Here is another one for you.
"good morning" Jamie almost sang as she came into the kitchen, Annabelle and Catherine looked at each other and laughed.
"good morning" Catherine said, looking at the overly chipper girl.
"someone have a good night?" Annabelle asked taking a drink of her coffee, she hadn't known Jamie all that long, but she'd never seen her like this.
"I did" Jamie said taking a seat at the table "thank you for letting me tag along"
"you're thanking me, and we haven't even been here a whole day" Annabelle chuckled
"well" Jamie said looking at Catherine, a smile as big as her face appeared "yeah"
"what time is Collins coming?" Annabelle said nonchalantly setting her cup down on the table
"I'm not sure, we never got that far"
"well text her and ask her"
"um, well I would, but, she never gave me her number"
"oh my god" Annabelle looked at Catherine "guess they were too busy getting it on in the hot tub to think about that"
"Stop Belle, she's nervous enough about it"
"ok, well do you want me to find out for you?"
"um, yes please" Jamie said looking down, a smile appeared on her face.
"after breakfast I will, she's probably not even up yet" Annabelle said looking at the clock, she smiled hearing the doorbell ring. "well" she said standing up "there's only one person that could be"
"Simone" Catherine said under her breath
"funny" Annabelle said shaking her head, leaving the kitchen to get the door. She was about to say some sarcastic comment on how they were just talking about her, when she was stopped in her tracks. Looking directly into a pair of blue eyes, that she used to long for. "what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to talk to you" Simone said in a pleading tone
"Simone" Annabelle said looking back to make sure Catherine and Jamie were still in the kitchen, she stepped outside and shut the door behind her. "I can't"
"why not?"
Taking a deep breath "because I don't want to"
"Annabelle" Simone said in her soft voice "I'm sorry what I did a year ago, I kick myself in the ass for it everyday"
"well keep kicking yourself" Annabelle said looking back at the door, she wasn't sure if she was hoping Catherine would come out or not.
"you can't think she's serious about you"
"oh I know she's serious" Annabelle looked directly in Simone's eyes
"how can she be? She's Catherine Stark, I'm sure her reputation has followed her into the work field"
"I know she's serious because we are engaged" even though it wasn't true, she had to tell Simone that, maybe now she'd leave her alone
"engaged?" Simone exclaimed "I don't see any ring" she looked down at Annabelle's left hand.
"that's because she has it"
"oh" Simone said her eyes falling to the ground
"why does it matter anyway, Simone, aren't you with that Hollywood bimbo, what was her name Jackie?"
"yes, but" Annabelle cut her off "let me stop you right there" hearing a car pull up she looked up and saw Collins getting out. "I waited for you for 3 months, sat by the phone, hoping and praying every time it went off it would be you. I have cried myself to sleep, every night, wishing we could be together, but, you, Simone, YOU, never returned my calls, you broke my heart, so I had no choice but to leave, and go somewhere far away from the pain you caused" Annabelle paused, she saw Collins who was now standing a few feet away. "I loved you, I loved you with everything I had, can you really blame me for moving on? Catherine is an amazing woman, in every way possible, and I'm not going to let anyone, ruin this for me, for us. So please, you've said your peace, will you please leave me alone"
"because if you ruin this for them, I myself will make sure the rest of your life is a living hell" Collins said stepping closer. Simone looked up, in shock at seeing Collins, back in school she couldn't even kill a fly, and now she was threatening her. "Miss Bradley, Simone, whatever the fuck I'm supposed to call you, if you love Annabelle at all, you'll walk away and leave her alone" Simone didn't say anything, giving Annabelle a defeated look, and walked past them. Turning around when she got to her car "I hope I'm invited to the wedding" then got in her car and drove away. The two girls stood there watching as she drove out of the driveway.
"wait wedding? When did this happen" Collins asked disappointed she didn't know anything about this.
"it didn't" Annabelle said looking down "I needed something to get her to finally leave me alone, she was throwing Catherine's past in my face, so I told her we were engaged" 'which wasn't a complete lie, I almost said yes'
"ok, well let's hope she's done now"
"I doubt that" Annabelle said shaking her head to clear it "come on, your girl is waiting for you" she reached out her arm to put in around Collins, who gave her a hug before they headed in.
