November 4
Ed and Eddy left this morning, We had a great time. I've given a lot of thought to Eddy's request and I am currently trying to decide on the best way to go. Nana Sophia tells me the best thing, is whatever makes me happiest. That seems to be the most popular answer. Not that I don't trust Nana, I do, but I also asked Mother for advice and got the same reply. ,
"You do what's best for you baby. It's your life and you are the one that has to live it." She told me. The problem is, I love New York, but it isn't home. To go home however, is to leave all of it behind for a second time. I know it sounds a little crazy. I've grown very attached to Nana. I appreciate everything she's done for me. Thanks to her, I am not as shy as I once was. I am able to go onto a stage and be more comfortable speaking to the audience.
Nana says she wants me to follow my heart. What happens though when your heart is torn between two places? Must life's choices be so difficult? I know, I know it's part of growing up and no one ever said it would be easy. I think I know what I must do. I'll talk to Nana about it this evening. Right now, my studies await.
November 7
I can't believe I did this. A part of me feels so guilty about this decision. But in the end, I know I made the right one. If for some reason it isn't, well there's no turning back now. Still, in the back of my mind the what ifs have begun to plague me. Oh dear, I mustn't torture myself this way! I can't believe how nervous I'm getting, it isn't as though I've never done this before. Get a hold of yourself Double D! The clock ticks down to the moment that is the cause of this particular anxiety episode. I mean how bad could it possibly be? Neo is beside me, taking at least some of the stress off. But I know the out come of what I'm about to do.
2:15pm
Time may fly when you're having fun but it sure crawls when you have anxiety. Come on, ring now. I try to will the bell to do what I want. Here's hoping everything works out for the best.
While I wait, I might as well report that Mother's wedding plans are really coming along. I simply can't wait, it is very exciting. Jack and Melody have married already. I was surprised when She called me. I missed their 'big day' you see, scheduling conflict.
"Eddward, I wanted you to know that Jack and I are very proud of your accomplishments and wish you all the best." she said during a very brief conversation, in which she explained how Jack was slightly disappointed but understood why I had to miss. Melody and I have begun to talk more and she can be a nice lady when she wants to be. I wished her the same and that was the end of it. I could hear Jack grumbling in the background but couldn't make out any intelligent speech.
I also have been talking with Vince who has made a promise to me that once he and Mother are married, He wants to make it easier for her to spend time with me. I would very much like to see more of her.
"it's important for a boy to have time with his Mother" he said over the phone.
" We can't wait to see you Son, Your mom and I miss you very much." It's good to feel like I have a father in Vince. Heaven knows Jack hasn't been doing much in that department. Poor Melody, I hope she has better luck.
2:30
Counting down the minutes, my anxiety is slowly turning to excitement. I'd better get moving if I'm going to do this as planned.
I was worried for nothing. My plan was perfect. The result? Even better. You see what happened was, after having a talk with Nana We decided that although we would miss each other, I should come home and so I have. Before I did however I wanted to bring a little bit of my vacation to my friends. I did several odd jobs and I had money from the theater for helping out with the lighting and sound on stage before rehearsals.
You would be surprised by the amount one can earn doing such jobs in the big city. Nana gave me some money also, as a birthday gift. Though my birthday isn't for sometime, she said she wanted me to have it. I bought Jimmy and Sarah each a snow globe and a new princess hat and crown.
For May, I was tempted to get her many different things but settled on a really beautiful 13 carat blue topaz and diamond bracelet. (Nana actually had the money for it, I picked it out and worked it off. )
"An investment in our future "Nana called it. I could hardly wait to see the look on her face when she opened it. I had decided not to tell anyone, not even Mother and Vince of my arrival. I wanted it to be a complete surprise. I waited to great Ed and Eddy outside of the school. I knew they would be more than glad to see me but everyone else I wasn't so confident. After all Jimmy was clearly hurt by my absence.
I met up with Jimmy and Sarah before anyone else and gave them their gifts. They were overjoyed and I received a hug from both of them.
"are you straying now?" Jimmy asked cautiously.
