Mara

Love Love Love Love Love this story

Phimi is so good in this.. they are made for each other.. I just hope that there will be a way around college to where they can really be together and not just by phone.. can't wait for more girl



Suzanne

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Replying to:

Chapter 23 Part II

Sweet Torture



Thanks for the feedback!



“Sparkling grape uh…drink?”



Mimi giggled, smiling at Philip as he brought out a bottle of sparkling grape non-alcoholic wine, or what could also be called bubbly grape juice.



“You got that out of a refrigerator?” With shock, she pointed to the miniature refrigerator that the grape juice had come from.



Opening a small compartment, Philip brought out two delicately detailed wine glasses before answering. “Yes I did…thought it would be nice to keep it cold.”



“Last time I was in here I didn’t even realize there was one.” She took the now grape juice filled glass he offered her, watching the bubbles at the top. “Of course that could have to do with the fact that I had to wear a blindfold the entire trip.”



Holding his glass in his hand, Philip answered as he placed the bottle back in the refrigerator. “Are you complaining?”



Mimi smiled, kissing him quickly on the lips. “Not at all…”



Philip smiled back, enjoying the lasting effect of her kiss, even with its shortness. “What shall we toast to?”



Mimi thought about it a moment and then laid forth her answer. “How about what we toasted to that night…more…”



Philip’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “More what?”



“More…of this…being together…exploring new places with each other…just…being together…” She blushed a bit, feeling emotional as usual when she thought of how it was to be with him, to spend time with him.



“You know what I think…” A breath of a whisper against her ear.



“What?” His warm breath against her sensitive earlobe made her shiver.



“That when we’re together that’s enough, the best…I couldn’t ask for any more than that.”



Her heart was beating wildly at his tender words. “Neither could I…”



“So to more time together…” He raised his glass in salute, waiting for her answer.



Mimi let her glass touch his, as she looked into his blue eyes, noticeably darker in the car. “To more time together…”



They toasted and then sat close, enjoying the ride, enjoying being with each other.



****



The sleek black limousine pulled into the familiar parking lot.



“Acropolis!”



Philip was pleased to see Mimi’s favorable reaction to the now accustomed restaurant. “So you’re not disappointed…”



She turned to face him, looking away from the tree and shrub lined entrance, to the charming little restaurant that she had grown to love. “No, of course not. This place is so special and it’ll be great to see Nikko again, and our favorite waiter, Syros.”



Since they had been coming to the restaurant for quite a while, they knew the waiter who had first served them now by name, and usually were lucky enough to have him serve them for the night, or sometimes in the afternoon, after one of their beach excursions.



Of course, they actually hadn’t been to the restaurant in quite some time. Their regular visits had ended without warning after Leroy’s death. With Mimi so melancholy, Philip had found it hard to get her to go just about anywhere with him.



Philip reached out for her hand now and held it in his. “I just wasn’t sure how you would feel about us coming here.”



Mimi looked up into his unsure blue eyes and caressed his cheek with her hand as Sebastian looked for a parking place. “Oh Philip, I know I’ve been such a downer, but I made an agreement with myself that I would no longer be so morose because of…well…”



It was Philip’s turn to caress her face. His fingers delicately moved against her cheek, bringing comfort. “Oh Wildflower, I know Leroy’s death was hard for you. It is okay though for you to have fun, to be happy. It’s what he would want.”



She smiled, reveling in his touch. “I know Philly. That’s why I decided that I wasn’t going to dwell on it anymore. I’m going to do everything I can to get that opportunity Jennifer wants to give me, to show just how special the center is by having pictures of it in the Spectator…to show the wonderful work Leroy did. I really want to do that…but tonight, tonight I just want to enjoy my last high school dance, see my friends, dance up a storm, and be with you. I just want to have fun tonight!”



Philip smiled back. “Oh and we are and there’s more to come…I just hope you don’t mind coming to Acropolis instead of somewhere like Tuscany or another one of those restaurants that the crowd will probably be going to. I doubt any of them will be coming here tonight.”



Mimi shook her head. “That’s why I’m so glad we’re here. This is our special place now and I always feel so welcome here and so…” Her eyes glowed. “This place is just so romantic…well coming here with you is actually.”



“Yeah, I agree. There’s no one else I want to share this place with…ex…”



His voice dropped off and he just shook his head with a smile and a laugh, but she could tell he had been about to say something before he thought about it and cut himself off. “What Philip…except who?”



