Chapter 14:
The girls were in full "girls night" mode in Grand Springs. They had all met at Janet's house and made their way to Grand Springs. Since they knew they would be spending the night they took two cars to get them all there and the rest of the transportation was provided by the cabs in Grand Springs. Janet had found this great hotel that had a huge suite that would accommodate up to 6 people…since it was Janet, Hannah, Pizza Girl, Allison, and Aubrey it was a perfect fit. They called a cab when they were all checked in and ready to go out…the cab arrived and recognized Janet right away as she had called her fair share of cabs as a dispatcher dealing with drunk calls all the time. The cab driver really loved Janet because he got twice as much business than he had before because Janet was stern with the bars in regards to paying for the cab services of the extremely drunk patrons that needed it. He always got his money and Janet made sure of it. Due to that, he provided free cab rides for girls night out as a thank you to her.
The girls had already been to three bars and were in mid swing of lots of fun as they entered the fourth and biggest bar they had been to yet.
"WOOOOO!" Pizza Girl began as she entered the doors. The other girls just laughed knowing that Pizza girl, whose real name was Emily wasn't much of a drinker but tonight you wouldn't know that as she was keeping up with the rest of the girls pretty well however it was definitely showing.
They found a table towards the back of the bar that was a big round one so they could all talk with each other. Janet had kept her ring finger somewhat covered up because she wanted to talk about it and move into the conversation about living with the conversation of the engagement according to Hannah and her master plan to "move phil out."
"So, I have been hiding something all night and I was hoping that I could take this opportunity to come clean with all of you." Janet said.
The girls just looked at each other with looks of surprise on their faces not really knowing what she was going to say, well except for Hannah who knew exactly what she was up too.
"What's wrong Janet?" Emily said concerned
"Nothing's wrong Emily. It's just that a lot has happened within these last few weeks and I just wanted to share with you all. First of all, I decided to go back to school which many of you already know and that is pretty important to me to stay focused on that goal. I started school a few weeks ago and so far it is going well but there was one thing that I hadn't counted on happening." Janet said looking down – actually to adjust her ring so everyone would see the beautiful stones in her engagement ring.
"What happened? I thought you liked it at the Duff?" Allison asked
"Oh I do, I really do. I actually like going to classes now more than I did when I was in high school and that is surprising since I thought I would be the oldest person in class." Janet laughed
"But something happened the night of Hannah's 'almost' wedding that was totally unexpected but one of the best things that ever happened to me." Janet said beginning to lift her hand to show off her ring.
"Ok, you have our attention what happened?" Aubrey stated
"Well….Eddie and I talked and we got engaged." Janet said now lifting her finger to show everyone her ring.
Hannah just sat there and smiled seeing how happy Janet appeared. Emily just screamed and grabbed at her hand. She knew that Eddie and her were back together but was unaware that they were engaged. Allison and Aubrey were totally stunned…they looked at each other and then looked at Janet and immediately said "well that calls for more drinks and shots!" with that everyone said "WOOOOOO!"
Several hours later the girls had had plenty of drinks there was lots of dancing and everyone was getting to be tired out. They were still at the same place sitting around the table winding down. Janet and Emily were sitting next to each other and they were talking about Eddie and Phil.
"I am really happy for you both Janet. I always knew that Eddie would forgive you and you two would end up together. He was so unhappy when you two were apart." Emily said
"I was pretty unhappy too Em. I didn't think that we would ever speak again though. It is crazy to me that all of this is even happening, going to school and now marrying Eddie…I don't think I could get any happier." Janet said genuinely happy.
"So how are the wedding plans coming?" Em asked
"We haven't really made any. Right now we are trying to figure out where to live because with my work and school schedule and his schedule the only time we will be able to see each other are the evenings and sometimes the late evenings." Janet said hoping that Em would pick up what she was trying to drop.
"Yeah I can understand that…so what did you decide?" Em asked wondering herself what would happen with their living arrangements.
"We haven't yet. We tried living at each others house but that didn't really prove anything other then we love the privacy at my house, no offense, but Eddie's home is so much bigger and thinking about the future his house would be more adaptable but the thing is my house belonged to my grandparents and I just can't even consider the possibility of selling it… I don't know what the solution…if I knew it would just be Eddie and me then I would say we could move but looking ahead Eddie and I have talked about a family and my house just isn't big enough compared to his house so that is where we just stuck…I don't know what to do honestly." Janet said looking down trying to see if her move paid off.
