Sorry for the wait but one of my friends came over for the weekend and I couldn't get anything done. Thank you guys for the reviews. Me like reviews! I based the medicine scene on personal experience. Well maybe it didn't happen like that but I did feel drunk and dizzy and I was talking to objects that wouldn't talk back. Anyways... t's time for everyone to meet Muffy's boyfriend! This should be a good chappie. Now on with the show!
Another and a Wonderful Life
Chapter ten: Hello Dylan!
The next morning when Macey woke up she was facing the wall. As she wiped the sleep from her eyes sleepily she didn't realize Rock was lying right behind her with his arms around her waist. She put her hand on her head when she felt a bad headache coming on strong, "Did I get drunk last night and I just don't remember?"
She tried to sit up but Rock's grip took her by surprise causing her to fall back to the bed again.
'Boy, all this falling is getting on my nerves.' she thought frustratedly. Then it finally dawned on her that someone was holding her. She looked over her shoulder to see Rock sleeping peacfully with a smile on his face. She almost screamed from surprise but stopped herself; instead she tried to get loose from his grip. When she started to sit up he quickly pulled her back down. He ended up pulling her closer than she had been previously. This move made her blush furiously. She decided to try one more time but this time his grip tightened.
'Great I can see the headlines now, 'Girl dies of suffocation caused by sleeping boy.' Oh yeah that's really optimisitic.' she thought to herself as it got harder for her to breathe. She stopped moving as she heard Devon moving around upstairs. When she stopped moving Rock's grip loosened from around her waist. Seeing this as a chance to get away she moved his arms and proceeded to climb over him. As she was doing so Rock turned on his back.
Macey stopped moving once more and blushed. It wasn't because of how close they were, no, it was because of the position they were in. Macey was on her hands and knees. Her knees were on each a side of Rock as were her hands. Her hair fell from her shoulders and tickled Rock's nose. Macey, without thinking, grabbed her hair and rolled off the bed. She soon landed on her back on the floor with a thud. Rock stirred but didn't wake. Macey sighed as she thought, 'How can he sleep through that?'
Then she heard Devon running down the stairs. In no time he was helping her up.
"Are you okay?" he asked concerned as she got to her feet. She nodded, "I'm fine."
Her legs still weren't strong enough to support her weight causing them to tremble as she stood. Devon noticed this and put her arm around his neck for support.
"I can stand by myself!" she protested in almost whisper.
"Sure you can." Devon stated almost sarcasticly. Devon then remembered what happened yesturday and hugged Macey tightly.
"Can't breathe." she gasped as she struggled to get oxygen into her lungs.
"Sorry." he apologized loosing his grip. He then picked her up and twirled her around. This made her giggle, which she didn't do very often.
"Why are you so happy?" she asked when he put her back on the ground.
"Me and Celia are gonna get married at the end of the year." he answered with a wide grin overtaking his facial features. Macey smiled broadly, "I'm so happy for you."
She then asked with a sly grin, "So when does my neice or nephew arrive?"
Devon turned ten shades of red until he hit scarlet, "You'll have to wait on that."
"But I am getting one, right?" she asked as she sat in the chair. He looked at his sister with a strange look before answering, "Celia said she wants a kid or two."
"Really? Any names picked out yet?" she asked excitedly.
"Why do you seem just as excited as I am?" he asked curiously. She shrugged, "No idea."
"Should I be expecting a niece or nephew any time soon?" he asked her playfully. She cocked her head to the left in confusion, "Huh?"
He pointed to the blonde haired boy in her bed. She turned and remembered he was there, "Oops. Guess I forgot about him for a second there."
She was blushing badly but then it was replaced with anger as she realized what her brother was suggesting, "I would hurt you so bad if I could run right now."
Devon laughed nerviously as Macey shot him that famous look her's that made your blood run cold.
"Well I'm gonna go water the plants and... stuff." he stated as he hurriedly walked out the door. After he left Macey sighed, sat back in the chair, closed her eyes, and crossed her arms, "Sometimes I just wish-"
She was cut off by Rock groaning. She opened her eyes to see his eyes flutter open. He smiled at her as she smiled back, "Morning Sleeping Bueaty. Where you waiting on Princess Charming to come kiss you?"
"What time is it?" he asked groggily, ignoring her question. She looked at the wooden framed clock on the wall before answering, "Seven in the morning."
"No way!" he exclaimed now wide awake. Macey nodded, "Yes way. You slept here all night."
He put his socks, shoes, and vest on quickly and started to run out the door when Macey held up his necklace, "You forgetin' something?"
Rock turned around, ran over to her, took the necklace, and ran out. As he ran home he called, "Thanks."
