TITLE: A Bit of 'Sorrow'
AUTHOR: Tess H Ross
RATING: G
SUMMARY: Thoughts of two characters during Such Sweet Sorrow...come on, you know who.
DISCLAIMER: Yes, yes, I own George Clooney. Tonight we're going to Hef's to rub oil on each other...would you like to come?

~*~

The scenery was beautiful. Tall trees stood, imprinted against the clear sky, new leaves and bright blossoms adorning them gracefully. He was right, it was stunning. The rental car I drove smelt of new leather, foreign perfumes, and smoke.

I looked at the envelope in my hand. 237 Demeter Lane. There was 217, 219, 221. Only a little ways off. My stomach flopped with nervousness, though I had no idea why I should be. I was going to do what I was destined to do. He was my destiny.

229, 231, 233. I was getting closer every second. My mother had so many questions when I dropped Kate and Tess off. I reminded myself to call her once I got the chance.

235, and then 237. There it was, a large chocolate-brown colored house with white trim. Trees and flowers grew out of the carefully mowed grass. I laughed a little. Doug was always a perfectionist when it came to grass. A small circlet of daisies, my favorite flower, was growing around a tree.

I parked the car and walked to the front door, my heart beating fast, my stomach jumping, and my hands trembling as I rang the bell and leaned against the wall, waiting.

No answer.

I took a breath and walked around towards the back, wrapping my jacket tighter around my chest, which fell to the floor when I saw what was in the back.

Oh, God, there he was. Oh, good Lord....

I took another breath and walked down the sloping hill to where he stood, working on a boat that's stern read, "Carol". He put a length of rope into the boat and caught my eye as he did so, my heart stopping and flying back to my chest and my lips spreading into a smile. He did a double take and walked slowly to me, his hands in the pockets of his jeans. He looked older, but stronger, more masculine in his red flannel and unshaven, stubbly face. He finally reached me and we stood, watching each other for a few moments.

"Where are the girls?" he asked, breaking the silence. God, how much I missed his voice.

"They're with my mom." I told him. He smiled and I did as well, remember how I had missed the way his eyes crinkled up when he smiled. "It's beautiful here." I said, looking past him at the water and trees that surrounded us. He nodded a little, then put his hand behind my head, kissing me gently. I pressed my lips against him, my hands on his chest and his arms encircling me. We pulled apart and laughed, pressing our foreheads together. He kissed me again, lifting me off the ground, and all was perfect.