What a New Year's Eve

by R. E. Laurel

Maren rolled onto her back, her eyes slowly fluttering open with the brightness of the room. Raising herself on her elbows her gaze fell onto his broad-shouldered bareback. He stood on the balcony wearing only his boxers. She grinned at the sight and loved looking at him. His rich voice drifted in.

  “What did you find out? Oh great. Perfect. We’ll be flying out on the thirty-first. Good. Weather report? Perfect again. Fourteen hours but we’ll stop on the way then probably mid-morning will be our departure? Wonderful. We’ll be leaving here roughly two to three hours. See you.”

  He turned around to find Maren sitting in the middle of the bed holding the sheet over her chest to cover her nakedness while watching him. “Good morning, beautiful.”

  “Good morning.” She raised her arms to stretch, pulling the sheet with her. “I have never felt so relaxed for such a long time.”

  He sat on the edge of the bed, leaning in to give her a good morning kiss. “Want to take a walk on the beach?”

  “Sounds good and I did manage to find my swimsuit to pack.” She dragged the sheet with her resembling the train of a gown as she wrapped it around her to retrieve her suit from the luggage. She emerged from the bathroom wearing a teal green two piece. The top had gathered cups with gold bands on the straps for adjusting. Matching bikini bottoms were slung low on her hips.

  A short time later they strolled, hand in hand, past the in-ground pool on the lush green lawn blending to the white sands. Slowly they walked on the edge of the water. Maren played tag with the rolling waves, laughing when Victor walked and then dived in swimming a short distance out. She screamed when he ran to her to sweep her into his arms and carry her to deeper water where he tossed her in. She bounced back, sweeping her hair from her face before reaching out to tug his trunks down to his knees.

  “Hey!” he laughed, grabbing her around her waist to pull her into him as the water receded. Yanking his trunks up, they ran to the beach before the next wave came back in. He caught her around the waist, swinging around as they both fell onto the sand. “I hate to end this but we need to get changed and leave.”

  “Do we have to?”

  “We can come back, anytime.”

  “I’d love that.”

  A squeal of delight escaped when he scooped her over his shoulder, carrying her back to the house. Their laughter filled the air and fell on his parent's ears.

  They were sitting outside watching their antics and laughing along.

  “I need to apologize to her,” Margaret commented as Victor nodded.

  They watched Victor still carrying her over his shoulder, her laughter ringing out.

  “Put me down!” she demanded. “I can walk!”

  As easy as he plucked her into his arms, he set her on her feet but kept his arm around her shoulders as her arm slipped around his waist.

  “I had fun.”

  “So did I. More than ever before,” he added.

  “Well if it isn’t the elves,” Margaret called out as they got nearer.

  “She loves the holidays. She even snuck into my apartment while I was at work and made mine look like a jungle with all of the greenery.”

  Margaret stood as they climbed the steps to join them on the porch. She gently grasped Maren’s hands in hers. “I need to apologize to you. I should have taken the time to get to know a bit about you before doing what I did. Sheila was getting desperate constantly calling me since he never showed up over Thanksgiving well, she wanted him. I realize that you can’t make someone fall in love, it just happens. I believe he knows what he is doing. It’s obvious that you two are in love.” She gave Maren a hug then stepped back wearing a warm smile.

  “Apology accepted,” Maren sincerely said before giving her a hug.

  “The fudge is delicious, too,” Victor added.

  “I’m so glad you like it.” She happily replied then to Margaret, “I love your kitchen,” Maren gasped in awe.

  “It is huge,” Margaret added.

  “She’s a baker. She makes the best pies and cookies, and turkey. I hate to end this but we need to get cleaned up and ready to leave.” Victor bragged about her.

  “You didn’t have any breakfast or lunch,” Margaret argued, hating to see them go.

  “We had fudge at three this morning. And, we can eat on the plane.”

