AN: Well, I'm glad you all didn't want to strangle me when I dropped that cliffhanger at the end of the last chapter. Truthfully, when I did I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this one. I went back and forth all afternoon before finally deciding to sit and type and see what comes out. I know they left the timing completely to chance in the finale, but my observations of time are based solely off of the wedding scene. Sue and Sean don't look like they've aged too much, other than Sue's hair being different. Brick does not have a beard and while Lexie is very pregnant, there are no other children present so my guess is that they get married sometime before Sean begins his residency since it would be the most logical time for them. That leaves us with about two years, so that's what I went with. Anyway, here we go, hope you like it!
Chapter 14
Two weeks. It had been two weeks since Sue had last spoke to or seen Sean Donahue. The second she made it inside her front door that night, the tears came. Thankfully, Sue's parents had already gone to bed, as had Brick, so Sue didn't have to explain anything. Lexie had opted to stay in the spare room at Brad's house, and the four of them were all supposed to leave for school after breakfast in the morning. Looking around her family home, Sue felt once again like the walls were closing in on her. Thankfully, she had thought enough to have the few things she left at home packed and sitting by the front door. She glanced around, picked them up and quickly loaded them into her car as quietly as she could. She didn't know if Sean would hear her car, and she wanted to get out of there as soon as she could. She went back into the house, wrote a note for her parents and she was off. This was possibly becoming a pattern, she thought as she drove, but she pushed the thoughts out of her mind and concentrated on getting back to the apartment. Once she reached her and Lexie's place, she sobbed until she cried herself to sleep.
The next few days had not been much better. Sue shot off texts to Brad and Lexie when she got to East Indy, letting them know what was going on. She had been up for maybe an hour when the multiple calls and texts started rolling in. Decided to head everyone off at the pass, Sue sent a mass text explaining that maybe she had jumped head first into this whole relationship without really thinking and while she loved Sean, she needed some time and space to think and she felt he did as well. Sean did not take this well and after blowing up Sue's phone, he only stopped when she finally sent a short text saying what she told her friends and family and that she would talk to him soon. She also added that she loved him, which he wasn't sure if it made him feel better or broke his heart even more. Lexie made it to the apartment later that day and spent the first half of Sunday and Monday trying to convince Sue she was being unreasonable, and the second half consoling her as she cried.
The next two weeks passed in a blur. Sue opted to work in housing over Labor Day so she wouldn't have to go home and see everyone. She missed the annual end of summer block party, but she knew she would just be a huge mess, and it would only be worse if Sean was there. On the Friday of week two, Brad and Lexie had more than had enough, and hatched a plan to reunite their friends.
"He's seriously a mess," Brad hissed, as Sue went to the kitchen to refill her drink. "I'm not sure he's really sleeping. He looked like the walking dead when I saw him yesterday. He swears he just has a lot of reading and studying to do before his rotations start, but I know that's not it," Brad told Lexie. They had both been checking in on Sean, and as they suspected, he was holding up about as well as Sue.
"Well, let's just hope a few more drinks and she either gets drunk enough that we can get her to admit she was wrong, or she passes out and then we commence Plan B," Lexie told Brad. The night before they had been hanging out when Sue moped into the apartment, a wash basket tucked under her arm. She barely stopped to mumble hello and they could see her eyes were their now pretty usual red-rimmed from crying. She went right to her room and a few minutes later they heard the bathroom door open and the shower turn on. Sue had incorrectly assumed the shower drowned out her sobs, but her friends heard them.
"That's it, we can't keep living like this!" Brad told Lexie who enthusiastically agreed. "I know, I love her, but I really cannot keep watching her do this. I haven't been able to bring up the wedding at all, because when I do she's reminded that her partner is Sean and loses it all over again." Lexie told Brad. "Well, I've been thinking and I know Sue wrote Sean a ton of letters over the summer. Her plan was to give them to him when he got home, so he could look back on them and read them whenever he wants. I also took a ton of photos of them and made a scrapbook I was going to give Sue for Christmas, but I think now might be a better time," Brad explained. "Either we plow her with enough drinks to convince her to just send Sean the letters, or better yet, to call him, OR, we wait until she passes out, open her laptop, print the letters and take them and the scrapbook over to Sean. I know him. He's only giving her space because she texted him and explicitly asked for it. He's too noble for his own good." Brad finished. Lexie loved the idea and when Sue emerged from her shower, they had suggested having a night in the following night. Lexie promised pizza and chick flicks or shows, and Brad suggested they whip up some of the drinks he learned how to make from bartenders in New York. Sue fell for it without thinking twice, which is how they ended up here.
