One Last Dance | R. Grayson

[16] Little Things

Erica woke up to the feeling of firm arms wrapped around her, opening her eyes to see the warm sunlight illuminating the shiny dark hair of the young man close to her. She brushed those dark brown hair from his face, finding his pristine features set in a look of peaceful slumber.

A smile flickered upon her face as she carefully got out from his protective grip, placing a soft kiss on his forehead before she left for the bathroom to freshen up. He didn't even stir, indicating that it was rare for him to go to sleep so soundly.

He had a habit of overworking himself to the point of exhaustion, so she chose not to wake him up and prepare breakfast.

Out of routine, she had woken up very early in the morning herself. A few hours were still left until he would have to report at the BCPD, she judged, looking at the clock.

She could let him sleep for half an hour more and then wake him up when breakfast was ready.

After taking a quick shower, Erica chose a slightly warmer outfit due to the cold weather. Buttoning up her cardigan and drying off her hair, she stepped out of the bathroom and saw Richard had just woken up.

"Am I late?" He asked sleepily, trying to find his phone.

"No, you can rest for some more time while I make breakfast. It's not even seven in the morning."

"Oh... It's early then," he mumbled, head dropping back on the pillow. Her smile widened to see him like that, but then he sat up again as if he had just realized that he was in Erica's apartment and she was standing in front of him.

"Good morning, Richard," she teased, coming to sit close to him.

A faint pink crept over his ears, but he smiled, "A very lovely good morning, it seems."

She laughed, brushing his messy hair out of his eyes. He leaned into the touch, his blue eyes gazing back at her fondly.

"I could get used to waking up like this very easily," he mumbled, observing the beautiful red hue that dusted upon her cheeks.

"This early in the morning, and you're still in the mood to flirt."

"I'm not flirting. I'm telling the truth."

She retrieved her hand from his face but he held it in his own, entwining their fingers together. Seeing that he was in no mood to let go, she asked, "Don't you want to have breakfast?"

"If it bothers you, then no. Not at all."

She shook her head, dismissing his remark, "Oh, come on... It's no bother. I've left a new toothbrush for you in the bathroom. You can freshen up and join me for breakfast. I'm an expert at making pancakes, so it would be a shame if you missed that."

He agreed to stay then and went to the bathroom. When he came out, the whole room was cleaned up, the bed was made, and a delicious aroma was wafting from the kitchen, indicating that Erica had started making those pancakes.

He found his way to the kitchen and saw her drizzling chocolate syrup on the fluffy golden pancakes. No wonder she had said she was an expert; the pancakes smelled and looked absolutely mouthwatering.

She was about to pour out the freshly brewed coffee into the cups when Richard's arms gently encircled her from the back, his head resting on her shoulder.

"Richard, will you let me tend to the coffee, please?" She asked, finding that she couldn't move around much in their current position.

"Nope, I will do it." He took the saucepan from her and poured out the steaming hot liquid while she put the plate of pancakes on the breakfast counter.

It was the first time in years that she wasn't having breakfast alone. And, of course, it was the first time in years that she made pancakes for breakfast.

Usually, she would be satisfied with a granola bar or some vegetable sandwiches, but she wanted to cook something special that day.

Being around Richard made her feel special, and she wanted him to feel the same way. So, she did all those little things with him that she never did for others.

All those little things mattered a lot to Richard, and she could see that in the way he reciprocated her gestures with caring words of his own.

Somewhere along the way, they had moved beyond the stage of friendship and attraction. Even though they hadn't discussed their relationship openly, both of them knew that they held a special place in the other's heart.

While they were having breakfast amid a pleasant conversation in which Erica was telling him about the upcoming exhibition at the Botticelli Gallery, his phone rang, interrupting them.

The name Jason flashed on the screen.

"Sorry, it's my brother. I have to take this," he remarked.

"It's alright, go ahead."

He picked up the call and she observed the way his features broke into a genuine smile to hear the cheerful young voice on the side. "Hey Jason, a little early for you to call, isn't it?"

"Yeah... I know this isn't a weekend, but I talked to Bruce, and well... I am here."

"You're here? What do you mean?"

"I am at the station. Sorry. I wanted to tell you earlier, but then I thought I should surprise you, totally forgetting that it won't be your off today."

Richard's eyes flickered to the clock, then back to Erica. "I am not at home..."

"Yeah, you must be at work. It was a stupid idea of me not to call beforehand, but my phone died. I also don't have your address." Jason's words poured out in an almost incoherent rush, but Richard was accustomed to hearing him talk fast.

"Okay, I will send you the location," he seemed to have figured a way out as he instructed Jason, "What you can do is go to my apartment and ask the landlady for the keys. She lives in the apartment next to mine. I will call her and let her know you are coming."

"Okay, and when will you be back?"

He shook his head, smiling at his brother's impatience to meet him, "Jason, I was about to go to work. My shift starts at eight-thirty."

"Oh, but you said you weren't at home...?"

"Yeah, that's none of your business," he replied sheepishly but then added quickly so that the boy wouldn't take the wrong meaning, "I mean, I will come back when my shift ends, okay? You will find food in the fridge. I have some movies that you will like. So you can relax until I get off from work."

After some more explanation, Richard finally hung up, looking at Erica, who had finished her share of breakfast by then.

"That was Jason, my younger brother," he told her, putting the phone aside.

"Has he come to the city to meet you?"

"Yes, he has. He didn't tell me earlier because he wanted to surprise me but then realized he didn't even know my address," he remarked, that soft look in his eyes indicating that he was rather fond of the boy.

"Richard, you are getting late now," she pointed out the time, and true enough, he had to hurry. "I can pack these in a box for you."

"No, it's fine..."

But she was having none of his polite refusals as she packed the rest of the breakfast in a box and handed it to him.

There was something so endearing in everything she did for him that he couldn't help but be more drawn to her. Erica Leslie was a wonderful woman inside and out. He was glad he got to meet her and let her come so close to him.

"Thank you," he remarked, pulling her close for a goodbye kiss.

She kissed him lightly, then fixed the cap on his head, making sure that he looked his best. Even with messy hair and a lopsided grin, he was adorable to her, but she couldn't let him go to work like that.

"Don't be late," she remarked as she pulled apart and led him to the door, "and all the best."

***