The One Night Stand (closed)

[silvertongue217]

And there it was

It hung in the air causing Ian to give a small barely noticeable flinch. He felt his chest tighten at the thought of her leaving but pushed it back instead trying ot focus on the here and now. Showing he was upset would just make her upset and no doubt ruin their last day together.

Ian was simply out of time, the ghosts warnings and bolster to fight would do him no good. He would try still because… why wouldn’t he for her? But Ian had no doubt that come tomorrow at noon she was going to get on that plane even if he proposed marriage or some other big romantic gesture.

“So what would you like to eat?” He asked casually taking the menu from her hand and looking it over. He lifted her up sliding her back into his lap as he perused the menu with her intent on getting past the awkwardness.

“I think some good old eggs and pancakes for me” Ian decided kissing the back of her neck softly.

 

[grdybiwife]

"I...I'm...yeah that sounds good," Yvette stammered, deciding to ignore Ian's subtle reaction to her mention of leaving. It couldn't be helped and she was glad he took it in stride. But still she felt bad, who knew what they could have been if she didn't have to go. Best not to think too hard about it and enjoy this moment together.

She climbed out of his lap to grab the house phone and placed their order, all the while trying to keep her emotions in check. Every time she looked at him, Yvette couldn't help seeing the same hurt that lay in William's eyes in Ian's. Here was another man whose heart she was breaking but this time it wasn't exactly her fault. Nor was it one sided. She imagined getting over Ian wouldn't be nearly as easy as putting her ex behind her.

Even in the beginning of their relationship, Yvette didn't have the same flutters as she did with Ian. She'd never felt this way about anyone and it wasn't lost on her, but still it wasn't meant to be. Her mother told her of a man she met before her father, a man she loved, but she wanted to come to America and he wanted to stay in their native Panama. As much as she loved him and the fire he set inside her, she had to let him go. Eventually she met her father and fell in love, but it wasn't the same. It was a practical thing with a man with stability, not the flighty artist she left in a shack by the beach.

Yvette had no intentions of going back to her ex but she couldn't stay in London. Somewhere between whimsy and pragmatism she would find a way to get over him. She imagined Mandi was already working on a strategy to do just that, so again she resigned herself to enjoy the time she had left with Ian.

Breakfast came before she knew it and Yvette answered the door. The porter refused her tip. blushing at her bare legs and hard nipple under Ian's t-shirt. She couldn't help but laugh as she closed the door behind her and sat down on the bed.

"So what's the plan for today," she asked, trying to keep the sadness out of her smile when she looked at him. "After our bellies are full I mean."

 

[silvertongue217]

“well if its our last night together then I am torn” He said waiting for her ot dig in before beginning to eat his own food. He decided she was to far away and reached out grabbing her and pulling her into his lap before moving so that she was comfortable. He nuzzled her neck a bit before he continued eating munching on his food.

“Well im torn since it is your last day” He said laughing softly even if there was a sadness to it “I would take you to see the last sights and dick around London a bit but if your leaving I don’t want to waste that sort of time with you” He admitted easily

“I doubt we can stay in here though just being with each other without you getting bored” He said teasing her a bit “so how about this we eat go take care of our ghost stuff and then there’s some thing I want to show you” He said making a snap decision.

 

[grdybiwife]

It wasn't boredom Yvette was worried about but she kept that to herself, simply nodding around a mouthful of pancakes. Once she'd swallowed the mediocre bite, she said, "Yeah sure but definitely the ghost stuff first. I'm thinking it might make for an interesting blog entry." At her last words, she glanced nervously around the room, afraid unseen ears might have overheard. But when nothing happened, Yvette continued eating, content to share a meal in Ian's lap.

'It's not forever...It's not forever... She'd made it her mantra, hoping that so long as she kept it in her mind she wouldn't be devastated when they parted. Deep down she knew that would be inevitable but her practical mind wouldn't allow her not to be proactive.

When her plate was clear, she leaned back against his chest and laughed quietly. "I'm pretty sure this is a first for me too," she said then kissed him softly on the cheek before she got moved from his embrace. "I'm gonna go shower so we can get going," she informed him with a grin, then quickly sobered. "That was not an invitation by the way," she added with a smirk and pulled off his t-shirt as she headed into the bathroom. Just in case Ian thought she was teased, Yvette locked the door.

