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The Significance Series belongs to Shelly Crane.

25: Proposal

I still hadn't managed to get my driver's license, so Derek still had to drop me off at work. A week had passed since my visit with Dr. Baird, who confirmed my hearing at returned nearly in full. There wasn't anything really new to it with the Stantons, who were all aware of the miracle that was Derek, but my mother neither had a breakdown. I got a call from Cal, my mom's ex, who just wanted to congratulate me on my stroke of luck and to tell me that he would always be there for me if I needed anything. Mom called me every chance she got, and hardly texted anymore. She'd given me the week off of work to spend enjoying my "newfound hearing" with Derek.

Today was my first day back, and mom had scheduled me for the afternoon shift. I hadn't seen Xavier since the last time I'd made him mad at me, but I was sure that he knew about my miracle. Mom would have told anyone who would listen, including the people that came into her shop and had no clue who I was. When I told her that, she just said that they had all congratulated her anyway, but that wasn't the point. My mom was just so worked up about it that it was spilling over everywhere. Without a doubt, Xavier knew. And he hadn't said anything to me about it. I figured that my miracle would've reminded him that we were friends.

I leaned over the center console and kissed Derek's cheek. He put his hand on my neck, his thumb tracing over my cheek. "You'll be fine," he said softly. "He might've been mad at you, but everyone moves on at some point. He'll have to get over it eventually, babe. Or he was never your real friend."

I made a noise to signify that I'd heard him. I didn't want to think of Xavier as my ex-best friend. I still wanted him to be my friend. Sure, he might've been interested in me, and I might've led him on without realizing it by not telling him that I was in a committed relationship with Derek, but I didn't want to wonder what he would do when I announced that Derek and I had gotten married. "When did you get so wise?" I asked, unable to keep back my smile.

"My mom has had her moments," he replied brightly. I laughed, and he grinned. I should've known that he would find a way to make me laugh. He always found a way to make me feel better. "Knock 'em dead, Emily." He said, brushing my hair out of my eyes. I got out of the car and headed up onto the sidewalk, but paused at the door. I turned around to see him still sitting there, waiting for me to get into the safety of the shop before he drove away. Feeling a little whimsical, I blew him a kiss. He raised a hand to catch it, gave me a devilish grin, and then backed out of the space and headed down the street. I watched him go, unable to hide the smile on my face, and then stepped into the shop.

I wondered if it was just me, but it almost felt like the atmosphere was different. The shop looked exactly the same as it did when I last saw it. The pianos were in their nook, the guitars in theirs, and the drums in theirs. My mom's office door was propped open, as was the storage room. From there, I could hear the clattering noise that told me that Xavier was probably back their fixing my mother's rearranging. Again.

My eyes scanned over the shop until I realized what was different. Behind the desk, sitting in my chair, was a cute little redhead with a smattering of freckles and bright green eyes. "Hi," she said brightly. "Can I help you with something?" She asked. I just stood there, blinking at her. She obviously didn't know who I was, and I had no clue who she was. So why was she sitting in the chair that very clearly had my name written on it. I didn't remember there being a clause on it: "Emily's Butt Only, but only if she's here." Wrong.

I knew it was ridiculous to get all worked up by a chair. In fact, it was childish and immature. I was an engaged, almost perfectly healthy nineteen-year-old, and I was getting upset that she was sitting in my chair. Still, that didn't stop me from narrowing my eyes at her. She stood up, obviously unaware of the tension I felt, and I caught a glimpse of her nametag. So this was the Debbie that my mother had hired to replace me. I cringed inwardly.

"Nope," I said briskly. "I think I can handle everything just fine." I told her. She stopped at the edge of the desk, looking a bit confused. I walked right past her and pushed open mom's office door a little wider. Of course, she was holed up behind her desk, eyes glued to the screen. There was a faint popping sound as she made a match of three or more on her bubble shooter. I collapsed into the chair, and only then did she seem to notice my arrival.