"what took you so long?" Catherine asked as she heard Annabelle come into the room
"it wasn't Collins at the door" she said looking down
"who was it?" Catherine asked already knowing the answer but was hoping it wasn't true. Annabelle didn't answer she just stared at the floor "Annabelle, who was at the door" she asked in her stern professor voice.
"chill Catherine, yes it was Simone, but we took care of it. She won't be back" Collins said walking passed Annabelle
"how can you be so sure?" Catherine said having to take a deep breath to calm herself, Annabelle looked at her, seeing how angry she was getting "she told her you are engaged" Collins jumped in. Annabelle saw Catherine's facial expression change, from angry to loving.
"Belle, I" she said standing up from the chair, Annabelle pulled her in close "I'm sorry" she whispered
"for what?" she kissed the top of her head
"for doubting you, for doubting us" Catherine moved her head so she could look in those pools of blue. Annabelle smiled at her, "you had every reason to feel the way you did, but I hope now you know it's you, it's you I want, standing next to me when all my dreams come true"
"this is too pathetic for me" Collins said looking at Jamie "let's go outside" she nodded towards the patio door, as Jamie got up.
Catherine reached down grabbing Annabelle's hand and pulling her out of the kitchen, up the stairs to the bedroom, where she finally let go, she went to the dresser where she had placed the box, from last night. "I know we said last night it was too soon" she turned around opening it. "but I'm not saying we have to do it tomorrow, or anytime soon" she got down on one knee "Catherine" Annabelle whispered, she could feel the tears sting her eyes "no Belle, I'm doing this, and I think I already know the answer, but if I'm wrong, just tell me"
"I just told you I want you to be the one standing next to me when all my dreams come true, what more of an answer do you want?"
"how about a yes?" Catherine said looking in those blue orbs, that were becoming red rimmed. "Annabelle Nichole Tillman will you do me the honor of spending the rest of our lives together?"
Annabelle took a deep breath "all my life, I felt as if I was running from something, to something, when we met, I felt a draw to you, I myself couldn't explain. Getting to know you it never felt as if I was getting to know you, it felt as if I was remembering you, from some sort of past life" she paused letting Catherine slip the ring on her finger, "I believe Catherine, that you are my twin flame, and if an answer is what you are looking for, my answer is yes, Catherine, I will marry you" meeting each other's eyes, Catherine stood up, as they both sniffled and pulled each other close. Annabelle whispered, "although I still think it's too soon, there's no other place I'd rather be, then standing here holding you close to me"
Catherine laughed "that sounds like a song"
"it probably is, I kind of sang it in my head as I said it"
"I love you, Belle"
"I love you, too Cat" as their lips met, when the need to breathe took over, they looked in each other's eyes. "as much as I want to make love to you right now" Annabelle reached up running her fingers through Catherine's hair, stopping when her hand got to Catherine's cheek "I'm sore from the multiple times last night"
"I am too" Catherine said in a laugh, she kissed Annabelle's forehead
"dance with me?"
"there's no music" Catherine whispered, knowing what Annabelle was going to say, "there is in my head" she pulled her close as they started to sway.
Later that afternoon Catherine went into the kitchen to get a drink. "hello Catherine" Annabelle's father said, scaring her a little
"hello Mr. Tillman"
"please, call me Nate" he smiled "so I hear congratulations are in order"
"um" she said nervously "I guess so" she smiled shyly
"well" he said reaching out for her hand "I just want to say you have both mine and Patty's approval" Catherine felt herself start to relax "for the majority of Annie's life she'd been running away from something, which has made her get into some trouble. But now I see she wasn't running away from something, she was running too something" he paused looking in Catherine's eyes "that someone is you, I can see how much you two love each other, it's the same love I saw in both of my grandparent's eyes. A love so powerful, that you don't have any control of your actions. I say take it by the reins and hold on. She's a lot to handle"
"this I know" Catherine laughed
"but if you can handle it, it'll be worth the ride"
"I'm sure going to try"
"would you mind if we sat down and talked? I have some questions for you"
"sure" Catherine said looking at the table
"well" he said pulling out a bar stool "have a seat" Catherine smiled, looking up at the man, noticing the resemblance to Annabelle, she had his eyes, full of hope, and adventures. Nate reached out his hand, putting it over Catherine's trembling one. "you can relax" he smiled "I know this is difficult"
"I wanted to ask you before I asked her" Catherine tried hard not to let her nervousness show
"it's ok, I would have given you my full support, and Patty was the one who gave you the ring"
"it just came out, Simone, stopped by and whenever that woman is anywhere near me, or her name gets brought up, I start to see red"
"and I can't blame you there" he gave her a half smile. "but I don't want to talk about her, or Annie for that matter. I want to know about you, now Annie said both your parents died in a plane crash?"
