The Brothers Reinhardt

Michael Reinhardt drives off of the ferry and straight down Water Street in Alexandra. "They really DO have holiday decorations up already." he observes, half amazed and half bemused at the hanging snowflakes and icicle lights between the lamp posts. At the clinic, he pulls into the parking lot and parks his car. Getting out, he looks at the pharmacy, which looks quite normal now. He looks at Stephanie. "Ready to meet my brother?" he teases.

Stephanie smiles, now in baggy jeans and a t shirt and hoodie instead of a glamorous neck plunging evening gown. She's traded her contacts back for glasses, washed off all the makeup and her hair is scooped into it's usual haphazard twist. "It's like the north pole over here. Do they have a secret stash of elves?" She nods, glancing at the pharmacy too, the last place the father of her child lived and breathed, and shot someone who was beloved by her own family and this town. After a steely breath she replies "Yes I am."

John Reinhardt sits casually in the Sigh coffee shop with his phone in hand, scrolling through his daughter Fiona's Instagram with the odd cringe. He slowly sips a peppermint mocha, the foam settling in a bit on his mustache.

Michael puts his arm around her as they walk, knowing she is probably thinking of the shooting that happened in this very town. "They sure love winter." he chuckles as they pass City hall and continue across to the doors of Sigh. A dark haired boy is playing, of all things and on all instruments, Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This on a lyre. At his feet is a case, with coins and bills in it. Michael chuckles and goes for his wallet, taking out a five and dropping it in the case. Then he opens the door and holds it for Steph.

Steph smiles at the song and Michael donating to the young player. She steps through the held door with a "Thank you." and then immediately locks eyes with a man who is clearly Michael's brother, watching them come in with auburn hair an unmistakable grin that just has to be genetic.

John grins wider at Stephanie and waves at them both with one hand as he clicks off the screen of his phone with the other. As they approach he greets Steph first "You look way too nice for this smarmy bastard. Do you owe him money or something?"

Stephanie laughs "Not so far. You must be John. Good to meet you." She reaches out a hand to shake and he shakes it firmly while looking at Michael "Good grip this lady of yours."


Michael sees his brother and watches the exchange. "You better be nice. This is my bodyguard." he warns his brother and when the handshake is done he hits John in the shoulder. "John ... this is Stephanie. Stephanie, this my dufus brother." he pulls a chair out for Steph to sit and then does himself. "You got a smartphone?" he looks at it, clearly amazed. "Its the end of the world."


John shudders at it like he's slightly allergic "Kids bought it for me for my birthday so they can text me. Now Fi's trying to teach me the Instagram and the Snapchat....and what the fuck is the purpose of Pinterest? Sorry Stephanie..." he laughs "I'm not a dufus, just a Luddite."


Stephanie giggles "Well they have good recipes...and you can "pin them"." She does hand quotes in the air and slides into one of the chairs at John's table. John still looks confused.


Michael laughs. "I love those kids." he strokes his chin. "Yea, actually I don't go into most of those things." he looks at Steph. "My brother is from another age .... Won't be happy until they bring back papyrus." he grins at Steph. "John's thing is gardening ... which he had foisted on him when our father retired and took up gardening. I think. That or Dad just hates him more than me."


John shrugs "It's relaxing. The world would be a better place if it slowed the fuck down." He looks at Stephanie and thumb points at Michael "Fancy pants here doesn't like to get his pretty hands dirty. Don't take him camping either. He's allergic to nature."

Stephanie nods "He has a smaller tolerance than some. But to his credit we started dating on a nature getaway and he's survived to tell the tale." She looks towards the counter and adds "I'm going to go order a coffee. Micheal can I order one for you? And it looks like they have muffins."


Michael nods when Stephanie points out how they started dating. "See. What she said." he is pleased with her defense. "Please, Steph. Banana nut if they have it and anything if they don't."

Steph moves past Michael as she gets up and gives him a little peck on the cheek "Sure I'll see what they have." She steps away and heads to the counter and starts peering in and chatting pleasantly with the clerk.

John watches Stephanie for a moment and turns a scrutinizing gaze on his brother "This one seems different for you, more real. Am I reading that right?" He takes another slow minty sip as he waits for the reply.

Michael stares at his brother, shocked for a second, and then recovers. "Yea ... she ... she's a lot different for me than Sara was, so ... yea ... it's ... it . IS more ... REAL ..." he stammers a little bit. He hadn't realized it would be visible and he wonders ... his brother was not his father.


John looks very curious now "Don't get me wrong, Sara was nice. But it always looked a bit colder between you. Mikey, you Ok? I wasn't trying to put you on the spot."

Stephanie is still chatting with the clerk when the clerk trips as she pours their coffees. The pot goes flying and shatters. The coffee spreads out across the floor and Stephanie sidesteps it as it comes for her feet. The clerk is mortified and Stephanie appears to be reassuring her and trying to joke about it. Clearly there will be a delay in her purchase though.

Michael's mind races. He looks cornered for a minute. When the coffee pot shatters, he jumps and then looks at his brother. "I ... didn't know we looked .. cold ..." he sighs and rubs at his temple. "Sara was my best friend. She still is, John..." but obviously there is something more.

John muses "You were a bit of a late bloomer with girls I always thought. But if there's something you want to talk about..." He looks towards the counter and Stephanie now casually still talking to a now mopping clerk as a new pot brews "we might have a few minutes... No pressure." He gives his brother a welcoming smile.


Michael swallows hard, looking at his brother. "Alright ...." it is almost as if he is talking to himself. Steeling himself. "John ...." he licks his lips. "Stephanie is the first woman I've ever loved." he begins, but that doesn't seem to convey his truth ... the secrets hes kept from his family ... especially their father. "The first woman I ever had sex with." he looks at his brother anxiously, remembering how obvious their father's hatred of homosexuals was as he was growing up. Michael drops his head into one huge hand.


John chuckles and leans over, putting a hand on Michael's shoulder saying kindly "I kinda figured something like that. You say first woman...so ....men?" He takes his hand back but looks compassionate "I'm not our father Mikey. It's Ok...."

Michael nods. "Sara ... was covering for me. My beard. For someone I ... loved." he clears his throat and his shoulders slump. "Yea. Men. Stephanie was ... a surprise. I liked her .. asked her to be my beard and ..." he looks up. "Next thing I knew I was in love..." he sounds a little stunned. Then he sighs. "I guess that makes me bi. No idea, really. She's the only woman I was ever attracted to that way." he blows out a breath. "You understand why I had to go to such lengths? I mean ... Dad didn't think Hitler got enough gays in the damn showers." he growls. Much of his problems with his father were more than simple personality.


John sighs "I get it. I've had to do a lot of deconstruction of Dad's ideas in my own head to... but nothing like you I'm sure." He looks up now as Stephanie is gathering up coffees and muffins "She seems awesome. Does she know?"

Stephanie looked over a few times and Michael talking to his brother and noticed the intensity of the conversation and their body language. She went to the cream and sugar and fixed their coffees, knowing well what Michael liked by now too. Looking a little hesitant and mildly concerned, she turned to walk back, hoping all was well.


Michael snorts a derisive laugh and actually wipes away a tear of relief as Stephanie returns to them. "Yea. Dad is ... yea ... he isn't thrilled with me to begin with, but knowing I've been with men ... he'd ,..." he scoffs and looks up at Steph. "She IS awesome. I was honest with her .. during that camping weekend we got together." he suddenly looks at her. "Why did you kiss me again?" he looks at John. "We were all sharing a cabin and I'd crashed early .. and Steph comes in and is leaning over me and ..." it dawns on me. "Oh ... I kissed HER .... but . why were you even THERE, Steph? Leaning over me like some kind of serial killer." he'd never known that.


Stephanie catches the tail end of their conversation before Michael includes her directly. She smiles at them both, looking relieved and then laughs "Well I was planning to prank you, not murder you, and there was an awful lot of wine fuelling me. I suspected you kissed me dreaming of someone else but I wasn't going to complain." 

Michael arches his brows. "Prank me? Seriously? How?" he wonders, amused. "Well .. I had Harley .." he glances at John. "He and I ... the only one I ever loved before Steph.." he explains. "I had Harley on my mind, but I didn't stop right away when I realized it was you... I .. guess the body knows." he speculates, taking his coffee in one hand and reaching for her hand with the other.

John smiles at them "Well I never met Harley. But I like this one." He winks at Steph.

Stephanie takes Michael's hand "Thanks John. We thought we might put makeup on you. I got a bit of lipstick on you but you kissed it off. Like I said... Lots of cheap wine." She laughs,

Michael smiles softly, but says nothing. Then he looks at Steph. "Ah ... the lips want what they want." he winks at her and looks at John. "How are the kids?" he pauses. "And by the way, you think you got room for one or maybe two more at your Christmas with the kids?" he was thinking maybe Tristan ... maybe.

Stephanie smiles a little at his lips want comment AND the suggestion of Christmas plans. She stays quiet and sips her coffee now and digs into her muffin. she had managed to procure 2 banana nut muffins.

John sighed "Oh my kids......they'll be the death of me Mike, especially Fi. She's dyed her gorgeous red hair black with purple streaks and pierced half her face. It's like a pin cushion threw up on my daughter. Maybe she's turning into some sort of mutant porcupine. Colleen signed for all the piercings even...."try to stay in touch" she says....yes bring Stephanie and whoever you want for Christmas. You got kids Steph?"

Stephanie smiles and holds up one finger "One boy, Tristan, loves Minecraft and superheroes. He's 10."

John relaxes a bit "He and Seamus will get on like a house on fire. Seamus's got a YouTube channel now to show what he does in that Minecraft. Bunch of blocks if you ask me...but the kids like it. Seamus 13, nothing stuck in his face yet. Logan's 18, Fiona's 15 and Owen's 14."


Michael rips at his muffin as John updates him on his nephews and niece. He chuckles around a mouthful of muffin, but swallows it. "Colleen did that? Seriously?" he shakes his head. "Fiona is MY Colleen." he grins. "I used to babysit them all ... which is why you'll note the Irish TRIPLETS in the family." he teases his brother about how close his youngest three are.

John snarls "Well maybe you can talk some sense into her then Uncle Mikey. Stephanie here knew when to quit eh?" He teases "I couldn't even walk by my wife in the bathroom without knocking her up so you kids be careful now." He's kidding and looking between them both.

Stephanie laughs to cover a moment of panic. The clinics was the very next stop indeed "Well that's impressive John. But you and...Colleen is it? Are you still?"

John's smile falters for a moment "They don't all last. We split...she decided really. I'd have kept her if she'd let me."

Michael grins a bit. "Right. Talk sense into YOUR daughter?" he sounds like it might not be possible. He bites his lip at the mention of Reinhardt fertility. He looks at his brother and he sighs, then claps him on the shoulder. "At least you're not a GRANDfather?" he encourages, although hopefully. He really needs to talk to his brother more.


A vein pulses in John's temple and he gives Michael a look "So far, I don't think so. But they can move in with you if that changes." He grins sarcastically and then looks at Steph "Duct tape your boy to a kitchen chair when he turns 13. Trust me."

Stepanie shakes her head at Michael "You're stressing him out." She smiles at John "I think ti will be OK, but thanks."

John snorts and then asks casually "So what are you guys in town for anyway? I mean I'm not that pretty..."

