A Little Plate of Grapes

"Hi. This is a surprise, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just at that planning stage that you talk about and need to clarify some resources, timeframes and allow for a little evolution. You know, future proof the plans."

"I like the way you think, I could use someone like you in my organisation."

He sits opposite me and it seems awkward that we haven't hugged yet so I satisfy my body's need for contact with him by stretching my hand out over my desk. He takes it in both of his and does that looking sideways thing he does when he's thinking.

"I'm going to need somewhere to live. I can stay on at the uni until the end of semester but it's a lot of commuting and not practical. I'm going to find alternate accommodation."

"I've got a nice unit." I smirk.

"It's a bit small though, isn't it? Perfect for you and very handy. Very close to the office as well. But-"

"Too early for cohabitation?" Little red witchy-poo raises a hurt eyebrow and suddenly feels a little rejected.

"Too small. Can you imagine sharing the space with someone my size permanently?"

"So, you're thinking permanently and future and..." My god...

"Just thinking logistically. I'm going to need study space and I'm considering costs. If we share then we can afford more comfortable lodgings and I'm just running numbers before I start looking. How much do you pay in rent presently? I mean if we pooled... Just thinking. God you probably value your privacy... Maybe, sorry... Way too far ahead of myself. Just thinking."

"Sexy, I own that place. I pay body corp fees but that's all. Are you serious about living with me?"

"Very. I'm not sure we're ready for that but, god... I needed to put it on the table."

My lips suddenly needed licking and I love that he couldn't tear his eyes off the gesture.

"Better open a window, wookie."

"Why?" He asks as he struggles briefly with the catch on my office windows.

"It's gonna get kinda smelly in here as soon as you get those damn pants off. We have some celebrating to do."

"Oh!" And that shocked excited expression he makes now and then. That right there, is my new raison d'etre.

"Want to break a few HR rules, sexy? I've never fucked in here before."

Good lord. His enthusiasm and my slightly more healed back led to some office stains that are going to need a professional. It was the first time that I have been able to pin him down like a rocking horse and use him. There was a puddle underneath him that I had to put a mat over when we stopped laughing.

"Sandy?"

"Alice."

"Can you find me some Glen 20 and maybe some incense sticks please?"

"Oh dear. Haha. Good for you sugar."

..................

We bought a lovely old house in Newfarm. It has three big bedrooms and a wide veranda that we love to sit on in the evenings. He insisted on paying rent initially. I insisted he allowed me to pay him for the renovations he was doing. We reached a compromise. Little red witchy-poo raged at him, apologised, sucked his dick later and he did what he was told.

The guy that assaulted me that time, got three years which seemed excessive considering how lenient sentences generally are. It was only when they read his history to the court that I understood fully how close I'd been to real danger that evening. At the time, he was on early release for the domestic violence bashing of his ex-wife that had left her brain damaged and in a wheelchair.

I was awarded thirty thousand dollars in compensation and initially didn't think I should take it. Alex pointed out that we could use it to put a pool in out back and that any time my back hurt I could take a dip. It was a fantastic idea.

The cool water soothes my back and the weightlessness is an almost sensual relief.

Oh, and we still make that gloriously grotty smell of sex and sweat and us. A little more frequently than usual lately courtesy of the pregnancy hormones. We have our own little wookie on the way now. Ultra-sounds confirm it's a boy. And god-damn, the pregnancy is really putting a lot of pressure on my back. The pool is getting very good use.

I'm afraid little red witchy-poo has been a frequent visitor recently. It's not just my back. Alex has stepped quite capably into my shoes, but I feel so disconnected. When I try and come to work, the pain gets too much quickly and my people don't deserve me like that. He rings and tries to involve me in as much as he can.

I've just finished a zoom thing with Sato-san and Mr Tabuni. I had to apologise for not being there and offering my little plate of grapes. The meeting took a lot longer than usual as they were helping Alex and I plan the wedding and subsequent honeymoon in Japan. It was still eighteen months away, courtesy of the pregnancy but they assured me that was only just enough time to plan it properly. Now that Alex has a much better understanding of our resources, he puts a bit more effort into these things.

I'm taking his name.

We spoke about hyphenation and that just ended in gut busting laughter.

I simply couldn't bring myself to be a "Wonderful-Postlethwaite." Even though his Mum assured me I'd be truly wonderful at it.