"Don't Miss," He Said (New romantic Story series)

[romantic_story]

Elena stared wide-eyed at the house that came into view. "This is where you live?"

"I know. It's too big for me." In reality, I didn't like the house being so big. If I was older, I would separate the house into two, and rent the other half out, but Himeko never approved of that idea.

We stepped out of the car, and I walked up to the front door, Elena lagging behind. I swung the door open easily, and held it as Elena entered.

We discarded our schoolbags by the door, and walked inside to the living room to sit down. "Would you care for something to drink, Elena?"

"Some water would be lovely, thank you."

I nodded, and called into the next room, "one more, then, Hime."

"One moment," said a voice from the next room. Elena leaned from where she sat, trying to see where the voice came from, but saw only a stocking-clad leg disappear behind an ornate wooden hutch on which sat various silver containers.

"This house is so lovely. I'm still in a dream."

"Snake eater."

"Beg your pardon?"

"...by Cynthia Harrell. It's a song of hers." I began to sing the refrain, not very well, "'I'd give my life, not for honor, but for you. In my time, there'll be no one else. Crime, it's the way I fly to you. I'm still in a dream, snake eater.'"

"You're not a bad singer. It's a bit...A bit of an innuendo though, isn't it?"

"Eh?"

"Singing a love song, the person you love being called 'snake eater'?"

"Not when it's a woman singing it, it's not," said the unfamiliar voice, entering the room.

Himeko stepped lightly to the center of the room, tray holding two glasses of water. I could tell Elena was surprised. Himeko was about an inch shorter than me, with skin pale as a sheet, and straight auburn hair which fell neatly to the small of her back.

"Cynthia Harrell's an octave above little Al."

"Himeko, please do not refer to me in such a way in front of company."

Elena giggled; stifling her laugh in what became a girlishly cute gesture. I made the introduction, explaining to Elena that Himeko's service was part of what my parents had left to me upon their deaths. Elena thought with a cliché finger to her chin. "Okay then, two questions left unanswered."

"Fire away," Himeko said, taking a seat beside Elena on the sofa. I watched from an armchair and was amused how similar their posture was. Straight back, legs closed demurely, hands folded in lap...yes, the signs were all here. Elena would fit right in.

"Why are you wearing a French maid's outfit? It seems a little...cliché. Not to mention risqué."

Even I took notice. Himeko's normally boring skirt and blouse was replaced by a more...lacy affair. A black blouse and skirt were contained in a white lace apron piece, which seemed to stop under her breasts, lifting and compressing them. The skirt came down to mid-calf, but what I could see of her legs seemed very alluring.

I spoke up, "yeah, why the sudden wardrobe-change? Did you know we were having guests?"

Elena looked confused. "You mean, she doesn't normally dress this way," she asked both of us.

"She's only done this once before. It was New Year's Eve, and I still think she was trying to impress my brother," I said, laughing as Himeko blushed at the last comment.

Awkward Silence.

"Moving right along," Elena said, breaking the silence, "second question: why is your name Himeko? Not to offend, but..."

"Don't even try," I interjected, "I've wanted to know ever since I was eight, and she won't tell. She says it's her real name, but I don't know."

"In answer to your question, I get asked about my name all the time," said Himeko, ignoring my criticism. "Ever since I can remember, my name's been Himeko. It's not the typical white-gal name, but I like it."

Elena asked, "what does it mean?"

"Princess Child," Himeko responded.

"Enough small talk," I said, "Elena, you'll need your things, correct?"

"Oh my, I forgot. I don't have my toiletries, or...or clothes, or...I'll have to go and get everything," Elena said, beginning to panic.

"Relax." I started writing on a pad of paper that sat on the table. "Himeko, this is Elena's address. Please go and retrieve her toiletries and other unmentionables she will require for her stay with us."

"For how long will that be...sir," Himeko asked, standing and trying to regain her professional composure.

[romantic_story]

"A one-week stay. We can wash in the same schedule. Here are the keys," I said, holding the keys out. Himeko went to take them from me, but I raised my arm, halting her grasp. "And this time, make it quick and clean. No stops, no exploring, get in, get out. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," she responded, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Alright then, Hime-chan," I said, dropping the keys into her hand, "go get them terrorists."

Himeko hurried out of the house. I heard the car pull out of the driveway, and turned to Elena. I asked her, "Elena, how are you feeling?"

"I feel fine, I suppose, thanks for the water. Why did you send her out so soon? We could have done that later."

"That was to get rid of Himeko. Come on, let me show you around."

I took her hand to help her up, and led her out of the living room, past the container-covered hutch, which Elena determined to be tea-making implements. We walked through another doorway, and stood in the kitchen.

"Wow, this is a nice kitchen," Elena said, running her hand across the marble countertop. "Do you cook much?"

"Indeed. However, it's usually breakfast. Himeko sleeps until eight, so I make breakfast before school. Hime makes dinner, except for the one day."

"Which day is that?"

"Why, her birthday, of course."

"That's sweet of you. And what does the gentleman cook for his lovely maid on that day?"

"Well, last year it was Lobster Thermidor. Two lobsters, butter, mushrooms, scalded cream, egg yolks, some paprika and pepper."

