Longing for Spring - 2
CJ and Matt were having a great time on their honeymoon, spending most of the time in their bedroom for two reasons: the obvious and the plethora of paparazzi lurking around every corner making notes of every move they made. They probably should have been accustomed to having a lot of people around them by now, what with their growing family and all, but private moments weren't meant to be shared with their family, let alone the whole world. They loved the fact their family had grown considerably over the years. It didn't even bother CJ that her mother stayed in L.A.
"Matt, did you notice that my mother seemed rather quiet when we were leaving?"
"Uh, I guess."
"She's really been acting differently lately."
"Different how?"
"I don't know … different ... nicer," she said with a laugh.
"Well, she was wounded, that might have something to do with it."
"No, I don't think that's it."
"Do you think she still feels guilty about Jolie getting kidnapped?"
"No, I don't think that's it either. She's been acting different ever since we announced the pregnancy. Whenever we talked about it she seemed rather concerned as to how I was doing."
Matt shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, you're a mother, CJ. You know that mothers never stop worrying about their children."
"Yeah, and I guess I've given her plenty to worry about over the years."
"Maybe it's because she wants to make up for not being there for your first pregnancy."
"Maybe."
CJ and Matt's family weren't the only things growing in size. CJ knew it would only be a matter of time until she couldn't see her feet any more.
"The human body is remarkable, you know?"
"How's that, CJ?"
"How the skin can stretch to three times its normal size without breaking."
He laughed at her comic delivery. "CJ, you're hardly showing."
"I know, but I was just remembering what I looked like in my ninth month with Jolie. Chances are I'm going to be even bigger for this pregnancy."
Matt saw her concern as a cue for some rebuttal on his part.
"Well, I for one think you're absolutely beautiful, and I can't wait to watch you grow and be even more beautiful," he said, distracting her with a kiss, "And, I think you're so beautiful because of that smile on your face. I'd bet that's because you're pretty happy, Mrs. Houston."
Her smile broadened. He knew exactly what to say!
"You know, I was just thinking back, back to when we first kissed."
Matt chuckled a bit. "Really? With that grin, I'd would've thought you were thinking about our first time together."
She blushed.
"It happened so quickly, and yet I can still remember it like it was yesterday."
"I can remember it as if were this morning. Those last hours I spent before … before I became less carefree and more burdened with the harshness of life. You gave me something beautiful that day, CJ. A beautiful memory that I could hold onto, not just during my ordeal in 'Nam, but throughout all my dark days."
CJ lifted her head and looked him in the eyes.
"I don't think you ever told me that."
"Must be a night of firsts then."
CJ arched her eyebrow at him. "How's that?"
"I've never made love to a pregnant woman before."
She glared at him.
"You sure?"
He twisted his face, checking that thought.
"Yeah, pretty sure."
She laughed. "What I still find so amazing is that of all the women you've, ahem, been with, I'm the only woman you've ever impregnated."
"Yeah, that's pretty incredible. Tells you something, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, I must be the most fertile woman on the planet!" she laughed.
"No, I was thinking that we were definitely meant to be married to each other."
Oh yeah, that too.
"We certainly have come a long way."
"Yeah. Do you ever wonder, if you hadn't interrupted your career and enlisted, lost Will in the war, that things would have been different? That we might have married a long time ago?"
"Yeah, maybe. Might have had a few more kids too. Who knows? Might have never been a P.I."
Matt walked back upstairs after returning from the laundry room, passing by the library where he caught CJ sitting on the sofa. Her body language suggested she was in a contemplative mood, since she her legs were tucked underneath her and her arms were wrapped around her, stroking the plush texture of his velvet robe.
"There you are," he said as he entered the room, casually taking a seat next to her and putting his arm behind her. "Whatcha been doin'?"
"Thinking."
"About …"
"About what you said earlier. You know me like a book, Houston. I should know by now I can't hide anything from you."
He stroked his hand along her long locks cascading over her shoulders. "Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's okay. I think I needed to hear it, though, I just wish I knew a way to get over it."
Oh, he knew a way, especially since she looked so irresistible to him right now. The minutes were ticking away and he wanted nothing more than to show CJ how he felt about her. He had to make at least one more attempt.
