Great Expectations. - Now Complete

Chapter 6

George gave her his soft lopsided grin. "That was wonderful," he whispered softly, his face still close to hers. "I've been wanting to kiss you ever since I met you."

Alice blushed and looked away. He gently stroked her cheek, making her look up. She gave him a shy smile. He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze.

"Talk to me Alice. Please."

She looked at him. "What do you want me to say?"

"Tell me how you feel."

She shrugged. "Confused."

"Why?"

She sighed deeply and shook her head slowly. "George, I've been struggling to cope with my life since Tom walked away, leaving me pregnant. At that time, I didn't ever think I'd get my head around the mess I was in. But I have and I've sorted myself out so that I can live on my own, support myself financially and I'm even beginning to look forward to the baby coming now." she paused, looking at him. "I've managed to hide my pregnancy so I've got some savings ready for when baby comes. I thought I was all sorted. Then suddenly you appear in my life and before I know it, this safe little bubble I had made for myself feels like it's going to burst. It scares me but it excites me."

"But I don't want to scare you Alice," said George softly, stroking her cheek, delighted that she didn't stop him. "I want to protect you, care for you, be there for you. Well, I would if you'd let me."

She looked at him for a moment. "But the baby.....doesn't that bother you?"

"Why would it?"

"It's not yours. And if, and I mean IF, I agreed to anything between us then how would that work?"

"Then I would take you and your baby into my life. I'd love you both. It could be our baby. A family."

Alice stood up. "STOP ALL THIS NOW! Please! I can't think like this. No! It's completely ridiculous!" She started to cry! "Don't do this to me George. I can't cope. I'm still exhausted from last night. I ache all over and feel terrible. I need to sleep!"

George took a sobbing Alice into his arms. She accepted his hug gratefully and clung to him as she cried. As he held her, unable to believe that she was letting him do so, he made gentle soothing sounds.

"I'm so tired!" she whispered.

He took her hand and started to walk towards the bedroom door. She froze. A terrified look on her face. "NO!" she backed away from him. "That's not an invitation!"

George took in her very clear fear then realised what was wrong. He walked back  to her.

"Oh Alice, that's not what I meant. I not going to do anything nor do I expect anything! Please believe me! I was just trying to help you settle down before I left. I'm so sorry." He looked disappointed and sad. "Look, I'll go. I seem to be making a real mess of all this. I only wanted to make sure you were OK after last night. Take care Alice. I won't bother you anymore. I hope things go well when you have your baby. Good luck."

He turned and walked towards the door. She watched him as he opened it then let himself out. The door closed quietly behind him. Alice heard the sounds of his footsteps fading the further away from her he became. Suddenly she moved. She didn't want him to go.

"George!" She ran after him, "George! Wait." She descended the steps quickly and got to the bottom just as George was talking to the driver.

"WAIT!" She stood in the middle of the road, blocking the car. The driver looked up.  Alice walked round to George's door and knocked on it. Then, after opening the door, she climbed into the backseat beside him.

"Don't go George! Please!"

"Now I'm confused!" he told her, "You said go and I did. Now you're saying stay! Alice, please, you're not making any sense. What do you want from me?"

"That's just it," she gave him a smile, "I don't know. I have no idea! I know I like being with you and talking to you. I know I find you...well find you...attractive but...."

"Alice Matthews, are you saying what I think you're saying?"

She blushed then nodded. "Can we just start again?"

George climbed out of the car then held out his hand to her. After helping her out of the car, she stood by him. He spoke a few words to the driver who nodded and then the car slowly moved away.

"What are you doing?" she asked, looking at the car as it disappeared into the distance.

"I'm going to spend the night with you my love, either on your sofa or on a chair by your bed. Either will do as long as I'm with you. I want to spend as much time as possible with you before I leave in the morning."

He took her hand and led her back to her own home. She was shivering again, for the evening was cold. He put his arms around her to help her warm up.

"Why don't you go and get ready for bed?" he said softly, "I'll make you a hot drink and bring it through. Then, if you'll let me, I'd like to sit with you for a while. We could talk before you go to sleep. I'll sleep on the sofa once you're settled."

She hesitated for a moment then nodded. Closing her bedroom door, she leaned against it wondering if what she was doing the right thing. She quickly undressed and slipped into her usual warm pyjamas. After climbing into bed, she nuggled under the covers and waited for George. There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

George came into the room, carrying two cups of tea. He placed them on the bedside table and pulled up a chair so he was facing her.

"Feeling better?"

She nodded. "Much. It feels good to be off my feet! They were aching so much....as was my back! The joys of pregnancy I suppose."

George nodded. "Do you mind....." He stopped.

"What? Do I mind what?"

"Would you mind if I asked you about the baby?"

She shook her head. "No. What do you want to know?"

"You're 5 months pregnant you said? Can you feel the baby moving yet? My band mate said that when his Mrs was expecting he used to feel her bump when the baby kicked."

She smiled. "I can but mostly at night, when I'm still. Why?"

George shrugged. "I don't know. I've always wondered ever since my sister started having her own family."

"You've got a sister?"

They talked about their own families and a little about life growing up. George was pleased that she was less guarded with him, more open. It gave him hope. He took her cup from her when she had finished. The more they talked, he could see her becoming more and more sleepy.

"Why don't you settle down and sleep?" he suggested softly, "Then I'll go and sleep on the sofa."

"Why not in here?"

"Because this room is freezing Alice!"

"Not under the covers here it's not!"

"But I'm not under your covers am I?"

"You could be."

"What?"

"She pulled the covers to one side and patted the bed. "Seriously, it's warmer and more comfotable than the sofa. It's not as though my reputation is at stake is  it?

He looked at her and realised her was serious. "I can join you?"

She nodded. "For sleep only."

"I didn't expect anything else."

She laughed as he quickly slipped off his shoes, socks and trousers off before sliding into bed with her. They lay next to each other talking for a few more minutes before Alice started yawning again.

George held out his arm to her. "Hug as we sleep?" he offered.

Smiling shyly, she slid next to him and the snuggled down. George watched as she closed her eyes and fell asleep almost instantly. It made him feel happy that she was so willing to trust him in the way she had so far. It could only be a good sign....at least he hoped it was.