Coffee Shop Romance

Chapter 14

I woke to the sound of light snoring. I smiled and snuggled closer to Elijah, feeling him tighten his grip around my waist in his sleep. I was so comfortable here, it was like we were supposed to be like this forever. I felt Elijah stir, and heard him chuckle softly in my hair. He sat up slowly, thinking me to still be asleep. "So you're just going to leave me here all by myself while you go and get the last cup of coffee?" I could see him smile, even in the faint light coming through the heavy curtains. I put on my glasses, and looked at the clock on the dresser. "10:00, wow...figured it'd be earlier than that."

I heard his feet on the carpet as he walked around the bed and pulled on a pair of pants over his boxers before coming to help me up. "So how'd you sleep?"

"Very well...not a single bad dream at all."

"Well...then it's settled, you sleep in my arms every night...no bad dreams." He laughed, "I must be good luck!"

I grimaced as I tried to put weight on my ankle. "I want to try to go today with out the crutches...to get unused to them."

"No problem, I'll just make sure I'm at your side ready to catch you if you start to fall."

We walked slowly towards the kitchen, one hand in Elijah's with the other on the wall. By the time we got to the table to sit down the smell of bacon, eggs and toast had become unbearable. When we finally sat down I'd almost asked for my crutches. I'd twisted my ankle years before, but never broken it. Billy plopped a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me, and a glass of orange juice with two pain pills. "You read my mind Billy!" I said popping them in my mouth.

"Ye going today with out the crutches then?"

"Going to try my hardest." Dom strangled in last, his hair going every which way. When he saw the food however he immediately perked up and sat down, almost shoveling the food into his mouth.

"Is there a supermarket close by?" I asked. "Thought maybe I'd cook breakfast tomorrow."

"Ummm....yeah. Well take you there later today." Elijah spoke up after thinking for a moment. "What kind of stuff do you need?"

"It's a surprise." I said with a grin. "It's nothing special...but let me have my fun, okay?"

Elijah laughed, "No problem. Speaking of fun...how 'bout I take you shopping?"

"Shopping?" Dom's head lifted from his almost empty plate. "Can I come?" He pouted at us.

"What do you think Mama...should we bring the kids or leave them home?" Elijah walked behind my chair and put his hands on my shoulders.

I laughed, "Well...as long as they behave themselves...I don't have a problem with it. Can you get my purse for me 'Lij?"

"Yes dear." He smiled and went to the living room where I'd left it. When he handed it to me I fished out two lollipops and handed each to Dom and Billy.

"Yay!" Dom tore the wrapper off and popped it into his mouth. "You are a life saver darling!"

Billy did the same and smiled, "Thanks mum." He laughed, "That was strange, considering you're the youngest here."

I laughed and ruffled his hair, "Well somebody's gotta look after you three oldies."

Elijah grabbed me and spun me around in a circle. "Excuse me...you're only four years younger than me babe!" He plopped me into my chair and went to get dressed, laughing as he went.

Dom immediately stood up and picked me up again causing me to shriek I tried to get out of his grasp, and couldn't. We both struggled with each other, laughing as hard as possible., "Only four younger than him? That means only eight for me, then you're old enough to date me!" He wiggled his eyes at me and smiled when we heard Elijah's footsteps quickly returning to the kitchen.

He leaned against the door, "I'm sorry....I don’t know what the hell that was." He raised an eyebrow as I continued to try and get out of Dom's arms. "Down Dom!"

Dom put me down and smiled. "Do I get another lollipop?" Elijah and I shook our heads and walked to our rooms to change into regular clothes. I pulled on my jeans and a novelty t-shirt that had a picture of The Beatles at Abbey Road, and brushed my hair so it would fall around my shoulders in waves. This was probably the first time I'd taken the time to get ready since I left the hospital. I applied my usual make up and jewelry...and smiled as I saw myself for the first time in weeks. The pain from the ribs was minimal...as was the ankle with the right meds. I felt great.

I heard a knock on the door. "Sarah you ready?" It was Elijah.

"Yeah...be right there." I called back. I took a deep breath and ran a brush through my hair once more before leaving the room. I heard the three of them joking around in the living room and smiled when I stopped to listen to what they were saying.

"She's hot stuff 'Lij...ya know that right?" Dom was finishing. "And she fancies you big time mate...we can tell."

"It's very complicate though guys...I don't want to push her to fast."

"Look, she told us about what happened...and since we all know she didn't sleep in her room last night, I'm guessing she dinae have any nightmares last night did she?" Billy sighed. "I think that she's okay now don't you?"

"I fell for her Bills...hard." Elijah was quiet. "It was nice to have a woman comfortable around me from the beginning...with no "Oh my God you're Elijah Wood" type statements."

"Then tell her that for cryin' out loud!" Dom spoke up.

I saw that as my cue to enter, "Tell me what?" I put on a mask of confusion and walked slowly to sit next to Elijah. I made a move by putting my hand on his knee and my chin on his shoulder. "Is something wrong 'Lij?"

"Tell you that...he's got to make a stop in Scotland before he flies back to L.A." Billy said. "I've invited you guys to Scotland for a few days...as a quiet holiday without press or functions. Just fishing, swimming, maybe catch a few plays or concerts...what do ye say lass?"

"Well I don't mind at all. I've always wanted to go to Scotland." I smiled. Dom’s expression told me that he knew I'd overheard...but we both kept it to ourselves.

Elijah kissed the hand he'd picked up off his knee, "Ready for some fun?" He helped me off the couch.

"You betcha!" I climbed into the back of Dom's car with Elijah, since I didn't have a reason to monopolize the front seat any longer. Elijah was quiet, but took my hand as we drove off towards downtown Wellington.