Hangingbyamoment
chapter three
*A Few Days Later*
Matt sat in the living room watching t.v. and talking on the phone to his brother.
"Ya know I can't believe she just walked out of your house, wouldn't even give me the time of day after Tabitha went to all that trouble to set up that little meeting." Jeff said exasperated.
"I know what ya mean dude, but listen. You two are in charge of Elijah this weekend while Tabitha and I take our anniversary trip so you two need to work it out before we bring him over and I better not hear of you two arguing around my son. He's very impressionable and will repeat everything you say." Matt said as he got up to pace a bit.
He was getting irritated at Jeff and Carrie. This little love/hate relationship they had going was getting old, they both loved to fight and they loved the making up even more. That wasn't healthy and it drove everyone crazy.
"Matt, we aren't going to fight in front of Eli. I promise. I just get so frustrated sometimes, I don't know how much longer I can do this man. From the moment we got together all we have done is tried to pick fights with one another and then make up. I love her Matt, I really do, but I wanna marry somebody someday and have what you and Tabs have, and sometimes I'm just not sure if I can have that with Carrie." Jeff said letting out a loud breath.
"I know you love her Jeff and I know she loves you, but sometimes in a relationship love isn't enough. What I need for you to do as a brother and a father is go over and talk to her right not, because I don't want you guys arguing around my son, it's just not good for him." Matt said running a hand through his hair.
On the other line, Jeff sat with his head in his hands running a hand over his tired face and blew out a deep breathe from his lungs.
"I'll talk to ya later Matt. I have somebody to go see."
With that Jeff hung up and Matt placed the phone down in the cradle before going upstairs to speak to his wife.
******************
Tabitha was standing over Elijah's duffel bag placing clothes and different toys inside while she sang along to the music on the radio. Looking up, she noticed Matt standing in the doorway watching her with a smile on his face.
"How long have you been standing there?" She asked as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Not very long actually. You haven't embarrassed yourself all that much." He said giving her a cheeky smile before walking over and placing a kiss on her forehead.
"I see you're finally off the phone with your brother. You two talk longer than two girls." She said laughing and sticking her tongue out at him.
"Well, we were talking about Carrie. I told him I didn't want them fighting with each other when they watch him this weekend because it's not healthy, so right now Jeff is on his way over to her house. I think they are finally going to sit down and have an adult discussion on why they have a love/hate relationship all the time." Matt said as he picked up the duffle bag that Tabitha was now done packing.
"I totally agree with you, they aren't around Elijah all the time so they may not even think before they argue. He doesn't need to be around that. I'm just thankful that you and I don't argue all that much and when we do, we keep it away from him." She said as she walked out of the room and turned the light out.
**************
Jeff sat in his car outside of Carrie's house nervous as hell. He was about to either go make the biggest mistake of his life or make his life complete and he was scared. He loved Carrie with all of his heart and he knew the way things had been going with the two wasn't normal or healthy, but it's what they thrived on. It all boiled down to the fact that she resented he wasn't there all the time and he resented the fact that she thought of herself as free while he was gone. Granted that was mostly his fault. He always gave her the impression that he was with all kinds of girls when he was on the road when in all actuality he was in his hotel room waiting to hear from her, thinking about the next time he could see her, re-living his last time with her. It was stupid he knew, but he had always told everyone he would be the brother who wouldn't settle down, but she had caught him and he could no longer deny her or himself.
Gathering all his courage, he climbed out of his car and slowly walked to the front door. Deciding not to knock, he took out the key she had given him a long time ago and used it before walking inside. He looked around the house and was about to give up when he heard some music coming from the deck on the back side of the house. As he pushed the back door open he smiled as he saw her relaxed, laying in a hammock.
******************
Carrie turned as she heard her back door open and her face fell as she saw Jeff standing in the doorway. She slowly got up from her place and walked over to him. Her eyes had tears in them as she looked up at him and began to speak.