  ***

  Victor sat back, his left leg bent on the seat of the couch in his jet. He silently studied Maren still in a thin-strapped sundress in a mixed mint green floral print. She slowly emerged from the bedroom in bare feet and wincing.

  “Shit, who would ever think a person could burn so quickly?” she complained taking a slow seat next to him.

  “I never thought about sunscreen but I guess I should have. You are medium skinned but this different climate can hit you hard.”

  “You still have a tan so you weren’t affected. I found lotion in the bathroom. Please rub it on my back.”

  “My pleasure.”

  She turned her back to him as he slipped the strap from her shoulders. She already had her hair in a messy tail. Lightly he squirted the lotion onto her back, the coldness causing her to jump. Gently he rubbed the lotion on her back and shoulders.

  “I can’t believe how red you’re getting even sitting here. You are going to be so sore. Maybe get into the tub or a shower. Cool water may help.”

  “A cool bath sounds good,” she murmured enjoying his touch.

  “You got it,” he said, standing to go to the master bathroom to run water in the whirlpool tub.

  Victor checked the time on his phone he couldn’t believe that she nearly spent the whole flight sitting in the water as once again she slowly emerged, a bit redder but not as stiff. She silently approached him to sit with her back waiting for more lotion.

  Despite her soreness, she sighed, enjoying the cooling effect of the lotion and the lightness of his touch.

  “Glad you came out. We’re about to land. Maybe get changed?” he hated to suggest.

  “Maybe falling into a snowdrift would feel good.”

  “I wouldn’t put that past you.” He leaned near to press a light kiss on her shoulder.

  “I’ll get changed,” she muttered.

  ***

  Maren parked in the lot behind the building, she entered through the back door of the boutique. Slowly managing to remove her coat and hat to hang up she continued to the backroom storeroom.

  “How did you get a sunburn? Did you go to a tanning booth?” Belinda immediately asked Maren when she entered through the door. Her face was still red.

  “At The Bahamas. We went to visit with his parents on Christmas. Check this out.” She proceeded to pull up her sweater to show the red stomach and then back. “It doesn’t hurt as bad as it did last night but my clothes are rubbing.”

  “He must really like you. First this,” Belinda waved a hand to the room of the shop.

  “He’s a silent partner in it. He gets a percentage of sells.”

  “I didn’t know that. But still to go through all of the hard work he did.”

  Maren nodded. “Love. We love one another,” she confessed.

  Belinda teared up at the words. “Oh, I’m so happy for you,” she sniffled.

  “He’s such a wonderful man. Such a thoughtful and caring man. Nothing like he was when I first met him.”

  “You don’t think you two are moving too fast?”

  “To some, it may appear that way but when we’re apart we’re both missing each other. I’m not sure when I’ll see him this week. He said about meetings he’d probably be in. We love being together and doing things with each other, besides making love,” she quickly ended when Belinda opened her mouth to comment.

  “That’s what I was going to say,” she stated.

  The boutique kept Maren busy. Business was brisk and many new steampunk lovers were made. The music playing was finally not a holiday. She hummed to the country songs and counting the contents of the new arrivals of jewelry.

  “There you ar
e. Do you know that you are a hard person to find?”

  Maren looked up to find Rachel standing, hands on hips and a mock anger look on her face.

  “Oh, Rachel. I’m sorry. I’ve been away and I know I neglected the Center.” Maren began to apologize.

  “I’m not here to chastise you but to thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “The center just received a late Christmas donation for repairs needed. New sporting equipment. We’re going to renovate the kitchens and teach home skills to the children. Art supplies. Oh, we have so much planned!”

  “That’s marvelous!” she squealed, grasping each other's hands in excitement and then hugged.

  “Mr. Neal just sent a check, a generous check and the items needed for the center. I don’t know where he came from but we’re thankful he is here. Can you let him know? We made out a card for him.” She handed the envelope to Maren.

  “I most certainly will tell him but he won’t like to be acknowledged,” Maren explained.

  They hugged again before Rachel left.

