John woke Isabelle from her peaceful dreams with his skilful tongue.

Working kisses along her jawline down along her neck, through the valley of her breasts, feasting on her nipples he then travelled lower and lower.

Her ankles, calves, the spot behind her knee, each kiss or line of his tongue making her stretch and shiver and squirm. Thighs parted like magic, she hummed and stretched her body like a cat, making him smile as he teased her, and pleased her, senseless.

Sated she smiled dreamily down at him, with fingers outstretched and wiggling, she beckoned him close.

Issy cuddled up to John as she felt her heartbeats slow, how lovely this was to be looked after so intimately. Johns fingers dusted along her arm, her back and beyond, kisses planted on her forehead as she smiled again.

John stirred from the moment and began thinking as he now lay beside her and he knew, before long, the day was going to drag them apart.

So, he lay relishing this moment. Languishing in her arms for a little longer. He enjoyed the way she felt, the way her heart beat so fast for him, how she sounded when she moaned by his ear, as she lost complete control to him...
How she wrapped him to her, how she stirred him to want more.

The alarm clock beeping broke the tranquillity and quiet of their morning. John hesitated more than once on his journey to the edge of the mattress. He was eager to continue their interlude but also now eager to return to the studio.

He finally had ideas, he had sounds in his head again, he had a want to do something productive. Not that he didn't want this right now of course but feeling the fire of music relit was too strong to ignore, even with the mermaid dancing her fingers over his...

He silenced her smiling pouty lips with kisses which she returned as strongly as he administered. Passionate, promising.

Issy pushed him reluctantly out of the bed, laughing at the two of them and their behaviour.

Dressing slowly and brushing her hair, Issy wondered how to thank him and warn him all in one.

How does she do both and keep him relatively happy; So he would know that she will always be in his corner but missing from it too...

****

Dropping the phone number on the table John tapped the name and letters scrawled across the page, he was doing it, he was stepping up and really doing it. "I'm going Isabelle, first meeting is later today. I don't know how the fucking paps will be but I'm going anyway, they can all go and get stuffed though" He snarled. The paps were everywhere, always.

"I'm proud of you" Issy stirred her coffee and smiled as John swirled his precious teapot once more gently on the table between them. Leaning forward, she watched the tiny leaves swirl, some clinging to the side "I was going to ask you-"

"I know mermaid. You can't work with drunk, I know. I'm gonna try. Hard. I am" John took Issy's outstretched hand she pro-offered him to grasp, kissing her knuckles "I loved last night Isabelle you were amazing but-"

"But?"

"But I want to do this right. Put myself right first. Fix the head, fix the body, you know. You do understand?" John stood from his chair, rounded the table and knelt in front of her, kissing just beside her lips where a tiny dark freckle hovered. "Isabelle, give me some time, alone. Do you under-"

"Yes. Yes ..... Oh yes, John. I was going to say this exact thing but I thought you would detest me for it"

Issy ran a finger along his jaw, kissing him back sweetly, leaning back with a wide open smile. "Don't make promises, just be happy. Do what you need to do, for yourself." She rushed on toward the future...

"I'll see you, we'll see each other of course. The wedding, and Christmas is coming up fast...." Slowing down breathing a little more slowly she added somewhat shakily "Find someone to make you happy when you're ready" She checked the time, a great distraction to the heaviness that threatened to fold down upon them "I better get going, I have that appointment to get to. Can I call a cab?"

"I'll call downstairs, one of the lads on duty can drive you"

Tossing her purse over one shoulder Issy checked then rewrapped her dress to make sure it was tight and well secured. John stood watching her movements, memorising her ways.

Coat on she stood in the doorway awkward, suddenly a stranger "Did I do the wrong thing... coming here last night?"

"God Isabelle, no luv. I needed you and you were there. Thank-you for stealing in ......" John grinned, kissing her lips softly, cupping her face, she drank in the last moments of his touch.