"Emily!" She exclaimed, a smile breaking out on her face. Mom was over the rainbow that I'd gotten most of my hearing returned. I knew that she was being obnoxious about it to her customers and her employees, but for some reason it didn't occur to me that it was going to spill over into everything, like her office, which was uncharacteristically tidy. "It's good to see you again."

Without speaking, I quickly signed out, "She's in my chair."

Mom cocked an eyebrow at me. "Honey, it's a chair. Don't be so upset about it. It's a little unbecoming." The edges of her mouth turned down, and for the first time, I noticed the marks of age on my mother's face. Her hip reddish lipstick was feathering a little on her lips, and there were tiny lines at the edges of her mouth and her eyes. "Besides, you don't have to sign anymore."

"I like signing," I stated out loud. "And it's still my chair. It has my name on it." She gave me a pointed look, and I turned my gaze away. So what if I wanted to act like a kid? I didn't like the feeling that was coursing through me. Mom was slowly starting to replace me, I realized. I'd moved out, and she acted like I was someone other than myself. I quit spending all day at the shop, and she hired a peppy redhead to take over my unofficial shift. What was next? Was she going to start renting out my bedroom to tortured artists? Or was she going to suggest that I leave to go to school in some faraway place?

My phone buzzed with an incoming text. I ignored it. Moments later, I felt Derek poking around the edges of my mind. I started talking to him before he could uncover the reason for my unease himself. Mom's replacing me, I told him softly. She hired someone else, and she's allowed to sit in my chair.

I could feel Derek sighing in my mind. His voice was soft because we were so far away from each other, but his presence was still easy enough to detect. It's okay, Emily. It's a part of growing up. Your mom still loves you the same. And if you really want, you and I can steal the chair. We'll put it in our bedroom.

I stifled a laugh. At least he didn't say outright that I was being stupid for getting so worked up about a chair. I decided to act like an adult and let it go. It was just my pride that was being hurt, I guess. Xavier used to pretend that the rolling chair was my throne, and mom had even played along. But Debbie didn't know that, so I shouldn't act like she was making some big statement against me.

Derek eventually slipped away and I was left alone in my own mind. Mom didn't say anything and neither did I. Instead, I looked at the pictures she had everywhere. I couldn't remember when most of these were taken, but it had been when I was younger. Before my parents divorced, mom had had the camera with her everywhere. She continued the habit for a little while afterwards, but eventually the camera was no longer the first thing she reached for when we left the house. I didn't really lament the loss of it that much; I had always hated taking pictures, though my mom used to coo that I was so photogenic. I didn't see it.

As the clock continued to tick in what was an almost annoying beat, I heard a male voice say something to Peppy Debbie. It was clearly a male's voice, though it was higher than Derek's, and softer. The voice alone sounded easy, like someone that would be fun to hang out with and would always manage to keep a calm head. And despite the fact that I'd never actually heard his voice, I knew that it was Xavier. It just sounded like him, like that was the voice I'd given him in my own head, if that made any sense.

I wanted to jump up and go say hi to him. I wanted to apologize for not telling him, and for saying that there was really nothing ever between us. I still thought that I was partially right. We had never been exclusive. It was more like we were… experimenting with each other, and by doing that, we'd put our friendship into a very awkward situation. I didn't want to call it a friends with benefits type of thing, because we weren't like that, but we weren't a couple, and we weren't just friends or best friends. We were something new altogether. And then Derek stepped in, and we were no more. I hoped that he would move on, but even as I sat there in my mom's office, I heard the soft way he spoke to Debbie, like there was something there, and I was equally saddened and elated.

Moments later, he poked his head around the corner, mouth already opened to say something, and his eyes landed on me. He froze, and so did I. We were both starting to look over one another. For some reason, I thought that he was going to look different, but he didn't. He was still the same old Xavier, with his glasses, ironic t-shirt and skinny tie combo, gray jeans, and high tops. The only real thing that was different was his facial expression. Instead of looking at me like he was glad to see me, he looked shocked to see me sitting there, as if he'd thought I'd moved out of town.

