One Week Away

Chapter 8

My day of dread is here. We wake up early and start packing our bags, neither of us speaking a word to each other. Nothing needed to be said. We were both emotional about going home. This week had changed everything. We were no longer going to be tucked away in our own little world. We were going back home. Back to reality. Back to my husband. I had to go home and deal with what I had done.

Christian grabbed my bags and we headed down to the lobby to check out. While glancing around the hotel for one last time I finally understood why our boss brought us here. The close setting was the perfect place to bond and get to know one another. The perfect place to learn about your coworkers and bring us together as a group. It certainly brought Christian and I closer together. Closer than I even thought we would be. How would I get over this? What would happen when we get home? Christian had accepted the position of co-president so we would still be working closely together all the time. I had to decide. Do I still want to be married?

We stopped for breakfast at a diner close to the hotel. A short blonde waitress came over to take our order. "Hi. I'm Carla and I will be your server today. May I get you two something to drink?" I smile at her "Orange Juice please." She turns to Christian and pauses "Christian? Christian Davis? Is that you?" My eyes turn to the interaction. Christian's brows are furrowed like he is trying to place the young woman. "Christian. It's me Carla Gear. We went to High School together." Christian finally speaks "Yes, Carla. How are you?" She smiles back "Doing okay. My husband and I own the diner here. Have two kids now. How are you?" "Doing good. Heading home from a long trip." "Is this your girlfriend?" She looks to me and I blush looking at Christian. Before I have a chance to explain that I am just a coworker Christian speaks up "Yes this is Adrianna." I look up at her and smile "Nice to meet you Carla." "Nice to meet you too. I have to say you are gorgeous. Not that it should be a surprise I mean look at Christian here. God handmade him." This causes us all to laugh. I stare into his eyes "He certainly did."

Carla walks away to place our order and I kick Christian under the table. "Hey what was that for?" "You told her I was your girlfriend." "Who cares? It's not like we will ever see her again. She lives 3 hours from our home and I like being able to call you my girlfriend even if it is just pretend." I smile at his words but inside I am dying! Stop being so sweet damnit!

We eat our food keeping the conversation light trying not to think about the fact that these are the last few hours we will be alone in our cocoon of happiness. Carla comes over and hands the check to Christian. "It was great seeing you again and so nice to meet you Adrianna. I'm glad Christian finally found the one to make him settle down. He was quite the ladies man from what I remember." I laugh knowing nothing has changed with him. He looks over at me "Well when you know you know, and I couldn't be any happier than I am right now." I look up at him and I know he is telling the truth. Carla's eyes glisten staring at us. Christian pays the bill and we head out to the car. He pulls me in for a quick kiss before opening my door. I sit down and sigh. I'm going to miss this.

Christian interlocked his fingers with mine as we drove home listening to the radio not speaking to each other. Pulling up to my house a sinking feeling took over my stomach. Christian got out of the car and grabbed my bags out of the trunk walking them to the front door where we hugged goodbye. I broke the silence first "I will see you on Monday." Pressing his lips to my cheek "See you on Monday Adrianna." I gave him a sad smile as he turned to walk back to the car. Taking a deep breath I turned around and walked inside.

"Mitchell? Are you here? I am home." The pitter patter of puppy feet invade my ears. "Nelly" I squeal bending down. Running down the hall she comes over and gives me sloppery kisses all over my face. "I missed you too little one. Wow you certainly have grown over the past week!" "Mitchell?" I try again. Hmm he said he would be home to greet me. It is Saturday after all so he shouldn't be working. I walk into the kitchen to set down my purse and grab a glass of water.

My phone dings. I look down and see a text from Mitchell. "Hey babe. Had to head into the office to send some paperwork. Be back in a couple of hours. Hope you made it home safe. Love you." Ugh of course he isn't here to greet me. A few seconds later another beep dings on my phone. I look down and see a text from Christian. I can't help the smile that creeps across my face. "Just made it home. I miss you already." I reply "Good. I miss you too. See you on Monday!"

A few hours pass and I finally hear the front door open. Mitchell walks in. He finds me curled on the couch in the den with Nelly engrossed in a long novel. I look up at him and smile. The smile is genuine. Regardless of what happened this week I do miss him. I miss us. He kisses me on the forehead and starts to undo his tie. I grab the tie pulling him back down pressing my lips to his needing to feel something. Anything. He returns the kiss but pulls back after a few seconds and smiles at me. "Did you have a good trip?" "Yes I think it went well" I reply disappointed at his brief display of affection. "Well I am going to shower. I was thinking of ordering pizza and you can tell me about your trip." I nervously smile at him "You go shower and I will order the pizza." "Okay baby." He smiles and turns away heading towards our master bedroom. Sadness washes over me. I shake it off and dial the pizza place.

We sit down on the couch, eating pizza, talking about my trip and watching Netflix. I tell him about my promotion and the work activities that took place obviously leaving out my extracurricular activities with Christian. This was our typical Saturday night. Takeout, Netflix and him falling asleep on the couch. I check the time on my phone. 10:00. Ugh. Turning off the TV I take Nelly downstairs to go outside to use the bathroom and have a treat before bed. I enter back into the den and wake Mitchell up for bed. "Hey babe. Want to go to bed?" He opens his sleepy eyes and smiles up at me. "Yes, let's go." He holds my hand and guides me up the stairs. We go into our room and change into our pajamas. I lay down in the bed with Nelly. Mitchell climbs in and kisses me goodnight. "Goodnight Mitchell."  Silent tears stream down my face as I lay back staring at the dark ceiling.