"He could've closed the door." she stated somewhat annouyed.
"Oh well." she sighed as Ace and Thor poked their heads in the door. She smiled at them, "Hey guys."
The dogs barked before running in and jumping on her lap.
When Rock got back to the Inner Inn he saw Ruby waiting for him. She had concern etched in her face, "Where have you been?"
Rock looked away. He couldn't tell her the truth; she'd get mad at him. But he couldn't think of anything to say so he blurted out, "I fell asleep at Lynwood Farm."
He closed his eyes tight, waiting for her to say something to him but when it never came he opened his eyes to see her smiling. He blinked twice in confusion before she nodded, "Yes well, Macey does need someone at the house since Devon has to work and she can't walk right now. Why don't you stay over there another night."
He shook his head, "Wait a minute. You want me to go sleep over there tonight?"
HIs mother nodded, "Just until she's better."
"If you say so. I'll go get some clothes and take a shower." he informed. Ruby merely nodded as she watched her son walk up the stairs to his room. Once he was upstairs she smiled contently.
Meanwhile Devon was on his way to Vesta's Farm when he saw Muffy waiting by the mountain's path. He decided to walk over and ask her what was going on.
"Hey Muffy. Whatcha doin?" he asked as he approached her. She turned to face him, "I'm waiting on Dylan."
"Um... oh he's that guy you're seeing, right?" he asked suddenly remembering what Macey had told him. Muffy nodded, "Yeah that's him. I can't wait for him to get here."
"He's coming to Forget Valley?" Devon asked surprised. She nodded once again, "Yep. He should be here any minute."
While they were talking Celia walked out of the house and saw them. Of course her jealiousy was turned on. When Marlin walked out of the house he saw them as well and snorted, "Look at him already flirting with another girl."
Celia tried to ignore the comment but it did look like he was flirting. Then Devon smiled and waved bye to Muffy. He turned and walked to Vesta's Farm to talk to Celia. Once he got to where Celia and Marlin were standing he gave them a smile, "Hi Celia, Marlin."
Marlin stiffled a laugh as he walked off. Devon looked confused, "What was that about?"
When he looked at Celia he noticed her facial expression was somewhat sad.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice dripping with concern. She looked him in the eyes before giving an answer. Her dark eyes met his as she answered, "Marlin said it looked like you were flirting with Muffy."
"Uh... All I did was ask her what she was waiting on. Her boyfriend's coming to Forget Valley." he informed her. His face then had an emotion on it that Celia couldn't read, "Besides I gave you the feather. And remember what I told you yesturday?"
She nodded, "You promised to never hurt me."
"And I always keep a promise." he said with a smile. Celia smiled back and nodded, "I can't wait to tell everyone."
"Me niether." Devon stated as he walked into the house with her. He saw Vesta talking to Marlin. They seemed to be argueing about something but they quickly stopped talking when they heard the door open. When Vesta saw him she smiled, "I'm glad Celia is going to marry a hard working young man."
He then heard Marlin whisper, "He's so stupidly happy. I'm sure Celia will break it off."
Devon acted like he hadn't heard his comment by forcing a smile, "I'm just glad she said yes."
"So did you want something today?" Vesta asked him, curious to find out why he came to her farm. Devon shook his head, "I just came to see Celia. I told Macey and she seems just as excited about it as us."
Celia blushed at his statement as she thought, 'He came... just to see me. He really does love me.'
"I'd love to stay and chat but I have to go give something to Macey. And she needs to take her medicine." Devon informed them, "I'll see you guys later."
And with that he walked out the house with Celia right behind him. Once outside Devon asked, "Celia, can we talk in the forest later?"
Celia nodded a bit confused, "Um... At what time?"
"Around three." he informed. Celia nodded with a smile, "Okay."
He then looked at his watch, "That gives me two hours to check on Macey and go help Galen and Nina. I better hurry."
"See ya then!" he called as he ran towards Lynwood Farm. Celia waved as she watched him leave. She then went back into the house. She went into her room and sat on her bed. She couldn't help but wonder what he wanted to talk about. Her thoughts were interupted by Marlin and Vesta argueing about why Devon proposed to Celia. She heard Marlin say, "I bet he just wants to marry her because she's pretty."
"Or maybe it's love." Vesta said, "Devon's a good kid. I'm sure he loves her."
Celia sighed, 'I wish they would just shut up.'
She looked out her window to see Devon running into his house. She thought about the things they had discussed in the forest just yesturday. She decided she'd go visit Macey for a while after Devon left; she wanted to talk to her alone. So she watched a waited for him to leave the farm.
