Summary: SEQUEL TO FLYING TOGETHER…a continuation of the life and times of the mighty ducks…Focus on Dean, Charlie, Connie, Guy, Adam and Julie…again. What can I say, they're my 6 favorite characters!
Disclaimer: The Mighty Ducks and all its characters belong to Disney. I do not own any of it!
Grown-ups
By Rebecca
Chapter 16: Going Home
Julie stayed with Connie for a few days. Her job as a personal trainer allowed for a grossly exaggerated maternity leave. She, Connie and Charlie spent most of their time revisiting the campus. She and Adam hadn't made it to the five-year reunion. So Julie hadn't really been back since graduation. Not much had changed. There were some new dorms, new teachers. But the kids were all still in Dockers, loafers and polo shirts, Abercrombie sweaters tied with a casual ease around their necks, letter jackets swung over their shoulders. Julie paused as they walked along a path near the flagpole one day. A guy was leaning against the brick, his arm propped up near the base as he leaned forward, kissing a brown-haired beauty on her timid lips, shrinking back with the giggle of a schoolgirl, betraying the young-womanhood she so obviously tried to embody. Julie thoughtfully touched her own lips and smiled, leaving the young couple to their privacy…were they ever that young?
Eventually, Julie longed to be home in her husband's arms…not to mention close to her OB. Connie, having insisted on being her taxi and demanding that she be rid of the rental car, drove her to the airport and walked to the gate.
"I'm so glad you came Jules," she handed over a luggage bag and pulled her into a hug.
"Me too," she said, her eyes glossy. She pulled back and sniffled, "let's not make it so long next time."
"Well, we didn't throw tantrums this time," she laughed, "so I don't think that'll be a problem."
Julie threw her head back and laughed, "True." Suddenly, she gasped, and her hand came to her stomach.
"Jules? Julie you ok?"
But the shock faded into a nervous grin as she looked up at Connie. "I think it just kicked."
Connie smiled and took a step forward. "May I?" Julie nodded and Connie placed her hand across her belly. For a moment, nothing. But then, a tiny force against the womb, and then another. Tears stung her eyes once more as she pulled away, "you've got a goalie in there."
Julie watched as a mix of emotions washed over her face. Joy, friendship…sorrow. They'd been so close. They were so close. Why did Connie and Guy always have it so hard?
"It's never too late, Con," she whispered. But Connie astounded her. She simply smiled, and softly closed her eyes. She was so calm. So reserved. She was actually less neurotic and hyper than she'd been when she was happy with Guy. Julie had never seen her more composed. More confidant…more alone.
"Have a safe trip home Hun. And enjoy the plane ride. It'll be your last for a while."
Julie nodded and gave one last hug. Turning away, she walked down her gate.
Connie made her way through security and back to her car. She started the ignition and drove back to town in silence. No, she said to herself…it is too late.
* * *
Guy threw back the chair, his eyes blazing. "What do you mean you're trading me? Just where am I going?"
Reilly ran his hand over his balding head, trying to keep his blood pressure down. "When your friend died this winter, you had a meeting with the North Stars. They've been talking with us ever since. Seems that then you were quite interested in getting out of Miami."
"And just who are you getting for me huh?" he asked, choosing to ignore the challenge, "Two snot-nosed dropouts from the minors? I won you 2 championships!"
"That was almost three years ago, Germaine and you know it. Look, we've all tried to be understanding since your wife left you-"
"She didn't leave me," he said quickly. She didn't leave…he did.
Reilly sighed, "You're just not performing. I need a winning team. A team with players who've got their heads in the game."
"I can give you a winning team!"
"I'm sorry Guy."
"Sorry," he muttered, loosening his tie, "I'll give ya sorry!" He tore off his sport coat and threw it in the passenger seat of his car. He stepped in and slammed the door, banging his head against the steering wheel. No wonder Reilly had asked him to come in personally in the off-season. There were two types of news you never gave an athlete over the phone: You're being sent back to the minors or you're being traded.
Guy sighed, trying to get control of his anger. What made matters worse though was deep down, he knew it wasn't Reilly, or the trade that bothered him. He didn't really care where he played, or that he played at all…but the North Stars… were in Minneapolis…he just couldn't get away from her…and he wasn't sure he wanted to.
He drove back to the Marriott dreading the paperwork that awaited him (he was still in the middle of selling that damn house) and soon, they'd throw him out of his suite once the trade went public. God, what a lousy day.
He entered the lobby and nodded at the Concierge. Usually Doug nodded back, but this time he rushed forward. "Mister Germaine, you have a visitor waiting for you at the bar."
"Uh, tanks Doug," he grumbled. Great, another unexpected meeting. He walked into the bar and looked around…and nearly walked right out when he saw who it was.
The light-brown haired hockey player turned, cocked his head 'hello', and lifted his drink in a mock toast, a look of unmistakable annoyance on his face. Damn he thought. He saw me.
Guy moved toward the bar and extended his hand, "Evenin' Mr. Banks."
"Evenin' Mr. Germaine."
* * *
My readers are awesome! You all have an uncanny knack at guessing, or at least requesting a scene with a certain character in it, just before I'm getting ready to write it anyway! The plot once again thickens…stay tuned. ( and by the way, there's another movie cameo in this chapter. Who d'you think it is?)