Chapter 10: Take Me home, Country Roads
Really nothing to say folks except sorry for the long fucking wait. But I wanted to get NoL done and start up my Halloween Story. So here's chapter 10! BTW, check out my Halloween story 'Fear of the Dark Descent.'
The group of friends hung out long after the news that almost made Herschel cry with tears of joy. Herschel was currently laying down against a lollipop tree next to the lake, with Sticky on his lap, his arms locked around her stomach. "I'm happy for you Herschel," Sticky commented, reminding him of Jeff Gordon. Herschel smiled and playfully rubbed the top of her head.
"Thank you Wipp, I love you," he replied and kissed the top of her head. Sticky blushed and ran her hand down Herschel's muscular arms to pull them in closer to her. "I love you too Hershey," Sticky replied as she pecked his hand. Back at the picnic table, Rancis and Vanellope were busy discussing random things when Vanellope's phone started vibrating.
"Hello?" She answered quickly, slightly irked that her date night with her friends was interrupted, "hey Candlehead, what's up?" Vanellope asked. Everyone stopped what they were doing and made their way over to the picnic table. No one could tell what Candlehead was saying, but it seemed important as Vanellope's facial expressions explained. "What? Litwak never takes longer than a four day break, and that's for Christmas!" Vanellope exclaimed, "Uh-uh, well thanks Candlhead, we'll see you later, bye," Vanellope finished and hung up.
"What's going on Nelly?" Rancis asked as he softly put his hand on top of Vanellope's. His girlfriend put her phone back onto the picnic table and turned back to her group of friends.
"Apparently Mr. Litwak decided to take a two week vacation, so we're free for the next 14 days," Vanellope announced. Everyone fell silent as they soaked in the big news. Taffyta sat up, forcing Gloyd to sit up as well. The strawberry lollipop sponsored avatar straightened out her hair before replying.
"So, we get to do whatever we want during the day?" Taffyta asked in disbelief. Vanellope slowly nodded, surprised as well. The eight game characters got together around a camp fire to think up of ways to spend their newfound vacation. Swizzle, being the one to bring the food, pulled out some marshmallows and handed out some sticks. Herschel sat Sticky down on his lap and cooked a tasty marshmallow just for her. Once it was done, he pulled it off the stick and stuck the treat in her mouth. Sticky swallowed it and pecked Herschel's cheek, forcing some blush to appear.
"What are you guys gonna do for the vacay?" Swizzle asked. He knew for sure that out of all his couple friends, they would take vacations with each other. He always wanted to take his Jubee to the NASCAR game to watch the professionals duke it out, but he never had the time.
"Well, I was thinking that I'd take my Taffy to the Def Leppard game since they're her favorite band," Gloyd replied while trying to hold an enthusiastic Taffyta down from the news. Everyone else smiled at the scene and began thinking about what they would do. "What about you guys?" Gloyd asked Rancis and Vanellope. Rancis cleared his throat from the food and grabbed Vanellope's shoulder with his hand.
"I thought that Vanellope and I could take a few days off and go to Super Mario Land," Rancis replied and hugged Vanellope, whose eyes lit up at the very mention of the Happiest Place on Earth. Everyone's eyes then turned to Sticky and Herschel, waiting to hear their plans. The two weren't really paying attention until their ears picked up the creepy sound of silence and the crackling of the camp fire. The two looked up from hugging each other to see some uncomfortable stares in their direction.
"Can we help you?" Sticky asked, slightly annoyed at being interrupted from her quality time with her Hershey. Herschel patted her arm, letting her know that all was well.
"We just want to know what you guys are gonna do on your vacation," Vanellope replied. Herschel and Sticky looked at each other, not sure of what to say or what to do on their break for that matter.
"Well, I guess we can stay here, as long as I'm with my Sticky," Herschel started and pulled Sticky down closer to him, "any place is a good place to stay," he finished with a wink to her. Sticky blushed and giggled as Herschel set her down on the bench next to him. He then looked up to the rest of the group and asked, "does that answer your question?" He inquired. Taffyta, Gloyd, Swizzle, Jubileena, Rancis and Vanellope all nodded. Silence met the group again as they just sat around the camp fire, holding onto their loved ones and just listened to the hypnotic crackle of the flames. It was then, that Swizzle pulled out his old acoustic guitar.
"Whatcha playin' Swizzy?" Jubileena asked her boyfriend. Swizzle smirked and pecked Jubileena on the cheek. He began tuning the guitar before starting to play a song. After strumming the first few notes, everyone recognized the song, even Herschel. They all starting tapping their feet and began to sing along with Swizzle.
Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains
Shenandoah River -
Life is old there
Older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Growin' like a breeze
All the girls clung to their guys as the couples began swaying to the song as they sang. To them, this song, was a perfect end to a perfect day. Just a day dedicated to spending time with their respective loved ones.
Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads
All my memories gathered 'round her
Miner's lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine
Teardrops in my eye
Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads
I hear her voice
In the mornin' hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
And drivin' down the road I get a feelin'
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday
Everyone gave a slight pause to the song before resuming. They took the opportunity to stand up to resume their singing. Herschel wrapped his arm around Sticky's waist, pulling her in closer before kissing the top of her head. Vanellope moved in front of Rancis, yanking his arms forward to wrap his arms around her front to pull her into a backwards hug. Taffyta and Gloyd just hugged each other, with Taffyta snuggling up to Gloyd by nestling her head in Gloyd's neck. Jubileena clung to Swizzle as he played his guitar. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips in between lyrics.
Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads
Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads
Take me home, now country roads
Take me home, now country roads
As they song was concluded, Swizzle set his guitar down and hugged Jubileena. Rancis checked his watch and saw that it was already 11:00 PM. "Oh boy, we better going guys, it's getting pretty late," he told everyone. The game characters all gathered up their things and headed for home. On the way, Vanellope whispered something to Rancis, but it was inaudible to the others.
"What do you think they're saying Darlin'?" Herschel asked Sticky. The only thing that Sticky replied with was a shrug. She attempted to read Vanellope and Rancis' body language, but it was fruitless.
"I don't know Hershey, but I'm sure if they wanted to tell us, they would," Sticky replied to Herschel. Swizzle and Jubileena bid farewell as they came upon Swizzle's house whilst walking down the road.
"See you later bro!" Gloyd called to Swizzle. "So, let's start packing for our trip to see Def Leppard babe!" Gloyd announced to Taffyta. The lollipop themed racer squealed in delight and literally picked up Gloyd and ran to her house which they were approaching. This left Rancis, Vanellope, Sticky and Herschel left. Vanellope breathed a sigh of relief before turning to Herschel and Sticky.
"Alright, now that they're gone, let's get down to business," Vanellope declared, stopping everyone.
"What's going on Vanellope?" Herschel asked curiously. Vanellope dug into the pocket of her hoodie before pulling out a key and placed it in Herschel's hand. He took the key and studied it before asking, "what is this for?" Herschel gave Sticky the key to give her a look.
"It's the spare key to Nelly's Castle," Rancis explained before Vanellope cut him off, correcting him, "our Castle Flugs," Vanellope said with a wink. Herschel's and Sticky's eyes lit up as they were told the news.
"Why are you giving us your key Vanellope?" Sticky asked. Vanellope cleared her throat before explaining.
"Well since Flugs and I are going to Super Mario Land for a few days and you guys decided to stay here, Flugs and I thought you guys would like to house sit for my castle?" Vanellope offered. The Australian Redneck boy and Whipped Cream scented girl looked at each other, as if reading each other's minds to get an answer.
"We'd love to watch over your home Miss President," Herschel replied. Sticky nodded her head excitedly, like a child who was asked if they wanted ice cream. Vanellope smiled and hugged the both of them.
"I knew I could count on you guys," she said with a toothy grin. "We're leaving tomorrow morning, so be at the castle around 9:00 and I'll give the staff some days off too. And I'll also give you guys the run down on stuff you need to do," Vanellope explained.
"Alright, sounds great Vanellope, we'll see you tomorrow!" Sticky exclaimed happily. The two couples parted ways and headed for their separate homes. Herschel opened the door for his sweetheart and closed it. The two slipped into their PJs and into bed. Herschel motioned for Sticky to come closer, which she happily agreed to. The two wrapped their arms around each other as Sticky snuggled her head into the crook of Herschel's neck.
"Just imagine it Wipp," Herschel said softly as he stroked Sticky's hair. Sticky smiled against Herschel's neck.
"Imagine what Hershey?" She asked her boyfriend. Herschel sighed and kissed her hair.
"Tomorrow, we'll get to snuggle together in a castle," he said happily.
"Mhmm, yeah," Sticky replied, "and we'll get to party around in a huge castle, all to ourselves," she said dreamily. "Do you think Vanellope'll have us take care of her devil dogs?" Sticky asked Herschel.
"Well, if they're at her castle, then maybe, but don't fret Darlin', I love dogs, they're nothin' more than domesticated Dingo's," he replied, "besides, what could go wrong Sticky?" Herschel asked his girlfriend.
End Chapter 10
Once again, sorry for the long update, but now that Nights of Lightning is over, I can work on this story and Fear of the Dark Descent (which will be resumed in a day or two). But I hope you liked Chapter 10 and please review. Wreck-It Ralph signing off. I apologize for the extreme shortness, but I wanted to update this quickly and I also wanted to save the drama for later chapters. I do not own 'Take Me Home, Country Roads.'