First: Thank you for reading and commenting! I can really never get out enough frustration about Josh and what he did to our show. It was an incredible two years filled with ups and downs, "hate-watchers", magical songs, big productions and great acting. TV will never have another show like this one. There will never be another Karen, Derek, Bobby, Tom….ect. There just won't. It pains me to know how good this show could've been. I can at least take solace in the fact that NBC wanted and pushed for CARTWILLS.
Josh should have followed that note, and we may have had season 3.
I also forgot to mention that the first chapter was just an opening scene, like an intro or preview to the story I do plan to have longer chapters with more detail. Also the point of view will bounce around a bit depending on the character being focused on at the time. I am re-watching the beginning of the season right now so there may be references to earlier episodes. Speaking of that, there is so much that bugs me about the continuity of the season beginning to end. In the beginning Derek and Karen were so into each other! How can she say that she never had feelings for him? All of the looks, (from both sides even when the other wasn't looking) the smiles, the touches, the time, let's not forget the almost kiss that made us all flutter with anticipation! They were practically dating with no title. Then all of the sudden they can barely stand each other….toxic! For example in the Bar in the Musical chairs episode Derek and Karen were in the bar talking the new direction with Tom. They nearly professed their love for each other. Also an interesting line was shared between them Derek says something along the lines of you should quit for me. And then goes on to say Verdon would've bailed for Fosse…and then that episode she quits for him. But Ivy is supposed to be Verdon according to Josh. I find the fact that he based everything on real life stories a cheap and noncreative way to tell a story. I am going to see what I can do to fix this mess.
So anyways, here is chapter two! I hope you enjoy! (Oh this is mostly Derek and Ivy, but very important for development)
Derek sat in silence for what seemed like hours consumed by thought. It was unusual for him to find solitude anymore. There was always someone looking over his shoulder, or asking him for quotes. He was overwhelmed, which was rare for him. After winning the Tony for best choreography and best director for Hitlist two months ago, he thought that some of the media would fade away, but they didn't. They did full fledge push. They ridiculed his decisions and questioned his direction. He even questioned his direction at one point. It became very clear to him that he used women, and sex as a method of inspiration, which starts off harmless, but ends in horrific tales. Like the one he was just getting out of. Daisy…..Daisy, Daisy,Daisy he thought as he shook his head, How could he be so stupid? Well, he was caught in the moment, and drunk, like most men when they make stupid decisions. She teased and taunted him sexually until he was on the brink of explosion. He thought back to that moment.
After a slow, long and extremely sexy tease, Daisy straddle Derek in a way that was borderline creepy.
"You know Derek…I saw Hitlist last night." She smiled slyly
"Did you enjoy my choreography? I can show you some more." He said grabbing her waist making his intentions clear.
"I would like that actually. Think about how much time we could spend together if I were the Diva." Daisy whispered in his ear, and nibbled on it a bit.
"And what are you willing to do to be the Diva." He removed his shirt.
"I'll show you…I'll show you every night. If you promise to give me the part." Daisy giggled.
Derek shook the thought from his head. It literally made him sick to his stomach now. He was an idiot to think that was a smart decision. Thankfully after all of the aftermath from the article, Jerry allowed Derek to fire Daisy. Looking back on it, he was pissed at Ivy, because he was pissed at Karen, because he was pissed at himself. He was lonely, out of control and self destructive. He single handedly managed to ruin his opportunity with two shows in one season. He was working to prove something and redeem himself. Instead he fell flat on his face. He lost the respect of all his colleagues, ended friendships and lost what he thought could've been the greatest relationship he'd had with an actress. Karen was his muse. It sounded silly but it was true. Everything that he thought of from Boston revolved around Karen. He thought about what new numbers he could stage for Bombshell, Hitlist, and every other project he had thought about working on. He even imagined Karen as Dorothy in the Wiz. That was particularly funny to imagine….Karen as Ronnie. It gave Derek a chuckle at the time. But it was really how he created his best work.
Now he was climbing his way out of a hole. But he was more determined to do it now more than ever, if not for himself, at least for his unborn child. Ivy was four months pregnant, and for the first time in a while there relationship was in a great place. She was happy, and that was enough for him. After all the mishap and pain he caused her that made him smile. He loved Ivy, she was the one thing that was always there for him always real. She was the shining light in his time of despair. Suddenly his phone rang. It was Ivy, it was as if she knew when he was thinking about her.
