A/N: Thanks for the reviews and such on the last chapter of this. This chapter comes from that of Marley's side, and sees her resuming her life in South Carolina, and what her life is now thus going to be from that point on.
As always any characters you do not recognize as that of Glee characters; and I will note that this person in the story is not the same one as from Glee, so please don't get them confused with one another. It is another character ultimately with the same name, and I just liking the name decided to go with it.
Anyway, thanks for reading; and you all know what to do at the end.
Love,
KJ xoxoxoxox
Chapter 15
Upon returning to South Carolina, and once again residing with for the short time whilst she looked for work, her parents; Marley found that of what her life was now, even though she was now that of a divorced woman, to be more satisfying then it had in the past number of years that she'd been living away from the state that she grew up in, and she did begin to wonder why she ever made the decision to stay in California once she had graduated from college. Knowing though that the experiences that she had gained whilst there, be it good or bad; she didn't dwell on that and instead looked to the future, and what her life now was, or was ultimately going to be. Most of which for the time being, included being that of an Aunt; to now not only Amelia, but also to the soon to be born baby that Kitty and Artie would be having, and for what she was almost giddy with the anticipation of, along with the rest of the family; and also extended family and friends, that were like family, to find out just what the two of them were having.
And with Brooke, who worked as a teacher in Gaffney; having been on the lookout as well for any jobs that may come up that Marley was able to take on; since unlike Kurt, who had planned his return to South Carolina and had found employment, unlike her which had been more of a last minute thing too late to near the end of the last school year; it was upon receiving a call from the older woman who was very much like another sister, considering the length of time that they had known one another; advising her that there was in the new school year going to be a position as a 3rd grade teacher at the same school she taught at, since the current teacher for that grade had to take an emergency leave of absence.
"Are you sure this is okay?" asked Marley, as she closed up the trunk of her car, and looked to Dylan, who had two of the three bags she had with her; and that held that of her clothes and some personal belongings. "I don't want to feel as if I am imposing on your family" she said, as Dylan looked to her shaking his head. "I'm sure I could find a small apartment to rent, whilst I work here"
"Firstly, you're not imposing at all" said Dylan, as he started to the front door. "And why pay rent on a place, when there is a perfectly good room here; with people you know and can talk with instead of being on your own"
"I just don't want to always be relying on people for stuff" said Marley, looking to him with a small smile. "It feels lately that is what I have done a lot of; and I don't want to have people feel as if they think I think I am living this privileged life or something, where everything I want or need, people do for me"
"No one would think that Marley" replied Dylan, shaking his head as they walked through the front door of the house he, Brooke, Savannah and Logan lived in. "And also as well, you know Brooke and I, and even Savs and Logie; we see you as family. So we are more than happy to have you stay with us, forever how long it is you need too"
"Okay" said Marley, with a nod. "Thank you, really" she said with a smile; as Savannah came running towards the entrance, yelling "Marley"; "I promise to be the best house guest ever" she said, and looked to the little girl, with a smile and placing her bag down to the ground, hugged the seven year old girl. "Hi Vanna"
"Hi" replied Savannah, as she hugged Marley back, and looked to her with a smile. "Mommy said you're staying with us"
"I am, yes" replied Marley, with a nod. "Is that okay with you?"
"Yeah, it's okay" said Savannah, with a nod also. "Cause you give awesome hugs, just like Aunt Mikki"
"Oh well see that" said Marley, with a smile to her. "That's because it's like this Kapowski family hug" she continued and Savannah looked to her with a laugh. "And you know what they are just the best hugs ever" Marley said, with a laugh and hugged the little girl in her arms, tightly; eliciting that of a laugh from her.
"So do we want to show Marley to the room, she will be staying in?" asked Dylan, looking to his daughter; and Savannah looked to him with a nod.
