Those Three Little Words

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


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."