Walk the Distance Part 7
Note: Wow! I can finally post here again? Since I've been posting elsewhere, I have to play catch-up here. So, instead of one chapter, you all get two!
Feedback: I'd be eternally grateful for some.
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"Pretty soon, and I'll be wearing those drab maternity clothes," Sadie said to herself as she closed her closet.
She looked in the mirror. The dress she chose to wear fell at just the right spot. The little bulge in her belly wasn't even noticeable. Sadie glanced at the calendar on the wall. May 25. A day she had been dreading. Her birthday.
"Do we really have to celebrate my . . . you know . . .," she whined.
"Yes! Stop complaining," Bosco called from the other room.
"But, I'm getting old!" She picked up a cardigan that matched her dress.
"29. Wow. We better call the retirement village and see if they have a spot for you," Bosco said seriously from the other room.
"Haha. Funny. You're a regular comedian." Sadie came out in to the living room.
"I try."
"I know you do." Sadie sat down next to Bosco on the couch. "You know, I'm going to have to break it to the fish that they won't be my only babies much longer."
"Yeah?" He tried to hide his smile. "Sadie, they don't even have names."
"They do too. I just haven't told you because I'll know you'll laugh." She pointed to the fish bowl. "The big orange one is . . . ," she began.
"Sully?" Bosco chuckled.
"Stop that. No, he . . . or she is Chipper and that blackish blue one is Javy."
"Chipper and Javy?" He grinned.
"Don't you laugh," she warned. "The day I bought them my two favorite baseball players . . .," she started but was once again interrupted by Bosco.
"Chipper and Javy?"
"Yes. Chipper Jones and Javy Lopez both hit homeruns that night. I thought it fitting."
"Only you, Sadie. I'm so glad this baby will be born in December. I'd hate to think what major leaguer the kid would be named after."
"Oh, but it will be hockey season," Sadie said.
"Great." Bosco sighed. "And you're a Penguins fan. Don't you know how to root for New York teams?"
"I like to be unique." Sadie glanced down at her belly. "What's that? Tell daddy you're hungry. Expensive Italian food?"
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go, old woman."
Sadie followed Bosco down to his car. It was close to seven. Sadie and Gusler originally had the night off but Steve switched with Bosco so they could spend the night together. The plan was dinner then back to Bosco's for the night.
"So, what'd you get me?" Sadie asked as Bosco opened the door to his apartment.
"You'll see." He grinned mischievously. "Sit."
"Dinner was great by the way. Thanks."
"Glad you enjoyed it." He turned and walked to his bedroom. A few minutes later he appeared with a box. "Here."
"Nice wrap job. Your mom or Faith?" Sadie laughed as unwrapped the box. She opened it then looked at Bosco with a questioning glance.
"The jeweler was supposed to have it done today. Ma was going to pick up, but," he stopped.
"If it's half as beautiful as the picture . . . thank you." She threw her arms around his neck.
"There's a matching bracelet."
"I can't wait to see it." Sadie leaned back and stared at the picture of the necklace that Bosco had bought her. It was gorgeous.
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Bosco smiled down at Sadie as she looked at the picture. He wanted so much to tell her that he had it, but that would ruin the surprise. His mother would call him when everything was ready. Then he would use the excuse that the jeweler had dropped off the necklace at his mom's bar. It was lame, but it would do.
They sat and talked for an hour. Sadie thought it would be nice to listen to some music. After some compromising, Sadie got to pick the CD. Bosco figured it was wrong to argue with a pregnant woman. Besides, the CD she picked wasn't that bad. It was hers, a lot of her stuff was at his place. At first he wasn't sure if he'd like that, but gradually he came to welcome her stuff around. It was like even when she wasn't there, she still was.
"Wanna dance?" Sadie grinned. "I can't club dance, but a birthday slow dance would be nice."
"Is there a song on this CD that's slow?"
"Yes. There's a few." She walked up to the CD player and switched to the last track.
Bosco reached his hand out for Sadie to take. He pulled her body close to his as they began to sway to the music. Sadie rested her head on his shoulder.
