St. Valentine's Day: Part 3

(Note: the information surrounding Eric's divorce is fictional)

"Lisa?" Michael bent down so that he was at eye level with her.

Finally she turned her eyes toward him and smiled widely.

"Is anything wrong, love?" he asked softly, narrowing his eyes.

She came out of her daze and shook her head. "Oh, no...I was just watching this wonderfully romantic film on the telly. I can't remember the title, I switched it on almost halfway through, but it was so sweet. It was just perfect in time for Valentine's Day."

"Ah..." Michael nodded. He looked back at her narrowing his eyes once again. He knew he had to trust her, but he was still a bit suspicious.

"Lisa darling, has anyone been here since you arrived back?" he asked carefully.

She looked up at him curiously as he sat down on the couch next to her. "No." She shook her head.

Michael pressed on. "Are you absolutely sure?"

"Well...yes." She furrowed her brow in confusion. "Michael, are you alright?" she asked as she leaned over and began stroking his hair.

Michael turned his eyes downward and sighed. A sheepish grin formed on his face. "I'm just being silly...that's all. I'm sorry, love. Forget I said anything." He looked up at her and gave her a quick little smile.

She smiled back and continued stroking his hair. "I only wish you had returned earlier. You don't have any idea how lonely it was, sitting there watching that romantic film. With each passing moment I hoped you'd enter through the front door and sit yourself down to keep me company."

Michael smiled sweetly at her. He knew then and there that he had worried for nothing.

**************************************************

As Lisa lie in bed reading a book, Michael gathered up his pyjamas and headed off to the bathroom. He turned back toward her and smiled. "I shant be long," he said softly.

She looked up at him and gave him a playful little wave. He closed the door behind him, and a few seconds later she heard the shower turn on.

Lisa tried to concentrate on the book, but she couldn't help but think about what a sweet guy Michael was. She did feel a bit bad about Eric, but she made up her mind once and for all not to dwell on it. Sure, Eric had to be lonely, but he'd probably find someone new; after all, there's someone for everyone.

She sighed and turned her eyes back down to the book. The sound of running water from Michael's shower soothed her.

Suddenly, that sound was pierced by the ring of the telephone. "Oh!" she exclaimed.

She reached over and picked it up. "Hello?"

"Lisa? It's Eric."

Lisa swallowed hard. She forgot what she had told him last night, that she would "think about it."

She thanked God that Michael was in the shower. "Oh...H-hi, Eric," she stammered.

"I hope I'm not bothering you," he said, with a hint of concern in his voice.

"Oh, no, not at all," she said tersely.

"Oh, good," he replied. "Listen, about what I asked last night...you know, about dinner tomorrow?"

Lisa felt like she had a lump in her throat. How would she break it to him without upsetting him?

"Have you thought about it?"

"Um...well..." she began. This was it. She had to tell him right there that dinner was out. After all, Michael had made plans. Surely he would accept that explanation.

She decided to pull out all the stops. "Listen Eric, as lovely as it sounds, I'm sorry but I can't have dinner with you tomorrow. I'd forgotten that Michael already made plans for us both..."

"WELL, CAN'T YOU BREAK THEM???" Eric shouted desperately into the phone.

Lisa pulled the receiver away from her face for a moment, staring at it wide-eyed. She was stunned. She put receiver back up to her ear. "Come again??" she asked curiously in a small voice.

She heard Eric sniffling on the other line and it made her heart sick.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry, Lisa," his voice cracked as he began to choke up. "I'm really putting you in an uncomfortable position, aren't I?"

"Well..."

"Here I am, a grown man, blubbering on the phone like a complete idiot," he continued. "I never meant to bother you like this, it's just that..."

"Just that what?" she asked softly.

"It's just that this is the first Valentine's Day I'll be spending alone. It's the hardest thing of all for me, being without any female companionship and all."

"Oh, Eric," she sniffled as her eyes began to tear. "I had no idea just how hard it was for you. If I could, I would do anything to make you feel better.... actually...hang on..."

"What?" Eric sniffled.

"I have a good friend at the library who's still single and looking for companionship. She's a sweet girl and I think you both would really hit it off. Would you like me to introduce her to you?"

Suddenly, Eric stopped sniffling. "...No, no that's alright," he answered, clearing his throat. "I'm sorry for bothering you Lisa."

"Are you sure?" she persisted.

"No, honestly, I'll be okay." He tried to sound reassuring but he wasn't quite pulling it off.

"Well....alright." She said weakly.

::Click::

She hung up the phone and just sat on the edge of the bed for a moment. She heard the sound of the hairdryer and was so grateful that Michael hadn't heard any of the conversation. She wished she could do something to help Eric, but he refused to be introduced to her friend. Still, just hearing him cry almost made her heart break. It frustrated her that he wouldn't let her help him.

Tears formed in her eyes once again, and she got up and kicked the front of the bedframe. "Ooo..." she moaned as she kicked a bit too hard and injured her foot somewhat. She got back into bed and laid there leaning her hand against her chin.

Finally the hairdryer switched off and Michael emerged from the bathroom, all cleaned up and in his pyjamas. He smiled warmly at her as he eased into bed next to her.