Another two hours and Brad taking over the bartending duties and the lack of sleep and emotions took their toll on Sue as she lay on the couch, passed out. Lexie and Brad had tried convincing her to talk to Sean and at first they thought they were making headway until Sue decided it was just the alcohol talking and told them no. Once they were sure she was out they sprang into action. Lexie grabbed the laptop from the coffee table and located the letters. She had enough sense to move the printer to her room the night before, explaining that she already had a paper due and didn't want to disturb Sue by printing in the living room late at night. A few minutes later Lexie reemerged from her room, a small stack of letters in hand. She handed them to Brad, who added them to the front of the beautiful scrapbook he created for the couple. "Be right back," he said, and left the apartment headed for Sean's.
Aa soon as he left, Lexie went back to her room so she wouldn't wake Sue up as she called Axl. The night before, after working out the details with Brad, Lexie had called her future husband and told him about the plan. Axl assured her it would work, telling her once Sean read the letters and saw the scrapbook, he would come to his senses and show up looking for Sue. He explained that even a guy like Brad, who was polite, noble, and respectful almost to a fault, was human and had a breaking point. Brad and Lexie's plan would surely be that tipping point. Axl had already called Darrin and yelled at him for not leaving well enough alone. He even threatened to kick him out of the wedding if he tried anything else. Axl understood that Darrin still had feelings, but he knew they were one-sided and told Darrin to drop it. Axl had also been in contact with Sean, serving as the middle man, to make sure Sean would be around when Brad delivered the package. Lexie sent a text off to Brad confirming that Sean was home studying, and relayed her evening to Axl.
"I know I said they gross me out, and they do," Axl told Lexie, "but they really do complete each other and make each other happy. I swear Sean is days away from another hippie phase, and no one wants that," Axl told her. They spent a few more minutes catching up before Lexie heard Brad let himself back into the apartment. She and Axl said their good-byes and she came back into the living room, where Sue was still sleeping. "Well?" she asked, pouring herself a drink and sitting at their breakfast bar. Brad grabbed his own and joined her. "Hook, line, and sinker," Brad told her. "Seriously, it was easier than I thought. I knocked and Sean answered. He seemed surprised to see me, but invited me in. He did not look good. He said he was trying to study, but he kept getting distracted. We chatted for a few minutes and I told him I had something for him. I explained I made it, and I really wanted him to look at it. I suggested he should take a study break and then I left before he could open it."
"Brad that's awesome!" Lexie squealed as they clinked glasses in a toast. A few minutes later Axl Skyped in and told them he had called Sean, but Sean told him he was in the middle of something important and would talk to Axl in the morning. Axl asked him if everything was okay, and Sean told him "it would be really soon". Lexie and Brad could hardly contain their excitement. Brad stayed for one more drink before leaving and after several unsuccessful attempts to get Sue up, Lexie finally left her best friend on the couch and went to bed.
Bright and early the next morning Sue was startled awake by loud banging at her door. Confused as to why she was on the couch and still in her clothes from the night before, Sue stumbled over to the door and answered it, vigorously wiping sleep from her eyes. Before she could even register what was happening, she was being pushed back into her apartment and a moment later she was swept up into the broad, strong, secure arms of Sean. At first Sue struggled against him, but after a moment of trying and Sean not letting go of his grip, Sue finally allowed the last of her fight to leave her body and instead of struggling, she threw her arms around Sean, fresh tears leaking from her eyes as the emotional toll of the last two weeks finally, fully consumed her. She was crying big, ugly tears but she didn't care. She wasn't even aware that she was moving until she found herself back on her couch in Sean's lap. He didn't say a word, just stroked her hair and back and let her get it all out on his chest. He held her even tighter as he felt her tremble and when he felt her sobs calm ever so slightly he pulled her up to cup her face in his hands and caress her cheeks with his fingers as he tried to wipe her many tears away. Sue finally gained enough control to focus on his face and saw tears in Sean's eyes.
"What… what are you doing here?' she finally managed to get out. "Are you kidding?" Sean asked, "What am I doing here? How could I not come over after I stayed up all night reading the incredible gift you got me." He told her. "Gift? What gift? I don't know what you're talking about Sean," Sue shook her head, attempting to remember what had transpired the night before. She didn't drink THAT much, right? She was just about to tell Sean he should probably go when she noticed a note on the coffee table in Lexie's familiar script. It was addressed to both of them.