While she waited for the water to run hot, she grabbed her phone to text Mandi and let her know that she was safe.

Gonna do the ghost thing, then Ian's got some kinda surprise. I'll call you later.

You better. Jordan has been texting me worried sick about you. I told him you're happily living your life

You never liked him did you?

He's an okay guy, but clearly you can do better.

You're terrible. I'll call you later.

Yvette sort of felt guilty for not feeling bad about Jordan. He was a big part of her life for so long and she thought that warranted a little bit of mourning. But all she felt was freedom at the severing of that tie. Her fate with Ian was by no means set in stone but one thing was for sure, she would not be going back to Jordan. Yvette was going to live her life as she saw fit.

 

[silvertongue217]

He watched her go a thought coming to his mind.

“I love to watch you go” He murmured to himself watching as her naked backside disappeared from view. He let his carefully constructed smile drop and leaned back sighing softly and running a finger through his hair.

“It is going to tear me up when you leave” He said softly getting up he debated about joining her but before she could he heard the tell tale click of the lock being engaged. He frowned but then shrugged it if knowing without really knowing that it was all a play to get some distance apart from him. The reality of their situation hit him hard and he was forced to take a deep breath as the feelings and emotions threatened to over whelm him.

It didn’t seem fair

He sighed and got up banishing the thought away and collecting his jeans and shirt. He pulled them on sliding the jeans up and doing the belt before getting dressed. He wouldn’t have time to shower after her so by the time she got out he had collected their dishes and was waiting for her by the door.

 

[grdybiwife]

She was surprised to see him dressed when she came out of the bathroom but a part of her was glad he took the initiative. There was no telling what might have happened if Ian was still undressed when she came out wrapped in a towel.

Yvette didn't spend as long on today's outfit as she had on the previous day's, just a snug long sleeved t-shirt and stonewashed skinny jeans. She stepped into her favorite Chuck Taylor's and ran a brush through her curls to pull them back in a tight ponytail. Yvette went without makeup, figuring Ian wouldn't mind seeing her in her natural state. When she was done, she grabbed her jacket and slipped her arms around Ian's waist.

"Thanks for being so cool about this," she said and leaned up on her tip toes to kiss him gently on the lips. "I'll never forget this Ian, not in a million years."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Well to be fair" He said kissing her back a small smile appearing on his face as he walked her out of the room "Its not like i have much choice he reminded her" letting his hand travel down to give her back side a small swat before he walked her to the elevator.

"I dont want to ruin the day by dwelling on things i cant change" He told her once they were in "I mean its our last day together" He said reaching out to capture a stray lock of her hair before tucking it behind her ears.

"I want to make the most of it" He said leaning down to give her another kiss before threading their fingers together "and that definitely means solving our little ghost mystery" He reminded her just as the door slid open.

"Shall we my love?" He said winking at her

 

[grdybiwife]

"Shall we my love?"

Yvette couldn't say no to that. She couldn't even speak with how hard she blushed when he laced their fingers together and she leaned into him all the way down to the lobby. Never let his hand go as he led her to his car.

"I hope remember where we're supposed to be going 'cause I definitely forgot to send the address to my phone," she said after a hard face palm. "You completely distracted me last night."

 

[silvertongue217]

"your lucky that I saved it on my phone" He said laughing at her but inwardly beaming "I can get us there" He said reaching out with his hand to pop the lock on his car and open the door for her. He helped her in and then closed the door for her getting in himself.

He brought up the address and pulled out his hand immediately going to take hers as he started driving to their destination. He let a comfortable silence hang between the two of them for a moment before he brought her hand up giving it a small kiss before letting it drop.

"So where are you guys going next?" He asked keeping his tone light and conversational

 

[grdybiwife]

"Saint Tropez for two days then we're meeting Mandi's parents in Mykonos. We'll stay there a couple days before their yacht takes us to Ibiza, then from there back stateside to put it all together," she said flatly. Yvette had been excited about the trip that began in Ireland only a week ago. For a working class girl from the Bronx, getting to party across Europe was a dream come true.

