Chapter Thirty-One
It had been a very busy three weeks.
Every conceivable thing that could have gone wrong- and a few inconceivable things as well- had gone wrong.
By the middle of the second week, Kermit and Miss Piggy were mostly looking forward to their little trip for the simple fact that it would be a break from what they were doing.
But before the trip could begin, Robin had to be dropped off at the swamp, which meant Kermit had left a day earlier than Miss Piggy and had taken a train, whereas she had gone by plane.
Which explained why she had just spent a few hours in the middle seat between a smelly old man and an even smellier young man with record-breaking bad looks and a less than appealing character.
Oh, but it was over now. It was finally over.
She leaned against the doorpost with a great sigh and watched as Kermit wrestled with the key-card. Finally the little green light went on, indicating that the door was unlocked, and he gave her a wry smile as he opened the door. "You'd think they could make these things a little easier," he said.
She shook her head and half-dragged, half-kicked her suitcase into the room. "They'd better have a nice bathtub," she grumbled, "Because the first thing moi am doing is taking a several hour long bath."
He tilted his head to the side, noticing that she hadn't noticed that there were two beds in the room. He smiled and slid an arm around her waist. "I've got a better idea."
"Kermit-"
He kissed her firmly, letting his other hand caress her cheek.
She pulled away, suddenly in a much better mood. "Kermie," she whined, "I'm
filthy..."
"You are?" He kissed her cheek. "I think you'll have to convince me..."
He tugged her towards the nearer bed.
"But-" she squirmed feebly in his arms. "Kermie-"
"Aw, come on," he grinned, intentionally falling backwards onto the bed. "A little-
rest never hurt anyone." He kissed her again.
She didn't seem so reluctant now. In fact, she made sure he was thoroughly kissed.
"
Oh," she sighed as his lips moved to her collarbone. Her arms tightened around him. "Kermie?" she murmured.
"Hm?"
"What's the other bed for?"
"Mm…" He nuzzled closer to her. "Luggage."
They grew quiet then, and settled in for a nap before that night's party.
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When Kermit awoke, his arms were empty. He looked around, disappointed.
The bathroom door opened with a puff of steam, and there she was. Miss Piggy. She was wearing her robe, and her hair was all up in curlers. She knelt in front of her open suitcase.
He got to her in two hops. "What are you doing?"
"I'm getting-"
He kissed her and slid his arms around her waist.
"Mm! Mm-" She pushed him away. "Kermie!" she said, flustered.
"You didn't answer my question," he grinned at her.
She sighed. "I'm getting ready for the party," she explained.
"Oh. I see." He glanced at the clock. "This early?"
"Well, Kermie," she said with pointedly feigned patience, "Some people have to do a little
more than just throw on a suit."
"Well what else do you have to do?" He grinned at her, reached out, and took her hands. "You look terrific. Just go like that."
She pulled her hands away and stared at him. "You
did not-"
"I did." He slid his arms around her and pulled her in for a tantalizing kiss.
She pried him away. "Later, Kermie," she murmured. "I have to get ready." She grabbed something from her suitcase and vanished into the bathroom.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Her tight red dress had a thin blue lining that matched her thin blue belt, and her gloves had turned to white. She gave him a demure smile.
Kermit looked her over and smiled. He took her hands in his and let his eyes dance over her again. "You look beautiful," he said quietly. "You
are beautiful." He leaned closer, affectionately gazing into her big blue eyes. "Especially inside," he murmured.
Her feet were suddenly unsteady, and she let his arms surround her.
"You know something?" he murmured. "Last time we danced was before I left."
Her gloves softly settled on his suit jacket. "Let's change that," she whispered, and they shared a luxurious kiss. She pulled back abruptly, wrapped an arm around him, and ushered him out the door. "Let's
not be late," she said.
"I thought that was fashionable," he said absent-mindedly.
"Leave the fashion to moi, Kermie."
"Yes ma'am," he said cheerily.
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At celebrity-filled parties like this, it was easy to be overwhelmed at first. After the initial shock, Kermit usually liked to separate from Miss Piggy. They each liked to talk to different people about different things. But tonight, he was glad to keep his arm linked with hers. After the usual discussion of the weather, the food, and the local sports teams, there was only one direction for a conversation to turn.
"So Kermit, you like,
just got back, didn't you? Where was your unit? Wow, that must've been rough. You were drafted, though. Do you
support the war?"
At this point, Miss Piggy would flash a warning glare and slip closer to Kermit.
He would find her hand, squeeze it, and take a deep breath. "I wish there was a more peaceful way to do what has to be done. But there isn't. So yes, I support the war."
"What about that business with the Triple C?"
Here, Miss Piggy would intervene with some creative comment, such as, "Drew, those shoes are simply divine!" or, "Donald, who does your hair?" or, "Are you still married?" or, "Would vous please pass the butter?"
When the band started to play, Kermit and Miss Piggy turned and smiled at each other.
"Oh, Kermit, hi! I was
hoping I'd get to talk to you..." A man appeared before them and began to ramble, mostly about the war, despite Miss Piggy's persistent warning glares and many attempts to sway the conversation.
Kermit desperately tried to build a wall, with his face and his voice, but the man paid no mind to it and mined deeper into the topic. Kermit could feel The Eyes watching him, waiting to pounce.
"You know what, I'm
really curious- with the Child Corps Charge, you know? I just can't
believe- isn't that
terrible, I mean-"
"Oh Kermie remember
this song? Excuse us, Freddy!" Miss Piggy quickly dragged Kermit onto the dance floor and pulled him into the safe haven of her arms.
He pushed his face into her shoulder and ignored the music entirely. He could see The Eyes. Miss Piggy was holding him close, murmuring something soothing, lightly swaying him, giving some semblance of dancing, and occasionally sliding soft, comforting kisses onto his cheek. He focused on her voice, her scent, the feel of her skin, her beating heart, and her very presence. In a moment, he was calm, and he wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you," he murmured.
She lifted his face from her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek against his. "Dance with me?" she whispered.
There was a shadow of something in her voice to which he was not accustomed. It made him pause. He tenderly wrapped his hand around hers. His other arm, still around her waist, grew firm and guiding. He held her close for a moment before he remembered the music. His flippers began to move.
She moved with him effortlessly. Their legs worked in fluid elegance that the other dancers marveled at, and yet they held so close to each other that it was questionable as to whether or not they were separate beings. By the end of the song, everyone in attendance was mesmerized.
But Kermit and Miss Piggy were only aware of each other and the music.
He was mostly conscious of her very being, her every essence, her utter magnificence, and the fact that she had chosen
his arms to wrap herself in, and
his heart to capture, when she could have had anyone in the world.
She was completely focused on the fact that, finally, thank
goodness, at long last,
he was leading her, the way he used to, the way he was
meant to, the way he always did. She put her head on his shoulder and, under his tender, careful guidance, she slowly relaxed. The tension that had built up over the past year eased out of her body, and she was overcome with such utter
relief that, in that moment, she surrendered to him so completely that she would have calmly done anything he asked without a second thought at all.
All he asked of her was to dance.
With each song, the tempo went up a notch. Their feet kept pace and set the standard
high. Still they danced cheek-to-cheek until finally, at the end of a high-energy song, he spun her out and back in, and their eyes met for the first time since entering the dance floor.
So did their lips.
When their lips parted, she whispered, "Mon Capitan!"
When their eyes locked, he was smiling, and he said simply, "Yup." His hands found her waist, and he looked into her eyes with a deep but simple satisfaction.
They pulled each other close and held tight in a warm, celebratory hug that no one else could possibly understand.
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