Out of The Box Awakening (31 page)

“Yes, Yours?”

“The giant is dying about now! I really need to get you home! You’re killing me!”

I hold up my hand “Well, don’t forget, that you did promise me dinner!”

“Yes, I did, and no, I haven’t forgotten! Now, let’s go get your shoes! After shoes, I’m hungry, and then we’re heading home for sure.”

Val packages the lingerie and we head over to the shoe department. Nina in shoes has been called and already has some pulled a variety of dress shoes for me to try on. I’ve never been pampered like this, and I absolutely love it. I could get used to this! She has pulled a pair of expensive silver strappy sandals along with several others. Of course, the silver ones are perfect for the dress. They have almost a four-inch heel, and I wonder if I can pull this off. I’m used to wearing no more than three-inch heels.

“Damn! Those are so sexy, hon!”

“You don’t think they’re too high?” I ask.

“Oh, hell no! They’re perfect!” he tells me.

Nina reassures me that they are perfect with the dress. “Olivia, these are absolutely made for this dress!”

I have to say that I agree. Once I’ve put them on, they are the ones! So, with dress, lingerie, and shoes in tow, along with our leather purchases, we head to the car and off to dinner.

“Have fun tonight?” He asks.

“Oh.My.God! Yes! I’ve never been shopping in the designer section before. I’ve been to Neiman’s, but only in the ‘last call’ section. This was amazing, Ash! I love shopping with you. Thank you so much! How can I ever repay you?”

“Liv, you’ve already repaid me over and over. Don’t you realize that? And, you do realize that you’re gonna be the most beautiful woman at the party, don’t you?”

Not quite as confident as he is, I tell him “Well, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, but I do love the outfit!”

He reassures me. “Well, you’re going to make heads turn, believe me! And to think that you’re mine! Going to the party and you are mine! Wow! What more can a man ask for?”

I think to myself, yes Ash, I am yours!

We decide on Italian food and find the perfect place. At the table, Ash playfully takes my hand. “Mine?”

“Yeeessss Yours?”

“Have I told you how much I love you?”

“No, I don’t believe you have…not in the past few minutes anyway!” I say.

“Well, let me just tell you. I friggin’ love you, Olivia Petersen!”

“Yours?”

“Yes, Mine?”

“You sound like Todd with the friggin!”

“Mine?”

“Yes, Yours?”

“I take that as a compliment!”

“And a compliment, it is!”

The waiter has brought us a fabulous bottle of wine. We raise our glasses in a toast, and are enjoying our night, when out of nowhere comes Alan.

Are you kidding me? I totally don’t need this tonight! He walks up to our table with a woman, I suspect is his new significant other, and speaks to us.

“Ash, Olivia. Hello! Wow! What a surprise! How are you?”

Ash looks at me and I look at him. We’re at a loss for words.

Alan introduces her. “This is Kelly. Kelly, this is Olivia and Ash.”

“Cool! So nice to meet you both!” she says, smiling.

Cool? What the hell is that about? Cool certainly wouldn’t be the word I’d use. Awkward, yes, but cool? Oh, I don’t think so. She’s maybe thirty-five, definitely no more than forty. Ash looks at me and it’s all we can both do to keep from laughing.

Alan senses that we really don’t want him and his eye candy at our table and ends this awkward encounter “Well, enjoy your dinner. It was nice seeing you both.”

Ash and I both tell Kelly that it was nice meeting her, and she replies, ”So, maybe we can all do dinner one night when the kids are in for Christmas. That would be fun, huh?”

The kids? Oh, honey, those are my kids, and I really don’t think so. Ash and I look at each other and he is nice enough to reply for us both.

“ Ummm. Kelly, I would say that you and Alan should contact his kids and take them to dinner with just the two of you. I think that would mean more.”

They both get it and head back over to their table.

“Well, that was weird,” I say.

“Yeah, it was all I could do to not kick his butt, Olivia! Can you believe he even had the balls to come over here? You okay, hon?” he asks.

“I’m more than okay. Look, I’m the one who made out like a fat cat in this deal. I have the most wonderful man, who loves me and who I love back, so yes, I can honestly say that I am totally okay. It was just weird and kind of caught me off guard!”

“Cool! Me too, hon! Geez!” he teases.

