Reunion (The Monkees Family Vol. 3)

Chapter 17

Gabby woke up very early, prompted by her bladder, and felt like she had a massive hangover.  It wasn't from booze, though.  She recognized the signs of an emotional hangover.  She needed relief and release.  She nuzzled Micky's cheek with her nose and waited to see if he would respond and wake up or turn over and continue to sleep.  She was happy beyond measure when he reached for her and pulled her to his lips, kissing her deeply. 

"Didn't you sleep well?  Or don't you feel well now, my Gabby?"

"Both, or either.  I need some petting and some love."

Micky stretched and inhaled a big breath.  He mumbled "Be right back."  He got up, took a leak, and went downstairs to let the dogs out into the yard.  Then he came back upstairs and crawled back under the covers with Gabby.

"Let me take care of you, Gabriella.  Tell me, what can I do to make you feel better?"

"I don't really need the full monty.  Will you just touch me and hold me?  I feel like I need love and affection and to be reminded that I'm cherished and that you forgive me for causing you pain last night."

"Gabby..." Micky scolded gently.  "I was hoping you'd wake up and have turned the page on that.  I have.  Please, let it go.  How come you're the one doing acts of contrition when we ran into my colossal mistake last night?  To quote a randy, irritating Englishman who's going to be a part of our lives forever, 'I don't get that.'"

Gabby shrugged her shoulders.  "I don't know why I feel so guilty and horrible.  I guess that's why I need to be loved and cherished.  I can't get my mind out of the ditch it's in.  I can't stop crying..."  She began to quietly sob again.

Micky took her in his arms and rocked her.  "Okay, I prescribe for you a full body massage.  Let's get you out of those pajamas, hmmm?"

He started to strip her down like she was a helpless waif tossed in a storm at sea.  She limply raised her limbs and allowed him to maneuver her out of her jammies.  He was about to turn her over when he remarked "Too bad we don't have something for this massage like – "

"Don't say it, Micky.  Don't say it.  Pleeeeeease, don't say it."  She began to weep harder.

Micky sat up and looked her in the eye as if trying to read her mind.  Suddenly he knew exactly what was bedeviling her.  What he had just said had some association with her night with Davy.  Somehow, he had stumbled into Davy territory, not twelve hours since he had declared that topic off-limits.  He had put her in an impossible position, where she could neither unload her burden nor make amends for it.

He nodded and said "Yes, of course.  No problem.  I understand.  Now lie down and let me take care of you, Gabriella.  I'm going to take care of you.  I'm going to pet you and squeeze you and hug you and caress you and love you and I will name you George."  He was jokingly quoting a line from a Bugs Bunny cartoon, using the voice of the Abominable Snowman who thought Daffy Duck was a little bunny rabbit.  Gabby couldn't help but laugh, which defused the tension between them.  Micky inwardly sighed with relief.

Silently, Micky ran his hands over Gabby's naked body.  Gently first, with just his fingertips, then more firmly, pressing the tension out of her muscles, kneading her and squeezing her flesh.  Then he went back to touching her with feather light pressure from his hands.  She began to squirm and moan.  This brought a smile of satisfaction to his face.  She was coming alive again, and it was his loving touch that was reviving her.