Take Me Home Aimee III: Two

Take Me Home Aimee III:  Two

“Not to worry, pretty Aimee,” Skylar teased.  “You’ll get to see soon enough.  I think it’s something that you’ll really enjoy.”  She gave a knowing wink to Heath though he probably had no idea what she picked up.  “And anyways…I found the eyedropper so I plan on making sure your glass if full.”  She set a tiny glass flute on her table.  “I picked this up for you,” she said softly, her smile growing genuine.  “But that’s not even the biggest surprise.”
Aimee nodded, trying to look excited but she couldn’t help but wonder what Skylar had picked up.  Terrible thoughts flooded her mind as she smiled and touched the glass.  “This is really lovely,” she couldn’t help saying, noticing how intricate it was for a human glass.  “Thank you so much, Skylar.”
She looked up at Heath who was starting to look a bit skeptical himself.
"That was very nice of her." Heath met her eyes with a slightly apprehensive smile. This was getting more than a little suspicious. Skylar had barely known her fifteen minutes and she was already going far out of her way as to buy her presents? Heath liked to think the best of people, but he was also a realist. There must have been some reason. For now, he just let Aimee enjoy a stranger's kindness.
"I'm sure the university praises you for being prepared." He gave Skylar a pleasant look. "Let me guess...you teach English?"
“Prepared?” Skylar asked, looking a bit confused by the question.  “Prepared for what?”
“For…for people like me?” Aimee clarified in a tiny voice.  “Humans?”
“I…eh…n-no,” Skylar continued, smoothing some stray parts of her afro away from her face.  “I live in a human friendly building,” she explained.  When Corey looked at her with a surprised look, she continued.  “They’re very new; apparently some complexes on our campus allow humans to live there with giants as companions and not as pets.  I technically have three human companions right now living in different parts of my apartment.  I don’t really see the big…deal…” she trailed off as she noticed Corey, Heath, and even Aimee looking at her strangely.  Her mocha cheeks flushed.
“I guess you guys haven’t heard of the program.  It’s something that they’re keeping very quiet about because there are quite a lot of bit of old-fashioned people who find that hard to comprehend.  And no, Heath…I don’t teach English.  I work at the university but I’m a human rights advocate and a social studies comparator.  Basically I’m looking to show and prove that humans are no different than giants other than size.”
She lowered her voice as she noticed some strangers at the restaurant looking at her strangely.  “But as you can see…” she said, rolling her eyes.  “It’s a fairly slow process.  So you must forgive me about my optimism over seeing the two of you together,” she said waving at Heath and Aimee.
Aimee flushed.  “They’re…there are really places like that?” she asked, hardly believing it.  “Organizations like that exist?”
“We’re not a large university,” Skylar explained, “but overall we are very liberal in our views.  In fact…you should stop by the school sometime, Aimee.  I would love to talk to someone who doesn’t know much about the cause and how exactly you were able to get through to Heath that you weren’t a pet.”  She smiled softly.  “Though looking at your face, I have a guess as to how it all started.”  Her face grew soft as she reached for Corey’s hand again, though honestly this time he looked a little stunned.
"Human rights advocate?" Heath echoed, leaning forward a bit as if to make sure he heard her correctly. Besides the occasional hippie, that type of thing had never caught on at a professional level. Not that he had heard of.
He glanced at Aimee a couple times below him as he continued to listen. Corey hesitated a moment, then wound his fingers through her slender ones securely. Though he didn't pretend to be fully understanding about the topic yet, he wasn't necessarily against it. He was just a tough egg to crack.
"Oh." Heath gave a small start, looking down at Aimee. "Oh no, she didn't have to... Convince me… or anything... I never thought she was a pet." His eyes were intent, staying on the dark-haired human instead of Skylar for the most part. "How could I?" He seemed to be asking himself the rhetorical question.
Skylar grinned.  “Well then…if you’re ever interested in making a proposal about human rights, Heath…please,” she reached inside her purse and handed him a car.  “I’m always available for speaking engagements and presentations.  Any word out there helps so if you ever want to talk…and that goes for you too, Aimee, you guys will know how to reach me.”
