As if that weren't bad enough, her loved one would not make it home in time to ring in the New Year with her. She had so hoped that they would be able to spend some quality time together, but it looked as if it was not meant to be. Maybe next year, she resignedly told herself.
Walking down the hallway, and stopping in front of her apartment, she fished out her keys, and opened the door. Walking across the hardwood floor, she placed her keys and handbag on the antique dining room table, and headed into the kitchen. Crossing over into her small living room, she walked over to her Christmas tree.
She had opted for a live tree this year, because he had mentioned how much he liked them as a child. And, after hearing that he would not make it in for Thanksgiving, she had had to decorate it alone. She had told herself that that was okay, because it would so please him when he arrived at Christmas.
But, now he wasn't even going to get to see the tree at all.
Walking up to the tree, Lynn placed her fingers on one of the small, delicate ornaments. She knew when she became involved with him, that it would mean a lot of time apart, but she hadn't planned on not spending Christmas or New Year's Eve with him.
Walking over to the phone, and noticing the message prompt light blinking, Lynn pushed the playback button. There was only one message, and it was from him.
"Lynn, I am so sorry love, but I am not going to make that flight out on Friday like I had thought. I tried to get a flight, but nothing is going out... commercial or private. It seems that there have been some tightening of security precautions here, and they will not be allowing any nonessential flights. I do hope you can forgive me. And Lynn? I will make it up to you, when next we meet."
Lynn smiled sadly, then sighing, pushed the stop button. She listened to the message one more time, just to hear his voice, and then after a few moments, she walked down the narrow hallway, to her bedroom.
Taking her robeand other garments out of her closet, and finding her fuzzy slippers, she turned and headed out the door and back down the hallway. Entering her bathroom, she ran the tub full of water, and settled down in it.
Sighing in relief, Lynn leaned back, closed her eyes, and relaxed. She had not intended on falling asleep, and when she did awake, it was with a start. Her bath water was ice cold, and she was severely chilled. With her teeth chattering, she climbed out of the tub, and dried off. Then, putting on her favorite robe, and fuzzy slippers, she let the water drain.
After brushing her teeth, and pulling her hair back into a ponytail, she opened the door of the bathroom. Just then, the phone rang. Hurrying to pick it up, she slid to a stop in front of the small table holding the phone.
"Hello," she said, slightly out of breath.
On the other end of the line was her best friend, Tina. It did not surprise her. Tina always had a way of picking up on her 'vibes' and calling when she most needed her to. No matter how down, or how bad she felt, just talking to Tina always seemed to make everything okay.
"Hey Lynn," Tina said in a cheery voice, "did I catcha at a bad time?"
"No," Lynn answered, "I was just through the apartment. Why?"
As Tina talked, Lynn could hear the slight tones of music and merriment drifting over the phone. "Well, Ann and I were wondering if you would like to join us," Tina offered.
Lynn smiled. Tina was always looking out for her, and Lynn would always be eternally grateful for that. But, she needed some time alone, and she hated to have to say no.
"Well, I am kinda tired," Lynn began, "what if I say we'll see?"
There was a moments pause on the other end of the line, then Tina answered. "Lynn, are you okay? I hate the thought of you ringing in the New Year alone."
"Tina, I will be fine," Lynn replied, smiling to herself. "I am just gonna make some popcorn, and watch Dick Clark."
"Okay, but if you change your mind, we are at Ann's, and she wants you to join in too." Tina chimed in.
"Okay, we will see. Bye"
"Bye," Tina said reluctantly.
As the connection on the other end of the line clicked, Lynn placed the phone back in its cradle. Then, turning, she walked over the her kitchenette, and opening a cabinet door, peered in.
*Oh shoot!* she thought to herself. *I have no popcorn. What is New Years and Dick Clark without popcorn?* Resigning herself to the fact that she would have to make a little trip to the corner market, she changed her clothes.
Putting on her favorite pair of sweatpants, and favorite sweatshirt, she gathered up her keys, and headed out the door. Closing the door behind her, and walking down the hallway, Lynn did not hear her phone ring, and the answering machine catch it.
"Lynn, its me love. I made it. I am at the airport now, and will bethere in about 20 minutes. I can't wait to see you, and touch you."
The connection ended, and the answering machine clicked off. The only sign of there having been a phone call, was the red light blinking under 'new messages'.
Walking out of the corner convenience store, Lynn wrapped her arms securely around herself. The store had been out of popcorn, and deciding that she didn't want to go all the way into town, Lynn had decided to go without. It wouldn't be the same, but then again, her New Year's Eve was pretty much spoiled anyway.
Walking by a small video store, Lynn stopped and looked in the window. The store was vacant and quiet. Everyone must have already rented their movies for viewing for the holidays. Deciding that maybe a movie would cheer her up, she walked through the door, and entered the store.
Taking out his keyring, he placed his key into the lock and turned the handle. As the door swung open, he called out.
"Lynn love, its me," he said. He listened and did not get any answer. Setting his luggage down, he closed the door quietly behind him, and walked forward. After checking the bedroom and bathroom, and finding thea partment empty, he walked back into the living room.
He glanced up, and his breath caught in his throat. Standing in the corner of the room, was a live, delicately decorated Christmas tree. He walked over to it, and inhaled. The smell of pine brought back memories of his childhood, and he smiled. He could not believe that she had gotten him a live tree. He had only mentioned it in passing, and it was so long ago, that he was sure that she would have forgotten.
But, she hadn't, and the proof was standing right before him now. Hoping that she had plans to return shortly, he smiled to himself.