"I might know how to help you."
She arched an eyebrow at him.
"You know, CJ. I really care about you… a lot. I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you … and … " he paused.
"And?"
"And... if you were my girlfriend, well, I just think we'd have a lot of great times together," he said, grabbing ahold of her hand and squeezing it.
She looked down at their interlocked hands. "We have had a lot of great times together. But why take the chance of ruining it?"
She had a point, but he couldn't lose sight of his goal now. He had to plead his case and change The Queen's mind!
"'Cause maybe it could be even better."
He thought that was a solid rebuttal but she scowled.
"Or maybe it's your testosterone doing the thinking for ya. I see how you go through girls, Houston. One romp in the sack with me and I'd just be another notch on your bedpost, or whatever you use to keep track of your scores."
Oh, cruel she was! As much as the last comment stung, he had to regroup and defend his case!
"Well, for your information, there haven't been that many girls and I don't keep track on a bedpost or anything else for that matter. And maybe I date what some people consider a lot of girls because I haven't found what I'm searching for. Maybe what I've been searching for is sitting next to me right now."
Oh, what a line! She wasn't about to believe everything he was saying or fall for his charm!
"Is this how you make up your mind about whether or not a girl is worth more than one date? You sleep with her first and then decide? You know, that's backwards, Houston."
"Which is exactly why you should be my girlfriend, CJ. I know plenty enough about you to know that we already get along really well. You're not like other girls … at least the ones I've known."
"I probably stand out because I'm the only girl you know with a brain!"
She thought she'd shut him down with that comment but he quickly rebounded.
"A brain, personality, good looks, not to mention a fabulous bod. The complete … package," he said glancing downward.
She blushed, and finally stopped her negative train of thought.
"And here I thought you never noticed."
He eyed her up and down. "Oh, I've noticed. Believe me!"
She blushed again and couldn't help but smile at his comment.
"CJ, do you really think I'd ever hurt you?" (Famous last words!)
"I know you would never intentionally hurt me, but there's always fate. Able to get in the way and undo all one's plans."
With that comment and her pessimistic expression, he wondered what was plaguing her thoughts.
"CJ, is there something on your mind? Something you wanna tell me?"
She paused a moment, trying to find the words to explain her feelings without breaking down and appearing too vulnerable. The clock reminded her she didn't have time to stall.
"Life is funny, you know? I mean one minute you think nothing bad can really happen, and that if it did, it wouldn't happen more than once..."
"CJ, I don't follow."
She took a deep breath.
"I thought after my father died, I was safe for awhile. That no one else close to me would leave me."
"CJ, what are you talking about?"
She turned away from his stare and looked down at her hands. "The doctors finally figured out what's wrong with Julia. Turns out she has leukemia."
"No!"
She nodded as tears started in her eyes. "She told me just last week."
"I'm sorry, CJ. I know how close you two are, almost like sisters."
"She's gonna start treatments a month before the semester starts in Boston. There's a really good hospital up there. She still wants to take a full class load on top of it all. She doesn't want to change her plans at all to become a lawyer!"
Matt sat back against the sofa and pulled her close knowing he didn't have any words for her – just his presence. It gave her the strength to collect herself and make what she thought was an obvious confession.
"I wish you weren't leaving. I'm gonna miss you."
"I gonna miss you, too, CJ," he answered, letting his head lean against hers.
"If you don't come back I …"
She didn't say anymore. Matt grabbed her lips with his, letting her know she meant more than him than she thought. Framing her face with his hands, he kissed her mouth over and over as he gradually moved on top of her until she was lying directly underneath him. She reciprocated, succumbing to her secret desires as she grabbed his lips with her own and began fumbling with the belt on her robe.
The next day, Roy heard the back door open and walked towards the kitchen.
"Oh, it's you. Hi, Jolie. How was school today?"
She twisted her face. "Just swell."
He immediately sensed something was bothering her and possibly wanted to vent, but she turned and bolted towards the back door.
"Where you going?"
"Riding," she replied flatly.