Michael snorts. "Just remember, you can't just shoot the guy looking at Fi funny and as far as the boys ..." he shakes. "Lets just hope they aren't as fertile as you are. I don't have any kids and I'm thirty." he offers hopefully as if he had not just confessed to being with a single woman in those thirty years. He looks at Stephanie and shrugs. "Revenge?" he offers for excuse. At John's question, he arches his brows. "How often do I have anyone in my life I am willing to introduce to my family?" he evades. He isnt sure how his brother would react to the appointment they have, although he might be fine with the idea of birth control.

John smirks "Yeah alright. You could have let your lady sleep in though. He's a big brat your boyfriend. Do you have siblings Steph?"

Stephanie gives Michael's hand a squeeze "I don't like them TOO obedient...no challenge in it. And yeah I have two brothers, one older, Garrett and one, who's Mike's cop partner Ryan who's as much younger almost as Mike is to you."

Michael smiles. "I'll do that next time." although they hadn't gotten too much sleep, but they had gotten SOME before a nice waking up. "And I am not a brat. YOU are the brat. I'm the one who ruined your perfect life of only childness." he rolls his eyes. He grins. "Yea ... but Ryan's big brother taught him explosives. Mine taught me self-defense, wrestling, lying and blackmail. No wonder I'm a cop." he squeezes Steph's hand.

Steph just grins and drinks her coffee.

John smirks "See? All life skills. So Christmas.....you know I'll cook for whoever shows up. Mom and Dad are going to Hawaii so that's two less mouths and a hell of a lot less pressure around the table, as far as Dad's concerned. Stephanie, you game for a house full of teenagers and their friends with your boy? We're VERY informal and we do it on the 23rd because Colleen gets the crew on Christmas eve. We eat in the living room while watching our usual marathon of Home Alone, Elf and Christmas Story. We play that gift stealing game so we all only have to buy one present."

Michael laughs and relaxes. "Hawaii is excellent!" he looks at Steph. "I would love for you to meet my Mom .... not Dad .... I love you. I can't do that to you." he grins at the description of Christmas. "It's a lot of fun when Dad isn't around. And gives my cheap ass brother yet another excuse to not get me a birthday present." he looks mock crushed.

Stephanie sits up and leans in a bit "We can come on the 23rd for sure. then I can still be Santa for Tristan. Maybe warn your kids he's still a believer John?" She smiles at Michael "I would be happy to meet your mom and I can even be polite to your dad for such an occasion. Unless he hates Japanese people or something too."

John snickers "Well you all came to our country to steal our jobs right?" He winks at Steph so she knows he doesn't mean it. He gives Michael a little shove "What could I possibly get for the man who has everything? You got the girl...mom likes you best. You've still got all your hair." He tugs his hat lower on his forehead that he always wears to cover his bald spot.


Michael smiles, content. "At least we aren't in California or anywhere? Then it would be all the Mexican immigrants stealing jobs no one wants anyway." he runs his fingers through his hair. "I may have the hair, but YOU gave Mom the grand kids to spoil ... one of whom happens to be a GIRL ... " he smirks. "And one of us should keep our hair, so it may as well be me." he agrees. "So, what do you and the kids want for Christmas?" he asks. "Now that the kids have you with the rest of us in the 21st century, do you have an Amazon Wish List for me ... like they all do?"


John scoffs "Amazon....god help us. You know what? Get em books made of paper and ink. Damn kids need to unplug. "

Stephanie laughs "I hear you John, maybe not quite as much of a Luddite myself though. Tristan will read comics and graphic novels though so we still have a paper connection."

Michael grins at his brother. "Consider it done. Now I just have to think WHICH book. Or maybe a gift card and you guys can take a family trip to McNally." he teases.

Stephanie beams "Oh I love McNally. They make a mean London Fog in their cafe too."

John nods, grinning "Maybe you should get this one a card for there too. Payment for waking her up so damned early to meet your brother." He jokes.

Michael grins as he sips his coffee. "I just might do that." he tells his brother. "Somehow I will make up for waking her up this morning." he sips again to hide a smirk.

Stephanie tries not to react to Michael but chokes a little on her next sip of coffee.

John rolls his eyes "Jesus get a room kids...oh wait, you did." He laughs.

Michael shrugs and sips. "Yea. We did." he looks at his brother. "And, of course, you aren't dating anyone." it's pretty much a statement of fact. He thinks his brother might be waiting for Colleen to hit menopause of something. "Work, work, work." he can't really talk. Before Stephanie the vast majority of his time was work and overtime.

John tilts his head and looks into his coffee cup and then faces the statement with a joke "What woman could love this face Mikey? I'm performing a service to the community." He winks at Stephanie and then stands "I'm going for a refill. Either of you want one?" He hesitates.

Stephanie shakes her head, smiling kindly at John. Clearly his avoidance of romance is not a joke and she feels a little sad for him. "I'm good, thanks."

Michael sighs softly. Where a joke may have been tossed right back he's silent. "Nah .. no thanks, bro." as his brother walks away, he moves to take Steph's hand.

John nods and walks away, getting in the short line that's formed at the counter.

Stephanie wraps her fingers around Michael's and looks after John with concern "Ok, so what's his deal?" she asks quietly.

Michael sighs almost explosively. "He loves Colleen." he replies. "And Colleen loves him. But ... " he shrugs. "She was afraid she'd wind up with a dozen kids and left. After Fiona, Owen and Seamus ... They're like 30 months apart ... They still get along like crazy, but she won't even be in the same building with him. He's ... fertile." he strokes his chin, thoughtfully. "Neither one of them dates, really."

Stephanie muses on this and then says sheepishly "I know this is a little pot kettle right now considering where we're off to after, but they could just use...birth control...casual or permanent."

John has just reached the front of the line and is waiting for his refill.


Michael chuckles softly. "Maybe. I mean we're Catholic ... so maybe that's part of it. I honestly don't know why he just didn't have a vasectomy and have done." he looks at her. "Tristan is ten ... do you think you .. would ever even WANT another?" he muses.

Stephanie can't help but laugh at the timing of his question and gestures in the air with her pointer finger "Well clearly not right now." She exhales and then shrugs a bit "But otherwise....I don't know." She doesn't add more because John comes back and plunks down. His refill is in a takeout cup.

"Did I miss anything? Or were you just talking dirty at each other while you had a few minutes?" He teases. "I need to get to work soon but I've got about 5 minutes."

Michael just nods at her reply. John plunks down and he looks at him. "Sweet, darling innocent me? Talk DIRTY? No way." he claps his brother on the arm. "You know one of the best things about Stephanie? She's sort of taught me what it's like to have a close family. So .. lets not ... you know ... be how we tend to be with each other. Yes, that means you'll see me more than a few times a year."

Stephanie smiles and sips the last of her coffee, watching the brothers.

John gives Michael a crinkly eyed grin "That'd be alright with me Mikey, and the kid of course."

Michael smiles. "Naturally." he pauses. "Take care, bro." he knows his brother needs to get going.

John claps Michael back on his own shoulder as he stands and then says to Stephanie "Keep him out of trouble eh?"

Stephanie giggles and stands up and then hugs John unexpectedly "No guarantees there. It was nice to meet you John."

John freezes at first and then hugs her back, chuckling to Michael "OK I definitely like this one best."

Those Three Little Words

*****WARNING*****This blog post contains graphic sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.
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At the wedding of her cousin Tomiko, Stephanie grabs Michael's hand and pulls him away from her Uncle Kuro. He's a sweet old man but the Saki has gotten to him and he's starting to rant in Japanese, forgetting that her date doesn't speak a word. Stephanie is grateful though because he's launched into some story about the indecent monkey in the Tokyo zoo and the details of his great affection for the plush toys the keeper left in the enclosure.

She was wearing a white satin dress with large eyelet lace detailing. It was flattering with a plunging neckline and a skirt went to about mid thigh. Her heels were delicate looking strappy little white numbers and she'd traded in her glasses for contacts and taken the time to put on gentle toned makeup that just perfectly gave an edge to her natural beauty.

Sakura and Hiroshi have already left, taking her son Tristan along with them for a sleepover at their house so Stephanie and Michael can have a proper date. Ryan and India are still on the dance floor looking very sweet. Garrett is chatting and drinking a glass of wine with a few other Yamada cousins.

Stephanie can't stop laughing as she and Michael stumble outside into the pleasantly cool night air "I'm so glad you couldn't understand him. That was very weird. Come mere, I know a secret place..." She leads Michael around the building into a little path. It becomes the most magical garden as it opens from a small tunnel with a courtyard full of Japanese Maple trees, low fragrant cedars and a square little pond. On the pond are floating lanterns, gently twirling and passing each other. The pond has a little red wooden bridge over it and she walks them to the centre. The water twinkles below them, the moonlight reflected back at their faces from it. Stephanie looks up at Michael with absolute adoration.

Michael sat and listened to the old Japanese man speak to him. Michael didn't speak a word of Japanese, not considering 'sushi' to really count. He had matched Stephanie's outfit, outfitting himself in a white suit and dress shoes, offset with an olive green tie that perfectly matched his eyes. Eyes had been on him as Stephanie walked him around and he played the eye candy role perfectly, up to and including nodding blankly while the drunk uncle went on and on about who knew what.

Stephanie freed him and took him away from it all. "Do I want to know the gist?" he wonders, chuckling with her. They enter the secret space and he gapes, open mouthed. It's beautiful .. he loved gardens .. but this was like some kind of dream. "Wow ... this place is ... perfect, Steph." he moves to the little bridge and stands on it, almost as if wondering if it could take his weight. He holds his hand out for her to take. "Now that we're alone ... I have something I want to tell you..." he warns her.

Stephanie had been smiling and then looks a little worried "Uh oh...." She jokingly wipes at her nose like he's just going to say she has a booger, and not the fear that he's going to say "this has been fun but..."

Michael reaches out for her and gently pulls her close. "You look perfect." and, knowing he has a reputation for dragging things out, her 'uh oh' makes him realize that the long and drawn out speech he had all but practiced in a mirror would probably drive her insane. He looks down at her and makes eye contact. "Iontas." he uses her new nickname. "I love you."

Stephanie looks at Michael breathlessly for a long moment like he hit her in the gut with a bowling ball. Her eyes fill with tears and then she smiles sliding her hands up his arms and around the back of his neck "I love you too. I've been fighting not to say it...in case it was just me.." she laughs a bit and then kisses him tenderly.

For half a second, Michael thinks he has blown it and big time. Then her eyes fill and she speaks and he nearly sags with relief. "You too?" he says after the kiss. "I've been afraid . I was just .. the eye candy ... maybe better than a vibe." he confesses. "Or worse ... that you'd think I couldn't because I've identified as gay all my life." he caresses her face. "It's not just you." and he leans in for another kiss ... deeper this time.

Stephanie kisses him back urgently for a long time and then pulls away to answer him but still hangs onto him, standing on her tiptoes "I never assumed that. I was just scared...better now. I almost told you about 5 times the night you slept at my place."

Michael leans a little bit on the bridge, not TOO worried about his white pants. He's closer to her height and he spreads his legs so she can move closer. Laughing he admits. "Me too. But I didn't want to do it there ... it ... I wanted it to be something we'd remember as special .. not something we whisper in the dark as if your father will walk in at any moment with a cleaver." he teases, referring to Hiro and the cabbage.

Steph giggles "He would too...but then he'd offer you food so it's all good." She looks seriously at him "You are way more than eye candy to me Michael. I don't think I've ever even imagined being this in love with anyone....it's overwhelming."

