Chapter 8
A soft knock sounded through their apartment early Sunday morning. Ella and Ashlyn stared at each other midway of sipping their coffee, their eyes narrowed as their eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Neither of them making a move to go get the door, because who in their right mind would be coming to their door at seven in the morning?
After a moment, Ella finally sighed and lowered her mug from her lips. With the roll of her eyes, she got up from the dining room chair and began to head towards the door. “Oh, don’t worry, I’ll get it.” she sassed towards the blonde as she shook her head.
Ashlyn’s face broke out into a dimpled grin as she took a sip of her coffee and lowered it. “Love you too, Ella!” she spoke a little too loudly than she needed.
“Whatever, Jerk!” she called back as she reached the door and opened it slowly. “Oh… HI!” she spoke in complete surprise at seeing who was on the other side.
“Hey,” Erin smiled in amusement as she couldn’t wipe the smile from her face, especially hearing the small banter between the two Americans, she honestly found their relationship quite adorable.
Ella smiled softly and tilted her head to the side, her heart began to thump inside her chest as her nerves began to spread throughout her entire body.
They stood at the door staring at each other for about a minute until Erin finally shook her head coming back into reality. A soft blush danced across her cheeks at being too caught up with staring at the younger girl. Clearing her throat, she brought her free hand to the back of her neck and rubbed it – something she found herself doing quite a lot lately while being around Ella. “I… uh, you left this in my car last night,” she spoke softly as she pulled her hand from her back to reveal a tan teddy bear that the Canadian had won for her.
Ella raised an eyebrow as Erin began to speak, her gaze lowered as she noticed the Canadian’s arm begin to move from around her back. “Oh,” she whispered shyly as her cheeks heated up and soon enough they felt like they were on fire. She reached out to take a hold of it with a smile.
“Yeah, the poor fella was crying, so I thought I would bring him home,” she laughed lightly.
Ella bit her lip in attempt to bite back the massive shy grin that was threatening to break out and she shook her head slightly as her gaze stayed glued to the bear, she brought it up and buried her face against its head. “You’re sweet… thank you,” she mumbled.
Erin stared at her with a bright smile on her face which only grew by the American’s actions, the younger girl was honestly the most cutest person she had even seen and she was only getting more adorable the longer she spent around her. “And you’re adorable,” she whispered sincerely.
Ella looked up and over the teddy bears head, giving the Canadian a shy expression. Her face,
neck and ears all tinted red. “I…” she began but instead lowered the bear and instantly moved forward to wrap her arms around the older girl’s waist, her head resting on the girl’s chest.
Smiling even more brightly, Erin moved to wrap her arms around Ella in return, a bundle of nerves fluttered throughout her entire body at how perfect it always felt hugging the girl and in that moment she knew that she was slowly but surely falling in love with the American. God, I am so screwed… Erin thought to herself as she had never felt this way about someone that fast and in a way it scared her but also, she didn’t care, because in truth, as corny as it might sound, she’d wait a lifetime just to be able to call Ella hers.
They stood there for a moment or so until they pulled away and stared at each other. The younger girl looked up at her with a shy soft grin as Erin smiled softly back at her, she slowly began to lean in as Ella leaned up meeting her half way as their lips touched in a gentle kiss. The American was about to tilt her head to deepen it but instead heard an obnoxious wolf whistle sound from inside the apartment followed by a voice that Ella knew all too well. “Please not in public you two!!”
Ella pulled away while she groaned and buried her head into the Canadians neck as she slowly shook her head against it. “Just perfect…” She mumbled under her breath.
Erin silently chuckled to herself as she hugged the younger girl just a little more tightly, her gaze fluttered upwards and into the apartment to see the blonde with a smirk on her face. Erin shook her head a little as Ashlyn winked and gave her a smug look before she continued to head towards her room to give the pair enough privacy as they possibly could in an apartment hallway.
As soon the blonde was out of sight, Erin tilted her head back a little and kissed the top of the younger girl’s head. “She’s gone,” she whispered into her hair.
