Fourty. Card

*Eleanora Elliot*

I woke up to the smell of sweet fruit and I think bacon.

I got out of bed and walked to the small kitchen.

"Morning. Lore is out, so I'm making us a little breakfast date since I won't see you till tomorrow." He explained, plating pancakes.

I nodded. At the small round table there was a large bowl of all of the fruits I like cut up and together in a fruit salad.

Watermelon, strawberries, no bananas because those were on the pancakes, blackberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, pomegranate, crunchy green grapes and chopped Granny Smith apples as usual preferred those.

"In the fruit salad is a bit of condensed milk and some whip cream on the side." He said.

I just looked at him as he set my plate down.

"I got you a mocktail, sparkling water, orange juice, lemon juice inside kinda like a mimosa." He said.

"You didn't have to do all this." I mumbled.

"I want to. You need food today." He turned from the stove, a plate of small sausage links and bacon.

He led me to a chair, pulling my seat out as I sat down.

He gently kissed my forehead.

He got his own done and sat across from me.

"Thank you so much." I looked at all of it.

And the drink he put together was good too.

I put a small amount of syrup on my pancakes, keeping my hair behind my shoulders as he handed me a hair tie.

"Ugh I love you." I put my hair up.

He smiled, almost blushing.

I made him blush. I smiled to myself as I began cutting and eating my pancakes.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Scared. Excited." I shrugged.

"There's nothing to be scared of." He said.

"I know. I know I'll be fine and he'll be so good to me like you will. But I'm still nervous." I sighed, the fruit salad so good.

I put some on my plate and put whipped cream on it.

Delicious.

He watched me eat the fruit, licking the whipped cream from my lips.

"Stop." I frowned.

"He's a fucking lucky bastard." He grumbled, looking down at his food.

I laughed.

"You'll have me." I said.

"Mmhm. Can you make me a promise?"

"Yeah." I looked at him.

"Be sober. Stone cold. Or have one glass of wine at dinner. I understand your nerves but I want you to be able to mentally get over that hump without a crutch. I want you to soak it in with him and be completely present." He said, sipping the coffee he made himself.

I didn't like coffee like that, they knew it.

"I agree with that. I can promise I'll do that." I said.

"Thank you." He nodded.

I ate, he finished before me and watched me eat like he was going to undress me on this table.

Good lord.

Me being able to wait this long is unreal sometimes.

The sexiest men with the purest hearts and I still haven't jumped their bones much is wild.

The door opened exactly around noon since I woke up later.

A small bouquet of freshly picked flowers, a nicely dressed man, a card.

I smiled, Hale cleaning the table, covering the bowl of fruit with plastic wrap before it went in the fridge.

He set down the flowers that were tied with a small rubber band.

I looked at him, his hair done incredibly, that one black strand on his forehead driving me wild.

"You picked them?"

"On the way there was flowers so I figured I'd pick the ones I thought you may like more." He shrugged, looking nervous.

I laughed.

"I can put them in a cup." Hale gently pet my hair and did exactly that.

He handed me the card.

"Don't read it while I'm here please, sweetheart."

"You're one of those people." I smiled.

"I am."

"I'll read it while I get ready." I stood, leaning up and kissing him softly.

I then hugged Hale and ensured he understood my gratitude for breakfast.

"I'll miss you." I sighed.

"I'll miss you too. I love you." He kissed my hair.

"I love you."

"Everything will be fine. Just breathe when you get nervous and talk about it. We understand."

"I will." I nodded.

I kissed him. So softly, so nicely. I'd see him tomorrow.

I had Lore today.

I was excited.

I walked into the bedroom.

I brushed my teeth, washing my face, removing my gown as I lathered my body in sheer, shiny lotion.

Smelt amazing.

"Lore!"

"Yeah baby?" He said against the door.

"What do I wear?"

"Whatever you want. I recommend a bathing suit underneath what you wear though."

"Okay. So a dress would be fine?"

"Yeah."

I nodded.

But I'd be bringing the bathing suit. The dress is too pretty to ruin with a bathing suit top.

I put on these pretty white sandals and called it a day.

I put my hair half up half down, putting on very minimal makeup. Highlighter on the nose which hurt since I was a bit sunburnt.

A light layer of mascara.

I grabbed the card.

It was a sweet, I appreciate and love you sort of card.

Nora,

I know today is big for you, I understand your nervous, I understand you trust me.

I need you to know how much I truly care for your wellbeing. I want you happy, I want you safe, I want you satisfied.

If there is anything I can do to help, talk to me.

I need you to know tonight is all you. Your pace, your desires, your pleasure. Tell me what you need, how you want things. It can be awkward, you could feel embarrassed, but we work through it.

You are my perfect woman. My everything. You matter most.

I love you, Lore.

I honestly was breathless.

I didn't think we could get any better. I didn't think I could feel more loved or reassured.

But I was wrong.

I opened the door, his hands in his pockets as he looked over me but not enough before I flung myself at him.

He took a step back, a grunt leaving him upon impact.

His arm came around my waist.

I pressed my lips hard to his, holding his face in one hand.

He pulled back.

"That was aggressive."

"I love you." I panted.

He smiled.

"I love you."

He gently grabbed my throat, pulling me to kiss him again.

I moaned against his lips. His other hand was gently on the small of my back.

"Sweet girl. You ready?" He asked.

I turned, grabbing my bathing suit.

"I couldn't ruin a dress with this under." I smiled.

"Alright." He offered his hand, his other holding my bathing suit.

And we walked to leave.