Annie…
"Are you ok?" Danielle asked as she washed her hands.
"Yea, im fine why?" Annie asked back.
"You just seem a little off. Did something happen between you and Auggie? Is that why you took the day off?" Her nosy sister asked.
Annie let out a little awkward laugh and shook her head.
"No, nothing is wrong between Auggie and me. I took the day off just to take it off. I wanted to just chill at home and see my nieces."
Danielle looked at her, slightly skeptical, but didn't push it any further.
"Im going to change before dinner is done." Annie said.
Danielle looked over her shoulder from the stove and nodded.
Auggie…
Auggie heard Annie say something to Danielle after a few quite moments in the kitchen and then the door open and shut.
He quickly excused himself from the girls, telling him he would be back in a few minutes and made his way into the kitchen.
"She went out to the guesthouse." Danielle told him, not even looking behind her.
"Thanks." Auggie replied.
"And dinner will be ready in a few." She yelled as he walked out the door to find his best friend.
He followed the grapefruit smell and walked quietly. As he let his senses scan the room, he figured she hadn't seen him yet. He leaned against the doorway and waited for her to say or do something.
He heard her equal breaths and run her hands though her hair.
After a few more minutes of silence, he couldn't take it anymore.
"Annie." He muttered. He imagined her head snapping up as he heard her take in a sharp intake of breath.
"Auggie, how long have you been standing there?" she asked.
"Long enough." He told her cryptically.
He heard her swallow and knew her heart was fluttering hard just like his.
Annie…
She sat on her bed, just letting her thoughts consume her. She didn't know how to feel about Auggie being here.
Part of her was scared, while the other was so glad to see her best friend. Her heart fluttered as her sister announced his presence. But she needed time. She still wasn't ready to go back and face reality. Not only was she in pain, but she was tired of all the lies and near death experiences. She felt like she needed to re-evaluate her life.
So she headed for her bedroom and sat on her bed.
After Auggie said her name, her heart fluttered again.
She took a few more deep breaths and got up from the bed. Not only did she not know what to say, but she didn't know what to do.
"Hey." She said randomly.
"Hey." He said back. She swallowed hard again, getting nervous. He probably came here for answers, and she didn't know if she was ready to share them.
"Danielle said dinner was almost ready." He told her.
She nodded her head and muttered an ok.
Just as she was about to walk past him and out the door, he grabbed her wrist and held her in place beside him.
"Im glad you are alive Annie." He said softly.
She sucked in a breath and looked at him. "I am too Auggie. I am too." She whispered back. He let go of her wrist and she couldn't help but hug him.
All she wanted to do was break down and cry all day, but somehow she kept it together.
And now hugging Auggie, she felt like she wanted to cry again.
They hugged for a while and then Annie pulled away and got herself together.
"Come on, Danielle is probably waiting for us." Annie muttered, and hung on to Auggie as she guided him back to the house.
Auggie…
Dinner was normal. Many times Auggie kept trying to look over and listen to where Annie was sitting to make sure she was ok. At times when Danielle brought up her work her voice got a little shaky, but she made sure to even it out to try and fool him.
A few times he tried giving her an obvious look saying I know something was up and we would talk about this later. After all, they had to be back at work tomorrow.
When it was time to clean up, Danielle dismissed the two, saying her husband would be home any minute and would come help her if Annie was to put the kids to bed. Somehow Auggie knew she was kidding, but Annie laughed and did it anyways.
Auggie walked along side Annie, going up the steps and helping put the girls to bed. They requested Annie to give them a bed time story, so Auggie just stood leaning on the girls' bedroom doorframe just listening to her voice.
"Aunt Annie, are you going to be home tomorrow?" Katia asked.
Auggie could hear Annie take a big pause and the let out a breath.
"I don't know Kay, but I will still be up for breakfast so don't worry." Annie said and then gave them both a kiss.
Auggie's heart sank a little and felt like he really needed to get to the bottom of what was going on.
Annie…
Auggie and Annie left the girls room, trying to be as quite as possible. Annie had her arm wrapped in his and walked closely to him, being his guide down the hall and moving down the stairs.
"Can we talk?" Auggie asked.
"Yea, sure." She whispered and walked them to her room.
Auggie…
"What's up?" she asked.
"Are you ok?" Auggie asked, hearing her pace slightly.
"Of course." Annie replied in a fake cheery voice.
"Annie..." he warned.
"I'm ok Auggie. I just…I'm recovering." She said and sat down on the bed next to him.
Auggie could hear the honesty in her voice, along with some quivering. He could smell her grapefruit shampoo as she ran a hand through her hair and feel her body heat as they sat close together.
"You don't have to be scared anymore Annie. It's all over with." He said.
"I know." She whispered and leaned her head on Auggie's shoulder.
He put a hand on her thigh and brushed his thumb in a rhythmic movement. They both sat in silence for a little, just enjoying each other's company.
"Auggie?" Annie whispered.
"Yeah Annie?" he responds.
"I can't sleep. I can't breathe. I can barely function. Every sound…and every time I close my eyes…"
"It's ok Annie, I'm here." He said, moving into a better position to calm her.
"Why don't you go change into your pjs and I will be right here waiting for you. I'll lay here till you fall asleep."
"You sure?" she questioned.
"Positive." He said and patted her thigh, telling her to get a move on.
As she left the room, Auggie took a deep breath. Control your feelings Anderson, now's not the time.
Annie…
Annie stood in front of the bathroom mirror just looking at her pale reflection. She was afraid to bed, yet excited at the same time. Auggie was there, not only to calm her fears but to hold her.
Now's not the time Walker. He's your best friend for god's sakes. She quickly changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top and made her way back to Auggie.
"Auggie are you sure?" Annie questioned.
"Annie, stop asking questions and get into bed." He said with a smile.
Annie let out a little laugh and tugged his hand to the bed. Once they were comfy in each other's arms, Annie let a breath she had been holding.
"Thank you for everything Auggie."
"Anytime Annie. Anytime."
He kissed her head and she let out a sound of contentment. Being with Auggie was just refreshing and relaxing.
Auggie…
After Auggie kissed her head and heard a wonderful sound of a sigh, he wondered to himself if he should take the next step. He wondered to himself if now was the time and the right thing to do. His hand was stroking up and down her bare arm, and she was hugging him tight. It all felt so right, but he was afraid.
"You ok Anderson?" she asked with a smile evident in her voice.
"Yea, why?" he asked.
"Your heart is being a mile a minute." She said.
He let out a nervous laugh. "I was just thinking."
"Care to share?" she asked.
He took a deep breath and put a hand on her cheek. It was so soft and smooth.
"What if I was to kiss you right now? What would you do?" he questioned.
Annie…
Annie's heart fluttered and she put her other hand over the one Auggie had on her cheek.
"I would kiss you right back." She whispered.
Annie watched as Auggie smiled and then let his eyes flutter closed, bringing his lips closer to his.
As their lips touched, they both felt like they couldn't get enough of each other. It was so right and such a strong emotion was felt between them.
When they parted for oxygen they were both smiling like fools.
"Sweet dreams Auggie Anderson." Annie laughed.
"And you Annie Walker." He replied.
A few minutes passed and just before Annie fell asleep Auggie spoke.
"Annie, I'm glad you're ok."
"Me too Auggie. Me too." She replied and fell asleep.