With Me Tonight

"Uhhhhgg," I groaned aloud, tugging on my hair a little bit as I leaned my elbows against my counter, looking at all the paperwork in front of me. The tanks we ordered for the store finally are going to be coming in and the paperwork that I have to fill out for all of them is ridiculous. It was understandable why insurance policies were needed for them, but also a real pain in the ass.
It had been a few days since Thanksgiving and when I woke up on the couch sprawled out with Norman, Sean, and Mingus. Just the thought of how great that day was could bring a smile to my face and made my heart skip a beat. It was hard not to let my mind wander to that day, or just to Norman in general while I have to do loads of this paperwork. I would find myself either smiling at the good memories, or just basically undressing Norman in my head. He was driving me crazy and girl has needs, too! My attraction to that man is boggling up my mind. Especially now that the past week was over and I could finally have him.

But, we've both been too busy to actually have time together. We went out to breakfast on Friday morning, but then him and Sean had to leave for the weekend to go to some Convention a few hours away. And, on top of that, Norman wont be coming home until Monday evening after dropping Sean off at the airport for him to go back to L.A.. Then, Gus's bachelor party is on Tuesday as well as my fitting for my bridesmaid dress, so Norman will probably be pretty hungover on Wednesday, but I'll also be at the party Veronica is throwing for the bridesmaids then. Thursday, has apparently been declared at "Gus and Belle day" by Gus himself, which I love the idea of because one day just about my best friend and I before he gets married sounds amazing. And then Friday all the fun starts with their actually wedding.

Throw all of that on top of work and everyday actions, and you've got yourself a busy week. But, also an exciting week. I'm so excited for Gus and also to go to the wedding with Norman, taking a pretty serious step in my mind. Norman. God, I was craving him again. Probably just because I know I am far away from him and wont be able to see him all week..

He keeps sending me texts and pictures of him, though, which make me smile because he is so genuinely happy with his work and fans. And man did he have fans!
I am determined to watch some of his movies soon, if I can manage any free time.

I sighed, realizing I just dozed off for a while. Stupid paperwork can barely even keep my attention for a second.

My phone buzzed next to me with a text from Norman, perfect timing. I looked over and saw it was a picture of him and some guy who was completely decked out in make-up, looking like a zombie. I unlocked my phone and opened up the camera, leaning down and then picking up Murphy with my free hand. He liked to snuggle up on my feet lately, which was kind of odd, but pretty cute. I centered him in the camera and his wide eyes lit up a little. I giggled and snapped a picture, sending it to Norman, with the caption; 'He misses you.'

Murphy wasn't the only one who missed Norman. It hadn't been that long, but I was so used to see him frequently and being transferred into a terrific mood around him, but with out him I felt more lonely and not as happy. This is why I was afraid of getting attached before; because now Norman is a huge supplier of my happiness, and with out him I'm left feeling like this. And the thing is it's not like we completely left each other, we still talk everyday, so I can't imagine what it would feel like if something permanent actually happened.

I mentally slapped my self for having those thoughts again. I'm not scared anymore, I want to put everything in to this relationship. I want Norman to be my happiness. I refuse to let my commitment issues get in the way. And, the best part about missing Norman is that it just makes me care for and want him that much more.

I sighed and scratched the top of Murphy's head a little before setting him back on the ground. He was staying here with me while Norman was away, Norman not wanting to bring both him and Eye with him because they weren't really the best of friends yet.

I looked back at my counter which held all my spread out paperwork and decided it probably wasn't going to end up getting done when I'm this distracted, so I walked around to one of the stools that my jacket was laying on and slid it over my shoulders. When I got it on, I put my shoes on and tied them, before grabbing my bag and phone and walking out the door. Hot chocolate sounded really good right now and I needed a break from constant working...

I jogged down the stairs with a skip in my step and wrapped my jacket tighter around me when I got to the bottom and went outside. There was only a week or two until December, and you could definitely second that by just walking outside. It never snowed too much down here, but it still could get pretty damn cold.

