Morning Cup

4. Baseball field, 0927.

"Morning Cup!"

Angie!

We're in the middle of a close game. My team against Dan's. Two shorts points to the win.

I was supposed to focus on the ball in Mike's hand, my muscles tensed like a bow, my bat ready to kick it to the moon, but this voice is my weakness.

My sweet angel stood there, near the second base, resplendent in that white dress, which flutters around her knees as the light breeze blows. Her face lightens when I lay my eyes on her.

She waves at me, nearly jumping up and down, clearly excited to see me.

Jesus, I know someone down there doing the same: jumping and really excited to see her.

That shit eating grin again. Those butterflies again. That feeling again.

Oh fuck, what is she doing to me?

I let my bat and my guard down, my eyes wandering through her face and lips, shoulders and waist, so much wonders to marvel at.

"STRIKE!" the ref yells in my ears.

Mike, that bastard, took advantage of my momentary lack of concentration to throw his first pitch.

Fuck! All my mates yell at me, insults are coming in from all directions, I'm apparently the last of the lasts.

Ashamed and embarrassed, I chuckle while scratching the back of my neck before readjusting my cap backwards.

I want nothing more than drop the bat down and run to my angel, but I could take the opportunity to show off a bit. She hasn't seemed impressed by me as a pilot, maybe a baseball champ, shirtless, all muscles out could do the job.

I flex my muscles and tighten my grip on the bat, I'm ready.

Come on Brian, you won't fool me twice.

Just a glance at my beauty over there,

to give me strength.

Oh God she's gorgeous. And she's crossing her fingers for me.

"Cup! Focus!" Phil shouts behind me.

OK. Let me destroy that ball.

The wicked curveball Brian throws doesn't make me flinch. My swing is just perfect and I send the ball flying back to Alabama.

Goodbye baby. Home run!

Angie screams in awe and claps her hands. One point for me.

My sweetheart is proud of me. She's fond of me. I could stay here grinning like a fool forever but someone pushes me harshly in my back.

Holy shit I forgot. I throw my bat on the ground and start to jog through the first then the second base. No hurry, the ball is still in the air.

"Hi, Angie. " I'm out of breath but not from running.

"Cup, nice hit." She smiles.

"You look so beautiful." Jesus did I say that out loud?

She blushes deeply, murmuring a shy thank you.

"You're..." she started but doesn't dare to go further.

"Your shirt won't risk anything today."

I laugh.

I'm shirtless, sweaty, dusty, so happy.

She came to me.

"Tell me Princess, how did you manage to escape your dungeon? Will I have to fight the dragon to death?"

I joke, before I realize she may have taken some risk to come here.

"He's out of town for a meeting. With a ton of Generals. He'll be busy all day long. Do you hear me? All. Day. Long! I'm free for the date you promised me!"

Warning! Cuteness overload!

She's too excited. To spend time with me! I could kiss her right now, but I have to keep kisses for our date.

Our date!

"Great! I've some plans, unless you wanted to do something in particular?"

"Run."

What?

"I think you'd better run if you want to stay alive for this date."

Her chin points behind my back and I

turn around to see my whole team yelling at me.

I never heard another sound but her voice.

They're all pointing at the ball, thrown back from Alabama by Dan and his guys.

Shit.

"I have to go. I won't be long. Please do not disappear while I'm gone. Promise?"

She smiles beautifully and nods, her hair happily dancing on her shoulders.

I wink at her before turning back and run as fast as I can through the home plate. Love gives me wings and I fall heavily on the plate, a second before the ball comes home.

"Safe!"

We won.

I won the game and my angel's heart.

I'm gonna have her for myself. The whole day.

I. Can't. Wait.

We agreed to meet half an hour later, and I couldn't run to my quarters quick enough.

I got ready in a blink of an eye: I'm clean as a whistle, showered, my hair slicked back, the blue shirt she gave me purposely buttoned half down, the sleeves rolled up to show the tattoos on my forearms, my aviators on.

I dug deep in my wardrobe to find something that fit with my favourite shirt. All my kaki military pants looked like shit, I opted for the white pants of my dress uniform.

I had to admit I looked good.

On my way to our rendezvous spot, I realized I had nothing for her.

Think Cup, think. Surprise her.

She's waiting for me, gorgeous as ever as she graced me with one of her stunning smiles, a basket full of goodies she has prepared at her feet.

"Ready?" Is all that I can utter as I stop before her, towering over her with my tall and handsome self.

She nods, biting her lower lip.

Don't do that, I'm begging you, stop being the sexiest thing I've ever seen.

I hand her the small bouquet of fresh cut wildflowers I picked up on the way, that I clumsily was hiding behind my back. I don't know the name of any of them but the colours are nice, all shades of blue.

"Cup, how sweet of you!" She covers my hand with hers and bends down to smell the flowers.

"Nahh, that's nothing. You did all the work." I eye the basket down at our feet when I'm taken off guard by a soft stroke on my cheek.

Jesus.

"Let me say you're sweet. I like you being sweet with me. Thanks for the flowers."

And with that, she tiptoes to place a light but long kiss on my cheek. My heart stops and I just melt into the moment.

My hands fly to her waist and hesitate just for a second. Touch her now and you won't be able to stop.

I hold back and say in a deep sigh.

"OK. Let's say I'm sweet and cute."

I offer her a genuine smile, along with my forearm, she enthusiastically clings on.

"Let's go!"