Lorna and Alex

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Lorna and Alex missed each other. They are cute at each other. Try to contain your shock. Sneak previews at some of the presents are given.



With a towel draped over his shoulder, Alex poked a wet head into the suite. Taking advantage of the good weather, a swimming lesson had been in order for the littleuns, that had involved more splashing fights in the shallow end then actual swimming. Moving inside so he could close the door, he walked barefoot across the carpet, his swimming trunks still dripping slightly, still drying his hair. "Lorna?" He then poked his head into the bedroom and grinned when he saw her. "Hey beautiful, how was your trip?"

Lorna smiled absently at him as she sorted brightly colored bags then did a double take, "Where on earth did you post from? Did one of the geeks finally rig up an underwater laptop like they've been threatening?" She beckoned him over to her with her good arm. Her right shoulder was still a bit sore though she was more than happy to have it out of the stupid brace. "The trip was great. I took Paige to Venice beach. More freaks per foot than anywhere else except Brighton to hear Amanda tell it but I'm not convinced she's right. How was your week?"

"I posted from the locker room thank you very much, we have a computer set up in there in case of emergency. I was helping the kids get dressed when I saw your post pop up on the system." Finally somewhat dry, he came over and kissed her cheek before collapsing on the bed on his stomach next to the suitcases. "Horrible, I had to sleep by myself and you know what that does to me. No nightmares thought, thank god." Alex managed a grin. "So did Paige relax any?"

"I think she did, actually. Except when she was dressing down my parents." Lorna grinned. "That wasn't particularly relaxed of her." She ran her fingers through his hair meditatively. "I'm sorry I ran off and left you. It needed to be done. For a lot of reasons." She shrugged sheepishly but she looked better rested after a week of running around and that in itself was a decent indication of why she had needed to get out of the mansion. "I'm glad you didn't have any nightmares. I was worried about that."

Alex couldn't help but giggle at the thought of Paige facing down Lorna's parents. "That must have been a sight to see! And I know how difficult your parents can be..." He leaned his head into her touch. "Nope, slept okay when I did, but I tell you, it's hard sleeping alone when you not used to it." He looked her up and down as he rested his head on his hands. "You're looking wonderful for a week of running around. Must be getting back to your native soil."

"It was pretty funny. They wanted to know where you were, actually. I don't know if they thought I'd left you in the car or what but they were shocked I hadn't brought you with me." She smiled and tossed her hair over her shoulder, preening slightly. It had been ages since she'd had a good tan. "It's the ocean breeze. Nothing like the Pacific to cure what ails you."

"Was their shock a good thing or a bad thing? I mean were they glad you hadn't brought me or" He gasped dramatically. "They actually wanted to see me!" He grinned smugly before leaning over to kiss her shoulder. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." She giggled. "I think they wanted to see you, actually. Or at least they've accepted the inevitability of you." She pushed the suitcases aside and moved up onto the bed next to him, hissing as she put pressure on her shoulder. "Dad tried to make it sound like you'd abandoned me but mostly he just wanted to make sure nothing had happened to us since Thanksgiving. You know, after they finished yelling at me for the leg and stuff."

When he heard the wince, he moved to sit up and help her onto the bed. "Well that's a relief." He settled her so her back was to him and he could wrap his arm around her shoulders. "No more marriage talk then?" Alex couldn't help the tease.

Lorna laughed, "Not this time. They weren't worried I was going to run off to Vegas with Paige." She rested against him comfortably, tilting her head back enough to look at him. "I'm not guaranteeing that they've given up though. Mom has started to get back into church and bible study and stuff and that can rot the brain." Lorna conveniently ignored the fact that she still made a point of going to Mass every Sunday.

"Well you'll be marrying a good...well, I guess Christian, boy so I don't see why she'd have any complaints." He nuzzled her neck before kissing it. "So, did you two have fun shopping? Looks like you brought back half the merchandise in Disneyland!"

She smiled, tilting her head to the side obligingly. "I'm more concerned she's going to decide we're living in sin and demand that we get married to save our souls. And I did not. It's just a few gifts." Lorna leaned forward and snagged a bag. "Like this one." She pulled the artistically beat up hat out of the bag and set it on his head, adjusting the brim to an appropriately rakish angle.

That first thought made Alex gave a nervous bark of laughter. "Right...she does know I'm only 19, right?" He smiled to himself before looking up at the hat on his head. "Ahhh the Indiana Jones hat, as promised! You know, for being the superhero in this couple, you certainly like dressing me up as one!"

"Relax, she didn't say anything of the sort. I'm just speculating wildly and creating unnecessary panic." Lorna smiled up at him and kissed his cheek. "I can't help it. You're just so cute all heroic and tough. And I'm not a superhero. No matter what Shiro thinks, it's not anything like superheroing."

He bent down to nuzzle her neck again. "You're my superhero...I seem to be the damsel in distress." Alex couldn't help but laugh. "But I'm glad I make a cute hero, you know I'd do anything to make you smile."

"Not so in distress anymore." Lorna corrected, "You can take care of yourself and other people if you had to. That's why Forge made the suit." She twisted in his arms to give him a kiss. "Just because you're not on the front lines doesn't make you any less my hero."

"Hmmm, if you say so, love." He really didn't think so but after having Lorna gone for so long, now was not the time to bring it up. Resting his forehead against hers, the hat pushed back on his head, he smiled. "So...what can I do to welcome you home properly hmm?"

Lorna grinned. "Well, I need to finish sorting the presents and get them off the bed then…well, it has been more than a week since I last saw you." She kissed him again, "So take a wild guess."

Alex grinned wolfishly. "Sounds like a plan. How can I help you sort faster?"

"I'm mostly done. Just pull stuff out of the bags and I'll tell you who they're for? That ought to be pretty efficient." Lorna pulled away and surveyed her purchases. "I think it's just that pile right there that still needs labelling."

Alex moved over to said pile and opened a bag to look inside. "You have a large bag of candy right here..."

Lorna blinked, thinking about it. "I think that's just a dining room bowl thing. Not for anyone in particular."

Alex nodded and dropped it off the side of the bed before picking up another one. "A stuffed Lady and the Tramp?"

"Remy. Don't ask." Lorna laughed, "There should be a Jedi Academy shirt in there somewhere for Nathan. It goes over with that bag."

Finding the shirt in another bag, Alex placed the shirt in it and dumped it next to said bag. Then he picked up the last one. "A very pink Minnie mouse."

"With the pointy princess hat for Leyu. Should be next to Shiro's ears." Lorna looked around trying to find where she'd placed that.

Looking around with her, he found then on the floor and held them up. "Found them!" He put the ears with the doll and dumped the bag on the floor. Then he moved to sit next to Lorna again. "So...where were we?"

She pulled him close, one hand curling into his hair automatically, "Right about here I think." She kissed him softly. "I missed you."

Alex returned the kiss, the hat tumbling down his back. "Not half as much as I missed you..."

"Uh uh. I missed you more," she teased, shifting as best she could, irritated by the cast on her leg. "You'd have to prove it before I believe you missed me more."

"Hmm..." He moaned softly while nuzzling her neck. "And how pray tell do I do that?"

She let her head fall back, sighing softly. "I'm sure you'll think of something." She combed her fingers through his hair, nails scratching lightly over the nape of his neck. In truth, she would be happy just being here like this. Having him near was enough.