Yes, yes, I know that I am terrible, but here's a very, very, very short chapter in place of the several weeks that I have gone without updating. No empty promises this time, folks, because I am on winter holiday and I am a writing machine. Look forward to a couple updates from eithe story this holiday season (if you were all nice and not naughty, that is).
Anywho, enjoy, review, and Happy Holidays!
"You know, I feel kind of bad for Matilda," Miranda said softly as she took a bite out of a muffin she'd bought from the hotel's restaurant. Charlotte nodded slowly and lit a cigarette. "I mean, she must've been through some really hard times and she must've really, really loved George to stick with him this long. The break-up must be tearing her apart."
"Yeah," Charlotte agreed. "I couldn't imagine that. If some bloke knocked me up and tried to skate out or something, I'd kick his arse from here to Wales. She's an angel for sticking around so long with him."
"Mhm. I guess we should get back before the kids do," Miranda said. Charlotte nodded again and stubbed out her cigarette before they made their way back to the suite.
"Astrid, I want that!" Allie said marvelously. She pointed at the leggy and well-endowed doll that sat on the shelf. Astrid looked at in questioningly.
"Dear, don't you think it's a little old for you?" she asked. Allie shook her head quickly. "And you're sure that you want this one?"
"Oh, yes!' she said eagerly. "She's perfect!" Astrid shrugged and plucked the doll off of the shelf to hand it to Allie. She squealed happily and hugged the doll's plastic encasement to her chest. Leo quickly picked out a popular, state of the art yo-yo that all of his friends had. Once their purchases were made, the children happily skipped along the sidewalk together while Astrid kept a watchful eye on them.
When they arrived back to their hotel, the party was in full swing. Pink decorations decked the entire floor, compliments of the very kind hotel staff. Allie ran into the suite and crashed into George's legs. He looked down at her as she excitedly shoved the box in his face.
"Daddy, look!" she chirped. "Astrid got her for me! Isn't she so pretty?" George nodded silently and John took a look over his shoulder, emitting a low whistle.
"Now, there's a bird for the books," he leered. George nudged him in the ribs.
"She's only four, son," George mumbled.
"Five!" she giggled excitedly. "I'm five today!"
"That's right, baby," John said as he scooped her up. He noticed that George was giving Matilda terribly guilty looks from across the room. "And we're gonna party, aren't we?"
"Yup!"she twittered. "We'll have lots of fun and we'll eat cake-,"
"And open your presents," Ringo teased. Allie nodded seriously.
"Yes," she said stoically. "That's the most important part." She wiggled out of John's arms and ran over to Ringo. "Do you think Mat and Leo will stay to see me open them?" Allie was carefully informed that Matilda and Leo were leaving after her birthday dinner.
"Yep," he said. "But to be sure, let's open them now!" Allie clapped and ran over to her pile of gifts. Mat brought out her cake as everyone 'Happy Birthday' to her. She beamed with joy and blew out her candles in one breath.
"Time for presents!" Allie cheered. Ripping into her presents, she soon discovered that she had received an easy bake oven, a play kitchen set, a pink pedal car, a ballerina outfit, two new baby dolls, a bike (which George promised to teach her to ride), and a signed picture of Elvis. She squealed and held the picture to her heart.
"You like them?" George asked.
"Love 'em," she grinned. She hugged everyone and said thank you many times over. Soon, Mat called George into the hallway.
"Our plane leaves earlier than we expected," she said emotionlessly. "We won't be here for Allie's dinner."
"And there's no way that I can convince you to stay?" he asked, his eyes drifting down to her stomach.
"No. Take care of her right, or someone else will," she threatened. She had Leo say goodbye to Allie and hugged the child herself. Allie did not know that this may have been the last time she saw Matilda or Leo.
"Bye, Al! Happy birthday!" Leo called.
"Bye, Leo! Bye, Mat! I love you!" she said back. Matilda bit back tears as she towed her son and their suitcases down the hallway. George watched them disappear.
"So what's for dinner?" Paul asked.
"Whatever you and Allie want!" Miranda said.
"Only the best," Brian agreed. The group of ten went to an elegant restaurant near Hyde Park. Allie wore a new dress that her grandmother had sent for her birthday. George, having no distractions but his mind, gave Allison all of his attention. She talked about Alphonse and Pru and her nan and granddad.
"How is your nan?" he asked.
"Oh, she's fine! She said that her bones are getting old and Granddad said to always tell her that she looks like she's twenty-five. I do that and it makes her smile. Oh! And she said she misses you and to please come home and visit," she rambled.
"Alright," he said simply. As he nodded, the waitress came out with their food. His eyes instantly gravitated toward her. She had sun-kissed blonde hair that fell a little past her shoulders, dark green eyes rimmed with dark blue, thick lashes, and full pink lips. Her cheeks turned pink as she smiled at everyone at the table, hustled to deliver the food, and kept up witty conversation.
"Sorry, what's your name?" Brian asked.
"Emily," the lady said sweetly. "Emily Ambard."
"Well, Miss Ambard, your service is impeccable. Look for a compliment and a tip from our table and please expect our future business." Her eyes lit up as he handed her a hundred pound note.
"Why, thank you Mr. Epstein!" she exclaimed. He smiled and Emily seemed to sense George gaze on her. As she turned, he quickly averted his eyes to Allie as she talked about how she wanted to start taking a ballet class. "I'll be right out with the drinks."
"Allie," George said as Emily disappeared. "What do you think of her?" She took a forkful of food and pondered.
"She's really pretty," she mused. "She looks like my doll!"
"She is a really pretty girl, isn't she?" he asked. Allie nodded quickly.
"Yep!"George continued to watch Emily as she gave each drink to their owner without having to ask who had which. She came to Allie and set her juice in front of her.
"For the birthday girl, a Shirley Temple," she winked. "That's my favorite." Allie smiled shyly.
"And what about mine?" George asked flirtatiously as she set his Captain and Coke next to his plate. She examined him quickly with her suddenly interested sharp eyes and smirked slightly.
"My second favorite." She brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes and walked back into the bar. Her white blouse was loose and tucked into her skirt. The black skirt stopped above her knee and the rest of her long, shapely legs were covered in black stockings and grey pumps. She could feel George's gaze on her as she walked away.
"Daddy," Allie frowned. She had lost her father's brief attention and was none too pleased.
"What?"
"I said, do you think Mat and Leo will be back in time for breakfast tomorrow?"
"No," he said coldly. "I don't think we'll see them anymore, sweetheart." Her eyes went wide.
"But why not, Daddy?" she asked frantically. "They're ours, we can't lose them!" George wiped her wet eyes and kissed her warm, red cheek.
"I'm sorry, love," he sighed. "But sometimes things don't work out the way we want them to." Emily sashayed beck into the room with biscuits and the bill. George didn't take his eyes off of her and she knew it. He slipped her a fifty pounder with his hotel room phone number on it. She glanced at it, beamed with her pearly white teeth, and folded it up with the rest of her tips.
George, as quickly as it may have been, was moving on. He had felt the fire dying between Matilda and himself and he couldn't have denied it even if he wanted to. As he looked at Emily's eyes, so young and free of preconceived notions, he couldn't help but think that it may be time to start something new.
As he picked Allie up and left the restaurant, he spotted a fountain. He gave her a coin to make a wish on. He made a wish as well. He wished for a new start.
Closing his eyes, he tossed in the gift he'd bought for Matilda.
A diamond engagement ring.
