Don't Let Go

Only One Bed

ELLIOT POV

The emotional break after my lullaby helped both of us unwind a bit when we finished speaking to George.

He was clearly worried about Cordy as well as the escalating threats. We agreed to stay in our room and I called the front desk to let them know we'd be leaving the next afternoon. After allowing ourselves to rest for an hour it was easy enough to find another hotel about 2 hours from where we were then see what rooms were available.  This time we would be in a busy city with plenty of restaurants nearby, not to mention all the hotel amenities.

They even have a gym.

"Uhh... Cordy?" I looked toward her while she grabbed us each an Oatmeal Cream Pie from the snack stash as I scrolled the options and cringed. "Okay, so we have this place I found with 24 hour a day room service in the heart of a busy downtown area but... uhh... the only rooms available have just have one king sized bed."

Cordy cracked up laughing while raising her eyebrows. "Are you propositioning me, Elliot?"

I felt my face turn bright red as my eyes widened. "No, I promise! It's not like that..."

"Hey, just relax... I was kidding," she reassured as she sat next to me and took a look at the screen. "Honestly, it's no big deal. I've bunked with my Aidan and Lewis at different points in the past. The safehouse has a couch and one bed, anyway.  Never bunking with either of them again, though, so hopefully this goes more smoothly for us."

"Why?" My curiosity always got the better of me so I asked before realizing how it came across.

Her green eyes sparkled, giving my heart a flutter, before Cordy explained, "Aidan kicks in his sleep and Lewis snores. I got used to at least taking Benadryl if we have to be in a safe house situation or I won't sleep. My room is always a cool temperature, I have specific sheets, and I need my weighted blanket." She paused, then added, "Oh, and when we adopt Winky our Terrier at some point he or she will sleep with me."

"You gonna take the dog out in the middle of the night?" I raised my eyebrow and challenged her, trying to distract from the intimate conversation I began moments ago.  "Here I was thinking I'd be on night duty for the puppy."

Cordy didn't let me get away from my earlier question, of course.  She's too smart for that.

"First of all, yes. Of course. There is a small staff room on the main floor that isn't being used so I can always stay there for a bit to make it easier. I would never make anyone else take care of my pet. Secondly, to get back to your earlier question, it's not that deep. If it's easier to get a hotel room with the amenities needed then I'm not worried." She paused while looking away before meeting my eyes again, "I mean, hopefully it's obvious that I trust you so there shouldn't be a problem."

Her response made me feel better and I realized it would be nice to sleep in the same bed as a woman again, even just as friends. Cordy was rational about the situation so I shrugged then clicked to reserve the room for 3 nights.  Aidan emailed us earlier that the cops had a lead on a group from the Resistance so we hoped being away a bit longer would be sufficient.

"I really want to be back home in time for the museum Donor Dinner," Cordy said softly while leaning against the headboard next to me. "My Dad has worked so hard to make it a lovely evening."

I hummed, then suggested, "So, I have an idea."

She sat up and looked into my eyes with a gleam of mischief. "Fill me in."

"Maybe worst case we can slip back into town with a rental car just for the dinner. If we let your Dad know then we can do the red carpet briefly and stick around for a bit then sneak away. I am sure they can have a different car ready for us then we can switch our stuff around before leaving again."

Cordy paused, her mouth curving into a soft smile. "That's actually perfect."

I grinned while opening my snack cake, "I'll email Aidan and see what he thinks. For now the room is booked with the untraceable card info he sent and we can pay cash when we get there. I love the idea you had of going about 2 hours away and making a triangle with home."

"It makes the most sense. We will still be somewhere new but it will not take any longer to get back when the time comes. I hate the idea of being further away, especially when Dad is so stressed out."

Her love for her Father made me wonder how things were when her Mom was alive. From all I've been told, Jewel was just as kind and generous as her daughter and husband. The entire family is quality.

That conversation needed to happen at a later time, though.  For the moment we had more than enough to keep us occupied.

We turned in early but I was awake after Cordy, watching as she slept like somehow I could glean more about her character in the way her lashes fluttered or breath released. She was facing me and curled into a pillow on her stomach, like always, with her now dark hair tied into a loose messy bun. 

 If I had to choose between blonde or brunette, I couldn't do it.

Cordelia is beautiful, regardless. I'm sure if she shaved her head I'd feel the same way.

I felt my stomach churn at the idea of sharing a bed but reminded myself what she said.

It's not that deep.

She's right. It's not. The hotel we found was a lot pricier than this place plus the cost of room service and a mini bar I knew we would use.  Part of me felt guilty for all the expenses we wracked up on our trip but I knew this was for the best.  George previously told me they would cover everything if this sort of situation happened so the encouragement to move elsewhere was a good push toward finding a nicer place.

This is what was needed so Cordy is safe.  We can use the gym so she gets workouts in, get room service, and hopefully explore the city now that we were disguised.  I loved the idea of wandering shops then finding a random bistro to grab lunch with her.  The kind of random unstructured day out which was common in all my previous relationships but not possible due to threats and stalking the Townsend family deals with every day.

When I closed my eyes, I imagined what it would be like if our road trip was extended further. Hopping place to place like Bonnie and Clyde without the murder or robberies.

No need to steal from banks when you have plenty of cash on hand, not to mention Cordy's Amex Black Card.

Once I reasoned that this was a great plan and would make both of us more comfortable, sleep came easily.

I made a promise to keep Cordelia safe... no matter what it takes.