"ah, yeah" she cleared her throat and sat up straighter "yes the plane they were in went down shortly after takeoff, due to pilot error, or something, they never found out the exact reason for it"
"I'm sorry" he said, "how old were you?"
"um" she cleared her throat again "fifteen"
"wow so young" Catherine smiled a sad smile "I'm sorry is this too much?"
"I don't talk about them too often anymore, Annabelle asked me a few months ago about them, but besides that I hadn't talked about them in years"
"I see" he reached up again touching her hand "I want you to know if you ever need anything, Patty and I will be here for you"
"thank you for that" he quickly moved his hand when they heard Annabelle come into the room.
"dad, please don't scare her away" she giggled
"he's not" Catherine smiled
"I was just getting to know her" he said, "Catherine it was good talking to you" he smiled standing and left the room.
"you ok?" Annabelle asked sitting down on the bar stool her dad had just vacated
"yes, I am, he gave us his approval"
"did he now" Annabelle said looking towards the doorway. Rolling her eyes "that's good, but I don't really care if they approve or not" she reached up for Catherine's hand. "did Collins and Jamie take off?"
"I think so, I haven't seen or heard them anywhere" Catherine said looking in those pools of blue, her breath caught in her chest, not having control of her actions she reached up putting her right hand on Annabelle's face. As they both stared longingly into each other's eyes. Annabelle smiled, leaned in placing a soft kiss on Catherine's lips. With her lips brushing Catherine's she said, "what do you say we go do something?"
"what'd you have in mind?"
"hmm, how about we check out the beach? Maybe we can see the sunset this time"
"that sounds amazing" Catherine kissed her and pushed her back, so she could stand up.
"damn I love this car" Catherine said as they headed down the highway towards the beach.
"he's leaving it to me" Annabelle smiled
"he better" Catherine said rubbing the steering wheel.
"the parking lot is just up ahead on your left"
"right there?" Catherine asked slowing the car to take the turn
"yup" Annabelle smiled watching Catherine drive was always a treat. The way her body sat cradled in the seat, and the smile on her face, while she drove this car, was something Annabelle would never forget.
"hey isn't that Collins' car?" Catherine asked pulling the car into an empty parking spot
Annabelle laughed "yup, go figure she'd bring her here" Catherine just smiled as she put the car in park. They both climbed out, Annabelle watched as Catherine leaned into the back seat to grab the bag they had brought with. "I'll take that"
"I got it" Catherine smiled, as Annabelle placed a kiss on her cheek then grabbed her hand as they began walking towards the beach.
They were sitting on a blanket, enjoying the sun, and conversation. Catherine was laughing at something Annabelle had said, when she leaned in kissing Annabelle. "eww, get a room" they heard from behind them, both turning around they saw Collins and Jamie, standing right behind them, holding hands. "for your information, missy, we have a room" Annabelle said smiling at her friends.
"fancy meeting you here" Collins smiled
"I thought the same thing when we pulled in and saw your car. How's your date going?" Annabelle looked at Jamie
"amazing" Jamie said with a smile on her face
"she's treating you right?" Annabelle smirked, winking behind her sunglasses
"yes, she's been amazing" Jamie said as Collins let go of her hand and put her arm around her. Annabelle smiled thinking 'I don't know why I didn't think about setting them up sooner'
"what are you up to?" Collins asked bringing Annabelle out of her thoughts
"not much, hoping to see the sunset" Annabelle looked at her friend, she could see the smile in her eyes.
"oh, the sunset, I never thought about that" Collins said looking at Jamie, then back at Annabelle "would you mind if we joined you?"
