Page 69 of Pooh

“How can you eat all of that before a workout? I’d get sick!”

“It’s a gift.”

“I owe Lucy big time for all that she’s been doing for Pippa,” I tell him.

“No, Pooh, you don’t. She’s happy to help. Growing up in a political family, they were always big on charity work and she’s always had a soft spot for abused women and kids. She thinks Pippa is the shit for having started New Horizons. She wants to come see Pippa soon and talk about her volunteering there on a regular basis.”

“Tammy said she’s great with the women and they like her. I’m sure Pippa would be thrilled to have Lucy around more.”

“We’ll come visit, maybe tomorrow night, and have a chat with Pips. That way, we’ll get to see Craig again too. He’s a smart little shit. He absorbs information easily. Bella said he learned his ABCs in just an afternoon with her. I better get to working this snack off. Chat later, brother.”

I watch Chubs walk off and, once again, count myself lucky to have found the Devil’s Angels.

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I’m lying on my side just watching Pippa sleep. I could do this all night and not regret the sleep I’d miss out on. She has no idea how stunningly beautiful she is to me. I still get the shakes when I think about how close I came to losing her. I know she’ll never give up New Horizons, certainly not because of what happened, and I don’t want her to. I want her safe but I want her as she is. And that’s being a defender and a voice for those who need it. I’m proud as fuck that someone like her would choose to spend her time with me.

I know something is off with her since the shooting. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but I know something is bothering her. And I’m not sure how to bring it up and get her to open up about what it is. But I know that she’s holding something back. Tammy has said the same thing and she has had years to get to know Pippa’s behaviors. We’re all worried, but biding our time in hopes she brings it up herself.

“You can quit staring at me and get some sleep, Pooh. I’m not going anywhere,” Pippa softly says.

I look down and see her beautiful eyes shining in the moonlight coming through the window. I lean down and give her a soft kiss.

“I know you’re not, baby. I just like looking at you,” I tell her.

Pippa carefully slides her body over until we’re touching from hip to toe. I place my hand on her hip and pull her even tighter to my side. She reaches up, places her hand behind my neck, and pulls me back down for another soft kiss. I pull away before things get too heated and I push my face into her hair that’s lying on the pillow. I breathe it in and love the light scent of her shampoo.

“Love your hair, babe.”

“I got my dad’s hair. Black, long and straight as a pin. Shoshone hair, he called it. He was mostly Shoshone and I inherited a lot of his features. My mom was Italian but I don’t look much like her.”

“I’m guessing she was beautiful though.”

“Yeah, they both were. I had great parents and their loss still hits me hard some days, you know? Tammy was the perfect person to step in after they were gone though. She kept them alive for me by having their pictures, pictures of all three of us, throughout our home. We celebrate their birthdays, even now. She refused to allow me to forget them. She held me when I grieved their loss and gave me guidance when I wanted to rebel. I struck gold in the middle of a tragedy.”

“Yeah, you did. I like the person she helped your parents create. A lot, in fact.”

“I’m so sorry for all of this, Pooh. You asked a woman on a date and ended up nursing a gunshot victim. You didn’t ask for…” Pippa starts to say.

“Stop right there. I asked a woman on a date because I wanted to spend time with her. And I have. None of this is your fault, and while I hate the fact you were shot, I don’t regret getting this time with you. Not one bit. We haven’t been a couple for long but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that we’re together now and we are because we want to be. Not because I feel obligated. Don’t ever think that, Pippa. My life is so much better having you, Craig and Tammy in it than it was before.”

“I don’t want you to ever stay because you feel you have to, Pooh. I want you in my life but only if it’s where you want to be.”

“It is. End of.”

“I need you to touch me, Pooh. Please?” Pippa begs softly.

“Baby, you’re not healed enough for that yet,” I answer.

“I’m not healed enough for sex but touching me won’t hurt either of us. I just need to feel connected to you again. I need that, Pooh. I need to feel alive, if only for a few minutes.”

“I’m stopping the second I think you’re in pain. Understand?” I answer her, gruffly.

“Yeah, baby, I understand.”

I spend the next several minutes reacquainting myself with Pippa’s beautiful body while keeping a safe distance from her bandaged incision. I’m hard as a rock but this isn’t about me. This is about me giving Pippa some pleasure she deserves. This is me helping Pippa to feel alive again. And I know I accomplished my goal when I hear her sighs and moans.

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