Sue and Sean,
Good morning! Brad and I are hoping you are both reading this together. Sue, I'm sorry but I love you and I couldn't stand to watch you be miserable any longer. These last two weeks have been hard on all of us, and we couldn't take it anymore. You guys are so much in love and so meant to be together, it's crazy. After you passed out last night we printed the letters you wrote to Sean this summer. Brad made a scrapbook of your New York trip and he took that and the letters over to Sean. Please don't be angry, we did it for your own good. If Sean's there with you it's because he's finally come to his own senses and is there to fight for you. Let him win Sue, because then you win too and we can all go back to normal around here! I am going to need my Best Man and Maid of Honor happy and in this case preferably together on my wedding day so throw a girl a bone, will ya?
Love,
Lexie and Brad
Sue and Sean sat in silence for a few moments as they both took in the letter. After a long moment, Sue finally spoke. "They gave you the letters? And Brad made us a book?" Sue asked wearily. Sean nodded, giving her a soft smile. "Yeah, he did. I stayed up all night reading them. I just finished and decided I needed to see you, to fight for you and here I am." Before Sue could say anything he continued, "And I don't care if we scream at each other, I don't care how angry or heated it gets, I'm not leaving until you and I are back together, and I'm not letting you leave either." Sean told her. Sue didn't know what to say. She was stunned. Sean, who always respected what others wanted was going to go against everything he knows and he wasn't backing down without a fight, and from the sound of it, he was prepared to stay until he won the fight.
Sue looked at Sean for a long moment before finally getting up and heading to the kitchen. "I don't know about you, but I am going to need coffee before we start this," she told him. Sean smiled and agreed that coffee was definitely needed. Sue got to work getting the coffee ready and as she fixed their cups she glanced over at Sean, who was sitting on the couch holding what must have been the scrapbook on his lap, lost in thought. He looked, well he looked just as bad as she knew she did. There were dark circles and bags under his eyes and it looked like he hadn't shaved in days. His hair wasn't neat, but looked like he hadn't even bothered to comb it. He was a little thinner, and Sue noticed his shoulders were tensed. She didn't realize what toll this had taken on Sean until that moment, and she felt her heart breaking all over again.
She brought the coffees back to the table, and Sean gratefully accepted his. "So, what's this about a scrapbook?" Sue asked. Sean took the book and set it in her lap. "Here, Brad made it. It's incredible," he told her. Sue opened the leather bound book and her eyes fell immediately on the title page where she saw "Sue and Sean's New York Weekend" with a photo of them Sue didn't even realize Brad took. They were on the cruise, and Sue's head was on Sean's shoulder. She was looking out over the water and laughing at something Sean said. Sean's face was tilted down to look at her, a relaxed, happy smile on his face. The sun was setting over the water behind them, bathing them in a truly breathtaking light. Sue could feel the tears forming in her eyes as she silently paged through, looking at photos and reading captions. She was crying so hard by the time she reached the fourth page she had to stop. Sean gently took the book from her and set it back on the coffee table. He scooted over so there was no more space between them and wrapped her up in his strong arms. This time she let him, gripping his shirt as if it were a life preserver. Sean stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head murmuring "Shh, it's going to be okay, I love you," over and over again until Sue composed herself. She finally sat up, wiping tears away.
"You still love me?" she asked, her eyes finally meeting Sean's. He nodded, "I never stopped, Suzy-Q. How could I? I told you before I have always loved you and I was always going to and I meant it," he explained. Sue took a deep breath, "Oh Sean, I love you too, so much. This has been awful." He chuckled and reached back out to pull her closer. He settled back into the couch taking her with him, sighing happily when she made herself comfortable against his upper body. "Yeah, that's a pretty accurate description," he mused. "When I realized the next morning that you had left, I didn't know what to think. Then your mom came rushing over with your note and it all fell into place and I swear to you, Sue, I've never felt worse in my life. It felt like someone literally ripped my heart out of my chest. All I wanted was to get back here as fast as I could, but by the time I did, you had already texted me asking for space. I knew when you left my parents that night that I should have gone after you, but I was an idiot and I wasn't thinking. I was back in my own head and I don't know it's like there was a war going on in there with one side screaming at me to go after you, and the other side replaying Darrin's words over and over."
Sue shook her head, "for such a smart guy, you are incredibly dumb sometimes, Sean. I don't know how many times I have to tell you that YOU are good enough. Even if you're not perfect. I don't care if you don't get straight A's, or if you struggle with some classes. And I definitely understand how hard you need to study and how much time that takes, because I already told you, I wouldn't want a doctor who didn't think medical school was difficult. The struggle is what pushes you to being the best you can be."