We laugh and he kisses my hand across the table. I know Alan is watching us, but I don’t flippin’ care! I’m relieved that his significant other isn’t someone I would envy. I’ll have to admit, I was curious what this woman who ended my marriage would look like. Surprisingly, she is not overly attractive, which I had pictured her to be. For some reason, I thought she’d have big boobs, a knockout figure and be very sexy looking. She’s far from it. While she has long pretty hair, she’s actually pretty ordinary looking. They seem to be pretty happy and I sense they’ve been a couple for a good while. I actually pity him, though.

“Well, seeing the two of them together, I can honestly say they deserve each other. She’s definitely not what I expected,” I say.

“Let’s change the subject. I think the kids are gonna love their gifts don’t you?”

“Oh, without a doubt Mr. Big Spender!”

“So do you have any LV purses,” he asks.

“No, Ash, I can’t say that I do. We bought Lainey one for her graduation, but I just never could justify the expense for myself. They’re beautiful, though. I’m probably the only gal who doesn’t have one!”

I really can’t wait for the kids to open their gifts. They are going to be so surprised! Even though I haven’t technically paid for them yet, I fully intend to pay Ash back. I do feel better
knowing that, in my mind, I have a weekly amount I am going to give him. It’s so important to me that I pay for their gifts. I don’t know why, but it is. Once I get him paid back, I’ll feel much better! Let’s see, at a hundred dollars a week, ninety two hundred dollars, I should have him paid back in 92 weeks…which roughly translates into almost two years…geez!

When we finally get home, Ash’s phone rings, and he tells me that it’s a business call. I give him a panicked look, and he immediately realizes this is what Alan used to tell me.

“Honey, this really is a business call…I promise! Just give me two minutes.” He kisses me, scoots me out of the room and after about two minutes, he’s back. “Ok. I’m all yours now!”

I zone out, because that’s almost word for word what Alan told me.

Ash senses that and immediately tries to defuse the issue. “Liv, honey I swear that was a business call. Please, don’t over-think this! Sorry, I couldn’t help it. It’s a call I’ve been waiting for. You do believe me, don’t you? Because we can call the number back and I’ll let you talk to who I was just talking to, it’s no big deal.”

Realizing that I have no reason to suspect anything other than what he’s told me, I make myself relax. “No, I believe you, not necessary. Sorry…I just had a flashback moment.”

“Well, then, let’s go get naked, you beautiful woman!”

We go into the bedroom and begin to get ready for bed. I wash my face, then go into his side of the bathroom and start to talk.

“So, I was thinking,” I stop at the bathroom door and find that he is peeing. Mortified, I immediately step back. I put my hands up to my mouth. “Oh, my God! Sorry!”

“Liv, come here!”

I step way back and say it again. “Sorry, I didn’t realize”

“Realize what? That I’m peeing?”

“Yes, didn’t mean to intrude. I’m so sorry!”

“Come here!”

I quickly exit the area.

“Come here! Geez! I’m just peeing. Come back!”

I step back, just outside of the doorframe, and start talking to him, but am hiding behind the door. “Liv! Come in…really…why are you acting like that?”

“Well, I didn’t realize you were using the restroom, that’s all.”

“I’m peeing, for God’s sake! Come here!”

I walk to the door and see that he is doing just that. Sexy as hell, he is buck-naked and standing, bent forward in front of the commode; his beautiful body is indeed peeing. Just peeing. “I’m just kinda embarrassed, you know. I didn’t mean to intrude”

“Hey! Come here I said! How many times do I have to say come here before you’ll come here?”

“What?”

“Well, you started to say something and then just bailed. What’s that all about?”

“Well, Ummmm…privacy, please?”

“Honey, if I needed privacy, I’d have closed the door.” He starts to laugh and I am really uncomfortable. “You can talk to me while I’m peeing you know. What did you want to say?”

I suddenly forget everything I started to say. “Geez! I can’t even remember now.”

“So, want to grab hold and help me?”

“Ash, oh my God! NO!”

“Well, you can if you want, I don’t mind. In fact, I’d love it!”

“Ash, you nut! I can’t believe you just said that!”

“What? That I wanted you to take hold of me and help me pee? You wouldn’t do that?”

“No! I would not!”

“Honey, look, I seriously don’t mind if you see me peeing. That’s natural, and a part of intimacy. You didn’t ever see Al?”