I stuffed my hands in my jacket pockets and walked peacefully down the street that wasn't as busy as usual since it was Sunday and not many of the stores were open. But, luckily Starbucks was and the thought alone of their hot chocolate is making my mouth water.

I sighed deeply, embracing the fresh air as I walked around, but then nearly jumped out of my skin when some man ran in front of me. "Are you Norman Reedus's girl friend?" A voice asked me, and I noticed the man that had ran in front of me had a few other people behind him. What the hell? "Uh.." I mumbled, not really knowing what to do in this situation and tried to keep my head down. "Are you going to see him now?" Another asked. "Are things serious?" Questions kept flying at me and I was completely and utterly lost.

"Uh, I'm going to get hot chocolate," I pointed in the direction of the Starbucks and then noticed there was cameras. Fuck. Now this made sense. Was this the damn paparazzi? I don't really know how to deal with them, and on all those TV shows I never understood how famous people did either. But, I'm not famous, so this was honestly freaking me out a little.

More questions came from these people and I was starting to feel more and more uncomfortable. "Is Norman there?" "Do you live around here?" "Is hot chocolate your favorite?" "What's your name?" More questions and clicks of cameras were going off in my face. How did they even find me? How did they even know who I was? Unless they were following me? What the hell types of questions were these?

My heart beat was a little more rapid than I would have liked it and I felt like I was either going to have an anxiety attack and go into fetal position on the ground until they left or just start to release my bad temper on them... neither appealing options. "Belle... My name is Belle. I just am getting hot chocolate," I mumbled and tried to push past some of them.

"Belle, that's pretty." "Are things serious with you and Norman, Belle?" "Do you know where he is right now?" "Does his ex-wife know about you?" "His son?"

I just looked at these people dumbfounded. What the hell? This was my life, not theirs. How would they feel if I just started interrogating them about their personal lives? "Uh, that's personal and none of your business," I stated and then started to fast walk. They followed after me though, feeling that they were getting somewhere and that maybe there would be secrets I had to tell.. But, nope. "Why wont you talk to us, Belle?" One of them asked loudly as I neared the Starbucks. That was a stupid question. I wasn't going to answer them because it wasn't their business! I sent my hand up in the air, flipping them off behind me. I think I read somewhere that they cant use pictures with sensitive or rude content, like the middle finger.

I really hoped they didn't use any pictures at all. I'm not famous and I don't like the idea that my life is going to be public. But, now that they know my name and "introduced" them selves to me, what would happen?

More questions and rude remarks came from them, making me feel smaller and smaller as I finally opened the door to the Starbucks. My breathing was hard and unsteady as I walked inside, people eyeing me. "Hey! Stop harassing her and get away from my shop unless you wan't me to call the police!" A guy who looked to be a bit older than me and dressed in a green apron, opened up the door and yelled at them. When they finally retreated I let out a breath of relief. The guy turned around and I noticed he had a name tag on that read Tommy. His hair was thick and styled to the side in a swoosh and he had one of his hands on his hip.

"Thank you. I.. I don't even know what the hell they wanted from me," I said to him, a little flustered. He swatted away my thank you.

"It's not a problem sweetheart, those assholes are always trying to get up in every ones business," he started to walk ahead of me, but turned around, signaling me to follow. "Come on, you poor thing, you're shaking."

I didn't even realize I was shaking, weather it was from the cold or that freaky experience with the paparazzi I just had. I followed him to the counter and he went behind it, grabbing a rag and throwing it over his shoulder. "What can I get ya?"

"Hot chocolate, please," I smiled and watched as he moved around, making it without even really needing to focus on it. He finished making it rather quickly and slid it over the counter for me. I was about to go into my pocket to grab the money, but he stopped me. "On the house."

"But-"

"On the house," he laughed and slid it closer to me. "I hate seeing those pricks harass people like that," I smiled, "And if you're Norman's girl friend like they said, then tell him I say hello."

"Thank you, really," I grabbed the hot chocolate with a sigh of relief. "You know Norman?"

"That bastard loves his coffee. He's a good dude."