"Hi," I blurted after a good long awkward moment. He blinked, and I continued to ramble, like I was prone to when I got nervous. I was also painfully aware of the fact that I started running my thumb over the Ace tattoo on my wrist, my nail lightly tracing Derek's name. "I got my hearing back. Well, most of it. Not all of it. I still can't hear really high-pitched sounds. Which, now that I think about it, is probably why I haven't heard any squeaky door hinges."

This time even mom gave me a look that said I needed to shut up and just apologize. "Xavier," I said, lifting my hands as if they would explain everything for me. But I didn't sign, and instead just sat there for a moment. Finally, I managed to force out, "I'm sorry." He'd managed to say the same thing at the same time. I couldn't help but smile, and he met my grin with one of his own.

"Ms. Bryson," Debbie said suddenly, standing next to Xavier and trying to peek over his shoulder. "I'm leaving. Jimmy has me set for the afternoon shift at the coffee shop. Do you want me to bring you guys anything while I'm on break?"

"No, thank you, Debbie," she replied. Debbie nodded, her smile still plastered to her face. She whispered a soft goodbye to Xavier, and then she was gone. I couldn't help but watch her go. It was a good thing, I thought, if she and Xavier got involved. The two of them might be perfect for each other. And if Xavier could get his mind off of me and focus on someone else, our friendship might be healed. It already seemed like it was well on its way, but maybe it needed a final push that only Peppy Debbie could supply.

"Well," I said, "I should probably get out there." Mom nodded, and I stepped out into the shop, placed my bag under the desk, and booted up the computer. I tamped down on the little burst of anger when I realized that Debbie had rearrange my icons, which I moved back into their rightful place. Hopefully she would get the message and would realize that even though I didn't throw a fit about her sitting in my chair, I might not hesitate to complain about her messing with my carefully organized computer.

Xavier followed me and leaned against the counter, like he used to. The fact that just apologizing had started to heal the rift made me smile. He really was my friend, and not just a guy that wanted me for secret kisses in the back room. "So," he said conversationally. He looked a little at a loss for words. I could understand. What do you say to someone you thought wouldn't ever get the chance to hear you? "I'm glad you got your hearing back. Your mom keeps saying that you're her miracle."

"So I've heard. Before long, people I don't even know will be aware of the fact that once-deaf Emily Bryson can hear again. Not that it really matters in the long run," I shrugged. "But I guess for us, it really is something special." Xavier smiled at me, and we continued talking.

Half of my shift had passed before someone came in and Xavier stepped off to the side. The moment he was gone, I eyed the sign I'd put up saying that I was deaf. I reached out and began to peel at the tape, ignoring the sound of the bell. I didn't have the urge to check the security screen underneath the counter repeatedly, since I could hear the bell, now. Ripping the sign off of the top of the counter, I leaned down to toss it in the trash can, and when I sat up, someone was standing at the counter.

When I realized who it was, I almost jumped out of my chair and told her to get out, because she wasn't supposed to be lingering around. Derek had told me that the Visionary's rival clan had done some pretty awful things to her, which came out during the last reunification. Apparently, they'd kidnapped her, drugged her, and tortured her by leaving her in a darkened, dirty well for hours on end. They chased her in her dreams, and attempted to kill her later on. I couldn't see my once best friend doing that to me, but Bailey was a rival now, and that meant that I couldn't trust her. Aces were bound by family, and if Bailey's family hated mine, she was supposed to hate me and I was supposed to hate her. I didn't like it, but it would be the most cautious path to take.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed, searching for Xavier. If she tried to do something to me, Xavier might be able to help me until Derek got there to swoop in like my knight in shining armor. My entire body was tense as she looked me up and down. The last time she had seen me, Derek and I were newly ascended. I left my hands out on top of the corner, wrists turned a little outward. At first, I'd been shy that all of the other Aces could see that I'd mutualized with Derek by the tattoo on my skin, but now I was proud of it, since every imprinted Ace I'd met had one. Her eyes locked in on it, and then she looked up to meet my gaze.