"That would be good" said Marley, with a smile to her older sisters, brother in law. "And I think I may need some help unpacking" she continued and looked to Savannah. "Know anyone who might be able to help me with that"
"I can" replied Savannah, with a nod. "I help Mommy all the time, put the groceries away"
"Well I am sure you will be an excellent help with me too" said Marley, with a smile; and headed upstairs with Dylan and also Savannah, to the room that she would be staying in whilst residing at that of the oldest Symthe brother's house, so that she was able to work at the school that was situated that of close by and not travel each day from two hours away, or even spend money on a place for rent for just her, forever how long the job might be that she was currently filling in on.
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With the school year starting, and Brooke and Marley carpooling in that of one car to Grassy Pond Elementary School, which was also the school that Savannah who was in the 2nd grade attended; Dylan on his way to work took Logan to the day care that he also attended, leaving Brooke and Marley to get to the school, which was that of a short ten minute drive from the house, in good time; and not go out of the way in the other direction to that of the day care location.
"Got to say I'm a little nervous" said Marley, as Brooke drove into the car parking lot of the school where the teachers would park; a little earlier than the time she'd usually get to school when working; so that Marley was able to get settled a little before all the children arrived before the new school year.
"Don't be" replied Brooke, looking to her with a smile. "You met with Derek, last week" she continued as she pulled into a parking space. "And he really liked you, and all the other teachers as well; when you meet them will think exactly the same thing" said Brooke as she turned off the engine of the car. "I honestly think it's impossible for anyone to hate you Marley"
"I hope that's true" replied Marley, with a small laugh; as the two of them removed their seat belts. "I'd hate for the parents and especially the children, who are expecting Carye, to think I am not up to teaching their children, and making that of my job really hard"
"They won't, I promise you" said Brooke as she opened her door and moved to back door behind that of her own, and opened it up, helping Savannah to unbuckle from the car seat that she still sat in.
"I hope you stay, Marley" said Savannah, as Brooke helped her daughter out of the car seat and to outside the car.
"Really, you hope I say?" asked Marley, going over to the other side; with her handbag, and also that of a small lunch she'd prepared to take as well; and looked to the little girl with a smile. "Why is that?"
"Because then you can be my teacher, next year" said Savannah, with a nod. "When I'm in 3rd grade:
"Well I would like that very much" replied Marley, with a smile to the young girl. "And I hope I am still here as well then, so that I can be that"
"Yeah" said Savannah, with a smile to her also; as Brooke locked up her car.
"So we will go to the staff room" said Brooke, looking to Marley; as they started towards the school buildings. "And put our lunches in the there" she continued as they walked up the stairs of the main building of the school. "Then we can get started on the day"
"Sounds like a plan" replied Marley, with a nod to the other woman, and the two of them along with Savannah, headed to the school building of Grassy Pond Elementary school where they both now worked.
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That same day, having started in the morning teaching that of the 3rd grade, and having the students immediately; and also thankfully, taking a liking to her; Marley headed to the staff room for the lunch period, and getting her lunch from the fridge where she'd placed it that morning, she sat at one of the tables, to start eating and also wait for Brooke; who had said that she would meet up with her to see how her first day was going.
Looking to her phone, and seeing that Kitty had messaged her; she laughed as she read over the messages from that of her sister, who seemed to now be over being pregnant and wanting that of hers and Artie's baby to finally be born, and going to text her sister back, she was interrupted by a male voice asking "Marley"; and she looked up to see the person who spoke standing near the table.
"Marley Kapowski" he said, with a laugh. "Wow, not at all who I was expecting to see here"
"Umm yeah, hi" replied Marley, looking to him; trying to figure out how this guy standing before her, knew her name. "I'm sorry, but do we know one another"
"Yeah" said the male with a laugh. "I didn't think you'd remember me though" he said looking to her with a smile; as Marley looked to him, shaking her head; the other male smiled. "We went to high school together"
"We did?" asked Marley, as the male nodded.
"May I sit?" he asked; and Marley also gave a nod; as the male sat in one of the vacant chairs at the table. "So you don't remember me, at all"
"No, I'm sorry" replied Marley, shaking her head; as the male laughed.