Philip sighed. “Uh…my dad…and my mom…not Nicole…I just kind of…I wish they could come here like they used to go to the old place…together…that we all could come…like a family.”



“Philip…”



He abruptly interrupted her. “I’m not saying even that they get back together or fall in love again. I’m just saying I wish I could go out with my mom and dad…to dinner. If only they could come here…they…they loved the old place. They probably…”



He turned away. “Forget it. I’m being silly.”



Mimi looked to the front of the car, noticing Sebastian had stopped and parked. She could tell he was about to get out and was going to open their door for them, but she wanted a minute alone with Philip. “Sebastian…could you give us a minute…”



Sebastian immediately nodded his head in affirmation. “Oh, of course Miss Lockhart. I will be waiting outside the car and when you are ready just open the door. Then I will know. Will that be all right Master Philip?”



Philip spoke quietly. “That’ll be great Sebastian. Thanks. You don’t have to worry about the door even. We’ll be fine.”



Sebastian shook his head. “It is no worry at all. I will be outside waiting.” Sebastian opened the door to the car, stepped outside, and then closed it, giving them the privacy they needed.



“I’m sorry. This is supposed to be me showing you a great night and all I keep doing is moping about my parents. Some fun date I am!”



His face averted from her, Mimi scooted over on the seat so she could be closer to him at least. “Hey, you’ve been so patient with me lately. I know this is something that still bothers you and that means it matters to me too. I just wish it didn’t have to hurt you so much.” She wrapped her arms around him from behind like she had done earlier at her house. Once again, with her closeness, she tried to make him feel better.



His hands closed over hers. “They both came to my graduation today Meems, but tonight Nicole had to come over. She’s going out with my dad later so it was like my dad’s in one part of the house and my mom’s in the other part. They do that so they don’t get into their little disagreements. Plus whenever Nicole and my mom are together everything just gets absolutely ludicrous.” He shook his head with disillusionment. “Sometimes I can’t wait till I get out and go away to school.”



Mimi whispered softly against the side of his face, unconsciously tightening her grip around his waist for a second. “I can…wait I mean… I’m just going to miss you so much.”



Philip smiled gently, turning around and taking her into his own arms, feeling her hands still holding onto his waist, though not as tightly now. “Ah Meems. I’m not going to be that far away. It’s still the New England area.”



Mimi sighed. “Yeah, but it’s far enough. Dartmouth’s hours away Philip.”



Philip sighed too. After visiting the various schools with her in the New England area, that he had been accepted to, he had made the final decision to go to Dartmouth. It definitely wasn’t something she was excited about, but she had accepted it because it was what he wanted. He felt grateful to her for that, even though he was still uncertain how things would be after he did start going to Dartmouth, and he knew she shared that uncertainty with him.



Mimi shook her head with disappointment in herself. This wasn’t about her. This was about him and she shouldn’t have let the subject change. It was her turn to help him. This wasn’t about her misgivings dealing with his going away to school.



“Enough about Dartmouth Philip. This is about you and your parents. I just wish I could help you more. I wish I could help make things better between you and your parents.” She wrapped her arms around him, bringing her hands to his back and placing her head underneath his shoulder.



Philip smiled softly. “You do help me Meems, a lot. You’re my best friend. It’s just ridiculous of me to think my parents would ever go somewhere together and enjoy being with each other, even here.”



Mimi looked up into his face. “But you don’t know that for sure Philip. It could happen.”



Philip spoke sarcastically. “I doubt it.”



“You don’t know that for sure.” With her arms still wrapped around him, she moved her mouth up to his, kissing him for one long moment.



Afterwards, she traced her lips down his bottom lip, her parted mouth leaving whispering kisses all the way down to his chin.



His eyes still closed, Philip slowly opened them after he felt the heat of her lips leave his skin. He missed the warmth…



“Your parents love you and you love them Philly. That’s what matters. And you never know…I mean you’ve always insisted that they still love each other, and I know they pulled together when you were in the hospital. Maybe someday they can at least be friends.”



Philip couldn’t help but smile. Her physical closeness, her words, the reassurance in her jade eyes…all of it made him feel better…and stronger. When he was with her, he felt like what seemed impossible was maybe not so impossible at all. He held her close and then chuckled as he heard a peculiar sound.



Mimi hid her face against his chest in embarrassment. “Oh will my stupid ill timing stomach ever shut up!”



Philip chuckled even more, but admonished her for her deprecating words. “Hey, I happen to be crazy about this stomach...”