Back at the farm Rock was helping Macey back into her bed. She had taken a bath and was now wearing a grey tanktop with a dark blue star on the front and a pair of grey bellbottoms with a dark blue line going down the sides of the legs. Her hair was down but it was curly.
"How do you get your hair to curl up like that?" Rock asked trying to make conversation.
"After I wash it if I don't brush it it curls into ringlets." she informed. Devon then walked into the house just as Rock sat in the chair.
"Hi." Devon greeted with a smile. He then walked over to the dresser and got a pill out of the bottle.
"Not this again." Macey groaned.
"Look all you have to do is take one pill." Devon told her. Macey shook her head and crossed her arms, "Why don't you try taking one."
Devon sighed, "Fine."
Rock shot him a glance, wondering what he was up to. Devon took out a necklace from his backpack. It was a silver chain with a moon ore in the shape of a cross. In the middle of the cross there was a rose etched deeply in the stone. When the light hit the stone it glittered.
"Shiny." Macey said hypnotized by all the pretty colors refracting in the light. She reached for it but Devon pulled it back saying, "Only if you take your medicine."
Macey hesitated before taking the pill quickly. After she took it Devon gave her the necklace.
"Pretty." she said dreamily as she started to get sleepy. Rock thought she looked like a child the way she curled up into a ball with the stone close to her heart.
"Night, night." she whispered before falling into a deep sleep. Devon laughed to himself, "She'll never change."
"Huh?" Rock asked looking at Devon. Devon explained, "No matter how old she gets she'll always have the heart of a child."
"I'll be back later." he informed, "I'm gonna go visit Galen and Nina."
After he left Rock turned to face the sleeping girl. A few moments later she opened her eyes, "Is he gone?"
"I thought you were asleep!" he exclaimed surprised. She shook her head with a smile, "Please. I didn't swallow the pill."
She then opened her hand to reveal the little pink pill she had pretended to take.
"What will Devon say if he finds out?" Rock asked. Macey just smiled, "What Devon don't know won't hurt him."
Rock just sighed as he turned on the tv and Macey started drawing. About half an hour later a knock came to the door.
"Come in!" Macey called without looking up from the book she was drawing in. The doorknob turned slowly before Celia walked in. Macey then looked up from the book as Rock turned from the tv.
"Hi Celia." Macey greeted with a smile.
"Hi Celia." Rock greeted as he stood and turned off the tv. Celia nodded and walked towards Macey's bed before asking, "Can we speak in private?"
"Sure." Macey smiled with a nod. She then turned to Rock, "Rock could you go upstairs just for a moment, please?"
Rock nodded and smiled before walking to Devon's room. Once he was gone Macey turned to Celia, "So what do you want to talk about?"
"Well I'm not too clear about my feelings right now." she answered shyly.
"How so?" Macey asked as she continued to draw.
"I thought I had feelings for someone here in the Valley but then you and Devon moved to Forget-Me-Not. Now I love someone else but I'm scared it's not love, but another feeling. A feeling of close friendship, a crush maybe." she explained. Macey looked up at her, "So what you're saying is you loved Marlin but now you love Devon. Then again you're afraid that the love you feel isn't love at all."
"Well... yes." she answered thoughtfully. Macey sighed, "Look Celia I can't tell you if what you feel is love or not. I'm not an expert. Did you two share your first kiss?"
"What?" Celia was a bit taken back by the question.
"Did you two kiss yet or not?" Macey repeated. Celia then nodded as she blushed, "Yes."
"How'd you feel when you two kissed?" she then asked. Celia hesitated before answering, "I felt like my heart was beating a mile a minute. I felt hot and cold at the same time. My troubles seemed to melt away for the moment and the whole world stopped just to watch."
Celia had stars in her eyes as she remembered how the kiss felt. Macey sighed as she thought to herself, 'Why do people think I know more about love than they do?'
"Sounds like love to me." Macey stated with a shrug. Celia looked at her upon hearing her statement, "Really?"
"Look I don't know more about love than you. All I know is that it's a feeling that can make you blind. Some don't understand what it means to love someone even if they're in love themselves. Love is an amazing feeling that makes you happy, sad, and makes all of your other emotions come together as one. If you really want to know if you love him or not just pay attention to who you dream about tonight."
"Thank you. How can I repay you?" Celia asked thankfully. Macey just smiled at her, "Just be happy and never loose hope."
Celia nodded, "I have some free time I'm sure I can help with something."
"That's not necessary, really-" Macey was cut off my her growling stomache, causing her to blush and laugh nerviously.
"I can cook for you." Celia said quickly going over to the kitchen. Macey then called, "Rock you can come back down now!"
