4.
~ She showered at dawn having finally gone to sleep. She and the Extractor would go to bed early and as a result, she always got more sleep with him then with any of her lovers. She went on her morning run, knowing that she would only have to shower again when she had seen her household off for yet another day.
She took more showers then anyone in the entire house.
Eames was still out of town and Cobb had done a slightly more successful job today of readying his children for school. He always seemed to think better and be in a better mood after his night. There was much less confusion in the house this morning then yesterday.
~ She arrived in the kitchen breathless to find Arthur pouring her and himself some juice.
"Have a good run?" He asked kissing her on the lips. They were alone in the kitchen for now, and it would be his night, such a thing was permitted.
She smiled up at him. Knowing her cheeks were red and her eyes shinning from her workout.
"It was very good." She said drinking her juice. She felt his hands encircle her waist.
"I was thinking I could stay home today. No real reason for me to go into the office." He told her softly.
She looked up at him. His eyes soft and affectionate.
"Don't you have that project due?" She questioned.
"It can wait." He told her leaning over and kissing her on the neck. She tried to suppress a giggle and quickly pushed the Point Man away as she heard little feet on the stairs.
"Just come home early. Before the kids get home." She told him as he retreated.
~ James and Phillipa were loaded with rambunctious energy in the morning. Shouting over one another in the frenzy to get out the door. Ariadne made sure they ate some oatmeal and had some fruit. Putting their lunches in their hands as Cobb loaded them in his SUV. The Extractor giving her an affectionate wave as he left the house for the day.
She turned around to find Arthur still had not gone anywhere. They were totally alone in the house now and she squealed in delight as he easily lifted her up off the floor.
"Arthur, you'll be late for work." She said between his kisses. "I'm all sweaty." She added as a final plea when she could see he would not be deterred.
"I've missed you." He breathed. Kissing her.
"Arthur, I was just with you. You can't miss me that much." She whispered their secret even though they were in the house alone.
She was supposed to have two days off for rest. It was one of the rules. None of men were allowed to request her seeing them or visit her. However, she would often visit the Point Man on her second day. Missing him. She would also invite him to spend the night in her room with her. Another rule broken. They would sneak around the house in the middle of the night. Guilty of the crime of breaking their own rules.
If the others knew, they said nothing. Cobb usually retired early and Eames left town as soon as his night was done. It was easy.
"I know it was just the night before last, but I've missed you." He confided sadly. Still holding her.
"Put me down." She whispered gently in his ear. He complied. Letting her touch gracefully back down to the floor.
She smiled up at him.
"Arthur, go to work. I'll see you when you get home." She told him graciously.
He stole one last kiss and did as she bade him.
~ Her lips were still tingling after he left. She loved the ways of the Point Man. How he seemed to posses her entire body. How she felt like a properly romance school girl. With Cobb, she always felt like a wife, with Eames... best not to worry about that till his night.
She quickly showered and dressed. She had a new inspiration for her building. Taking Cobb's advice and starting from scratch. She had a sudden flash of an idea. Unique and stylish. If she could make it work.
~ She had spent hours lost over her own creations. Designing each aspect of her building. Discovering it. The sunken parking. The earth friendly balconies. It took on a life of it's own. A glimpse of something from the future. Her clients would love it. There was greenery growing out of each opening. Signifying a small personal garden space for each corner of each floor. If she could make it work, it would be amazing.
~ "I didn't want to disturb you, you were working so hard." Arthur's voice came behind her. Making her jump.
"Oh! You scared me." She said pulling her ear-buds out. Her once musical world crashing into silence. The Point Man was leaning over her, looking at the artful water coloring.
"Ariadne, this is amazing." He said taking in each detail. The Point Man always praised her work but this time he seemed especially taken aback.
"It just hit me. See how each corner office will have their own garden? We can get tax breaks for building green and having these outdoor sanctuaries. I think I can even accommodate a green roof like I saw in Japan. It would save on energy. I'm so excited. What time is it?" She asked suddenly.
"A little after one." He responded. His hands running over her drawings of the gardens. "Ariadne, I'm so proud of you." He said appreciating her work.
He looked at her.
"Have you eaten? Or have you just been slaving away here?" He asked. Giving her a knowing grin. She smiled back at him and blushed.
~ They enjoyed a light lunch while she told Arthur all about her new ideas. It was as if some blockage had been freed from her mind and she was fearlessly exploring her own imagination. The Point Man listened to her. Asking intelligent questions. Helping her to get ready to sell her ideas to her clients.
"They will love them. I love them." He told her.
