When Fires Collide - Chapter 8
That evening, after sleeping the day away from their multi-country adventure-date, Smudge called and asked if Cinder was hungry.
'For you,' thought Cinder. "Yes, I'd love to catch a bite," Cinder softly replied.
"Great, I'll stop by in a few minutes," said Smudge. "Does anything sound good?"
"I'm good with anything," laughed Cinder softly.
Smudge paused for a second, his heart fluttered at the sound of her laugh. "On second thought, Give me about thirty minutes and I'll make something myself," said Smudge, "Would you like me to come get you?"
"I'm sure I can walk myself over," Cinder softly giggled.
"Ok, see you soon," said Smudge, hanging up the phone and running to his cupboard.
Cinder got up and got ready, putting on a dab of her favorite lavender perfume.
A little later Smudge's doorbell rang.
"Good Evening my beautiful angel," said Smudge warmly.
"Good evening," giggled Cinder softly, while rolling her eyes in amusement. Cinder stepped up and kissed Smudge who closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment.
"W-won't you come in," said Smudge, as he felt his heart still going pitter-patter after the kiss.
"So what have you decided to surprise me with this evening?" asked Cinder softly.
"I'll be honest," laughed Smudge, "I didn't have time to prepare anything special. It's just some Lemon Chicken I threw together."
"I'm sure it will be perfect," Cinder softly replied.
Smudge walked Cinder over to the table and they sat down to enjoy their meal. After dinner they sat in the living area and talked for a while. Smudge rolled over onto his back, his head between Cinder's front paws, looking up at her as she spoke.
"So what are your plans?" asked Cinder.
"I plan on staring at you for the rest of the evening," Smudge replied smoothly.
Cinder giggled softly and leaned down, kissing Smudge's nose. "Silly pup, I meant for the future."
"Oh, I guess I plan to see how this operation's chief concept turns out," said Smudge, "I hope it will take off, although I know it may take a while to be accepted. What about you?"
"I'm still enjoying my chief training position," said Cinder softly. "I still get to lead fire scenes once in a while and I love to teach. But, there is a rumor going around that Skipper is going to be selected as the next department chief so I might get bumped up to Deputy Chief of training which means more paperwork and less firefighting. I guess I might be traveling more now."
"Oh, where are you going?" inquired Smudge curiously.
"Well, there's this pup I think I might like," giggled Cinder softly, "I thought I might go see him once in a while."
"Well, if he really cared," Smudge played along, "He'd come see you more often as well."
"I'd really, really like that," Cinder said softly as she leaned down and Smudge leaned up. Their lips met and the world around them disappeared. They held the kiss for a while. Finally their lips separated but their paws held each other close as they stared into each other's eyes.
Cinder looked deeply into his eyes, thoughts swirling through her head. 'Should I tell him? What will he say? What if he rejects me? What if he doesn't? How will this work? I want to be with him like this forever…'
Smudge equally gazed into her eyes, his heart was racing like a McLaren F1. He equally had thoughts racing through his head, 'I want to be with her, I want what she has back home. Am I ready to commit to leaving London, leaving my family here? Wait, something is off, I see something in her eyes, something is troubling her.'
"Cinder?" said Smudge.
"Hmm?" softly cooed Cinder, a dreamy smile on her lips.
"I can see that something is troubling you," said Smudge, "is something wrong?"
Cinder snapped to reality and made the split second decision to not bring it up and risk ruining the evening. "No, absolutely not," said Cinder, softly but firmly, putting her worries away just like almost every other day. "You have been the absolute gentledog I hoped you would be."
"Uh huh, sure" said Smudge softly and tenderly. "Did you know you are a terrible liar, sweet Cinder?"
Cinder looked into Smudges eyes. She could feel his sincerity. She could feel his, love? 'Is this what it feels like to be truly loved by someone not a part of her family?' "T-thank you, I think" Cinder softly giggled, "It's just…something for another time. This trip has been amazing and you are just so…"
Smudge put his paw to her lips before she could embarrass him further, "Then let's just enjoy this moment. You have to go home soon. Let's lay here and you let me hold you for a while. We don't have to say anything."
Smudge stood, walked behind her and laid back down on a cushion. Cinder laid down as well, the little spoon to his big spoon. He put all four paws around her torso and hugged her, then he lifted one paw and began gently petting her head and shoulders. He softly began to hum a soothing tune, no particular tune, just softly and as soothing as he could be.