His hand moved down to her abdomen, rubbing it gently, but then feeling her tighten up some, he moved his hand away with a bit of nervousness. Sometimes when they were close like this, more and more actually, it was hard to resist the temptation to…



“Wildflower…I think we better get out of this car. Your stomach was probably telling us something…”



Her face finally moved away from his chest, her eyes climbing up to meet his. “Yeah…uh…okay…I’ll just try to get it to shut up.”



Philip laughed softly. “Oh Baby; only you can make me laugh so much...”



“Well my stomach and I aim to please…” Mimi joked lightly, happy to see a spark of amusement light up his face. “As long as we got you to laugh again…”



One lighthearted sentence rewarded by one dimpled grin.



****



After entering the restaurant and being greeted by Nikko, who was pleased to see two of his favorite diners back, Mimi and Philip were escorted to the outer part of the restaurant.



“I thought you two might like some privacy and I know how much you enjoy this inner-outer patio area of Acropolis, so tonight in celebration of your graduation, I had a whole part of it closed off for just you two.”



Philip looked around in shock. Philip himself had asked when he had called to reserve a table for them, that if possible, they be allowed to sit in a private area of the patio. He hadn’t known though that Nikko would actually close off that area to all other restaurant patrons, and that the setting would be so impressively made up.



Standing beside him, Mimi too was in shock. Nikko had gone all out for them. He had given them one whole side of the outer patio overlooking the lush shrubbery in front, that lush shrubbery intermingled with flowers of many bright and vibrant colors, leaving a heavenly scent. The jukebox on the side of their table was playing a Greek instrumental slow-paced song, creating a lovely romantic mood. The walls behind them were still covered with gorgeous paintings and pictures detailing the wonders of Greece.



All of that actually was normal. It was the few, but well detailed changes that were unexpected.



A thick, dark colored curtain, bringing the aura of enchanting solitude, closed off their area of the tiled patio. Their table, set for just two, was covered with a fine lace tablecloth, a brightly burning candle sitting in the middle. There wasn’t only that one candle though; the few empty tables around them in their closed off area, also had candles on top of them, taking the place of most of the regular lighting, filling the evening atmosphere with an amorous burning essence.



Shaking her head, Mimi thought she couldn’t have asked for more romantic a setting. Unconsciously, she leaned in closer to Philip, feeling his arm come around her back, his hand squeezing her shoulder for a minute. Taking a sidelong glance at him, she could tell he was in the same awe as her. This hadn’t been one of his sneaky, but much adored surprises. This had been mostly all Nikko’s doing.



Seeing the surprise and delight in the two teenagers’ eyes, the devotion for each other in how they held each other, Nikko was satisfied. They had been successful, his workers and him, in creating the prelude to a wonderful evening. “Ahhh, I shall leave the two of you alone now. I will make sure that Syros takes some time before he comes out to take your order.”



Philip and Mimi said nothing, just kept looking around the romantic setting of the patio. Soon though, their eyes became fixed on each other, and the rest of the world faded away.



Nikko laughed softly… “Ahhh, well if you will excuse me…”



No answer.



“Ahhh…yes…well …I will go then. I can see neither of you will mind one bit me leaving the two of you alone.”



Philip and Mimi didn’t even see Nikko leave or hear his words as their hands moved upward, their bodies involuntarily and voluntarily moving closer. Parted lips traveling to their destination…arms tightening…hands closing over satiny…and wool material...a beaded shawl dropped halfway down a partially exposed back…fingertips bearing polished nails moving down a bared neck…inching underneath the collar of a white shirt…



Philip’s mouth closed over Mimi’s one last time before he backed away from her slowly, feeling her fingertips leave the collar of his shirt and the contours of his exposed neck as his hands moved away from the exposed part of her back.



Both of them inadvertently took a step back, their eyes the only part of them speaking now, as they dared not look away.



Until…



Forced to turn away from the intensity in his eyes, knowing it reflected the desire in her own, Mimi put distance between them, her hand holding onto a nearby table for support.



Letting out one short uncertain breath, Philip worked to get his equilibrium back, and then moved closer, placing his hand over hers as he stood directly behind her.



“Ohhhh Philly…”



She felt his lips whisper against her ear with a breath of warmth. “Wildflower…”



They stood like that for a short while, letting the table underneath their hands cement them…for now anyway.



“We probably should have said something to Nikko…like thanks…I mean after all he did for us.”



