The Third Level
2.
~ Ariadne woke up alone in her small guest room.
After her heated kiss with Cobb, she was left almost breathless. The handsome Extractor breathing hard as he held her slight body close to him. She could feel his heart beating through his chest, their bodies were so close. His cologne reaching her, making her feel weak and helpless to his advances.
"I'm sorry." He panted but didn't release her.
"Cobb." She said in a scared voice. She was suddenly very frightened. As if Arthur's wrath was about to rise up and destroy them for what they had done.
"I'm so sorry." He breathed as she could feel his arms relax around her.
She had to shift her body free of him. It felt wrong to be in this hallway with Cobb just now. With those fine eyes of his looking over her. Her spirits weakening to the thought of his lips on hers again.
She put a hand to her lips. She could still feel Cobb's kiss there. Still feel his lips, his facial hair. His warm, sweet breath.
"Ariadne?" He called back as she ducked into her room and locked the door.
~ In the bright morning, that night seemed very far away. As if she had dreamed it somehow.
Cobb was in the kitchen with the kids. Getting them ready for school as they ate breakfast and he packed their lunches.
"Good morning." He called to her brightly. They kept their conversations revolving around the children and what they wanted to talk about. James hugging her. His face just like Cobb's.
~ "I want to talk about what happened last night." He said when the school bus picked the kids up and they had the house to themselves again. No young ones around to divert attention from the real issue.
"Nothing to talk about." She said sadly.
"Yes there is." He said sharply.
She looked up at him. Trying not to cry.
"Ariadne, I've been alone a long time now. I would never want to betray Arthur. I know he just died, but if Arthur hadn't pursued you, I would have." He said boldly.
Ariadne looked up at him and felt herself stop breathing.
"I think I should move out." She said. She couldn't stay here. Not like this. Not with Cobb declaring he wanted her.
"I don't want you to move out." He said. His eyes so sad and haunted. Like they were when Mal was tormenting him. "You have the baby to think of." He said reaching out a hand to her. His hand wanting, itching, to go to her abdomen.
"Cobb, my husband just died." She wanted to cry. She felt so guilty at the thought of being unfaithful to Arthur with Cobb.
"I know. I will take as long as you need." Cobb promised. "He was my best friend." Cobb said looking at his hands.
"Cobb, we shouldn't do this. Last night was a mistake." She said not looking at him. Trying to ignore the way his hands were snaking over hers. The feel of his warm, strong fingers covering her hands and taking them.
"Ariadne." He whispered. "Please, just stay here. Arthur is dead. Were alive. He would want you to move on."
~ It took a long time for Ariadne to find a new place. She had decided to give up her old apartment. Too many memories. Everywhere she looked, she was reminded of Arthur. The life they had so briefly shared.
Her old place was too small for the baby that was due in just a few more months and she knew she had to find something more suitable.
~ "Ariadne, there is nothing in your price range that is decent." Cobb complained as she was looking through the apartment listings.
"I'm sure I can find something." She said as Cobb cooked dinner. For a man, he was a remarkable cook. It was enjoyable for him and he always had a nice dinner for her every night.
"Why can't you just stay here?" He asked.
She looked up at him.
"You know why, Cobb." She told him coldly.
He cast those fine eyes of his downward.
"I said I was sorry. I want you and the baby here." He told her. She could tell he was deeply frustrated.
"I know." She whispered.
"Have I tried anything since you told me not to?" He asked.
"No." She conceded. "No, you haven't."
"I wont either. Not unless you want me to." Cobb said moving to her. Instinctively, she stepped away.
"Cobb, please." She said as his hands reached hers.
"Arthur would want you to move on. Mal would want me to move on." He breathed and suddenly she was in his arms again. His lips dancing with hers as she was melting in his embrace.
His kiss felt wonderful. His lips comforting and strong as she felt his hands on her hips.
"Dom." She panted as he broke away from her.
"Stay with me." He whispered. His voice soft and demanding.
She was nodding as his lips touched her again. His hands finding her belly.
"I want you to stay. I want to be a father to this baby." He whispered as she couldn't stop the tears from falling. "This child needs a father. It's what Arthur would want."
"Yes." She cried as she felt his fingers roam over her shirt front and touch the skin of her abdomen.
"Yes." she cried again. Nodding as he kissed her over and over again.
~ She spent the night in Cobb's bed. He kept his word. His hands never touching her in a way she didn't want. His body feeling warm and protective around hers as they woke up at the same time.
~ Cobb was smiling. Kissing her as daylight streamed though the windows.
"Good morning." he whispered. His eyes happy and light.
"Good morning." She whispered back.
She felt a smile creep over face. She blushed as Cobb's fingers were lacing through her hair. She suddenly felt very shy around Cobb. Never had she been like this with him before. She buried her face in her pillow and tried not to giggle as Cobb was kissing her shoulders.
~ It was strange how quickly time would pass when someone was happy. Her pregnancy was normal. Her baby growing as planed. Every check up was a successes as Cobb would join her in the exam room. Making plans for the birth.
Ariadne came home one day to find the Extractor had painted the nursery for her.
"I'm really glad it's a girl." He told her as she looked lovingly over the pink horses he had stenciled on the walls.
"Why?" She laughed.
"Girls always love their fathers." Cobb told her with a pleased little smile. He leaned over the ladder and kissed her.
~ Ariadne felt a sharp pain go off in her chest at the idea her child would never know Arthur. That Cobb had so easily stepped into the role of father that she barely had time to miss her husband.
She felt what could only be described as guilt over moving on so quickly.
~ James and Phillipa seemed accepting to their father's new relationship. They remembered Arthur, but never spoke of him. Never asking if it was his baby. Or why Ariadne was living with them.
Like their father, they possessed a calm demeanor that was so uncommon in children of that age.
~ That night, Ariadne dreamed of Arthur.
Cobb hadn't made any kind of sexual advances to her in the past few months. They had been sleeping together in the same bed, but Cobb seemed satisfied to allow their relationship to stay chaste for now.
She heard Cobb snoring and the noise roused her awake.
She froze when she heard a creaking outside their door. She stayed perfectly still as she watched the door knob turn and the door open. Heavy, graceful footsteps inviting themselves into their room.
She would know those foot steps anywhere. Even in the darkened bedroom, she could see the Point Man's body outlined by the pale light from the window.
Ariadne didn't even breath as Cobb slept on. Oblivious to their intruder.
Arthur watched the sleeping couple. His face cold and angry. He looked murderous.
"Cobb?" Ariadne cried softly. Tying to rouse the Extractor awake. The Point Man glaring at them with dark, unnatural eyes.
"Cobb?" She said louder as she could hear the intruder breathing hard in the dark night.
She nudged Cobb who slept on without waking. She felt her blood turn to ice right before Arthur attacked.