by Scott Kujawa
“Okay, good. How about this? We open a bottle of wine, find a show or two to watch, and finish the night with the wine and whatever we find to watch.”
Saying nothing, Alex stood and opened a bottle of Merlot and grabbed a pair of wine glasses on the way back. Once the cork was pulled, and the wine was poured, Alex lifted her glass in a toast. “To something new.”
“To something new. I'll also add, “A toast to finding someone and to finding something good.”
“I'll echo that.”
Cuddling together on the couch together, Alex rested her head against Christie's shoulder after they settled on watching the start of the Harry Potter movies on Netflix. During the second or third one was when Alex realized that Christie had fallen asleep. Moving slowly, Alex shifted until the two of them were laying along the length of the couch and pulled the blanket on the back of the couch over them to keep them warm for the rest of the night.
Chapter Thirteen
The sunlight that showed it was morning brought Alex awake. Then she felt the warmth of the body that was laying on her, bringing back the memories of last night. She also realized a slight little snore came from Christie as the woman lay on her side and against Alex. That sound brought out Alex's smile since it sounded so cute. Alex only lay there, giving her a chance to wake further up since she had to know where else she needed to be today since it was the weekend.
It wasn't that long when Alex smiled again as she felt Christie stir. Alex pressed a light kiss to the back of Christie's neck and murmured a sleepy, “Morning.”
A weaker, “Morning,” was the reply that came from Christie. And then a stronger, “Shit! I fell asleep on you! I'm so sorry!”
Laughing now, Alex squeezed the arms that were around Christie a little more. “It's okay. I liked sleeping with you.”
“Alex…”
Kissing Christie's neck a second time, Alex tried to get Christie to relax. “I remember what we agreed. But you know me enough to know I also tease people. I didn't mean for you to take my reply as a serious thing.”
Trying not to stick her foot in her mouth anymore, Alex climbed from the couch. “What do you say, want me to fix breakfast? You could go get cleaned up while I'm doing that.” Alex waited with anxiousness, wondering what Christie might say to that.
“All right,” Christie said with a smile. “And from what I've observed, you're a bear without having coffee, so I'm sure you want to get that brewing as soon as possible.”
Laughing, Alex could only nod. “You are not wrong on either of those things. The bathroom is upstairs on the left, so go make yourself at home.”
Alex downed a cup of coffee while she cooked, proving the truth to what Christie said earlier. She was just finishing with the bacon when she heard Christie descend from upstairs. “I'm about done,” Alex called as she saw Christie peek into the open doorway and inhale the scents of the eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes that Alex prepared while Christie was in the shower.
“Okay, and it smells wonderful in here.”
“Thank you.”
The two kept up a steady bit of conversation while they ate, making small talk or falling into some take about more serious topics. That kept up even as Christie insisted that she help with the dishes. Working together, the two of them seemed to dance around each other with ease as they moved around the kitchen until everything was cleaned up and put away.
“Say,” Alex said at last as she pulled herself up onto one of her counters and looked at Christie, “What are your plans for the rest of the day or even for the weekend?”
“I hadn't thought about it. Why? Do you have something in mind you want to share with me?”
Alex felt a little color filled her cheeks from that reply and from how Christie seemed to move closer so she was standing almost right in front of Alex. “I… Maybe.”
“Maybe? You're not sure if you have something in mind or not? Really?”
“I guess I was wondering if you would like to spend the rest of the day with me or the rest of the weekend. We could snuggle up against each other on the couch and watch the rest of the movies we started last night. Or maybe I'd take you out to dinner tonight. I'm not great at knowing what to do when I feel this way about someone. Don't get me wrong, I've gone on dates and all that but I don't spend a day or weekend with someone.”
Alex squinted at Christie as she saw the younger woman's smile grow. “Are you laughing at me?” Alex wasn't upset or mad even if her words sounded that way.
“No,” Christie insisted, “No, and no again. I find you so cute that you admitted that much to me.”
“Ha!” Alex yelled from where she was sitting on the couch with Christie. “No zombie horde will eat the brains of my girlfriend!” The sounds of guns, weapons, and cries of the characters filled the living room due to the sound system connected to Alex's T.V. and game systems.
“That's right!” Christie's voice yelled next. “Don't mess with me or my savior will take your rotting heads off!” Laughter from the two came within seconds later since the two of them were being silly as they hacked their way through the hordes of zombies they were fighting against on the zombie survival game they played instead of watching more movies.
“It figures, you two were so wrapped up in your game you didn't even hear me knock or call out.” That voice caused the two to jump in fright and whip their heads around to see Melody standing in the doorway and watching the two with a smile.
“Melody! Hi!” Alex shouted as she reddened across her cheeks. “I'm sorry, I didn't hear you.”
“I know, I said but now I see why you didn't answer the door or come find out who wandered through your house.”
“Right. As you can see. Zombies!”
“Yes, zombies.”
Alex grinned at Christie before she shrugged and paused the game. “I know it's the weekend, Melly, but is there some other reason you came over?”
