A/N: Here's Chapter 11, enjoy!
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Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, just the storyline.
"There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness."
Chapter 11
Black Balloon
Previously on Let Love In…
"I can't believe we have to go back to our lives tomorrow," Elizabeth whispered. "I wish we could stay here forever," Johnny sighed as he ran a hand through her hair. "This weekend was the perfect getaway. It was just what I needed. Thank you," Elizabeth told him.
Johnny kissed the top of her head. "You know, we can come up here anytime you want to," Johnny stated. "I'd love that," Elizabeth admitted. "Maybe next time you can bring Cameron and Aiden," Johnny confidently asked.
Elizabeth smiled and ran her hand up and down his chest, "I think they would love it here." "Good," he murmured.
"Good night Johnny," Elizabeth whispered right before she succumbed to her exhaustion. Johnny smiled, "Night Liz." He leaned over and turned out the small lamp, plunging them into darkness beside the moonlight that filtered through the glass door.
Johnny stayed up for another hour, just watching her sleep. He could imagine each night for the rest of his life being like this.
He could imagine spending the rest of his life with the woman in his arms.
~May 25th, 2012~
"Cameron, make sure you finish up your burger," Elizabeth told him. Cameron nodded his head, and put down his Avengers action figures. Elizabeth smiled while she watched him play.
Baby's black balloon makes her fly
I almost fell into that hole in your life
He was doing so much better after Jake's death, especially after Jake's birthday. Cameron even helped her bake brownies and ate an extra one for Jake.
And you're not thinking 'bout tomorrow
Cause you were the same as me
But on your knees
Hearing Aiden squeal in his stroller, Elizabeth turns her attention to her other son. Aiden was growing bigger and bigger every day. She could believe he was going to be two years old in less than two months. It seemed like it was yesterday that he was just born.
Cutting up a banana for her youngest son, Elizabeth takes him out of his stroller and places him on her lap. She held while he ate, and he laughed as Cameron played with Thor and Iron Man.
Running a hand through Aiden's blonde curls, thinking about taking a vacation down the beach this year, now that Aiden was old enough to be out in the sun. Finishing up her chili, Elizabeth looks up to see Johnny walk into Kelly's.
A thousand other boys could never reach you
How could I have been the one?
She offered him a smile, not seeing him since their getaway to Maine. He hesitated before sitting down at a table near her. They steal glances at each other, both smiling at the casual flirting.
"Cam, I'm going to go over to the counter for a moment. Can you watch your brother," Elizabeth asked. "Yes Mama," he answered as Elizabeth placed Aiden back in his stroller. Elizabeth stood up and moved over to the counter to pay for their dinner. Cameron moved to her seat and entertained Aiden with his toys.
I saw the world spin beneath you
And scatter like ice from the spoon that was your womb
She feels his presence behind her, and thanks the waitress for change. Moving aside, Johnny goes to the counter and asks for a refill. He moves away from the counter and stands in front of her. She watched Cameron and Aiden over Johnny shoulder.
"How was your day," he asked her, genuinely interested. "Fine, I took Cameron to go see the Avengers for the third time while my Grams watched Aiden. Then I picked Aiden up and we came here for dinner," Elizabeth replied.
Johnny thanked the waitress for his soda, but continued to stand there with Elizabeth. He could feel the pull between them, and all he wanted was to lift her up onto the counter and kiss all of his frustrations away, but he thought that would be inappropriate, especially considering her two young boys were five feet away.
Elizabeth moved her gaze from her boys to the man standing in front of her. She could see the hungry gaze in his eyes, and immediately she felt the butterflies in her stomach.
"I was thinking about stopping at the park on the way home, let Cameron and Aiden run around for a little bit. Maybe, coincidentally, you could end up there, just casually walking through the park on your way home," Elizabeth suggested. Johnny smirked, knowing that she wanted to spend time with him again.