"I know that, I do. I just, I let Darrin get the better of me that night. I knew I shouldn't have, but I did. I know you said more than once that you didn't have feelings for him and that he didn't have what you wanted, and I should have listened, but he wasn't giving up and all I could think was that in a few weeks you were going to have to deal with my studying, classes and rotations and how you do deserve so much more." Sean hung his head. The last two weeks had been spent desperately trying to push Sue from his mind so he could concentrate, figuring out how to get her back, and debating on whether or not he even deserved to get back the woman he loved, but clearly hadn't fought hard enough for.
"Sean, I was an idiot, too. All I could think about was fighting for you, for us, but I also didn't remember that we had just had a similar conversation with your mom over the same things and I didn't think about how it must have been weighing you down when Darrin showed up. I know you. I know how much you hate disappointing anyone and I'm sure you felt like that's exactly what you were doing that night. I also shouldn't have just let you go, either. I know how your mind works. We should have either spent the night at one of our houses or come back here. We would have been able to at least talk without anyone interrupting." Sean nodded in understanding and took over the conversation, "When I went in the house, I went downstairs to the den because the rest of my family was already in bed. Had I stayed upstairs, or gone up to my room, I would have heard your car start and I would have gone after you. I was halfway to your place when you texted me about needing time and space. You really do know me because even though I wanted to completely disregard it and pretend I never saw it, I wanted to respect your wishes and space. The other day your brother called, and he told me if it would make things better, he would tell Darrin he was no longer allowed in the wedding party, but I said no to that. I told him we would be okay and get it all figured out and Axl said I needed to stop being so noble all of the time. That I was always too caring about everyone else and didn't care enough about myself. Then he called me an idiot, told me to stop making you cry, and hung up." Sue couldn't help but giggle through her tears. Sometimes Axl could surprise her when he wanted to.
"So now that we have concluded we are both idiots, what are we going to do?" Sean asked, reaching for Sue's hand. His heart was beating so hard, he thought it was going to burst out of his chest. He loved the woman who sat before him so much, and reading her letters the night before had been a moment of clarity of sorts for Sean. She really did get him, on a level no one else had ever been able to understand him. It was like she was able to sense things about him, even though at the time she wrote the letters he was an ocean away, she still just seemed to know what to say. Part of Sean wished they had better access to email when he was there so he would have received them when he was having a hard time in Ghana, but the other part of him thought that when he really needed those letters was last night. He needed to see that just because she was here, with access to their families and every kind of communication available, it didn't mean her own summer wasn't just as hard as his. In a lot of ways, Sue's summer had been the hardest of all because there was nothing that really distracted her. Lexie, Brad, and Sean were all over the world and having different experiences, but Sue was not. She was the only one who hadn't left and just about the only thing she didn't need to deal with was homesickness. As Sean read each letter, he felt like he was peeling back a layer of Sue Sue Heck he never knew existed. It was like discovering his girlfriend for the first time. As soon as the time was semi-appropriate, Sean downed his umpteenth cup of coffee, grabbed the book and letters and made the very quick walk to Sue.
They sat in silence for a few moments longer, Sean's question hanging between them. Finally, Sue broke the silence. "I told you before, Sean that I love you. If these last few weeks taught me anything it's that the depth of my love for you is more than I ever realized. But I meant what I said in your car a few weeks ago. I am the person that gets to choose what I deserve. No one else. I MADE my choice when I chose you, just like I made my choice when I had to tell Darrin I couldn't marry him because I deserved more than a tiny house. You really need to understand that Sean, because I can't keep competing with your head. You are so great at so many things, but you are your own worst enemy. I love that your parents raised you to put others first, and to be kind, respectful, humble, noble, and all of the other wonderful things you are, but I think they forgot something," she paused. "I think maybe they skipped the lesson where they teach you that it's also okay to be selfish and put yourself first sometimes. You need to start doing that. My God Sean, you put so much pressure on yourself to get into medical school, and not just get in, but get into the right one to make your mom happy that you ended up in your hippie phase! Not that it was bad, but you basically did nothing but sit at the bar, and while I like to go for drinks, I don't think sitting at the bar every single night is the greatest decision," Sean laughed; he couldn't help it. She was right and that wasn't one of his finest moments.
"Sue, these last few weeks have been hell. I thought last year it was hard to concentrate on school when all I could think about were my feelings for you, but this was so much worse than that. I need you, Sue. I need you in a way I've never needed anyone before. It's hard to explain, but you remind me that it really is okay to not always be the best. You remind me that I really am special and that I need to carve my own path in life, even if my parents don't always like where that path is going. I haven't been able to concentrate. When Brad came by last night, I was rereading the same chapter for the third time, hoping it would finally sink in. I haven't been sleeping, because when I do, I'm restless and I dream about you and it's all too much. I love you so much, and I will fight off anyone who tries to get in the way of that, ever again. I promise you, Sue. I don't care if I have to argue with my mom over my grades or anything else. Can we please, please stop this break and be together? I don't care how we make it work, but we will. I will do anything, just say the word." Sean searched her eyes, hoping she would give him a sign.
