When Love Bites

8 The Calm Before The Storm

Chapter 8 The Calm Before The Storm

I fell asleep with Lizzie in my arms and slept well past lunchtime. I woke up hungry with her still tangled in me. "Babe, baby. I'm hungry. Want to get something to eat?"

He woke me up and I was both hungry and thirsty, but I didn't want to move. "Yes please."

"Let's get up and go take a shower and then go out to eat. Wings sound good?"

"Okay," I whined a bit but pulled myself out of bed. I was a little wobbly on my feet but made it to the bathroom. I stripped and started the water.

"May I join you?" I waited until she was in the shower before sticking my head in the doorway.

"I would love it if you did." I needed it. It was normal and routine.

I stepped into the bathroom and stripped off my clothes to join her in the shower. It was best to let it go. I knew I would eventually get better at showing my affection in public. A whisper here and a whisper there, a casual lean in closer to her would be an easy start. I could do that when I took her out. I joined her in the shower. "Hi."

I smiled at him when he stepped in the shower. I was going to do my best to give him time. Maybe I could talk to Marisa. She could probably give me some advice. "Hi. I missed you."

"I missed you too." I opened my arms to her and smiled. "I love you. You know you're going to be my wife one day. You do still want that don't you?" I already knew the answer. We wouldn't fight when we didn't understand each other if either of us was willing to let the other go. We were good for one another. I wanted what she seemed to want. I was more than willing to try. "You do mean the world to me, after all, you know. I'll keep trying. Okay?" I really needed her touch and to feel her in my arms. I hate fighting. It gets really scary really fast and my emotions spiral out of control with her. She is the only person I can't control them with.

I settled into his arms. "There is nothing I want more." I nodded and kissed his shoulder. "I need you in my life. You are the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. I love you." I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on tight.

I nestled into her and pulled her as close to me as I could. "And you me," I mumbled into her neck as I finally let the tears fall. Our bodies came together and for once those urges were easily suppressed. All that mattered was that we were together. It was really all that ever mattered to me anymore. We needed to wash and get out but I didn't want to move.

I could have stayed like that forever, but we needed to get a move on. My tummy growled at us. I reached for his loofah and body wash and started our routine. It was comforting and necessary.

We finished our shower, not in record time, but in a slow tender necessity. We dressed and headed out to dinner. We still hadn't moved back into the soft conversation we normally had but the air was much lighter. I opened her door for her as usual and made it a point to hold her hand all the way to the hostess stand. I could feel the sweat start to break out on my back as we got closer to the door, by the time we were inside my palm felt clammy too. I smiled at the hostess and cleared my throat. "Two please." it came out much faster and at a much higher pitch than usual. I smiled at Lizzie. I was trying.

He was trying and I smiled back at him. He did let go of my hand as we were lead to our booth. I was proud of him and his efforts. I sat on my normal side and picked up my menu. My tummy was still a little weird so I ordered 3 naked tenders and a bowl of chicken and rice soup and my rootbeer.

She let me let her hand go as we were walking to the table. She sat on her normal side and I sat down next to her rather than across from her. It felt pretty good. I wasn't exactly in the distress I was in the last time I sat next to her in public and it was just the two of us, but it was close enough to the worry I was feeling that night. When the waitress showed up she asked if anyone else would be joining us. I politely told her no and ordered my usual. She stopped and looked back at me. "You're--" I just looked at her. "Sorry."
"What were you going to say?"
"Avi Kaplan?"
"Yes."
"Oh! I love your music." I smiled and thanked her. She nodded at Lizzie and smiled really big at her. That felt good. Finally, someone had it right. "No pictures right?"
"After dinner if I don't drop my food on my shirt." She laughed.
"I'll get you guy's orders in. M'am do you need anything else."
"Lizzie." I looked at her to see if she wanted anything before the waitress departed.

I shook my head. I was still in shock that he was sitting next to me. The waitress left and I set my hand on his thigh. "Are you doing okay, sweetie?"

"Yes. I can go sit over there, but I really don't want to." I smiled. "We got lucky. She seems nice. Maybe we should just request that she be our server the next time we come too. She treats us both good."

I smiled at him. "She does." I sipped my water and we settled into an easy conversation until our food came and then we settled into eating. I ate slowly and everything seemed to want to stay where it was put. I kind of wanted ice cream but I didn't want to chance it. He paid the check and took a picture or two with the waitress and lead me out of the restaurant. He even kissed me softly as he put me in the car.

"Did you want to go home. It's not too late yet. We can go to a movie or we can just go sit by the fire. I'm happy with either. How's your tummy. You ate weird."

"I just want to go home and sit by the fire. My tummy seems okay, I just didn't want to upset it again." I held his hand all the way home. The conversation was light and fairly easy. Maybe we could get back to other normal activities too.

"I wouldn't want to either." I was hoping that the night out and holding hands and sitting close could be a new norm for us. It seemed like I was able to manage that without spinning into an anxiety attack. I smiled. "Home it is. So, maybe peppermint tea?" I was always happy to make her tea and Wanted some myself. Mom had sent some home that would help to calm me and put me to sleep, but that was fine. I laughed at myself and drove us home.

"That sounds so good. I am looking forward to snuggling with you." I smiled at him. "I love you so much."

I responded accordingly and drove us home. She put the water on for tea while I started the fire. It was warm and comfortable and very close to normal for us. I joined her in the kitchen and chose my tea. "It'll make me sleepy, but I suppose that is okay, yes?"

"Sleepy is fine. Relaxation is the goal. We need that." I went to change into pjs while he finished the tea.

We both got ready for sleep and settled into each other on the couch. I relaxed holding her and eventually drifted off to sleep.