Philip moved one hand to her shoulder, grasping the material of the half on, now half off shawl. “Yeah, we probably should have, but I think our silence was probably answer enough.”



Unable still to face him, his ever-changing blue eyes and soft, but firm lips seeming to be her undoing this night, Mimi weakly nodded her head. “Yeah…probably.”



Feeling a bit steadier, Philip gently kissed the side of her face and lifted her hand up from the table, taking it in his. “Come on Meems…let’s sit down and see what…uh…we should order.”



Mimi could feel herself bushing, but tried to ignore it. “Uh…yeah…”



He pulled back her chair for her and once she was sitting down comfortably, he pushed it back in gently against the table. Then he took his own seat across from her.



Emotions high, feelings bubbling, sensitive skin still tingling from the heat of the other’s touch…they emerged in the safety of studying their menus and deciding on what to eat.



****



“So my two young ones, are you enjoying your meal?”



Philip and Mimi both looked up at Syros with matching smiles, noticeably enjoying their meals. Then Philip spoke, answering him in a bit of Greek.



“It’s the best as usual Syros.” He turned to Mimi, knowing she would probably answer the same, but thought it would only be right to ask her opinion. “What do you think Meems? It’s good?”



Mimi sighed with pleasure, smiling at Philip and then back at Syros. “Oh it’s just wonderful. Thank you so much.”



Syros smiled back with satisfaction. “Ahhh…I will tell the chef you approve and now I will leave you two alone and let you enjoy your meal in privacy.”



Mimi and Philip thanked their favorite waiter with a smile and returned to the task of enjoying their meal, while a slow R and B song played in the background. How thoughtful that the jukebox had been set to play only the most romantic mixture of oldies and Greek instrumentals.



Philip used his napkin and then turned to look at Mimi. How beautiful he thought she looked in that burgundy dress, the shawl halfway up her shoulders, covering her just a bit with sheer elegance. He marveled at the allure she beheld and continued to watch her as she ate, her auburn curls framing her soft facial features.



Feeling his eyes fixed steadfastly on her, Mimi looked up with inquiry. “What Philip?”



He shook his head slowly. “Nothing. You’re just…Man you’re just so beautiful Mimi.”



Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Philip…”



He continued, speaking with resolve and truthfulness. “You are Mimi…I mean you always have been, but…I don’t know. There’s just something so grown up about you tonight.” When had the little girl he used to know become so much a woman? When had she gone from being a teenager to…



Mimi turned away, her face becoming crimson. “Philip stop…”



He smiled softly. A compliment delivered with humor and teasing, she accepted without rebuttal, but one offered with complete seriousness and sincerity, as his was now…and she turned back to that insecure side of herself…almost like she couldn’t believe it was real…heartfelt.



It was a side to her he still didn’t completely understand, but was beginning to more and more. And it didn’t turn him off, it only made her all that more endearing to him.



He got up from his chair and made his way over to hers. Then he squatted down in front of her, reaching up a bit to touch her face with one hand, while the other held onto the arm of her chair, kissing her gently on the cheek, taking in her look of surprise and then contentment. His palm caressed that rose-colored cheek. “I’m embarrassing you, huh?”



Feeling his fingertips against her skin, his hand stroking it with such gentle movements that it brought such power to them, to how those movement felt to her, she weakly nodded her head.



He smiled again. “Well that’s okay…sometimes I like doing that. Watching your cheeks turn red, your face flushed with life…sometimes…”



His other hand moved up to stroke the opposite neglected cheek and he spoke again, his voice submerged with emotion. “Sometimes I want that more than anything…sometimes I want…”



“Philly…”



She felt his hands move around her waist, impatiently getting her to stand up with him as he began to stand up too.



He wanted…



His hands moved back to her face, as he used them to hold her cheeks, to keep her close to him.



The feel of his mouth moving over hers, his body so close to hers, Mimi felt it hard to stand up, so hard that she leaned into him, needing his support. He lent it without recourse, kissing her softly, but with undeniable passion and emotion.



Until…



Mimi gently pushed him away, taking a shaky step back. His hands stayed on her arms, his face looking down into hers, the same uncertainty and yet definitiveness that her eyes had, there in his.



“I…I…uh we should probably finish our meal…Philly…we’re still in the restaurant and…oh…”



It was so easy to forget that they were in a public establishment still, when the area they were in was so private and amorous feeling, so secluded…



He took a deep breath, still holding onto her arms, not wanting to let go. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry.”