Michael snorts. "Right now India beats me eating, but once she has that baby of hers, I guess your brother only has me to worry about." he grins and seriouses up as well. "It kind of is." he agrees. "That's why I call you Iontas. Falling in love with you ... was very unexpected for me. I didn't realize it, to be honest, until .. well .. until I got hard while we were kissing. That .. told me a LOT." he shrugs. "That's never happened ... with anyone. Any woman, at least."

Stephanie can't help but giggle a little "So love starts in your pants. I can SO work with that." she teases and then cuddles into him.

Michael looks mock insulted. "Hey, even a gay guy will get excited if he's grabbed and fondled too much." he protests, holding her close. "But you had my mind a while ago." he admits. "So now what? I brace for more Uncle Kuro stories?"

Stephanie rolls her eyes and chuckles "Uh huh. If you want to learn Japanese you can hear all his weird stories. Tonight's was about a monkey in the Tokyo zoo who had to have all the stuffed animals removed from his enclosure because he kept trying to mate with them. He had a particular fondness for Pikachu during the whole Pokemon Go craze start up. The kids were catching more than they bargained for. "Pikachu, I choose you!" She jokes.

Michael laughs. "Seriously? A pervert Pikachu raping monkey?" he seems to consider it. "Well, I'd like to learn Japanese, but not for that. Not even for dear Uncle Kuro. I'd learn it for you, if you wanted me to." he offers. He pulls her close. "I choose you." he grins.

Stephanie bites her lip and looks at him and then blatantly slides her hand down to the front of his pants "Gotta catch em all right? What was it you said about grabbing and fondling?" She catches his lips in hers for a slow lingering kiss, her lips tugging at his hungrily.

Michael begins to react immediately, but fights it. "Oh you caught m me, put me in a little ball and set me on your shelf." he grins. "Oh that. If you grab and fondle, it grows. But be careful, because it can turn into one hell of a mess." he kisses her back. "God, this has been a great day. I mean .. the insane relatives make me think of MY family, but its STILL been relaxing." He dramatically casts his eyes towards his groin. "But not TOO relaxing." he kisses her again. "So we have to keep being social?"

Steph gives him a little squeeze and takes her hand away, not really planning to go for it in the garden beside her family wedding. However she does make a suggestion "We could slip away anytime..." she about to kiss him back when the unmistakable sound of a human vomiting emits from the entrance to the garden followed by swearing in Japanese. Stephanie turns "Uncle Kuro? Are you OK?" She winces at Michael and looks back to her uncle.

Michael would probably go for it, but would understand Stephanie's reluctance. Before he can suggest that they definitely slip away the bucket of cold water known as Uncle Kuro vomits. Michael looks at the older man with concern. He asks the same question, but he asks it in German, not YET releasing Steph to check.

Uncle Kuro staggers a bit and then vomits again into a shrub and starts moaning. Stephanie pulls away reluctantly "Ok we need to get him inside and find his wife.....dammit..." She walks to her Uncle and waits out his need to just hang over the shrub. The smell is putrid.

Michael blows out a breath. "Well, at least its not a disaster." he moves over and slips a bit into cop mode. Helping the older man up, he guides him back and to his wife, who thanks him and bows. Kuro turns and bows as well ... and throws up on Michael's shoes. With a sigh he catches a single person giggling. Ryan. At least he was in a good mood ... they both needed some normalcy. "I think it's time for me to say my goodbyes and leave."

Stephanie looks apologetically at Mike's shoes "I'll get you some paper towel and meet you at the car. Don't worry about making the rounds. Tomiko will understand." She catches Ryan still grinning and points at him with a warning look. She gives India a little smile after and then fetches the paper towel and follows Mike. She hands him the paper towel very quietly.

Micheal nods. "Thanks." he tells Stephanie and gives Ryan a look that tells him he will remember this, but cheers up when India punches him in the arm. He takes the paper towel and cleans up his shoes. After they are clean, he tosses the paper towels and heads for his car. "Good thing this is actually part of the job." he quips as he gets in behind the wheel. "And overall ... I still consider this wedding a positive experience. Kuro throwing up on me .... well no one else in your family has, so I am going to tell myself I passed muster." he winks and pulls onto the expressway towards the hotel. He didn't tell her which one.

Stephanie laughs "It's not some kind if Yamada hazing I swear. That typically involves a nappa cabbage and a salmon beheading. Where did you book us?"

Michael snorts. "Yea ... maybe." he winks at her, keeping his eyes on the road. It isn't a long drive and he pulls off and casually answers. "The Waterfront."

Steph's jaw drops a bit "Mike...that's a little high end. Please let me chip in if you charged it on credit."

Michael glances at her and stops at a red light. He turns his head. "Not this time." he insists. "I made these reservations the morning after Thanksgiving. Because I knew I was going to tell you that I loved you after this wedding. It's high end because we BOTH deserve it." he reaches to caress her face. "Right now I got no wife, no kid, no big bills. So let me do this, okay?" a horn honks. The light turned and he removes his hand and begins driving again.

Stephanie sighs, looking at Michael in awe. When the horn honks she tosses a glare back "Having a moment here asshat!" she calls to the other driver even though they cannot hear.


Michael chuckles as he drives on. The honker passes them and gives Michael the finger, which he returns, casually. "Now .. when you put a RING on it ... you can talk to me about not spending so much." he speaks with a touch of the flamboyant gay man, which is very much a joke coming from him. He returns to his normal tone. "Welcome to being loved by me, Stephanie Yamada. I don't do it often, but I think I do it well."

Stephanie cracks up "You want me to "out a ring on it"? She snorts "Which IT are you offering for said option? Not that you seem to need it...." She stops kidding around and becomes sincere "Well doesn't even scratch the surface. I'm glad you chose me though."

Michael laughs and shakes his head. "Ohhh ... man ... yea ... well.... put it where you want it, Iontas." he tempts. He bites his lip. "I chose you because if I was going to have a beard, I wanted a woman who I could talk to and could do the job right. Loving you .... I didn't choose to do that." he pulls into the hotels parking lot and parks the car.

Stephanie hops out and quips "And there was nothing in the brochure about puke in your shoes." She stands by the trunk ready to grab her small overnight bag and smiles at Michael.

Michael grins and pops the trunk. He and Steph can get their bags and he'll go in to check in. Afterwards, they go up to a high floor and Michael uses the key card to enter. The room is not a suite, but it is large. king sized bed, full bath, all the amenities, including a window that overlooks the water with a small table and two chairs in front of part of it. On the dresser sits an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and two glasses, that look like they were set their most likely while they were checking in. Michael leaves his shoes just in the door and walks in, looking at the luxurious room with satisfaction.

Steph took off her shoes in the elevator and was carrying them in. She drops them and her bag as she looks around "This is the size of my apartment...." She grins like a little kid at the king sized bed and then steps up on it and starts jumping up and down "I've always wanted to do this on one of these..."

Michael looks at her reaction and laughs as she jumps on the bed. He hops up and waits a moment and jumps with her. "You're bad!" he chuckles. Then he damn near hits his head on the ceiling and hops off. "OK, I am not ending this day with a concussion." he turns and heads for the window. "Champagne?" he asks, looking out at the view of the water.

Steph jump lands on her butt and swings her legs over the edge of the bed as she stands "Yes please." She walks to gaze out the window, rubbing Michael's back sweetly as he pours for them.

Michael pours two glasses and sets the bottle down. He offers her one. "I'm not sure what to toast to?" he admits, although the feeling is they should hope for something.

Stephanie takes and then raises her glass and says something in Japanese. She waits for a moment and then translates "Even monkeys fall from trees. We were made to love, and it so happens we crossed paths. The rest is simply gravity. To gravity and to falling."

Michael listens to her and nods slowly as she translates. "To Gravity and to falling." he repeats and moves to clink their glasses. He feels ... more stable now that he knows he isn't falling alone.

Stephanie feels this energy surrounding them, bouncing between them that's simply electric and indescribable. She takes a few sips and then steps in front of Michael to look out the window, leaning back on him and tugging his non champagne hand to pull his arm around her from behind. She just needs to be in his arms and cocoon in it.

Michael takes some sips and sets the glass down when she comes to him and wraps one arm around herself. He wraps the other around her and envelopes her at close to him as he can. There is no need to lean over to whisper in her ear, so he doesn't. His voice is soft, but normal. "Tonight is for us." he tells her. "Celebrating being of one mind ... both in love." he tightens his grip. "With each other no less." he looks out of the window and finally lowers his head to nuzzle at her neck as he takes in the incredible view.

Stephanie melts into him after reaching back around him to set down her glass. She slides her hands over his arms and tilts her head smiling at the nuzzling. For a talkative gal, she's uncommonly quiet, just completely absorbed in the moment.

For many long minutes, Michael is also silent. Enjoying the feel of her in his arms. The silence. A relationship like theirs, he suspects, will have few moments like this. When there is no one he cares about that may hear a shout or something. So he plans to enjoy these moments ... and give Steph as any as he can. He isn't rich, but he makes more than his salary would suggest. Turning his body sideways to the window, he catches her profile, taking in as much as he can.

Steph notices their profile too and sees Michael looking. She smirks " Are you checking your hair or checking me out?"


Michael snorts. "Definitely checking YOU out." he turns her to face him. "We don't have to whisper ... or speak low ... or show any restraint until noon tomorrow ....." he winks and leans in to kiss her. He figures they may come up for air ... and room service .. but unless The Waterfront catches fire ... he has no plans to leave the room.

Stephanie kisses him back hard but with more emotion behind it than before. They've admitted their feelings and her energy is raw and vulnerable. Pulling back a bit her kisses become softer, her hands running through his hair.

Michael adores being pulled into the kiss. Once it breaks and becomes softer, he eases her onto the small table and half sits her on it. Breaking it once again, he moves the glasses and ice bucket with bottle to the bed side table. Then he returns to her and sits on one of the chairs. He moves to unzip her dress and slide it off of her shoulders.


Stephanie looks lovingly at Michael and lets her dress slide to the floor. It had a built in bra so her small breasts are bare. She has on a very skimpy pair of nude bikini cut lace panties. They're just thin and see through enough that you can see the darkness of her pubic hair and the outlines of her labia in the mix.


Michael see her now in her panties and swallows hard. he loosens his tie and removes it, as well as his shirt. He is bare beneath and he looks up at her, adoringly as he hooks the panties and works them off of her. Only then does he spread her thighs and lower his head, kissing the area just above the pubic hair line.

Stephanie bites her lip as she looks at him shirtless. She runs her fingertips over his chest but then leans back letting him take off her panties. Every little touch from him gives her a bit of a charge. She gasps at his little kiss and slides a hand to the back of his neck.

Michael feels her touch and glances up at her. Spreading her thighs, he moves lower, kissing her labia and then parting the hair before he slides the chair back, leaning forward more comfortably for the first long and slow lick of her.

Steph shivers and arches her back "Ohmygod Michael... You are way too good at that." She presses against his tongue, opening herself to him, surrendering.

Michael simply looks up at her and begins to circle her clit with the tip of his tongue, like a man who has all the time in the world. His hands move to cup her ass on the table, clearly enjoying his meal.

Steph writhes and moans, not needing to be quiet this time. She tugs at his hair but not so hard that he'll think it's a sign to stop, because that's the last thing she wants.

Michael mostly ignores the tugging and spreads the labia apart a bit, giving himself more room to tease ... and tease is exactly his plan.

