Perfect Valentine Chapter 3
SPOV
On the drive back to my house, we didn't talk much, but would occasionally take a glimpse at each other and smile. When Eric pulled into my driveway, he retrieved the carryon bag from the back, came around to open the door for me, and helped me get the large vase of roses out. I had put them on the floorboard between my feet, because in a Corvette, that was about the only place they'd fit. He came into the house with me, offering to pull the satin slip out of his bag for me, but I convinced him to take it home to keep at his place. We had both been keeping toiletries and at least one change of clothes at each other's homes for a few months now. If I'd thought about it, I might have wanted to keep it after all. It might be nice to slip it on when I had to sleep alone. Running my hands over that wonderful fabric would undoubtedly bring back memories of last night, but, hopefully, there wouldn't be too many of those sleeping-alone nights now. And, let's face it, I didn't need much in the way of props, anyway. Just thinking about my tall, handsome fiancé, mmm, fiancé , even the word was sexy, was enough to get me going!
"Okay, I'll pick you up at 5:30, then. Jeans, right?" Eric knew these dinners were casual, but he liked to check. It wasn't really that he was vain about his appearance, or that he would feel self-conscious if he were over- or under-dressed, but he didn't want to offend a host or hostess in any way.
"Of course," I answered, stepping in for a kiss and hug. After a couple of loud smooches, our eyes locked, and I swear, there was a few wisps of smoke rising from his. So hot! He brought his hand up to brush my cheek before walking down the sidewalk to the car. I stood at the door watching, and waved when he looked back at me before closing the door and heading for the bedroom. I had about five hours to kill before seeing him again. It stretched before me like a long, desolate highway.
I changed out of the dress I'd worn last night, putting on sweats and slippers. Heading for the kitchen, I discovered I was hungry. Despite the fact that I told my mother we were about to have breakfast, we hadn't eaten more than a couple of bites of the delicious food room service had brought. What a waste! But we were occupied with other diversions. I made a sandwich, got a glass of milk, and sat down with the Sunday Star Telegram. My phone sounded off from the other room. Mama again. I ran to catch it before it went to voice mail, "Hi, Mama."
"Hey, Sookie, I just wanted to let you know that Jason is coming tonight, too. Won't it be great to have both of you here. Oh, and Eric, of course. Has Jason met Eric?"
"Uhh, no, not yet," I answered without enthusiasm, "thanks for letting me know, Mama. I'll see you later."
I hope I didn't seem rude, but I just couldn't carry on any more conversation after that bit of seemingly harmless information. No, Jason had not met Eric. I had made sure he hadn't. During the years that I was dating Bill, he and Jason had gotten pretty tight. Jason didn't really know all the stuff that went on with Bill and me.
Even though we'd grown up with the usual big brother/little sister relationship, my following him and his friends around while he tried to ditch me, and his protecting and defending me, Jason and I hadn't been close since he hit puberty and decided he wanted to screw everything with a vagina, including all of my friends. He treated women like little more than sex objects or possessions, and I just didn't like that. It had taken a long time for me to realize that he and Bill got along because, basically, Bill thought the same way. Only Jason wanted a different woman every night, and Bill just wanted me. He also didn't know all the shit that had gone on after the breakup. Bill wouldn't leave me alone. He pretty much stalked me, turning up at work, sitting in his car outside my apartment, calling all the time. Those first weeks after I told him we were through had been rough. I finally had to move, change my phone number, and tell the security guard at work not to let him up to see me. He finally gave up. Jason knew that I'd done the leaving, knew that Bill wasn't ready to let me go, but, at least, he hadn't pressed when I'd said I didn't want to talk about it. So, I hadn't seen my brother more than a handful of times in the last ten months, and while he occasionally told me, "Bill sends his love," it was left at that.
I toyed with the idea of calling Eric, explaining to him about Jason and Bill, but decided against it. Jason was a butt sometimes, but I didn't really think he would cause any trouble. Surely he'd figured out that Bill was history as far as I was concerned. I just didn't want to think about it anymore, and headed off to soak in the tub. After the shower this morning, Lord knows, I didn't really need a bath, but the hot water and lavender scent would chase the jitters I felt trying to build up inside me.
EPOV
Walking away from that door was hard, I mean, really hard. I never liked leaving Sookie after dates, but this was unbelievably more difficult. Then when I looked back as I climbed into the car, she waved, oh, fuck. I knew last night's proposal took our relationship one more step up the ladder, but I didn't really think it would make this much difference in our commitment. I mean, I'd known Sookie was the one for me since, maybe, the third date. I was a pretty good judge of people, too, and I knew, long before she said it, that she loved me the same way. While we'd never actually said the word "marriage" we both knew eventually…. It was just fated, we felt it. But, now, all of a sudden, it felt like I was leaving a body part behind, not just someone I would see again in a few hours. Wow, powerful stuff!
