Thanks so much for the kind words over the first chapters! There is lots more to come so stay tuned!
Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 3: Mended Hearts
I awaken with still a substantial amount of pain still within my body. I look over to the clock and it reads 10:45. Wow I really slept after that fall. My leg kicks over the bed and instead of hitting a body I hit more of the mattress.
"Derek?" I call but no answer.
"Oh yeah he has errands and a job to find." I tell myself and laugh it off.
I finally get myself out of bed which is not an easy task. Looking down my legs are shades of purple and brown as is my arms then I reach the mirror in the bathroom. The stitches cover a red-black scab near my right temple and my left eye is clearly swollen and is still bruised availing a black eye. Nearly blinded out of that eye like Atticus Finch in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' one of my favourite stories. Every step I take is painful but I know it's helping me get better. Eventually I make it to the kitchen, turn on the coffee and sit down at the island. After indulging myself in my breakfast I once again make my way up the stairs, take a shower, get dressed and since there is nothing to do, plop on the bed and turn on the news. I'm listening to an in depth story about the latest fashion when my phone buzzes.
"Hey beautiful" Derek flirts on the other line and I let out a wide grin.
"Hi handsome. How is your morning?"
"Great I'm at Gershwin now, the newest Marilyn is rehearsing she has chops and I got a job!"
"Awesome what show?"
"It's Carmen"
"The opera?"
"Sort of it's a new take on it, twenties in prohibition era filled with alcohol, sex, singing and dancing. We're considering Ronnie for the role. That one night show really put her on the grid for more so sensual roles."
"It did. Well I'm proud of you Derek. I on the other hand didn't get that part on SVU and the L'Oreal commercial so the title of breadwinner is awarded to you again."
"Oh well we don't get everything in this business. You still have 'Oliver'. How are you holding up over there?"
"Ok still sore but don't worry I can take care of myself."
"I will always worry about you darling."
"I know I worry about you to." We lightly laugh then I hear the doorbell ring.
"Love I have to go. I'll be home soon. I love you."
"I love you to bye." I say and hang up and get up as the doorbell rings again.
"I'm coming!" I say as I head down the stairs and finally reach the door.
I reach it and twist the knob and the person who I see is someone you all will know. Blonde, beautiful holding a bouquet of lily's and her jaw drops a bit once we lock eyes fully.
"Wow they weren't lying when they said you were beaten up." She says in shock
"My body may be battered but my soul isn't Ivy. Thank you for the flowers you really shouldn't have."
She comes in for an embrace which I accept but she squeezes a little tight and a wince escapes my mouth.
"Sorry. And Karen it's been 3 years since our Marilyn days so giving flowers is something I should do."
"You're right. The past is on the cutting room floor. Come on in." I say as I welcome her inside and she sits on the couch.
Ivy and I really put up with our diva behaviours and pushed them aside. We grew to be friends and I even gave Ivy her Tony for "Beauty M.I.A." the newest Houston-Levitt show about a wealthy model who had to enter the witness protection program and lives a new life in Texas. It is pretty funny actually and won lots of awards so far.
"Do you want any water, coffee, tea?"
"No thank you. So tell me how is married life?"
"It's good. Derek got a job for a show based off the opera 'Carmen' and I'm still with 'Oliver'. And you how was Jersey with Jimmy?" I reply as I join her on the couch.
"It was nice. We talked a lot this trip was probably going to determine our relationship as good or not and we had a blast. He really opened up about his past which was hard for him and it-it was just perfect. No cameras, no last minute songs, shows just us. Then while we were on the boardwalk we ran into my brother Jimmy."
"Wait so you are dating a guy named Jimmy and have a brother named Jimmy? How is that not weird?"
"Believe me it was hard at first but then the love bug hit me. Anyways he told us that my parents want us to come to Connecticut for Thanksgiving and so it's time for me to pray that it doesn't turn out like 'Meet the Parents'."
"It won't. If Derek can win over my parents then Jimmy will do the same."
"How did he? I mean with his past…"
"They met the night when Dev hit me and Derek threw him out so when it was the 'confirm relationship' (I do the bunny ear quotations) meeting he was already in the good books."
"What a story I may use that just a few changes here and there."
"Fine by me." I say with a smile and we catch up on many things.
"Oh gosh I better go it's my matinee day. Well it was nice to catch up Karen I hope to do it again."
We get up and head to the door. I know Ivy is in a loving relationship but I can't help but wonder if she still gets memories with Derek especially since we are here.
"Me to, break a leg today!" I say and I open the door and to show her out I see Derek in the way.
"Well hello Ms. Lynn." He greets Ivy who is a bit stunned
"Hi Derek. Bye Karen." She says rather quickly and in a flash is gone.
"Did I say something?" Derek asks
"No she was running late I'm sure it was nothing. Don't worry." I say with a smile as he walks in and heads for the couch. He stops and just gives my body a stare down probably looking at my bruises and his vision stops at my left eye all swollen and hardly open.
"H-ey Atticus!" Derek says in a very high pitched voice and starts laughing while my mouth drops and I smack his arm.
"Not funny!"
"Come on darling you had to be thinking it to. After all you did tell me it was your favourite story growing up."
Damn he is psychic "I was to. But Derek you could play a very good Atticus, you in a suit with big glasses and a lawyer owning the court room. Anyways tell me about your job." I say as we head onto the couch.
"So 'Carmen' is a complete story thank gods and it is really something new."
I follow him and do a read through and it is quite a story.
"Derek this is going to be a great show I'm so happy you have something to work on."
"It wasn't easy but nothing is. Now enough about me how are you feeling?"
"Honestly sore and it just comes in flashes in my memory." I say as a tear falls down my eye and I reflect on what could have been on my death.
"That scary darling?"
I give in and curl up on his shoulder "I thought I was done for."
"Well you truly are a strong woman to pull through that insanity. Let's not dread it and take my hand."
He gets up and I take his hand then his arms find their way around me and not long our feet begin to move and we lightly dance.
"Consider this physiotherapy love." he smirks and my lips capture his as we dance the night away.
A.N. Hey guys I hope you all are enjoying your summer so far and this story! I do love the story 'To Kill A Mockingbird' from school and we got in depth about it then I remembered a tie to my story and it went from there.
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