The days after tomorrow //Jack

The smell of cooking bread filled the air around Kalina as she waited. The people coming and going in and out of the cafe at a normal rate around her, though she sat there quietly. Her gaze stiff, staring out the window. She fidgetted with her hands. Her thumb wrestling with the other in a death match to get the other one to hold still. A childs game she used to play with Lotus when they were growing up, but she did it unknowningly. The butterflies suddenly jumped up their speed. Each one battering her stomache the moment that she caught site of the man she was waiting on. His body hobbling down the road coming to the cafe that she sat at. Instantly, the game with her thumbs stopped and she brought her hands to lay on the table in front of her. She adverted her eyes the moment he walked in, taking a deep and slow breath before he had reached the table. She looked up at him with a grin as he bent down, gracing her cheek with a kiss. A jolt! She felt her insides jump to the mere touch of his lips.


"Tyler!" She came out with rather enthusiastically as she watched him take a seat. His completment coming out about her apparell. She dropped her head a moment, a smile playing on her lips. "Thank you. You look rather dashing yourself."


She had seen him wearing the shorts, but decided not to ask. The cast had been a problem for him since day one and she couldn't wait until he was rid of the thing. It only seemed to hinder him in everything he did. He was cursed for the time, but she was anxious for the times and places they would go when he was more mobile to enjoy an outting to the creek. They had often talked about going swimming and she knew that he was also anxious to get rid of the thing just to be free to move without the extra weight pulling him down.


"How are you, Ty?" SHe started off with a simple question and she drew her hand outward, reaching for one of his. She matched her hand up to his, letting her finger length be placed against his. She was surprised seeing the difference. Her skinny fingers looks small against his and his hand was certainly a little larger than her dainty one. She grinning, interlocking her fingers in his for a moment. Then, just as soon as she was going to ask of him something that was important, the waitress had came over to the table.


"and for you..." She asked after Tyler had placed an order for a meager glass of water. In all honestly, her stomach was flipping at the moment with anticipation so the thought of having food on her stomach seemed a bit daunting. Instead, she figured that once she had gotten Tyler back to her place, should he decide to join her, that she would fix a light snack until she had fixed supper. It would give her time to collect herself more.


"Just the same as him." She nodded to the woman and watched her walk away. SHe turned her attention back to Tyler. She looked to Tyler, a question forming within the look of her eyes. Her mouth began to move but quit several times. Why was she so nervous?

With the order so easy to fill, the waitress came out to the table bringing the glasses of water for them. She placed one in front of Kalina then one in front of Tyler.


"Anything else I can get for you?" Her question came out as cliche'd as ever, but Kalina shook her head with a smile. She took her answer."Alright, you two have a nice day. Just let me know if you do."


Kalina finally took a breath, looking down to her hand still within Tyler's grasp."So... Tyler. I was kinda hoping that maybe tonight... I would really like for you to meet my parents."

Kalina had made the comment on his clothing not to be mean, but in all honestly, she just loved seeing him there with her. She might have been teasing about the shorts, but it was not to be taken in any way other than that. She even grinned when he mentioned his want to wear normal pants again. "Well, I'd say it's getting just about that time for the colder months to get here, too. So, hopefully you'll rid yourself of your little friend before the snow hits."

Her voice came across a bit teasing to him, then changed when he mentioned the old man who had moved out. She had been weary of going to his place a few days after the investigatino with the peacekeeper. She had wanted to make sure everthing was clear before she would try to go to his place. To make sure that he was fully moved out. After a few moments of placing her hands into his, measureing their hands and mentally thinking about the question to come, he had let his hand close around her fingers.

"I was thinking that I'd talk to my mom soon about that. About see what positions were available down at the office she works. I"m sure there is something they have open. I think she mentioned something about someone had quit not but a few days ago." She mentioned to him, shrugging. She takes the comment about spending more time with her to heart. She would want nothing more than that. Nothing more than to have a quiet and peaceful time with him and not full of drama and events to interfere. She just would like one day to just talk to him. To be with him. Lean up against his chest and listen to his heart thump beneath his chest. To have his arms around her just for mere closeness. She mused.

The glass of water that had been set down in front of them, was eagerly grabbed by Tyler at the mere mention of meeting her parents. She wondered why he took to drinking so fast instead of answering, but only then did recollect what he had voiced out about it.

Yeah, I'd like to meet your parents....that'll be interesting.