He didn't have to wait long. Sue searched his and a second later she was pressed all the way up against him on the couch, kissing him like he was about to disappear. Sean felt like he was back on the side of the road again. He cupped her face and pulled her in close, "I'm so sorry for hurting you," he whispered when they finally broke apart, "I don't want to hurt either of us anymore. I just want to be happy, with you." He said before leaning down to capture her lips with his own. Sue happily sighed into the kiss, relishing the feeling of his arms back around her. "I am so ridiculously happy with you, Sean. Whether I get to spend five minutes, or five hours with you, I don't care because I will still be happy," he told her. Sue was about to lean in for another kiss when Sean yawned. Sue laughed, "I feel about as good as you," he told her. "I haven't really slept these last few weeks," he confessed. "Me either," Sue told him. "I uh, I was going to actually lay down in my room if you want to join me," Sue said, standing up. She missed falling asleep next to Sean and longed every night to have the chance to do it again. "I think we deserve a nap," Sean agreed, standing up and reaching for Sue's hand. She led him back to her room and immediately began changing out of her regular clothes and into her night ones. "I see you've been sleeping in the Notre Dame shirt," Sean couldn't help but point out as he kicked off his shoes and stripped down to his boxers. Sue blushed, "it really is comfortable, and it's the closest thing I had to you so…" Sue trailed off as she crawled under the covers to meet Sean who was already there. They wrapped their arms around each other and in minutes they were peacefully asleep.
When Lexie woke up a little while later she noticed the apartment was quiet. She went to the living room and saw the note had been moved and the scrapbook was sitting on the coffee table, but there was no sign of Sue, or Sean (Lexie assumed he had brought the scrapbook over). Lexie walked back to the bedrooms and noticed Sue's was slightly ajar. When Lexie went to bed, Sue had been passed out on the couch and Lexie had not heard Sue get up. She decided it wouldn't hurt to take a peek and her eyes widened and she grinned at what she saw. Carefully, so as not to disturb the scene in front of her, Lexie backed out of the doorway and in a moment she was back, this time with her cell phone. She carefully slipped back in the room and took a few photos of the couple. They were snuggled together fast asleep; lying on their sides, Sue was tucked into Sean's chest. One of his arms was peeking out from under her head and pillow while the other was securely holding Sue around her waist, anchoring her to him. Both of them had the most relaxed faces. Lexie knew Sue had not been sleeping well, and the few times she had fallen asleep on the couch from pure exhaustion her face had been tense, even as she slept. After talking to Axl and Brad, Lexie figured Sean was going through the same issues. She was more than happy to see them not only together, but taking care of one another. She quietly pulled Sue's door shut as she exited the bedroom and giddily busied herself with sending texts.
A few hours later, Sue stirred. She knew she had not been getting enough sleep since she left Orson after the fireworks, but she didn't realize just how bad it was until she woke up and noticed that even after only a few more hours of sleep she felt more rested than she had in the last two weeks. Sue rolled from her side to her back so she could stretch, and smiled when she felt Sean's arm move across her stomach with her. As she got comfortable on her back, Sean responded by burrowing further down into the bed and nuzzling his face into the side of Sue's neck. Sue had missed this more than anything. Sure, she missed everything else, but as she and Sean would fall asleep they would talk in hushed tones about moments throughout their childhood where each of them had thought they perhaps had feelings for the other. They also talked about their dreams for the future. Sean and Sue were both inherently good people who strived to make everyone else around them happy, even if it meant sacrificing too much of themselves, but in those moments before sleep they were at their most vulnerable and had the opportunity to tell each other things they would never say to anyone else or any other time. For as new as them being together and as brief as it had been, Sue missed those nights terribly.