  “Hey, I’ll be over after I close shop. We need to have one of our girl talks. It’s been forever,” Belinda suggested.

  “Sounds like fun. I’m going over to the wine shop and see how they’re doing.”

  Teresa stepped from the back room when the bell announced a customer and smiled to see her baby. “I heard you were at the Bahamas and met his parents.”

  “Belinda sure doesn’t waste time.”

  “How did it go?”

  “I actually enjoyed meeting them. At first, it was tense and I had to tell her off.”

  “Maren, you didn’t.”

  “If I hadn’t, Victor was ready to. But things turned out better and I think our visit is helping them out. They had a problem of not communicating.”

  “Do you think you two are moving fast? I’m concerned that you spend almost all time together.”

  “I’ve had that thought also but mom, it feels right. You know how I was if they didn’t catch my attention the first date then why should I waste time. He caught it from day one, even though we had some rocky moments.”

  Tears filled Teresa’s eyes. Pressing her lips together she grabbed Maren in a long hug. Maren kept her arms down, wondering about how she is acting. Once she was released she looked at her, perplexed.

  “What is that for?”

  “I’m just so happy for you that’s all,” she gasped between cries.

  “You sure have a funny way to show it,” Maren muttered. “I’ll talk to you later. Belinda is coming over later.”

  “There she is!” Nan loudly stated, emerging from the office. Nan hugged her too, releasing her added, “It’s great to see you.” She wore such a wide smile that Maren swore she could see every tooth.

  “You too. I have to go away from the lunacy,” she teased. She didn’t have the door completely closed when she swore she heard a stifled cry from her mother. “What the hell?”

  ***

  Maren and Belinda sat on her couch. Each wore black leggings but Maren wore a thick hunter green sweater and Belinda a baggie sweatshirt of red. She had a fire going in the fireplace. Each had a glass of wine with cheese and meat platter. Maren sat in the corner, her legs curled beneath her facing Belinda whose legs were stretched towards her.

  “Did you talk to mom today? She was acting really strange.”

  “She seemed fine with me. What happened?”

  “I swear she was fighting to keep from bawling and gave me this hug and said she’s happy for me. Now, what do you think that is all about?”

  “Beats me. Perhaps the change is making act so screwy or something.”

  “That could be.” Maren reached to retrieve cheese and meat to take a bite.

  “So tell me. Just how serious is this relationship? I hardly see you anymore.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. He is such a magnetic man that I adore him so much and enjoy his company and well like now I totally miss him.”

  “It’s only been a day,” Belinda laughed.

  “It’s weird I know but I waited for the right one to come along and when he did, he came at me like a hurricane and hasn’t left. I am so much in love with him.” Maren turned somber, thinking about his eyes, kiss, touch, laugh.

  “The way you describe him is unbelievable. I hope one day one hits me that hard.”

  Their giggles slowly changed to outright laughter with each glass of wine. They began comparing love lists.

  “Where was your first time?” Maren asked.

  “I was in school. Hm, in the back seat of Jimmy Joseph car.”

  “Ew, him? The guy with two first names and the thick glasses?”

  “Yea wasn’t good either.” Her body produced a slight tremble at the mere thought of it.

  “Which is why I waited.”

  “Yours was where?”

  “In my bed, upstairs and it was as I always dreamed it would be. Patient, gentle, slow, he took his time. The little shit figured out days before that I was a virgin. He romanced me and his words were so charming.”

  Belinda laughed, “That’s funny and romantic.”

  “I was his first virgin.”

  “I think you have the right idea about waiting but man you really waited. He was experienced, no fumbling around and all.”

  “Did you really wear flannel pajamas?” Belinda asked with disbelief.

  “I did and he loved it. He said I make flannel sexy,” she seriously stated as Belinda laughed out.

  “What? He did,” Maren persisted.

  “All right. I believe you. So, what are you doing New Years?”

  “That frightens me. When he is absent he is usually up to something. Right now probably stay in.”