Comin' down the world turned over
And angels fall without you there
"I think that could be arranged," he answered. Johnny paid the waitress for his untouched meal, and winked to Elizabeth as she left Kelly's with Cameron and Aiden.
Elizabeth watched as Cameron played on the playground, while Aiden played in the sandbox at her feet. It had been at least twenty minutes since she had left Kelly's and she tried not to let her anxiety show.
Right on cue, Johnny came around the corner of the playground wall to see Elizabeth sitting on a bench, with her youngest son playing in the sandbox right in front of her.
He smiled as he approached her. Noticing that there weren't many people left in the park, Johnny openly greeted her.
And I go on as you get colder
Or are you someone's prayer?
"Where's Cameron," he asked as he sat down next her, close enough that no one thought it was suspicious. "He's on the monkey bars," Elizabeth answered as she intently watched Cameron.
"I'm glad you asked me to come," Johnny admitted. She smiled at him, and tenderly touched his knee. "I'm glad I did too," Elizabeth said. They sat in comfortable silence, until Cameron finally noticed Johnny and came running over.
You know the lies they always told you
And the love you never knew
"Mr. Johnny's here," Cameron shouted. Johnny laughed at Cameron's formality. "I heard your mom took you to see the Avengers again today," Johnny said. "Yeah, it was my third time. It was so cool," Cameron excitedly told him. Johnny marveled at the little kid as he described the movie to him.
"Wow, it sounds like I need to see this movie," Johnny stated. "Maybe we can all see it together, you, me, Mommy and Aiden," Cameron suggested. He looked to his mother, who was surprised by his suggestion.
What's the things they never showed you
That swallow the light from the sun inside your room
"Cam, I think Aiden's still too little to see it," Elizabeth explained. "Okay, then when it comes out on DVD, Mr. Johnny can come over for Movie Night and we can all watch it together after Aiden goes to bed," Cameron said.
Elizabeth smiled at her son's insistence and resourcefulness. "Maybe we can do that," she complied. Cameron smiled and ran back to the playground.
Comin' down the world turned over
And angels fall without you there
"What's Movie Night," Johnny asked her. Elizabeth smiled to herself, "Yeah, after Jake passed away, Cameron had a hard time. He still does, but he's gotten a lot better. Cam and Jake used to watch movies together, and Aiden is still a little too small to be watching those movies. So every Friday night, after I put Aiden to bed, I let Cameron stay up a little later than normal. We make popcorn and chocolate milk, and watch a couple movies together. It's just a thing we do, I guess," Elizabeth explained.
And I go on as you get colder
Always someone there
He liked hearing about what she did at home with her boys, it was a side of her he didn't get to see that much. And she trusted him enough to tell him about her home life. Johnny smiled, "You're a good mother, Liz." Elizabeth blushed at his compliment. "Thanks, but it's not easy, trust me," she assured him. "I'll take your word for it," he told her.
"Mr. Johnny, can you help me," Cameron yelled over. He was trying to get to the next rung on the monkey bars, but couldn't quite reach. Johnny immediately got up and ran over to him.
And there's no time left for losin'
When you stand they fall
Elizabeth watched in wonder as Johnny coaxed Cameron to the next rung, telling him he could do it. Cameron listened to his words, and reached out for the rung. "I'm right here kiddo, I won't let you fall," Johnny assured him. Cameron nodded his head and grabbed the next rung.
Johnny followed him along the monkey bars until he reached the other end. "I did it," Cameron exclaimed. "I told you, kid. I knew you could do it," Johnny said. "I've never done it before," Cameron whispered. "I'm glad I could help," Johnny said. He smiled at the young boy, feeling something deep within himself. He continued to watch as Cameron ran through the playground.
Johnny felt the pull in his chest, not quite realizing what it was. He had never felt it before, not even with Elizabeth. He watched Cameron, feeling proud of his accomplishment at the monkey bars. Turning around, he saw that Elizabeth was beaming at him.
