I'm trying to keep updates as frequent as possible. And if the ideas are coming, I want to write them down before they leave and never return!
So today I went to clown class. No joke. And it's not actually all about being a big, goofy, colourful, scary creature. It's more about becoming the character you're playing, rather than just reading their lines and pretending to be them. Sounds confusing, but it was the best workshop to attend. I want to keep growing and developing more with acting, so it was great. Stupid as it may sound.
/
A few days later, and Rachel was again back at work. She felt more settled and comfortable now that she knew where they were at with clients. As for Sienna, she did indeed miss her during the day, but the several phone calls she placed to both Jake and her family watching her little girl were enough to put her mind at ease to get her through the day.
Striding back into work, Rachel bid Medusa good morning as she passed the reception desk on her way to her office. Medusa, however, called out to stop the creative director.
"Rachel, you've got a package." Rachel paused, turning back and accepting the package Medusa handed over the ledge.
"Thanks," Rachel replied, her tone curious as she tried to suss out exactly was inside. Stepping into her office moments later, Rachel set the package down on the desk and tried pulling the tape around the box away. Finally wrenching it open another few moments later and Rachel burst out with laughter.
"Libby."
Inside the box, was a stack of wedding magazines and brochures. Rachel didn't have to read the note on top to know who it was from; Libby had been banging on about wedding details for weeks now. Picking up the note, Rachel read the curvy writing scripted on the paper.
Lunch today. You know where. Bring your package. No arguments.
With the shake of her head, Rachel put her bag down on the back of her chair and laughed.
/
Lunchtime rolled around and Rachel followed her strict instructions. Arriving at the café the pair always met at, Rachel glanced around to find her friend. Spotting Libby waiting at an outdoor table, Rachel began to make her way over, carrying the heavy box Libby had sent her as promised.
"You're early!" Rachel exclaimed as she neared her friend. "Are you okay?"
"Of course, there's wedding planning to do!" Libby's smile was almost infectious. "Come here gorgeous." Libby stood while Rachel placed the box and her beg on the ground, before the friends hugged each other. "You look great!"
"Oh yeah, for someone who sits at a desk all day," Rachel replied sarcastically, sitting down opposite Libby.
"You're what they call a yummy mummy," Libby said, coy.
"That's sickening Lib," Rachel said with a laugh. "How have you been then? Married life?"
"Everything is great. We moved into that great apartment and George is just fabulous…"
"Not all the details," Rachel put her hand up to stop her.
"And how about you?" Libby asked. "Taking the big step back into the workforce and leaving your cutie pie at home."
"That was hard," Rachel said honestly. "I thought it would be easy, but I was so wrong."
"Sienna's with your Mum, right?" Libby asked, smiling as the waiter brought over drinks. "You're a latte, right?" Rachel nodded.
"Yeah, and my brother and my grandfather are there too," Rachel continued. "So I know that she'll be fine. And that's okay in theory..."
"But you miss her," Libby concluded. "I get that."
"And she's great. She's getting so big!" Rachel added with a start. "Not that Jake wants to admit it."
"How is he anyway? With his leg and everything?"
"He's fine. Out of his plaster and everything now, thank god," Rachel sighed. "That was the longest few weeks of my life!" Libby laughed.
"And the wedding plans?"
"Well, I'm doing fine, given I have this really pushy friend," Rachel said with a giggle. "Honestly, thanks for these." Libby, leaning back in her chair, smiled.
"That's my duty," Libby answered. "So you've got the date, that's the most important thing. Now you need to plan everything around that."
"I honestly have not been able to think that much," Rachel admitted, taking a sip of her latte.
"Start thinking!" Libby insisted. "We've got a big job ahead."
/
Back in the office, Rachel was working quickly in order to get home as soon as she could. It was one thing her working overtime pre-baby; Jake was able to make exceptions. But now with a baby, it was more difficult. It wasn't like Sienna could understand that mummy couldn't come home because she had to meet a deadline. Rachel went back to work, hoping to be finished soon.
Medusa came in a few moments later, holding a manilla folder.
"Waltham's faxed these through a minute ago," Medusa reported, emphasizing by lifting the file and placing it in front of Rachel.
"What did they say?" Rachel asked, half eagerly, half unsure, as she opened the file.
"Didn't like the second concept. Want to know more about the first one," said Medusa.
"Terrific," Rachel replied with a sigh, letting her eyes droop momentarily.