“To find out why you were not answering your phone, and all the messages I sent you over your computer. But now I know why.”
“Oh. I don't know where my phone is and as you can see I was kind of… busy.”
Giving the two a smile, Melody moved further into the room and leaned against one of the Alex's reclining chairs. “Now I know that you're all right, I won't stay long. I wanted to get into contact with my sister, so I could tell her I have a date tonight and that I'll be at the Bar & Grill. I'll call you later to keep you informed on what the rest of my plans are if the date goes well or even if it doesn't.”
“All right,” Alex answered, knowing the two of them always made sure the other knew what would happen when one of them met up with a stranger for the first time. It was a way for them to protect each other in case something happened when they met a stranger for a date or at a public place.
“Have fun killing your zombies,” Melody said with a parting laugh as she headed out again.
Alex looked over at Christie. “Sorry about -”
“Don't apologize. I figured out that Miss Melody and you have a bond that is strong and that you two take care of each other. It's a good thing. Now, back to zombies and having my savior decimate the undead hordes!”
Breathing out a quick relief of air, Alexandria's grin returned, and the two went back to trash talking the zombies they were wading through. Both decided – without saying anything to each other – to spend the rest of the afternoon playing through some other games that Alex enjoyed playing when she needed to work out some stress or when she wanted to have a good time and waste some hours.
The call of their stomachs drew them from the fun they were having. “Chinese?”
“No,” Alex heard in reply, causing her to look at Christie with surprise. “I know you seem to be the queen of take-out, but I want to do something for you. So it's your turn to sit and watch me make something for us for dinner.”
“Oh, all right then.”
Alex did as she was told, pulling one of her chairs closer to the kitchen and s
itting in it to watch Christie. For a few moments, she was worried about the state of the food in her kitchen, knowing she didn't spend much time at the grocery store buying items to stock her cupboards or her fridge. She breathed easier though once Christie found a box of noodles, a few cans of sauce, and some frozen meat that was buried in the freezer.
“It's good,” Alexandria said at one point once the two of them sat together at the table. “It's sure better than something I could make, and I'm surprised to know I even had all of those ingredients. I bet Melody brought them over some time ago and never told me.” Alexandria smiled a little while she twirled spaghetti around her fork. Her smile grew a little more after hearing Christie's laughter at what Alexandria just said. “Hey, it's only the truth. I wasn't lying when I said I spend more time getting take out instead of cooking for myself.”
“I have an idea then.”
“What?” Alexandria answered, giving Christie her attention while sipping from the glass of red wine the two were shared once Alexandria realized what Christie made for dinner.
“I don't know if I want to tell you.”
Alex gave the woman seated near her another look, this time one of concern. “Why don't you want to tell me?” she asked after a few moments of silence that seemed to grow tense.
“Because you might be upset once you hear what I'm thinking.”
“Come on, tell me. I'll try not to be upset.”
“All right fine. I was going to mention the idea of going with me to take cooking lessons.”
Alexandria saw how worried Christie seemed as she told Alex about what she was thinking. “Oh,” Alex said at first before she stood and moved to wrap her arms around Christie from behind. “I'd love to do something like that.”
“Really?”
“Yes. However, you will have to be the one to make the arrangements. It must be at night or on the weekend. Otherwise, just come tell me when I need to go with you or where to meet you, and I'll be there.”
“Oh,” Alexandria heard the woman say, Christie's words clearing surprised that Alex agreed so quickly. “Awesome. I'll get everything set up and tell you all about it.”
“Good,” Alex answered as she sat back down and returned to eating. “I know I said this a moment ago, but this is a good dinner. So, thank you for making it for us.”
Seeing Christie's smile brought another from Alexandria. The two kept up some small talk while they finished the meal that Christie had cooked and while they cleaned up. Leaning against a counter, Alexandria looked over at the woman she had spent the day with. When she had Christie's attention, Alex ran her eyes over Christie's body and gave her a seductive smile that curled Alex's lips.
“So,” Alexandria said.
“Zombies!”
Breaking out into laughter, Alex grinned at Christie. The expression grew even more as she saw how much Christie's outburst had turned the woman's cheeks and neck a bright red. “That wasn't what I was expecting as an answer to the question I didn't get to ask. Now that you mentioned it though, I could kill more of those hordes of undead.”
“It's not fair.”
“What do you mean, Christie?”
“How much amusement you get from my awkwardness.”
Wrapping an arm around Christie's shoulders, Alex leaned against her and smiled. “Ristie, everyone gets their amusement from my awkwardness or from the awkwardness that everyone that works at our company has. You are among a group who are all that way; it's what makes us feel like a family instead of a group of strangers that only work together.”
“I suppose.”
Alex could see that Christie seemed to be upset about what was bothering her. “I'll tell you what, Ristie. Starting Monday, we'll move you out into the main area of the company, and you can learn that I speak the truth. Besides, I think it's time that everyone learns from you and that you do the same with them.”
“Really?”
“Yes. We've kept you in my office long enough, so we'll find you a place out with the others, and all of you can learn from each other.”