I drove home in pretty much of a daze. I was pleased that last night went so well. Sookie, just like I knew she would be, was blown away by what I'd planned. I was careful, of course, not to overspend. She was so frugal, she'd be upset if she thought I'd done so. Sookie had no idea of the depth of my resources, which was my plan. I didn't really like for anyone to know. I lived much more simply than I could. I just wasn't into the whole "look at how much money I have" thing. Sure, I drove a pretty expensive car, but it was just a 'Vette, not a fucking Ferrari.
When I got to my apartment, I had no idea how I was going to pass the next few hours. I couldn't wait to see Sookie again, and I was anxious to get the dinner with her parents behind us. We'd tell my parents next month, when they got back from Europe. Then we could settle down into just being an engaged couple. Whatever that meant.
I checked the fridge for something to eat, and found some leftover Chinese. It smelled okay, so I nuked it a minute in the microwave and ate it, hardly tasting anything. After I tossed the carton in the trash, I carried my bag to the bedroom to unpack it. Right on top was the pink satin nightie. I fingered it gently, but dropped it when I started to feel a familiar stirring south of my belt. Didn't need that right now. I took her make-up case to the bathroom, and put the rest of the stuff in the right drawers. Finally I went back to the seductive garment. My intention was just to pick it up, put it in the drawer with Sookie's other things, and go on, but instead I brought it to my face, breathing in deeply her scent, which still clung stubbornly to it. Damn. Oh, well, I had to change out of this suit anyway, might as well take a (cold) shower.
Well, that didn't work. I picked up my phone and dialed Sookie's number. When she answered, I said, "Okay if I come over a little early? I can't wait to see you."
"Sure," she answered, "I'm not doing anything. See you in a bit."
"I love you, Sookie," I said and hung up before she could reciprocate. I pulled out jeans and a black sweater, and got dressed and out the door in twenty minutes.
When I got to Sookie's, we had an hour before we had to leave. I planned to make good use of it.
Luckily Sookie played right into my hand. She answered the door in her robe, which I quickly learned was all she wore. "Oohh, I missed you," I moaned into her ear.
Nipping my cheek and chin, she replied, "Missed you, too, Eric."
I moved my hands to cup her butt and lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around my waist, and I carried her to the bedroom. Placing her gently down, I stood back up and removed my clothes, then joined her. Our hands moved desperately over each other. You'd never guess we'd just been together a few hours ago. It was hot and heavy, and over in a few minutes. We lay in the bed, eyes locked, my hands tracing her lips, for longer than the coupling itself had taken. Finally, I gave her hip a light slap, "We'd better get dressed, lover. We can't go to your parents' house like this."
SPOV
I couldn't believe Eric called wanting to come over early, because I actually had my phone in my hand to call him. The bath was nice, but I knew only one thing was really going to calm me down. Sure enough, after he'd been here about half an hour, I was feeling pretty damn relaxed! Maybe we shouldn't have had sex just before going to Mama and Daddy's, but, right now, I can't imagine how I'd have managed if we hadn't.
Anyway, I put on a pair of skinny jeans with my pink sweater and pulled on my boots. Eric looked really hot in his black sweater, and I wanted to look at least close to his league, if not actually in it. My hair was a mess after our love-making, so I just pulled it back into a low ponytail. Didn't even need blush tonight, because Eric had already brought out the roses in my cheeks.
We were running a little late now, so we hurried to the car, jumped in and took off for my parents' house. God, please let this go okay.
When we got there, I opened the door, like always, and we just walked in. I was still my home in many ways. Daddy was watching "60 Minutes," while Mama worked in the kitchen. Just a typical night at home for them. I got hugs, and Eric got handshakes, and then Mama said, "Okay, you two, I've waited long enough. I want to hear about last night!"
I looked up at Eric. He grinned and nodded, so I said, "Well, Mama, Daddy, the whole night was absolutely wonderful, but I want to start with this." I held out my left hand for them to see the ring. Eric slipped his arm around my waist, holding me tightly.
"Sookie!" Mama cried, her hand going to her mouth, "you're engaged!" She turned to Daddy, "Oh, honey, isn't that wonderful. Just think, Sookie's getting married!"
"I see that, dear," he answered, taking my hand, as if to inspect the ring more closely. He looked up at Eric approvingly. "Nice ring, baby girl. Congratulations, Eric."