I cut him off mid-sentence and say, “No! Never! He always locked the door when he used the restroom! I would never have dreamed of standing there watching him use the restroom.”

“Honey, I don’t ever want you to think you can’t come in while I’m going to the bathroom…please, don’t act like that. Come here, really.”

I walk into the commode and find myself with my hands on my hips, looking up at the ceiling. “Ummmm, I’m down here. Hellllloooo! Look down.”

I look him square in the eye.

“Lower, come on, you can do it…”

I lower my eyes to his privates.

“There you go! Bingo!”

Wow! He is beautiful!

He chuckles at me “See, you can do it! Liv, are you honestly uncomfortable with this?”

“Yeah, I really am. How long are you going to pee anyway?”

“Long enough for you to stand here and help me…here help me shake off!” He smiles that damn sexy smile and winks at me.

Dear God! His body is, without a doubt, perfect.

“Ash, you are too much! Shake this!” I shake my behind at him and, feeling embarrassed, I quickly go into the dressing area to get my nightgown.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m getting my gown.”

“You know you won’t be needing that tonight, don’t you? And by the way, when you have to pee, are you going to lock the door?” he asks.

“Yeah, I usually do.”

“Well, don’t from now on. I’d love to come in on you while you’re peeing and see how you’ll react.”

“Well, don’t count on it, because I’m pretty modest when it comes to my privacy. I can almost guarantee how I’ll react. I’ll probably slam the door in your face.”

“Really? Well, we’ll just see about that. You need to open up and quit being so uptight. It’s me, Ash…not Alan. And we’re working on intimacy remember? I’ve seen you in worse situations and I would love to see you sitting on the commode peeing!”

“Ash, you’re really perverted!”

“Not perverted, hon, just hopelessly in love!”

“Well, I have to admit, you did look pretty hot while you were peeing!”

“Oh really? You liked what you saw?”

“Yep! I loved it and the man it belongs to!”

“Now that’s what I wanna hear! I think you’re finally getting it. Come here!”

He takes me into his arms and I can feel the giant calling me. And he is all mine for the entire night…bliss, again and again.

After we make love, I turn on my side, wrapped in Ash’s arms and find myself smiling. I think of all the “firsts” I’ve experienced in the past few months and chronicle them…

Let’s see. I’ve met a guy with his penis pierced, I’ve been left by a man I thought I loved, I’ve been bathed by a beautiful man, had my hair washed by same beautiful man, rubbed down with lotion by the same said man, had my teeth brushed by, again, same man, danced with gorgeous
man while barely dressed, had my legs shaved by same man, given incredibly amazing oral sex to same amazing man (with no regrets, I might add), received amazingly great oral sex from same said man, been truly loved and felt love from this man, experienced multiple orgasms from same gorgeous man, looked forward to more sex from this man, had said man buy me amazing clothes and lingerie and modeled for him, and tonight, watched said gorgeous, amazing man pee!

Ash, sensing I’m still awake, puts his hand on my face. It’s dark. He can’t see me and I can’t see him.

“Liv?”

“Yes?”

“Are you smiling?”

My smile becomes wider. “Yes, I am. How can you tell?”

“I just can. Why are you smiling?”

“Just thinking”

“Good thoughts, I hope!”

“Oh, you have no idea what great thoughts I’m thinking!”

“Are you thinking of how hot it was to watch me pee?”

“Ummmm, yeah, something like that!”

“Well, quit smiling, go to sleep and I just might let you watch me pee again in the morning. I love you, Mine!”

“And, I love you back, Yours!”

My firsts, it seems have gone from bad to good and they seem to keep getting better. This man makes me smile no matter what. Deep down, though, I still wonder what the damn call was all about.

Saturday is finally here, and I can’t wait to get to the airport to pick up Lainey and Kel. Bradley will be in later, and said he’s gotten a rental car, so will just drive to the house. I hop out of bed and see that Ash is already up and must be in the kitchen getting coffee ready. I go into the bathroom and damn! He’s brushing his teeth. “Mornin’, Sunshine! Going to pee?”

“Ahhhh, yeah that’s kinda where I was headed.”

“So, you gonna lock the door or let me see?”

“You’re out of luck today, love of my life; I’m closing and locking the door!”

“Olivia! Come on! Leave the damn door open. I won’t bite. Come on, chicken!”