"I have a proposal for you," she said softly. For a split second, she looked like the Bailey I remembered from when we were little kids. I'd been the outgoing one, and she'd been the shy one. I'd seen remnants of that girl in her eyes for just a moment, and then they hardened and she glanced away. "Meet me at the club Derek's band played at last at ten tonight. Bring Derek. And please, don't tell anyone else. I'm not doing this because I'm trying to attack you or whatever. I just… I need to offer a proposal, and that's all."

I looked into her eyes, trying my best to see if she was telling the truth. I knew there was a way of finding out if what she was saying was real, but it would require using my abilities to find out. While I wasn't partial to using them against someone else, I would rather find out if Bailey was lying. She had no idea what my ability was, so she didn't know how to block me, if there was a way. My decision was made almost before I realized it. My hand reached out to grab a hold of her wrist. Her eyes shot to me, and for a fraction of a second, I saw fear flash in her eyes. It was almost enough to make me let go, but I remembered that I was doing this to protect not only myself but Derek as well, so I held on tight.

"Tell me: are you telling the truth?" I asked. Bailey stood there, her eyes glued to mine. I could feel the way my ability was pressing against her, invading her mind in a way that wasn't welcoming in the least. I didn't release her in case I needed to ask a follow-up question.

"Yes," she answered.

"Be truthful. Is there any danger awaiting Derek or me tonight if we go to meet you? Have you told anyone of your plans?"

"No danger," she said quietly. "I haven't told anyone. They'd hate me if I told them." I could see in her eyes that she was sincere, and since I'd compelled her to tell the truth, I had to trust in her. Or, rather, I had to trust in my ability. Derek would be proud of me when I told him.

"Okay. I'll talk to Derek. If we're not there by 10:15, we're not showing up." I told her seriously. I wanted to make it extremely clear that she was not going to pull the wool over my eyes. Even though she hadn't told anybody yet, and she hadn't had an ambush set in place, there was still plenty of time between now and then to do those things. I wasn't stupid. I'd seen the latest action movies, even though I'd had to read the subtitles.

She nodded. "I hope to see you then." With that, she turned and left the store. I watched her go, watched her walk until I couldn't see her anymore, and then I looked at Xavier. He hadn't noticed in the least. I couldn't decide if that was good or bad.

# # #

I was right, Derek was proud of me for thinking to use my ability. He agreed with me, though, that Bailey could've been truthful then and gotten things lined up after he left. But he took her seriously, which was something that I wasn't sure if I would see. I figured that he might be, because he would do anything to protect me, and Bailey was a rival to us. Any threat made by her should be taken seriously. But then, it wasn't a threat, and since she seemed to be acting out aside from her family, it could've just been a joke to her. She could've just been trying to scare us into an uproar. I wasn't sure, and neither was he, and we weren't too eager to try it out.

In the end, Derek and I decided to go to the meeting, but we would be ready. The only ascended significants in Bailey's family were adults, who we would see coming. Bailey had said to meet in the band's alley, where Derek and the guys had parked just the other day. It was open on both ends, and since Derek and I had our abilities, we were fairly confident in the fact that we would be able to get away if we were ambushed. Besides, I thought, making an attempt to do something to us would probably end up badly. Distantly, the Visionary and I were somewhat related, and I'd heard that she didn't take too kindly to families beating up on one another. If Bailey's family did do anything against us, Derek and I were confident that the Visionary would do whatever she could to punish them.

