THE First Day Back...

I’ve been away for a while. You probably thought I was dead or living in cave but no. I was here, hidden in Alexander’s apartment.

It’s been wonderful the past few weeks, just us. I’ve been helping him enjoy the outside during the day. Taking it slowly, like a picnic by the lake or a short stroll around the block. Some days are better than others. And by better I mean we stay inside enjoying each other…wink, wink!

Don’t worry though, you haven’t missed the big penis in vagina moment. I miss it, very much but I can’t expect Alexander to suddenly have so much confidence in all things just because he went outside a few times during the day.

Another big hurtle we have to cross is socializing with a group of people. He does alright with a handful of people around, especially if he knows them, but more than that and he withdrawals. That’s why this evening is going to be tough. Morgana came back today from New York. Her parents are throwing a welcome back dinner and Alexander and I are going.

“Aria, you look stunning.” Alexander’s hot breath flows down my neck as his warm arms wrap around my waist. My head tilts back on reflex because, well, he is crazy sexy. The man could touch my big toe and my legs would most likely spread for him.

“How about you take off your dress and…” His words reverberate through my skin as he nibbles my shoulder. As much as my body hungers to give into what he is saying, I want to see Morgana.

“Alexander, I’m on to your tricks to try and stay home. You seem to forget I have been living with you for almost a month. I want to see Morgana and besides, I think you will like her family. Her mom is basically the opposite of yours.” I turn and place my hands on his chest which is currently covered in an steel blue oxford. My fingers drift over the smooth material and for a moment I forget what I am going to say. His eyes aren’t the only things that’s hypnotic.

“If you keep feeling me up Aria then I’m going to think you do want to take off that dress and stay here.” I glance up to witness Alexander’s smirk.

“It’s your fault Alexander. Why does your body have to be so distracting?” I pat him on the chest and walk off because if I don’t step away from him we won’t make it to Morgana’s dinner party.

Once we get into the car, Bradley brings us to Morgana’s parents’ house. It’s small, especially compared to what Alexander is used to, but it’s homey. Morgana has the best parents in the world and it’s as if their love radiates from their home and spills out onto the street. I feel a jittery excitement as we pull up. I see Morgana standing outside smacking a tree branch.

My body is practically vibrating with anticipation as I push Alexander aside and hop out of the car to run to Morgana. She looks amazing, it seems New York agreed with her. As I pull away from our hug she peers past me to the car, “Where’s your hottie?”

Not only am I excited to see Morgana, I’m nervous for her to meet Alexander. When she first met him she thought he was just a security guard. Morgana has yet to learn his true identity. I watch her closely as she takes in Alexander. Finally there is recognition on her face.

“Isn’t that hypno-eyes from when we dropped off your painting a few months ago?”

“Yes, he is the one who bought it. That’s Alexander Hawthorne.”

“What? I thought he was just part of Hawthorne’s security. Wait a second, so that means he’s the mega rich, reclusive guy you went on about that night.” Her eyes go wide as she turns her head from me to him and back to me again.

It’s funny how different I thought he was back then. When I didn’t know him I thought he was some weirdo who never came outside. Then when I did first meet him I thought he was some tough guy taking advantage of his power as a security guard and finally to just being a sexy virgin. He’s still a hot virgin and yet, I don’t want Morgana to know that. Not that I’m embarrassed. Who could ever be embarrassed of Alexander?

A part of me just wants to keep him safe. I want him to experience the world with love and acceptance. Not that I think Morgana would make fun of him, but I just want things to be slow. So, when she starts talking about that night, I can’t help but blush thinking how different life is now, how foolish I was back then and how incredibly lucky I am to have found Alexander.

“Yeah.”

“That’s it? Yeah? You, who never goes out on more than one date with a guy, let alone have boyfriends, lands an ultra-sexy Howard Hughes and all you can say is yeah?”

Morgana is confused, but it’s so clear to me now. I love Alexander and want to be with him as long as he will have me. I want to surround him with good people. People who will see how wonderful he is and enjoy spending time with him. People very much not like his mother.

I laugh at Morgana’s words because neither Alexander nor I are at all what she says, but we really do appear that way to everyone else. Alexander isn’t like Howard Hughes, at least not anymore and I have broken my rule of only seeing a guy once.

Alexander finally comes up and introduces himself. Morgana mentions how she’s my roommate and Alexander glances at me. He wants me to tell her how I moved in with him.

I haven’t told Morgana yet. I don’t think I should spoil her evening tonight, so I’ll hang out with her tomorrow and tell her. Just as I am mentioning that I have something to explain to her tomorrow she assumes I’m pregnant.

That causes Alexander to instantly believe her. I realize in that moment how alike they are, Gullible One and Gullible Two. I have to explain that I’m not pregnant and for some reason Alexander couldn’t figure out how I could become pregnant. I really don’t want it to slip that we haven’t had sex yet so I play it off.

I drag Alexander toward the house, “Excuse me Morgana, I have to take my boyfriend in the house and have a talk with him about the birds and the bees.”

Once we are inside I hear some commotion coming from the kitchen. Alexander is nervous, he is almost completely ridged. I grab his hand and rub his arm, “Come on. Let me introduce you to Morgana’s family. You will love them.”

Once we enter the kitchen it seems we have stumbled into world war three.

“I think the biscuits taste fine! They do not need to be redone.” Morgana’s mom, a short woman with graying red hair and blue oven mitts on her hand is waving them frantically in the air, yelling at the other woman in the room.

“Annette, I am simply saying they are a bit dry. Look I made some spare batter just in case…Well, my my, look what Aria dragged in. Hello, I’m Denise Austin, Ms. Austin if you’re nasty.” Morgana’s grandma, with very blue hair draped over her shoulder quickly strides up to Alexander and stands a bit too close. Her voice drops as she reaches out a hand to Alexander to introduce herself.

“Mom! Oh god, when will you start hitting on men a little closer to your age?” Morgana’s mom comes over to pull her mother away.

“Hi, I’m Annette, Morgana’s mom and this is her grandma. You are?”

“This is my boyfriend Alexander.” I try to help Alexander out. I forgot how intimidating Morgana’s grandma can be, especially to men.

Before Alexander has a chance to say anything Morgana’s mom has shoved a biscuit at him, “Here Alexander maybe you can be the judge. Do they seem dry to you?”

He takes a bite and shakes his head, “No, they are really good.”

“I told you!” Morgana’s mom glares at her mother.

“Obviously this man, while extremely sexy, is delusional. Why else would he think he’s Aria’s boyfriend? She’s a lesbian for goodness sake!”

‘She’s not a lesbian.” All the women stop, including me and turn to look at Alexander. His eyes flicker to our faces as his start to redden, “I mean, it’s just…”

There is a knock on the door and I see Alexander visibly deflate while relief washes over him. I can hear him mumble, “Oh thank god…” as Morgana’s mom and grandma go to answer the door. They both seem to be race each other to answer first.

I take this opportunity to pull Alexander to me and bring my hands up to cup his chin, “You did fine. I’m sorry, I forgot to warn you about Morgana’s grandmother. She likes men, a lot!”

He smiles and brings his hands to rest on my hips, “I can tell. How on earth does that woman think you are a lesbian?”

I roll my eyes and sigh, “Long story, I’ll tell you another time. Just think, any of the crazy that happens here tonight, it’s not your family. Just sit back and enjoy the show, I always do.”

Suddenly we hear heals clicking on the linoleum floor, “There you are. I have been looking for your everywhere Alexander.”

Both our heads turn to see the perfectly styled hair and the Botox face of Alexander’s mother.