Anya

Anya: House Guest

Spencer's stay with us felt like it was rushing by. He met me backstage after the concert with a dozen roses and a long kiss. We were still getting to know each other and spent many of the nights curled up on the couch talking (and kissing) and telling stories about ourselves (and kissing). Tessa had been asked by Tyson to write his biography and agreed before the whole beach scene so she was busy and seemed more and more like an invisible roommate. But I couldn't really blame her. The day before Spencer was going to move into his apartment he got a call saying it wasn't ready quite yet and would be delayed three or four more days. When I left for work that day I felt giddy that he wasn't leaving and my mood was even better when I was pulled aside by the boss who offered me the conductor position. I was ecstatic when I bounded into the house. I knew Tessa was out since her car wasn't in the garage and went in search of Spencer to share my good news and mood.

"Spencer?!" I called.


I found him shirtless and sweaty...again. Yum! I took a minute to recover my speech and grinned. "Guess what? I got the conductor position" I said practically bouncing on the spot.



"That's great Anya!" he said giving me a big hug. "We should go out and celebrate this weekend."



"Let's go celebrate now" I said smiling.

"Ahn, it's already after 11 - I don't think much will be open around here." Spencer said practically.

"We don't have to leave the house to celebrate." I said taking his hand and leading him through the house.



I guided him to my room and invited him to relax on the bed with me with a wink. He laid next to me but looked ready for me to change my mind.



Before he could ask if I was sure or ready, I leaned into him and started kissing him....





The promotion happened to come with a day off so we spent most of the day in bed together. I think Tessa came home pretty late (maybe she wasn't working on that bio anymore?) but we didn't see each other much that day.



Eventually, we heard a light tap at the door and scrambled a bit before I called "Come in!"

Tessa stepped in and seemed to look everywhere but at us. I think the goofy grins (and the fact that we were half naked and still in bed at 4PM) gave us away. "I need a favor" she said to the ceiling.



"Okay, what?" I asked.

"Promise me first." Tessa said with a smile.

"I'm not going to promise if I don't know what it is..." I replied laughing.

"Please? For me, as your BEST BEST friend...." Tessa said knowing I'd cave.

"Okay I promise." I said looking at Spencer with a laugh. I was in an agreeable mood.

"Good, I have a date and he's bringing a friend. I know you two are...well I don't know what you are but still - just come keep his friend company? Please! Just as a friend. You can never meet the guy again...." Tessa was starting to ramble and I stopped her with my hand and looked to Spencer.

"You don't have to ask me." Spencer said with a smile.



"But I'm cool with it. She's your best best friend." he added with a wink.

I leaned over to give him another series of kisses. Behind me Tessa cleared her throat and when I didn't look at her she spoke up "So is that a yes?"

I said "yes" against Spencer's lips which muffled the response but she understood me and excused herself. She poked her head back in after a moment "They'll be here in an hour..." she said and closed the door. I giggled and resumed kissing Spencer.

I had to rush to get marginally presentable for my fake date when I realized the guys would be here in less than ten minutes. Spencer snagged my arm and pulled me close to him. "I know we haven't talked about this but will you promise me not to, like, fall in love with this guy tonight and rush off to Vegas and marry him?" he said with a chuckle. He got serious and continued "I like you, I think I love you and I don't want to share you with fake date....or anyone else."

"I think I love you too and would very much like the chance to find out." I said with a goofy grin. "I promise not to fall in love with fake date and rush off to Vegas. I'll be home tonight and we can continue where we left off." I said wrapping my arms around his neck.



Tessa's date turned out to be Mr. Muscles from the speed dating. I later found out they'd been spending a lot of time together while I was busy with Tyson and then Spencer. His friend, though cute and scruffy looking, didn't stand a chance with me that day and I think he realized it. But we got along well and chatted during the picnic. It was going fine until I spied Tyson approaching us. "This can't be good" I said looking past fake date's shoulder to Tyson.



