Some Unknown Feeling – Part I
Disclaimer: These are not my characters. They are creations of Disney.
A/N: I've decided to edit this first chapter a little bit. Originally, it was written as a one-shot, but since there is a second chapter on the way, I need to explain a few things. They'll fit better in here than in the second part. I appreciate all the support from the reviews and my lovely beta, Ellen. Thanks so much you guys!
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It was a Friday evening and the sun had set long ago. Inside the apartment of 116th and Riverside, a ruby haired woman spun around the kitchen, clutching a bowl to her chest and stirring its contents at the same time. A soft melody escaped her lips, sapphire eyes disappearing behind her lids, lost in the song. A ding of a timer broke Giselle of her reverie. She released a happy sigh and placed the bowl onto the counter. Taking a cloth from a side drawer, she opened the oven and took out a white cake. Giselle lowered her nose to the morsel and inhaled, "Oh yes." She giggled and placed the treat on the counter, "Well, this is just perfect!"
This venture into baking was her first; rather, her first venture into baking alone. Robert had gotten upset when last she baked and enlisted the assistance of her New York City animal friends. Robert sat her down and explained that they were dirty animals and when she was cooking, or baking, to attempt it herself.
Giselle had this time to herself. Robert was still off at work. He would be home shortly, but she was working to finish the cake before he arrived. She wanted him to see that she could bake alone and she could bake alone very well. Morgan was away for the evening. It was a Friday night and there was no school the next morning; she was allowed to stay over at a friend's house. Morgan was quickly growing more confident since Giselle had entered her life. Morgan hadn't made a lot of new friends, but she made a few who she now treasured dearly.
Giselle was quite happy with herself. The cake was finished and smelling lovely. The frosting was mixed and just about ready to be dressed on the cake. Giselle smiled, thinking of exactly how far she'd come. She'd been dropped into this crazy place and she had been all alone. It was Morgan and Robert who were her saviors and she was forever grateful. They took care of her and took her in. Robert was the one to show her heart what she had truly been missing. Giselle thought she had found that missing portion in Edward, but things rapidly changed.
It was the night after the debacle at the Italian restaurant, back up in the apartment. Robert had brought about such a new emotion in her. Giselle grasped onto the bowl containing the cake's topping, thinking back onto how the emotion of anger had bubbled up inside her. It was such a new feeling for her and evoked almost a raw pleasure. It was in that precise moment that Giselle caught herself falling away from her Andalasia self and coming to know what was quickly becoming her new self. She had placed a hand on his chest and was overwhelmed with a feeling she could not place. Eyeing his lips, she knew what she wanted, but it was something she couldn't have; at least, not back then.
Giselle shook her head and clucked her tongue at herself, "Now, now. There's so much to be done!" That same nameless feeling was creeping back up on her. Thoughts of Robert often did this to her; they brought upon a tightness in her belly and a warmth spread through her body. She moved the cake and the frosting to the table to set out decorating the treat before Robert got home. The small spatula was dipped into the velvety frosting and then pulled across the top of the soft cake gently.
The ball had been another scenario all together. When Giselle's hand had been placed in his, she felt a great sense of security and affection. Whether it was the music, the dancing, the spinning or just being so close to Robert, Giselle had been in a euphoric state of mind for that short period of time. And then, he sang to her. But he said he doesn't sing, she'd reminded herself inwardly, shocked, but pleasantly surprised. She brought herself closer to his body; her face nearly pressed into his neck. Once again, that pulse of a feeling coursed through her, still as mysterious to her now.
The door opened to the apartment and in walked the man who, unbeknownst to him, encouraged this feeling within her. Giselle snapped out of her reminiscing state, blue eyes wide and a flush through her cheeks. Robert stood in the doorway to the kitchen, where she was seated with chocolate frosting smeared over her fingers.
Giselle released soft gasp at the sight of him, quickly standing from her seat, as though she were a child caught sneaking a cookie before dinner. "I baked a cake!" she said cheerily, her smile was wide and genuine across her face. She snatched up some paper towels from the counter, quickly wiping her hands down.
Robert took a few steps towards the table, motioning towards the cake, "Yes, I can see that. No animal help this time?"
"Oh, no," Giselle shook her head, her grin fading to a pleasant smile. "Not after you asked me not to. Though, I do miss the rats' help. Their paws are just small enough. A pinch of salt is just so accurate when they do it."
Robert couldn't help but laugh and close the distance between them. His hands fell to her waist and Giselle's eyes dropped to his chest. Robert surveyed her for a moment, taking in her flushed appearance. "Are you alright?" he asked, tilting her face back towards his with an index finger.
"Oh. Oh, I'm fine! Yes, just wonderful," Giselle nodded her head repeatedly.
"Are you sure?" Robert questioned her again, not fully believing this wide-eyed woman before him. "You know you can tell me anything, Giselle."
"Really," she fondly pressed a hand to his chest, her cobalt eyes meeting his, "I'm fine."
Robert paused, looking her over once more, "Alright. If you say so." He offered up a gentle smile and closed the small distance between their lips.
Giselle's eyes drifted shut and his hands found their way back to her hips. She wrapped her hands up around his neck and lost herself in the kiss. His tongue pressed its way and met up with hers. Kissing was, as Giselle loved finding out, a new favorite hobby of hers. Robert made her feel loved and cared for, and kissing brought out that same new sensation that coursed through her veins.
She had thought back to what Morgan had said. They are only after one thing. That elusive one thing was haunting her. Giselle wasn't stupid, just a little naïve. Perhaps, just maybe, this unfamiliar throb she felt was somehow connected or related to that one thing.
Giselle broke off the kiss, though still relishing in the feel of his hands on her lower back. "Robert," she traced the pattern of his tie, awkwardly avoiding his eyes once again, "may I ask you something?"
A small smile graced his features, "Of course."
"Well," she tossed words around in her mind, pausing in her speech. "Oh. I get these feelings sometimes. It feels, well, I just don't know how to explain it." She shook her head in frustration, a few stray curls rolling over her shoulder. Her brow narrowed in confusion, "What is this one thing that boys are after?"
Robert's eyebrows shot up slightly, "What?"
Giselle placed both of her hands on his chest, "I just heard it somewhere. I don't know what it means or what they're after. Are you after it?"
Robert removed a hand from her back to run through his hair, sitting himself down in one of the kitchen chairs. "How about we have some cake?"