"Food for thought," he mused, giving her a nod and then tucking it into his breast pocket. Aimee seemed so excited by the idea…
“Wow,” Aimee said, looking at the car as it passed from Skylar to Heath.  “I…I didn’t even know that such a thing existed.  That’s so cool.”
“It’s not much,” Skylar said, shrugging it off.  “And that’s the thing about having three human companions; I’m always on the lookout to pick things up for them, so I hope you won’t be offended if I said I found something that you might really like, Aimee.  I loved your hair and while I was walking back here, something caught my eye.  Of course…I know you hardly know me so I guess that can be a bit weird—”
“You…you actually bought something for me?” she squeaked unable to hide her surprise as another waiter stepped past and dropped off all their drinks without so much as a glance.  She eyed up the large pitcher of sangria, noticing the various fruits floating around.  “Skylar, you didn’t have to do that…”
“Now stop,” she said.  “I’d do it for just about anyone.  I couldn’t help but notice that gorgeous hair of yours.  Lemme guess…” she mused, starting to pour sangria in her glass.  “Red’s your favorite color?”
Her tiny face lit up, still unable to believe this girl was real.  “Uh…well…it’s one of my favorites.”
“Then come with me before we start drinking,” she said, holding her hand out towards Aimee.  “That is, if your boyfriend doesn’t mind me taking her to the ladies room for a moment?”
Heath turned the business card over in his hand.
Heath drew his own hand away in surprise when Sky made a reach for her. She certainly was eager. Heath couldn't deny her the rare equal treatment. He prided himself as a great judge of character. Thus far, Skylar had proven herself trustworthy.
"I think I can survive a couple minutes without her," he sighed with a playful smile. He watched her leave with his girl until they were out of sight.
"Keep a close eye on her, don't you?” Corey asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
"I have to," Heath replied, finally looking back to Corey. "She's... well, with all due respect she's human. I have to be careful."
Corey nodded, running a finger around the base of his wine glass. "So you're serious, then? You don't see some serious shortcomings with this?"
He watched Heath take a deep drink of his wine.
"So far so good," Heath replied casually. "She's just....more than I could have hoped for."
Corey was quiet.
"What?" Heath asked.
"You said that to me after your first date with Sarah, remember?"
"I did?"
"Yeah..." He continued to give him a careful consideration through pristine lenses. "Heath, I’m not trying to be negative but you are so out of your league with this whole thing."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

***

Once Skylar had taken Aimee to the ladies room she handed over some money to the person at the bathroom door and whispered something into her ear.  The person took the money and pocketed it, nodding for the two of them to head in.
“What did you say to her?” Aimee asked once Skylar had sent her on the bathroom counter and her purse right down next to her.
“Just to give us a little privacy.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Aimee said.
“Well I’d like to think you would have some privacy to try on your gift.”
Aimee looked up at her.  “Try on?”
Skylar let out a kind giggle and started to rummage around her in her purse.  “Now I’m not trying to say that all humans are alike when I say this, but I know one thing you guys lack – and that’s mostly our fault – is fashionable clothing.”  She smiled again.  “Now I’m loving the sexy secretary look, don’t get me wrong, but I think this looks a little more your style.”  She reached in her purse and put something in the palm of her hand and held it towards Aimee.
“W-wow,” Aimee said, giving her obvious approval.  “I…I didn’t know they made clothes like that for humans.  And I know Heath has got me the finest things…”
“Finest doesn’t always mean your style,” Skylar said, allowing her to take the dress from her hands.  “This just seems…to suit you more.  Would you like to try it on or would that be a little too embarrassing?”
“I don’t mind,” Aimee said, eyeing up the tiny dark red mini-dress that flared out at her hips and stayed that way to the knee.  The bright white peter-pan collar was like nothing she had ever seen before for someone her size.  “And…and I won’t even have to change my tights.”
“I think it adds something to the outfit actually…oh!  And you don’t want to forget these.  Now these I can’t take credit for, one the humans I live with, Courtney makes them.  I always keep a few spare in my bag just in case.  You should tell Heath.  I know Courtney would be more than happy to make more…any height you’d like.”  She set a tiny pair of simple black heels for her.
“A-Are you sure?” Aimee squeaked, though it was obvious she liked them.  She quickly scooped them up along with her dress.  “But where can I change?”