Now reality was setting in. Eventually she would have to go home to face what she had been running from all along. Her father called it a flight of fancy and she denied it at first, but now she knew it was true. She didn't want to live her life confined to the city as he had been all his life, stuck in a job she hated, in a marriage of convenience. She wanted to live a little before she settled down.

Yvette didn't expect to come to London and fall in love, but that's what happened and there wasn't much she could do about it.

"It'll all be over in a month," she mumbled to herself as she stared out the window.

 

[silvertongue217]

He glanced over noting the way her voice changed as she reached the end of both her tale and her trip. He frowned reaching over and threading their fingers together.

"You know" He said lightly glancing over at her "take it from some one who like you has outside influence in their future you should do what you want not what others think you should do lives to short for the other I should know look at my situation im bout to be a fucking doctor and could care less unless im in my kitchen"

"Tke it from some one who Lov- cares about you" Ian said knowing she would have heard the slip "you owe your self the life YOU want to lead nothing more nothing less so promise me even if we never meet again you will actively pursue your own hapiness"

 

[grdybiwife]

"Seems to me you should take your own advice then Ian," she said, trying her best to ignore his little.

"It's true." It was just a whisper, Yvette more felt the words than heard them, but still she ignored those too, turned to face Ian.

"How awful would it be if you said fuck what your parents want and got a job at that hibachi place. If I should...how'd you say it...actively pursue my happiness, then so should you. I can't think of a worse quality in a doctor than disinterest," she offered with a raised eyebrow before she turned the radio up.

She hoped that it might drawn out that little voice in her head, but of course there was no such luck. "It's true...it's ture...you know it's true..."

 

[silvertongue217]

He said nothing instead singing softly to the song that filled the car. He supposed she was right in a way how could he give the advice after all without applying it himself? She was right as well to say he had little to no interest in being a doctor not truly at least. Sure saving lives and all that jazz it was a noble endeavor.

But it wasnt his calling

He decided to focus on that another day and instead pulled up finally having reached their destination. He turned off the car and turned to her raising an eyebrow.

"One more thing before we go" He said leaning in to kiss her cheek "are you going to let me take you to the airport?" He asked opening his door and stepping out before going over to her door and opening it.

"I would like to if you are agreeable to that" He said watching her gauging her reaction

 

[grdybiwife]

"I'd like that," she said, her eyes cast down slightly. It wasn't exactly a lie, but Yvette had already decided on the quick and dirty approach for her departure. Like a band-aid, she figured lingering at the airport would only make things worse. "Let's get inside," she said quickly as she jumped out of the car.

The air inside had gotten unbearable hot and her chest tighten with the thought of the next few hours being their last, and like Ian she wanted to make the best of it. Even though she didn't remember the address, Yvette felt drawn to the dilapidated house on the end of a row of only slightly less dilapidated houses. The street itself wasn't much more than an alley and Yvette was surprised Ian's GPS was even able to find it. She was careful as she approached the house, making sure to watch her step as she navigated through the debris that littered the front courtyard.

"The front door's boarded and pad locked..."

"The back is open..."

"...We should try around back," she said, repeating the words in her head. She knew it was crazy but after that dream, Yvette didn't want to take any chances. Except when it came to Ian.

 

[silvertongue217]

"I agree" He said glancing at the house and frowning. He couldn't imagine any happiness being in a home like this not based on the way it looked now.

"Your wrong"

Suddenly he was in the past staring at a house so much different then the one he was in front of he took a step back. It was warm and inviting the kind of home he had never had but often imagined. He could see the two of them moving inside happy content.

Free

He blinked and it was gone the house was back to being the house it was before and it almost made him cry. He didn't say any thing simply followed her as they entered the house. The house inside was just as ruined as the outside but thankfully the board used to hide the light were easy to pull down.

"Well this is it" Ian said softly turning to look at her "what do we do now?" He asked rubbing his arms at the sudden chill in the house

 

[grdybiwife]

She vaguely heard Ian's question before Yvette turned towards the stairs. Despite the conditions, she felt oddly comfortable as she mounted them one by one. It was almost like she knew where she was going, where all the weak floorboards were as she maneuvered cautiously on the second level.