He walked over to the kitchen window and watched her venture outside. Grabbing his cane he followed, slowly making his way to the barn, coming to study Jolie grooming her horse for a minute when he rounded the corner of the doorway. He tapped on the door. "Jolie?"
She didn't even look up.
"What?" she responded as she moved a brush along her horse's mane.
He casually walked in closer to her, hoping to have some success with getting her to talk.
"What's going on?"
"Nothin'."
"Nothin' huh?"
"Yep … nothin'."
They weren't making much progress so Roy thought he'd try guessing.
"Do you miss your parents?"
"No, not really."
"Hmm … you miss your grandmother Carlotta?"
She shrugged her shoulders.
"A little maybe."
"Hmmm, you miss your brothers?"
"I guess the ranch has been a quieter without them, but no, not really."
Roy wasn't having much success and had to think of something else.
"Something happen at school?"
Jolie raised her head slightly and glanced at him.
"So something did happen at school."
She turned away, but not before relinquishing a yellow paper that she had folded up in her pocket.
"Jolie!" he exclaimed after looking over it.
"I don't wanna talk about it."
At the same time this was happening, Maggie arrived at the ranch and headed directly for the kitchen. As she began preparing dinner, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Ah, yes is this the Houston residence?" a man asked.
"Depends. Who's calling?"
"I'm Principal McFarland. Am I speaking with Mrs. Houston?"
"No, you're speaking with her mother, Mrs. Parsons. Mr. and Mrs. Houston are away at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?"
"I hope so. Have you spoken with your granddaughter yet this afternoon?"
"No," she answered stretching her neck to look out the window. "I think she's outside tending to the horses right now."
"Well, something happened at school today I think you should know about."
CJ felt a new closeness with Matt as a warm tingle vibrated throughout her body. Matt would have loved to just lay with her awhile – to hold her, kiss her and let her know he still respected her, but they heard Bill arrive home. Matt quickly redressed and headed for the stairs.
"Matt? I'm sorry I'm late. You still here? Matt?"
"Right here, Dad!" he called as he rushed down the stairs, heading directly towards the laundry room.
"We went riding and got caught in the storm," he said confidently, buttoning a shirt.
"Is CJ still here?"
"Yes. She's upstairs getting cleaned up. She didn't fare as well as me and we had to wash her clothes."
As Matt brushed past him, Bill was more concerned than suspicious.
"Is CJ okay? She didn't get hurt or anything?"
"No," he said as he retrieved her clothes from the dryer. "Molly threw her to the ground, but she just got the wind knocked out of her."
"Hmm, not like Molly to be so volatile."
"Well, a bolt of lightening struck a tree near her and she reacted … suddenly," he said as he went running back up the stairs.
"Oh, well. As long as she's okay..."
"Hi Bill!" CJ exclaimed, bounding down the stairs.
"Hey CJ. I heard Molly gave you quite a ride?"
"Yes, I guess she did. But, I've already forgiven her. I should have known better how to distribute my weight when she reared."
"Well, the main thing is that you're alright."
"Oh, I'm fine, I'm fine. Biggest casualty were my clothes, and as you can see, thanks to the wonders of modern technology, everything came out in the wash!"
While they were talking, Matt rushed down the stairs buttoning the jacket of his military uniform. CJ and Bill both turned to stare at the handsome man walking towards them while Matt was busy eyeing CJ's tush.
"All except for the tear on the back of your jeans, CJ."
"Where?" she asked trying to feel along the fabric.
"Right here," he answered, giving a pat on her backside.
She blushed. In part because of where the tear was and because Matt had placed his hand there. It didn't help that Bill was smirking at them with one eyebrow raised.
"Oh, well. I still have time to go home and change," she said walking with her back towards the door. "I wanted to wear something special for today anyway."
"You won't be joining us for lunch then?"
"No. I promised Julia I'd pick her up and take her to the airport. She wanted to say goodbye to you too, Matt."
CJ waved goodbye and bounded out the front door, closing it fast as possible in order to avoid being further exposed. Bill turned and looked at his son, noticing the twinkle in his eye.
"Oh, so she's calling you 'Matt' now, eh?"