"I don't want to fight with you anymore." She said as she threw herself into his arms.
Jeff hugged her to him and tightened his arms around her as he kissed her on the forehead.
"I don't wanna fight with you anymore either Carrie. Can we just have a civil conversation, talk about the things that are really bothering us, instead of trying to throw stuff up in one another's faces?" He asked as he walked her over to sit down on the steps of the deck.
They looked at one another, each waiting for one to make the first move and say the first words. Finally the silence was too much for Carrie to bare.
"Jeff, tell me the truth about what you do on the road that way I can forgive you for whatever it is that you do and we can move on from this." She said as she ran a hand through her hair.
"That's just it Carrie. All this time I have lead you to believe that I sleep around all the time on the road and party all the time. I don't, I sit back in my hotel room waiting for you to call and thinking about the next time I can see you and re-living our last moments together. I don't do any of the stuff you think I do." Jeff said cupping her face in his hands.
Carrie looked at him with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.
"The only reason I wanted you to think I was out having fun was because I was the only guy who said he would never settle down. I was one who always said I would never commit to any woman, no matter how special she was, but that changed Carrie, that changed the moment I met you. I knew there was something about you, something that would change me. It would make me into a better man and make me see what the hell I had been missing out on. I kept fighting it and in turn that made me fight with you. I'm threw with it now though, I want us to have what Matt and Tabitha have. I want to be with you and only you." He said as he leaned down and gave her a soft kiss.
Carrie smiled and pulled him into her arms. This was what she had been waiting for from the moment she had met him, this was what she had always longed for. Gone were the feelings of resentment she had and gone were the doubts. They could now be one and it didn't matter anymore what they had done and said before this moment. It was done and over with.
****************
*The Next Morning*
Carrie awoke with a start and reached over to pull Jeff closer to her, but instead she found the bed empty. In his place there was a note.
Good Morning Sunshine,
I went to go pick up the little runt from Matt and Tab's. I'll see ya when I get home.
Love,
Jeff
P.S.- I wrote a little something for you that I really hope you like! I started it a while ago and I finished it last night after you went to sleep.
Sound Asleep
Sitting on the porch...scared to ring the bell.
I wait for you to see me...I sit scared as hell.
Rocking in the chair...hoping the squeaks bring you near.
I wait for you to hear me...I'm alone so filled
....with fear.
Pacing on the hardwood...not knowing what to say.
When you see me pacing...when you make your way.
Laying on your welcome mat...not feeling very welcome.
I guess you're in there sleeping...you're so peaceful
...when you sleep.
Freezing on the outside...so cold but yet so sweet.
Your body's on the inside...I'd kill to feel your heat.
Dialing on my phone...the number of your phone.
I can't mash send....so now I'm
...going home.
Walking towards my car...I'm down about myself.
Getting in my car...I want to kill myself.
You make me feel complete...At the same time I'm me.
I'm so always not complete...without you I'm
...never free.
Free from depressive states...of mind, body, and soul.
Free from sad days with me...free from sad
...days alone.
Turning my ignition switch...bright lights start shining through.
My eyes are blinded momentarily.....Holy Shit...
...It's you!
Sitting on the porch together...not worried about the bell.
We're looking in each other's eyes...
I'm no longer scared as hell.
This night will be a memory...
One that's sure to keep.
I didn't want to wake you...
I thought you were
Sound asleep.
**********************
Matt and Tabitha waved at Elijah who was sitting in the front seat of Jeff's car giving them a toothy grin.
"So, what did Jeff say happened last night?" Tabitha asked as she walked with Matt inside.
"They made up and we should see a different Jeff and Carrie from now on." Matt said smiling at his wife.
"I'm so glad we don't fight like that, but ya never know what will happen in the future." Tabitha said as she looked up at the sky out the window.
The weather had said storm clouds would be moving in over the next few days and she could already see them. Shaking off a chill, she went to go see how they were going to spend their next few days of freedom.
chapter three
*A Few Days Later*
Matt sat in the living room watching t.v. and talking on the phone to his brother.
