Status: just messing around with ideas
Blame It All on My Roots
Chapter 4
"Why?" I asked as Harry turned his face away. He took a deep breath before saying, "Magnolia, you seem wonderful, but I just don't know you well enough yet to not ask. The media is always looking for dirt on me and aren't afraid to delve into my personal life to get what they want. I want to be able to enjoy time with you and get to know you without any of that flack." I saw the nervous tremble of his lips and gave his hand a comforting squeeze, "I won't tell. I promise."
"I can't believe you hate carrot cake!" "Oh my gosh I can't believe you like it!" I retorted. "Magnolia, its THE best!" "Veggies don't belong in cake!" "Oh you can't even taste it!" "They even ice a carrot on it! Its so grossss!" "I'm curious to hear what cake you do like." "Oh please I like lots of cake. Just not carrot cake!" I said making a face. "Enlighten me, love." "Well uh coconut cake." "Oh my god you like coconut cake?" "Yes!" "Ew Magnolia, to think I was going to ask you on a second date, but I'm rethinking that now." He joked. "Harry!" I laughed playfully, pushing him back. "So that's a yes to a second date?" He smirked. "As long as there's no carrot cake!" I laughed, "How bout we strike a deal? A second date without carrot cake AND coconut cake." "Fine." we both broke into laughter over the silliness of the conflict.
"When would this second date be?" I asked as Harry drove us back to London. "I have duty on the base all week, but I'll be back in town Friday night." "Won't you be tired though?" "Oh its no trouble, since we're staying in anyway." Oh yea, we had to stay in. The thought was strange to me. "We could watch movies at my place. I can make dinner." I offered. "A home cooked meal sounds delightful."
I love the crisp feeling of the air passing my body as I run down the streets of Notting Hill. Ignoring the life around me I drop everything and let go for the 20 minutes I had set aside to get some cardio in. I had Fall Out Boy blaring in my ears and I turned onto the street my apartment building was on and saw 2 black cars parked outside. Weird, I thought. I slowed my pace to a gentle jog until I reached the door. I wiped the little bit of sweat from my face as I stepped onto the elevator and went up to the 2nd floor. I stepped into the narrow hall and found two men in black suits blocking the way, they gave me cross expressions as I approached and I simply said and pointed to my door, "I live at the end of the hall." "Richard, let her by." A voice said from behind the men. They stepped aside and I saw Harry in a dirty t-shirt, camo pants, and army boots on the bench. "I got back from base early, I tried to call but you didn't answer." He said. I pulled my phone out of my armband and saw the missed calls, "I was on a run, but that's fine. I hope you don't mind I'm kinda sweaty." I said unlocking the door. "That makes two of us." He laughed, "Ma'am I need to do a sweep of the flat." Richard said walking in before Harry or I could. I mentally panicked, I smelled bad, dinner was not ready, I had no makeup on, and I couldn't even remember if I had cleaned the bathroom or not.
"All clear your highness." Richard said stepping out in the hall with the other guard. Once the door was shut Harry immediately apologized, "I'm sorry the guards are such a bother. I should've waited and -" "Don't worry about it, Harry." I said flipping the light switch.
Her flat was a blend of classic and bohemian styles. The walls were all exposed brick, the kitchen and living room coexisted with a roll-away island separating the two spaces. In window there was a small table with two cozy chairs next to the kitchen area. She had lots of artwork and photographs on the walls, showcasing her travels and family. It was small in some ways, but the perfect size for her. Harry could see her passions in the home. The antique china cabinet held all of her mismatched dainty dishes, there were prints of vintage fashion on the walls, and modernistic pottery decorated the cabinet below the flat screen tv. Her room was closed off by a set of french doors, which revealed a puffy comforter, neat and tidy desk, and a dress for with a vintage gown.
"Do you wanna change or anything?" Harry was immediately pulled form his thoughts, "Uh-yes, where's the loo?"
