I am.
We're all set for our excursion to the Cheesecake Warehouse.
Suddenly both Robbie and I's phone's buzzed.
He suddenly looked at me, jacket halfway on and keys in hand.
"Who would message us both at the same time?" he asked.
"I don't know. Either that or it's one heck of a coincidence." I replied.
Cat and Robbie: Carly and Sam left me at the hotel, would you mind picking me up?-Freddie
I heard Robbie mumble "That chick is such a gank to him…"
"Can we?' I asked, hoping beyond hope we can. I really like Freddie; I wish he lived here in LA!
"Of course, want to take your SUV?" He smiled at me.
"YAY!"
"I'll take that as a yes." He smirked, pulling on his jacket and grabbing my keys.
The whole way there I was rocking out to Adele and other top songs on the radio. I haven't done much singing the last few days and it was nice to give my vocal cords a workout. Every time a song ended Robbie said something like "Nice job sunshine." Or "Good high note."
Always complimentary.
Freddie popped out of the lobby of the hotel and scared Robbie to death, tapping on his window while Robbie was texting him that we were here. He jumped like 5 feet in the air.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." He immediately apologized as he buckled in and Robbie made a U-Turn.
"It's ok, did Sam leave you?" I asked kindly, reaching for a hug.
"Nah, she pushed me out of the front seat and Carly accidentally drove off." He answered, hugging me back.
"How does that happen?" Robbie asked, already swamped in traffic.
"Just like us now. Sam told Carly I was in, and Carly didn't realize it until she was stuck in traffic and it was too late to turn around.
Robbie simply scowled. I know he doesn't like how Freddie gets treated by both girls.
"Oh. She should pay for you at the restaurant." I piped up.
"She didn't bring her wallet on this trip." He yawned.
"On the trip?" Robbie yelped.
"Yep."
"She's going to regret that one day."
"Yeah, and she doesn't even have an excuse since she runs a big construction business. She just doesn't care." Freddie rolled his eyes.
Suddenly I'm not liking Sam so much either.
"How are you Cat?" he asked.
"I'm ok."
"You guys officially together yet?" He asked, with a smirk.
He—Wha—
"What are you talking about?" I retort quietly.
"You guys are going out stealthily. Have you decided to come out with it?"
I look over to Robbie, who appears to be avoiding my gaze.
"I don't know what you're talking about Freddie." I say. Robbie slightly slunk down in his seat. "Robbie and I are good friends right now."
Robbie didn't look happy.
But we went over this! He said to maintain that we are just friends and that nothing romantic is going to happen!
Why is he upset.
"Really? It doesn't seem like it. You guys have been kind of closer than normal." Freddie maintained.
"No, the last time you saw us we were still a couple, which we aren't anymore." I told him.
"I can't tell a difference between then and now to be honest."
"Sorry to break you guys conversation up, but we're here." Robbie said in a clipped tone, unbuckling his seat belt.
Freddie led the way inside, and Robbie avoided all my attempts at eye contact.
I think I messed up.
"Hi, we're the other part of the Shay/Valentine reservation?" Freddie cheerfully asked. The hostess grabbed 3 menus and led us back to a room with the lights really low. I could barely make out Carly and Sam, talking to Beck, Tori, Jade and Andre.
They all laughed really hard the moment we started to sit down.
"Hey! You guys made it!" Carly smiled at Freddie.
"Yeah, we were starting to get a little worried." Jade said.
Suddenly Robbie, who had positioned himself across from me and next to Freddie cringed slightly and I felt a rush of air go by.
I think Sam kicked him.
"Are the lights always this low?" Freddie asked quietly.
"Don't know, never been here before." Beck replied.
Suddenly the waiter was on us for drink and entrée orders. I'm glad I don't have to do this anymore. I kind of miss the camaraderie though…I wonder if Robbie would let me pay him back and let me work some?
But he's acting so subdued.
I'm pretty sure I didn't say 'We aren't going out' quite right.
Quicker than I expected, our food was here, and I had to concentrate on the larger than expected salad I ordered, to the questioning of the others. They said I could have anything, but I chose a salad. Which Tori and Sam said is the most depressing kind of food.
The conversation was as lively as ever, with the main topic being what we're going to do after this. It was a fierce debate between Roller coasters, voted for by Andre, Sam and Beck; Go Carts, Me, Carly and Tori; and Laser Tag, which took up Freddie, Robbie and Jade.
Why Robbie wants Laser tag is beyond me. He messed up his leg last time we went!
So we had to call Spencer because we were all in a deadlock and refusing to budge.
"Hi Spencer!" Carly chimed.
"Hey Carls! How's LA treating you guys?" He said.
"It's good Spence." Freddie smiled.
"Oh, you too Freddie? Who all is there?"
"Everyone." Robbie monotoned, causing everyone to laugh.