Finally, Sue couldn't take it anymore. She turned and angled her face down so she could reach Sean and began peppering his temple with soft, sweet kisses. She missed their physical contact so much she was sure it hurt worse than how she felt when he was in Ghana and she couldn't touch him. At least there she knew what he was doing, and when he wasn't working he was either writing out his notes in a journal they had to keep as part of the program, or sleeping. When they were apart here, she didn't know what he was doing and with, and had let her imagination run wild on more than one occasion over the last two weeks. It got so bad one night that even Axl told her she was insane. Sue thought back to that night about a week earlier. She had just gotten home from working in housing and she was not in a good mood. One of her co-workers had reported to Sue that she saw Sean walking to the library with another girl. Sue assumed it was another med student, but her co-worker told her that the girl was definitely flirting with Sean, talking animatedly, giggling at his replies, and touching him whenever she seemed to get the chance. This sent Sue into a downhill spiral and by the time she walked in the door of the apartment, she had spun a tale of Sean and this other girl going at it somewhere in the dark recesses of the library. Lexie had tried to calm Sue down, but to no avail. Finally, it was Axl, who yelled at Sue through the Skype date he and Lexie were having. "Sue, are you insane? It's SEAN DONAHUE. Trust me when I tell you he isn't doing anything with anyone. God, the guy waited all this time for who ended up being you! He's not just going to go off with the first girl he sees. I swear for someone who was his "soulmate" (Axl made a face and air quotes at this remark) you sure don't know the guy, do you?"
Sue shook her head at the memory. "What's wrong?" Sean mumbled into her shoulder, moving his shirt out of the way so he could drop warm, soft kisses along her collarbone. "Nothing, nothing, I was just remembering something Axl said last week," Sue told him, sighing as he continued leaving his heavenly kisses. "Did he give you a hard time about what happened?" Sean asked. "Actually, he told me I was an even bigger nerd than he realized and I was also an idiot, but that's not what I was thinking of," Sue told him. "So what were you thinking of," Sean pressed, going back to his kisses. "Mmmmm… okay, I'll tell you," Sue moaned out. "About a week after I texted you and told you we needed time apart I was working in housing when a co-worker came in and said she had just seen you and another girl walking to the library. The girl was flirting with you and making excuses to touch you and I don't know, by the time I got back here I had worked up an entire scenario in my head that ended…. Well it ended really well for you, but not so great for me," Sue finished. "Oh, God, what did you think was going to happen?" Sean pressed. "Okay, fine, somehow I went from you walking together to you and her going at it in the dark corners of the library." Sue told him, turning her face away so Sean couldn't see the embarrassment on her face. She heard him chuckle and felt him lean down to kiss her cheek. "Suzy-Q, are you serious? One, you should know me better than that, and two, that girl is named Allison and she and I are just friends. We have a few classes together and she wanted to get a head start on studying. Her boyfriend is enlisted in the military but he comes home in a few weeks and she wants to have as clear a schedule as she can to they can spend time together. She heard me saying I had already started doing the readings and asked if I wanted to study together.
"Listen, I know it was stupid. Axl was on video chat with Lexie and told me I was an idiot for thinking anything of the sort was going on," Sue told him. "Remind me to thank your brother for doing me a solid for once," Sean laughed. I was actually telling her about us and how I surprised you in New York. She would love it if her boyfriend surprised her." Sue smiled, thinking back on a month earlier. It was hard to believe that all these things happened in just the last few weeks. "Now, we could keep catching up this way, or we could catch up this way," Sean told her, before leaning down and capturing her lips with his own. The kiss was hot enough to make Sue's heart stop. She reached up and wrapped her hand around Sean's head, pulling him closer as her other hand went to work in getting off the clothes that were acting as barriers between them. Sean couldn't help but laugh at her response, but soon his laugh had turned to soft moans as they quickly shed their clothes and came together, making up for lost time. They took their time with each other, hands slowly caressing, kisses deep and long, as if they were re-exploring every inch of the bodies they had already memorized. Neither of them had a care in the world except being together and as Sean kissed his way from Sue's nose to her belly button she felt like she was in heaven. If this was all somehow an alcohol fueled dream, well she was perfectly fine not waking up. She knew it wasn't though and they came together in what was the most amazing time either of them had experienced yet.
When they were finished neither of them were in a hurry to move. "It's almost noon," Sue said conversationally. She had just glanced at her clock and realized just how early Sean must have come over that morning. "Was the sun even up when you got here?" Sue asked him, reaching for his Notre Dame shirt and pulling it back over head as she went to hoist herself from her cozy bed. Just as she was about to stand, Sean grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him, "where do you think you're going?" he asked. "Well it's almost noon and I'm sure you have a lot to do today…" Sue trailed off. Sean shook his head as he pulled his shirt back off her body. "The only thing I have to do today, is you," and with that he showed her once again how much he had truly missed and loved her.
