A Chelsea Morning (standard:romance, 1600 words)
Author: KarnelianOrchid	Added: May 31 2025	Views/Reads: 6/5	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A young woman, Chelsea, has graduated from college, in New York City, and lands a job as meteorologist at KCTV in Kansas City. There, she meets a neighbor, Pete, who becomes her infatuation. Through a series of adventures, and a harrowing misadventure, th

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Pete hugged her firmly at the door, loathe to release the magnificent
creature whom Axel had discovered. He kissed her lightly, still 
drinking her in, and said, “Let me be your tour guide when you get a 
day off. I drive a taxi. If you promise to sit up front with me and 
hold my hand, I'll turn the meter off and we can get lost - and found 
together.” 

Chelsea's mouth dropped open as she struggled for words. He stared into
her eyes, straight down to the bottom of her soul, silently willing her 
to agree. 

“Okay, it's a date, and Pete, thanks for this evening.” Pete replied,
still holding her hand as he backed away slightly, “It's entirely my 
pleasure. I'm certainly glad that Axel had the good sense to greet you 
this evening.” 

Chelsea closed the door and leaned back against it offering a silent
prayer, “Thank you, God! My life is a fairytale!” 

Pete retreated into his apartment where he sat for a good amount of
time, feeding Axel treats and recalling Chealsea's laughter, carried to 
him on a summer breeze which had assuredly changed his life irrevocably 
this evening. Happiness buoyed his spirit. 

He had watched her unwittingly bewitch him in guileless movements;
lightly swiping a windblown strand of hair from her face, her tinkling 
laughter at small absurdities, nothing like the heavily made up women 
he had dated prior. There was a refreshing ease to being in Chelsea's 
company. 

She was, Pete imagined, a woman who could drink champagne with
executives as easily as enjoy soda and hotdogs at a carnival. He patted 
Axel gently as he put the bird into a cage, whispering, “You did good, 
boy!” 

Her first week at KCTV was wildly busy. Chelsea rushed to various
assignments without even enough time to stop for a burger. 

Evenings were filled with purchasing appropriate clothing for
television, sitting with hair and makeup artists, lighting checks, 
reading from teleprompters, and making a mad dash from one destination 
to the next. She had never had a challenge quite as demanding and she 
was determined to prove herself. 

Pete watched her come and go, waiting and hoping. He hadn't wanted to
make her first week more stressful than it was. Then, on a Saturday, 
late at night, he heard her sliding glass door slide open. He quickly 
retrieved Axel and slipped out onto his own balcony where he sat 
listening quietly. 

Then he heard it; a voice barely audible, just above a whisper, “Pete?
Are you there?” 

Pete opened his mouth to respond, but Axel beat him to it: “Hello!” 

He put Axel away and went straight to Chelsea's door. She greeted him
warmly and Pete could tell she was beyond exhausted. 

Swiftly, he folded her into his arms protectively and she collapsed
against his chest. He picked her up and carried her to bed. Kissing her 
lightly, holding her troubled gaze with his own, he whispered, “Trust 
me.” She did. 

Pete peeled off her shorts and tunic, and laid down beside her, careful
to keep her encircled and safe. He pulled her against his chest, 
issuing, “Close your eyes. Rest. Let me protect you tonight.” 

Chelsea did as he asked with tears of relief in her eyes. She tried to
speak as the tension left her body, but Pete wouldn't have it. “Shhh, 
just rest,” he comforted her, stroking her face, her hair, making no 
move to release her, and no move to indulge his own desires. 

He closed his eyes against his own riotous emotions and physical need,
knowing that the last thing Chelsea  needed was an assault on her 
senses when she was this near to breaking. 

In the morning, he made breakfast, which they ate on the balcony while
he asked about all she endured this week. 

Chelsea poured her heart out, feeling truly heard, seen, valued, and
cared for. She related her first encounter with a tornado. She had 
heard many descriptions, but nothing compared. 

Chelsea had ordered the cab to stop and let her out. A brief fight
ensued and finally the driver stopped. She leapt from the taxi to film 
the beast, thinking, My God! It's royaling, rotating, living evil 
hellbent on death and destruction. 

She had never encountered anything like it. She'd focused the camera,
filming with hands shaking, and misjudged speed and distance. It had 
nearly claimed her life. 

“Holy nightmare, Chelsea! Don't ever risk that again,” he ordered, panic
stricken and closing the gap to pull her against his chest, continuing, 
“Just promise me, Che hard, saying, “I know you're out to prove 
yourself, but that doesn't mean getting yourself killed!” 

Chelsea didn't fight him. She curled into the safety of his arms,
whispering, “I promise.” 

Pete tried to release her just long enough to look into her eyes, but he
couldn't do it. The harrowing tale of nearly losing her made him lock 
her into his embrace. 

Pete knew what she needed. He had been without safety and succor often
enough that he knew exactly how to show up for her. 

She'd never received a gift of this magnitude before. It was her own,
personal miracle and she suddenly realized that she loved him; head 
over, to the depths of her soul, no turning back, love! 

“I was planning to wait for a more appropriate time to ask you this,”
Pete whispered, “But it won't wait now. You need a stabilizing force in 
your life and I need you in mine.” Pete stopped, tilting her chin up to 
lock eyes with her, “Marry me, Chelsea. I know it's sudden, but I won't 
spend another moment without you, if you will give me a chance. Marry 
me.” 

Pete paused, pulling her tightly to him, holding his breath, and waiting
for her reply. 

Chelsea pulled away slightly to take both his hands in her own. Smiling
up at him, she asked, “When?” 

He smiled brightly, replying,”Tomorrow looks like a Chelsea morning! We
can make the arrangements today. Yes?” 

“Yes, my love. Yes! Now let's go celebrate.”


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