Steph squirms and lightly thrusts against his face muttering "You're evil but I love you." She can tell he's teasing now. Part of her wants it now but she's very much enjoying every sensation he's offering. Soon she's so hot and wet she's dripping on him and it runs down to the table in a warm slippery little pool under her.

Michael shrugs, lazily as the calls him a tease. When the puddle is under her, he winks and licks it up, then kisses the inside of her thighs. "God, I love your taste, woman." he murmurs. "Your voice as I drive you wild." he parts her hair again and 'batters' her clit with his tongue, as she seems to love it.

Steph is shaking now "Oh thank god.....I don't think I can be quiet." As the battering begins she cries out, not holding back on noise or reaction. They're finally alone with no disasters.

Michael grins a bit, then slows down for a few seconds and then speeds up for more. He doesn't want her to be quiet. But that won't stop him speeding up and slowing down the pleasure. he grips her ass, almost greedily as he feeds on her.

Stephanie starts rubbing against him as he pleasures her, moaning loudly with each rub. Her breath is coming in pants. Just when it seems like she's close to breaking point she pulls his face away, looks him right in the eyes and says desperately "Mike... I need you...please...please fuck me..."

Michael bites his lip and looks up at her. He kisses his way up her body to her lips as he undoes his belt and zipper, pulling down his boxers and pants in one smooth move and kicking them behind him. Breaking the kiss, he voice is deeper with his desire for her. "I love you, Steph." he slides into her and holds a moment, then lifts her a bit, using his upper body strength to move her to the bed and carefully lowering her shoulders onto the pristine mattress. He grabs her hips and begins to slide in and out of her, looking at her, his mouth half open in pleasure.

Stephanie's panting doesn't have time to slow as he's suddenly in her, every inch of him curing the deep ache inside her to have him fill up. She manages to breath out "I love you too." and then she's pushing and pulling with the in and out movements and moaning again, watching him feel it all too. There's a shift in the height of her pleasure, her connection to him. There is nothing else in the world right now but their bodies, hearts and souls joined and moving generating this incredible symbiotic force.

Michael withdraws and thrusts, pushing Stephanie further onto the bed. He leans forward, bracing himself using his toes on the carpet and bracing his knees on the edge of the mattress to compensate for the height difference. Placing his hands over her shoulders he thrusts into her with a passion heretofore unknown. There is nothing but Stephanie; making love to her, enjoying her, loving her. Leaning forward, he kisses her, beginning to sweat slightly from the exertions.

Stephanie is shuddering against Michael as her light sweat mingles with his now. Their bodies slide against each other. She arches her hips. pressing back hard as he's in her over and over again. She never wants it to stop but the universe as she knows it starts to expand and explode from somewhere deep within her being. She grips Michael's back and screams after kissing him back feeling a rush of sensation through her whole body flowing up through the top of her head, the soles of her feet, in all directions.

Michael is lost in her as deeply as it is possible for him to be. The feelings of his body are nearly overwhelming and when she grips his back, he can feel it and he begins to shudder himself. As her scream begins to fade, he begins a growl of his own. "Stephanie!" he thrusts three times and holds, unable to resist her a moment longer. Panting, he collapses onto his elbows and caresses her hair with a shaking hand.

Stephanie grips Michael tightly and just rides the rest of her wave, more like a tsunami, out as he cums. She trembles against him, feeling her pulse in her clit until it calms and all she feels is pure and absolute love for this beautiful man collapsed on her. She kisses at his hand caressing her and then his mouth tenderly.

Michael kisses her and, reluctantly, pulls out of her and pulls himself onto the bed. He sits up and takes her by the shoulders, pulling her into the fork of his legs. Canting his head so he can still look at her, he kisses her neck. Then he caresses her arm and lifts her hand to his lips again, still shaking very slightly as he recovers in comfort.

Stephanie smiles, melting into his affections, letting her hands caress him as she moves with him and then just wrapping her arms around him and holding him she says "You're it for me Michael Reinhardt."

Michael smiles. "I as just thinking something similar, Stephanie Yamada." he kisses her neck again. "You have my heart. More."

Stephanie closes her eyes and lets out a little "Mmmm...." She turns so she can look him in the eyes and traces his cheek bone with her finger and then winces slightly "Can you drive me somewhere other than home in the morning? I know it seems like a weird question."

Michael looks at her and the wince. "Of course. Where?" he hates to ask such a cliche question, but he does. "Did I hurt you?"

Stephanie laughs and pokes him "No...I think my body has finally figured out how to accommodate your girth quite happily." She smiles self consciously "We forgot something again...and this time it could be ill timed. I don't want to go to the Cedar Point Clinic with this one...but I think it might be a good idea to go to another one for a morning after pill, just in case....and then maybe ask about going ON the other pill. Alexandra has a walk in. We could do a day trip if we leave a little early?"

Michael begins to chuckle, then she continues and he winces. "Damn! I'm sorry, Stephanie. I ... never used condoms with Harley .. we were both clean and faithful .. and of course .. he wasn't going to get pregnant." he blows out a breath. "Sure thing. I have no problems with that." he bites his lip. "My brother lives in Alexandra...." he says, a little distractedly.

Steph hugs him "I have no regrets. I made the choice too Mike and that was fantastic. If you want to introduce us...maybe before I take the pill. They're supposed to make you feel pretty gross after for awhile."

Michael smiles and hugs her back. "Good." he considers. "I know Ryan and India got pregnant because of some kind of condom malfunction ... but I also think Ryan will make an INCREDIBLE father." he nods. "I need to text John, but he'll probably be fine with it. I don't think he has the kids this weekend." he hugs her. "We'll go back to my place and you can be gross there until you aren't anymore?" he looks over at his suit jacket, which is hanging on the back of a chair, as if willing it to come to him.

Stephanie watches him stare down his jacket "Use the force Luke....Trust your feelings.." she teases.

Michael snorts. "You took all my force for a little while." he quips. "And neither my light saber OR my magic want will reach." he gets up, and goes to bring his jacket, tossing it on the bed before getting right back into position behind her. He pulls out his phone and, with her in his embrace and the phone in front of them texts his brother. Gonna be in Alexandra tomorrow. Want you to meet someone. 9am? and sends it, murmuring. "Now lets see if he has a hot date." he sounds like that is unlikely. Sure enough within a minute he gets a reply Meet someone? You gettin married again? Poor girl! Yea. 9 Michael chuckles to himself and simply replies. See you @ 9

Stephanie watches the text exchange and giggles "I like him already. What does John do on Alexandra?"

Michael puts his phone back in the breast pocket of his suit jacket and drops it unceremoniously on the floor. "He does what he was born to do." he replies. "Boss people around like the minor deity he is." he chuckles. "Foreman at the Alexandra Metalworks." he puts his arms around her and pulls her close again. "When I was a kid, I worshiped him. Followed him around ... all that shit. Was pissed when I couldn't be the best man at his wedding ... but he let me be the ring bearer. I was adorable."

Stephanie leans her head back into Michael "Well seeing as how adorable you are now, I don't doubt it. So you're like Ryan....a much younger brother."

Michael grins. "Yea. Both of us are a dozen years between. Parents thought they were done then BAM ... but my father was a little more resentful about it than yours was. And I don't have a sister, which sort of annoyed my niece was born." he winks and kisses her cheek. "You're the older woman."

It dawns on Steph she's never actually asked as she leans into the kiss and smirks "I'm 38. How old are you Mike? Not that it matters beyond curiosity at this point in life."

He chuckles. "I'm legal." he assures her. "I'll be thirty-one on Christmas." his voice betrays he isn't thrilled to be a Christmas baby. "And when is your birthday? So I can plan another night like this one?"

Steph pokes him "Oh Christmas...how fun...well I guess not if people just combine. God I am an old lady....and a little older in May. May 15th. But Anna's nice enough to turn older before me. She's on Halloween. When you say another night like this one, do you mean specific to the hotel or just alone time and intimacy? Because I'm NOT waiting until May when you have a perfectly good apartment." she teases.

Michael shrugs. "It truly sucked for a while. My niece is the one that insisted I get a Christmas present AND a birthday present. Using her father's wallet, of course, but the has him wrapped around her little finger so snug I'm surprised it hasn't fallen off." he nods and makes a mental note, then grins. "Oh, I definitely mean alone time and intimacy. I figger it needs to be at least every couple months." he pauses. "Harley won a lottery a couple years before he died and left the balance of the money to me when he died ... or rather to Sara, who had it woven into our divorce agreement as alimony. It wasn't TOO much, for a lottery. He took it as an all at once payment. I'm getting five thousand a month for another fifteen years."

Stephanie's eyes go wide "That sounds like a lot. So Sara was good friends with Harley? Does she....know about me?"

Michael nods. "It was a little over a million once the lawyers and government got their cut. No Power win or anything but ... it was going to be our nest egg. Then it became MY nest egg." he grins. "Sara came to love Harley too. She's definitely one of my closest friends. And yes." he tightens his arms around her. "She knows about you. But she says she doesn't want to make you uncomfortable, which I don't get."

Steph nods along with all of this, looking supportive. She glances off thoughtfully at the part about Sara not wanting to make her uncomfortable "It sounds like she's trying to be respectful...or is SHE uncomfortable with US? Now I feel self conscious...." she laughs a bit.

Michael shakes his head. "Well, she IS very respectful. Part of our whole relationship was that if we found someone, it would be over. Had I come out of the closet with Harley, we would have gotten divorced, but since Harley went missing ... I didn't see a reason to keep her looking like an adulteress." he shrugs. "She's a great lady. And saved my ass for quite a while when Harley was around, so I can't imagine why she'd be uncomfortable."

Steph thinks as she talks "Didn't you say she's some kind of model? Maybe she just doesn't want to make me feel like a slacker." She jokes.

Michael snorts. "She's not like that, really. Sara felt pretty self conscious of her height, I know. She's six foot tall." he considers. "If anything she'd be jealous because you're so petite. Well, not jealous but ... I don't know." he laughs. "You are not a slacker. I love your size."

Stephanie snuggles up to him, feeling a moment of unease about Sara but shaking it off. She smiles at Michael "Well good." She gives him a little firm kiss "I love your size too..." she clears her throat a little and chuckles "In all departments."

Michael keeps her in his arms. "Thank you." he chuckles. "I will remember that when my brother teases you about my micro-penis." he winks. "Brothers ... I guess. Well, me and John. He told Sara he's seen me naked and can attest ... of course, I was a baby ... " he blows out a breath. "I seriously need to stop bringing up my ex-wife, even if it was a sham." he moves in to kiss her.

Stephanie kisses him back and then says "Well I'm not really the jealous type so it's OK."

Michael looks genuinely confused. "What's to be jealous about? You have me. All of me." he kisses her cheek. "I'm hungry."

Steph chuckles and rolls her eyes at Michael "Alright....what are you thinking? Room service?"

Michael brightens. "Absolutely room service. I don't plan to leave this room unless the building is on fire." he grins. "And after food food can come Steph food." he nods, reaching for the room service menu beside the bed.

Stephanie swats at him "Don't get cocky now." she teases "and don't call my privates food."

Michael looks exasperated. "But, but but ...." he protests. "That's my sustenance now. If I thought I could, I really would live off of eating you daily." he scoffs. "I am SO glad I don't have to tell my brother he was right. He already thinks I love eating pussy ... which I do ... I just didn't until you came along."

Steph smiles but there's a warning look in her eyes "Your skills aside, don't make me kick your ass Mike. What kind of food do they have on that thing?"