"I'm selling all the medical stuff or donating it." Waving an arm about thinking of it all "I don't even know if it's still all working or not. Take care of yourself, won't you" Issy slipped into the hall, John following to the lifts. "Call me anytime. If you need to chat or something... Anything"

"I will Isabelle. You call me if you need any tea leaves sent up, alright" Issy grinned as John smirked and tugged her close, grasping her coat collar then a hand swept around her waist.

Murmuring 'goodbye mermaid' through, and over, what seemed like a hundred more sweet kisses goodbye "A few more for the road, beautiful"

Then she was gone.

*

Isabelle fell heavily against the elevator wall, arms hugging herself. She watched the numbers descend rapidly and hoped Frank the guard of the night before was not still on duty today.

He wasn't thankfully. She couldn't face the embarrassment of being 'caught' just yet. Even if it was by a stranger.

Climbing in the Lincoln town car Issy rest her head on the smooth leather of the seat. She could get used to this luxury she thought. Chauffeured around, no bother about parking and such.

She contemplated getting dropped by her jeep then jumping in and rushing herself to the nearest clothing store for new duds to bypass the 'walk of shame' she would have to undertake in going back to the apartment.

Issy smiled sleepily as buildings flashed by. Her mind warm and fuzzy and full of John. What would he do, she wondered? Probably say 'sod it, the kids are adults' . But they are still our kids. Maybe a little taller but still, our kids.

Finally, she shrugged to herself and decided; She asked to be dropped at Julian and Sally's apartment.

She meandered through the lobby, adrift in warmth and afterglow. How could she not continue to bask in the adventures she had had.

She had instigated.

She had run him ragged.

The great Lennon, almost fallen at her feet, a big ole puddle of jelly, he had been. Although recovered this very morning, she enjoyed that fact that 'little lake house me' could wear him out so. Although, if they ever met again in the bedroom, she was sure he would likely win round two.

Issy grinned so wide.

Aching and sore in places she had forgotten could ache and be sore, she made her way to her daughter's apartment. Testing the lock the knob turned under her hand, she let the door open wide, and walked in.

The hallway was devoid of life but the singing voice in the kitchen led Issy to her daughter entertaining Ivy as she made breakfast.

"Mother, what time do you call this!" Sally grumbled in a tone akin to a mother berating a daughter, turning the tables. Sally watched her mother's face burn bright pink. "Coffee, tea, shower?"

"Shush you. Cheeky girl. A sleep over- big whoop whoop"

"Blushing, walking like you rode a horse" Sally giggled quietly as Issy looked down upon herself.

"Flushed and looking beautiful, leave mum alone... You promised Sal" Julian walked in the room as Issy held her head in her hands staring at the coffee mug that had been placed under her nose "Mum, is dad ok? You didn't exhaust him too much, did you?!"

Issy glanced to her right still cradling her head in her hands, Julian's head was bowed to her level, and he was happily smirking back at her. She shook her head and sat up, head on tactics were called for, and head on she would be.

Leaning back crossing her arms she fired back "Come on, hit me with your best shot, you two" Issy grinned making Julian burst out laughing and Sally flush.

"We hadn't a clue you know, just guessing and you come in, sit down and proceed to own up. You could have walked off and we'd be none the wiser mother" Julian rubbed Issy's back as she groaned. "You had a nice night?"

Issy nodded.

"John's ok?" Sally asked, as Issy blushed crimson again. "Yep Johns ok. Too much info in that blush mum!"

Sally's flushed features told Issy the conversation was a little too much for a daughter to maintain.

Issy ran a finger round her mug a droplet of liquid forming letting her finger slide smoothly. When did the children become the parents she wondered, Ivy banged the table and Issy took her granddaughter in her arms.

"Mark called... confirming he would meet you at the restaurant" Julian offered carefully. Issy's head snapped up, staring into Julian as he watched Ivy wiggle and dance. "I said you were in the shower"

Relaxing slightly Issy sagged back in the seat. Although....

Should she still lunch with him?

Was it wrong? Was it two timing?

She hadn't the slightest idea, this situation had never ever happened before.

Grimacing she pondered leaving the man high and dry then her sense of right popped up in front of her. Iss passed Ivy back to her mummy and went to shower and change for the publisher's appointment, and lunch.