I let out a little laugh at that. "Yeah, I'll tell him you said, hi. I'm Belle by the way," I stuck my hand out for him and he grabbed it, shaking it with a warm smile. "Tommy," he stated.

"Thanks again," I gave him a small wave before walking back to the front of the store and out the door. I looked to my right and left to make sure no one was going to pop out at me again, then started walking when I was satisfied.

Thank god for Tommy.

I pulled out my phone, planning on calling Norman, but then decided against it, knowing he would be busy meeting fans and what not. I did notice I had a text from him and decided I would at least respond.

Me: 'Just met Tommy at Starbucks. He told me to tell you he says hi (:'

*---

"That's perfect!" Veronica cheered from behind me, clapping her hands together.

I spun so I could look at myself at all angles on the mirrors in front of me when the lady who had finished pinning me in this moved her hands away. Veronica had picked a bright, beautiful, purple dress for her bridesmaids. The fabric had a pretty criss-cross design over the chest area, and then had a tight strip on the top of the waist before it loosened up down the rest of the way. It was just about knee length and it was strapless, or at least mine was. I was pretty satisfied with it, besides the fact that just about all my tattoos were showing. But, this was Veronica's wedding. Her pick on the dresses, so I wasn't going to let my tattoo's get in the way. They were MY tattoos, that I got because I wanted them and loved. Well, I loved until Eric put me down for having them all the time.

(http://www.dresskoe.com/one-shoulder-bridesmaid-dresses/ <--the purple dress)

But, Eric was an asshole and I know that. Norman doesn't mind them and he even has his own few, so why not embrace them? I got them because I loved them so I'm going to love them. I'm going to show them off.
I smiled to myself, knowing that it was Norman who was boosting my self confidence level and spun around again in the dress. "I love it," I stated, facing Veronica who's face lit up and she ran over, giving me a tight hug.

I smiled at her when she broke away, she looked so excited, which made me excited. She helped me off of the little stool I was standing on and then the lady who had pinned me in this dress helped me very carefully slide it off, eyeing my angry scar on my leg as she did. I frowned a little and Veronica noticed, so she hurried over to the other side of my room and grabbed my clothes.

I gave her a relieved smile once I slipped my jeans on, and then slid my sweatshirt over my head. The woman who worked here said she would fit this tonight and have it ready for me to pick up in the morning.

Veronica and I walked back out to the front and out the door, shivering at the sudden coolness. We decided to go out for lunch at the nearest diner, not really knowing what else to do since both Gus and Norman were gone, getting ready for the bachelor party tonight.

"What do you think they're gona do tonight?" Veronica asked when we sat down at our table, the worry clear in her voice.

I gave her a reassuring laugh, "don't worry about Gus. Knowing them they're probably just going to get really wasted and then crash somewhere. At worst they'll see a stripper, but knowing Gus, he will turn into a chicken in front of any woman who isn't you. Maybe even throw up on her."

We both let out a laugh and I could tell I had made her feel better when she started to get back to her free babbling self. But, me on the other hand, I didn't know what Norman would do. This is our first time being put in one of these situations as a couple. Him going to the bachelor party and me going to the bridesmaids one. I normally just brush off the thought, I mean whats wrong with him having a little fun, right? I'm not going to worry about it too much, he's a big boy.

--------------

"Baaaaabe," Norman groaned, sounding as miserable as he probably felt.

I giggled as I played with the fabric of my comforter. "Someone have a little too much to drink last night?" I asked, hearing him grunt a few times over the phone and then him shuffling around.

"Yeah," he mumbled. "And I can't find the fucking pain killers," he sighed and tried not to laugh because I'll probably be in the same situation tomorrow morning.

Having the urge deep down to take care of him, I got up from my bed and went into my bathroom, digging through the medicine cabinet. I grabbed a bottle of pain killers then went into the kitchen and started grabbing a few other things that might help with his hangover. "I'll be over in 10, so be decent," I said.

"Mmmmkay," he drowsily mumbled, making me smile.