"Yeah but I'm not asking you to invest millions of dollars in a new ideas in building. This might just all blow up in my face. They might not be ready for the future." Ariadne said feeling her bubble deflate slightly.
"No one is ready for the future. Yet it keeps coming." He told her simply.
She smiled at him. Their eyes bright at the sight of one another.
"I'm kinda tired." He teased. "Are you tired?" He asked.
"Not a bit." She said with a smile.
"Good." He told her.
~ They were in her room, her sanctuary. Arthur enjoyed being surrounded by all the things that belonged to her. The lovers rapturously in each others arms. Another rule broken.
"We have to finish before it's time to pick James and Phillipa up." She whispered as Arthur's hands roamed up the back of her shirt.
"Ariadne." He breathed. Her worry over the children spoiling their stolen moment.
"Arthur." She said back.
Knowing that he didn't like it when she spoke of Cobb's children on his night.
"I know that you love them..." He said pulling away from her.
"I do." She told him defensively.
Sensing the old argument approaching. The Point Man shook his head.
"Your not their mother." He told her. "You can play house all you want with them all you want, but you'll never replace Mal."
She slapped him. Surprised at her own strength. Her own sudden flash of anger. Arthur had hit a nerve.
Her hand stung. Biting, little needles. She held her assaulting hand as tears flew into her eyes.
For Arthur, he took the blow easily. Before she could react properly. He was on her. Forcing her hands to her side, her back against the wall. His face close to hers as she struggled to free herself. His arms and body keeping her there, easily. Ever the gentleman, he would never hit a woman. No matter what she did to him.
"Don't ever hit me again." He warned. His face so close to hers, she could smell his aftershave.
"Let me go." She demanded. Trying to break away from him.
"No." He told her plainly. Forcing her to look up at him. Taking the lead of their fight. Making her focus on him.
"Now you listen to me, Cobb will never love you like he did Mal. I know you want to be the children's mother, but your not their mother." He said firmly. His breathing increased as his lips were closer to hers. Ready to take her.
"I know you want to be a mother, Ariadne." He said in a hushed tone. Afraid they would be heard in the empty house. "I could make you a mother." He whispered.
Her face flushed hot. The sheer possession he had over her. The fact he was being such an authoritative male with her. Demanding things with a simple movement of his body.
Now, his talking of putting her with child. All of it made her empty womb flutter in excitement.
A fight entered her. An angry need to retaliate against the truth Arthur was saying. A desire to do battle.
He relaxed his hold on her wrists, living to regret it. Her hand flew up. Her finger nails scratching him down the face. Leaving bright red marks over his right eye.
She escaped. Ran down the stairs as Arthur shouted after her. He quickly caught her. The Point Man's easy movements his natural ability to subdue an adversary helping him.
He caught her around the waist. Seizing her. Her protesting and crying.
"I'm sorry." He said holding her tightly as she struggled. "I'm sorry." He breathed into her ear as tears flowed down her face.
For a long time, the two of them sat crumpled in the hallway. Listening to time pass. She cried herself out as Arthur held her. Apologizing over and over for what he said. He promised not to bring it up again. Never bring it up again unless she wanted to.
"I don't want to talk about it." She said rubbing her eyes dry. The Point Man loosening his grip on her.
"Ariadne..." he said softly. Not knowing what to say to her.
"It's almost time to pick them up." She said as he released her. The pair of them looking very odd on the hall floor.
She washed her red face in the half bath and tried to look normal.
"I'll go with you." He offered taking her hand. Wanting the contact. She moved away from him.
"No. It's best if I do it alone." She told him before grabbing her keys and leaving him.
~ She was comforted by James and Phillipa. James, forever singing to himself on the ride home. Phillipa talking endlessly about her new friend and wanting to go to her house for a sleepover. Their beautiful faces smiling up at her. Loving her, trusting her.
~ Dinner was a quite affair. Arthur's night dictated a refined menu. Mostly vegetarian. A light fish being the only meat the Point Man wanted. A crisp white wine for the adults. James didn't like the food. Ariadne having to fix him a snack after dinner since he wouldn't touch much of "that green stuff."
"I'll do this." Cobb said gently as she started the dishes. "Arthur's waiting. You two didn't have a fight or something did you?" The Extractor asked taking the dish towel from her.
"No, why?" She asked. Cobb shrugged.
"You didn't say two word to him at dinner. He ignored you." Cobb said rinsing a plate.
"The kids were there." She said with a shrug. Stalling for more time.
"Never stopped us from talking." He told her.
She sighed.
"Good night Cobb." She told him. Leaving the kitchen and marching upstairs. To Arthur's room.