"Oh, that's cool. What's up?" Spencer asked.
"We can't decide on what to do once we get done eating!" I told him. I briefly saw Robbie's eyes flash to me.
"So I'm the tiebreaker?"
"Yep." Sam said.
"What are my choices?"
"Well, you've got Roller Coasters." Andre suggested.
Tori jumped in right after him. "And there's go carts Spencer."
"But we all know what the best choice is." Jade said haughtily. "Laser Tag."
"Are you guys reading off a script?" Spencer asked, causing us to laugh.
"No, why do you ask?" Carly asked.
"Well, my choices were one on top of another, like it was on cue."
"Decide!" Sam briskly said, causing several patrons to stare at her.
"Go Carts."
Carly, Tori and I all exchanged high fives. Robbie didn't look too upset thankfully.
"Ok, that settles that then." Freddie said in a even tone.
"Talk to you later Spencer!" Carly said.
"Ok! Be safe kidd—"
Suddenly the waitress was smirking at us. "So, Go Carts it is?"
"Yep." Freddie smiled at her.
She is pretty.
"Please sign here…" She extended the check, and Robbie snatched it up.
"Robbie!" Tori sighed.
"What? I got this."
The others grumbled. He always does this and says it's because he likes to pay.
Yeah, and I like buying…feminine products. You're voluntarily making your money go away.
He's such a liar.
But my liar.
Freddie joined us on the drive back to the Go Kart place, where we were faced with an interesting dilemma. At least for me.
I hate driving go karts. Riding is fun. But there isn't any protection if you hit anything, so I'm always scared.
So I want to be in a double.
With Robbie.
I feel bad for manipulating the poor guy at the desk into switching Robbie's kart after he asked for a single. But as one of those basketball announcer guys famously said:
"He won't be denied!"
Or she…That can work too.
I happily sat in the kart, waiting for Robbie, and he finally came out, looking confused but still sat in the driver's seat. At least we're not the only double. Carly and Andre got one.
"Hi." I said happily. I'm going to make him talk to me.
"Hey Cat." He replied, starting to pull out of the driveway thing.
"Robbie, can I be honest with you and not dance around it?"
His face quickly went pale. "Ok."
"Are you mad at me? I don't think I said the whole 'We're just friends' thing right." I squeaked.
Please don't be mad…
"Not mad…just worried sweetheart." He sighed, taking one hand off the wheel and running it thru his hair. I quickly stabilized the wheel with my left hand.
"Thanks." He smiled.
"Why are you worried?" I asked.
"This…it's happened so fast. Two and a half weeks ago you were in a hospital worrying you were pregnant. And now we're…."
"Together."
"Not officially." He said.
"Does it matter?" I asked, as the yellow light signaling we're about to start came on.
"It does only because you sounded like you didn't want to go out with me." He said, sounding annoyed.
"What makes you think that?" I asked.
I think I found the problem.
"You sounded disgusted at the idea of us going out sunshine. I don't want to push you into doing anything, especially if it's about us."
"But I do want to go out with you! I want to make this work this time!"
"Please say that again." He started to smirk.
"You're such a goof." I rolled my eyes as the green light came on.
"That's not what you said." He smirked.
I reached up and pecked his cheek. "I do want to go out with you."
Then the sound of a engine came right beside us.
"Hah! I KNEW IT!"
Freddie.
He punched the air and looked thrilled.
"Congrats guys!" He smiled, and Robbie eased off the gas long enough to let him pass.
"Ok, that's the last person to pass us." Robbie decreed.
"Sounds like a plan."
We passed Freddie a moment or two later. Robbie's a amazing driver.
The look on Freddie's face after I stuck my tongue out at him was priceless. He couldn't stop looking happy.
Unfortunately, the whole 'Last person to pass us' thing didn't work. It almost did! But…Jade is really good too. And she beat us high side.
But I'm too tired to care. After lunch and Go Karts and dinner and bidding the iCarlies farewell I'm exhausted. But I need to find something first.
There are two bedside tables next to Robbie's bed, one on each side. I am going thru them to find something.
I need to start atoning for my past mistakes.
Not in the one on my side. I doubt it'll be on his—
OMG.
I'm wrong. It's the black box again.
Not the engagement one.
The promise one.
It was on his side.
Next to the engagement one.
He slept next to it every night. Even when things were at its worst. Even when I was in Methodist…
He still kept the most poignant memory within arm's length.
He's incredible. What did I do to deserve this boy who fell straight from heaven?
"Hey sunshine, you tired?" Robbie asked, right after I closed it back up, empty box next to the engagement ring inside the table on his side.
"Yep, hug?" I asked, and he crawled to me and engulfed me in a hug.
"Love you sunshine."
"I love you too Robbie."
He grabbed the light control and turned them off.
He kissed my cheek one last time then rolled over.
I feel better now.