More hugs, this time for Eric too. Then Daddy suggested Eric join him in the garage to check out his new project car, while Mama and I finished preparing supper. Daddy had liked Eric right away because he was a car guy too. When I brought him home the first time, Daddy had gone straight out to inspect the 'Vette. When Eric told him he'd spent a summer helping his cousin restore an old one, he was sold. Now Daddy had gotten a '64 Impala, and was going to tweak it. Of course, Eric couldn't resist the invitation.
As soon as we got to the kitchen, Mama started pumping me for details. Before I got past the flowers and dinner, Jason came bursting through the door, "Whose 'Vette? Supper ready yet, Mom? Oh, hey, Sook."
Mama accepted his kiss on the cheek and said, "Almost, baby, guess what? Your sister has news. Show him Sookie." She grabbed my hand and held it for Jason to see the ring.
Jason stared at my hand, then at me before saying loudly, "What the fuck, Sis? You date Bill for-what-four years, and nothing. Now you're with this guy a coupla months, and you're going to marry him?"
I know my mouth was standing open, but when Mama scolded, "Jason, language!" I thought I'd lose it. Seriously, Mama, from that speech the language was the offensive part? Don't remember what it was like with Bill? Don't you know Eric and I have been serious now for a long time? How about a word in my defense? To save myself from saying something I'd regret, I turned and left the room. I could still hear Mama, though, "Jason, you shouldn't have said that. Eric's a very nice boy. You should meet him. He's out in the garage with your father."
"No!" I shouted as I walked back into the kitchen, but I was too late. Jason was out the door and on the way to the garage.
"Don't worry, Sookie, Jason won't cause any trouble," she tried to calm me, patting my back. "Your father will be sure of that. Besides, once he meets Eric, he'll love him as much as we do. You know that, now just help me finish this up, so we can eat."
My mother's approach to a problem is always the same: pretend it doesn't exist, and it doesn't. Sometimes I wish I could be that naïve.
We put the steaming dishes on the table, and I walked out to the garage to call the men in. I heard laughter as I approached, so I thought maybe she'd been right. Maybe it was all okay now. Daddy and Eric headed for the house as soon as I'd told them supper was ready. Jason hung back and lightly caught my arm to keep me back too. Maybe he wanted to apologize.
"I get it now, Sis," he said with a smirk, "he's got money. That's his Corvette out front. And he's big, big hands, bet he's got a big dick, too, huh? Bigger than Bill's? Is that the whole deal? You dumped Bill for some guy with a few bucks and a bigger dick?"
I pulled my arm away and turned to face Jason. My palm itched to slam itself across his cheek, "The problem with Bill wasn't the size of his dick, Jason, it was the fact that he was a dick! Always a dick!" I turned and went to the house, brushing away the tears that fell. What a disaster.
I tried my best to make polite conversation, answering Mama's continuing questions about last night's activities. Thinking about how perfect it had been did a little bit to ease the sting of Jason's onslaught. Mama kept saying, "Awww," and Daddy kept nodding his head, while Jason shoveled food in without a word, and Eric watched me with a questioning look. I knew he knew something wasn't right. He was too perceptive sometimes.
When dessert was over, Jason stood up and said, "Thanks, Mom, great, as always. Dad. See ya'll later. I gotta go."
"It was nice to meet you, Jason," Eric said, standing and extending his hand.
Ignoring it, Jason answered, "Yeah, sure," and walked out the front door. Smoke was probably coming out of my ears, Daddy was embarrassed at his son's behavior, but didn't say anything, and Mama, of course, made an excuse for him, saying he probably had to be up early tomorrow. It was only eight o'clock, for Christ's sake.
Anyway, we cleared the table, then went into the living room to visit awhile. About an hour later, I stood, announcing that I, too, had work tomorrow, and should be getting home. Everyone stood and hugs were tight and lingering all around. At least Mama and Daddy were happy about the engagement. If Jason didn't come around, well, fuck him, I knew this was the man for me, and it didn't matter if anyone else thought so or not.
We hadn't gotten a mile down the road when Eric asked, "What's wrong, Sookie? You've been way too quiet."
I reached over and rubbed his arm, "Just tired, baby. Didn't get much sleep last night, you know?"
He smiled down at me lovingly, but said, "Okay, don't tell me. But you know you can. Tell me anything, I mean."
I turned my face to look out the window so he wouldn't see the tears starting to form. I couldn't risk speaking right now, so I just nodded.
When we got to my house, I told Eric I needed to get to bed, to sleep. He held me tight for a long time, kissed me chastely, and left without an argument. When he walked away from the door, I felt cold, my arms ached to still be around him, and when I climbed into bed, I would have given anything to have his strong arms wrapped around me. I grabbed my phone off the bedside table and texted: LUV U E 4 EVA