There were three doors at the top of those stairs and she went immediately to the one on the left. It took some force to get it open but once she did, Yvette was shocked by whatshe found. It was piled high with boxes. A old timey bassinet was in one corner opposite an old roll top desk. Of course it was locked but it was nothing a few jimmies with a hairpin couldn't fix. A strange calm settled over her as the top creaked open on rusted rollers and her hand went to the center drawer.

A leather bound journal that had to have cost a fortune in the 19th century. She flipped through a few pages, noting the dates before she slipped it into her bag. Without reading a word, she knew it was William's. Yvette could feel it in her bones but for some reason she wanted to keep this find to herself.

And like that, the haze she had been under was gone. Yvette lifted her camera and started snapping away

 

[silvertongue217]

Ian watched her disappear craning his neck. He started to go after her but suddenly he didnt and wanted nothing more than to go into the kitchen. He picked his way through the living room carefully scowling in disgust as it became clear some vagrants had a party of some kind in here. He made a mental note to remember this house and stepped inside the kitchen smiling at the faded happy wallpaper.

"This was a good home for you guys once" He said softly "I can see that im sorry you didnt get to spend more time in it" He said softly looking around it once more. He felt himself being pulled to the drawer underneath the sink and so he bent down wrestling it up and reaching. His hands finally stumbled on a small smooth black box that he pulled down.

He opened it revealing her engagement rings which sparkled even though it was tinged with dust. He carefully pulled it out wiping it with his shirt before admiring it in the light. It was plain and simple but for some reason he saw it as the most beautiful thing in the world. He carefully slid it into his back pocket and just like that it was forgotten pulsing in his pocket like a talismen as he went around checking out the old house.

"Find any thing babe?" He asked coming up to the foot of the stiars and looking around for yvette.

 

[grdybiwife]

"Just some old junk that probably didn't even belong to them," Yvette shouted back as she backed out off the room. Her eyes glued to the LED screen she didn't notice the shadow emerge from the corner and move across the room. The tattered curtains fluttered against the boarded up windows but she didn't notice that either. Her back was already turned to the room.

She smiled at Ian as she came down the stairs, oddly satisfied that they'd proved nothing in the walkthrough. "Maybe it want such a good idea that we came during the day. Too many shadows and traffic noise. Feels like a waste of a perfectly good day."

Of course there was the journal but Yvette planned to keep that to herself. "I have an idea," she said as she slipped her arms around his waist. "How bout we forget about this ghost stuff, go back to your place and you make me some lunch?"

 

[silvertongue217]

He laughed looking around threading his arm over her hsoulder and pulling her close. He felt a tiny bit of sadness at the though of leaving but he quickly pushed it away not sure why when it was just an empty old house. Still.... it was there house... there life and he mouthed a silent thank you to them before he gave her his full attention.

"I would like that" he said leaning in and giving her a light kiss before escorting her out. They were in such a good mood they failed to see the couple watching them leave the house and by the time they turned to get into the car the couple had vanished into thin air.

The drive back was uneventful as they both contemplated their different totems. Ian kept one hand on his jean pocket touching the ring and wondering about their life. He was so lost in thought soon he was pulling into his upscale apartment complex. He came over and opened her door for her letting her out and taking her arm before escorting her into the building and unlocking the door for her.

"So what do you want to eat?" He asked her picking her up and carrying her into his apartment laughing and rubbing their noses together as he did.

 

[grdybiwife]

"Whatever you make is fine," she said with a grin as she slipped out of his arms. The irony of Ian carrying her over the threshold wasn't lost on Yvette but she didn't allow it change how she felt about leaving. She had to go, no matter the hallucinations she'd been having since they stumbled into that hospital. Her life was in the states but she would enjoy these last moments with him.

Yvette kicks off her shoes, dropped her bag and jacket on the sofa before she went to survey his stereo system. She found something mellow to play and went to flop down on the most comfortable sofa she'd ever sat on. Yvette found herself laying down on the plush cushions, yawned as she settled in.

She was asleep in no time, hard and snoring, curled up under a sweatshirt Ian had left behind.

 

[silvertongue217]

He got to work on lunch pulling out the things he needed to make one of his classics. An open-faced sandwich that he used the freshest of ingredients on. He got to work grilling the meat and cutting up the fresh ingredients. He hummed to himself as he worked pushing every thing out of his mind until all he thought about was the chop chop of his ingredients.

