.::Learn To Fly::.
Chapter 9
The next morning, Carrie and Tabitha drug themselves out of bed and were amazed to find that the boys were already up, awake, and had almost gotten the car completely loaded by the time the two girls made it downstairs. The two looked at each other with raised eyebrows and astonished looks on their faces as they witnessed what was happening.
Pearl Jam CD's. We can't leave without those. Matt said as he sat at the table shoveling cereal into his mouth.
Do you even think I would let you back out of that driveway without those. I may look like it, but I'm not a moron dude. Give me some credit. Check. Came a muffled voice from inside a bag that one could only assume was Jeff.
Cell phone.
We would be right here. Tabitha spoke up as the two men looked up for the first time from their tasks.
Good morning girls. How are you on this glorious day? Jeff asked skipping around and placing kisses on each one's cheek.
Carrie and Tabitha gave him a look like he was going crazy.
Don't mind him. This happens every time we go. Matt said laughing and ushering everyone out the door.
Tabitha threw her hair in a clip and pushed a pair of sunglasses on her nose as she slipped into the passenger seat of Matt's car. She and Jeff had fought for shotgun and it had finally been decided who would get it over a round of rock, paper, scissors. Seeing the opportunity to rub it in, she turned around and stuck her tongue out at him. He in turn made the gun side toward her head and proceeded to pretend to ignore her while Carrie and Matt laughed at the antics of the two.
As they got on the highway, Tabitha made a face and looked over at Matt.
Um, aren't we going the wrong way. She asked as she noticed they were going north instead of south.
Nope, we're picking up dad first, he's going with us and you're finally going to meet him. He said flashing her a smile and turning back to face the road.
Tabitha gulped and sat back in her seat as Matt cranked up the Pearl Jam and the two in the back dozed off. It wasn't really the fact that they were picking up his dad that bothered her. It was the fact she had never met the man that raised such an incredible son and that freaked her out. In the back of her mind she thought that he probably wouldn't like her and she wanted so much for him to welcome her with open arms.
Hey, why are you so quiet over there? Matt asked as he grabbed her hand and gently massaged the palm with his thumb.
Tabitha pasted on a smile and looked over at him before answering.
Just enjoying the beautiful view. Tabs, don't lie to me, I can tell when you do that. What's wrong? He asked with urgency in his voice.
Tabitha pondered on whether to be completely honest with her feelings to him or whether to just blow it off as her being silly, but knowing how much Matt valued honesty, she opted for the complete truth.
I'm just terribly afraid that you're dad isn't going to like me. I've never met him before and that's a huge step in a relationship Matt and I'm just worried that I'm going to fail miserably. She said all in a huge breath.
Matt slowed the car down and put it on cruise control before stealing a glance at her. Taking the bottom of her chin in between his fore finger and thumb, he settled her eyes on to his.
My father is going to love you as much as I do, believe that. I've been telling him about you since the first day I saw you at Tony's, he already loves you for how happy you make me. Please don't worry baby, everything is going to be ok. He said before placing a quick kiss on the back of her hand and turning his eyes back to the road.
Sometimes I just need to be reassured of these things and I'm glad you understand that. Tabitha said before taking a deep breath and relaxing back against the seat.
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The four arrived at the childhood home of the guys around an hour later and piled out of the car. Jeff made them all laugh by running up to the front porch and ringing the doorbell, then hiding, to make it appear that no one was their.
I swear Jeff, you're never gonna grow up. Matt said laughing as he opened the door and walked inside.
Dad, where are you? Matt yelled before leading Tabitha in by the hand.
In here Matt, was that Jeff who rang the doorbell? The voice of a man asked as they made their way into a den.
Yep dad, it was me. Jeff said before tapping his father on the shoulder and giving him a quick hug.
There's some people we want you to meet. Dad this is Tabitha and her friend Carrie. Matt said introducing the two as they all shook hands.
I've heard an awful lot about you Tabitha and I've heard some about you Carrie, are you dating Jeff since she's with Matt? He asked winking at her.
Oh God no! Carrie said scooting away when Jeff came to plant a kiss on her cheek.
I'm trying dad, really I am. Jeff said as everyone laughed at the two.
Tabitha, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, I feel like I already know you because of how much these two talk about you. Just call me dad like everyone else. It saves the hassle. He said offering her a friendly smile.
Tabitha smiled back and agreed.
Will you guys give me a few minutes? I have to make sure the dogs are fed before we leave and take care of a few last minute things. Their father said as he got up to go finish his stuff.
Jeff I'm gonna take Tabitha out here and show her a few things. Call us when Dad's ready. Matt said leading Tabitha out the backdoor.
The two walked along in a comfortable silence hand in hand for a few minutes before Matt turned her onto a path to what looked like an overgrown wooded area. What did that used to be? She asked as they came nearer.
You'll see, hang on just a sec. He said as he moved away some of the rubble.
Tabitha smiled as she realized it was a trampoline and putting the stories she'd heard about them together along with what she was looking at, she realized how special this place was to Matt.
This here, is the ring of dreams. He said indicating the space they were standing beside.
I can't even begin to tell you how many hours Jeff and I spent out here, on a hot summer day, the dead of winter, the worst rain storm you've ever seen, we were out here.
This is a sacred place and believe it or not, I've never showed anyone this that wasn't either an Omegapower or part of the original backyard group. I wanted to show you because it's special to me. I dreamt about the person I wanted to become here, the way I wanted to live my life.
Thanks to you, I've become the person I want to be and thanks to this trampoline I'm living the life the way I want to. You and this piece of rusted metal are two of the most important things in my life and I just wanted to show you where it all started. He said as he put his arms around her.
Tabitha looked up into his eyes and smiled.
Ya know it's funny, but I can almost see you and Jeff out here working so hard to perfect you're craft and become the best at what you do and I must say I am so proud that you've come from this to what you are today. She said as she stood on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on his mouth.
Matt moaned, as she slipped her tongue into his mouth hesitantly, she was being forward, but not overly so and he found that incredibly sexy. Her sex appeal wasn't something she flaunted, it was in the little things she did, and that drove him crazy. Just as he was about to counter her action, they were interrupted.
Matt, dad's ready to go, come on. Jeff yelled as he motioned for them to come in.
Yet another reason I hate little brothers. He grumbled as she giggled and made their way to join everyone else.