"Wow…you and Eddie have talked about a family…already? I am happy for both of you I really am. I am trying to get Phil to work on maybe thinking about walking out of the house. I love him Janet I do but I can't see myself being with someone who won't come outside and lives with his friends, as much as I love Eddie and you I just feel like we need our own space but he just refuses to even try." Em said sighing
"I am sorry Emily I know that must be frustrating for you. I see how you two look at each other and I know you both feel the same way. I honestly don't know what will help motivate Phil but I don't think it is because he doesn't want to leave the house he is just…stuck I guess. Maybe we should give him a reason to want to try." Janet said hopeful
"What reason?" Emily asked not really getting what Janet was saying
"I was thinking that maybe you and Phil would like to live at my house…it is big enough for the two of you and easier to take care of. The yard is smaller so until Phil is amiable to the outside it would be easy for you to keep up and I would have two people that I truly care about living in my grandparents house…you could rent it out until you two decide what your future holds…what do you think?" Janet said looking at Emily
Emily sat there stunned and thought for a second and then blurted out "OMG…that is a GREAT idea. But how are we going to get him out of the house?" Emily asked
"Well I think that is a conversation that you need to have with Phil…if you can sell him on the idea of moving to my house then I will get him there…deal?" Janet said holding out her hand waiting for Emily to shake it.
"DEAL! Thanks Janet. This is the first real chance we will have to really make our relationship work and be on our own and maybe just maybe give Phil the motivation he needs to finally work on joining the rest of us in the world." With that Emily shook Janet's hand and then they hugged each other. Hannah was looking on and saw the exchange as she was doing her best to keep the other girls busy so Janet could talk to Emily. Looks like "Project Move Phil Out" just got off the ground.
The girls had made it back to the hotel and were partied out. They were all intoxicated to varying degrees and were giggly and talkative. They all got ready for bed and spent the next three hours just sitting on the edges of the beds in the room and were talking when Janet's text message alert went off. The girls were razzing her because they knew exactly who was texting her at 3am.
"Hey are you still awake?" text from Eddie sent to Janet
Janet responded, "Yeah we are just sitting around the room talking, what's up?"
"Just wanted to make sure you were ok and didn't need a ride" Eddie wrote
"I told you that we were staying here, what is really going on?" Janet wrote
"Nothing's wrong, I just wanted to make sure you were safe." Eddie wrote
"Are you sure? We are all fine in case anyone else wants to know." Janet wrote thinking Eddie was also asking for others.
"That's good that you are all fine but there is no one here but me." Eddie wrote
"Where are you?" Janet wrote
"At your house" Eddie wrote knowing she would ask why
"ummm, ok, why?" Janet wrote wondering why he was there.
"In case you changed your mind and came home, I miss you." Eddie wrote
Janet looked at her screen and wanted to scream. She loved how much Eddie had changed and told her what he was feeling now. The words just made her heart want to scream out loud that she loved this man but she settled for a simple text instead.
"I love you Eddie and I miss you too. Soon you and I will be together always." Janet wrote smiling
Hannah was watching Janet as she was talking to the other girls and she couldn't help but smile at how happy her friend was. She had her doubts as to whether Eddie and Janet would be able to get past their mistakes but now that they had she saw a difference in them both and both for the better.
"What do you mean by soon?" Eddie asked
"You know that plan I had well let's just say the seed has been planted…it won't be long now babe." Janet wrote again smiling
"I hope so because our schedules are definitely getting in the way of us spending time together. I spent enough time alone these last 7 months." Eddie wrote
"I know Eddie I am trying to fix that so just please be patient ok? I know exactly what you are saying…right now I am wishing I was home with you." Janet wrote
"I can be there in like 50 minutes" Eddie wrote
"No babe that is ok I'll see you in a few hours I promise…now go to bed I don't want you over tired tomorrow." Janet wrote
"Tomorrow? I thought you were coming back today." Eddie wrote thinking that maybe they decided to stay another day since it was already like 3:30am.
"Oh, it is morning isn't it…no I'll be home later today, Love you Eddie." Janet wrote
"Ok, Love you Janet…so much." Eddie wrote
At that point all the girls were nearly falling asleep so everyone turned their phones off and pulled the curtains as they knew the sun would be rising soon. It was time to get some sleep and have amazing dreams of the possibilities that lie ahead for them all, especially Janet and Emily.