After the second time, Sean and Sue finally decided they should get up. "To answer your question from earlier, I don't know exactly what time I came over, but the sun was just rising, so maybe around 6?" Sue just shook her head as she found clothes and got herself dressed. "What were you going to do if I didn't answer?" Sue asked. "I was going to sit outside your door until you answered or Lexie let me in. I wasn't leaving here until we fixed things," he said stepping up to her and reaching out to push a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Well, do you think we fixed things?" Sue asked, teasing. Sean looked her straight in the eye, his expression serious. "Suzy-Q, I love you. I don't care how hard things get, or how little time we have together, I am fully committed to making this work and even more than that, I am going to believe you when you tell me this is what you deserve. You make me so happy and all I've ever wanted is to make you feel the same. You are right that I try so hard for everyone else and don't think about myself. Well, all I've been doing these last few weeks is running those thoughts through my head and more than anything, all I want is to be with you. I want to be a doctor, but you are what truly makes me happy. I'm not going to let anyone else get in the way of that. Not Darrin, or my mom or anyone. I promise you, Sue. If you are happy with me and this is where you want to be, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, either." He told her, holding her gaze. During his speech his hands had reached for hers and he was rubbing her fingers with his thumbs.
Sue pulled him into a hug. "I love you, Sean. You are exactly what I need. Not Darrin, not anyone else. None of the other guys I've ever dated complete me the way you do; you were just too much in your own head to see it. You need to stop putting the pressure on yourself, or letting your family do it. Look what happened? You are an incredible person, Sean. You just need to believe it. You're going to make the best doctor someday. You just have to see it and do it for you," she told him.
"I love you so much," he said as he kissed her. When they finally broke apart Sue's stomach rumbled. "I think we better join the land of the living and get you fed," Sean told her. They walked into the kitchen where Lexie sat reading a take-out menu. "it's about TIME!" she yelled as she jumped up from her chair and embraced them both at once. Sue and Sean laughed and hugged her back. "Thanks to you and Brad," Sue told her friend, grabbing the menu and looking through it. "You would have come to your senses soon enough," Lexie assured her. "If she didn't, I would have," Sean said, making coffee for the three of them. Lexie and Sue both looked at him, "Really?" Sue said softly. "Yeah, last night before Brad came over I was trying to study. By trying, I mean I was attempting to read the same chapter for the third time in the hopes I would retain anything. It wasn't going well. I have been trying to tell myself it's just until I get back into the groove of classes and studying, but I know that's not true. All I can ever think about is you, Suzy-Q. These last two weeks I've been so distracted thinking of all the things I should have done different, and of all the things you said and how I need to get out of my own head. I was talking myself into coming over here today when Brad showed up," Sean told her with a soft smile.
Sue couldn't help it, the tears she had been holding in spilled over as she got up and walked around the counter to wrap her arms around Sean. "When I texted you, I knew you would do as I asked because that's the kind of guy you are. After the first few days, I realized maybe I didn't want you to be the upstanding, respectful guy for once. I felt like I fought for us that night and you didn't see it. I wanted you to see it so much. I was stunned when you opened the door this morning, and I still can't believe Brad made that for us and that he and Lexie were sneaky enough to print those letters, but a small part of me wondered if you would have come otherwise. Knowing you would have, that you actually would have defied your own set of morals, I know that's hard for you and it just makes me happy to know you're willing to break out of that carefully constructed mold."
"I wanted to fight for us," Sean said, as he released her to look at the menu. "I wanted to be what you deserved, and I know you already think I am," Sean said before Sue could say anything, "but I needed to think it," Sean told her. Sue smiled and rubbed his arm as they all decided what to order. When the order had been placed, Sue realized she hadn't seen her phone. "Lex, do you know where my phone is?" she asked, looking around. "Oh, I put it on the spare charger for you," Lexie said, pointing at the small table in the living room. "I didn't know if you had plans today or if you had an alarm set or anything."
Sue retrieved her phone and saw she was missing a few calls and had some texts.
Brad: OHMYGOD SUE IT WORKED! Lexie sent me the photo this morning and I am SOOO happy you and Sean worked things out. Please never break up again because you guys are exhausting!
Thomas: Hey Sue! Lexie sent me the photo and I have to say, I'm so glad you two worked it out. I swear I was about to fly out there and lock you both in a room together! Have a great weekend!
Mom: Oh sweetie, Lexie sent me the photo and don't worry, I didn't show your dad, but I did tell him you and Sean are back together and we are both just so happy for you. Call me! Love you.
Nancy: Hi Sue! Lexie sent me the photo and I am just so happy you two are happy again. I have to say you both look like you haven't slept in weeks, that's not good you know. You need your rest for optimal brain function. I was going to tell you two to come home for dinner tonight, but I really think you both need to catch up on sleep. See you soon!
