Disclaimer: Desperate Housewives isn't mine.

Story Summary: "Maybe some part of him is curious because it's been five years, and five years goes a long way to soften the memories."

Down the Road Aways

a story by Ryeloza

He runs into Danielle in the grocery store and most of him really wants to pretend that he doesn't know her and run away, but he can't run so he doesn't have much choice. And maybe some part of him is curious because it's been five years, and five years goes a long way to soften the memories. They aren't so tinged with hurt and betrayal anymore. So he doesn't leave.

Mostly they make small talk. She's moved closer to home because time heals all wounds and she missed her family. Orson isn't surprised. Danielle has always been an eventually. Eventually she will mature. Eventually she'll want to be part of the family again. Eventually she'll stop being so selfish. These are the things that he used to whisper to Bree late at night when she was broken and upset and asking why. Now he sees that eventually might finally be now. She's even pregnant again, glowing this time with a baby she actually planned on and wanted, and Orson is so glad and melancholy all at once. He's not a part of this world anymore, but he's nostalgic for it. And maybe Danielle senses it because she invites him to Thanksgiving dinner.

"Mom is cooking, but it's at Andrew's. You should come."

You should come.

He really shouldn't. There's something to be said for a clean break. Not knowing, seeing, thinking (well only sometimes) about her for five years. The memories are unintentional. He'll catch a whiff of pie in the air and suddenly he's be back in his old kitchen watching her bake with that look of euphoria on her face. Or he'll see a shade of green that would suit her just so. His sheets are never as crisp and fresh as they were with her and he still can't use her brand of fabric softener because it makes him want to cry.

And whenever it rains he still thinks about their first kiss.

He misses her too. Her laughter and smile. How she could be so judgmental without even a ring of condescension in her voice. Her giggle when he tickled her and her tears when she had a bad day. Despite everything, he still thinks that she is the love of his life. But he's not so naïve as he once was. Even soul mates can't overcome all obstacles.

Sometimes he wonders who gave up first. Accidents and affairs and ultimatums aside, it came down to the fact that he decided to walk out on her and she didn't fight for him. He can't say if he would have stayed if she had, but sometimes he wonders…

He wants to go. He wants to say yes to Danielle. He wants to go into that house and see that little look of surprise on her face that might (he prays) turn to genuine pleasure, and they'll sit down and eat and talk and laugh and for an evening it will be like it used to be. Yesterday again.

But he knows better. They're too far down the road now and there's not really any way to go back to how it was. It was over years ago. Maybe it was over before it even began.

"Maybe next year," he tells Danielle.

Danielle nods, but they both know it's a lie. Life has to go on.

Or at least that's what he pretends.