Not Alone

Nine

(A/N- There's a mature section in this chapter.)

*2003*

'My parents offered to take Jude overnight tonight. They said they plan to take him to some child Gymboree event Saturday morning. Any chance you feel like hanging out with just me? I'm sorry your buddy won't be around.'

I chuckled at Eden's text that she had sent me earlier in the morning while I was still sleeping. Ever since I had met Jude for the first time, it has slowly become a normal event for me to spend almost every day with them. Due to us living an hour away, we would rotate who would visit who. Most of the time I would go to them just because I didn't mind the drive and I knew how much had to go into planning for Jude to come with her. 'Good morning, babe. I would love to see and spend time with you.'

'Would you like to spend the night since Jude will be gone?'

My eyes widened at the words on the screen. I don't know why I was surprised at them. We were grown adults and this was normal. Maybe it was because since we began hanging out at home Jude had been around and she always went home early. Obviously I've been wanting to spend the night with her, but I would never invite myself or cause her to stay away from him. 'I'll bring my pajamas with me.'

'...you sleep in pajamas?'

'Usually boxers and a shirt, but I don't want to make you uncomfortable or think I'm up to something,' I responded.

'And if I'm up to something?'

'Eden Rivera, are you trying to get me into your bed?'

'Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe in more ways than one. Guess you'll just have to find out. ;)'

'And here I thought you were sweet and innocent. Haha what time should I be there for?'

'Oh, I am sweet, but innocent? Hardly. My parents are getting him at 2 so any time after then.'

Excitement filled my body knowing not only was I going to see Eden again, but I would be staying over. This feeling was there for a lot more than anything potentially sexually happening between us. We had only gotten close to that happening once before and it didn't happen because Jude was home. I've been wanting to fall asleep and wake up next to this woman and now that was on the table. Looking at the time to gauge how long I had to pack things and get ready, I noticed I had at least two hours maybe a little longer before I even had to be on the road. Getting ready for the day only took me maybe a half and hour. With packing it took forty-five minutes. Thoughts of what I would do with this extra time ran through my head. I could work on music or art, but I also knew that by doing either of those I would lose track of time and possibly cause me to be late. It was then that I decided to go to the store and pick up some snacks for us along with a couple of things for Eden and Jude.

When I finally arrived in Ojai at Eden's house it was close to 2:30 and she greeted me with a wide, happy smile. "These are for you," I said, handing her a bouquet of blood red roses fully equipt with a card. "Read the note."

Eden sent me a questioning look as we walked into her home while she took the card out of the envelope. 'Really?!' I nodded, enjoying the smile that almost seemed to grow even though I didn't think that was possible. 'Yes. Absolutely, yes.' Her hand which was holding the note came to my neck bringing our lips together in a kiss that deepened right away. "'I didn't think being asked out could be so romantic.'"

"I really tried to think of something other than just asking," I replied before following her further into the house. Eden placed the roses in a vase and positioned them onto the dining room table. "I brought something for Jude too."