I hung up the phone and ran back into the bathroom to quickly make myself decent and then slid on my shoes, grabbing the stuff I wanted to bring and headed outside. I have about a half hour until I need to get to work, so that would be more than enough time to finally see Norman after almost a week.

I flagged down a taxi and gave them his address, getting there in less than ten minutes, but my heart still pumping in excitement the whole time. When I knocked on his door I heard his feet drag across his floor, then him lazily unlock the locks. The door opened up and my breath got caught in my throat. His hair was ruffled all over the place, he had no shirt on, flannel p.j. pants hanging off his hips, and cute, tired eyes. He looked pretty miserable from what seems like a pretty shitty hangover because of the bachelor party last night, but he never failed to look amazing.

His tired face lifted up into a bright smile when he saw me, which I couldn't help but mimic. It took everything I had in me not to just jump him right there, but instead of that I stepped forward, going on my tippy toes and connecting my lips with his. It had been a week, so the jolts that got sent down my spine when he grabbed the sides of my face to get closer to me, made me shiver.

I bit my lip when he broke away and went back down to my flat feet. We smiled at each other once more before I stepped inside, grabbing his hand and shutting the door behind me. I pulled him into his kitchen and made him sit down on one of the chairs, setting the bag I brought on the table. I went to his fridge and pulled out some left over orange juice, pouring some into a glass before handing it to him along with pills for him to take.

He had a small smile on his face when his sparkling eyes met mine as he popped the pills in his mouth, downing them with the orange juice. He set the glass down on the counter and reached his hands out, grabbing onto my hips and pulling me closer to him. I smiled when he guided me onto his lap so I was straddling him and he buried his head in my neck.

I sighed happily and let my fingers lightly run around in his hair. I felt his soft lips on my neck, kissing me lightly and making my skin tingle while his hands ran down my sides. I wanted him so bad, but knew he wouldn't be able to move to the couch with out getting a worse headache. My eyes closed when he started to kiss his way down to my shoulder, his lips feeling angelic, but my eyes snapped open when they lost contact with my skin.

I leaned my head back and saw that he was looking up to me, his eyes searching my face before meeting my own. "I brought you crackers. They'll help with the hangover," I said, pointing to the bag I brought, but he barely looked over to them away from me.

Before I could say anything else, he put his hand on the side of my neck and pulled me down to him, his lips slightly stroking mine, the stubble on his chin tickling my skin. The thumb from his hand on my neck lightly stroked the sensitive skin there, causing me to let out a breath, then in an instant our lips were crashing together. My heart skipped a beat entirely when I felt the underlying passion Norman was giving off and it flowing through my body, in every vein. My hands tangled into his hair as our lips enveloped each other, warmth radiating off of both of our bodies. Our heads moved slightly side to side, so we could taste as much as we could of the other. Wanting every inch of each other. My whole body was on fire when his hands started roaming around it, I burned for him, and I could feel he burned for me, too. But, he broke away all too soon. Both of us were a little breathless and our eyes were burning into each others, so many unspoken words. Norman seemed to want to say one thing, as did I, but he settled with something that seemed irrelevant to what was buzzing around in his head. "Thanks, babe."

My head was spinning. My mind and body were on fire from something that was pumping through my veins. I wasn't sure what it was. What the feel was that was coursing through my blood and bones along with the want for this man, but it felt.. right... Good.

I took me a moment to rack my brain for words, but after regaining my composure, they came a little easier. "Anything for my big baby," I teased, and slid off his lap. No matter how much I wanted what just happened to continue... I can't put it in words how much I wanted too, I knew it couldn't right now. I grabbed his hand once again and pulled him up, "come on, you look like you could sleep for a year and I need to get to work," I said and with a sigh he stood up, letting me pull him into his room.

--

I walked out of Norman's door, shutting it behind me, my mind running a mile a minute. What just happened in there? ..That kiss... That kiss was sending off all the bells I had in me to ring as loud as they could. I let my fingers dance across my lips that were still tingling. Whatever happened was strong. It was real and it was strong.

It was something alright..