"no, not at all, but aren't you on a date?"
"yes, but what better way to end it than with you two" Collins commented with a smile, Annabelle looked at Catherine, who moved over on the blanket making enough room for Collins and Jamie to sit.
A few days later Catherine woke earlier than Annabelle, finally finding the courage to be around Annabelle's parents without her around, she headed downstairs. Reaching for a cup and pouring herself a cup of coffee she headed out to the patio. Smiling when the sun hit her face, but wincing when it hit her sunburn from the day before at the beach. She was lost in her thoughts when she heard a voice say "good morning Catherine"
"good morning Patty" she smiled she was starting to enjoy the fact that she was never alone in this house, she chalked that up to, too many years of being lonely.
"is Anna up yet?" Patty asked as she joined Catherine at the patio table
"no, and I doubt she will be for a while" Catherine smiled
"good" Patty smiled setting her cup on the table after taking a drink of the hot liquid "there's something I wanted to talk to you about"
"oh" Catherine said intrigued
"I'm sure you know, but Anna's birthday is next week"
"actually, I did not know"
"I'm not surprised actually, she's never been one to want to celebrate, when she was little, I had to all but force her to go to her own parties" Patty laughed remembering one party in particular. Annabelle wanted to sit in her room playing with her dolls, when her mother came in and literally picked her up dragging her downstairs, to her party, all the while she was kicking and screaming. "sorry" Patty laughed "I got lost in a memory, anyway" she said shaking her head "I was thinking we should at least all have dinner together"
"I wish I would have known" Catherine frowned, looking down at her cup
"you gave her the best present" Patty said reaching up touching Catherine's hand
"I guess I did, didn't I" Catherine smiled looking into Patty's blue eyes, she noticed the smile Patty was wearing was the same one Annabelle had.
"anyway, I'll make the arrangements just make sure she's here"
"I will" Catherine said turning when they heard a noise in the doorway
"good morning honey" Patty smiled at her daughter
"morning mom" Annabelle said in a groggy tone, as she made her way to Catherine sitting on her lap kissing her cheek
"good morning" Catherine said, as a blush fell on her face
"mm, coffee" Annabelle said reaching for Catherine's cup
"well help yourself" Catherine laughed
"you two remind me of Nathan and I when we first started out" Patty commented as she stood up "I'll leave you two alone" she smiled heading into the house
"what was that about" Annabelle asked
"nothing, just two adults talking"
"you're not becoming best friends with my mom, are you?"
"no" Catherine laughed "but would that be so bad?"
"no I guess not" Annabelle kissed her "I'll be back, I'm going to get my own cup of coffee" she said getting off Catherine's lap and heading into the house, bringing the pot with her on her way back to refill Catherine's cup. She gave her thanks with a smile, watching Annabelle sit back down. "so, Belle, is there something important coming up?"
"what do you mean?" Annabelle asked looking at her
"oh, I don't know, like maybe a special day that only comes around once a year"
"my mom told you my birthday is next week" Annabelle looked downplaying with her cup
"why didn't you tell me?"
"because, I don't like to be the center of attention, and please don't make me have a party" Annabelle looked up pleading with Catherine
"wow" Catherine said surprised
"why does that surprise you?"
"I don't know" Catherine smiled "but what about our wedding? You'll be the center of attention that day"
"no" Annabelle said reaching for Catherine's hand, "you will be" she smiled
"guess you're right" Catherine smiled "I just wish you would have told me"
"I'm sorry I didn't" Annabelle leaned over kissing Catherine when they heard "eww get a room" coming from the doorway
"I could say the same for you"
"that isn't happening anytime soon" Jamie said joining them at the table
"it will" Annabelle smiled looking at Catherine "just have patience" she added standing up kissing Catherine before heading into the house.
"patience huh?" Jamie laughed
"yeah" Catherine sighed "so, did you know Annabelle's birthday was next week?"
"no" Jamie said looking up at Catherine
"neither did I" Catherine sighed "Patty told me"
"so are we planning her a party?"
"no, I promised her no party, but we are going out for dinner"
"ok, I'll let Collins know" Jamie smiled, her phone went off she smiled stood up and left Catherine to her thoughts.