The Girl from the Ouachita, Ch. 9
Usual disclaimers: no sex under 18; I edit my own work; some bad (fantasy) people may experience violence.
From the end of Chapter 8: The quartet played 'Jo and the Cowboy' again, and they danced. It wasn't their wedding dance, but they looked into one another's eyes as if it were, and no one joined them. They turned and bowed to the crowd, and then Chris nodded to the quartet, which began playing Tango of Love. Jo's eyes lit up, and they wowed everyone there with their dancing ability and perfect timing. The slit in Jo's dress certainly came in handy, and most certainly attracted the attention of the menfolk.
They visited with everyone there, stayed to the end, and wished each departing guest a good night. Chris was exhausted, but Jo was walking on air, as was Debora. "Honey, I knew you would be a hit, but I do believe you charmed everyone there!"
They reminisced about and replayed the night for the better part of an hour before Chris stood, gently took Jo's arm, and said, "I'm tired and sleepy, Jo; let's go change and go to bed."
His mother laughed. "If you're so tired, I guess I won't be hearing noises from your room tonight!" Her son and daughter (in-law-to-be) reddened, said good night, and went happily up the stairs.
Their plane departed at 3:30. The two-hour flight was an opportunity for Jo and Chris to snuggle and sleep, and for Donna to don her headphones, crank up her music, and sleep. They didn't awaken until the captain began describing conditions on the ground in Fort Worth.
They greeted Kate, the engaged spent a night making love in the old house that was becoming their home, and then Jo got up early to take Chris back to the airport. He would miss his classes that morning, but his Profs knew and had given him a make-up project in lieu of attendance. He arrived at work at his normal time, went to his martial arts workout, and Facetimed Jo when he got back to the apartment.
On December 4, he received a volley of texts and social media posts from kin and friends wishing him happy birthday. He finished class and was starting to respond to the messages when he received a Facetime request from Jo. The angry face staring at him was unexpected. "Good morning, Honey!" he began.
"Don't good morning me, you jackass! You did this on purpose!" was the response he got. "What?" he asked innocently.
"Not telling me your birthday! If Donna hadn't asked what I got you I wouldn't have known! I'm really pissed at you! You do all these things for me, but I don't even get a chance to give you a birthday present BECAUSE YOU NEVER TOLD ME WHEN IT WAS!"
Chris laughed, "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch, you already gave me the best present of my life when you said you'd marry me! I don't want you spending your money on something for me -- I've got you!"
Her voice softened, but she maintained, "You should have told me! And how is it that we've been together all this time and I never knew your birthdate?"
"Because you never asked?" he replied with a question.
She was quiet for a few seconds. "Now I really feel bad, like a selfish bitch! All the teasing and talking we've done about age and I don't even know when you were born! I feel like such a fool!"
"Well, now that you know I'm 26, are you going to give the ring back? Say I'm too old for you?"
"Ha! You're not getting away that easily, old fella! Besides, I'll be 19 in two weeks, so the age difference remains the same."
"I hate to break this up, but I've got to get to work. Maybe we can Facetime earlier tonight -- I'll skip my daily workout if you'll call me at 7; will that work?"
She agreed, told him she really did love him, even if she was a selfish bitch, and he told her she was perfect and not to say bad things about his fiancΓ©e!
Chris had changed into a tight shirt and tighter shorts, getting ready for his call with Jo, when the doorbell rang. He opened it and found a very attractive young woman holding a cake. "Surprise! Happy Birthday!" she said as she stepped inside. She put the cake on the table, lit all 26 candles, looked him up and down, told him she hoped he was having a great day and she would be glad to help if he wasn't. She winked, said, "My number is on the card if you need anything," and left.
He was laughing at the huge Devil's Food cake with thick milk chocolate pecan icing, his favorite, when the request came. He was expecting something sexy, but when he accepted, he saw that his sister, Kate, and Jo were on screen. That made him very glad he hadn't answered naked, which he had considered.
The three girls sang an enthusiastic version of "Happy Birthday to you..." and then Donna told him to blow out the candles. He did it in one breath, and after they finished clapping and cheering, thanked them for the surprises.
They had a light, happy, and amiable conversation for a half hour, and then Jo took the phone up to their bedroom for a little us time. "I'm not buying you anything since you asked me not to, but you're gonna get another special present from me at Christmas. Now, get your clothes off, and I'll entertain you with my new dance routine before we get serious!"
****
Life settled in -- class, job, workout, affirmation with Jo, and bed. She added a welcome wrinkle by texting him several times a day. Nothing special -- just cute little messages, emojis, or memes, but it made him think of her each time, and he began to send things to her. She inevitably responded immediately, which made him more alert for the notification chime.
That was the flow of their lives for the next three and a half weeks. Chris wasn't scheduled to return until December 20, when the workers were given a break through January 5
th
.
He never mentioned her birthday, as if he had forgotten all about it. She was disappointed, but knew he would make it up to her when he got off work.
All her classes had been over for a week, so she was relaxing on the couch in her PJs, watching one of the early shows and eating cereal when she heard a car enter the gravel parking area. She frowned, got up, and peeped out the window. It wasn't a car she recognized, so she hustled over to the door to make sure all the locks were secure, and then peeped through the window again.
A large man wearing a heavy overcoat and hat was getting something out of the trunk. He tapped the window as he walked by the driver and headed for the house. The car backed out, so Jo focused on the big man, who was walking up as if he owned the place! Why was he here and why was the car leaving?
She picked up her phone and prepared to dial 9-1-1.
"Chris!" she screamed, when she finally recognized him through the window. He smiled at her exclamation and continued using his keys to open the two locks. He stepped inside and was slammed up against the wall by his excited fiancΓ©e - "What are you doing here?" she shouted, while trying to break his ribs with a hug.