Skylar smirked.  “Thus why I asked for the privacy, dear,” she said, turning her back.  “Just tell me when you’re ready.”
After she was dressed and looking at herself in the mirror, Aimee still wasn’t sure what to make of the girl staring back at her.  But Skylar was positively glowing with suggestions.
“Oh…I don’t know…” Aimee said, reaching up for her hair.  “Heath’s always said he likes to see it down.”
“It’s only been a week,” Skylar teased, flipping her hair with her finger tip.  “How can he always know or like anything?  He hasn’t seen you.  Trust me, you’re going to look amazing with a ponytail.  Especially with the bangs…” she trailed off and knelt down so she could look into her blue eyes.  “Pllllleeeease?  Let me try and put it in a ponytail—”
“Okay!  Okay!” Aimee said, laughing at her childish display.  “Go ahead.”
“Thank you…” she said, lifting her hands towards her to finish up the job.  “He’s going to love this…love you…if he doesn’t already.”
“L-Love?” Aimee croaked out.  “Oh no…he doesn’t love me.  We’re…we’re just trying things out…”
“I don’t think he sees it that way…at least not by the way I see him look at you.”  She finished up her work and stood up with her hands on her curvy hips.  “There…you look amazing…”  As Aimee started to turn back towards the mirror she blocked her vision with her hand.  “No.  No way.  If you look, you’ll analyze.  And we’re having fun tonight.”
“But—” her voice was cut short by another one of Skylar’s puppy dog eye looks.

***

Heath's wine glass was half empty.
"So I'm halfway through the process... then he comes up to me expecting me to break down in tears or something!"
He laughed at Corey's story.
"Sounds like Jerry. What a douchebag. What are we, in grade school?"
"That's what I was saying!"
A familiar head of tight curly hair caught Heath’s eye, and he raised his head. Skylar looked pleased with herself. From a distance, his curiosity caused him to search for whatever it is she just couldn't help but purchase for Aimee. As they got closer, it became evident. Corey turned around as well, and then he saw why Heath was staring so intently.
When the two go back to the table Aimee couldn’t help but notice the look of surprise on Heath’s face.  She easily stepped down back on to the table but was still a bit unsteady on the heels.
"Wow..." he uttered as he watched her tiny high-heels make contact with the opposite side of the table. "Looks like she guessed your size well. Must have a good eye." He tried his best not to sound quite as infatuated at the moment as he was. He leaned down to see her better.
She’s easy to fit,” Skylar said, taking a seat.
“I just checked the tag to tiny hottie.  And don’t worry about designer labels.  She looks good, doesn’t she?”
"Is that a Gurung?" He listed off a designer, noticing certain stylistic elements. But honestly that wasn't his focus. Her legs looked incredible, and that color made her look more like a naughty librarian than a studious schoolgirl.
She felt a tiny nudge from Corey.  “What?  Come on, Heath.  What do you think of your girl?”
Aimee laughed, surprised that the teasing didn’t bother her in the slightest.  She couldn’t stop looking at Heath.  He looked at her…practically gaped at her so openly.  “These are kind of hard to walk in,” she said, starting to wobble to her chair.  “But I’ll get the hang of it.”  She looked up to see Heath growing red over Skylar’s playful ribbing.  “You don’t have to answer to that,” she said, blushing.”
Finally, she was standing before him again. His mouth went dry.
"How did I end up with such a knockout?" he said under his breath, for her ears only.
Her blush grew even deeper as he leaned in closer to whisper a sweet private compliment to her.  “I…uh,” she reached up smooth her ponytail as his warm breath washed over him.  “I could ask myself the same thing about you,” she said in a low voice, hardly believing that she was practically flirting with him at the dinner table.  Skylar really made her feel like she was part of a gang.  She had never felt so happy when she was with people other than just with Heath.
Heath's blue eyes flickered up briefly, grinning at Skylar. Words were unnecessary in answering just what he thought of Aimee. Her compliment made his smile grow just a little more tender.
Seeing her in a chair her own size made him almost feel like the one who was out of place. It made him all the more careful with his movements and words.
"Guess we're both suckers for a pretty face, huh?" Heath said, smiling.
Skylar politely picked up Aimee's glass and filled it up with a dose of fine Sangria.