Still, the thought alone didn't quell our nerves as we neared the band alley. It was just a little after ten, so the alleys were empty and the clubs were just starting to fill up. There would be plenty of people to call to for help if we needed it. I wondered if Bailey had chosen this place just because of that, like maybe we'd feel like it was more real if it was in a public area. My fingers were weaved with Derek's, calming thoughts being pushed from one to the other as we drew closer.

Derek pulled into the alley. Bailey was already there, wearing a hooded jacket. The car headlights spotlighted her, and she straightened up as we opened our doors. I looked around, my eyes scanning the roof as I climbed out of Derek's door, unwilling to let go of him even to get out of the car. We stood against the Trans Am. I felt a little safer with it at my back.

"What did you call us out here for, Bailey?" Derek asked. He didn't sound stressed out in the least. He sounded confident. As my thought reached him, his hand squeezed mine. I should've trusted that he had this under control.

Bailey stepped forward, just a step, but enough that Derek and I tensed a little more. "I can't keep you two a secret from my family. They'd want to know, and I could get in trouble for keeping it a secret. They'll find out at the next reunification, and if they hear that I've known all along, they'll be mad that they didn't already know. We're supposed to know everything about each other, remember? We're supposed to be enemies."

"I'm well aware of the circumstances surrounding our families." Derek replied in a clipped tone. "But what, exactly, are you proposing?"

Bailey looked up to meet us, and I was shocked to see tears in her eyes. "Sometimes I've looked at my family, and I haven't exactly been happy with what I've seen. They're not the best of people," she said softly. "My aunt used to be a Watson," she added, "and she was furious when they were stripped of their abilities. My family doesn't forgive discretions against them. I've heard that the Visionary and her significant have been traveling the world. I kind of want out," she said. "My proposal is that I won't tell my family about you two, and when they find out I'll do my best to keep them away from you. In return, I want your help. If I ever come to you needing assistance to get away, you have to promise to help me."

What do you think? I asked, pushing my thought towards Derek.

I'm not sure what to think. She's right about Maggie and Caleb choosing to stray away from the usual traditions of the Aces. And maybe she does want to get away from them. Even when we were kids, she always seemed nice enough. We weren't allowed to be friends, but I used to wish that I could at least talk to her.

She was nice when I was friends with her, I replied, at least, until the accident where I lost my hearing. Sometimes I wonder if her parents made her ignore me. They were never the nicest people. We both sat there silently for a little while. I got a glimpse of Bailey when we were in elementary school, except she was wearing a dress that I'd never seen, in a huge dining room that I'd never laid eyes on. I figured that it must've been a scene from one of the reunifications that she and Derek had attended when they were children. So what do we do?

Honestly? I think she's being truthful. We haven't been attacked. As long as she upholds her end of the deal, we can promise to uphold ours. Mom and dad might be a little upset at first, but they'll probably see that it's the wise move in the long run. His thumb smoothed over the back of my hand.

He stepped forward a little. "Alright, Bailey, you've got yourself a deal. But Emily and I will only agree to it if you promise to try your best to keep your family away from us. And remember, Maggie doesn't look kindly on those that attack others in the sake of the family name." He raised an eyebrow at her, and Bailey nodded.

"I'm aware of where the Visionary stands," she said softly. "Thank you. I wanted to insure that I would have a way out. My parents could cut off my account, and they might be able to track me or something. I don't know if my family will ever get their imprints back, but I know that I don't fit in with them the way they want me to."

Derek nodded. Bailey gave us a half-hearted smile, and then she tugged on her jacket hood and disappeared to the other end of the alley. Derek and I watched her go, and when she was out of sight, we turned to look at each other.

"Well," I said, "I wasn't expecting that."

"Neither was I," Derek replied. "But I guess that if I looked hard enough, I might've seen it coming. She never really was like her parents or her cousins." He mused. He looked down at me and grinned. "I think we've actually done a good thing. We can go home and tell my parents about the deal. They'll support us, I'm sure of it. And besides that," he lowered his voice and leaned closer to me, our breath mingling together, "we've got a wedding to finish planning."

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