I've rediscovered Taxi over the last few months and after reading through my old stories, I wanted to revisit this one I wrote in 2012. It was one of my all-time favorite fanfictions to write and I enjoyed it just as much this time around. I'm keeping the original story up for memories (...and for any other poor soul coming into the Taxi fandom only to find a lack of content...) but this version has some major differences from the first. Overall the plot is the same but I've extended/added some parts and condensed/removed others. Eight more years of writing experience have helped, too... I hope you enjoy it!
"Well, it looks like you may be stuck with me."
"Yeah, I guess I am… and you know what? I love it."
It'd been nearly a year since that disaster of a dinner… Arnie's nerves as he met Jennifer and Jason for the first time, Jennifer and Jason turning into little monsters as he bribed their affections… Elaine was sure she'd made a terrible mistake. How the night ended with hints of a future with this man still baffled her.
Arnie wasn't her dream man. Far from it – at least in the sense of the kind of man she saw herself with. He was the exact opposite of her ex-husband and her usual pick. He wasn't tall with strapping good looks. He was a timid, average-looking man give or take a few inches. He was nervous yet full of courage when he set his mind to it. Their first date had her thrown for a loop, especially hearing Simka saw him as the man she was destined to be with. She wasn't sure then. What is the response to respond to a guy who blatantly admits to wondering what she looks like naked and broken over the fact he isn't rich enough to attract her? Run came to mind, yet, there was an endearing quality. Now? It was hard to say.
She loved him, that much was certain. His awkward jokes saved themselves for appropriate times and his guard had dropped immensely. It was a different kind of love and attraction than she was used to, though. He didn't sweep her off her feet, but there was substance. They could talk, they could joke, he cared deeply for her as well as her kids. Fiery romances didn't often come with these. The longer she was with Arnie, the less she longed for whirlwind affairs.
He was a good man. And, she decided, it was time to allow herself someone decent.