"That sounds heavenly."

I laughed, remembering the sheer disgust on Himeko's face when she tried my bastardization of the French gourmet dish. "It would have been, but I'm a horrible cook at anything other than bacon and eggs."

We proceeded out of the kitchen, and, having already seen the living room, I led Elena up the staircase leading to the bedrooms. We passed a bathroom, which I pointed out, connected two rooms together. I stepped into one of the adjacent bedrooms with Elena in tow.

"This is where you'll be sleeping...Assuming you still want to stay."

Elena looked around the room, from the large window facing the back acres, to the four-poster bed jutting from the west wall. Eventually she spoke, "it looks like...one could wake up and see the sunrise just over one's feet."

"That's the hope, yes. But I think you'd better rephrase that," I told her, walking up behind her and holding her at arm's length. "You can watch the sunrise, over your feet. This room is yours for as long as you want."

"You've been so kind to me Alphonse. I can't think of any other place I'd like to be then right here, with you. I finally feel...safe."

I pulled her closer into me, and held her, softly stroking the back of her hair; drawing my fingers through the soft cascade. "I'm glad I can help you feel this way. If it can help put that smile back on your face for good, then it's my most important task."

"Thank you," she giggled as she had before, "little Al."

I lifted her chin from where it had rested at my chest, saying, "I think I can forgive that one, but it's a good thing you're so damn cute, or else..."

She laughed in earnest. "I don't know how I could ever repay you. I'm already in your debt for my life, but now room and board?"

"Well, I can think of one way," I said, and only after leaning down and kissing Elena fully did I realize how cliché my words were. Our lips met, and Elena's were the first to part, open but not aggressive. I let my tongue pass my lips, and soon we were feverishly exchanging tongues, minds ablaze with the pleasure we never knew could come from a kiss.

[romantic_story]

I sat on the edge of the bed, and Elena was quick to follow, as though our joined breath was our only source of air. Elena nestled herself closer against me, and I felt her soft bosom caress my chest, sending a wave of warmth emanating from the contact point. I wrapped my arm around her back, my hand on her taught stomach, reminding me that this was indeed the beautiful, fragile Elena with whom I had fallen madly in love.

Pressing my luck, I raised my hand ever so slightly, stroking softly her stomach and sides. I felt the palm of my hand reach the bottom of her breasts, and rubbed lightly. Elena moaned into my mouth from the contact, but made no attempt to pull away.

I heard a slight rustle and saw movement in my peripherals. I reluctantly let the kiss end, and stood up. I had a good feeling who it might be. "You bastard. The jig is up; show yourself."

"Damn, either you're getting good at spotting me, or I'm getting lazy," I heard a voice say from somewhere in the room. Albrecht emerged from a wall closet, wearing an ACU camouflage uniform.

"How...how long have you been in here," asked Elena in disbelief, turning away, and then realizing she was not indecent.

"Since 'I don't know how I could ever repay you'," my brother responded smugly. "That was a pretty hot show you put on there, bro – if they processed it, I could heat my house with it."

"Hey, you in the ACU's, the one who's spying on his little brother: fuck you."

"Hey, you on the bed, the one who stopped making out with his girlfriend to talk to his brother: fuck you!"

"Fuck both of you," another voice said from out in the hallway. Himeko stood in the doorway before entering, correcting them, "don't you know it's impolite to swear in mixed company? And Albrecht, officers don't swear."

Albrecht just looked generally grumpy, having been corrected by a civilian, worse yet a girl. "Yeah, well I ain't an officer. Take an eye to the chevrons."

While Albrecht and Himeko argued over rank, Elena and I stood dumbfounded. "Did she just say the F-word," I asked Elena.

"She doesn't normally do that?"

"She's only done it that one other time."

"New Year's Eve, right," Elena asked.

"How'd you know," I quizzed.

"I figured your brother must be the common element here. The maid outfit, the swearing...I think you're right about her. She definitely likes him," Elena responded. "I think I'll break it up."

Elena strolled over merrily over to where the soldier and maid were arguing, and caught Albrecht in mid-sentence.

"...at least once per day. More if they're practicing or there's a football game," Albrecht said.

Himeko looked puzzled. "I still don't see why their motto is 'click click click...misfire, misfire,'" she eventually responded, still confused.

Though Elena had no idea what they were talking about, she politely interrupted, asking, "Himeko, did you manage to find my things at the house?"

"Things? Oh yes! Yes I did. Right this way, and we can organize them and figure out where to store everything."

Himeko led Elena out and down the hallway. I turned to my brother. He still seemed grumpy from his argument with Himeko. "The girl wouldn't know a howitzer if you stuck it up her cunt," he said, in reference to Himeko's lack of military bearing.

I laughed at the graphic image my mind created. Himeko stood at the counter, preparing dinner, six feet off the floor, the artillery piece's barrel disappearing under her skirt. "Oh, she'd know about it...However briefly, that is," I managed between chuckles.

"So," my brother began, leaning against the windowsill, "why's the girl staying with you?"

"Elena? She's afraid to stay in her house alone. Albrecht, it was her parents...It looked like..." I let my voice trail off, not able to will the word past my mouth.