"Well we didn't run in the same social group" he replied. "Or even that of the same groups" he continued with a smile to her. "You were in the glee club and the drama club; and I was in the matheletes and science club"
"I'm sorry" said Marley, with a small smile to the guy before her. "But I am still trying to recall you"
"Okay" he replied, with a laugh. "We also had Hammersmith for history together, two years running" he continued with a smile. "We were in the same group for that assignment on the Boston Tea Party; and you and I, we did most of the work; since the rest of those working with us didn't want too"
"Mike Weaver" said Marley, finally getting the name of the person before her. "Wow, hi" she said with a laugh. "I'm so sorry, I didn't recognize you"
"That's fine" replied Mike, with a laugh. "It's been a long time" he said, with a smile to her. "And I guess I have changed a lot"
"You have, yes" said Marley, with a laugh also. "I remember you wearing glasses, and being really shy and quiet"
"Well the glasses went with that of contact lenses" he replied, with a smile to her. "And as for being shy and quiet; I remember you were as well" he said, as Marley nodded. "But I guess as I got older I got more confident"
"Yes" said Marley, with a nod. "Same here, I got a bit more confidence" she continued. "But still every now and then, I do become that shy quiet high school girl"
"Same here" replied Mike with a laugh. "Well shy guy, more than shy girl" he continued as Marley laughed also. "But you know what I mean"
"I do" replied Marley, with a nod. "So you're a teacher here?"
"I am, yeah" said Mike with a nod. "And I did not realize that someone I once went to high school with, was a teacher here also"
"Well it's only as of like two weeks ago" replied Marley, with a smile to him. "Last minute substitute for that of Cayre"
"Her father had a heart attack" said Mike; and Marley looked to him with a nod.
"He did" she replied; as Mike nodded. "She's gone to Florida, to be with him"
"And you're now taking her class until she returns" said Mike; with Marley looking to him with a smile.
"I am, yes" she replied.
"Well welcome to Grassy Pond" said Mike with a laugh. "And if you need someone to show you the ropes around here" he continued with a smile. "You know who to ask"
"Thank you" replied Marley, with a smile. "That's sweet of you" she continued. "So what do you teach here? What grade?"
"6th grade" replied Mike, with a nod. "Although I did for a while teach the 2nd grade as well, before that"
"I'm 3rd grade" said Marley, with a nod also. "But I am guessing, you already knew that"
"I did" replied Mike with a laugh; as Brooke came over to the table, having gotten her own lunch from the table and sitting in a chair next to Marley; and they both looked to her. "Hey Brooke"
"Hi" she replied, and looked to him and then to Marley. "Not interrupting anything here, am I"
"No not at all" replied Marley, looking to her with a laugh. "Mike and I were just talking"
"Yeah, and as fate would kind of have it" said Mike, with a smile to Marley and then looked to Brooke. "We actually already know one another"
"You do?" asked Brooke, looking between the two of them. "How is that?"
"High school" replied Marley, with a small laugh. "We went there together" she continued, looking to Brooke with a small smile. "And we've just been talking, catching up; or well at least we were until you rocked up"
"Oh, well I am so sorry to have crashed this little party" said Brooke, with a smile to Marley, and then looked to Mike with a laugh. "I'll just go elsewhere, and let you two continue; talking"
"Bee, you don't have to do that" said Marley, with a laugh. "It's fine really" she continued with a smile. "Stay"
"Okay" replied Brooke, with a nod, and then looked to Mike. "So you're a Greer High boy, huh?"
"Umm yeah I am" said Mike, with a nod also and looking to her. "How do you and Marley know one another?"
"We've known one another for over ten years now" said Marley, with a laugh.