Then Celia showed them how to cook with not much to cook with. It was very interesting for the two, Macey because she had never cooked that way before and Rock because he had never cooked before at all. Two hours had passed and Celia left for the forest. Macey seemed sad when she left but Celia guessed it was because there was nothing to do in the house but draw or watch tv.
Meanwhile in the forest it was 3:05 and Devon was getting worried. He didn't really know why since he had told her at around three not exactly at three. As she approached him he didn't notice her at first but then he saw her reflection in pond.
"Devon." she said in a small voice. Devon then turned quickly and hid his hands behind his back. She tried to see what he was hiding but couldn't make it out. Devon noticed this and smiled, "You want to see what it is?"
She turned her head with a blush, "Only if you want me to. I don't want you to feel like you have to show me."
"Why wouldn't I want to show you? After all it is for you." he stated with a goofy grin plastered on his features. He then brought his hands to his front and showed her what it was. It was a necklace similar to the one he had given Macey but this one had a gold chain. It was also in the shape of a heart, not a cross, plus the words, 'With love forever and for always, Devon' were etched deeply in the middle of the stone.
Celia gasped as Devon asked, seemingly foolishly, "Do you like it?"
"I love it." she answered with an astonished look on her face. Devon smiled, "Good."
He then put it around her neck. The heart shimmered in the light like Macey's had.
"It's beautiful." she said looking into his eyes. Devon then pulled her into a hug, "In two seasons you'll be living with us. Then we can have a family. Macey asked me when she was gonna get a neice or a nephew. I told her she'd have to wait a little while for that."
"I can't wait for that day." Celia said in a barely audiable voice. Devon nodded, "I know what you mean."
He looked her in the eyes before pulling her into a kiss. Celia liked the feeling she got when they kissed and it never lasted long enough. When the kiss broke they were both smiling like a couple of fools.
"I have to get back to the farm so I'll see you later." Devon said as he started letting go of her. Celia didn't want to say good-bye, she wanted him to stay with her. It may seem a little selfish but that's love for ya.
"Good-" she started, but Devon stopped her, "It's never good-bye. If we never say good-bye then we never really leave each other."
His words made her smile. They also made it easier to let him go. On his way to the farm he saw Muffy talking to a man around her age. The man had light blonde hair and light blue eyes. He was wearing blue jean pants, a red shirt, and red shoes. A seven year-old girl was standing next to him. She had light blonde hair, also, and dark blue eyes. She was wearing a light pink dress with matching shoes and a pink bow in her hair. Devon was going to go over and say hi but then he thought of Macey and decided he'd wait till tomorrow.
When he got back to the farm the dogs started barking. Macey heard them and quickly took two of her pills. She was almost fast asleep by the time he came in at five. Rock had picked up her things so Devon wouldn't know she hadn't taken the pill earlier that day. At around seven Devon went to bed and at around eight Macey's nightmares had come back. So Rock repeated the process he had just the day before. This time she whimpered more often.
She also whispered for her mother more than the night before. Inside her head she was reliving one of the worest nights of her life; the night she lost her mom. In her dream/memory a five year-old version of Macey was surrounded by fire. A dark haired woman lay face down in front of her. Macey was crying as her white nightgown swayed everytime she shook her mother's limb body.
"Please Mommy wake up. Wake up, Mommy." she pleaded with the dead woman.
"I'm sorry. I'll be a good little girl I promise." she promised, thinking she had done this. Suddenly a girl that looked a lot like Macey wearing a pink nightgown appeared next to her. The only difference was this girl had dark grey eyes, instead of cool grey ones like Macey.
"We have to get out so you don't get hurt." said the glowing girl.
"But Mommy." Macey cried. The girl took Macey's hand, "Mommy went to heaven. She went home. You have to come with me so you don't go home. Your brother will be here soon and we don't want him to see you hurt now do we?"
"No." Macey answered with the shake of her head. The tears flowed steadily as she remembered she had forgot about her brother. She hadn't seen him in so long that she almost completely forgot about him. She then let the girl lead out of the house to safety. After they were out Macey asked the girl, "What's your name?"
"Samantha Vala Star but you can call me Sam." she answered.
"I'm your sister." she explained. Macey looked up at her with tears in her eyes, "Did I forget you too?"
"No." Sam shook her head, "I lived in heaven but now I live here."
She pointed to Macey's head then her heart. Macey just stared at her with confusion in her eyes.
"I'll be with you and Devon for forever from now on, okay." Sam told her. Macey nodded and let her sister pull her into a hug. She was so scared, she didn't want to loose her mommy. She wanted her to come walking out of the house right now and tell her everything was going to be okay. Deep in her heart she knew it couldn't happen; she knew she'd never see her mother alive again. As these thoughts came into her mind she started to weep harder. Sam just stoked the young girls hair and held her close.