~Nobody could hurt me like I know she could hurt me
but there's nothing in this world that I want more
Nobody could take me to the places that she takes me
Places that I've never been before
With my eyes wide open knowing full well
I could fall from heaven
I could fall from heaven
I could fall I could brake that's the chance that I take
I could fall
Look at me I'm flying, just a breath away from dying
Holding on to her and letting go
As I walk across this wire above a lake of fire
And lean into the wind that starts to blow
With my eyes wide open knowing full well
I could fall from heaven
I could fall from heaven
I could fall I could brake that's the chance that I take
I could fall
Do I hide my heart? Do I lock my door?
Do I tear it out so it don't feel no more?
No, I risk it all knowing that I could fall from heaven
I could fall from heaven
I could fall
I could fall
I could fall
I could fall
Fall, fall ~ Evan and Jaron "I Could Fall"
They stayed pressed against each other long after the song ended and silence filled the room. Bosco couldn't help but think how the lyrics to the song ran true for him. He was never good at opening his heart and allowing someone in. He was afraid of the hurt. With Sadie, he opened it knowing that she could hurt him and cause him to lock it all up again. He wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Finally, Sadie pulled back and Bosco could see her eyes were watering.
"What's wrong?" He placed his hands on her face.
"Nothing's wrong. Everything is right for once." Sadie grabbed his hands and led him to the couch. "I love you, Maurice. With all my heart."
"I love you too."
"I just wanted you to know." She smiled. She leaned to kiss him, but the phone began to ring, causing her to jump. "Those things ring at the most inconvenient times."
"Tell me about it." Bosco reached over and grabbed the phone. "Hello? Ma. Yeah? You're kidding? Hang on." Bosco turned to Sadie. "Guess what."
"What?"
"The jeweler dropped off your necklace earlier tonight, but one of the bartenders got it. Ma just found out. We can pick it up tomorrow," he said.
"Give me the phone." Sadie reached out for the phone. "Hi. I know, I saw the picture. Tonight? Yeah, I can drag him down. See ya later, bye." Sadie pressed the off button.
"Tonight?" Bosco questioned.
"Your mother doesn't want to be responsible for such a beautiful necklace. We're going down to see her. I want to get out of this dress first." Sadie got up and walked towards his room.
"You look great. Why change?"
"I still feel like a cow in this. I know I don't, but she doesn't know yet."
Bosco couldn't help but smile. His plan was going accordingly. It was quarter to 12. Everything was set up. All he needed to do was get Sadie there.
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"Running late as usual Bosco," Faith moaned.
"My boy has never been one for promptness," Angela Boscorelli spoke up.
"Thanks for inviting me." Gulser was sitting at the bar.
"You are Logan's partner. She'd kill someone if you weren't here," Sully said looking at the young officer next to him.
"It's cool how you got the bar closed," Kim piped up.
"How'd you manage it, Mrs. Boscorelli?" Alex hung at Ty's side.
"It's Angela and I have my ways. I'm just surprised you all came. Sadie must have made some impression, because I know it's not my boy's winning personality."
"She's got a good heart." Doc smiled. "I swear, she spends all her spare time at the firehouse."
"Once a firefighter, always a firefighter. It's in your blood." Jimmy winked at Alex. "Right?"
"God, yes."
"His car is pulling up." Carlos stood near the door.
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Sadie didn't notice they were at the bar or the Maurice had gotten out of the car until he knocked on her window. She slowly got out and followed him to the door. She peeked in the window and noticed how empty the bar looked. Funny thing too, everyone's back was turned.
"What's going on?" Sadie jumped when Bosco opened the door and the bar came alive.
"Happy Birthday!"
She smiled as she took in all the faces. Steve and Sully were at the bar. Carlos was by the door. Scattered about was Faith, Doc, Alex, Ty, Kim, Jimmy and Bosco's mom. When she had seen the guys from the firehouse her smile grew wider. She always thought she drove them nuts. Sadie just thought it was stupid not to get to know the neighbors, so to say.
"Wow. I'm speechless."
"Happy birthday, Sadie." Alex hugged her friend. "One more, then it's the big
3-0!"
