Chapter 20

                                    

                                          
               I couldn't sleep the night before our exile was ending. I tried, believe me I did, but I couldn't do it. My idea had been to take some melatonin to help me sleep, then wake up refreshed and ready to go get Syd as soon as she had free time. But melatonin or not, my body refused to fall asleep. But it turns out, that was a good thing, because my phone rang with an unknown number right after midnight. 
               "Hello?" I answered softly, praying it was Syd and not a call about my vehicle's extended warranty. 
               "We made it. The thirty days are over. I want my date!" Syd said with a giggle. "I couldn't wait to call! I hope I didn't wake you up?"
               "No, not at all. I'm really glad you called. I couldn't sleep, I was too excited," I admitted. "When do you get off work? I'd love to take you out!"
               "I don't. I took some vacation time, so we didn't have to worry about things like that. I want to be able to do whatever you like for the next week or so." I didn't even have to see her to know that Syd was as excited as I was right now.
               "Luckily, I have just the plan for tomorrow, and I think I can switch the times around to do it even earlier! Can I pick you up around 9am?" I was pretty sure I could do an earlier spa visit, because midweek they usually weren't too busy.
               "How about I meet you somewhere?" she suggested. "I think once the kids are ready to meet you, then you can pick me up."
               That made a lot of sense. I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable about the situation, and if meeting me somewhere helped with that then we could do it. I didn't think meeting at the hospital was a good idea though, since we had gone through all that trouble to avoid looking like we had a relationship. Flaunting it on the first date seemed silly. "Do you want to just park at the mall, and I can meet you there and we can be on our way? Or would you rather come here and then go?" 
I heard her hum in thought. "I'd like to come to your place if that's okay. There isn't anyone there that I can't meet yet?" 
I choked a bit at the thought of my parents coming by again. "Nope. Not anymore! I'll send you the address, and you can come by any time, then we'll head out."
"Perfect! Then you better get to sleep. I plan on spending as much time with you as I can!"
She was right, I did need sleep because I wanted to be awake and alert for her. I quickly texted her the address and then fell asleep thinking about more things we could do with her having a whole week off. Could we do a weekend trip? Wait! She still has her kids. We'll need to make sure she's home for them! I would still be able to see her, and that was what mattered.
I was asleep for about thirty minutes when I was awoken by a body sliding into the sheets next to me. I was awake in an instant as arms wrapped around me. "I couldn't wait," Syd's voice said in the darkness.
"How did you get in?" I asked groggily.
She nuzzled herself into my neck, and I didn't hesitate to take her in my arms and pull her body into me. I was only wearing panties and a tee shirt, and she felt like she was wearing something similar. "Heidi let me in. I would have been here quicker, but I drove past it three times because I couldn't believe this giant place was yours! My sister is staying at my place for a week, so she is watching the kids for me when I need her to. She knows I'm meeting someone, but not who yet. But you'll get to meet her when you meet the kids."
"I guess I owe her a big thanks! And yeah, it's a big house. I'll give you a tour when we wake up."
               "Thank her later, just kiss me now," she murmured.