Ella let out another small groan as she stayed in the position she was in for a little longer until she gave the older girl a little squeeze and pulled away to look at her, she sighed softly. “She is such a jerk.”
Erin laughed lightly as she nodded her head in agreement. “All best friends are though.”
All Ella did was nod her head in agreement as she leaned up and softly kissed Erin once more.
The Canadian kissed her back before she pulled away and smiled warmly at her. “I should probably head off now and hang with my roomies, I also promised them I’d bring them home some breakfast.” Erin announced.
“Okay,” Ella nodded as she leaned up to kiss her cheek. “Once again, thank you for bringing this lil guy back to me.”
“Of course. I will text you later,” the older girl spoke as she gave her one last squeeze and pulled away.
Ella grinned. “I look forward to it,” she responded as she began to turn around completely forgetting that she was actually near the doorway and ran straight into the frame. “Ergh, shit!” She instantly let out as her cheeks flushed red in complete embarrassment, she let out a long sigh as she rested her head against the doorframe while slowly shaking her head, knowing very well that Erin had seen what she had done.
Erin’s eyes widened as she quickly slapped a hand across her mouth, followed by the other one in quick succession, fighting the urge to just burst out in laughter. When Ella sighed, she quickly composed herself and moved a little closer to her. “Are you alright?” She asked softly.
The younger girl just slowly nodded her head and then slowly pulled back to look at her with a sheepish smile. “Yeah… I am good, no worries,” She insisted.
“Okay, good.”
Ella smiled and turned to walk into the apartment. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Definitely,” Erin replied as she raised her hand in a wave. “Bye.”
“Bye,” Ella smiled as she watched the woman turn around and walk away, once she was out of sight, Ella shut the door. “Such an idiot, Ella, such a god damn idiot. Well done,” she sighed to herself as she turned around and headed for the kitchen.
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“Ew, stocktaking is so boring!” Ella groaned as she kept her gaze down on the piece of paper that she was highlighting behind the front desk, they had just finished the lunch hour rush, so, they had a few hours until the next rush came in.
Whitney laughed as she rolled her chair over to sit next to her best friend. “But once it is done, then it is all over for the day,” she tried to lighten up the mood.
“Bleh,” Ella sighed as she put the yellow highlighter down and looked up to Whitney. “I suppose you are right,” she shrugged as she darted her eyes around the girl to look at the computer screen
Whitney was currently occupied with. “How’s the re-ordering of stock coming along?”
“Swimmingly, I can’t believe we actually go through so much stuff each day. I honestly never imagined it would have ever been this busy at certain times.”
“I think the customers come by for us,” she laughed as she nudged Whitney’s arm.
“Oh, yeah. That’s definitely the reason,” she rolled her eyes playfully as she pushed away from where she was and slid back to her position behind the computer.
Ella laughed as she shook her head. “Nah, but I really love the rush hours – busy and all.”
“Secretly, me too,” Whit replied over her shoulder as the chime of the bell went off and the pair looked up into its direction, a smirk playing across both their faces as they saw who it was.
Ashlyn had just made her way back from the back room when they bell went off, she raised her gaze and an immediate dimpled grin took over her face, she made her way over and wrapped the person in a big hug. “Hey, Alex,” she spoke softly but loud enough for the other two to hear. “Heeeey, Aaaleeex!” The pair behind the desk mimicked mockingly.
Ashlyn turned her head and glared daggers at both of them causing Ali to giggle softly as she raised a hand to her girlfriend’s chest.
“Hey, baby,” she whispered as she leaned up to kiss her cheek.
“Aww,” the pair continued to tease.
“Will you guys just stop it?!’ Ashlyn said a little annoyed as she rolled her eyes.
“Babe, calm down,” Ali said soothingly knowing that they are only doing it to get a rise out of her.
“Yeah, babe… calm down,” Ella mocked and received a hard glare from the blonde.