"Hey love." Derek said sitting back with a smile on his face.
"Hey, where are you? I stopped by your place. I thought we were going to breakfast." Ivy said in a cheerful voice.
"Oh yes, yes we are aren't we? I needed to stop by the theater to grab something. Do you want to meet at the café you love on 5th?" Derek inquired of his glowing girlfriend.
Derek got up from his table and leaving all his belongings there. "I will be there in twenty minutes." He smiled walking towards the exit.
"Derek wait!" Karen yelled coming from stage.
He'd almost forgotten she was even there.
"You're leaving?" Karen questioned with a slight look of disappointment on his face. "I thought you were staying for the matinee?"
"I'm just stepping out for a little while. Clear my mind, grab a bite to eat." Derek smiled at her. Just being around her made him happy, but he knew the feelings that he had were wrong, and obviously not reciprocated. He wished they were.
"Um…well do you have a time that we can talk in the next couple of days?" She smiled.
"We talk every day." he quipped.
"You know what I mean Derek. Maybe I can join you for breakfast?" She inquired.
"I'm meeting Ivy." He said feeling awkward.
"Oh right. Well maybe we can get together another time." She turned to walk away.
"Karen." He called her stopping her in her path.
"After the show tonight we'll have drinks." He stated and then he turned to walk away.
He was a mixed bag of feelings around Karen. They'd never hashed out there issues; he never told her how he felt. It was like they were walking on the eggshells of their broken relationship. It would be good for them to sit and talk. But he wasn't even sure if all that matter at the moment. He wasn't sure of anything.
He made it to the café in twenty minutes like he promised Ivy. She wasn't there yet so he ordered her favorite meal eggs Benedict and one strawberry short "pan" cake with an ice tea. It was actually quite gratifying that he could order her favorites. They had been to the café almost twice a week for the last two months and that's what she got all the time. He was inspired by the growth of their relationship. He loved Ivy, he wasn't ready to say that he was in love with her, but he loved her. He loved her friendship and her kindness, her creativity and her passion. Most of all he loved thinking of her as a mom. He never really thought about the prospect of having children. He liked children, from a distance. But the idea of experiencing it with Ivy was exciting.
"Sorry I'm late. " She smiled as she sat adjacent from Derek.
She looked radiant in a yellow and green sundress. Her hair was pulled up into a soft bun, and her skin had a warm dewy glow.
"No problem love. I took the liberty." He said pointing to the food coming their way.
"Thanks Derek." She said making room for the waiter to set the food. "My favorites…..how'd you know?" She teased him in her signature Marilyn voice.
He watched her take her first couple of bites in awe.
"So how was your trip this weekend?" Ivy asked
"It was pretty good. They want me to direct an updated version of Grease." Derek smiled. He felt bad because he realized he hadn't shared that information with her.
"Oh my Gosh! That is great! When do you start production?" Ivy smiled at him.
"Scripts are going out in the next two weeks, and will start readings in two months. I expect to wrap filming in two months. Which will leave me free for you and our baby." Derek was so happy to say that.
"Wait a minute, you doing a movie? That's fantastic. Where are you filming? Will you be here when the baby is born?"
"Will be filming in New York, actually part of it will be in NYU, and a few studios uptown. I wouldn't miss the birth for anything in the world. I am thinking of taking a year off after…..Maybe we can get away from this crazy town." Derek said half joking.
"I can't do that, I have a workshop for Moulin Rouge, and a handful of offers right after the baby is born." Ivy said as if she was rushing past the idea.
"I thought we agreed you would be taking time off? That we'd be bonding with the baby" Derek said confused.
"Well my mom said that I can't afford to take a break. She didn't after she had me, and look at her know. She is one of broadways biggest stars." Ivy explained.
"And your relationship with her was horrible until this year. We need time, we agreed. After all, this is our baby." Derek began to feel angry.
"Derek let's be serious I just won a Tony. I didn't know that I would end up pregnant, nor did I ask for this. I am not going to let this ruin my life. I am going to make the best of it." Ivy drank some of her tea. "This is my last week in Bombshell. I will get plenty of rest and bonding time." Ivy smile. "Besides Sam and I are going to go to a Lamaze class, and then pick out a crib for the baby after his show today."
"You and Sam? I'm confused. Did you and Sam make a baby that I didn't know about. Should I pop off now, and let him be the father?" Derek felt his blood begin to boil. He was okay with Ivy doing all that girl stuff with Sam, but a Lamaze class that was supposed to be for the two of them to enjoy.