"Interesting? Let's just hope it's nothing too interesting. I was just hoping that we might be able to spend some time together before they got home and all. I know it's kinda soon, but I really want them to meet you. It's just going to be casual, really. Nothing fancy. Lotus and Saffron will enjoy meeting you, I think. Especially Lotus. She got excited when I told her last night you might be coming over..." She tells him. Trying to make it sound welcoming and then at his next statement, it made her thoughtful. If only her parents knew what he did to protect her not long ago, they wouldn't have to worry much about her being with him. Should they say anything negative about it, she wasn't sure what she'd do or say if they chose to think he wasn't good enough for her. That was now going to be the part she would dread. Until then, she hoped for the best.

"Well, everythign happens for a reason. If not for that... me and you..." She began. She eyed him with a smile in her eyes. Staring at his features for a few moments. "... well, you know. It might be different now and we wouldn't even know each other. What say we get out of here? Head over to my place? I'll make us something to eat... we can just relax and all."

She asked him, turning her attention to her unattended to glass of water. She took a few heavy sips of it, then left the glass on the table. She stood up and walked beside of him. Her hands outstretched for him to take and to follow. Butterflies began to beat against her skin again, and her heart began to flutter. Just the thought of him coming with her to her house was so nerve racking and she didn't understand why. Instead, she waited on him. WAiting for his hands to be put into hers. Waiting for the moment when she knew that he was going to really accept her invitation.

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I"m sure there is something they have open. I think she mentioned something about someone had quit not but a few days ago.

Kalina listened to Tyler's responce to her budding statement. That there was possibly a position open for him if he would want to see about it. Although, it helped to have someone on the inside for reference, she wondered what her mother would think of Tyler. If she would sense the same thingn she did when she first met this man. The one with whom she fell for from day one, just by the look in his eye. As much as she didn't want admit outloud, his eyes was the one think that Kalina absolutely loved about Tyler. Often stealing glances to stare at them when she hoped he wasn't looking. Though, when he mentioned robbing a bank, Kalina couldn't help but chuckle a little, pulling her free hand up to cover her mouth.

"You'll do no such thing! Tyler! I can't believe you would say that!" She teased him heartily.
Upon the issue with her parents, Tyler had finally mentioned something about the bruise. ASking if her parents knew about it. In truth, she hadn't told them about it, but she was sure her mom might know of it. While, she trusted Lotus with the secret, she was sure that she might have let it slip to their mother. Though, no word or questions ever arose, so the topic never came up. "I didn't tell them about it. So, no. My dad won't be strangling you." She said a coy smile gracing her lips as she lightly touched a part of his arm above his hand. "Its alright. It's going away. I hope your doing well too?" She asked as she reached up to touch his face, letting her fingers graze his cheek.

She brought her hand down a moment later as they continued their conversation and his next question. It never donned on her that she never mentioned her middle sister at all. It wasn't that she meant to do that, but it's just that she and Saffron wasn't as close. She tends to be the quiet one of the family and sticks close to their mother. "Oh, Saffron is my middle sister. You'll get to meet her tonight, but she's super shy and quiet most of the time, though. Even around me, surprisingly."

As they had left, she still let what he said about her room play in her head. How could he think that she would have that kind of stuff, the pink walls and stuffed animals. Maybe, if Lotus was to leave her toys in her room, that might happen, but on a normal day to day basis, her room was fairly tidy and age appropriate. The wind outside had picked up from early this morning when she began her journey to the cafe and even though she had the light jacket, it still seemed to seep through the material.

Have you been telling anybody about us? What do your parents know...or your friends?

The question came out suddenly. One she wasn't too sure on how to answer. Sure, she's told a few people, but only the ones that were closest to her. Her private life was just that. If someone asked, she wouldn't deny them the basics, but everything else was on a need to know basis. All of those people except for Lotus of course, who was her sole confidant.

"Of course, you know I've told Lotus!" She tells him and smiles. "but, other than her... just really anyone close to me. My mom, dad... the ones that matter." She tells him as they walk. Tyler is then stopped by someone he knows that calls out to them. They converse for a few minutes, along with a look directed at her in a form of 'told you so' look. She dropped her head a moment, letting them finish their talking as she takes a few steps away to let him have his moments. It wasn't long before they start back on their way to her house. They weren't far from it now. Just a few more minutes and her one story house would come into view just around the next corner. The closer they got, the more nerves seemed to flutter. It was one thing to go to his place those few times. Sitting on his furniture and looking through his window, but to have him in her house, where she grew up. Where she slept and supped with her family. She messed with her fingernails in anticipation.

"And what about you? Told anyone about us?" She threw the question back at him. One questioned deserves another, though she wasn't too sure that he would be the gossip kind like some guys either, but his reply would be the answer. She didn't mind either way.

