Chapter 15 Sweet Surprise

Hey readers,

here is my next chapter. I was heavily immersed into work and than one week on vacation in Scotland. What a lovely country and good place to shop too…

Hope you enjoy it! Thanks to my beta Millemini!

Please read and review it!

What happened last:

She just knew that this man was the man she loved, even with his disability and all the emotional baggage he had. Somewhere along her musings Auggie calmed down; his breathing became steady and he pulled out of her embrace. He rubbed eyes with the heels of his hands and swallowed.

"Thank you," he said shyly. "No one has done anything like that for me in a long time."

"You're welcome Auggie. I really hope that one day you trust me enough to tell me what's on your heart, soul and mind."

They enjoyed the rest of the day in comfortable silence. Both of them were lost in their own minds. Auggie drove Annie home and when he got home he went straight to bed, despite the early hour, he was tired and just wanted to forget about the day.

-#-#-#-

At Annie's:

"Danielle have you seen my midnight blue skirt?" Annie hollered from the kitchen. Danielle was upstairs with the girls and Annie had searched the laundry room to find the skirt she'd planned on wearing for her date with Auggie. She was sure she'd put it in with her laundry a few days earlier and Danielle usually left Annie's clean, folded laundry on the counter there.

"It's in the laundry room, Annie dear," Danielle hollered back.

"I've searched for it there, and I can't find it."

Annie heard Danielle coming down the stairs and a few moments later she entered the kitchen. Annie smiled nervously in her sister's direction.

"I need it for my date with Auggie. Dani, please help me find it." Annie nearly begged for her sister's help.

"It has to be there Annie. I remember folding it." Danielle turned toward the hallway and hollered for her daughters. "Katia, Chloe come down instantly!"

Soon they heard their footsteps on the stairs and; "We're coming Mom," shouted in unison.

"Did you take Annie's blue skirt out of the laundry room to play dress up?" Danielle asked with a stern voice and strict face.

"No." Both girls smiled mischievously up to her mother.

"Are you lying?" Danielle asked, not trusting their mischievous expressions.

"No we aren't. You can look in our room Mom."

"Okay girls, sorry go play again." The girls headed back upstairs and Danielle turned back to Annie. "I'm sorry Annie but you heard them." She smiled apologetically at her little sister.

"Okay. Then I have to search for something else to wear. Damn." Annie turned and walked back over to the guesthouse.

Half an hour later she was wearing just her underwear wen her phone started ringing. It was the tune she'd assigned to Auggie. "Fuck. I'm not ready!" She groaned and grabbed the phone.

"Hey Auggie. Give me ten minutes."

Annie ended the call without waiting for an answer and tossed the phone onto her bed. She grabbed a purple dress that went down to just above her knees and put it on before she headed into the bathroom. She quickly threw some make up on and put her hair down, spraying some hairspray on it to give it some hold. She grabbed her purse and put her keys and her cell in it, and then grabbed her pre-packed overnight bag. She intended to spend the night at Auggie's apartment. When she stepped out of the gate a few moments later the sight of Auggie, waiting for her in his car, brought a smile to her face.

"Hi, handsome. I missed you," she said as she settled into the passenger seat and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.

"You're beautiful as always, Chérie." Auggie responded with a flirtatious look on his face. "First stop dinner and then I have a surprise for you."

About half an hour later they were seated at the Phantom, one of the best French restaurants in Washington DC, and they were both perusing their menus.

"What are you having Annie?" Auggie asked, looking at her over his menu.

"I think I'll have the salad with escargot, and recommendation number 2. You?"

"I'll have the garlic soup and recommendation number 1. If you're game we can share?"

"That's a fantastic idea Auggie," Annie exclaimed with a smile.

After the waiter had taken their orders they fell into an easy conversation. After twenty minutes the food arrived and they shared as they agreed too.

"Just leave room for dessert, Cherié," Auggie said as she helped herself to a second serving. Annie looked at him with a questioning look on her face, but his expression revealed nothing.