“Awesome!” Christie said with delight, still thinking over the way Alexandria had changed her name. “I think I'll miss being in your office and having just the two of us in there.” That was sad with sadness, she had liked having a place in Alexandria's office, but she also knew that couldn't last for long.
Moving a little so she could wrap her arms around Christie, Alexandria held onto Christie and pressed against her back while giving Christie's shoulders a few small light kisses. “I know but the door to my office is open, and you can come visit me anytime.”
“That's true. I knew I couldn't stay in your office forever, so I'll just have to adjust to working with everyone that creates so many awesome ideas for the game.”
Feeling like she had enough of slaughtering the hordes of undead, Alexandria set down her controller, leaned back against the couch, and looked away from the screen to watch Christie finish off the zombies those that were near her character. Alex grinned to herself as she watched the dark haired woman concentrate on not dying. Moving slowly, Alex leaned towards Christie and ran her finger along Christie's bare arm, making the woman jump a little from the touch that caused goose bumps to spread over her skin.
“Christie,” Alexandria said, her voice lowering and taking on a husky tone. “It's late, and I want you to stay the night with me. I swear that I won't do anything beyond just having the two of us sleep in the same bed together. I gave you my word we would take things slow and I'm committed to that. That doesn't mean that the two of us can't control ourselves while sleep in the same bed.”
“I,” Christie said. Then the sound of her character's death cry came over the T.V. as it was torn apart by a zombie due to Christie being distracted, causing the two of them to go silent for a moment until Alexandria laughed. Christie's laughter joined in a few seconds later since she couldn't help her reaction to what Alex had caused. “All right,” she said, “we can do that. But no funny business!”
“I'll try my best. Since we're taking things slow, why don't you go upstairs first and do whatever you need to do to get ready to sleep? There's a spare toothbrush in the cabinet under the sink. Towels and wash clothes are also up there if you want to take a shower. I can lay out clothes for you to sleep in.”
Christie looked at Alex since the game was a bust. “You want me to sleep in some of your clothes?”
“Sure. I would only give you a shirt and some PJ bottoms. It's not that big of a deal. Unless there is a reason why it is a big deal to you?”
Shaking her head, Christie smiled. “No, it's okay. That idea just caught me off guard.”
“All right. Well, I'll be down here until you tell me to come up.”
Knowing she had time to kill while Christie was upstairs using the bath and getting ready to go to sleep, Alex relaxed on her couch again after she pulled out clothing for Christie and came back downstairs. While she was on the couch and had the time, Alex answered the texts that came from her sister earlier in the night. She smiled, seeing how enthused Melody seemed to be after the date that seemed to have gone well for her sister. A quick reply was all Alex finished with, telling her sister she had gotten the message that Melody was home and that the two of them would see each other when they arrived at their office.
It was about that time when she heard Christie's call from upstairs, telling Alex that the black haired woman was dressed. As Alex passed Christie, she looked over at her and smiled. The clothing she gave to Christie to wear speared a sharp feeling of desire through Alex, but she tried to keep those thoughts to herself. She was sticking with what she had said to Christie about taking things slow even if sometimes Alex just wanted something different.
With her bath completed, Alex slipped into another pair of PJ bottoms and threw on the loose shirt she wore to sleep in. Once she was in bed, she held out her hand towards Christie and smiled some more. “I gave you my word I wouldn't do anything. So come to bed, Ristie.”
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Chapter Fourteen
She took some time to realize Christie was in bed with her when Alex woke the next morning. During the night, the woman had curled herself around Alex, and now she was pinned in place.
Christie's leg was hooked over one of hers. Christie's arms were laying across Alex's upper body or holding onto her. The dark-haired woman's head was nestled into Alex's neck, and she could hear and feel Christie's breathing while Christie slept what seemed like the sleep of the dead.
Figuring that she wouldn't be able to move for a while, Alex lay in place until sleep pulled her down again for another hour. When she woke the second time due to the alarm clock going off, it took Alex a few minutes again to realize that she didn't have a body curled around her this time.
It also dawned on her she could smell coffee coming from downstairs and other wonderful scents. Running her hand over the place where Christie fell asleep last night, Alex could still feel warmth that told her that Christie left the bed only a short time ago.
Wrapping a robe around her, Alex left the bedroom and descended to the lower floor. Leaning against the doorway, Alex looked into the kitchen to watch Christie move around in a way that made it seem like she was used to spending so much time in the room even if she only spent time in the kitchen while spending the weekend with Alexandria.
“Hey,” Alex said after stepping further into the room and pouring coffee for herself. “I missed you when I woke up the second time.” Alex smiled. “However, from the way everything smells, I think I don't mind you weren't in bed with me when I woke up again.”
Christie spun around with a little squeak. “Alex! You scared me! I didn't notice you until you spoke.”
Alex's smile grew a little, even more so when she saw that Christie's cheeks had filled with color from the shock of being surprised and at being embarrassed that she had been caught while being lost in her world. “I'm sorry, I thought you knew I was watching you fix breakfast for us.”