Title: The Grocery Bag of Love
Author: The Elfmaniac (Erin)
Rating: K to K+
Pairings: Maria/Tony (Past), Maria/Baby John, if you squint really, really hard.
..okay, not that hard.
Summary: Baby John shows Maria some apprecation.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, nor do I own the musical. I do own the grocery bag of love, though, and making Baby John too-cute.
Special Thanks: Dr. Stevenson's wonderful kids..all four of them. Your children being so adorable when your brought them in to class.
To AC, for making me feel much better. For your e-slapping, encouragement, and loving.
Snarky, for being a place I could vent to and whatnot. Err. Yeah.
I love you all.
Erm. Onto the story!
She sat behind the wobbly table at the dress shop, dark brow furrowed in concentration. She was altering the hem of Leah Krause's skirt, a deep red color. Maria ran her fingers over the fabric, pausing her work for a moment. She went right back into it after a few moments, shaking her head, curled hair falling from her shoulders.
Now, Maria didn't know whom this 'Leah Krause' was, except that she had a simply gorgeous skirt, a color that would be the envy of everyone. Despite the fact that Maria barely felt after Tony's unfortunate death, the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head upon her, pushing through the numbness. It was pleasant to feel something, but unfortunate that she was feeling such sour feelings to a girl she never met. If the young woman turned out to be nice, Maria would feel bad.
The bell above the door let out a small tinkle; doe-brown eyes peered up to stare at the figure in the door. Maria set down the skirt, clearing her throat after a few moments.
"Yes?" she asked.
In the doorway stood one of the Jets, the one with the sad blue eyes. He was clutching a grocery bag to his chest, rumpled and wrinkled, plastic and brown. His lips were pulled into a small half-smile, looking at Maria pensively.
"Hullo, Maria," Baby John said, moving a few steps closer to her. He looked almost uncomfortable, hunching his shoulders a bit. Baby John rubbed one of his jacket-covered arms, peering at Maria for a few more moments before closing the little bit of gap between them.
"Hello," she said sweetly. He had been kind to her the last few weeks, not really in words, but in small actions. Picking up her scarf for her, collecting pieces of fabric that fell from her arms, little things that got to Maria.
"I gotcha somethin'..I thought yeh could use it," he said, holding out the grocery bad.
Maria blinked a little bit, taking it from him.
"Oh, thank you..a..er..garbage bag," she said in the sweetest tones she could muster, tilting her head a little.
"No..it's a grocery bag..but..look inside it," he said sheepishly, shoving his hands into his pocket.
Maria opened it, blinking yet again.
"..Air..thank..you..so much.."
"No..it's love.."
Maria blinked a bit.
"A garbage bag of love?"
"Grocery bag," he corrected.
"Oh..it's very sweet."
Maria felt her heart being melted away at the gesture, though, setting aside the grocery bag, moving towards him to give him a loose hug.
He gave her an awkward hug back, squeezing tight before letting go.
"I needed something like that. Thank you."
"I know..I'm just sorry I couldn't..get you anythin' else.."
"Love is enough."
Pure. Unadulterated. Fluff. Fear it. (:
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