The Doors to Newhaven

Chapter 5: The Joy of Time

The next morning I woke up again inescapably. My body awakened as the sun came through my window, and my mind clicked awake when I heard birds, and passing cars begin to rouse the city from sleep. Yawning, I sat up and went into my closet to change into a pair of sweats. Brushing out my tangled hair, I quickly pulled it atop my head and then headed downstairs. 

A sense of deja voo clicked in when I began walking down the iron staircase and the smell of breakfast food wafted into my nostrils. 

"Everybody here? All fifteen? Twice that many, Dad. Now there's 99 of us!" As I stepped into the living room, the TV was on. And sitting on the couch was Spencer, quoting 101 Dalmations. I walked passed him with a smile, and on into the kitchen where I found Sophie and Gage. Sophie was sitting at a bar stool, and Gage was cooking a variety of things in different pots and pans. 

"Good morning Belle." Gage greeted me the way he had the other morning, and I couldn't help but smile shyly. 

"So you got my message did you?" Gage turned around (still wearing my apron) and winked at me.

"Yes, I did. Now come over and have some food, I'm making crepes and waffles." I walked over to sit by Sophie, and she glanced at me giving me a look that said "you'll tell me about this later" I bit my lip, and smiled at her. I had forgotten to tell her that when I sent the note back over to Gage last night i'd told him he could make it up to me with breakfast...

Gage set plates in front of both me and Sophie, then sat next to me with his own. We all ate in silence while 101 Dalmatians quietly played in the background. 

"Gage where did you learn to cook like this?" Sophie asked, as she took another bite of her crepe.

"My mother, she is a very good cook, I learned it all from her." We cleaned off our plates quickly, and set them in the sink when we were finished. Then Sophie went into the other room with Spencer. I was left alone with Gage in the kitchen, and the two of us for a moment stood in awkward silence....

"I'm sorry about last night." He blurted...

"Its alright, you were just trying to protect me." He crossed the kitchen and came over to me, lifting his hand so he could brush a strand of hair behind my ear. 

"You've let me make you breakfast, but I was wondering...could I take the day to also... make it up to you?" I pursed my lips, and pretended to think it over.

"Hmmm....I think that might be okay." Gage grinned and began untying my apron from his waist. 

"Go change, I'll be waiting in my car outside." 

********

"You have a corvette?" 

Gage laughed and leaned across the passenger seat to talk to me through the window. 

"Come on, get in." Gaping at him from the sidewalk, I stayed frozen in place.

"I thought you said your dad owned a wood shop?" I squeaked

"He does, but it wasn't his shop that payed for this thing." I looked at the beautiful black vehicle and knew I didn't want to risk touching it...what if I scratched it?

"Then what did pay for it?" Gage chuckled pushing the passenger door open. 

"Underground fights." Groaning at the reality of that answer I just slid into the passenger seat and closed the door as carefully as I could. 

"And why exactly didn't you tell me you were rich?" I asked as we pulled away from the curb and onto the streets.

"Because you never asked. Plus I'm not exactly rich, I live in a puny two story apartment with a corvette I bought with money from my high school fights. About the only thing fancy I own is this car...." I leaned back in my seat as the thrumming engine sailed us through the city. I felt like I was in a dream as I looked out the window and watched the city go by. I was in a fancy car, with an extremely attractive guy, going on a date...never in a million years did I think this would happen to me.