"Next door." I said pointing to the solid door next to my bedroom door. I went into my room and pulled off my sneakers and wiped my face clean. I looked okay, not great, but okay in my gray running tank that showed my turquoise sports bra and my loose black running shorts. My hair was tied up in a high ponytail and headband, which I took down and refashioned into a loose braid. I quickly went back to the kitchen and started on dinner, chicken alfredo with my great grandmother's chocolate chip cookie recipe for dessert. I pulled the already prepared cookie sheet from the fridge and started baking. I started heating up the pasta water and cooking the chicken too.
"May I help?" He said with a hand on my shoulder "Yea, watch the chicken," I said turning to face him, he had changed into a clean shirt and jeans, "What are ya drinkin' tonight?" I asked walking to my liquor/wine cabinet. "I like the way you think. I'll have whatever you're having." "Can't go wrong with white." I muttered pulling out a bottle of white wine.
"So how was the run?" He asked before taking a bite of the chicken. "It was good, I didn't go very far only about a mile or so." "How far do you usually go?" "I've gone up to five miles, but typically I do two. How's your week been?" "Long, but good. Glad to be here now and not working." He said holding my hand on the table. This was so cheesy, we might as well have been out wining and dining with casual conversation. It was like every rom com I had binge watched in college. After dinner we moved to the couch where we started a movie, but got side tracked talking and drinking,
"I doubt you're a better shot than me, love." Harry laughed at the idea of being beaten by a girl. "Is that a challenge your highness?" I mocked. "Only if you're up to losing." Harry laughed. "We'll see how that pans out." "You, me and a weekend at my country house. We'll see who the real winner is." "A weekend away and a chance to beat you? Count me in." I laughed, "But don't you think you should at least make a move before whisking me away to the country for a weekend?" "I see your angle, love," He winked pulling me on top of him "But you didn't think this one through." His hands reached around me and he began tickling me as I squirmed and squealed I shouted, "Harry! What the hell!" I was trapped in his grip and he finally stopped when he couldn't control his laughter. I playfully smacked his arm once I was free, "You're so bloody cute." He chuckled pulling me into his lap, so I was straddling him. His blues eyes met mine and we locked sight on each other. " And beautiful too." He whispered leaning in so close to me that our noses were touching. We both took a deep breath and with eyes closed I felt his lips brush onto mine. Soon enough we had tangled together on my little couch exchanging fervent kisses. My hands held his head and my fingers were entangled in his red locks, his arms on my waist pressed me closer to him.
"Your highness, its time to leave. The press is outside."
"I can't believe you hate carrot cake!" "Oh my gosh I can't believe you like it!" I retorted. "Magnolia, its THE best!" "Veggies don't belong in cake!" "Oh you can't even taste it!" "They even ice a carrot on it! Its so grossss!" "I'm curious to hear what cake you do like." "Oh please I like lots of cake. Just not carrot cake!" I said making a face. "Enlighten me, love." "Well uh coconut cake." "Oh my god you like coconut cake?" "Yes!" "Ew Magnolia, to think I was going to ask you on a second date, but I'm rethinking that now." He joked. "Harry!" I laughed playfully, pushing him back. "So that's a yes to a second date?" He smirked. "As long as there's no carrot cake!" I laughed, "How bout we strike a deal? A second date without carrot cake AND coconut cake." "Fine." we both broke into laughter over the silliness of the conflict.
"When would this second date be?" I asked as Harry drove us back to London. "I have duty on the base all week, but I'll be back in town Friday night." "Won't you be tired though?" "Oh its no trouble, since we're staying in anyway." Oh yea, we had to stay in. The thought was strange to me. "We could watch movies at my place. I can make dinner." I offered. "A home cooked meal sounds delightful."
I love the crisp feeling of the air passing my body as I run down the streets of Notting Hill. Ignoring the life around me I drop everything and let go for the 20 minutes I had set aside to get some cardio in. I had Fall Out Boy blaring in my ears and I turned onto the street my apartment building was on and saw 2 black cars parked outside. Weird, I thought. I slowed my pace to a gentle jog until I reached the door. I wiped the little bit of sweat from my face as I stepped onto the elevator and went up to the 2nd floor. I stepped into the narrow hall and found two men in black suits blocking the way, they gave me cross expressions as I approached and I simply said and pointed to my door, "I live at the end of the hall." "Richard, let her by." A voice said from behind the men. They stepped aside and I saw Harry in a dirty t-shirt, camo pants, and army boots on the bench. "I got back from base early, I tried to call but you didn't answer." He said. I pulled my phone out of my armband and saw the missed calls, "I was on a run, but that's fine. I hope you don't mind I'm kinda sweaty." I said unlocking the door. "That makes two of us." He laughed, "Ma'am I need to do a sweep of the flat." Richard said walking in before Harry or I could. I mentally panicked, I smelled bad, dinner was not ready, I had no makeup on, and I couldn't even remember if I had cleaned the bathroom or not.