Mimi shook her head vehemently. “No, no don’t be sorry. I’m not. It’s just…”



She blushed, but seeing the waiting in his eyes, the questions there, she took strength from him and answered honestly. “It’s just when we kiss…oh…it’s so amazing.”



He smiled, her answer filling him with happiness and relief. “Yeah…oh yeah, it’s definitely that.”



He helped her to sit back in her chair and then sat down in his. Time passed, as they sat there quietly, not saying anything. Then he made her laugh, by bringing the topic to…



“So the feta cheese is really good, huh?”



Mimi giggled, dimples beaming at her from the other side of the table. “Yeah…really good.”



****



“Want to try some?”



Philip held out his fork to Mimi. She smiled and started to reach over while working to keep from leaning over too much. She didn’t want to get her dress dirty from her own food. Finally, with an air of decisiveness and a glint of slyness in her eyes, she got up from her chair and made her way over to his side.



Philip was a bit surprised at first, but recovered quickly. He moved his chair back from the table some and pointed to his lap playfully.



Mimi only hesitated for a moment before taking the helping hand that he now held out for her. She used it to assist her in sitting down…right in his lap.



Philip smiled, holding the fork back out to her, containing the tasty kolokithia yemista, holding it up to her mouth.



Mimi opened her mouth slowly, accepting the delicious food he offered her. She closed her eyes and smiled dreamily a bit. “Mmmm…that’s so good.”



“So do I get to try some of your fila pita?”



Her eyes opened, seeing his so close to hers filled with mischief. “You said you’ve already had that before.”



He pouted. “Yeah, but I gave you some of my food so don’t you think it’s only fair that you give me some of your food?”



Mimi giggled, so happy that even with the intensity of the moments they had spent before while eating their meal, now they could be playfully flirting with each other. It made her love being with him so much, that he could bring out such strong passionate feelings in her, and yet also make her laugh with joy…and…



“Oh you big baby!” She speared a piece of her pita from her plate that he now held out to her.



He pouted again, ready to argue his point. One of the things he loved so much about being with her was how much fun they always had. “Hey, do I look like a baby to you tonight?”



She smiled, an unexpected shiver going up her spine at just how much he did NOT look like a baby tonight, feeling his strong hand against her back, holding her steady on top of his lap. Then as that childish look on his face didn’t disappear, she shook her head with amusement. “Yeah…with that pouty look you sure do!”



“Hey”



A fork that entered his mouth without warning, as she gave him a mouthful of the fila pita he had wanted so much, cut off his comment. He struggled a bit to chew, her actions having caught him by surprise.



The look on his face when that fork unexpectedly entered his mouth was priceless, thought Mimi. She watched him now with amusement and delight.



Philip finished and took a sip of his water before speaking. “Hey! You tricked me!”



“Yep!”



The look on his face was one of almost anguish…almost. It was way overdone for intentional effect. “I could have started coughing…I…I could have choked!”



A look of utter remorse crossed Mimi’s face as she played along. “Ohhhhh…I’m so sorry. Here…”



She touched the sides of his face, her fingertips on each cheek as she kissed him gently. She ended it with a whisper against his ear… “You didn’t have to worry…I know the Heimlich maneuver.”



Philip laughed. “Oh wouldn’t that have been romantic, girl saves her boyfriend’s life after force feeding him food by performing the Heimlich maneuver on him before they go to their senior prom!”



Mimi giggled, letting her face fall against his collarbone. “Oh you drama quee”



“Hey!”



She giggled again. “king…not queen…king…you big drama king!”



“Oh that’s it…you better be prepared because I’m going to get you back…sometime tonight maybe…or maybe some other time, but you’re not going to get away with all this mischievousness Lockhart…” He warned in a low growl.



“Ohhhh, I’m scared!” Mimi feistily replied, actually even kind of anticipating his warning of the future. Anything that dealt with him was…sweet.



Even sweet torture.



****



Now, back in her own chair after having just finished a delicious dinner, Mimi admired the way Philip looked. Placing her elbow against the arm of her chair, she sat back for a bit, smiling with appreciation.



Looking away from the bag of ‘baklava to go’ Syros had recently handed to them, (since both Mimi and Philip declared they didn’t think they could handle dessert, not now at least) Philip smiled too, just a tiny bit unsettled at the way she kept looking at him, that flirtatious grin on her face. “Uh…Mimi?”