"I'm staying 29 forever," she joked.
"Wouldn't that be nice?" Sully laughed.
"I can't believe you all came. Thanks. It means so much." Sadie sat down next to Gusler. "You. How long have you known?"
"A week or two. Let me tell you, I almost gave it all away when you kept saying you didn't want to celebrate your birthday." Gusler smiled. "Can we give her the present now?"
"Yeah, present." Her eyes grew wide. "But, you shouldn't have."
"If that's the case," Sully pulled the box he had in his hand away.
"No. Presents are good."
"We all chipped in." Sully handed her the box.
"An envelop?" She asked once the box was opened. "Oh, my!" she squealed. "Mets. Braves!"
"Right behind the Braves dug out no less," Jimmy added with a pained looked.
"It was Carlos' idea, believe it or not," Alex said.
"Yeah?"
"Remember when we had that baseball talk about a few weeks ago. You went on and on about the stinking Braves. How a New Yorker could root for the Braves is beyond me." Carlos looked down at the ground.
"You remembered that?"
"Kinda hard to forget. You said Tom Glavine could out pitch any pansy ass Yankee. Oh, and I think you said something about the Yankees being stacked and played out," Carlos laughed.
"Yeah, well. Gotta love them Braves. Thanks guys." Sadie shoved the tickets in Bosco's face. "You better hope nothing spectacular happens," she said reminding him of how she named her fish.
"That right?" Bosco asked. "Thanks a lot guys. You don't have to watch her drool over . . . what's his name?"
"Chipper Jones."
"Yeah, him. Thanks."
"She does have to look at your ugly mug everyday, so we thought . . .," Jimmy started in. "Just teasing."
It was a little later and everyone had split up into smaller groups. Sadie watched as Bosco, Faith, Gusler and Angela played poker. From her booth she could see Ty and Alex in a corner kissing. She was sitting across from Sully and Carlos was next to her. Doc, Kim and Jimmy were at the bar.
"Look at those two." Sadie pointed out Alex and Ty.
"Try living with it," Carlos added.
"I hope Maurice and I aren't that bad."
"No, you two try to be less obvious," Sully laughed. "And for the most part you fail miserably."
"Thanks, Pops."
"Not with the Pops." Sully shook his finger at her.
"I called Doc that once. It wasn't pretty." Carlos laughed.
"How are you doing? I mean . . . you know with Kylie?" Sadie remembered the buzz about Carlos and his daughter.
"I miss her, but I know she's got a better life ahead of her. I'll always have a spot in her life."
"It was a good thing you did." Sully shifted in his seat. "It had to have been a hard choice."
"You'll never know."
"You cheated!" Faith called out.
"Bosco cheating? No way." Sully pretended shock.
"Ma! I can't believe you'd cheat like that," Bosco cried.
"Way to go, Angela!" Sadie called over the noise. "I think I'm gonna make an announcement," she said to Carlos and Sully. "Excuse me!" she yelled. "I just wanted to say this has been one of the best birthday's I've had . . . ever. You are all the best. I mean it. You made me feel welcome when I transferred. I consider you all my friends. So as my friends, I want to tell you all the news."
"You sure?" Bosco walked over to her.
"It's ok with you?"
"Yeah."
"Now that the side conversation is over . . . some of you know by accident. For everyone else . . . Maurice and I are going to have a baby," she said. She held her breath waiting for someone to react.
"Oh, Maurice," his mother cried.
Her heart was racing after she delivered the news. What if they all thought it was wrong? What if they didn't support her and Maurice. Instead, everyone had congratulated them. Everyone except Sully. She caught a glimpse of him standing to the side. He was smiling in her direction but had yet to say anything.
Of course he had already known. So had Faith and Alex, but they had already congratulated her. Sully wasn't moving. Suddenly he walked up to the group. Everyone quieted down once he reached Sadie.
"Sul?"
"I was just watching and I realized I have never seen you this happy."
"I don't think I have ever been this happy," she said. "I've got friends and a family now."
"I just have one thing to say. God help that child if it looks like Bosco," Sully laughed.