The Sea Noose

The Sea Noose


I was awoken by the feeling of someone stroking my hair. It was still long, as it had been when I was little, reaching the middle of my back. I brought my hand up to my eyes, rubbing them tiredly.

“Hm?” I opened my eyes to see that I was still being held by Cian, on the couch. There was another log in the fire, meaning that sometime during the night he had let me go, but I didn't wake and he had come back to me. Cian smiled and brushed a strand of hair from my face.

“Good morning, Kassy.” I smiled back.

“Good morning, Cian.” he kept running his fingers through my hair, brushing it to one side. I cocked my head to one side slightly.

“How long have you been awake?” he shrugged.

“Oh, I've been up for a bit.”

“Do you know what time it is?” he looked thoughtful.

“Well... when I put that log on the fire, I had grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen and it was about six-forty five. That was about twenty minutes ago, so I'd say it's around seven in the morning now.” I nodded.

“I think this is the earliest I've been up in a few days.” he smiled.

“Well, you'll be getting up earlier if you agree to a favor I wanted to ask you.” I raised and eyebrow.

“And what favor would that be?”

“I was hoping that you would be able to watch Vitas for me. I'm supposed to go on a business trip to Virginia to help fix the computer database for a company over there. I'll be gone for about six days. All my other animals can stay outside for those six days, they're cats as you know, and they like hunting the mice around the shed in the back. They can also sleep in the shed too, so they'll be warm.” I nodded.

“I'd love to watch him for you. Have you already bought food for him?” he smiled.

“Yeah, I spent all day yesterday getting things that he'll need. Food, blankets, toys, kennel.. I also too him to the vet, had him registered and I had all his immunization shots get up to date, so you don't have to worry about that.” I nodded again.

“That's good. I'm guessing you brought enough of his food to last him for six days with you, along with some of his blankets and toys?” he nodded.

“Yes, I did.” I smiled.

“Why don't you bring them in? We can put them in the guest bedroom so he'll have his own little room while he stays here.”

“Alright, I can go bring every thing in.” he gently lifted me from his lap and set me on the couch and headed to the door. “I'll be back in just a second.” I smiled and stood from the couch.

As he went out the door to his car, I went into the other bedroom and looked around it. There was a queen sized bed pushed against one wall, with dark red sheets and blankets and gold pillows. There was an old fashioned looking dresser next to it with dark brown wood from aging. There was a lot of floor space, enough for a dog. He should be comfortable in here, I was sure of it. He could even sleep on the bed if he really wanted to.

Cian walked into the room, carrying a couple of thick blankets and toys. I stepped out of the way as he layed them down on the floor, pushing the toys off to an empty corner of the room. I smiled as he looked up at me.

“Is this ok?” I nodded.

“Yeah, this is fine. He'll have lots of free space in here.” he smiled.

“That's good. He's been a tad energetic lately. Having space is good for him.”

“When do you leave for Virginia?” he looked sheepish.

“In a few hours.” I resisted the urge to put my hands on my hips.

“You leave in a few hours... and you're just now asking that someone babysit Vitas?”

“Well, I did come over last night, hoping to ask you then but I didn't get the chance.” he defended and I relented.

“Fine, you're off the hook this time... but next time...” I wagged a finger at him and he smiled.

“Yes, I know. I'm done for.” I nodded.

“Yep.” he laughed softly, his warm voice once again filling the space around us comfortably. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

“If it's ok with you, I'll leave now and come back with Vitas alright? I think after I drop him off I should head back home to start packing.” I shook my head, amused.

“So, not only did you just now ask for someone to babysit Vitas, you haven't even started to pack yet.” he sighed.

“Yes, I know, I'm horribly unorganized... but it's not my fault! I only found out yesterday that I was supposed to go on this trip...” I nodded.

“Uh-huh. Why don't you stop talking, and go get your pooch.” he smiled and walked over to me, giving me a soft kiss on the cheek.

“I'll try to hurry back, alright?” I smiled.

“I'll be waiting.” he nodded and left the room, heading to the door. I slowly walked out of the room, some what following him. He went out the front door and jogged the few feet to his car, a ford truck, black and hopped in. I looked out the window in the kitchen above the sink as he drove off towards his house to get Vitas. I yawned and walked back to my room. I rummaged through my dresser and found a pair of comfortable jeans and loose tank top that I could wear.

I didn't put a bra on, not feeling like bothering with one for today. I stretched my arms over my head, making sure that nothing would be popping out of my shirt without my bra and I smiled, pleased that nothing would be showing themselves. I walked out of my room, swinging my hips this way and that, loving the the way my jeans moved with me.

I walked into the living room and I layed down on the couch, stretching my arms over my head and pillowed them under my head. I closed my eyes and waited for Cian to come back with Vitas.