by Laura K
LOL! For those who choose to read it "wink", same disclaimers apply as "last
year" - Never met Ingo, this is all pure fantasy, etc! So Enjoy!
Laura K
IRFC
(And an avid and satisfied reader of Ocean's fan fic! "vbg")
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"Awake for a Dream" / Part X
When the phone began to ring on my desk at mid-morning, I lept to answer it...
I had come into work today-friday-the day after New Years- just to do a little catching-up after the holidays. I had been out of the office for almost two weeks, and the pile of work before me was astounding. But I needed to be here, doing busy work, keeping myself occupied. I was missing Ingo so very much, and with him due back today, my emotions were in a whirl. Would he call today? Had he missed me? Or had the absence made his interest waine? I just couldn't stand to think about those questions right now, so I came to the office to bury myself in work for a few hours...
I had missed Ingo's only call, coming the day after Christmas, while I was still at my sisters home. When I replayed the message, I was filled with joy and saddness at the same time.
"Hey there! Sorry I missed you. Hope you're having a wonderful holiday. Mine's been great, but I miss your voice...Guess that taped message I just heard will have to do, huh?" he laughed, a touch of sadness to his voice.
"Well, listen, I get back on the second, I will call you when I get in.." he paused again, "I never know what to say to these machines." he chuckled. "Guess I'll talk to you on the second...I miss you..." and then he hung up.
I think I replayed that message twenty times, reveling in the melodic tone of his voice, the sincere "missing you" feeling his voice parlayed to me...God, would the second never get here...
Now, it was Friday, the second of January, and the phone on my desk was ringing. I knocked a whole pile of folders to the floor as I jumped to answer the phone, but I didn't care. All that mattered was getting the phone...
"Hello beautiful." That magic voice came over the line, like music to my ears. The tears of joy and relief immediately began streaming down my cheeks, as I clutched the phone tighter to my ear - I wanted to crawl through the phone at that moment.
"Hello there yourself, beautiful" I replied happily.
He laughed then, but I could hear the exhaustion in his voice.
"Well, I sure am glad to hear your voice finally" He said," It's been much too long..Look, I'm still in New York, I have a connecting flight in thirty minutes, so I can't talk long. But I couldn't wait to call..."
"I'm glad you didn't" I answered softly.
There was silence on the line for a moment, as each of us was lost in our own thoughts. Then we spoke in unison,
"Can you come to L.A.?"
"Can I come to L.A.?"
We both hesitated, taking a moment to comprehend what each other had said, and realising we wanted the same thing.
We laughed then, happy, joyous, relief-filled laughter.
"Great minds.." I said, still giggling. Then I continued seriously, " Of course I'll come to L.A., I can't wait another day to see you..."
"Me either.." Ingo replied honestly. "But I'm just so tired..." He paused again, and the exhaustion was even more apparent in his voice now, "I need to get home... Listen, just leave me a message at the house about what time your plane arrives, I'll come pick you up."
"No, " I responded matter-of factly, "You just go home and rest, I can tell how tired you are. I will take a cab, o.k.? I will call and let you know what time to expect me though."
"Are you sure?"
"Quite sure"
"O.K.", he said quietly, "Listen, I gotta go, I've got quite a hike to get my connecting flight." He paused, as if he didn't want to hang up.
"Go catch your plane" I directed firmly. "I will see you tonight..."
I hung up the phone, and looked around at the mess on my desk. I laughed then, for I realized that work would just have to wait. Right now, I had more important things to do.
I managed to book a seat on a flight out late that evening, so I rushed home to pack a few things and finish up some last minute errands so that I would be free for the weekend.
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My flight finally arrived in L.A. a half hour late, but luckily I had no trouble finding a cab.
The taxi dropped me off at Ingo's drive, and I took my bag and proceded to the front door.
I knocked quietly and waited, but there was no response.
"Poor baby," I thought silently to myself, "I hate to wake him. I know he is exhausted...maybe I should just go get a motel for the night?" I turned back toward the drive, but the Taxi was already gone.
"Well, that settles that," I thought sadly. I knocked again, loudly this time, and after several minutes I heard the lock turn.
Ingo stood there, blinking sleepily. He looked so incredibly tired...and so incredibly beautiful...
I couldn't help myself. I dropped my bag inside the door, and lept into his arms. He hugged me tightly,nuzzling my hair.
"Thanks for coming, baby." he said sleepily.
"I didn't have a choice." I replied sincerely.
Ingo scooped me into his arms and carried me to his bed. As he laid down, with me still cradled in his arms, he whispered quietly, "I'm so happy you're here..."
He was asleep again before his head even settled into the pillow. But the smile was still on his face, and his arms were still wrapped tightly around me.
I just lay there, looking up at him, absorbing all the sight and smell of him, unable to quench the thirst for his very presence that had been building in me for so long..
"I'm glad I'm here too.." I whispered softly in reply.
Like I would be anywhere else...
END PART X