Michael looks at her, oddly intrigued. "You'd kick my ass?" for a moment he looks as if he might just start something, then looks on the menu. "Steak, shrimp, lobster, pork, salad ... it's like a restaurant." he muses holding it open in front of them both.

Steph looks ready to accept the challenge but then food distracts her "Ooooh chicken fingers...I could go for those." Clearly Ryan hadn't mentioned her secret mad skills with nerve pinching and her surprise wiry strength.

Michael nods and scans the menu as he thinks he may have a trick or two Ryan didn't. "Chicken fingers. Ok ..." he peruses the menu himself and reaches for the phone. "Hey. I'd like to order room service." he nods. "Chicken fingers. The steak ... and the shrimp ... and two tirimasu, please." he strokes Steph's belly absently, not trying to tickle but who knows.

Stephanie squirms just a bit as he does hit a tickle spot but tries not to disrupt his call. She slides her hand over his to still the movement and purses her lips.

Michael arches his brows, but says nothing to Steph. Into the phone, he considers. "No ... I think that's about it ... he glances at the menu. Oh, wait. can you put some rosemary on the baked potato with the steak? Thanks." he listens a moment more and hangs up. "They'll have it up her in about twenty minutes. They mean business here."

Steph perks up at the rosemary idea "That sounds tasty. You must be really hungry...oh that's right it was Japanese food tonight." she quips at him "You might like my Dad's teriyaki steak better than the sushi at the restaurant."

Michael grins. "I love rosemary." he laughs at her quip. "Actually this is a cheat day for me. Knowing about the wedding, I didn't have my usual and ... Thanksgiving is sort of an automatic cheat day for me. And I CAN pack it away." he arches his brows. "Think he'd make some for me?" he wonders. "I mean ... I'm not looking at cabbage the same way anymore, so I don't really want him to ruin steak." he teases. He figures it was paternal posturing, which he suspected he may start seeing in his brother now that his niece/s were getting older.

Stephanie bursts out laughing now "Oh you poor thing....Seriously my Dad is so mellow compared to some. Well actually among my friends, Anna's Dad's a hippie. The worst thing she could do is date a guy who votes conservative and works for Monsanto. Tam's Dad took some work but he's pretty chill now. But yeah, the only guys my Dad's ever seriously threatened...well...was Colin. And yes he'd make you steak....happily."

Michael laughs. "Well you know i have a niece. My brother is .. well .. you'll see. Last time I saw him, though, he was only complaining about her music playing. But so far, no mention of boys." he arches his brow. "I can see the Chief being overprotective. Not sure how Ryan would be if they have a girl." he pauses. "But my mother was pretty harsh on John's girlfriends. I told her she never met any of mine because she put all John's through the ringer." he smirks. Of course, their were no girlfriends for his mother to meet, but the excuse was a handy one.

Steph snorts "You mean Callahan with Tam's? Oh my god....he was a bit of a freak. He actually didn't even care that his daughter was dating a woman...just that they kept it from him for about half a year when Tams was a rookie cop. I think Ryan would completely dote on whatever they have. He already does with Tris....my brothers both let him get away with murder." She laughs about Mike's girlfriend excuse with his mother..

Michael looks interested. "Really? That sounds more like me. Not caring if my kid was gay or straight." he grins. "Oh I'm sure they'd scold him if he committed murder." he teases. "Your son has some great male role models in his life." he sounds a little envious.

Steph picks up on the envy a bit "I know we lucked out considering who the sperm donor was. But I think because Colin bailed, my brothers stepped up more than they normally would have. Dad too...I mean I dunno, he set a high standard with how much he was there for us all too so that rubbed off."

Michael nods. "John sort of tried, but he was twelve when I was born. I don't know if he was more father to me or brother sometimes. Your dad IS awesome ... that's a great thing to have." he strokes her face. "I'll do my best not to get on the bad side of the men in your family." he doesn't want to lose or even spoil what hes found with her.

Stephanie smiles at him "Relax, they already like you. And Mom likes everyone." She thinks "I think Tristan's good with it. I haven't really had a significant romantic partner in his lifetime so this is new for him."

Michael blinks. "Wait ... Tristan knows about us?" he hadn't realized she had gone so far.

Stephanie nods "I don't shelter the kid. I told him after thanksgiving that you were becoming important to me. He asked if you were my boyfriend and I said you were. He took it well. He said you were a cool guy."

Michael looks a little surprised. "He did?" he smiles at her. Somehow that means a lot to him. Not just that but that she wouldn't hide their relationship for ever. "Wow..."

Stephanie smirks "Probably for the best in case you ever get busted using the bathroom in the middle of the night at my place. Tristan does NOT always sleep that well."

That surprises a laugh out of Michael. "Makes sense. I can't really pass for Santa .. and I don't want him to beat my ass like his mother would." he looks down at her curiously. "You know ... I think I might LIKE wrestling with you ..."

Stephanie gives Michael a look that's somewhere between vicious and amorous and it about to retort when there's a knock at the door "Room Service" a voice calls from the hall. Steph winks "Saved by the bell.'

Michael grumbles. "Damn it." and gets out of the bed. He grabs his boxers out of his suit pants and slips into them. Glancing back he makes sure Steph is at least under something, then goes to the door and opens it. A youngish man wheels in a cart laden with covered dishes. Michael turns and heads for his jacket to retrieve his wallet and the mans tip.

Rowley Jacobs was doing his first proper room service delivery on his first night shift at The Waterfront. He was 18 years old as of yesterday and this was his grown up job. He was an awkward and slightly portly young man with a slight stutter that worsened under pressure. His Uncle Leon was the CEO of the hotel firm and had gotten him the job, thinking it was time for him to leave the sheltered cul-de-sac and paper route of his younger years. Rowley prided himself on being responsible. He had been the treasurer for his high school student council and he was head of his chess club. He had wispy blonde bowl haircut, a cherubic face, and a lingering case of acne. The vest on his uniform was a little snug on him and the black dress pants rode up in a slightly unflattering manner. As instructed in his training he wheeled the cart into the room and then looked up from it to see a huge red haired man in nothing but his boxer shorts fumbling for something in a suit jacket. There was a Japanese woman with a blanket pulled up to her neck in the bed. She laughed and waved at him. Rowley had been warned of these sorts of scenarios but now that he was faced with his first, he simply stood aghast with his mouth hanging open for a moment. He had no personal experience with bedroom scenes and quickly focused his gaze on the food tray with wide eyes.

Michael realizes his wallet is in his pants and moves to the table to get them where they were kicked away when he and Steph first began their lovemaking. The chair is still kicked over, the table bare. He finds his pants and pulls out his wallet. Straightening, he turns to see the tray in the room and the young delivery man standing with his mouth open. Michael approaches him. "Thanks. I'm starved." he opens his wallet and makes the calculations in his head, deciding on the tip. He teases out the bills to make it a generous one and offers the young man the bills. He inhales slowly, as the kid is kind of slow and notices the smell of sex in the air. The kid looked young. Possibly he did not have the experience of this sort of a delivery, as innocent as it was.

Rowley seems a little stunned at it all and then his head snaps up and carefully just looks at the man's face as he takes the bills "Thank yyy.....ou Ssss...sir. Will there bbbbbbbbb.....bee anything...... else?" He spits out.

Stephanie disappears completely under the covers and presses her face into the pillows to hide her laughter.

Michael maintains a straight face as the boy takes the bills. Taking the lad by the shoulder, Michael turns him around and leads him back through the door. :No, son. We have everything we need." and he closes the door behind him. Returning to Steph, he sits on the bed and shakes his head. "Ok .... was he just stunned by your beauty or .. what am I missing?"

Steph emerges from the blankets and is laughing hysterically "Mike, did you see the guy? He's probably super embarrassed because he's never been laid...I know that's mean but...seriously..."

Michael laughs. "OK, OK, I saw it. But he didn't come in while I was on top of you .. or .. or when you were on the table, for fucks sake." he stands as he laughs and moves to the tray. "I guess his imagination is running away with him now." he glances over his shoulder. "Shall I serve you in bed, or at the table, meine liebe?"

Stephanie laughs and shakes her head "He would get QUITE the education, but no." She looks at the little cart "Why don't we just wheel it over here beside the bed and have a picnic. No need to serve, just feast." She hops off the bed for a moment and grabs her tshirt nightgown from her overnight bag and then hops back on "I'm not closing up shop, just more comfy for eating for us non-nudists."

Michael grins and wheels the cart over. He dramatically unveils the plates and bows before getting back in bed with her, leaving his boxers on. "Television? Conversation? Both? Neither?" he picks up a fork and hovers between the steak and the shrimp. "By the way ... help yourself to my food." he tells her and looks at her with grin. "Even my tiramisu." he will share it with her. Gladly.

Steph picks up the plate of chicken fingers and the dipping sauce and pulls it onto her lap on top of the blanket "You're welcome to these too. Conversation yes, TV maybe."

Michael begins by cutting up his steak, just in case she wants some. Then he stands and finds their wine glasses and brings them over with the bottle. Still cold. He sips and makes himself comfortable again. "Thanks." he eats a piece of the steak and sips the champagne again. "Steph, do you think I could learn Japanese?" he asks, curious. "I've hear its a pretty tough language to grasp." he reaches over for a shrimp.

Stephanie dips a chicken finger and nods "You speak German, Gaelic and... Did you do French well in school?"

Michael consumes the shrimp, then takes a fork and mashes the baked potato with rosemary up. He nods. "I got an A, but it might be rusty. I didn't get to use it too much in the Devils Kitchen." he admits. "SO Japanese is one language too many?"

Stephanie shakes her head while chewing and then swallows and offers "No I think that means you have an aptitude. There's a major difference with the characters and the reading direction being vertical but that just takes a bit of practice. "

Michael nods and takes in more beef and potato. "Makes sense, but I was raised speaking both Gaelic and German, as well as English. I wasn't thirty." he replies after swallowing. "It just wasn't a language I wanted to know, ever. Now..." he shrugs and picks up another shrimp. "Things are different." he pops it in his mouth and chews.

Stephanie teases "So you can hear all those dirty monkey stories from Uncle Kuro at the next family wedding?"

Michael is sipping his champagne and almost chokes. He covers his mouth and swallows, then looks at Steph with a mock serious expression. "Exactly. I really feel that Kuro and I missed out on an opportunity to bond." he sinks at her and continues to eat steadily from both plates.

Steph giggles and steals a shrimp now "I knew it. I suppose aside from that it would serve you well if we ever travel to that part of the world together one day." She says it like it's a reasonable possibility in her mind.

Michael nods. "That too." he agrees. "I mean drunk seems to sound almost the same in any language. Kuro reminds me a little bit of my uncle Ulick." he goes for a chicken strip. "But Kuro tells stories that he doesn't experience personally ...." he bites and chews, thoughtfully. "That WAS something he heard online or in the papers or ... something." he adds, hopefully.

Stephanie chuckles "Yeah I hope so, although he HAS been to the Tokyo zoo...so I dunno. Ulick must be delightful then." she jokes as she reaches for another shrimp "Oh these are so fresh! Impressive." It's high praise from a woman who works at a sushi place that buys fresh off the boats almost daily.

Michael chuckles. "Ulick is ... well hes a couple inches taller than I am .. and wider across the shoulders. He's almost boring when he is sober. But drunk .... he's damn entertaining." he smiles at her review of the shrimp and is glad she is impressed. "What do you guys usually do for Halloween?" he wonders, never having spent a Halloween in Cedar Point.