Axl: Even though I wanted to puke when I saw the photo, I'm glad you and Sean are back together. Now if you could stay together at least until we get married that would be great, because Lexie was going crazy! Don't tell her I said that.
Sue scrolled through each message and after reading the last one she looked at Lexie. "What photo did you send, well it looks like everyone this morning?" Sue eyed up her friend. Lexie blushed a little and backed away ever so slightly. "Okay, before I show you just know it is adorable and we were all really worried about you two. Neither of you have been doing well and it's definitely been taking a toll." Lexie tried explaining as she turned her phone around so Sean and Sue could see. Sue's eyes grew wide as Sean just gave her a huge smile. "You sent this to our MOTHER'S?" Sue belted out, "AND MY BROTHER?!"
"You guys both just looked so relaxed and content and I know you haven't slept that well in weeks, Sue. I can hear you at night trying to get comfortable. You both looked like you were exactly where you were supposed to be and I just had to capture the moment. I was only going to send it to Brad, but I have been getting calls and texts from both your moms since everything happened. I wanted everyone to feel better. I'm sorry. We all love you two and want you to be happy together. And look, everyone is so happy! Besides, thanks to my fiancé, they all know about the night you spent together in the hotel in New York. You guys were also up here alone for a week when you got home. Your parents are not dumb," Lexie was saved by the delivery man. She ran to get the door and came back soon with a large bag of food.
Once the three of them had plates and had settled down to eat Lexie decided to ask, "Are you angry?" Sue and Sean looked at each other. "No," Sean told her. "You're not?" Sue asked him, "but your mom…" she trailed off. "My mom, is going to have to get used to me being a grown man and capable of making my own choices. She didn't say anything about us sleeping together in New York, and I don't really care if she likes that we are now or not. She seemed okay in her text," Sean shrugged. "Did she text you too or are you talking about the one she sent me?" Sue asked.
"She texted me too and told me she was happy for us and that she could stop worrying now, or worry a little less. She then told me I need more sleep. She said absolutely nothing about where I did that sleeping," Sean reassured her. "Even if she did, I would tell her exactly what I just told you," Sean finished, stuffing his mouth. They ate the rest of their lunch in companionable silence. "So, guys, any plans today?" Lexie asked. "I was just going to do some reading," Sue said. "Me too, and nap," Sean replied. Lexie smiled. "Well, my parents are coming into town for the evening, actually they should already be here. They said to invite you all to dinner, but honestly, the two of you look beat. Your moms are not wrong about you guys needing sleep. So I'm going to grab my things and hang out with them for the night. Brad is coming with me so don't worry." Sue and Sean halfheartedly protested, swearing they just needed another nap and would be good for dinner, but they both knew everyone else was right. As Lexie went to grab a shower, Sean stood up. "Why don't I run back to my apartment and grab some more comfortable clothes? I do need my books too if I'm going to stay here. I will come back, we can catch up on sleep and maybe later we can order in pizza and have our own Netflix and chill night?" Sean suggested. When he was in Ghana, all he wanted to do was have a night in on the couch with Sue.
"That sounds perfect," Sue told him and stood to kiss him good-bye and clean up from lunch. Lexie came out into the living room a few minutes later, freshly showered and changed. "When I said you guys needed sleep, I didn't mean he needed to go home," Lexie said, noticing Sean was gone. Sue just laughed, "He went home to grab some clothes and his books. The plan is to nap and then later tonight we are going to have a date night in," Sue told Lexie. "aww, that's so sweet! I'm so happy you guys worked things out," Lexie hugged Sue. "Me too, and seriously thank you and Brad so much. Not just for last night, but for everything," Sue told her friend. "Of course!" Lexie told her, "besides, it would be really bad if the two people standing for us weren't talking," Lexie told her. "I think we would have been okay by the wedding, Lex, but I get what you're saying," Sue laughed. A few minutes later Sean returned, carrying a duffel bag and his backpack. Lexie's phone went off and she said her own good-byes and Sue and Sean were alone.
"Why don't I change into my sweats and we get working on that nap?" Sean asked, yawning. Sue giggled and agreed and they soon found themselves in the same position they were in when Lexie snapped the picture. Both finally catching up on restful sleep they hadn't felt in two weeks.
And break-up number one is in the books! Up next, Sue and Sean learn how to balance school and a relationship, and Thanksgiving and internships are approaching!
Does anyone follow Beau on Twitter? Did you see him trying to garner Emmy votes for Eden? It was so sweet and now I think Beau and Eden should be together like their counterparts. Just a thought.