Upon arrival to her house, she turned the door knob and entered, allowing Tyler to enter as well. She shut the door behind him. "Well, this is it. Umm, Kitchens just in there." She pointed to the left as she showed him into the living room. It was small, but roomie. Simple furniture. Some wall hangings. An air of family hung heavy of long winter nights infront of the open fireplace. "The bathroom is just down this hallway."

She waited for a few moments, letting him look around if he wished. She rocked on the back of her heel. "Would you care for something to eat, I can make us something? I've not had lunch or anything... I was kinda hoping that you hadn't either."


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Kalina sets the plates out on the counter, then deals with the pot. She takes the time to let the faucet get warm with water before she lets the pot take the water to about half full before she puts it on the stove and starts to let it warm up. In all honestly, she had no clue what she was going to fix for her and Tyler, but she just hoped that whatever came out of the ingredients she was going to put together would suffice and taste just as good.

Even as Kalina had told him that he could help if he wanted to, he had made the decision as he hobbled over to her. She grinned. Something about having him in her house seemed to never let go of the feelings in her stomach. Even the looks she was giving him was coming off as flirtatious without really trying. Just the presence of him sent chills down her spine. Then, as she had asked for his opinion, he responded in away that made her breath halt.

You!

Then there was the feeling of his arms around her waist and then his lips against the skin of her cheek. She felt her cheeks flush with the feeling of his face on her shoulder. His breath jarring her and taking her attention away from the cold vegitables in front of her that she was trying to cut. She turned her face to meet his. With a curious question adorning within her eyes. "is.. that so?"

She paused. Her body tense for one moment before she turned into him momentarily, her hands moving up to his shoulders. "You... know.. I was talking about lunch..." She teased, and let her lips linger just a mere hair away from his lips. Waiting. Thinking. Wondering. Then She finally graced his lips with her presence. Sweet. Soft. Gently. She pulled away, grinning. "I don't think lunch will get done... this way. Come on. Help me with the carrots."

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Kalina's insides melt to the kisses that he places on her. The feeling of his hands around her waist. Even with him not talking, his breath on her neck is almost too much for her to bear. His body is cocooned to hers. Nothing coming between them at all until she turns to meet him with her comment and then letting her lips press against his gently. Letting her heart take over in the movements and actions against him. Nibbling on his lip. Even when she pulled away and tried to get him to help her peel the vegitables, she grins when he puts the peeler down and instead gets lost in this new Tyler that she hadn't been able to explore yet.

His body pushes against hers as they mold into yet another kiss. Her hands doing a dance behind his head. Her fingers touching his back. How she falls deeper into the passionate kiss that they both seem to have gotten lost in. She stays silent the whole time while she wants to just say his name, but don't. Kalina's heart beats forever fast for the moments that the kiss and contact lasts.

Who cares.

Then suddenly, the sound of the front door invades their private moment alone. Probably the only one she'll get with him for the rest of the night, but it's not enough as she wants nothing more than to spend just a little bit more time with him. Just a few more minutes wrapped in his embrace and passionate lips. A small groan comes from her when he puts a bit of distance between them, but quickly makes herself presentable by straigtening her shirt and turning back around to the vegitables, taking the peeler that Tyler had refused to use. A voice suddenly starts shouting out.

"Is he here? Is he here?" The sound of a young girl's voice calls out.

"Lotus. Saffron. In here." Kalina says. Her volume a little less than a yell, but she keeps her cool tone. She turns to look at Tyler for a moment seeing the redness in his face and smiles. She can't help but put an emphasis on something that really turns out to be a routine. "Our luck..."

It's then that Lotus and Saffron comes into the kitchen and sees Tyler. Lotus gives off a small wave, her fingers playing with the air. Each finger moving in a seperate fashioned pattern.

"You must be him. Right? Her boyfriend?" Lotus comes out with with a girlish giggle. Kalina drops her head a moment, as she turns suddenly to meet with Lotus and the quiet Saffron. Both girls staring at Tyler. Saffron can't help but suddenly hide her face from him, letting her gaze drop to the floor. Lotus on the other hand just gives him a huge grin.

"Yes. Lotus. This is Tyler..." She tells them with a shade of pink in her cheeks. "Girls, go put your school things up. Do your homework, please. I'll have a snack done for you soon."

She watches as Lotus pulls on Saffron's arm and they scramble out of the kitchen in haste, all the while Lotus's giggle travels through the house. Kalina turns her attention back to Tyler. "Sorry... she's a little hyper." Kalina goes back to peeling the carrots. Its gives her a few moments to collect herself from the sudden shock of the door opening and the appearance of her sisters bad timing. Her heart starting to relax, if only a little.

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