"Don't get too drunk on me. I want you up later with me..." He straightened up again, not looking the slightest bit guilty for his intimate display.
“No promises,” she said quietly.  “But I’ll be looking forward to that.”  She bit her lower lip, trying to pace herself because she was wondering just what Heath had in store.
Skylar smiled back, happy to help out with what she assumed was low self-confidence.  A common ailment with humans but something that she was always more than willing to help with.  Seeing not only Aimee smile, but Heath, too.  It made her feel like a fairy-god mother of sorts.
“Aren’t they adorable?” she whispered affectionately to Corey.  “And you said that it probably wouldn’t work.  Look at him.  Look how happy he is.”
Aimee smiled, not used to such kind attention without it being derogatory.  She easily allowed Skylar to pick up her glass and filled it to the brim with the dark purple eyedropper she had.
“Thank you very much,” she said with a hint of enthusiasm as she took the glass from Skylar and took a large sip.  “It…it tastes like candy!” she said, surprised at how good the drink was. She took another heavy sip and looked up at Heath who was watching her.  His words though, quickly stunned her into surprised silence and anticipation for what lay ahead.  But the sangria was so sweet!  So delicious.  She hoped she could keep her word.
“So are you three…I mean four…” the waitress quickly clarified herself as Heath looked up at her.  “I mean four,” she said again, more sure of herself this time.  “Are you all ready to order?”
“I’m going to have pan-seared salmon,” Skylar said after Corey nodded to her.  “Garden salad with dressing on the side, and some cheddar mashed potatoes.”  She smirked at Corey.  “A girl’s gotta treat herself some way, hasn’t she?”  As the waitress jotted this down, she held up her finger.  “And please set aside a human portion for my friend here.”
Aimee grinned.  “And I’ll have…” she trailed off as the waitress looked at her wide-eyed and she fell silent, turning up to look at Heath.  She gathered up her courage with a gentle nod from Heath and Skylar.  “And I’ll have a filet mignon.  He called ahead of time and made sure that there would be accommodations for me.”  She remembered what Skylar ordered.  “And I’ll also have a garden salad and some cheddar mashed potatoes.”
The waitress shook her head for a moment, but wrote down the order without complaint as Aimee smiled up at Heath.  She did it!  She ordered her own food and though the woman gave her a slightest bit of trouble, she had found the courage to move on.  Skylar’s glance had approval written all over her face.
“Well done,” she whispered.
"I'll take the Cajun chicken, greens on the side." Heath folded up his menu.
Corey finally had made up his mind: "Shrimp scampi for me, please. Hold the pepper."
The waitress nodded and collected the menus before bustling off to drop off their orders.
Heath found a quiet satisfaction in reflecting on Aimee's transformation; from the stuttering, fearful girl delivered on his doorstep to the radiant young woman sitting before him.
Corey glanced up at the fish swimming overhead.
"You see that little shark-looking guy there? He has to keep moving to breathe." He was mostly pointing out to Sky, but it was open to the rest of the table. Science was his comfort zone
"I think I understand how he feels," Heath mused. He finished his wine and set down the empty glass.
Aimee followed Corey’s glance to the ceiling, watching overhead as the fishes swam around.  She had never seen anything like it.  She didn’t even know that such wonderful things could exist.  But they could.  In Heath’s world.  She took another heavy pull from her glass of sangria.  It was amazing to discover the things that existed in Heath’s world.
“That’s kind of like me,” Aimee said, in a soft-voice, hardly aware that her voice was loud enough for other to hear.  “I’m afraid that if I stop moving for a second this could all fall apart.”
“Eh…sounds like someone needs another drink,” Skylar said, trying to cover for her and plucking up her glass to fill it to the top again.  “I’m the same way though,” she said, agreeing with Heath.  “I feel the pressure to never stop moving.  Keep moving…keep pressing forward, because if you’re not going forward, it’s only a matter of time before you start going backward.”  She set the glass down next to Aimee.  “And I’m sure you know what I mean when I say that too, pretty Aimee.”
Aimee snapped out from her trance, smiling gratefully as she took the glass.  “I do,” she said with a smile.  “Always keep moving forward.”
“To moving forward,” Skylar said, gently holding her glass towards Aimee. She looked confused.  “It’s a toast,” she explained.  “Heath…you need to get this girl out more,” she teased, bringing her glass back to her with another sip of her own.