No thought of her leaving, no thought of their connection, he pushed it all away refused to think any thing about it. Doing so was to hard to heart breaking for him right now when she was in the next room. He instead focused on the ingredients the act of it until he had two sandwiches on a plate.

He turned frowning. Where was she? He grabbed the plates giving her name a soft call as he pushed open the door to the room. There she was stretched out on his coach curled up underneath one of his sweater. He smiled his heart aching for her as he came in putting her sandwich on the counter top and reaching out to stroke her hair.

“Yvette my love” He said softly leaning in and kissing her lightly “wake up sleeping beauty” he cooed

 

[grdybiwife]

She hadn't even realized she'd fallen asleep until the sound of Ian's voice roused her awake. Her eyes fluttered open as his lips brushed against hers and she couldn't help the smile that came when she looked at him. I wish that I could have this moment for life. It was just a thought and it wasn't the first time those words had floated around in her mind in his presence. What shocked her was the voice that followed.

"You can..."

"I guess we should have slept in a little longer huh," she said with a grin as she sat forward and slipped her arms into Ian's sweatshirt as if it was the most natural thing to do. "That looks great," she told him as she scooped up on of the sandwiches and set the plate in her lap to dig in.

Yvette moaned through the first bite, her eyes drifted shut as she savored the simple flavors he'd put together for her. "Have you ever cooked for your parent's," she said around a mouthful. "I swear they might change their minds about the whole doctor thing if you fed them."

 

[silvertongue217]

Ian laughed shaking his head and watching as she dug into her sandwich. He thought back on the countless times his parents had made him cook for charity events and what not just to impress their friends. Instead of the anger however he simply felt happiness at her enjoying his cooking so much. It was a rare thing to share a gift with some one and for them to appreciate it, a fact Ian had learned the hard way.

"I will have to keep that in mind" He said watching her eat before tucking into his own sandwich "and as for sleeping you must have just not slept very well because i feel great" he teased running his eyes up and down her body before smirking.

"you look good in my clothing just so you know" he said putting his sandwich down and reaching out to hold her hand.

"Might have to steal your camera for a bit" he said a wicked idea forming in his head as he reached out and grabbed it "get some pictures of you before you slip away" he said winking at her and taking a quick picture before backing up and taking another one.

 

[grdybiwife]

"I'm not slipping away," she said with a bashful grin as she tried not to look at the camera. As much as she loved taking pictures, Yvette wasn't that comfortable being the subject. Usually she wrestled her way out of Mandi's but somehow with Ian, holding the camera all wrong, she felt a little more comfortable. "You knew this was temporary. It's not my fault you got a thing for yankees,"she teased, as she put down her empty plate and stretched out on the couch to strike a few poses before she got up to take the camera away from him.

"Alright enough fooling around. Let a professional show you how it's done," she said as she gave him a playful shove. "Just act natural. Pretend I'm not here," she said as she moved around the living room to adjust the lighting.

The sun was just beginning to set and Yvette adjusted the blinds to let in the most amount a light. She turned off the overhead lights, opting instead for the funky arc floor lamp Ian had situated behind the couch. As she moved around the room, Yvette recognized he had exceptionally good taste for a twentysomething bachelor. She hadn't really noticed the first time she was in his place, but as she looked at it now through sober eyes, Yvette found she liked his swag. It was classy without being stuffy and she liked that.

"This is way better than the closet me and Mandi share," she absently as she snapped away.

 

[silvertongue217]

"got a thing for Yankees" he said snorting and shaking his head before leaning back and letting her take a few pictures of him "its not my fault your the most alluring woman i have ever met and you just so happen to be american" he reminded her pushing his tongue out before looking around at his place. He looked around noting his furniture and decorations before shrugging.

"you mean most people are age dont have taste like mine?" He said pretending to look shocked before laughing "yeah well when you have parents who dont mind buying within your taste its a bit easier" he said keeping still for a few posses before he finally got up.

"alright enough of that" he said grabbing her hips bringing her closer before kissing her. He picked her up deepening the kiss his tongue going into her mouth as he sat back down and pulled her onto his lap.

"I cant get enough of you" he murmured his hand moving up and down her back keeping her pressed close as he continued to kiss her passionately.