"Yes Jimmy, I came home to stay for a while, if you still want me to." His eyes lit up again
"Stay, you have to stay." He shouted. After a small conversation I learned that Ed was going to walk them home and was invited to join them. I accepted. How could I not?
I showed them the bracelet for May and they agreed that she would love it.
"She's real lucky, she got you Double D. That was really nice of you. Sarah commented
"Well, thank you Sarah, I consider myself pretty lucky too. It's not every girl who can wait for someone that just disappears like I did."
"She must really like you a lot Double D. You must be something special." I was about to reply when finally the children began to file out of the front doors and I waited as Sarah and Jimmy ran to get Ed.
It was several moments before I heard the familiar voices of my fellow Eds followed by the rest of my friends.
"Knock it off Lumpy can't ya see that-"
"Double D, You came home!" Ed shouted grabbing Eddy and running toward me. For a moment I feared a harsh impact and readied myself, thankfully he stopped before the collision.
"Hey Sockhead, great to see ya man!" Eddy greeted and before I knew it I was surrounded by the neighborhood children all welcoming me back home.
"Thank you everyone, it's wonderful to be here. I've missed this place very much, and all of you of course. We'll have to catch up soon. It wasn't long at all before I heard Marie and Lee engaged in yet another argument.
"Shut up Lee, no one's askin' you" Marie growled
"Make me Marie!" Lee retorted. Behind them however looking quite upset was my Turtledove. Tears in her eyes as she walked slowly behind.
My heart was breaking, I noticed though that she still wore the necklace Nana had given her. She gripped it in her hand absentmindedly. The three sisters were walking toward us and Eddy must have seen my despair for he asked the group to part and walked over to greet Marie. He glanced over at me and I grabbed the box which contained May's gift and began to walk slowly over.
"What's wrong May, you've down all day" Eddy asked careful not to let on he knew of my presence.
"Eddy, it's real hard to be away from someone you love. Especially when you know in your heart that they're the one. I know we're young but I believe Double D's grandma when she said we'd be together. It's hard but I'll wait forever if I have to", I want Double D! She burst into fresh tears nearly hysterically. I had to tell her.
Instantly I was beside her and before she knew what was happening I pulled her into a hug.
"Don't cry Turtledove, Lamb chop is here now. I'm not leaving you like this again. I promise." I said holding her tighter, she leaned into me as she had so many times before.
"l-l-lamb ch-ch-chop, I missed you so much. I'm so happy you're back. I waited, like I promised and I would have gone an eternity!" She sobbed.
"I know May, and it was not at all fair for me to make you wait like this. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?" I said out of the corner of my eye I could see Eddy and Marie wiping away tears as well.
"Nothing to forgive. It was something you needed to do. The important thing is that you're here now and you didn't forget about me." I wasn't expecting her to say such a thing. I got her to stand upright and tipped her head up to look into my eyes. She needed to understand what I was about t say.
"May, I could never forget someone as wonderful and beautiful as you. You're a special person to put up with the things I've done over the course of a few months. Not every girl would wait for some selfish boy that just goes off and leaves her. You are truly a special person. I can't express to you how much you mean to me. Thank you May, for everything that you are and have given me." She leaned in again this time smiling.
"I love you so much Double D" She whispered.
"I love you too May, more than you know. Which is why-" I handed it to her. She was shocked. She looked at me amazed.
"What is this, you didn't- I mean you shouldn't have" I smiled encouraging her to look inside.
"Yes, I should have. You give me so much, and ask for nothing. You deserve the world May."
"Enough mush, open the thing already geez May, somethin' wrong with you?" Lee said irritated but Eddy and Marie remained silent, Eddy now holding Marie as she cried what I hoped were tears of joy for her sister.
"How come you never say those things to me Eddy?" Marie whimpered. Eddy gave me an evil glare and mouthed the words "Thanks a lot Romeo" I didn't react which only made Eddy more angry.
Get out of this one after all are you not 'the man with the plan? perhaps I'll feel guilty at a later point for a small bit of vengeance. I did mean everything I told May,
As the lid was removed I watched happily as her eyes sparked with delight.