"Ya know I can't believe she just walked out of your house, wouldn't even give me the time of day after Tabitha went to all that trouble to set up that little meeting." Jeff said exasperated.
"I know what ya mean dude, but listen. You two are in charge of Elijah this weekend while Tabitha and I take our anniversary trip so you two need to work it out before we bring him over and I better not hear of you two arguing around my son. He's very impressionable and will repeat everything you say." Matt said as he got up to pace a bit.
He was getting irritated at Jeff and Carrie. This little love/hate relationship they had going was getting old, they both loved to fight and they loved the making up even more. That wasn't healthy and it drove everyone crazy.
"Matt, we aren't going to fight in front of Eli. I promise. I just get so frustrated sometimes, I don't know how much longer I can do this man. From the moment we got together all we have done is tried to pick fights with one another and then make up. I love her Matt, I really do, but I wanna marry somebody someday and have what you and Tabs have, and sometimes I'm just not sure if I can have that with Carrie." Jeff said letting out a loud breath.
"I know you love her Jeff and I know she loves you, but sometimes in a relationship love isn't enough. What I need for you to do as a brother and a father is go over and talk to her right not, because I don't want you guys arguing around my son, it's just not good for him." Matt said running a hand through his hair.
On the other line, Jeff sat with his head in his hands running a hand over his tired face and blew out a deep breathe from his lungs.
"I'll talk to ya later Matt. I have somebody to go see."
With that Jeff hung up and Matt placed the phone down in the cradle before going upstairs to speak to his wife.
******************
Tabitha was standing over Elijah's duffel bag placing clothes and different toys inside while she sang along to the music on the radio. Looking up, she noticed Matt standing in the doorway watching her with a smile on his face.
"How long have you been standing there?" She asked as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Not very long actually. You haven't embarrassed yourself all that much." He said giving her a cheeky smile before walking over and placing a kiss on her forehead.
"I see you're finally off the phone with your brother. You two talk longer than two girls." She said laughing and sticking her tongue out at him.
"Well, we were talking about Carrie. I told him I didn't want them fighting with each other when they watch him this weekend because it's not healthy, so right now Jeff is on his way over to her house. I think they are finally going to sit down and have an adult discussion on why they have a love/hate relationship all the time." Matt said as he picked up the duffle bag that Tabitha was now done packing.
"I totally agree with you, they aren't around Elijah all the time so they may not even think before they argue. He doesn't need to be around that. I'm just thankful that you and I don't argue all that much and when we do, we keep it away from him." She said as she walked out of the room and turned the light out.
**************
Jeff sat in his car outside of Carrie's house nervous as hell. He was about to either go make the biggest mistake of his life or make his life complete and he was scared. He loved Carrie with all of his heart and he knew the way things had been going with the two wasn't normal or healthy, but it's what they thrived on. It all boiled down to the fact that she resented he wasn't there all the time and he resented the fact that she thought of herself as free while he was gone. Granted that was mostly his fault. He always gave her the impression that he was with all kinds of girls when he was on the road when in all actuality he was in his hotel room waiting to hear from her, thinking about the next time he could see her, re-living his last time with her. It was stupid he knew, but he had always told everyone he would be the brother who wouldn't settle down, but she had caught him and he could no longer deny her or himself.
Gathering all his courage, he climbed out of his car and slowly walked to the front door. Deciding not to knock, he took out the key she had given him a long time ago and used it before walking inside. He looked around the house and was about to give up when he heard some music coming from the deck on the back side of the house. As he pushed the back door open he smiled as he saw her relaxed, laying in a hammock.
******************
Carrie turned as she heard her back door open and her face fell as she saw Jeff standing in the doorway. She slowly got up from her place and walked over to him. Her eyes had tears in them as she looked up at him and began to speak.