“Ash, you are incorrigible! Why do you want to watch me pee so badly?”

“Well, why not?”

“Okay, sicko, you asked for it!” I leave the door open; sit on the commode and pee. “There, you happy?”

“Totally! You look so damn cute sitting on the pot peeing… you’re adorable!”

“Yeah. Me on the pot…adorable? I don’t think so!” This actually isn’t so bad, but I still don’t get what the big deal is.

“I made the coffee, so finish peeing and we’ll go down for our morning ritual.”

“So, that’s it? You just wanted to watch me? You happy now?”

“Yeah, you just made my damn day!” He winks at me and is gone in a flash.

I go into the kitchen and we have our ritual morning coffee and paper.

“Ready for an awesome weekend?”

“Oh, my God! I can’t wait. I could hardly sleep last night!”

Ash seems preoccupied, so I ask what’s up.

“Just trying to get logistics worked out. I think we’ll head into the city around four. We’ll drive to the condo and drop off the cars, so we don’t have to worry about parking or driving. I’ve got a driver coming to the condo to pick us all up and take us around.”

This man thinks of everything.

I’m cleaning up the kitchen when I hear the front doorbell ring.

“Are you expecting someone, Ash? It’s awfully early for company“

“Nope, not me. Would you mind seeing who it is?”

I go to the door and peek through the leaded glass. I can make out that it’s a guy but can’t tell who it is.

“Mom?” this person calls.

I recognize the voice—it’s Dalton. OH, my God! I open the door and he yells, “Surprise!”

He drops his bags, picks me up, and gives me the biggest, best-est hug!

“Oh, my! What a great surprise, son! Wait! What are you doing here? I thought you wouldn’t be back until New Year’s. Is everything okay? You didn’t lose your job, did you?”

“Mom, no. I didn’t lose my job. Let me come in and I’ll explain.”

He tells me that Ash and Dalton have been cooking this up for a while now…pretty sneaky, guys. Now I’m thinking that is what the mystery call was about last night. This is the best surprise.

“Hon, who is it?” Ash calls from the kitchen.

“Ash Harper, you know damn well who it is!”

“We got you, Mom, didn’t we? The company decided to send me back early, so Ash and I cooked up this little surprise. I had vacation time that needed to be burned up before the end of the year, so here I am! I’ll probably have to leave before New Year’s, though. I have to be at work the day after New Year’s, so I’ll need to get back to my apartment in Tulsa.”

We talk for a while and he says that after the twenty-two hour flight, he’d like to go nap for a bit. “I just need to cop a few hours’ sleep and I’ll be ready to go, Mom, I promise!”

I help him take his bags up, get him tucked in, and go back downstairs.

“So, got any more surprises, Mr. Harper?”

“Not that I’m telling. You happy?”

“More than you know! Ash?”

“Yesses?”

“Thank you!”

We leave Dalton to sleep, and head to the airport to pick up Lainey and Kellan. Once I see them, I just lose it!

“Mom!” Lainey runs into my arms and I am, without a doubt, the happiest woman on the earth right now. She has that lovely mother-to-be glow and Kellan is ever so caring with her. He is loaded down and has all of the carry-on things, her purse included.

“Mom, he won’t even let me carry a friggin’ coffee cup…can you believe him? So, Ash, where do we need to go to get Bradley?”

“Huh?” I ask.

“Well, Olivia, that’s another little surprise we have. Bradley’s plane will be here in about an hour and a half, so I thought we’d grab a bite to eat somewhere in the airport and then we’ll mosey over and meet him.”

All of these surprises are a bit much to take in. I have so many things to be thankful for.

Lainey hugs me and says, “Mom, so I hear Dalton is already here. Pretty slick, he and Ash are, huh?”

“Oh, my God! You have no idea how surprised I was when I answered the door this morning! He’s catching up on his sleep at the house after that dreadfully long flight. We’ll let him sleep until later in the afternoon.”

We have a wonderful brunch at the airport; then, finally, Bradley’s flight is called. I’m pacing back and forth like an expectant father. I see him coming down the escalator and I run really fast to hug him. He runs over to me and, just like Dalton did, lifts me up and gives me the second best son hug I could ask for!

“So, all of your kids are here,” he says. “You happy, Mom?”

“Bradley, you couldn’t get me off of cloud nine right now if you tried! This is unbelievable. I’m just speechless!”