"So...Any chance you'll go out buying outfits for me?" Corey gave the petite woman beside him a rascally smile.
"I don't know if that dress is really your style, Cor..." Heath teased.
“And as for you…” she said, nudging Corey.  “You’d never wear anything I buy you.  You live in a three piece suit,” she teased.
"Hey, if it ain't broke..." Corey smoothed a hand over his striped tie.
"You can't beat the classics," Heath agreed, sitting in similar attire himself. "I don't care what the designers say. There will never be a day where a suit and tie is not the epitome of class. The rat pack brought it back and that's where it's at."
The men toasted to that, Heath finished his wine. Aimee looked like she was debating on asking, so Heath went ahead and explained that the Ratpack was an old music group, and that Frank Sinatra guy he told her about had been a part of it.
"As to what you were saying earlier, I plan to get her out more, if she'll let me," Heath continued. "I just feel bad with all the comments she gets. It can be..." He ran the back of curled fingers down her arm lightly. "Kinda rough sometimes. As a human rights leader, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about."
“People can be cruel,” Skylar agreed, growing somber for a few moments.  “I don’t really understand how the whole thing started.  Humans being seen as pets, but it should be becoming more obvious that they breathe the same way we do.  Their hearts beat the same way ours do, and they can hurt the same way.”  She shook her head as she refilled her glass.  “I’m happy to see that you are strong, Heath.  What you’re doing…it’s not always something people want to talk about.  I am working with a young gentlemen right now who is in a relationship with a human, and has been for almost a year.”
Growing uncomfortable, Heath didn't comment about humans as pets. He honestly would rather have avoided the whole mention in front of Aimee. He pursed his lips and nodded at Sky.
“That’s a really long time,” Aimee said, growing hopeful as she felt Heath’s fingers brush her arm.  It felt incredible against her exposed skin and she shuddered, feeling goosebumps prickling up and down her arm.
He could already take a guess at just a few of the difficulties involved in a long term relationship. He still wasn't fully convinced that it would work out that long for him and Aimee, but he was going to give it his best and go down with the ship if it sank.
“Yes…” Skylar said, looking away for a moment.  “But there are complications.  It’s all wonderful and new at first…but…it can be tough.”  She frowned before trying to show off a smile again.  “But look at me, getting all deep and you barely know me.”  She tried to wave it off casually.  “I’m sure that you two will be fine.  You really like him, don’t you Aimee?”
“W-what?” Aimee croaked out.  “I mean…” she looked up at Heath and then down at the table and then back at Skylar.  “I mean we’re trying things out,” she said in a bashful voice.  She didn’t want to say too much because Heath was right there.  “But…but it’s been really great so far.”  She lifted the glass up to her lips and quickly downed an entire glass full.
“But like I said, times are finally starting to change and I’m happy to be a part of it,” Skylar said, growing bright again.  “One of the first things we’re trying to work with is that families with children under a certain age are absolutely not allowed to adopt humans.  It’s too dangerous…” she trailed off, noticing Heath stiffen up.  She must have struck something.  “But tonight’s not about work and business, it’s about having a good time.”  She shot a smile at Heath before signaling the closest waiter, demanding that he bring him another glass of whatever he was drinking.
"I will say this though, the paparazzi does all the hard work of sneaking a pic of Aimee…" He lightened the conversation with a smile.
Aimee also grew more light-hearted with Heath’s comment.  “I hate when they take pictures of me!” she said, her smile growing genuine again as she giggled slightly.  “It’s so weird to see myself in those pictures!  It was weird enough when they were always taking my picture as the shelter, but now I can practically search myself online as long as Heath’s there.”
Corey chuckled at Aimee's outburst, finding it cute. Heath did, too.
"Hey, at least you don't have to pose anymore. What about that one of you at the shelter, looking all surprised and holding a pencil that's like twice your size?" he teased. "I might actually make that my wallpaper now…" he mused, deliberately to get a reaction out of her.
