James Landis Story Chapter 7

James Landis Story Chapter 7

 
"Hi Stephanie, what's up?"
 
"James, I'm so sorry to call so late but I need your help."
 
"Sure, what do you need?"
 
I just got my new furniture for the master bedroom. They were really late in arriving, took the old furniture away but they just dumped all the new stuff in the center of the room and left. The bed needs assembly.
 
"Do you have tools?" he asked.
 
"I think so," she said but James heard the doubt.
 
"I'll be right over."
 
"Thank you so much!" she gushed.
 
James got up and kissed Grace sweetly. "It may be a late one."
 
"I have an early class so I probably won't see you until tomorrow night," she pouted.
 
Since I'm going to be away for a week we're going out to dinner tomorrow night, just the two of us. We can go to that restaurant with all the cheesecakes. This time we skip the appetizer so we can actually try a dessert!
 
Grace's face lit up with a smile and she kissed him again.
 
He picked up his tool box on the way to his truck and drove over to Stephanie's. She let him in and immediately she saw how tired he was.
 
Oh James. I'm so sorry to drag you out on a work night. I can see you're tired. Let's just forget it. I can sleep on the couch, she said with a troubled expression.
 
Don't be silly. It won't take me long and I'll be away all next week. It's tonight or a week from now. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead and she instantly felt comforted. He set off for the master bedroom carrying his tools with her following.
 
The new furniture was indeed sitting in the middle of the floor in the large room with the exception of the mattress and box spring which rested against one wall and a very large flat screen TV box resting against another.
 
I vacuumed the carpet after they pulled all the old furniture out then they just piled all the stuff here and left. Stephanie complained.
 
Not very good service, you should let the store know.
 
"Oh, I intend to do exactly that tomorrow morning!" she said with a fierce look.
 
James chuckled. "Go get 'em tiger!" That drew a satisfied smile from her.
 
We're going to need to make some room so let's move this stuff out into the hall, except for the bed, he suggested.
 
The two of them were able to get the pieces out of the bedroom and he had her begin removing the plastic wrap on all of those items while he assembled the bed. He really liked the new furniture. It was sleek and contemporary but still solidly built. He read the instructions and realized it was a four poster bed with a canopy. A very romantic look, Compared to the heavy dark furniture the room previously had this was a complete change!
 
He had Stephanie hold some pieces in place while he bolted them together and it didn't take him long to get the frame built. It would be up to her to put the fabric canopy over the frame. Unwrapped the box spring and mattress and put both them in place.
 
Then they carried the unwrapped furniture pieces back into the room and positioned them where she thought they looked best.
 
Finally it was time for the TV. There was a wall mount rack in another box so he realized that needed installing. He pulled out his stud finder from the tool box.
 
What's that? she asked.
 
It's a stud finder.
 
She practically leapt over to him and snatched it from his fingers with a giggle. She glanced at it, pushed the button and held it against his chest. Nothing happened and she pouted dramatically. It's not working, Stud! She couldn't hold the pout and began to giggle again. He reached for the device and she slid it away down his chest. It wailed as it passed his zipper.
 
Stephanie's eyes flew wide and laughter burst from her as James rolled his eyes. He plucked the device from her fingers as she gasped for breath from laughing so hard.
 
Is that exactly where the bed is going? he asked."Once the TV is up that's where it stays.
 
Still chuckling she walked around the bed and confirmed its location. She nodded at him with a mischievous smile as she bit her lip. He just grinned and shook his head.
 
He located the studs and mounted the rail on the wall. They unpacked the TV and he installed the two brackets on the back of the TV. He turned to Stephanie.
 
Do you want to run the cables through the wall? he asked.
 
Would that mean I wouldn't see any dangling wires?
 
"Yes."
 
Then yes, I'd like to do that. Is it hard to do? she asked.
 
No, but I don't have all the parts to finish the job. I can make the holes and run the cables through for now but I'll need to come back and add the boxes and wall plates later. To make it look neat.
 
She nodded with a smile and he took some more measurements. Then he use a small knife to cut two holes in the drywall both next to a stud but one behind the TV and one a foot off the floor behind the low dresser. He tucked all the cables through the top hole and pulled them out the bottom hole. Then he got Stephanie to help him lift the TV in place. Once it was up he connected all the cables. They moved the dresser back in place and he put the cable box and a digital media player on top of that and made their connections.
 
He stood back and looked at his handy work. He was pleased with the final appearance. The TV seemed to be floating over the dresser. He looked back and Stephanie was finishing up putting sheets on the bed. She looked at the TV and her eyes lit up.
 
That looks incredible! Thanks!
 