Stephanie looks amused by the description of Ulick and then answers the Halloween question "Tristan has a good plan he's been doing for a few years with his friends...thank god. It's nutso busy for take out for us at work. People are rushing home, trying to get their kids organized and get ready for trick or treaters so who wants to cook right? So thankfully, Tris goes out with the Chen kids and the Standford twins who live on Galley. They meet in front of Chen's which makes it easy for me to see he's off safely. Jade Chen usually goes and watches them from afar, which is comforting because I don't know the Standfords THAT well.They seem pleasant though and Tris says they have the best house on Halloween." She pauses and then gestures at Michael "This is your first in Cedar Point hey? Angie kind of kicks most of the cops out of the front office and runs the safety info stuff. She loves Halloween. What do you usually do?"

Michael nods slowly. "Sounds like a good plan." he picks at the last of the baked potato, looking a little shy. "In the Devil's Kitchen, me and the other cops would take groups of kids trick or treating. Safer that way there. But here ... I volunteered to take any kid that wanted to over to Cedar Point for Trick or Treating. Them being sister cities and all. My brother took me Trick-or-treating when I was a kid ... of course he promptly stole half my candy ... or told me it was his legitimate fee." he chuckles.

Stephanie looks impressed "That is very cool Mike." she miles a bit sheepishly now "I totally used to steal Ryan's candy with the same excuse. But you both turned into REALLY health conscious adults. I think John and I are going to get along well." she teases "Horrible older siblings unite!"

Michael chuckles. "Well, yea. Ryan is more a runner and I go more for strength." he groans. "God, I didn't even think about that." he grins. "You two can exchange stories and John can tell you exactly how easy it is to beat me in a fight now that I'm a little bigger than I was when I was ten ...."

Stephanie viciously bites her next shrimp and then mutters "My plan is working ...perfectly...." with a delightfully evil glint in her eyes.

Michael narrows his eyes. "What plan is this, lady?" he demands, stabbing one of the last pieces of steak with his fork. "You think you can beat me? I teach pregnant women self-defense!" he tries to look serious and almost makes it.

Stephanie darts forward and bite steals a piece of steak right off the fork with a challenging look "You're cute."

Michael looks mock offended that she stole his food. Then he looks left and fight, waving his hand and shushing her. "Don't let that get out!" he leans forward. "You're cuter, tho. But I'm kinda biased. Your love sick man toy and all." he'll give her a quick peck on the lips.

Steph pecks back and smiles, blushing a bit "Mmm it'll go right to my head."

Michael rests his forehead against hers. "Fine by me." he tells her. "I remember warning you that I would spoil you if I got half a chance." he pauses. "Didn't I?" he asks, as if he's forgotten.

Stephanie leans sweetly into him "I'm beginning to figure that out." she teases "I love you Mike."

Moving On

Michael Reinhardt steps into the Cedar Park Cemetery and heads straight for the cement coffin of Harley Bell. For a few minutes, he tends the grave, making sure that it is neat. Then he kneels in the grass and sighs. "Meine liebe." he begins, reaching out to tenderly touch the concrete. "I miss you so much .... you know I moved here to be closer to your memory. I visit this old man who saw you vanish. SO .. I know you are ... somewhere. But, I don't know where!" he swallows his frustration. "I will keep searching. And I hope that, wherever you are you are healthy and happy." he pauses. "But something has happened, Harley. Something that has completely taken me by surprise." he pauses for a long time. "Har ... I've fallen in love." he barks a small laugh. "With a WOMAN! Can you believe it?" he pauses a few more seconds. "I didn't understand it at first. She was only supposed to be a beard. You know. But I realized ... I felt about her the way I felt about you when you were here." he blows out a breath and sighs. "You were my first love .. but so is she? How does that WORK, Har? You were the brains of what we were." he reaches out to stroke the cold concrete. "But ... I am going to tell her, Harley. That I love her. Maybe I am being stupid, but ... I'm going to tell her. This Saturday." he blows out a breath. "What am I going to do if she just smiles and laughs and tells me I'm a great fuck and all, but ... that's all I am to her. Eye candy. The beards beard." he sighs. "I'm even afraid of rejection, like I was with you." he pats the coffin. "I'm not saying 'Goodbye', Har. No way will you be forgotten. But I wanted to let you know ... it's time for me to move on. I didn't think I COULD love again, so this ... it s doubly beautiful and special and ... surprising for me." he clears his throat, gruffly. "Please ... please be happy for me, Harley. Because I'm HAPPY. For the first time since you ... vanished ... I'm deliriously happy. And my relationship with Stephanie has been full of pits lately." he blows out a breath. "But ... yea ...." he stands. "It's time for me to move on ... thank you for what you helped make me, Harley. I'll never forget it ... or you." he turns then and begins to walk away, brushing a tear away as he does.

Love is like falling and falling is like this.....Michael and Stephanie

*****WARNING*****This blog post contains graphic sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.
__________________________

This post has a musical accompaniment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAr2Stq4Hls

Thanksgiving Monday night, later, around 9:30 pm


Michael Reinhardt went home and changed out of his uniform and into casual jeans and a light sweater. He didn't want to arrive in uniform and alarm Steph. It was bad enough he was arriving unannounced, which in his world never meant anything good. Once he was dressed, he grabbed his keys and got into his car, heading for Steph's place. Without planning to say anything, he simply went to the door and rang the bell.

Stephanie is standing in front of the fridge looking at the fruit options for packing into Tristan's lunch when the doorbell rings and she cringes. He JUST fell asleep. She tiptoe dashes to the door and opens it. Stephanie can't help but smile, seeing Michael, but yanks him in with a finger to her lips and then tiptoes down the hall to Tristan's room and carefully peers in the door. He had stirred and rolled but not fully woken. She silently pulls his door to almost shut and turns back to face Michael with a dramatic hand on the heart gesture of relief. She gestures at the living room which is off to the side enough not to be in earshot. They live on the first floor apartment of a duplex near the edge of town. It's a long skinny suite with the rooms all to one side of a hallway. As she approaches Michael now she relaxes more, steps into his space and up on her toes, wrapping her arms around his neck and starting to lean in to give him a kiss.

At Steph's yank and subsequent looking in and closing Tristans door, Michael realizes he'd timed it right. Tristan was in bed and asleep. He takes a selfish moment, taking her in his arms and enjoying the kiss. Then he breaks it and looks at her. "Hey." he offers a half grin, unable to fake the happiness he should be feeling at this moment. Something is on his mind and he doesn't bother hiding it ... not from Steph. This woman was blessed ... or cursed ... with the 'real' Michael.

Steph frowns a little, picking up on Michael's mood and runs her fingers through his hair on one side of his face just behind his ear "You ok?" She asks with concern. Steph knows all too well from Ryan and Tams how stressful Michael's job can be and he's just come off a shift.

Michael looks down at her and smiles a little at her caress. "Yes and no." he sighs and motions to her couch. "I have some news for you." he leads her to the couch and sits, wondering where he should start .. exactly.

Stephanie sits and reaches for Michael's hand "Ok out with it then." She's a little worried but wants whatever it is just dealt with. She has her suspicions that Colin may be involved with how slowly Michael is getting to it.

Michael grins. "Right .. no beating around the bush .. sorry. You know me .. habit." he remembers their first picnic breakfast, then moves on. "The Alexandra Pharmacy was robbed a few hours ago." he pauses a moment and decides against confusing things by telling her about Adum Brate. First things first. "In a shootout with police, a gunman was shot and killed. Ryan has already positively identified him as Colin Rankin."


Stephanie's eyes go wide and and she freezes for a few seconds and then exhales "Ok. I don't know how to feel about that... Honestly a little relieved, but then guilty for even thinking it... Wow.... Ryan IDed him? That must have been weird for him... And he didn't call me...Oh wait, did you like draw the short straw?" She jokes darkly.


Michael nods. "Yea ... I'm actually a little torn myself." he admits. He shrugs and offers a slightly dark smile of his own. "I volunteered to come tell you. Tams offered but ... given the ... nature of our relationship and the circumstances ...." he sighs deeply. "Colin got in the shootout with Adum Brate." he doesn't bother to tell her who Adum is ... she knew. "Adum was shot in the head. He's out of surgery now .. in serious but stable condition in the intensive care ward."


At this news Stephanie looks hard hit and closes her eyes like she's trying to block it from sinking in. When she opens them they're filled with tears and just squeaks out "Oh god....Is Ryan OK? Fuck.....why did Colin have to ruin our whole fucking lives? Adum just got married....god poor Megan... Now I'm glad Colin's dead."

Michael shrugs and pulls Steph close, hoping that will help her. "He's pretty gut punched. I know he's going to take some time off to visit in the hospital, of course." he pauses. "No one knows why he did any of this yet. But ... it's one hell of a mess." he understates.

Steph leans into Michael and softens, still crying but not hysterical like she was after the robbery. Her heart aches for the people who are close to Adum mostly. It's all so unfair. She buries her face in Michael's chest and the warmth of her breath can be felt going into it.


Michael holds her. "Do you need me to stay?" he asks. It's not the come on it may sound like. He doesn't mean it like that. "On the couch, even." he clarifies. He isn't leaving until he is assured she is alright, but things are a tad different now ... they are at her place.


Steph pulls back enough to look at Michael and smiles through her tears "Tristan tends to sleep in. We can set an alarm and get up before him. There's a bathroom between the bedrooms even...but he does get up in the night so....just sleep...or uh.... very quiet activities if...." Steph blushes a bit "If we don't just..... sleep."

Michael nods and grins. "Gotcha." he arches a brow. "I can do quiet, can you?" he teases. "Because I am your boy toy. Your arm candy. You play when ever you want, ma'am." and he winks.

Stephanie grins and takes Michael by the hand leading him very quietly to her room. Her whole apartment is very tidy and her bedroom was no exception. It was minimalist with light stained modern wood furniture. The curtains and bedspread were green and blue with a leafy pattern. There were black and white vintage prints on the wall as well as a nature scene of a lake surrounded by mountains in colour. Stephanie closed the door and turned a little lock on the knob.


Michael allows himself to be led and, when Stephanie closes and locks the door, turns to her in the dark and places a pale finger against his own lips. The only audible noise is his quiet "Shhhh."

For some reason Michael's demand is almost painfully erotic to Steph. Her lips part and her eyes rove up and down him hungrily. She tugs him a little closer to her bed and starts trying to just yank of his sweater. If she gets that out of the way she'll start kissing him urgently and between kisses pull at the rest of his clothes caressing the skin beneath and craving all of him unfettered by attire.


Micheal takes his sweater off as soon as he can, discarding it in a random direction He is no slob, but when eager to be naked, he knows he can always clean up later. As she undresses him, he undresses her, and does it all silently. He is excited and eager, but only half erect by the time they are both naked.

Stephanie runs her hands all over his muscular form and then follows with a trail of kisses starting at his neck, descending down as she sinks to her knees in front of Michael. When she gets to his cock she wraps her fingers around it and then slides her mouth over the tip, warm and wet.


Michael follows her with his eyes as she sinks to her knees and wraps her fingers around him. He closes her eyes and can feel his own cock twitch in anticipation. Soundlessly, he lowers himself, sitting on the edge of the bed with her between his knees. Keeping quiet he leans forward a bit, grasping her shoulder and rubbing her back with one hand.