"I don't want to fight with you anymore." She said as she threw herself into his arms.
Jeff hugged her to him and tightened his arms around her as he kissed her on the forehead.
"I don't wanna fight with you anymore either Carrie. Can we just have a civil conversation, talk about the things that are really bothering us, instead of trying to throw stuff up in one another's faces?" He asked as he walked her over to sit down on the steps of the deck.
They looked at one another, each waiting for one to make the first move and say the first words. Finally the silence was too much for Carrie to bare.
"Jeff, tell me the truth about what you do on the road that way I can forgive you for whatever it is that you do and we can move on from this." She said as she ran a hand through her hair.
"That's just it Carrie. All this time I have lead you to believe that I sleep around all the time on the road and party all the time. I don't, I sit back in my hotel room waiting for you to call and thinking about the next time I can see you and re-living our last moments together. I don't do any of the stuff you think I do." Jeff said cupping her face in his hands.
Carrie looked at him with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.
"The only reason I wanted you to think I was out having fun was because I was the only guy who said he would never settle down. I was one who always said I would never commit to any woman, no matter how special she was, but that changed Carrie, that changed the moment I met you. I knew there was something about you, something that would change me. It would make me into a better man and make me see what the hell I had been missing out on. I kept fighting it and in turn that made me fight with you. I'm threw with it now though, I want us to have what Matt and Tabitha have. I want to be with you and only you." He said as he leaned down and gave her a soft kiss.
Carrie smiled and pulled him into her arms. This was what she had been waiting for from the moment she had met him, this was what she had always longed for. Gone were the feelings of resentment she had and gone were the doubts. They could now be one and it didn't matter anymore what they had done and said before this moment. It was done and over with.
****************
*The Next Morning*
Carrie awoke with a start and reached over to pull Jeff closer to her, but instead she found the bed empty. In his place there was a note.
Good Morning Sunshine,
I went to go pick up the little runt from Matt and Tab's. I'll see ya when I get home.
Love,
Jeff
P.S.- I wrote a little something for you that I really hope you like! I started it a while ago and I finished it last night after you went to sleep.
Sound Asleep
Sitting on the porch...scared to ring the bell.
I wait for you to see me...I sit scared as hell.
Rocking in the chair...hoping the squeaks bring you near.
I wait for you to hear me...I'm alone so filled
....with fear.
Pacing on the hardwood...not knowing what to say.
When you see me pacing...when you make your way.
Laying on your welcome mat...not feeling very welcome.
I guess you're in there sleeping...you're so peaceful
...when you sleep.
Freezing on the outside...so cold but yet so sweet.
Your body's on the inside...I'd kill to feel your heat.
Dialing on my phone...the number of your phone.
I can't mash send....so now I'm
...going home.
Walking towards my car...I'm down about myself.
Getting in my car...I want to kill myself.
You make me feel complete...At the same time I'm me.
I'm so always not complete...without you I'm
...never free.
Free from depressive states...of mind, body, and soul.
Free from sad days with me...free from sad
...days alone.
Turning my ignition switch...bright lights start shining through.
My eyes are blinded momentarily.....Holy Shit...
...It's you!
Sitting on the porch together...not worried about the bell.
We're looking in each other's eyes...
I'm no longer scared as hell.
This night will be a memory...
One that's sure to keep.
I didn't want to wake you...
I thought you were
Sound asleep.
**********************
Matt and Tabitha waved at Elijah who was sitting in the front seat of Jeff's car giving them a toothy grin.
"So, what did Jeff say happened last night?" Tabitha asked as she walked with Matt inside.
"They made up and we should see a different Jeff and Carrie from now on." Matt said smiling at his wife.
"I'm so glad we don't fight like that, but ya never know what will happen in the future." Tabitha said as she looked up at the sky out the window.
The weather had said storm clouds would be moving in over the next few days and she could already see them. Shaking off a chill, she went to go see how they were going to spend their next few days of freedom.