Ali rolled her eyes as grabbed Ashlyn’s hand and reached up to the blonde’s face with her free one, she slid it slowly around to the back of the girl’s neck to pull her down, pressing her lips instantly against her girlfriend’s. “Ignore them,” she mumbled against her lips so only Ash could hear.
“I try…” Ash sighed into the kiss and fought the urge to pull back and tell her best friends to shut up once more at the obnoxious howling and whistling. The few customers that were in the store all had massive smiles on their faces. She pecked Ali’s lips once more and pulled back to look at her. “So, what do I owe the pleasure of this lovely visit?”
Ali just shrugged. “I was bored and I don’t work until five, so I thought I would come visit my cutie at work.”
Whitney let out a small chuckle. “Cutie at work…” she mumbled to Ella which caused the other girl to look at her and begin to giggle.
Ashlyn heard the laughing and rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m glad you did,” she smiled.
“Ash, why don’t you go take your girl out to lunch, we’ve got this covered for now,” Whitney suggested.
Ashlyn looked over. “Really?” Whitney just nodded.
“Sweet,” Ash smiled and looked to Ali. “So, how about it? You want to go to lunch?” “I would love to,” Ali replied with a nose crinkled smile.
“Awesome, let me just go grab my stuff and we can head out.”
“Alright.”
----
After Ashlyn grabbed all that she needed, she headed back to Ali, said goodbye to her best friends behind the desk and took hold of Ali’s hand as she lead her out of the store, making sure to open and close the door for her, she got a light blush in response from her girl which made her smile just that little bit bigger.
They headed down to the little café on the corner and took a seat in one of the booths near the back. As they waited for the waitress to come over and take their order, they looked over the menu and then began talking about their mornings. Ashlyn’s was alright – a little boring though until the lunch crowd came in and Ali really couldn’t say how her morning was as she was asleep for most of it.
Once the waitress came by to take their order and they waited for the food, they continued talking about whatever they could think of, just enjoying each others company.
When the food finally came, they ate it in mostly silence because it was so good and they were too caught up in it, they would offer each other some of their own food every now and then.
Finally they finished and the young waitress came by to clear off their table, they paid for their meal and continued to hang around for a little longer not wanting to separate just yet.
“Ali?” A deep strong voice sounded from above them and they both turned their faces upwards to be greeted by a fairly good looking man.
“Hey, Declan,” Ali gave him a friendly smile but eternally groaned because he had been flirting with her nonstop for the past two years and it was getting on her last nerve – the guy just wouldn’t take a hint.
“Hey,” he replied as he kept his gaze on the brunette, not even giving Ashlyn the time of day or even acknowledging that she was there and that made her roll her eyes in annoyance. “Was wondering if I could take you out on Friday night?” He asked again, still hopeful that she’ll say yes one of these days.
“No, I am busy,” she quickly responded hoping he would just drop it and leave.
“Saturday then?”
Ali sighed and looked to Ashlyn with a slightly annoyed expression in which the blonde returned. She then looked back up to him and smiled politely. “I’m flattered you want to take me out on a date, Declan. But I am not single,” she informed him hoping that this would get him to back off.
“What? Who is he?”
“Firstly, it is none of your business and secondly, why would I tell you?” She quirked a brow.
His face softened and he gave her a charming smile. “Come on, Al. Just one date or at least let me buy you a coffee,” he continued to insist.
Ali rolled her eyes. “Look if you don’t mind I am already on a date with my other half,” she nodded towards the blonde who just smirked and quirked an annoyed brow at him.
“Wait? You’re dating a girl?”
“Yeah? Is that a problem?”
“No, you’re shitting me,” he shook his head in disbelief. “Seriously, Ali. Just come on a date with me and I will fix you.”
“Fix me?”
“Fix her?” Ashlyn said through gritted teeth at the same time Ali had said it.
“There is no way you are a lesbian, Ali. I mean look at you,” he gestured towards her and it was making Ashlyn’s blood boil. “You just need a good man to make you realize this and make you better.”