When Tyson joined us at the picnic, I opted to ignore him. I didn't want another scene and I really had liked Tyson before he showed up everywhere I went...


As the sun set, Alexander and Tessa were quite happily entangled with each other and Tyson had disappeared. I was chatting with fake date when I looked over and saw Alexander holding a diamond ring out to Tessa! My eyes went wide with shock (clearly I suck as a friend if I didn't even know she was seeing Alexander, let alone on the verge of marrying the guy!).



They got married right then and there with fake date and I as the witnesses. It was a beautiful little exchange of vows (although I want something bigger and my mom would shoot me if I cheated her out of a wedding).



I gave Tessa a hug as they finished their vows. "Congratulations Tessa! I'm glad I was here." I said happily.

"I'm glad you were here too" Tessa said. "I know I didn't tell you about Alexander but...well we were both so busy." she said with a laugh. "And it's not really important. You were here tonight! Thank you for coming."



Tessa and Alexander went back to his house for the night, they'd be moving together to a new house across town over the coming week. I said goodbye to fake date and drove him to his house before heading home. I found Spencer playing fooseball and joined him. "Where's Tessa?" he asked without looking up as he focused on the ball.

"Married." I replied almost casually.

He looked up and let go to the handles. "Huh"

I took a swing at the ball while he was distracted. "Goal!" I said and looked up. "She's married!"



I walked around to the other side of the table to stand next to him. "Her date, Alexander, proposed tonight and they got married right there in the park! Seems they've been seeing each other since the whole speed dating thing."



"That's great!" He said and paused "Right? It is great?"

"Oh yeah! It's wonderful! I'll miss her because of course she's moving out but I'm so happy for her. She's all glowy and now know why she's been writing romances." I said with a laugh.



"So what did you do while I went on my fake date?" I asked happily entwined in his arms.

"Oh not much, I went shopping." he said as he laid a kiss on each cheek, each side of my neck and eventually my lips.

"Shopping?" I asked. "What for?"

"Oh just stuff..." Spencer said still busy kissing various parts of my neck and face. "Ya know, I was going to wait....plan something big...."

My brain tried to follow what he was saying but his trail of kisses distracted me so I think I just muttered a bit in response.

"But given tonight's events, it seems to be a sign or something." he said and suddenly pulled away from me. I tried to pull him back into my arms but he resisted. He got down on one knee and pulled a velvet box from his pocket.

"I....uh....Spencer?" I started to say, stumbling with words or coherent thought.

"Anya...I know we haven't known each other that long but every kiss feels like I've been kissing you forever and like I should be kissing you every day. When we're apart I ache to be with you - even if we're doing to different things. I like the way your forehead crinkles when you're thinking of something. I love the way your eyes glisten like you're about to cry when you perform at work. I love the way you burned the waffles the other morning even though you make wonderful waffles because I distracted you. I can't imagine leaving this house in two days for an apartment I now think feels empty even though it will have all my stuff in it. It just won't be home - you are my home, if you'll have me." he paused and I could feel my eyes glistening just like they do while at work - unshed tears of joy and happiness. "So, Anya, will you marry me? Will you love me? Will you be mine, utterly and completely?"



"Yes." I said trying not to cry. "Definitely yes." I said again as he slid the ring onto my finger.



I jumped into his arms and wrapped my arms tightly around his neck.



When he set me down on the floor I gazed into his eyes and couldn't help but glance at the ring behind him. "I love you Spencer."

"I love you to Anya." he said

Anya

Anya's Story: The Setup

I was giggling when the doorbell rang. I'm not really a giggler but I was talking to Tyson on the phone and they just bubbled out of me. I sobered up quickly as another loud "ding dong" reverberated through the house. "Hey Ty, can I call you back later, someone's at the door." I giggled again at his response. "K. Bye....yeah." Finally I snapped the phone shut and trotted to the front door, a large smile on my face. I glanced out the window on the door and my smile drooped. "Tess! My parents are here!" I called toward to office. She'd been camped out in there for days, apparently riding a writing inspiration wave. I thought I heard some sort of reply and shrugged as I pulled open the door. "Hey Dad."