Comin' down the world turned over
And angels fall without you there
Walking back over, Johnny sat down beside her, and Elizabeth saw something different in his eyes. She couldn't quite place it, but there was lightness to his eyes.
"Thank you for helping with him," Elizabeth said. Johnny nodded, words not coming to him in that moment. Taking a second to catch his breath, Johnny answers her. "Yeah, I um…I'm glad…you're welcome," he finally said. Elizabeth smirked at the confused look on his face.
And I go on as you get colder
All because I'm
They fell into another comfortable silence, until Elizabeth checked her watch to see that it was almost bedtime for Aiden. "I've got to get Aiden to bed," Elizabeth told Johnny as she stood up and picked Aiden up out of the sand. Brushing him off, Elizabeth places him back in his stroller. Calling over to Cameron, Elizabeth starts to move towards the park's exit and to the parking lot.
Johnny stood there, perplexed as what to do next. Deciding to escort her to her car, he runs to catch up. Elizabeth smiles at his politeness as he occupies Cameron while she gets Aiden buckled up. With both kids in the car, Elizabeth goes to the driver's door. She goes to open it, but stops and turns around to look at Johnny.
"I can't see you again Johnny. It's not fair to anyone," Elizabeth whispered. "Are you not happy when you're with me," Johnny murmured. Elizabeth gave him an incredulous look. She thought the answer was pretty obvious when he took her to Maine a few weeks ago.
Comin' down the years turn over
And angels fall without you there
"That is not the problem," Elizabeth admitted. Johnny sighed, not quite understanding what she was trying to say. "What else matters then," he asked.
"I have two little boys that need a father, and I can't ask you of that. I understand that you're not ready to be a dad, and I don't want to pressure you," Elizabeth explained as she went to open the door. Johnny reaches out and stops her.
"What if I am ready," he blurted out, stunning the both of them. Elizabeth turns around, astonished by his question. He digs his hands into his jeans pockets, not quite sure what to say next.
And I'll go on and I'll lead you home and
All because I'm
"Maybe…maybe I am ready for a family. Maybe I want to prove everyone wrong that I could be a good father, better than my grandfather ever was," Johnny explained, picking his words carefully.
Elizabeth lovingly touched his cheek, "I know you are going to make a great father, but it really is okay that you aren't ready. You don't have to say that to make me feel better."
All because I'm
All because I'm
Johnny held her hand that was touching his face, "I'm ready to commit. I want what Dante and Lulu are going to have. I want to come home from a long and hard day at work to a wife and children. I want to teach my children how to read and play sports. I want to tuck them in at night and read bedtime stories. I want to watch them grow up and graduate high school and then go off to college. I want all of that…and I want it with you, Elizabeth."
She searched his eyes, seeing that he was actually being honest. Elizabeth watched him as he talked, seeing his walls come down and he stripped down to his vulnerability right in front of her, and it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
Elizabeth was stunned by his confession, "I don't-I can't…I don't know what to say to that."
Johnny smirked, "Just say yes. Just say that you want it too." Elizabeth smiled at his earnest answer. "Johnny I…I have to think about it," Elizabeth said as she kissed his cheek, opened the door to her car and drove away.
He watched as her taillights eventually faded away, and he touched the cheek she kissed. Johnny smirked, and walked through the park towards his car.
Johnny passed by the playground and smiled at the new memories he made. He imagined taking Cameron and Aiden here every day after school, and would meet Elizabeth at Kelly's for dinner after her shift at the hospital.
He placed his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket, thinking about the thing he had always wanted since he was a little boy…
And I'll become
What you became to me
A family to call his own.
A/N: I really liked this chapter, lots of fluff and a little angst thrown in there for good measure. Unfortunately, this is the last happy chapter for a while. Lyrics to 'Black Balloon' by The Goo Goo Dolls. Let me know what you thought in a review, and what you would like to happen. Until next time!