What a gorgeous specimen he was in that sleek black tuxedo jacket, so slim, so masculine, so…



Remember when he used to chase after you with a rubber spider in his hand?



Was that little boy the same gorgeous guy that’s sitting across from me now?



His bemused look made him look boyish suddenly.



Oh yeah, that little boy and this guy were one and one the same.



“Mimi? Earth to Meems!”



Shaking away her thought pattern, Mimi got up from her seat, beckoning with her finger. “Come ‘ere…”



“Huh...”



With a bit of uncertainty he walked over, and then stopped in front of her. “Mi”



She reached for the tail end of his tuxedo jacket, drawing him in closer, and letting her hands climb up his firm back, she brought her mouth up to his, ceasing any protests or questions he may have had.



Ending it softly, the impromptu kiss, she let her head fall forward against his pleated shirt, wrapping her hands around his waist. “I have something for you.”



Philip breathed heavily against the top of her head that just reached his chin. “Uh…any more of what you just gave me and…remember we’re in a public place…” He was having to remind himself of that very important fact!



Mimi giggled softly, bringing her hands over the woolen arms of his tuxedo jacket. “I was talking about something physical.”



“Uh…that was pretty physical.”



“Philip!” She hit his arm.



“Ow!”



Mimi giggled again. “Oh, I didn’t hit you that hard. Now come on, I’m serious.” She was looking straight up into his eyes now as she put some distance between them. “I have a gift for you, something physical…”



Her voice became flustered as Philip’s eyes danced with amusement. “I mean an object…a thing…you know a concrete noun.”



His eyebrows rose. “Are you trying to give me a lesson in grammar…because as awful as I usually am at it I think I’ve managed to figure out the meaning of a noun.”



She lightly shook him with half frustration and half humor. “A present Philly…I got you a present to celebrate our graduation and the end of our high school career and everything…”



His hands locked around her waist, his eyes looking down into hers. “And it’s a physical one…”



Mimi pushed him away with her hands. If he kept looking at her that way she wasn’t even going to remember to give him his gift. “Yes…”



She took hold of his hand, leading him back to his chair. “Now come sit down…Ah!”



She cried out in surprise as he pulled at her hand, bringing her down upon his lap again.



Philip smiled at her reaction with satisfaction.



“Ahhh…you.” Mimi grumbled, but the small frown abandoned her face after she got up and went to get his gift, which had been sitting next to her purse by her chair. She made her way back over to him with a smile. “Here Philly…for you…”



Philip smiled, pulling her hand once again, but this time more gently, getting her to sit on his lap once more. With one hand around her back, he moved forward, kissing her cheek. “Thank you…”



Mimi smiled back with anticipation. “Well open it.”



Tearing away at the wrapping, Philip opened the somewhat large box, taking out a…



“A hat?” He chuckled, holding up the unexpected gift.



“A cowboy hat!” Mimi added excitedly. “It’s kind of a selfish gift. Ever since that first time we went riding it’s been in my thoughts…”



“What has?” He asked, his finger twisting through one of her auburn curls.



“What you would look like in a cowboy hat…riding Poseidon…”



Philip grinned, taking the dark brown hat and placing it upon his head. “Well…”



Mimi teased, bringing one hand up to his shoulder, her fingers squeezing it for a second. “Well you can’t get the total effect without that monster of a horse you have...”



He laughed. “So I guess next time we go riding you’ll be expecting me to wear this…”



Her voice took on some seriousness. “Well you don’t have to. I just…I don’t know…”



Watching the shyness and uncertainty take over the teasing her face had earlier, he smiled softly, kissing her cheek again. “Thank you Wildflower…now I’ll have a cool hat to wear when I go riding…because of you.”



“But that’s not all…” Mimi pointed inside the box. “There’s something else…”



Now he turned serious. “Mimi…no…one gift’s enough. In fact you didn’t have to give me anything at all.”



She protested. “But Philip it’s something that means a lot to me…for you to have it I mean…you’ve been so wonderful to me ever since all this started.” A tear came to her eye. “I remember that when you and Chloe first started going out I was jealous. I wanted someone to treat me the way you treated her. I know you said you made mistakes and you did, but you always treated her so specially. All those dances, not having anyone to be with…watching you with Chloe and Shawn with Belle and even Jan with Jason and then there was me…the third wheel…”



“Wildflower…” His lips caressed her cheek tenderly. “That’s all in the past. We’re going to go to the dance together tonight, and you’re not any third wheel.”