"Hmm, we have" said Brooke, with a nod and laugh also. "Wow, hard to think it's been that long" she continued looking to Marley, who also nodded; and then looked back to Mike. "But how we do know one another is through my husband's younger brother, and her oldest sister; who are married to one another now; and since they have been together for that of over ten years, and I by that time when they started dating, was engaged to my husband who is Marley's sister's husband's brother, we've kind of just being in each other's lives since"
"Yeah okay" replied Mike, with a laugh. "As if that isn't a head full to get around" he continued with a smile. "So that would make you in a way kind of sister in laws, but not really by that of what is perceived by that of technical terms to be that"
"Kind of like that, yeah" said Marley, with a nod. "And regardless of what label you could put to it; we do see one another as family"
"Well I should think so" replied Brooke, with a laugh. "Since you are staying at my place, whilst you're working here"
"Yes" replied Marley, and looked to Brooke with a laugh also. "You know I think of you, as that another older sister" she continued and Brooke nodded. "The one who doesn't give me hell like that of my real sisters"
"Oh you stay with me and Dyl, long enough" replied Brooke, with a laugh. "And I can promise you that you will not be saying that" she continued with a smile, and then looked to Mike. "So you two were friends in high school then?"
"Not exactly" replied Mike, shaking his head and looking to Marley with a smile and who in turn, slightly blushed. "We knew of one another, but weren't exactly friends"
"Huh" said Brooke, with a laugh. "Now why does that sound so familiar to me" she said, looking to Marley with a smile. "Sounds very much like that of my other brother in law and his wife"
"Yes" replied Marley, with a laugh also; and continued to talk with both Brooke and Mike, until it was time to return to the classes that they taught.
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Having survived the first week as a 3rd grade teacher, Marley after speaking with Mike on the Friday, agreed to have coffee with him on the Saturday morning; more so that they were able to talk more in depth and catch up more with what the other had been doing since they left high school.
Seated at the coffee shop in Gaffney, that Mike had suggested to her; and replying back to a message from Kitty, who was now four days overdue to have hers and Artie's baby; Mike who had gotten to the shop and since lined up to grab his coffee, with Marley having got their a little before he had; sat down at the table opposite her.
"Everything okay?" asked Mike, as he took a sip of his freshly made coffee and looking to Marley as she typed on her phone.
"It's fine" replied Marley, with a nod. "Still nothing on the baby front with Kitty, and the doctors have told her now if it doesn't happen by the end of Sunday; that they will induce labor for her"
"It isn't best to let nature though run its course with that?" asked Mike, as Marley sent the message and placed the phone next to her on the table.
"Yes and no" she replied, looking to him. "It can be in a way best to do that; but also as well it could also prove to later complications" she continued as she picked up her own coffee and took a sip. "So I guess better to be safe"
"Yes" said Mike, with a nod. "And if I remember Kitty, like I do from high school; then patient isn't a virtue of hers"
"It is definitely not" replied Marley, with a laugh and shaking her head. "But I can't wait though to find out what she and Artie are having"
"Yes, very rare now they would keep it a secret" said Mike with a laugh. "It's not something a lot tend to do right now"
"No" replied Marley, shaking her head again.
"So tell me about California" said Mike, looking at her as he took a sip of his coffee. "What was that like?"
"It was good" replied Marley, looking to him with a smile. "I do often wonder what would have happened if I came back here after I graduated college" she said, as she too took a sip of her coffee. "Although it did prove that to probably be a life experience, I guess"
"So, I will take it as there was someone special over there then" said Mike, looking to her with a small smile. "And that maybe that could be a reason for your moving back, that it did end"
"There was someone" replied Marley, with a nod. "And in all honestly, I was married" she continued, as Mike looked to her. "But as it turns out we weren't wanting the same things in our marriage, so we decided that it be best to part ways"
"I'm sorry to hear that" replied Mike, with a small smile to her. "What was the thing, if you don't mind me knowing?" he asked. "That weren't that of the same thing for you"
"Umm children" replied Marley, with a small smile also. "I wanted them; and my ex didn't" she continued. "So it was kind of a huge deal breaker for us"
"I could see that as being something, yeah" said Mike, with a nod. "I can tell from you being a teacher, that you must like children to be one" he said, with a smile to her as Marley also nodded. "So to not ever be able to have maybe have that, I guess I can understand where you're coming from"
"Yes" said Marley, with a nod also. "So what about you?" she asked. "Do you have a person?"