Stephanie moves with him, pulled off briefly to make eye contact and yank out her hair elastic. She gives him a wanting look and shakes her head around. When she dips back down her silky straight black hair cascades across his pelvis and around the edges of his inner thighs. She wraps her fingers around again securing them just under the head of his cock. She closes her mouth long enough to gather saliva so when she slides her mouth over him again she wets her hand and it dribbles a little down the shaft as she starts to move hand and mouth in unison up and down. The wetness increases with prolonged movement so that there is a rhythm in the soft sound of her jacking and sucking.


Michael strokes the freed hair, running his fingers through it as she begins her play. He hisses in a breath softly, but says not a word. Plans to touch her go out the window as she begins the combination of jacking and sucking. Growing fully hard in her mouth, he leans back on one elbow, some of her silky hair in his other hand. He watches her with desire growing in his eyes.


Stephanie feels his cock expand in her mouth and smiles a bit as she keeps going. It seems to be working so she doesn't change her pattern but manages to look up at him intensely, his expression of desire fueling her cause. She slides her other hand that she's not jacking with down to his balls and caresses them exploring gently to the tender areas under and the little spot at the very bottom. She presses the flat pad of her middle finger into that area gently to see if it's a potential trigger for him.


Michael suppresses a moan as she continues to work on him. His hips arch up a bit at the feel of her finger and he inhales audibly, biting his lip hard... he looks at her with desire and an almost mockingly warning look in his eyes. She is learning about him with lightening speed.


Stephanie remembers the hips arching from before as a sign he's getting close. She keeps her speed the same but tightens her grip just a little with her fingers and now rubs at the trigger spot with her other finger since he seems to like it. She meets the warning look with a wanting one, loving getting him so worked up and really wanting to get him off now.


Michael's breathing becomes heavier. His attempts to physically relax can be felt, but her rubbing is driving him crazy. Both of his hands drop to the edge of the bed and he grunts, his head snapping up and his jaw tensing as she pushes him over the edge and a moment later, he begins to release into her mouth.

Stephanie takes the first bit of it in her mouth but then pulls back and keeps jacking him as she lets him cum over the softness of her breasts, using the tip of his cock to rub her nipples, which have hardened in the moment. She swallows what's in her mouth and smiles, closing her eyes, soaked in the juices of his beautiful explosion.

Taking a moment to recover, Michael takes her by the shoulders and encourages her to stand. As her breasts come into view, he begins to lick her clean, taking his own cum back into himself and allowing his hands to caress her back, finally cupping her ass.


Stephanie shivers as she stands, seeming a little weak in the knees from his licking and her desire for him. She stands openly as he cups her ass, surrendering to anything he has in mind. She know she can't really talk but she can't help but whisper "God you're so hot....I want days and days in bed with you Mike..."

Michael cleans her thoroughly and hears her whisper. He leans back on the bed, pulling her with him, even as he pulls himself up on the bed more. Laying her on her back, he lays casually on his side. he runs his palms from one nipple to the other and then between, leaning in and whispering as low as he can. "Weekend away. Maybe even before Halloween?" he asks, even as he tuns his hands and moves down her belly, sliding a single finger between her nether lips and beginning a slow rubbing.


Steph was beginning to whisper back when his palms on her nipples and then finger make her squirm and fight not to let out a moan. She had been getting so wet getting him off that she was soaking his finger. With no words, she just nodded and quietly grunted out a breath.


Michael smiles at her and lets his finger circle slowly, applying very light pressure to her slick clit. He leans forward and kisses her, deeply if she will allow it, perfectly content to simply finger her.


Steph kisses Michael back just as deeply, his taste still in her mouth. He has wonderful big fingers and she presses back at his finger on her clit, happy to let him get her there this way...anyway he wants really, just enjoying him.


Michael plays exclusively with her clit, loving that part of her anatomy. Then he slides the ringer inside and then out again, slowly, making sure his finger and palm keep in contact with her clit. Still kissing her, he does it again, his circling still slow and languorous. He breaks the kiss a moment, inhaling her scent with relish.


Stephanie writhes and grips Michael's back, her breath coming fast. She whispers "Oh god...." between kisses, an aching longing starting to build deep inside her with his touch.


Michael looks down at her face as she begins to breathe fast. "Oh no you don't." he whispers low, stopping his play and pulling his hand away. "Whats good for the gander...." he kisses her nose and then between her breasts. It takes him almost thirty seconds to get between her legs, which he spreads, bending her knees and slowly arranges her feet on his shoulders. Gripping the long hairs, he parts her lips and blows a bit on her. Then he looks up her body. Never taking his eyes off of her, he takes a long and loving lick, following it up with a slow circle of her clit with his tongue.


Stephanie looks pained when he stops his play and then eagerly awaits his descent down her body. It's torture, glorious sensual torture. She jumps a bit when he blows on her, not expecting that. When he gets to the circling of her clit with his tongue she shudders a little and has to bite her lip hard, letting out a quiet little "Mmm"


Michael speeds up his tongue a bit, but also makes his circles tighter. He adjusts his forearms over her thighs, pinning her legs wide open, her feet resting on either side of his neck. One thing he is learning is he can eat her as long as she wants without tiring of it.


Stephanie grimaces in pleasure and lets out a few breathy grunts as she start rocking a little against his face with the tempo of his tongue. Her climax is quickly building since she got very turned on while she was working on his.


Michael feels her moving under his tongue and lifts his head, stopping his licking only long enough to part her hair a bit more. Then he begins to move it left and right rapidly, almost like slapping her clit with his tongue. Not as fast as a vibrator, but as fast as he can as a human.


Stephanie closes her eyes and parts her lips, leaning her head back. The slapping thing he's trying feels really good and is a curious new sensation. There's something she's craving though and she's not afraid to ask for it. She slides her hand down his cheek and whispers "That's nice. Can you do that thing you did before where you push back my....you've got me so close...it's all I need..."


Michael does not make any sign that he hears her. He simply adjusts one hand and uses it to pull back the hood of her clit, his tongue still going like mad.


Stephanie gasps and bucks against his face, gripping the back of his hair hard, maybe even harder than she meant to. The waves of pleasure wash over her and she rides them out until they break, on Michael's face. In the end, she's had to turn her face into a pillow and bite into not to cry out and there's a small puddle under her where he's been getting her off so effectively. Her body begins to relax and she whimpers a bit into the pillow.


Michael would not have stopped, even as she came, if not for her pulling at his hair. As she begins to relax, he crawls up her body, resetting her legs, and nuzzles her neck. "I think I'm getting the hang of this." he whispers, throatily, trying not to let her feel his own excitement. It feels as if she might be too exhausted for anything more, and hes alright with that. Wouldn't be the first time he simply let an erection fade on its own.

Stephanie wraps her arms around him still shuddering. She giggles a bit and whispers "Getting the hang of it? God, where did you come from and where have you been all my life?" She snuggles into him a bit and wraps one leg over him and then notices his erection as she looks down at their bodies "Mmm." she whispers "Can we cuddle and fool around and come back to that?" Her orgasm was so powerful she just needs a little breather.


Michael chuckles and nods at her request. Half seriously he replies in a whisper. "I was born in Vancouver to Heinrich Reinhardt and his wife Kaitlin." he chuckles. "And as it turns out listening to lesbians go into detail finally came in handy." he moves her legs and scoots her off of the wet spot. "We can cuddle and fool around and do whatever you want, Stephanie." he promises her pulling her into his arms. "Do you need any water or anything?"

Stephanie kisses at his neck, whispering back "Not yet, just you. Lesbians huh? I almost want to tell Tams that one. My gay boyfriend is awesome in bed because of lesbians....thank you for your service to all women."


Michael covers his mouth to contain his laughter. "Oh, god ... please no." he begs. He kisses her shoulder. "Remember when I told you about Castillo's? The LC I like? The gay couple ... are probably my only gay male friends. They were very happy to hear about you. Billy, especially. He was married to a woman before he met James ... his partner. It was him who told me that I am not insane to be with you." he inhales and exhales and kisses at her neck.


Stephanie smiles a bit "I'm glad your friends don't think this is a bad thing." She runs her fingers through Michael's hair, a habit she's really started to enjoy and then suddenly finds a bunch of loose hairs and gasps "Oh Mike! Did I pull your hair THAT hard? I'm so sorry..." She looks completely embarrassed.


Michael grins. "They don't." and then he realizes she is right and very softly laughs. "Don't be. It's alright." he pauses. "I may not say that once you snatch me bald, but ...." he caresses her face. "I just took it as your wanting me to stop. Since I didn't have your screams to guide me." although he loves that too the silence ... added something to it all.


Steph blushes deeply, still whispering "Well that was kind of what I was doing to not make noise...but I was finishing..." she runs her fingers over his chest "I never imagined this Michael....I mean all the times you came into the restaurant with my brother...or sitting together at that funeral as India and Tamela seemed to be determined to make us awkward..." she giggles "Maybe they were secretly working together."


Michael chuckles. "Noted. I'll have to deal with it, because I just love the way you cum with I do that to you." he nods. "No pain no gain. Lucky for me, I have thick hair." he lays back fully as she plays with his chest. "God, I know, right? I always liked going in to the restaurant while you were there. Never cared so much for Japanese food ... or Asian food period. But I looked forward to talking to you. I was waffling about asking you out, because I really DID want to, but I never imagined we'd really become lovers." he hugs her closely and kisses her softly. "Will you come away with me? Halloween weekend?" he asks her. "I mean, I am bound and determined to make love to you without some kind of earth shattering bullshit happening."


Stephanie hugs and kisses him back, grins and whispers "I know right! If I can get Tristan's costume together and babysitting, you're on. Halloween is on a Monday this year so I'd be back in time for trick or treating. We could also spend the night in a hotel after Tomiko's wedding.....I don't know how much time off is reasonable for you. We just hired a part timer at the restaurant and she's doing great and wants more hours on the weekend, which frees me up a bit."


Michael chuckles. There is something great about cuddling in bed whispering to each other that he likes. "We can do both, if you want." he suggests. "I promised you some romance, which is not that easy these days. I don't know about you, but I need a little break." he grins. "I mean, obviously I am not in the closet anymore, but there is something about this town that makes me feel I traded it in for a microscope slide." he grins, already scheming.


Steph stretches into Michael's body and leans her head on his chest letting her fingers absently circle on his stomach near his belly button. She tilts her head up a bit so he can still hear her whispering "So aside from the wedding, were you thinking a bigger city getaway or more remote and private than here?" She's clearly very happy and comfortable with cuddling and whispering too.

Michael grins and strokes her hair. "Actually, I was." he confesses. "I was looking at this place outside of Hope. Maybe a nice, secluded cabin. You know ... just enough for my inner city soul to handle. More than that camp we picnicked at before?" he smiles. "The wedding can work too. Just one night. That's all I want." he whispers. "Unless the wedding ends in murder, fire, flood or some other disaster. Then Halloween weekend it is."

Stephanie rolls towards Michael with a look of sweet surprise "You've already been planning a getaway? Mike...." She gives him a soft lingering peck on the lips "We could do both if the childcare works out for me. I don't have a limit on how much I want to be in your arms, in fact let's just go with as unlimited as possible."

Michael turns a bit darker with his blush in the dark. "Well, yea. I .. was." he admits. He smiles after the peck. "I want to spend my time with you. Hell, I've been working out at home instead of going to the gym. Just in case, I admit." he nuzzles at her neck again whispering. "Unlimited ... as many free moments as we have together we spend together." he kisses her cheek and then her lips looking at her in wonder.