Cinder started to say something, "Um Smudge…"
"Shush, shush, shush," said Smudge, "No more talking, only me holding you, caressing you, and enjoying the moment. No worries, no cares, just you and I enjoying our time together right now."
Cinder pressed her back into Smudge's strong chest. She could feel his body heat radiating, she could feel his breathing, she could hear, no feel, his heart beating. He continued with his soothing tune and caressing touch. She slowly drifted off as his touches continued to soothe every worry and thought away.
Smudge realized Cinder had fallen asleep in his paws as he continued to caress her. "Cinder, I love you," he whispered softly, "I will do whatever I can to assure you that I will do whatever it takes for us to spend the rest of our lives together, with me holding you just like this."
He gently laid his head in the nape of her neck, breathing in her scent. He drifted off to sleep as well, dreaming about what it would be like to have her never leave.
Several hours later…
Smudge woke slowly, his eyes struggling to open. He felt the comforting weight of Cinder in his paws, He took a deep breath, luxuriating in her scent. He suddenly snapped awake as his brain registered the situation fully. 'Uh oh!'
"Um, Cinder?" Smudge said softly.
"Hmm?" Cinder softly cooed sleepily.
"We, uh, we fell asleep," said Smudge.
"Mhmm," replied Cinder softly.
"Um, I didn't mean to," said Smudge apologetically.
"I did," Cinder softly giggled, snuggling back into his chest.
"You what?" yelped Smudge in surprise.
"Ok, I didn't plan on it," Cinder softly admitted. "I woke about an hour ago and realized what happened. You were holding me close and caressing me and I liked it. It feels good, so I'm still here. I can go back to my inn if you'd like."
'No, no, not at all," said Smudge, "I'd like you to stay. I really have enjoyed tonight."
"I have too," said Cinder softly. "You have a very soothing voice."
They snuggled together again and Smudge once again caressed Cinder's head and ears until they fell asleep.
The next morning Cinder woke to the smell of something cooking. She slowly opened her eyes and found herself laying on the cushion in Smudge's flat. She stood, languidly stretched, and then walked over to the kitchen where Smudge was fixing breakfast. She walked up behind him, wrapped her paws around his torso, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"Good Morning," she cooed softly.
"Morning Cinder," said Smudge. "Breakfast will be ready in about ten minutes. If you'd like to freshen up I left a towel out in the lavatory."
"I'll be right back," Cinder replied softly, leaving another peck on his cheek.
Cinder returned just as Smudge finished preparing the breakfast plates. They continued chatting while they ate and decided to go see the sites one more time before Cinder had to return home. That afternoon, Cinder returned to her inn, in spite of an exceedingly strong desire to snuggle in Smudge's paws again. She called Everest the moment the door closed.
"Hey girl," said Everest, "I tried to call last night. Is everything ok?"
"Everything is wonderful," giggled Cinder softly. She went on to tell Everest about her evening and even the falling asleep together part.
"Oh wow," giggled Everest. "That sounds so awesome, and strangely familiar too; must be a twin trait of yours. I'm really glad you're having a great time. What time is your flight?"
"Noon tomorrow," said Cinder, "That way I didn't have to scramble to get there early tomorrow to make it through customs."
"Well enjoy your last evening," said Everest. "Call us when you get back to Heartland. We love you."
"I will. Love you two also," Cinder said softly as she hung up.
Smudge came and picked up Cinder shortly thereafter. His parents had called and asked for him to bring Cinder for a going home dinner and to say goodbye. They enjoyed a nice family meal. Smudge's mom even hugged Cinder as they were about to leave, telling her that she hoped to see her again soon.
"Don't forget my picture," reminded Amethyst playfully.
"I won't," laughed Cinder softly.
The next morning Smudge was dropping Cinder off at the airport.
They stood at the curb, Cinder looked up into Smudge's bright blue eyes.
"I really don't want to leave," Cinder softly whined.
"I really wish you didn't have to," said Smudge. "I understand though, we both have responsibilities, and lives to live."
'Lives I wish we lived together' Cinder thought before softly saying "I promise to find a way to visit again."
"I'll see if I can get away too," said Smudge. "I'll just have to see how the holidays go."
They kissed and Cinder turned to walk into the airport. She stopped at the door and looked back.
Smudge stood there, looking so handsome, she considered turning and running back to him.
"I - I'll call when I get back to Heartland," said Cinder softly.
"I'll await your call," said Smudge with a playful bow, "I'm really glad you surprised me. It was the best birthday I've ever had."
Cinder gave him a heart-melting smile before she turned and walked into the airport.