"No, I don't" replied Mike shaking his head. "I, too should be honest though and say that I was also married as well"
"Divorced, also?" asked Marley, looking to him; as Mike shook his head once more.
"No, umm widowed" he replied. "My wife, Amy she passed away about three years ago now"
"I am so sorry" said Marley, as she looked to him sadly. "If I had known I wouldn't have asked"
"It's fine, Marley" replied Mike. "I loved my wife, yes" he continued. "But in all honestly, it wasn't like that with her and I"
"I'm not following" said Marley, looking to him as she took a sip of her coffee and looking to him.
"Amy and I" he said, with a small smile to her. "We met in college, and instantly became best friends" he said as he took picked up his coffee, but instead of drinking just held the cup. "She though, was sick; or at least she became sick again"
"Sick, again?" asked Marley, as Mike gave a small nod.
"When Amy was little, she had cancer" he replied. "And they beat it back then, only for it to return when she was twenty three; and the prognosis was not good"
"That's so terrible" said Marley, looking to him sadly. "I am so sorry"
"Thanks" replied Mike, with a smile to her. "I married Amy though, not because I love her; but because it was so that she would get that wedding she'd dreamed about and all that since she was little" he continued; and Marley looked to him with a small smile. "As when the guy she was with, found out she was sick. He dumped her and I hated seeing her being already so beat down and broken with being sick, that I asked her to marry me"
"That was really sweet of you" said Marley, with a nod. "I can't see many guys, stepping up and doing that"
"Well she was my best friend, and I loved her" he replied. "And I wanted her to be happy in her last moments on this earth" he continued, finally taking a sip of his coffee and giving a sigh. "I might not have been in love, with her; but I definitely loved her"
"I think it shows what a wonderful heart you have" said Marley, with a smile to him. "To make her last moments here on earth, wonderful memories for her; that is just, wow"
"Kind of like one of those sappy movies, huh" said Mike, with a laugh. "The sweet guy who never gets to have the happy ending, whilst making all that of other people's happy endings come true"
"I'm sure that isn't true" replied Marley, looking to him. "I do believe, that everyone does get to have their happy ending eventually"
"Optimistic outlook you have there on life" said Mike with a laugh, as Marley gave a nod.
"I do believe everything that happens in our life" she replied. "After seeing so many examples of stuff having proved that, happen for a reason"
"So your marrying the wrong guy" said Mike, looking at her. "Who ultimately didn't want to have your children, that was something that was meant to happen"
"Yes" replied Marley, with a nod, and gave him a smile. "Just like my oldest sister Mikki and her now husband Seb, split up with one another after six years together" she continued. "Only for Mikki to go to California and work there for just over a year, date someone else; whilst Seb here also dated someone else as well, to realize that they would never be truly happy with that of one another"
"They got back together" said Mike, with a smile to her. "Obviously"
"They did" replied Marley, with a small laugh. "And are probably even more in love now, if that is possible then they were back then; and have a gorgeous little girl also, my niece"
"Okay wow" said Mike, looking to her with a small chuckle. "I guess that makes you think things happen for a reason"
"I guess that sounds more romantic movie like" said Marley, with a laugh. "Much more than that of your thing" she continued. "But I do think my eventual being here, was that of what my life really was meant to be"
"So my meeting up with you again" said Mike, with a smile to her. "It was meant to be"
"Yes, it was" replied Marley, with a smile also; and the two of them continued to talk and drink coffee, before heading home to their places of residences, until they were to see one another again at school the following week.
End Note: As you can probably guess, I am leaving it very open ended; with both Marley and also Ryder as to if these last two chapters does result in that of their happily ever after.
The 'Mike' that I have written here, as the one talking to Marley; is not the same Mike we know from Glee; but rather my taking it from something this person who I see in my mind gets called in one thing, and the last name of a character they played in something else.
As always, thanks for reading; and I will be back with another update on another story soon!
Love always,
KJ xoxoxoxoxoxo