"Hi sweetie" he said pulling me into a hug. His breath tickled my ear as he whispered his warning "She brought you a friend". He had a big grin on his face as he walked by me to allow my mom and a tall man to enter.

"Mom." I said giving her a quick hug. She looked like she was plotting as she motioned to the man. "Anya, this is Spencer." She hurried down the hall leaving Spencer and I alone.

"Hi Spencer, I'm Anya." I offered him my hand and he shook it confidently returning my greeting. He had a good shake, and he did look good.



I was about to ask him how he'd gotten dragged along to this...whatever this was...when my phone rang. Tyson. I suppressed another giggle and led Spencer into the house. "So Mom, what are y'all doing here?" I asked. They lived a few towns over and a visit was NOT a day trip for them.

"Can't a mother want to see her daughter?" my mom asked feigning innocence.

"Yes, but normal people call." I said with a smirk. I knew she'd shrug it off and she did. "Need a place to stay tonight?" I asked. I knew the only hotel in town was booked and had been for weeks due to the start of summer.

"If you don't mind." My dad interjected. "And for Spencer?"

"That's fine." I said nodding. Tess finally emerged from her den and cave each of my parents a quick hug. Tess got along with my parents better than her own. "Right Tess?"

"Yeah sure." she said without even considering. I wasn't sure she knew what I was referring to and my suspicions were confirmed when she looked at me questioningly "Wait what?" she asked

"My parents and Spencer, " I point to the charming man standing by the fireplace, "they're gonna stay the night before heading back."

"Oh I'm not going back with your parents" Spencer said with a smile. "I'm moving here, my apartment will be ready next week."

"And until then..." my mom said baiting the line and eying me expectantly.

I glared at her and then looked over at Spencer who looked totally innocent. I suspected he had a plan on where to stay but my mom had decided it wasn't acceptable...

"Where are you staying until your apartment is ready?" I asked casually.

"An old friend of mine is out of town, I'll crash at his place if I can't get a room at the hotel. I'm sure he won't mind..." Spencer said.

I caught my mom still looking from me to him and winking. She was definitely plotting. I wasn't about to satisfy her plot at this point and turned to Tessa. "Want to help me get dinner ready?" I asked and she agreed.



My mom eyed me through most of the preparation and through dinner. I knew she wanted me to extend an invitation to Spencer, we had plenty of room in the house and she knew it. I didn't satisfy her though.



After we'd finished eating, my dad disappeared first, followed by my mom. She actually pushed me back into my seat when I started to stand to clear the dishes. Tessa stayed as long as she could before my mom beckoned her for the third time from the kitchen. I looked at Spencer across the table and started laughing. Spencer joined in with me. He was clearly not oblivious to the plotting around him.



I decided to move closer to him, it seemed ridiculous to be sitting across a wide table. I spied my mom watching from the living room and ignored her. We chatted with each other for sometime before we both felt the need to get up and stretch.



I finally saw my parents retreat upstairs to the guest room and offered to show Spencer around the house.

"You have a nice house here." He said as we completed the tour back at the top of the stairs near the rec room.

"Thanks, I've done a lot to it over the last 6 months" I said with a small laugh. I noticed he looked at me curiously but didn't ask me to elaborate. "Anyway, we have about 500 channels so feel free to watch anything you like." I said motioning to the TV. I'm a heavy sleeper and I don't think Tessa has slept in days" I said then added quickly "she's a writer and is inspired at the moment."

"Ahh! I understand that." he said. "I'm a photographer, among other things - sometimes you just get the itch."

I nodded. "Well okay, there are clean towels in the bathrooms and you can sleep in the room at the end of the hall." I said starting to head downstairs.