Mimi smiled softly, loving the effect of his lips sending whispering touches against the skin of her cheek. “I just…I wanted to give you something special Philly. I just wanted to show how much you mean to me.”



Philip shook his head with wonder, but reached into the box, taking out a curious pendant that made his eyes spark with life when he turned it over to see the front side. “Mi-mi…”



Mimi watched carefully as he held the silver pendant in his hand. “It’s…”



“Poseidon…” He finished for her.



“Yeah. I found this company, well actually, it’s a small business, one person in charge and anyway, they make pendants and other things of Greek heroes and gods. I saw this one of Poseidon and I just had to get it for you. I would have gotten you a chain to go with it too, but I…well I didn’t want to get anything cheap and I couldn’t really afford much else anyway.”



He continued to study the silver pendant, now lying in his palm, turning to her as she spoke of her inability to afford a chain. “Oh Meems…this is already enough. I can’t believe you got this for me…”



He turned back to the pendant, continuing to stare at it with wonder. It was the full image of the god Poseidon, engraved in silver, standing on the rocks and waves of the ocean, holding his trident, staring out at the sea he guarded, his masculine form majestically keeping watch.



“It’s from a coin…a reproduction…I couldn’t really afford the real thing…a real of coin of him I mean.”



Philip shook his head. “Of course you couldn’t. Those are major pieces, but this… It’s so well done and this image of him…”



“You told me before he’s the god of the sea, that he watches over it, protects the waters…I thought you could wear this and…well it would be like Poseidon was watching over you, protecting you…”



She turned away from him shyly. “I know it’s silly, but after the island, your fears to go in the water at first…I just wanted to give you something like…I don’t know like a guardian angel…oh it’s just silly…”



Turning her face with his hand, he brought it back to his, looking deeply into her jade eyes as he spoke. “It’s not silly. It…oh man…I never told anyone, not even you, this, but on the island, after I lost Shawn and Belle and had to battle the waves of the ocean, I…I was scared, terrified and I remember…I had this flashback of the times my dad would tell me the stories of the gods…before he got sick and I…I know this sounds weird, but I…”



She was looking at him fully now, her hand reaching out for his to help him continue his story.



“I thought of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and I…in my thoughts I asked him to help me…to guide me to land…”



Tears filled Mimi’s eyes. “And he did Philly…it’s not weird. It worked. You found land and you…you made it.”



He smiled, pushing back some of her auburn curls from her face. “Don’t cry Meems…you’re right…I did make it and we’re here together now…and…and you just gave something that…that means so much to me…just like you do…” His mouth found hers as he sat up more, bringing her face down to his.



A kiss that was suffused with tenderness and devotion…



Mimi couldn’t have asked for more of an answer to tell her of his pleasure for her gift. She smiled as his fingertips moved over her face, wiping away the tears she had shed. “You’ll just have to find a chain…”



Philip suddenly smiled with thought. “But I do have the right one Mimi. I’m wearing it.” He brought his hand up to his neck, letting out a chain that had been hidden behind his shirt. Slowly, he unclasped it and removed it, holding it out for her to see.



“I knew I felt something when I was kissing you earlier and my hands went around your neck, but I wasn’t sure what it was.”



“Yeah. My dad gave it to me as a graduation present. It’s sliver too, mixed in with black designs…the key ring design actually…a popular Grecian design.”



Mimi touched the thick masculine looking chain, marveling at its beauty, simplicity and heaviness. “It’s so thick. It must be so expensive…much more than what I gave you.”



Philip shook his head again, lightly admonishing her. “Mimi, you of all people should know that the cost doesn’t matter. Both of these (he pointed to the pendant and chain as he put the chain through the pendant’s hole) mean so much to me because of the people who gave them to me.” He finished with the chain and got ready to put it on.



Mimi stopped him, grabbing his hand. “Here…let me help you.” She took the chain from his grip, and then carefully fastened it around his neck. Afterwards, she sat back on his lap, admiring how it looked on him, the chain with the pendant. “They actually look kind of good together.”



Philip held the pendant out in front of him. “They look great and now I’ll be wearing something Greek and something dealing with one of the gods, my favorite one actually, around my neck.”



He reached into his pocket, holding out a small velvet box to her. “Now it’s your turn Wildflower…something for you…”



He reached up and kissed her gently. “Happy Graduation Meems…”



Her face lit up as she looked at the small gift. Smiling at him and then turning back to the gift, she touched the soft velvet.