James pressed the power button on the universal remote and the cable box, TV and digital player all came on. He bumped the play button accidentally and suddenly the large screen filled with the image of a naked woman riding an equally naked man. It was artfully done but the look on the woman's face left no doubt that she was enjoying the aggressive sex.
 
Stephanie squeaked and leapt at James to snatch the remote from his hand. She hit the power switch and the screen went black. Yup! The TV works!
 
"A little research?" he asked with a coy smile.
 
Her embarrassment quickly turned to a wicked smile and a nod. She really was an imp, James thought fondly.
 
He looked around the room and realized he was all done. Suddenly a huge yawn caught him by surprise. A heavy fatigue descended over him and he moved to put his tools away. Once he was all packed up he set down the box and yawned once more. His eyes were really bleary.
 
James, I don't think you should drive home. You look exhausted. You could... stay here with me tonight. I have this brand new king sized bed. And fresh sheets
 
He looked out in the hall and realized he hadn't heard or seen the kids all night. He looked back at Stephanie.
 
Sleep over at Carolyn's she said understanding his unspoken question. Besides I don't mind them knowing you're my... boyfriend, she said the last word nervously.
 
James saw her watching for his reaction. She thought he'd reject her?
 
He reached over and pulled her against his chest and felt her relax in his arms. "Yes to both things." He leaned back a little and took her face between his hands. He gazed into her happy blue eyes. God! She had so much love in those beautiful eyes. He felt his own heart responding in kind. He knew now. It was love! She was so energetic, adventurous, and full of mischievous glee he found her completely addictive.
 
Another yawn threatened to shatter the tender moment and she snorted as he struggled to suppress it.
 
"Get undressed before you fall asleep on your feet!" she grinned. He stripped down to his boxers then looked at her delighted expression. While he had undressed she'd put on a Teddy.
 
Do you have an extra toothbrush? he asked.
 
She nodded and dragged him into the bathroom. He opened the package and they brushed their teeth together. Then they went back to the bed and crawled in.
 
I promise tonight will just be for sleeping. I can see you're exhausted. It's just really nice to be able to sleep next to someone after so long, she said with a tremulous smile.
 
"Now that we're officially girlfriend and boyfriend its ok for me to tell you I love you, right?" he said quietly.
 
Stephanie gasped and her eyes filled with tears. She leaned over and kissed him tenderly. When she pulled back tears of joy were on her cheeks. Yes, James! That's perfectly fine to say! It's wonderful! I- I love you too!
 
I was talking with Rose about my relationships with the six women in my life. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I have strong feelings for all of you but aside from Grace and Rose I wasn't sure if it was love. You're all so different and my feelings get all jumbled up sometimes. I- I can be kind of slow when it comes to people stuff. It takes me time to understand feelings. I'm sorry about that, James apologized looking her straight in the eyes then another yawn overtook him.
 
Her smile was brilliant. "Now go to sleep big man. We can talk in the morning."
 
He nodded and closed his eyes.
 
He felt her snuggle in and sigh contentedly then he was gone.
 
The restaurant was just as busy as it had been on their first 'date'. That was before they'd confessed their love for each other. It had been a pretend date but it was a special memory for both of them.
 
Tonight Grace was wearing the earrings he'd bought for her that night and she looked ravishing. She'd been losing weight slowly but steadily as she watched her diet and kept her idle hands busy with her class work. She had little time to snack as she was completely absorbed with her classes. Rose had taken her out shopping and found some lovely clothes that fit her less abundant form. She would never be as svelte as Rose was as it just wasn't in her genes but James loved her as she was and she gained an enormous amount of satisfaction from that fact.
 
Once more they were almost undone by the variety on the menu. James ordered the burrito once more and Grace tried something new. They sipped at their waters as they waited.
 
"Are you all packed?" she asked.
 
"Yes, Rose did that for me."
 
"Is your passport up to date?"
 
I still have almost nine years to go on it. Mr. Draco’s insisted I get it but I'm not sure why. I have no stamps in it yet."
 
"Well your first one will be Barbados!" Grace smiled.
 
"I wish you were coming with us," James said sadly.
 
You know I can't take the time now. Rose promised me she'd take good care of you. Grace said taking his hand.
 
He smiled and nodded then lifted her hand to his lips. Her face got a little flushed at the feel of his soft caress.
 
Their orders arrived and talk took a back seat to eating the delicious food. Grace did tell him about her classes, her teachers, and some of the other students.
 
James told her that Mr. Draco’s told him that he'd realized he'd been pushing too hard all week so James got to stick around the office today just finishing up his paperwork. He'd only had to work an extra thirty minutes.
 
Then he told her about the work he'd done at Stephanie's the night before. He told her that he'd determined that he loved Stephanie and did his best to explain it. She watched him struggling to put into words something that could only be felt. She gripped his hand once more and smiled at him.
 
 
By nutbuster