He blinked and his smile faded as he noticed her tear-stained face. "Lisa?" he asked softly as he reached over and smoothed down her hair. "Are you alright?"

She turned her glance downward for a moment, then looked back up at him. "Oh...yes, I'm alright. I..." She looked down at her foot which had developed a faint little bruise. "I just...hurt my foot when I accidentally bumped into the edge of the bedframe there."

He looked down at her foot and smiled. "Aw. Well let me kiss it and make it better, then." He reached down, picked up her foot and began caressing it before kissing it softly. He then edged closer to her and smiled sweetly.

She beamed at him. "I love you so much, Michael," she said, kissing him on the cheek.

"You have no idea how wonderful it is to hear those words from you," he grinned, playfully touching her on the nose. "I love you, too. More than you could ever know." With that they embraced, locked in a passionate kiss.

Michael reached over and turned off the light. He snuggled up to her and put his arm around her.

They had been sleeping soundly for some time before the phone rang again.

*****************************************************

Michael jerked his head up as the sound of the phone ringing pierced the silence. "Bloody hell??" he muttered. He looked over and saw Lisa sleeping soundly. Whoever was calling at this late hour would get both barrels from him.

He turned back to the phone and sighed irritably. He pushed his long bangs back out of his eyes and picked up the receiver. This time, however, he didn't say anything at first. He wanted to know who would be disturbing them at this hour.

"Lisa?" the voice on the other end asked.

Hearing the sound of Eric's voice was enough to make Michael's blood boil. The fact that he was calling so late made Michael almost glad that he had suspected Eric in the first place. He tried to control himself as hard as possible though. He thought he'd startle Eric instead by answering the phone. "What is it, Eric?" he said forcefully, though as quiet as possible so as not to wake Lisa.

Michael could hear Eric sputtering in surprise on the other end. Serves him right, stupid bloke, he thought to himself. "Er...Mike! I..." he said, surprised.

"You what, Eric? You didn't expect me to answer the phone at this hour? You thought you'd be lucky again and my dear wife would answer, perhaps?"

Eric sighed. "Alright, I admit it, Mike. But please, don't be cross with me. I'd really like to take your wife out tomorrow if you don't mind...I..."

Michael's eyes narrowed angrily. "Eric, why are you doing this to my wife?" he spat out. "Why do you keep bothering her??"

"Bothering her? I'm not bothering her!" Eric protested. "All I want to do is have dinner with her, you know as two friendly acquaintances!"

Michael rolled his eyes. "Oh, come ON, Eric. I know you've been after her since we made Holy Grail! You don't think I'm going to fall for that, do you? How daft do you think I am??"

Pause.

"Alright," Eric whimpered. "Fine, I admit it. I do fancy your wife. But Mike, honestly, if only you knew how depressed I was. You're happily married and I'm..."

"Oh Christ," Michael said in a serious tone. "Are you JEALOUS of me, Eric?" He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Oh yeah, I'm jealous," Eric said dryly. "I'm jealous of you, of Jonesy, of Gilliam, and of Graham. You're all either married or have some kind of companionship to keep you happy. I just seem to have no luck." He began to choke up again.

Michael began to feel bad. He remembered when Eric had first divorced his wife Lyn. It was almost one whole year ago, right after they finished their stage show at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Michael hadn't heard the whole thing, but apparently she had gotten fed up with Eric never being home when they'd go off and film on location for Flying Circus, and when they'd tour around with their stage shows, so she had found happiness with another man and suddenly announced to Eric that she was leaving him.

Michael remembered how devasted Eric felt. He would ring Eric up quite a bit, just to make sure he was alright. Eric would sound a bit melancholy, but he seemed happy to talk to someone. Then when they all went up to Scotland to film Holy Grail he remembered how depressed Eric would seem at times, especially when they'd take a break from filming. He would mostly go off on his own, and Michael would find him sitting up against the outside wall of the castle, just staring out into the field ahead. He would look quite sad, and Michael would sit with him and try to joke around just to cheer him up. Usually it would work, and Michael would be happy that he did his part.

Now, with Eric choking up on the phone, Michael realized why he had taken such a liking to Lisa in the first place while they were up there filming. He suddenly experienced a twinge of guilt for referring to Eric as a ladies' man back then.

He sighed. "Alright, I'm sorry, Eric. I know the divorce was tough on you and such, but please, stop and think of Lisa's feelings for a moment. Why can't you just be happy that she's happy?"

Eric stopped sniffling and paused thoughtfully. "You know, you're right, Mike. She had told me in the beginning that she cares a great deal for you. I should have just listened to her then and there. I should have respected her feelings. I apologize for all the grief and trouble I've caused you both."

Michael turned back and smiled at Lisa sleeping soundly. "Apology accepted, Eric," he answered softly. "Don't worry about finding a girl, you'll succeed," he said warmly.

"Ah, I really hope so," Eric giggled softly. "Goodnight, Mike."

"'Night, Eric," Michael answered as he hung up the phone.

He sighed as he eased his head back down on the pillow. He turned back toward Lisa and smiled. He knew she meant every bit of it when she told him she loved him with all her heart. She was forever faithful to him, and it made him love her all the more.

He sighed happily and snuggled up to her, slowly drifting off to sleep.