“Go ahead…open it…”



Mimi lifted the lid, finding something that made her gasp with delight. “Oh Philly…wildflowers!”



He laughed softly. “Well but of course. What else would I get for a Wildflower? But they’re not real ones, just made to look like it, though tiny.”



She nodded her head distractedly, touching the delicately detailed necklace. A beaded chain, made up of tiny shiny beads, intermingled with beads that were just a bit bigger and had more detailing on them, started out the necklace. Jeweled wildflowers hung from it, in color patterns of mostly burgundy and rust, matching with the lighter colored chain. The final touch was a swirl of larger beads hanging from the flowers, done in burgundy and tarnished silver colors. It was one of the most original pieces she had ever seen, and yet so beautiful and special.



“I saw it and I thought right away that it was you. Every detail of it makes me think of you and of what you love most.” His lips found her cheek, touching it with a soft kiss…



Pulling back, he whispered with passion: “Wildflowers for the Wildflower who made everything fun again…who teaches me so much…who supports me…for my best friend…”



Tears threatened her eyes again. She complained shakily. “Oh Philly, I don’t want to cry…I don’t want to upset my makeup! At least I’m wearing waterproof mascara!”



He laughed heartedly, his body shaking with the action, making her shake too. His hands moved to hold her waist securely. “Oh what would you do without waterproof mascara?” He joked.



“Have rivers of black all over my face…” Mimi dryly answered.



Philip chuckled, squeezing her for a minute. How she made him laugh! “Okay, okay enough about makeup! I think you look great without it anyway.”



Mimi looked at him with shock. “Oh please…my face is too white and plain without it. I have to always make sure I’m carrying my”



His finger suddenly placed against her mouth silenced her. Philip smiled with satisfaction. “No more makeup talk! So do you like the necklace?” He gestured to the box that was still sitting in her hand.



Her face lit up with joy and excitement. She touched his finger with her hand, bringing it down so she could speak finally. “Oh Philly I love it! I told you already…it’s so beautiful and it even matches with the dress I’m wearing tonight. I was so shocked to get this dress that I didn’t even stop to find a necklace in my jewelry box that might match it though I don’t think I really had anyth”



His finger cut her off again. He had to fight to keep from laughing. Sometimes when she spoke, it was like someone running a marathon, never stopping to quit, going on and on… “So can I put it on you then…I mean, if you want to wear it now that is…”



Seeing the bit of uncertainty in his soft blue eyes, Mimi felt her own bravado grow. Gently she kissed the finger that still sat on her lips, feeling it slowly move away from her mouth, allowing her to speak. “Yes, I want you to put it on me… I want to wear it…knowing your hands were the ones that put it on me…knowing you’re the one who gave it to me…knowing I’m your…” She stopped shyly, her face dropping.



With a tender touch of his finger, Philip brought her face back up to his… “Knowing what Baby?”



Her heart melted at the way he said that, her insides turned to jelly. “That I’m your…your Wildflower…”



A smile came to his face that made it alive and vibrant. Being with her brought to him such incredible joy…



“Yes…my Wildflower…and I just want to be your Philly…” He took the necklace out of the box; opening the clasp, and then reaching up, he tenderly moved the curls of hair out of the way that blocked the access to her neck.



Mimi shivered as she felt the softness of his hands come around her neck, his fingers grazing against her back as he reached around, bringing the chain around her neck. Then clasping it shut, he slowly removed his hands, letting them linger on the sweetness of the skin near her collarbone, before he brought them back to her waist.



The song on the jukebox changed, a familiar tune staring to play, bringing a romantic richness with it.



{Honey you are my shining star}

{Don’t you go away…}



Remembered words of another time…



“But by night my shining star…what do you say Shining Star…a dance?”



Mimi touched the necklace around her neck, feeling its delicate beauty touching her skin, its lightness feeling so right. She moved with him as he got ready to get up, her hands reaching for the ones he held out to her. Then bringing her face against his steadily beating heart, she danced in the arms of her best friend…her boyfriend…her Philly…her love.



There was still a dance to go to tonight and soon they would go to it…



But for now…



{Feels so good when we’re lying here together lost in love…}



There was only one world that existed…



{Baby when we touch I love you so much…}



This special setting of Acropolis that had been created just for them…



Consisting of only two people…



Two hearts beating together…



The two symbols of their devotion that encircled their necks…



Now hanging against each other.



To be continued…



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