Movie Night

‘I’m not on campus right now,’ Elias said. ‘Oh. Too bad.’ Harriet shrugged off the disappointing news. ‘Never mind then. Is Lemuel on campus?’ ‘You’ll have to ask him. It’s a holiday, and most folks have cleared out.’ ‘I’ll call him, then.’ Before Elias could respond, the line went dead, leaving him holding the phone to his ear. He shook his head with an amused smile and slid his phone back into his pocket. Harriet was as impulsive as ever, always charging ahead with a fire in her heart that few could match. General McCullough’s niece was a whirlwind of energy and spontaneity. Elias had lived with Harriet and Hershel for a while after his parents died. She was like a sister to him, which made the prospect of Hershel’s matchmaking all the more absurd. With Callie on his mind, Elias quickened his pace. The lift whisked him up to the suite. Callie greeted him with a sheepish smile. She was fully dressed now and no longer clad in the delicate lingerie that had set his libido in overdrive. He quirked an eyebrow. ‘What’s wrong?’ Callie spread out both hands. ‘Sorry, Aunt Flo decided to make a surprise appearance.’ ‘Oh.’ He set the pack of condoms on the nightstand as he regarded her. ‘Do you need anything? Pads, pain meds, hot water?’ Her lips curled into a grateful smile. ‘No, thanks. I’m a doctor myself. I know how to take care of my body.’ Inwardly, Callie couldn’t help but chuckle at the situation. Of all the times for her cycle to make an appearance, it just had to be during their honeymoon. The irony didn’t escape her—too caught up in the excitement, she’d forgotten all about her period’s timing. But such was life, and she wasn’t about to let it dampen their spirits. Callie nestled against Elias on the plush bed, finding comfort in his closeness. ‘How about we order some popcorn and have a movie marathon?’ Elias called room service. As the first movie played out on the large TV screen, they settled in to watch. Callie’s eyes lit up when she recognised ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding.’ ‘I love Julia Roberts. She’s so gorgeous.’ Elias draped an arm over her shoulders, kneading them gently. When the iconic tune ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ began to play, Callie’s voice rose in a soft melody, her eyes sparkling as she sang along. ‘The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup, I say a little prayer for you...’ Elias listened, captivated by her candid display of joy. As the song reached its end, Callie turned towards him, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. ‘Can you sing, Elias?’ ‘You’ve heard me sing before.’ Callie wagged a finger. ‘I meant love songs, not army chants.’ A faint tinge of embarrassment coloured Elias’s cheeks. ‘I don’t sing well.’ Callie leaned closer. ‘Oh, come on! Just sing for me. Pretty please! Just indulge me.’ She gazed up at him, her big round eyes brimming with innocent charm. With a sigh that was equal parts exasperation and amusement, Elias relented. ‘Fine.’ Clearing his throat, he looked at Callie with mock sternness. ‘But don’t look at me.’ ‘Why?’ ‘Because then I can’t sing,’ Elias deadpanned. Callie rolled her eyes and acquiesced. ‘Fine.’ Resting her head on Elias’s lap, Callie closed her eyes, ready to enjoy the serenade she had coaxed from him. Elias took a deep breath, his voice a tad unsteady as he began to sing. ‘Oceans apart, day after day, and I slowly go insane. I hear your voice on the line, but it doesn’t stop the pain…’ His voice, low and slightly husky, wove through the air, accompanied by the gentle patter of rain against the windowpane. Callie hummed along softly, her heart swaying to the rhythm of the melody. Elias’s gaze softened as he looked down at her, his affectionate expression hidden in the soft shadows of the room. The rain outside stirred memories, tugging at the edges of his mind and heart. That night three years ago, the rain had fallen just like this, as Elias chased a foreign spy through the city’s wet streets. His mind replayed the scene: a little girl crossing the street, right into the path of the spy’s accelerating Land Rover; Elias’s foot on the gas pedal, aiming to bump the car off the road; then—contact; the Land Rover spinning out of control, tyres screeching, the world a blur before a deafening crash jolted the air. Elias had emerged from his vehicle, shaken but unbroken. The little girl stood untouched, a guardian angel had pushed her out of harm’s way. Elias’s eyes fell upon the young woman lying on the rain-soaked asphalt, blood pooling around her. The ambulance had arrived in a hurry, Elias’s pain inconsequential as he followed the medics to the nearby hospital. It was an unexpected detour, a wrench in his mission. But Elias was never one to ignore the call of duty, even if it meant relinquishing control. And so, he had left her in capable hands, but her face lingered, a silent presence that refused to fade. When General Hershel spoke of marriage, Elias thought of the young woman immediately. He caressed Callie’s cheek, his fingers tracing the contours of her face. ‘You don’t have to be jealous of my first love, because my first love is you.’ But Callie said nothing. Elias looked down, his lips curving into a fond smile. She had fallen asleep, the strains of his song lulling her into dreams. Elias held her close, his arms a shield around her as he whispered, ‘You are my first love, Bunny.’ Outside, the rain continued to tap a soothing rhythm against the windowpane. Elias buried his face in the curve of Callie’s shoulder and drifted into sleep. The room felt like a haven, their own intimate world insulated from the worries of the outside. *** With the first blush of dawn, Elias and Callie stirred even without the aid of army reveille or the blare of alarms. Callie sat up, yawned and rubbed her eyes. She couldn’t help but giggle when she caught sight of Elias, her eyes lingering a moment longer below his waist. ‘Oh, look what woke up before us.’