Steph kisses him back and then returns his look, almost overwhelmed. She looks like she's about to say something and then hesitates like she's not sure it's the right choice, yet. She closes her eyes and exhales "We might have to get you some pajamas for here just in case." She teases instead "Oh and I bought something...I dunno if they're what you'd buy but since we forgot last time...in the dresser beside you..not that I'm demanding it right now..." If he opens the drawer he'll find a box of Trojan condoms and a bottle of lubricant.

Michael blinks at her. "Pywhatas?" he grins as he whispers. "I think I may need help with that, if you'd like to give it to me." he has plenty of sweat pants he could probably just have over here, but its another fun thing they can do together. "Yea?" he perks at the mention of her buying him something and rolls over to pull at the drawer. He bites the mattress edge, but his body shakes with quiet laughter. Then he gets himself calm and rolls back over. "Thank you ..." he pauses and considers her. "Hmmm should I call you baby or is that insulting?" he wonders. "Got a preference?"

Steph smirks "If you feel inspired to call me pet names, I'll take it as sweet and not an insult. As long as they don't replace my name completely. And yes I can help you get pjs....my lovely nudist." She gives him a little poke in the side.

Michael does seem to consider. "Iontas. That is what I will call you. It has meaning." he says in some accent of another. "And thank you. Cause I havent worn pajamas since ... leaving my parents home." he grins.

Steph squints at him "What does it mean? It's not Gaelic for Sex Kitten is it?" She jokes with a hissing giggle, still in whisper.

Michael chuckles and shakes his head. "No." he replies. "But it IS Irish. It means 'surprise' in Gaelic." he reaches and caresses her face, cupping it in one of his massive hands.

Steph chuckles but her eyes water "You're going to make me cry. Stop being so damned sweet."

Michael caresses her face. "I've dealt with your tears before, so its no big deal. But I can fart or something if you'd like. Next time we're in mixed company I can scratch my balls. Any requests?" he teases setting his forehead to hers.

She nuzzles her nose against his and then leans her forehead gently back on him "That's hot...stinky clueless jock hot...which thank god you are more evolved than. Not that you're not allowed to fart...you are human after all."

Michael puts a finger to his lips, looking alarmed. "Shhhhhhh." he stage whispers. "Don't let that get out. I'm the big dumb jock and you can lead me around my my ... leash. Think of me as an orange St. Bernard or something." he winks at her and kisses her softly. "Then you can have these secret conversations with me about history and literature, while people wonder why a smart woman like you is with a brick wall like me."

Stephanie giggles and rolls on top of him, nibbling on his neck now "I'll just tell them it's because you keep me satisfied.'

Michael grins and looks up at her. "Yes ... I make up for my single digit IQ with both a talented tongue AND cock." he winks. "When the truth is I am smart enough not to let a compatible woman get away from me, Iontas. Probably got people thinking I'm following you around like a puppy."


Stephanie moves up his neck with her nibbles to his ear now and murmurs "Mmmm do you do any tricks?" Her breasts brush against him as she lowers her body even more onto his, clearly coming onto him now.

Michael looks up at her with a grin. "I fetch. An a relatively obedient puppy." he seems to consider. "And when you call me, I come ... and then you make me cum." of course both words sound the same, but have very different meanings.


Steph's pupils dilate at his whispers and she dives back down to his neck, giving it a little nip as she straddles him and says "I would like to make you cum one last time before we sleep." She breathes into his ear after.

Michael grins at her. "Like I could say no to that." he protests and then mocks Willy Wonka. "No. Don't. Stop." his voice a dead whisper. He runs his hands along her back and again cups her butt.


Stephanie trembles against him and starts kissing his chest, her hands wander ups and down the sides of his body, teasing at his inner thighs a bit as they pass in range and the edge of his balls.


Michael sighs in bliss as her hands caress him. His cock, which had gone to sleep, began to stir again. He moves his hands between her thighs and teases at the hairs around her treasure.


Stephanie squirms at his teasing and smiles as she starts to kiss him hard on the mouth now. She lifts up her own body a bit and slides one hand right to his cock and runs her fingertips lightly over it from tip to base.

Michael continues to play with sensitive hairs as Stephanie begins to tease him. "Up, pup." he whispers, naughtily.

Steph gives a little gasp at his words and tone. He's making her so hot. She grabs for the drawer and fishes out the box of condoms, setting it beside them as a very clear hint and then continues playing whispering back "Up...and in...I want you Mike...."


Michael slides in first one finger, then two. Her voice effects him as a man half his age. He opens the box blindly and pulls out a condom, opening the package with his teeth before being forced to admit he can't put it on with one hand. After crossing his fingers inside of her, he pulls his fingers out of her and looks at her. "Just let me grab my coat." he winks and waits for her to back off just a little bit so he can put the condom on.

Stephanie barely fights a moan and then giggles at the coat reference and moves back, open wet and oh so ready for him.

Michael slides the condom on carefully and correctly, checking it a second before he take the base and tilts up towards Steph, touching her slick opening, looking up at her with his dusky dark green eyes.

Steph looks almost pained at the look he gives her as she feels his member at her entry way. She takes it in her hand and guides it inside her, closing her eyes and inhaling deeply.

Michael moves his hand to make room for hers, placing one hand on her hip and the other on a breast, flicking at a nipple. "Iontas." he whispers. "I can't believe how incredible you feel."

Steph starts moving up and down on top of him, just slowly and nods "Mmmm you too." she whispers.

Michael stays still a few seconds before he begins to move under her. A nice slow groove to start. He lifts the hand on her hip to her face, caressing it and her hair. he sighs with each soft thrust.

Stephanie moves with him, leaning over him at first. When he cups her face, she turns and kisses his hand after and then slowly moves to sitting upright on him and swivels her hips in a slow circle a few times before falling back into the gentle pattern of before, a bit faster, rocking on top of him and beginning to pant. He's so huge and so deep it's a little bit of pain and pleasure together but it's building it for her. She closes her eyes.

Michael closes his eyes as she kisses his hand and they open when she swivels her hips. "You're so small." he marvels. He knows he is a big guy, but combined with tiny Stephanie .... its an 'odd coupling'. he moves his hand from her breast, his own breath coming a bit faster ... his hips rocking seeking to get as deep as he can without hurting her too much, to her clit, pressing against it. His mouth is slightly open, panting as quietly as he can. But he can feel his pleasure building faster than he wanted it to.

Stephanie just smiles at him and seeing his reaction is pushing hers closer. He's hitting all the nice places inside and rubbing up against her clit. She gives a little shudder and rides him harder, her hands pushing into his chest a bit to add to her momentum. Without meaning to she squeezes him from the inside a few times with her own excitement as she begins to spasm and lightly buck, right on the edge and tumbling over it.

Michael slides his hands up her back and hooks them on her shoulders as she rides him harder, helping her. She grabs him and squeezes in just he right way. He growls, grunts and a moment before she tumbles over, he does bucking up to get as deeply inside of her as he possibly can. His head falls back and he lays, completely spent and panting slightly.


Stephanie falls on Michael and collapses trying to catch her breath. She lies the side of her face on his chest, not dismounting fully yet, wishing she never had to and just connecting. He's wonderfully warm and she soaks it up into her entire being. The words she's been fighting not to say are screaming at her in her head. She loves him. She knows it but she doesn't want to be the first to say it, to risk it, to dare to break this bond before it's strong enough for those big scary words.


Michael holds her close. Had he been able to read her mind, he would have laughed, finding out they thought more alike than he'd thought. He caresses her face, his hand shaking slightly. What comes out of his mouth sounds random. "When is this wedding again?"

Stephanie is pulled from her thoughts by a question that rattles her slightly and makes her blush "What?! Oh....yeah Saturday.....you're still good for that...with the way things are going at work? I guess Ryan is a maybe...if he can go see Adum...." She looks slightly self conscious and dismounts suddenly, rolling away to grab a long tshirt style nightgown from the laundry basket nearby and pulling it on as she climbs back in.


Michael watches her dismount and suddenly put on a nightgown. "No, it's fine. I don't know about Ryan, but yea. If he can visit Brate, he will." he watches her get back in the bed, and considers sitting up and finding his boxers and getting into them. He lays down and lays on his side facing her. "Just ... really looking forward to it." he says, as if there is anyone at this wedding he is going to know.


Stephanie settles in and then grumbles and literally climbs up leans over Michael tapping at the buttons on her alarm clock, her body just draped across his "I'm setting it for 6, is that early enough for you? I still need to make Tristan's lunch..."She looks back with a cheeky grin "I got distracted..."


Michael lifts his head so that his lips brush against her body as she settles back from setting the alarm. "That's fine. Gives me time to get home and showered and back in my uniform." he gives her a mock sad look. "I'm sorry. I promise, it will never happen again." then he strokes her hair. "You okay?" he refers to the news he'd originally come over with. He HAS to know ... was it tragedy that excited them for each other? If they attended a boring mundane wedding, would the spark vanish, leaving her dry and him impotent? Would he make a fool of himself ... confessing his feelings?

Stephanie snuggles into him "It better happen again." she teases "We're buying pajamas...that's a major commitment now, especially for you since you've never worn them as an adult." She teases. She sighs as he strokes her hair "I'll be OK. You help me do that everyday Mike."

Michael wraps his arm around her. "Yea .. well .. it probably will. I kinda lied about that." he grins. "Yes. I am going to have my own pajamas here ... so it IS a big deal. AND my own box of condoms." he teases back and strokes her hair. "That means a lot to me, Steph." he kisses her hand. "My Iontas."

Steph smiles "I like it. It means a lot to me too...and you do..... We should go to sleep...maybe use the bathroom first.." she chuckles and then looks towards it "Tristan's out so it's safe to go for it if you want to go first. He is not quiet if he's not sleeping."

Michael nods. "It means a lot I don't have a chamber pot." he teases. he lets her go, sits up and then stands. Moving to the door he stops with his hand on the knob and turns back, grabbing his jeans and slipping into them. "Pajama pants." he stage whispers and opens the door, tiptoeing out and to the bathroom for his before bed pee.

Steph shifts a bit as he stands and quietly laughs and then look at the spot he was occupying after he's left it. she could happily have him there every night, in her bed. She lays back thinking.

Michael was as quiet as possible in the bathroom. Once he flushes and washes his hands, he looks at the room, which is neat but clearly reflects a child living in the apartment. It's homey tho, to his mind. Then he comes out and goes back into Steph's bedroom, crawling into bed over her and kissing her before he rolls onto his back. "Your turn?" he offers and yawns. "Sorry ... you wore me out." he smiles.

Stephanie smiles as she gets up "Don't conk before I get back for a kiss goodnight please." She quietly scampers off to use the bathroom. After the toilet, her tooth brushing can be heard quietly through the wall and then she comes back in and crawls right in with Michael, sort of clinging as she holds him. She's still afraid of those big words she can't say and she just almost hides herself in his body. Stephanie suspects he will just think she's still reacting to the news about Colin and the shooting with Adum but this is bigger than that. She lets that roll around in her head twice "This is bigger than that." Her love for Michael is bigger than anything she's ever imagined feeling for a man, only matched by her love for her son and her family. It's hitting her like a ton of bricks. 

Michael grins. "I promise." he watches her leave and listens to the sounds she makes. When she returns, he welcomes her with open arms, literally. She feels so natural in his arms and he strokes her hair, kissing her on the top of the head. "Good night, Iontas." he murmurs to her and realizes how tired he is. He can feel himself drifting off. Soon ... that very weekend .. after the wedding ... he holds that thought.