After Auggie paid they walked hand in hand towards his car. He would hold her hand instead his cane. A common picture if they were outside of work together. Annie didn't mention it to him, but she loved it no matter. He had a firm grip on her hand but not to tight. If he was completely honest with himself didn't need the cane. His balance was perfect after years of practice, but he couldn't stand the pitiful looks and he feared embarrassing himself openly, so he used them as security blankets.

After a short drive to Monument Park Auggie parked and got out of the car. He walked around to the passenger side and opened the door.

"Do you trust me?" he asked Annie as he pulled a scarf out of his pocket.

"Yeah I do Auggie." Annie answered truthfully and stepped out of the car. Auggie put the scarf gently over her eyes and secured a knot on the back of her head.

"Just wait for a second my dear," Auggie said as he walked to the trunk and collected the backpack he'd prepared before he went to pick Annie up. He grabbed his cane as well and walked back to the passenger door to collect Annie.

"Put your hand onto my elbow and walk a half step behind me so you can feel my movements Chérie." Annie obliged and they strolled around the park until Auggie found the perfect place. He asked her to wait a little while and made quick work of spreading the blanket he'd brought, lighting the candles and arranging the fruit and the bottle of champagne. Finally he sat down on the ground and arranged his legs.

"You can take the scarf off Annie," Auggie said and waited eagerly for her reaction.

Annie pulled off the scarf and gasped; she had never been on the receiving end of such a romantic surprise and the sight of her handsome man sitting on the blanket with an expectant look on his face nearly brought her to tears. Auggie had outdone himself this time.

"Say something Annie, please" he pleaded seeing just the small glimmer in her eyes. "Is it bad?"

Annie got down on her knees and wrapped her arms forcefully around Auggie. She kissed him and smiled. "This is so beautiful Auggie. Thank you." Annie smiled through her tears.

"Everything for you my dear."

They enjoyed the treats Auggie had brought and snuggled up against each other and watching the stars. Lots of more kisses were exchanged, goo goo eyes were shown. After two hours outside Annie began to shiver.

"Come on Annie, let us get home and warm up with some more cuddling?" Auggie smiled mischievously at Annie who just nodded. Annie sat up and began to collect the remnants of the surprise while Auggie turned and got himself upright on his feet. He had done it like this before Annie just one other time but he knew she wasn't embarrassed by his disability, so he wasn't as self-conscious as before. Annie collected the blanket at the end and offered him his cane.

Half an hour later they entered Auggie's apartment, canes in the car.

"Get yourself comfortable while I make some hot chocolate. Then I'll throw on some sweats." Annie said, knowing Auggie had to get out of his prosthesis to prevent from any pressure marks or sores. She had researched a lot in amputation and what it involved. She had seen Auggie without his prosthesis more times now, but never without the liners, even though they shared a bed nearly every weekend.

They ended up with an action movie so with so little plot that they didn't feel they were missing something during their many make-out sessions. She couldn't even remember what movie she just had seen as she walked into the bathroom, leaving Auggie to deal with turning off his entertainment system while she got ready for bed.

After Auggie was done in the bathroom he contemplated if he was ready to show Annie his residual limbs or not. He decided he wasn't ready for it so he just turned the light out and then rolled the liners down under the blanket. He hoped someday he could show them to Annie, but not tonight. He thanked God for Annie's patience and that she didn't pressure him into something he wasn't ready for or comfortable with. They settled themselves in the middle of the bed and Annie laid her head on Auggie's chest after a long, hot goodnight kiss. Auggie put his arm around Annie and fell into a peaceful sleep.

Annie lay awake longer thinking about the evening she just had. She couldn't remember experiencing something equally romantic before, not even the night at the beach with Ben could match it. Danielle had talked some sense into her after she'd exploded at Auggie, Annie had confided in her that evening. Danielle hadn't met Auggie, but she knew the man was making her little sister happier than she was in a long time. Annie was aware that Auggie struggled to show her his whole body, but she accepted it. Auggie was so nice and caring around her that it would be worth the wait, even if it was a long one.

After she'd worked through everything in her mind a few times she drifted into a nice dream.