This is part two in the A Long Time Coming Series, so if you haven't read the first, I'd start there. I'm still considering where to take this story after this chapter, so let me know what you think in the comments! Hope you enjoy!
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I startled awake to the sound of water running and my bleary-eyed vision struggled to focus in the early morning gloom of my bedroom. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and looked around the room. Our clothes were still strewn about on the bed and floor where they had been tossed during our unexpected coupling, but Paige was nowhere in sight.
Shit. Did we cross the line? I really hadn't thought something like that could ever happen between me and Paige, no matter how much I liked her deep down. I mean, she was my caregiver. Weren't we supposed to have boundaries? But damn, she's an amazing women and last night had been great.
The shower cut off and I could hear Paige rustling around in the bathroom for a couple minutes before she walked into my room with a towel wrapped around her body and her hair still damp.
"Oh, hey. Morning," she said with a little surprise. "I didn't think you were awake yet. You don't mind that I took a quick shower do you?"
"Uh, morning. No, that's fine," I said.
My hand seemed to be trembling a little.
"Are you okay? I didn't wake you up did I?" Paige asked.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just woke up a bit startled and am still trying to get my bearings and what not."
She seemed to ponder my answer for a few seconds.
"You know Adam, if you're worried about what happened last night, you can tell me. It's really not a huge deal. We just helped each other decompress a little. No biggie and no reason to be shy."
"I helped you? Seemed like you did most of the work," I responded with a chuckle.
"Yeah, what the hell man? Get your ass on top and pull your weight next time," Paige said while laughing.
"Next time, huh?"
Paige shrugged.
"You never know, boy."
I couldn't help but wonder if she was as nervous as I was about what had happened. Paige seemed pretty comfortable with it all, but something about the look in her eyes made me question if she felt as calm as she appeared.
Despite the thoughts racing around my head, the morning routine went about its normal course with Paige helping me get dressed and situated in my wheelchair, before we scarfed down a quick breakfast. We were both a little quiet and I was having a hard time figuring out what last night meant to me.
"Do you have class today?" I asked between bites.
"No, I'm heading home after you're all situated and will probably get some study time in. What're you up to today?"
"Not much. No work today, so I'll probably stay here where it's warm and play a video game or something."
"Such grand plans you have for your Saturday," Paige responded sarcastically.
"You should talk," I said with a laugh. "You're going home to study a subject you already know everything about!"
"So we're both lame then."
"Maybe we should change that," I suggested.
Paige showed me her classic smirk and sat down at the kitchen table.
"Alright, what do you have in mind?"
"Hmm. You wanna go see some penguins?"
Paige's eyes lit up.
"At the Shedd Aquarium?" she asked enthusiastically.
"Yup! I haven't been there in ages and it'll get us out of the house for a change."
"It sounds like fun so I'm game," Paige said. "You mind if we stop by my place so I can change though? I don't really want to go out in yesterday's clothes."
"If you insist," I answered mockingly. "
We both bundled up and started the four block walk to Paige's apartment, bracing ourselves against the freezing wind. The walk was short, but the cold made it feel like an hour and we were both going numb after five minutes. Illinois winters can be harsh
"We're definitely taking a damn cab to the Shedd," Paige mentioned between shivers.
"No argument there. Maybe throw on an extra layer when you change," I responded.
"No shit Sherlock."
I laughed.
Paige's apartment was on the second floor and her building wasn't accessible, so I waited in the vestibule and used the time to buy our tickets online to avoid a long line at the door. No fucking way we're sitting in a line outside in below freezing temps.