"I didn't know you would have a problem with me doing stuff with Sam. You're just so busy that I don't want to infringe on your time" Ivy explained.
Derek thought about his busy he was for a moment. He didn't want to rip Ivy apart. He wanted to show compassion. He was working to be different for her. "Ivy I am never too busy for you, or our baby. I don't have to be at the theater for Hitlist, and my new project isn't starting for a while. I have time for anything you want to do." Derek was realived as the words left his mouth. He managed to turn a situation from ugly to good. He was proud of himself.
"Thank you Derek. That was probably something I've been waiting to here from you." Ivy grabbed her stomach and winced as she tried to adjust herself.
"What is love? What's wrong?"" Derek said in a panic.
"Nothing, don't worry about it. Probably a little indigestion."Ivy reasoned.
Derek wasn't too sure about the answer she provided but since she seemed to go back to fine, she felt okay.
"So tell me more about this movie what's the plot. Who is going to star?" Ivy changed the subject.
"Well it will be a current fresh take, about college students in New York. It will be illegal street racing, party, sex and drugs. I'm working on all the preproduction now auditions, site planning, costumes permits. All that jazz. I want Matt Lanter to star as Danny. Currently working with his agent, who is a mate of mine to see if we can make that happen" Derek explained to her purposely leaving out the role of sandy.
"Well what's your take on Sandy? Who do you want to play her?" Ivy inquired.
Derek felt himself get a little nervous. He hadn't quite worked out how he would tell Ivy that part. "Sandy is going to still be a foreigner. She transferred from a small college in a small town out west. She comes into the whirlwind world, and slowly transforms. Instead of Danny chasing her, she will be longing for him to notice her. It's actually a really interesting twist for the character. A little darker a little edgier than the original film." Derek smiled.
"Sounds like the story of Karen Cartwright" Ivy began to laugh. She stopped when she noticed that Derek wasn't laughing.
"It's funny that you say that." Derek watched Ivy's frown quickly manifest into a dark terrorizing smile. "That's exactly who I pictured reading the script. I cast her for the role this morning." Derek watched, almost in horror for a reaction from Ivy.
"You cast Karen? I didn't know that you would be working with her again." Ivy was obviously upset about the revelation.
"I cast her because she was who I seen. You were the one that told me I would see her again, and you were right. I didn't realize that would make you that upset." Derek was lying, he thought that Ivy would have hauled off and slapped him when she found out. She was always jealous of Karen.
"I told you, you would see her for Hitlist. I said that you will always have other Karens, but I didn't realize that it will always be Karen Cartwright. How are we supposed to build something when you can't let go of the past. That's why I won't move in with you Derek. You're not ready for a real relationship!" Ivy was practically yelling at him.
"Ivy calm down. There is no reason to be upset. You've always had insecurities about Karen that I can't understand. Whatever happened between the two of you is over. I think I've proven that I can be around Karen without, being with her." Derek frowned as Ivy pulled her hand away from his.
"Derek you don't get it. It's like she has this magical hold over you. You cast her for everything, you spent all your time away from work with Karen, and now I am supposed to believe that you don't care about her? Give me a break Derek." Ivy started putting her things in her purse.
"Ivy please don't get upset. This is killing me. You weren't even this upset when you found out about Daisy. I've never done anything more than kiss Karen." Derek responded.
"Kissed her! You've kissed her. I thought you said you never did anything with her. And then you shared something so intimate as kissing. I do I know that wont grow between you two. I've always seen the way you look at her, direct her, guide her, touch her. I'm not doing this Derek!" Ivy was yelling at this point. "You're right Derek. Daisy didn't mean anything to you, therefore she didn't matter to me. But Karen, you're practically in love with Karen Cartwright!" A single tear ran down Ivy's face.
"That's not true Ivy" Derek whispered as he looked around the café to see if anyone noticed her behavior.
"It's true, I know it, you know it, everyone knows. I was going to tell you that you need to make a choice between Karen and I. But I'll make it easy for you." Ivy was now crying. She took out a ultra sound picture from her purse and threw it at him. "Congratulations, you're having a girl. I call you when she's born." Ivy said as she stormed out.
Derek couldn't believe what just occurred. He was left there feeling empty and confused. Was Ivy right? Had he put all his feelings for Karen aside, so that he could focus on her. Was he really In Love with Karen?