  “Are you kidding me? He’ll be taking you out to parties. Who knows, meet his friends. I’ll lose you.”

  “You’ll never lose me. Friends forever, remember? We took an oath.” Maren put her hand in the air sticking up her pinky finger. She gave it a brief shake as Belinda did the same. They hooked them together.

  “Friends forever. No boy will get between the sisterhood of Maren and Belinda. Always together. Always BFF’s.” They spoke in unison. They released fingers.

  “But man, I miss him,” Maren whispered.

  “Oh, brother.” Belinda grumbled, “Friday lets have a steampunk dress day. I think the girls will enjoy that since it’s new to them.”

  Maren nodded, stating, “He loves those pictures you took.”

  CHAPTER 30

  The week went slow, too slow for Maren’s liking. Evenings were spent talking on the phone with Victor. She thought he sounded tired. No doubt he has a lot was on his plate. Every night ended with I love you’s being spoken and then she’d hang up and miss him. Poor Mr. Whiskers got the hugging squeezed out of him after each phone call.

  Friday she arrived at her boutique with smiling employees. Everyone chose an outfit to wear and when Maren added they could keep them there were broader smiles. She chose the one she wore in the pictures since it is her favorite.

  “Look at everyone!” She happily greeted receiving laughter.

  “We love them!” The chorus of the three employees said.

  “That’s good to hear. It adds an aura of mystique to the person wearing it.”

  During the day customers entered many stating how they loved them. After asking more about the style they were shown the clothing. Many were purchased along with some vintage articles of clothing. Maren couldn’t stop smiling at the success she was having.

  “Oh my god,” Victor stated, emerging from the back room.

  “They turned to look at him as he smiled. He walked nearer taking them all in then to Maren. “Beautiful, you all are,” he added complimenting everyone receiving blushes from the other ladies.

  “What do you think of having a steampunk day? It helped the customers to see them better than hanging on hangers or even on the mannequins.”

  “It’s a great idea. Marketing in 3
-D.”

  “We’re going to do this monthly or even weekly. Even do a vintage theme day.” Maren suggested.

  “That would be good too. Hey, gorgeous. Pack for a weekend away. Something for New Year's Eve and some warm clothes and wear comfort for the flight. We’re flying out Saturday morning.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise. I have to go. Errands you know. I’ll have a car pick you up Saturday morning at two a.m. We should be in the air by three.”

  “In the morning?” Maren asked, not believing she heard him correctly.

  “Yep. See you then,” he leaned in giving her a quick kiss. “Keep steampunking ladies.”

  “Unreal,” Maren said as he left. “Can you watch Mr. Whiskers?”

  “No problem and pack that red dress. You know, the one you had to have but had no idea where you would wear. Those black heels.”Belinda suggested.

  “I wonder where he’s going to take me this time?” Maren wondered, rolling her eyes to Belinda.

  “Enjoy the ride.”

  ***

  As Victor promised at two in the morning a black limousine sat in front of her house, the driver at her door to take her luggage. She was too excited to sleep so she tried to get out of the driver if he knew where they were going? His answer was the airport. She didn’t miss the grin on his lips at her scoff. Deciding to just wait, she sat back crossing her arms in disgust.

  Through the darkened windows her eyes anxiously scanned the airport for that male figure she so dearly missed seeing. Her eyes widened with surprise when they drove onto the tarmac, she waited for her door to open. She stepped out to find Victor waiting with a single rose in his hand.

  Victor watched Maren emerge from the limo. Her cuff boots covered her calf where rust leggings covered her legs. Her anorak coat hung open showing a favorite of hers, a beige sweater.

  “Good morning gorgeous. For you,” he said, handing her the rose. Leaning down he brushed a kiss on her forehead.

  “Good morning handsome and thank you. Where are we going?”

  “Secret.”

  “Shit, your employees are loyal. Your driver told me to the airport.”

  “Try the pilot. He’ll tell you to the sky.”