Aimee puffed out her cheeks when Corey chuckled, surprised that the stiff man was capable of doing something like that at all.  “Well it’s true!” she said huffily, fumbling around with her now empty glass.  “Those people were always trying to photograph me but I hate having my picture taken…”
She looked up at Heath.  “Hey!  Don’t mention that!” she said, her voice growing surprisingly loud because of the sangria in her veins.  “I was trying to tone my arms…” she said sheepishly, looking away.  “If you make that your wallpaper…I know how to use a computer now!  I’ll change it back.  Maybe I’ll use the one that one of the tabloids has…maybe that one with a dollop of whipped cream hanging off your nose from the café?”  She smiled triumphantly.  “Wouldn’t that be funny, too?”
Heath rested his arm a few inches to the right of Aimee's table. He smiled good-naturedly in spite of the amusement of his friends imagining that mental picture of him.
"Oh, I'm not looking to start a fight with you." He waved the verbal flag of surrender, as if she was too daunting to take on.
“That’s what I thought,” Aimee said, laughing, before she turned to Corey.
"I can think of worse things you've been caught doing," Corey drawled. Heath gave him a slightly sharp look, silently begging him not to mention anything that would make Aimee think ill of him.
"I think I turned out pretty well, all things considered," Heath said.
“Oh?” Aimee asked with interest.  “What things has Heath been caught doing?  I want to know!” she laughed as Skylar quickly refilled her own glass and then started to work on Aimee’s.
“I think we’ve got a light-weight here,” she said, hoping to steer Corey off subject.
“Awww come on, you have to tell me now,” Aimee said, pouting.  “You can set things up like that and expect me not to want to know.  Corey, tell me something about Heath.  I don’t know that much about him, let alone what his friends know.”  She gave a tiny hiccup and Skylar shook her head, laughing, playing along.
“Yeah, come on now, Cor, tell the girl something.  She wants to know…” she nudged him lightly with her elbow, hardly noticing the looks Heath was shooting towards Corey.
At this point, Heath could only sit and pray that Corey wasn't intoxicated enough yet to lose his filter.
Corey gave both girls a wide smile, caving into the women's demands. "Let's see..."
"Oh, come on," Heath protested half-heartedly, already knowing it was a lost cause.
"There was this one night where we went on a double date to a fundraiser. The girl said she'd bring a friend, so Heath would be covered... Turned out to be her grandmother! So we show up with a cute blonde, and then comes in the CEO with this little old lady on his arm! Too polite for his own good sometimes, didn't have the heart to tell her he wasn't into that whole cougar thing."
Heath blushed faintly and groaned, shaking his head.
"And you can probably guess he's not exactly best buddies with the cops with the number of speeding tickets he's racked up—"
"Is that a squid?" Heath blatantly changed the subject. Corey looked up, fixing his glasses to scrutinize the fish tank.
"That's a seahorse, Heath."
"Hmm. Must have been the light," Heath replied, not sounding concerned about his error at all.
“Stop trying to change the subject,” Skylar said, sticking up for Aimee.  “The girl wants to know about you.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  Unless you have something to hide…” she trailed off, waggling her eyebrows in a playful fashion.  She hoped that Corey wouldn’t say anything too embarrassing, but she was having a good time seeing a man in a three-piece suit blushing and looking uncomfortable.
Aimee laughed, enjoying the idea of Heath being too polite to say anything with an older woman on his arm.  “Never took you for a cougar hunter, Heath,” she teased as Skylar joined in their laughter.  “But come on!  You just have something better than that!”
“Yeah, Corey…I’ve seen quite a few articles where you’re not exactly being seen with the cream of the crop…at least in my opinion,” Skylar said.  “Give us something juicy.”
“And not speeding tickets!  I already know how he drives,” Aimee laughed.
"Alright..." Corey conceded, knowing he had been playing it too safe. Besides, Aimee did have a right to know about his less glamorous past. "Now keep in mind, I wasn't there for this, but I found a very interesting video on YouTube..."
Corey pulled out his cell phone and swiped open the lock screen. Heath blanched. This could not be good. He heard the staticky sound start from the speakers. For a moment, he couldn't tell what it was. All it took was a boy clearing his throat in the video's audience to remind him. Corey turned the phone around to show a group of college boys in white tucked-polos and black slacks standing on a stage.
"Where did you find that?" Heath leaned forward, very much wanting to cover the phone from view. And then bury it. Corey grinned wider, ignoring him.