Ashlyn gagged and quickly stood up from her seat. “Listen buddy, stop being disrespectful towards my girlfriend,” she let out harshly as she clenched her first into a tight ball.
Ali quickly got up and stood beside her, placing an arm around her waist, her other resting lightly on her chest. “Ash ignore him,” she whispered lightly.
He gave an exasperated glare at the blonde and then looked towards Ali. “Do you seriously want to stay with a thing like that who is just influencing you in the wrong disgusting way?”
Ashlyn was about to gently move Ali away and punch the guy, when all of a sudden Ali pushed away instantly swinging her arm back and punching him square in the nose and hard, he stumbled back and fell on his ass.
“She’s a better person than you ever will be!” Ali let out infuriated by the guy as he quickly reached for his bloody nose. “Why the hell do you even care who I am dating? Shouldn’t the fact that I am happy be enough for fuck sake!?
“Fucking bitch!” He seethed out through the pain ignoring the rest of what she said.
“Just be lucky it was her that punched you, Asshole!” Ashlyn spoke through gritted teeth as she moved her hand to the small of Ali’s back and led her outside, not wanting to deal with the café’s manager at the moment.
Ali shook her hand at the pain coursing through it. “Why do people have to give a damn with who people date? Seriously, wouldn’t it be better to let me date who I want rather than be miserable being forced to date an idiot I don’t want to spend two seconds around and feel uncomfortable dating?” She sighed and shook her head.
“People are small-minded, Babe. They only have one thought about relationships set in stone and that’s the fact women should only date men and men should only date women. They don’t give a damn about your happiness and it’s really fucking sad.”
“It’s stupid, because I love you and I don’t regret being with you at all. I am not going to let anyone talk me out of it – ever”
Ashlyn grinned and kissed the side of Ali’s head. “Good, and I will never let anyone talk me out of dating you either, Princess” She paused for a moment as she realized what Ali said. “You love me?” She asked in a soft whisper.
Ali nodded as she grinned brightly, her nose crinkle showing clearly. “Yes, I love you, Baby. For about as long as I’ve known you and I am not ashamed of saying it.”
Ashlyn’s grin just multiplied if that was even possible, her dimple was showing just as clearly as Ali’s nose crinkle and she stopped walking to pull her into a hug. “I love you, too, Princess,” she whispered softly into her ear. Pulling back, she tilted her head and stared at her lovingly. “I was waiting for a perfect moment to tell you that, but then I realized… whenever I am with you it always perfect.”
Ali blushed and lowered her gaze for a moment. She then leaned up a little and kissed Ash on the cheek, lingering for a moment. “You’re so cheesy, but I love it so much,” she mumbled.
“Only for you,” Ashlyn smiled as she pressed a quick kiss to her girl’s lips.
“It better be only for me,” Ali giggled and pulled back to grab the blonde's hand as they began to walk back to the music store.
“You should ice that hand of yours when you get home,” Ashlyn quickly stated as she remembered.
“I will.”
The pair finally made it back and Ashlyn once again opened the door for Ali as they headed inside. The store was getting slightly busier as the afternoon crowd started rolling in.
“Damn, better get back to work,” Ashlyn whispered to Ali as Whit and Ella hadn’t noticed her yet.
Ali pouted with a nod. “Yeah, you better,” she responded as she made her way over to the desk where the other two were situated.
“Ah! You’re back! Good,” Whitney quickly spoke out as she noticed the couple.
“Miss me?” Ashlyn teased
“Like a hole in the head,” Whit grinned.
“Alright, well I better head off and let you all work,” Ali announced. “Will I be seeing you all after work?”
“Yeah,” Ash and Whit responded as Ella was too busy with a customer – but they knew she’d be joining as well.
Ali nodded and then leaned up to softly kiss Ashlyn. “Bye, baby.”
“Bye, Princess,” Ash whispered with a huge grin and watched as Ali left the store before turning to see Whitney smirking at her. “Shut up.”
“What? I didn’t say anything!”
“Whatever,” Ashlyn rolled her eyes playfully and headed off to help any costumers that needed it.