Walking over to his luggage, and picking it up, he started back to the bedroom. He was going to make sure that this New Year's Eve was one that she would never forget.
Walking down the hallway, with her bag of videos in hand, Lynn thought back on her conversation with Tina. Maybe she would meet up with her and Ann after all. She shouldn't set around and feel sorry for herself. And a party may just cheer her up.
Making up her mind to change, and head out for the party, Lynn opened the door of her apartment, and gasped.
Walking through the door, and closing it behind her, Lynn could not believe her eyes. The room was bathed in candlelight, and there was a raging fire in the fireplace. The smell of roses permeated the air, and the sounds of a slow rhythmic tune played on the CD player. Walking forward, slowly, Lynn stopped in the middle of the room.
"Hello, love," he said, in a husky, low voice.
Lynn turned, a slow smile forming on her lips. He stood in the entrance to the hallway, the candlelight playing softly across his features. He was dressed in only the black pajama bottoms that she had given him ontheir first trip away together. His hair was shining, and the candlelight caught the highlights and made them glisten. He smiled, and she felt her heartskip a beat. He had always had a way of making her feel like a school girl, meek and unsure. But, then, she didn't mind. She just loved being with him,near him.
He continued smiling, and walked forward. When he got within a few feet of her, he reached out, and placed his hand on her cheek, cradling it in his palm.
"I thought you said," Lynn began, but he placed his finger on her lips.
"Don't worry about that now. We are here, now, and that is all that matters." He then leaned in, and lightly kissed her. Lynn closed her eyes, and slowly inhaled, taking pleasure in the musky scent that was his and his only.
He moved in closer, and taking his hand from her face, moved it to the back of her head. Then, cradling her head in his hand, he proceeded to deepen the kiss. As he did, Lynn pulled back, and smiled.
"Hold that thought," she said, smiling slyly, "I will be right back." She then kissed her index finger, and placed it to his lips. Moving from him, she headed down the hallway, and to the bedroom.
When she got there, she took out the matching top to his pajama bottoms, and removing her clothing, slipped it on. Then, moving to the mirror, she took the ponytail holder out, and brushed her hair. Taking notice of the individual staring back at her from the mirror, she smiled, and then inhaling a deep breath, exited the room.
Walking back down the hallway, and to the living room, she found him standing in front of the fireplace, gazing into the flames. Lynn cleared her throat, and he turned to her.
"Now," she began, smiling playfully, "where were we?"
Walking over to him, Lynn reached up and placed her arms around his neck. She then stood on her tip toes, and kissed him. He returned the kiss with equal passion and zeal. As the kiss intensified, Lynn surrendered herself to him, and sighed deeply.
His tongue played across her lips, and into her accepting mouth. She reveled in the taste of him, and returned his passionate caresses. When they finally separated, he spoke. "Would you like some champagne?" he asked, smiling seductively.
Lynn smiled back. "Yeah, sure."
He took her hand, and lead her to the quilt he had spread out on the floor. As they both sat down, and made themselves comfortable, he took a champagne bottle out of a small ice bucket next to them. Then, pouring them both a glassful, he placed the bottle back into the bucket. Turning to Lynn, he lifted his glass.
"A toast," he began, "to the start of a happy and eventful New Year."
They touched their glasses together, and there was a slight ting from the contact. Then, gazing over the rim of his glass, he winked at Lynn. Lynn only smiled back, and raised her glass to her lips.
After drinking in silence for a while, taking the opportunity to just look at and be close to one another, Lynn spoke up.
"I was wondering," she began, lightly running her finger around the rim of her glass, "it is kinda warm in here. I mean, don't get me wrong, the fire is really romantic and all. But, it is not exactly your typical December weather outside."
He placed his champagne glass down on the hearth, and turning to the ice bucket, took out a piece of ice.
"Oh," he smiled, "I think I can fix that." He leaned in close, and taking Lynn's hand in his, turned it over, so that her inner wrist was exposed. Then, taking the ice cube, he slowly placed it onto Lynn's exposed wrist, moving it in a small, circular motion.
Lynn gasped, at the coldness of the ice cube, but her eyes never left him. She continued to look at him, as he furthered the ice cube on its course.
Looking up from his task, and smiling at Lynn, he moved the cube further up her arm, until it came to rest on the inner portion of her elbow. He stopped it there, and proceeded to move it around in small circles again.
Lynn giggled softly, reveling in the sensations he was causing. Then, as the cube started to move up her arm, it came to rest on the hollow of her neck. It was then that he stopped, and Lynn looked to him.
"Will you look at that," he said, with a mischievous smile, "I have gone and gotten water all over you. Let me see what I can do about that."
Then, leaning in, he proceeded to place his lips on the inner portion of Lynn's wrist. When his lips made contact, Lynn gasped, and held her breath.
Then, trailing up her arm, he placed his lips on the inner portion of her elbow. Still holding her breath, Lynn continued to look at him. He then continued to trail his lips up her arm, and came to rest on the hollow of her throat. When his lips touched her skin at the base of her neck, Lynn let out a long, deep sigh, and smiled.
He continued to kiss and nibble at her neck, and Lynn giggled. But, when his mouth moved to the area just below her earlobe, Lynn felt herself intaking rapid, shallow breaths.
At that moment, he took her earlobe in his mouth, and suckled it. Then, pulling away a little, he placed his lips up against her ear. His breathing sounded rapid and shallow the same as hers, and his warm breath tickled her.
"Happy New Year, love," he said.
Lynn smiled.
"Happy New Year, Bruce."