"All clear your highness." Richard said stepping out in the hall with the other guard. Once the door was shut Harry immediately apologized, "I'm sorry the guards are such a bother. I should've waited and -" "Don't worry about it, Harry." I said flipping the light switch.
Her flat was a blend of classic and bohemian styles. The walls were all exposed brick, the kitchen and living room coexisted with a roll-away island separating the two spaces. In window there was a small table with two cozy chairs next to the kitchen area. She had lots of artwork and photographs on the walls, showcasing her travels and family. It was small in some ways, but the perfect size for her. Harry could see her passions in the home. The antique china cabinet held all of her mismatched dainty dishes, there were prints of vintage fashion on the walls, and modernistic pottery decorated the cabinet below the flat screen tv. Her room was closed off by a set of french doors, which revealed a puffy comforter, neat and tidy desk, and a dress for with a vintage gown.
"Do you wanna change or anything?" Harry was immediately pulled form his thoughts, "Uh-yes, where's the loo?"
"Next door." I said pointing to the solid door next to my bedroom door. I went into my room and pulled off my sneakers and wiped my face clean. I looked okay, not great, but okay in my gray running tank that showed my turquoise sports bra and my loose black running shorts. My hair was tied up in a high ponytail and headband, which I took down and refashioned into a loose braid. I quickly went back to the kitchen and started on dinner, chicken alfredo with my great grandmother's chocolate chip cookie recipe for dessert. I pulled the already prepared cookie sheet from the fridge and started baking. I started heating up the pasta water and cooking the chicken too.
"May I help?" He said with a hand on my shoulder "Yea, watch the chicken," I said turning to face him, he had changed into a clean shirt and jeans, "What are ya drinkin' tonight?" I asked walking to my liquor/wine cabinet. "I like the way you think. I'll have whatever you're having." "Can't go wrong with white." I muttered pulling out a bottle of white wine.
"So how was the run?" He asked before taking a bite of the chicken. "It was good, I didn't go very far only about a mile or so." "How far do you usually go?" "I've gone up to five miles, but typically I do two. How's your week been?" "Long, but good. Glad to be here now and not working." He said holding my hand on the table. This was so cheesy, we might as well have been out wining and dining with casual conversation. It was like every rom com I had binge watched in college. After dinner we moved to the couch where we started a movie, but got side tracked talking and drinking,
"I doubt you're a better shot than me, love." Harry laughed at the idea of being beaten by a girl. "Is that a challenge your highness?" I mocked. "Only if you're up to losing." Harry laughed. "We'll see how that pans out." "You, me and a weekend at my country house. We'll see who the real winner is." "A weekend away and a chance to beat you? Count me in." I laughed, "But don't you think you should at least make a move before whisking me away to the country for a weekend?" "I see your angle, love," He winked pulling me on top of him "But you didn't think this one through." His hands reached around me and he began tickling me as I squirmed and squealed I shouted, "Harry! What the hell!" I was trapped in his grip and he finally stopped when he couldn't control his laughter. I playfully smacked his arm once I was free, "You're so bloody cute." He chuckled pulling me into his lap, so I was straddling him. His blues eyes met mine and we locked sight on each other. " And beautiful too." He whispered leaning in so close to me that our noses were touching. We both took a deep breath and with eyes closed I felt his lips brush onto mine. Soon enough we had tangled together on my little couch exchanging fervent kisses. My hands held his head and my fingers were entangled in his red locks, his arms on my waist pressed me closer to him.
"Your highness, its time to leave. The press is outside."