"Don't stress about it tonight," Medusa told Rachel, noting her reaction. "Put it to the creative heads in the morning."
"No, but I've still got the publication details for that sports thing to do tonight anyway," Rachel said. "I should try and get it all done before I go. Thanks Medusa." Medusa gave Rachel a sympathetic smile, before sitting down.
"Here, I'll help you," Medusa told her. Rachel looked up.
"Oh, I couldn't as..."
"You've got a baby to get home to," Medusa shrugged. "Let's just do this, okay?" Rachel couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you." Rachel looked down. "I better just call my Mum before we start; she's looking after Sienna." Rachel reached out for the phone as Medusa nodded.
"I'll get us some coffee." Medusa left, whilst Rachel waited for connection.
"Hey Mum, it's me. I'm going to be delayed."
/
It wasn't dark when Rachel got home, but it wasn't far off. Rachel jumped out of the driver's seat of the car, not even stopping to lock it as she ran towards her childhood home.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Rachel said as she hurried into the kitchen. Ted and Julie were cooking in the kitchen, whilst Dave was feeding Ruby at the table. Ben was on the couch.
"I'm sorry. I got stuck with all this paperwork and calls and..."
"Breathe," Dave said, a slight smile on his face.
"Where's Sienna?" Rachel asked, straightening down the black suit jacket she was wearing. Julie looked at her inquisitively.
"Did you even check your phone?"
"Jake took Sienna home," Ben called out from the living room.
"About half an hour ago," Dave added. Rachel sighed and put her hand over her face.
"I never even considered the whole working overtime thing," Rachel said disbelievingly. "But on the plus side, Libby and I talked wedding today."
"Upside?" Dave said, looking back at his daughter.
"Dad you're going to have to get over that one day," Rachel rolled her eyes as she spoke. "I am indeed getting married."
"And?" Julie asked, ignoring her husband.
"Not a lot, but it's progress." Julie smiled as Rachel continued. "You know what? I never had any dreams of getting married. But I am so excited. It's crazy."
"Love is crazy," Julie concluded.
"I'm off," Rachel sighed. "Thanks!"
/
Rachel parked her car next to Jake's and opened the front door of the house quietly. She could see the faint glow from the plasma coming from the lounge room, and then spotted Jake stretched out on the chair. Sienna was curled up on his chest. Both were asleep. Rachel smiled as she put her bags down on the other chair, before stepping over and sitting down on the edge of the chair, in front of Jake. Leaning forward, she pressed a kiss to Jake's forehead. He stirred at the movement.
"Did I fall asleep?" Jake said as he opened his eyes properly. "When did you get home?"
"Just then. Sorry I'm late," Rachel added, standing up.
"That's alright. Uh, I can't really move," Jake said looking down at his peacefully sleeping daughter.
"Good, then we can just talk," Rachel said, moving back to sit on the edge of the coffee table. "Had lunch with Libby today. She gave me all these ideas about the wedding."
"What kind of ideas?" Jake said. "And do you think you could maybe help me move?"
"No, you'll wake her up," Rachel told him. "Just the simple things. Like where we want to get married. We're getting married on a popular day, so we don't want everything booked out."
"Where do you want to get married?" Jake asked.
"I don't want to get married in a church," Rachel spoke up. "Unless it's important to you. I know my parents did, but I just, don't want that tradition."
"So let's pick somewhere that means something to us," Jake replied.
"Well, how about, I make some us dinner and we can talk," Rachel said, smiling at Jake and kissing him.
"Oh. It's not tofu is it?" Jake asked as she stood up. Rachel picked up the closest thing to her and ditched it at his head; the pink teddy bear Carbo had brought when they were still in the hospital.
/
That's a wrap for this chapter. I've had a request for more wedding stuff, so I'll incorporate it where I can. I don't know when this story will end, I'm still not sure how I could end it. I could just take the easy road and leave it at a wedding... I'm not sure. My last long story fiction for Rafters, I didn't see the end until I was halfway through the last chapter! And then it kinda just ended itself. And just for clarification; Australia Day of 2012 is on a Thursday. But I'm going to ignore that; for this, Australia Day just happens to fall on a weekend. I'll clear that up now.
I'm getting a bit excited. My partner and I decided we'd take a holiday at the end of March, which is after both his birthday, and then mine. And it's before I go back to America, so I'm really super dooper excited.
Anyway, would love a review if that's cool with you all. Thanks for the reviews last chapter!