"Anya." he called out when I was about four steps down. He glanced toward the rec room and then back at me. "I know you said you're off tomorrow and I'm buzzed at the moment so not ready for bed - want to watch a movie with me or something?"

"Um...sure. That would be great." I said admitting to myself I wouldn't have fallen asleep for a few hours at least anyway.

We flipped through the channels and the stack of DVDs I owned and finally settled on a comedy.



We both talked through most of the movie and got along really well together.



When my eyes started to droop a bit, I found myself leaning back and against his shoulder - it was comfortable and....well right. It just felt right.

He place his arm around my shoulder casually but I could sense that he was prepared for me to shrug it off or react - I didn't. In fact, I felt myself snuggling closer to him. My eyes were no longer drooping though, I was wide awake.

He leaned in close to me as well as we sat like that for awhile. "I know your mom was trying to set us up and all but I can't really complain" he said against me ear. I could tell he was smiling when he said it too.

I chuckled. "I'm not complaining." I said with a grin.



"I'd like to kiss you right now..." he said serious again.

I smiled and nodded as a touch of pink flared across my face. "And I'd be okay with that..."



And I was. I was VERY okay with that. We didn't finish the movie....well we didn't see how it ended. And neither of us cared in the least. I don't know how long it had been back on the menu screen when we both yawned at the same time. Inwardly I was giddy, thinking [i]'I haven't made out like that since high school'[/i].

We part at the stairs with another kiss, this one quick and light - like we'd been doing it for years and would be doing it for years. I lingered on the steps as he headed to the second guest room and I thought I spied my mom peeking out of their room for a moment as I turned to head down the stairs. I couldn't help but laugh as I climbed into my own bed and snuggled down in the blankets.

The next morning I didn't see my parents. They'd left a note saying they were going into town for the day and would be back for dinner before heading home. I found Spencer having a bowl of cereal wearing PJ pants and no shirt. His back was to me as I looked at his body. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths before getting my own breakfast and settling at the table next to him. "Morning" I said with a smile.

I was pleased to see his face light up a bit as I sat down. "Good morning." he said. "You look great".

I raised an eyebrow at him seeing as I was still in my PJs and had thrown my hair into a quick ponytail but I smiled. "So, what are your plans today?"

"I don't have any really. I have a concert to shoot this weekend but I'm free as a bird today and tomorrow." he said

I nodded and considered. The only concert in town this weekend was the Symphony....my symphony. "You're shooting the Symphony?" I asked then took another bite of my cereal. I saw him look a little surprised for a moment but he nodded. "Saturday night?" I queried.

"Yeah, are you going?" he asked trying to figure out how I knew so much.

I laughed. I almost choked on my cereal as I laughed. "Going? Yes, I should hope so." I said when I'd recovered use of my voice. "I'm First Chair." I said with a grin.

"Fabulous!" he said. "I love music!"

I finished my cereal and grabbed both our bowls and placed them in the sink. "Come on. Let's go to the beach." I said, I wasn't even sure he had swim clothes with him but I figured it was a great day. He agreed and took the stairs two at a time to change. We walked down to the cove together and claimed a couple of chairs before the crowd would arrive.

He gave me a fabulous back massage when I complained about being a little sore after we'd been there for a couple hours.



After that, we couldn't seem to keep our hands off each other.



I hadn't realized Tyson had arrived (in fact I hadn't really thought much of Tyson since last night) until he came over and started gesturing and talking loudly. Mostly toward Spencer - which Spencer didn't deserve.



I stepped in. "Tyson! What is your problem?"

"My problem?" Tyson sputtered toward me. "I thought....I mean..."

"You thought what exactly? You're a great guy but we've been on a grand total the three sort of dates - two of those were over within 10 minutes. One involved fire. We had one kiss....I'd like get to know you more but we never..."