"It's absolutely beautiful, will you put it on me?" She extended her wrist and I fastened it for her. Lee stood silent disbelieving what had happened and Eddy and Marie had walked away before Eddy could get into anymore trouble.
"I love it. I really love it." She turned to Lee.
"Look at this Lee, it sparkles." She teased.
"Yeah, sure, go get Marie and tell 'er we gotta get movin'"
"But Lee, I-" She turned to me.
"It's alright May, I'll see you soon." She nodded and kissed me before making her way over to Marie and Eddy.
"Look here Double D, I'm not gonna sit back and let you do this kind of thing to May again, she was crushed. You remember that promise?"
"Yes Lee, and I've admitted to being terribly wrong and I've seen the heart ache I've caused. Do with me as you must." I stood still as she drew her fist back as far as she could. I didn't flinch. I waited several moments but the pain never came.
"I saw the look in my sister's eyes, Because of that, I'm letting you go this time. Tread carefully pal, you're on thin ice with me, and no one's gonna save ya if you hurt her again." Lee stormed off. After returning home, I found the house still empty apart from Neo.
I couldn't wait to see Mother and Vince again and tell them all about my trip. I would also call Nana and talk with her. I found the recipe in the kitchen on the counter for the dinner Mother wanted to prepare for Vince that night and decided to surprise them and have it ready. I called Mother's phone to find out when to expect them.
"Hello, Anna speaking" Mother said in her usual semi- cheerful greeting.
"Good evening Mother, how are you?" I tried to stop myself from giggling ( I am terrible at hiding things sometimes)
"Fine Baby, missing you of course. How's the big Apple?"
"Oh, fine, I was just wondering if you and Vince were on your way home from work yet."
"Not until around nine, I have a special dinner planned for him tonight. I really wish you could be here to enjoy it with us." I could hear Mother sniffling.
"you had really amazing timing, I just stepped out on break." I giggled a little. This was not working out at all.
"Well, that is lucky then, would you tell Vince I said hello?" I requested.
"I sure will Sweetie" We talked for a while as I prepared dinner. It would be ready just in time for the two of them to walk in. I put dinner on to cook and set Neo's bowls in their usual place. I then turned my attention to the houses. I realized there was a few things to pick up and set to work. Before I knew it I was putting dinner on the table. I could hear the door open and voices talking.
"Vince, I just don't know, he's only a boy. He needs his mother. What if something terrible happens?" Mother said.
"Now, Anna, Eddward is a very intelligent boy, he is quite capable of looking after himself, young he maybe, but certainly capable." I felt a rush of gratitude to Vince for his comment.
"Have some faith in the boy." He added. Mother sighed
"it's not him I don't have faith in, it's everyone else that scares me." Mother said sadly. I had just put the last dish on the table when they became visible.
"Hello Mother, Vince, how are you?" I smiled. Mother wrapped me up into a hug and Vince gave me the usual greeting.
"We missed you so much Baby, The house hasn't been the same. I'm so happy you're home." It was then that she realized what I had been up to.
"Did you do all this, for us, Oh, look Vince he even cleaned the house." She gasped.
"Great job pal, you must have had a long day, doin' all this and everything. What a kid we have here Anna,we are the luckiest parents in the world to have Eddward." Vince hugged me also. We had a great dinner and I told them all about what I had done in the big city. Mother requested my help with the wedding arrangements and told me that May has been a big help also and She asked May to a part of it. There is so much to do. I'm afraid my journal will have to take a back seat to the wedding.
I simply won't have the time. Things are really looking up for us and at this moment in time it's great to be home.
A/N: Ladies and Gentlemen of Fanfiction, who have been so kind as to stick with this story, favor, follow, review or just read here and there. This is where we leave Double D's journal. On a happy note. I had planned a little more but I'm sure it's gone on long enough. I had originally planned a wedding entry and a big surprise followed possibly by one more story in the series. But I won't over whelm you with all that.
I'd just like to say a very big thank you to all who were part of this project. I really enjoyed writing this story. Thank you for sharing the experience with me.