Homecoming

Arriving back at the house, Caleb parks the car and helps Andrea unload her pile of bags into the much cooler house. Setting everything in the living room, Caleb remarks, “How the hell did you carry all this around the Mall for 3 hours?”

Andrea puts her hand on her face in a mock-thoughtful expression. “Well, you see, I slowly gathered the bags over the *course* of the three hours…it's called shopping. You should try it, Gym-Shorts McGee.” The expression turns into a naughty smirk. “Although you could help me carry things around the Mall next time, I’d make sure you were handsomely…rewarded.”

Caught off-guard, Caleb stammers and reddens.“Oh well, yeah, um, sure thing. Definitely won't have errands next time.” Caleb heads over to the refrigerator and grabs a soda while Andrea picks up the first set of bags to take upstairs. “Hey Andrea, want a Doctor Thunder? They should be cold by now.”

Not hearing a reply, Caleb calls her name again and then stands up to see a pile of dropped bags and Andrea staring at the flowers and gift bag sitting on the dining room table. “Oh…right, those. I hope you like them.”

Andrea snaps out of her reverie and opens the gift bag and pulls the model kit out. “Oh fuck, a Typhoid Belcher, how did you know? And the flowers…no one has ever gotten me flowers, it's just…it's just...” Andrea, eyes watering, rushes over to Caleb and hugs him, sobbing into his shoulder. “They're beautiful. Why did you do all this, Caleb, you didn't have to. I don't even know what to say.”

Caleb gives her waist a squeeze, smiles and pulls Andrea’s chin up with his left hand. “Andrea, I didn't *have* to do anything. I *wanted* to do this for you, because I want you to have a great time tonight and every lovely lady deserves flowers on a first date. I remembered you didn't have a Typhoid Belcher because they came out right as you stopped playing. Reg sends his regards by the way and told me you were allowed to beat my ass if I didn't treat you right.”

Wiping her eyes, Andrea sniffs and lets out a watery chuckle. “Oh Reg, I'm glad he's doing okay. You, on the other hand, Mister, better Heed. His. Words.” Andrea punctuates this with finger pokes into Caleb's belly. Laughing at Caleb's discomfiture, her stern words melt into a grin. “I must say though, you are doing great, you big thoughtful sweet dummy”

“Hey, I’m not that big!” Caleb retorts in mock-hurt.

Andrea laughs and squeezes Caleb tighter. “Yes, you are, my big squishy Teddy-Bear.” With that, she reaches up and kisses Caleb straight on the lips, a peck becoming a deep sensual kiss as his surprise quickly gives way to enthusiasm. Tongues rolling together, lips locked, heart rates beating in time, moments become minutes until they both break free.

Flushed and panting, Caleb is stunned. “Holy hells, Andrea, that was intense. I guess I did alright then?”

Andrea giggles “You really did, but we should probably get ready for our date tonight before things get too hot and heavy, cuz I might not want to leave Help me carry this stuff upstairs, please?”

“After that, how could I say no?”