Tyson seemed at a loss for words. He was honestly feeling betrayed and I simply couldn't feel guilty. We barely knew each other and certainly weren't exclusive. I wasn't sure we were really dating before I met Spencer but we were on our way there probably. He was angry and wouldn't drop it. Finally I sighed. "Tyson, I won't apologize, why don't you just go." I said a little sad, our young friendship had just shattered into nothing and I hated that - he was a nice guy.



I turned back to Spencer and shrugged. "Sorry about that. That was Tyson, I met him a couple weeks ago." Spencer just nodded. He could tell I was sad and pulled me into a hug.

"It's okay." he said softly into my ear.



After the hug he smiled. "You need a drink, let me get you one from the bar." he said taking my hand and pulling me over. I nodded and followed him, my hand still firmly held by him. He planted me into a barstool and went behind the bar to make up some drinks for us. I was content watch him when I familiar smell assaulted me....'Adam, Adam's cologne....' the thought met my brain just as a hand touched my neck.

"Hey babe" a soft male voice said. A familiar voice slightly slurred. It was Adam - definitely Adam. But he was tipsy. Spencer was still ducked behind the bar to gathering stuff for drinks as I whipped out of my chair and shoved Adam away from me.

"Don't. Touch. Me." I warned.



"What's your problem.....Ahn?" he sputtered. Yep, definitely tipsy.

"You're drunk. And you're married. And you're not married to me. So don't touch me, you don't have the right." I shot back. I watched as his eyes widened and the cloud of fuzz on his brain cleared just a bit. I wondered briefly if he was unhappy with his new wife but decided I didn't really care anymore. He stumbled backward a bit and then left the cove quickly.

Spencer came around and pulled me into another embrace. "Any more boyfriends be joining us today?" he asked with a smile. I chuckled and buried my head in his chest. "My days aren't normally this interesting." I said.



"I don't mind." Spencer said still holding me. "I like learning about you....even if this is how it happens."



And then he kissed me, this time a long exploring kiss.

We were still at the cover when the sun started to set as well....there was more kissing.



More people arrived as the beach was swathed in artificial light and the glow of the moon off the water. Spencer started up a fire pit and a few people joined us around the pit.



It wasn't until we got back to the house that I remembered my parents and dinner. Tessa reminded me and grinned like a cat. "Your mom didn't seem to mind when I mentioned you'd been out all day with Spencer. She said to tell you goodbye and to remind you about Spencer's living situation" she said with a laugh.



I changed out of my beach dress and then found Spencer in the second guest room. I shuffled my feet a bit and then approached him. "So I know you said you could crash at your friend's place but since he's not here....and you're already here....you could stay here." I said awkwardly. "Until your apartment is ready of course..."

"Of course..." Spencer said grinning.



"So do you want to stay here?" I asked, motioning to the room. "We have space and all..."

"Here, in this room?" Spencer asked smiling

"Yeah...here." I said trying to resist the urge to invite him to my own room. "It's a nice room...."

"It is..." Spencer said as he stepped closer and pulled me into an embrace.



I pushed him away a bit with a laugh. "Here...yes, definitely here." I said grinning.



He pretended to be resigned but he was smiling. "This would be great Anya, thanks for the offer." he said. "I really appreciate it." He gave me a light kiss and we said goodnight.



I'm not sure how he spent the next day as I had to work but he found me lounging in the backyard that night. He was wearing PJ pants again and since I'd spied him wearing just shorts and no shirt to work out earlier I couldn't help but joke. "Do you own any shirts?" I asked with a grin.



Spencer chuckled. "I do, want me to put one on?" he asked

I eyed him up and down and shook my head. "Not really" I said with a wink. I watch his sculpted body as he sat down in the chair next to me. "No, not at all." I said quietly.



We stayed sitting there, just chatting for over and hour. He finally got up and left me with a kiss as he went inside. I followed shortly after and could see him jogging on the treadmill on the sundeck. No shirt....I almost went in and invited him to my room but with a heavy sigh, I turned from the sight and headed to bed. "Not yet." I said to myself. "Not yet..."