Mismatch15
I know this is the part where I say my lengthy thank yous. And I certainly have no qualms about writing a personal thank you to everyone. But I honestly think that would take up way too much room. Besides, I think you've all been waiting for the next chapter. (at least I hope so) So, I'll make a mass thank you (hope you don't mind. Since I'm back at school I don't have as much time... so I do apologize in advance for my delays in updating)
You ppls have been amazing to me. This fic has surpassed 200 reviews!!!! You can't imagine how honoured I am!!! I thank you all for taking the time to review this fic and I'm happy that you all are enjoying this story.
A big hug and thanx goes to brainfear, Jessie, Steffi, Sabrina, Alanna, A. Windsor, Steph, Galxychld, Melissa4, rollypolly, Melanie-Anne, Ascamelien, Anyanka, Lixta, robin2409, Valerie, EIE, Tessa, Michi and Lady Venom!!! (I think that should be everyone) I find it funny how a lot of you want Roxton to suffer even more.. ;)
Now onto the fic...
*****************************
Marguerite sat glumly with her elbows propped up on the front counter and her hands holding up her chin. The day was dragging on. Glancing at the clock, she could've sworn that she saw it was moving backwards. She sighed again wearily.
"Gee Madge, that's like the thousandth time you've sighed."
"Huh?" She broke out of her slump to respond to Finn.
"Look, from the time you walked in the store till now, you've been staring off into space and sighing way too loudly for my comfort. I mean, think of the customers. What better way to welcome them to buy loads and loads of expensive jewellery than to make them feel depressed? Common, Madge. You gotta perk up a bit. How 'bout I go buy you a coffee."
"I'm not really in the mood for coffee." She mumbled back.
"Gasp! Not in the mood for coffee??? Has the world gone berzerk? Soon your going to tell me that pigs have suddenly sprouted wings and are circling your apartment in search of the queen of England!" She waited to see a smile on Marguerite's face. When she was awarded with another sigh she decided against using more sarcasm. "Marguerite. You have to snap out of this slump."
Marguerite blinked at Finn in response.
"For goodness sake. Just ask Ned what hotel Roxton's staying at." Finn was getting so annoyed at Marguerite's childish moping.
Marguerite's head snapped up. "Now why would I want to do that for?"
Rolling her eyes for the umpteenth time. "Because you want to say you're sorry for acting like a fool and ask HIM to forgive you? Really, Madge. I know in your heart you want to forgive him. Maybe you already have and you just don't know it. But you can't let him walk out of your life forever. You owe it to yourself to go and fix things between you two. You know it, I know it... Ned and Vee know it. I'm sure the whole world knows it. Are you really prepared to let such a childish thing get in the way of you being happy?"
"Since when have you become such a psychologist? I'm not accustomed to begging for forgiveness. And I will not start now." *Besides, if he really cared, he would have chased after me instead of let me run out.* She frowned as she recalled how secretly she had wished that Roxton would have run down the hall and pull her into his arms and just embrace her. No. That was the kind of stuff that only happened in movies or novels. But not in real life. Especially not hers.
"You have a head as hard as marble, you know? I'm telling you, you're going to regret this, Madge. And one day, while you're sitting at home you're going to wish..." The bell signalling that someone had entered the store suddenly rang. "Lucky you were saved by the bell." Finn turned and walked to the customer. Putting on a bright smile she greeted them.
Marguerite turned and walked back into her office and shut the door quietly. She knew Finn was right. She already regretted not forgiving Roxton those ten years ago. But pride was on the line. It was a matter of principle. No one was allowed to treat her in such a fashion and expect her to brush it off with a laugh.
~~~~~
Later that night
"Hi, I'm sorry but I can't come to the phone. Please leave a message after the tone and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. BEEP."
"MARGUERITE! Don't you dare not pick up the phone. I will flood your answering machine with messages until you pick up the phone!!! I know you're back from work. Don't try and pretend you're not at home! I've already checked with Veronica and Finn. Pick up the bloody phone! I did not CARRY YOU FOR 9 MONTHS AND spend 24 hours in AN EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL labour so that you could one day not pick up the phone when I called you!!! MARGUERITE KRUX, YOU ANSWER THE PHONE RIGHT NOW!"
Marguerite bit her fingernails nervously as she stared at the phone in sheer horror. *Common, Marguerite. It's your MOTHER. You shouldn't be scared of talking to her. Just pick up the phone and find out why she's calling you. Command centre, this is the brain. Hands, move towards the phone, you're clear to land.* Her hand slowly and shakily moved towards the phone. *Thatta girl. Now fingers grasp the phone and pick it up. ... Good girl. Now bring it to your ear and speak. Mouth, I can't hear you. You're going to have to speak up. MOUTH! That's your job!!!!*
"... uh... hello mother." Her voice was quiet.
"So, you've finally decided to grace me with your presence and pick up the phone. I've been calling you for the past few hours!" Her mother's voice was hard and Marguerite could hear the angered tone in her voice.
"Are you going to tell me why you've been calling me and leaving messages on my machine from noon till now?" Marguerite sighed.
"You even have the audacity to question me??? You, young lady, have a lot of explaining to do!"
"What are you talking about?" Bewildered at what her mother could possibly be referring to, her mind began racing at the possible reasons. *Did I forget an anniversary? When was the last time I visited? What...*
"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. I'm your mother! Why didn't you tell me! Why did you have to hide the most important day of your life?????" Her voice softened and sounded even pained.
*Uh oh.* Marguerite suddenly had an inkling as to what her mother may have been referring to. "Mother. I can explain..."
"Explain what? How you suddenly ran off and got married to a man I haven't heard of before??? What happened to Charles? I thought you were going to work things out with him. I've never even heard of Mr. Roxton and now he's suddenly my son in-law?!"
She sighed. She was definitely going to have to do a lot of explaining. "Mother... about that..." But before Marguerite could continue she was interrupted.
"I'm so happy for you!!!"
"Excuse me?" Marguerite just managed to sputter.
"When do I get to meet your husband? Well, technically, I should call him my son in-law. But it really doesn't matter what I call him. You've finally settled down. Marguerite, I'm so proud of you." Her voice was positively beaming. It frightened Marguerite to no end.
"When... do you... ... You want to meet him?" Confusion was written all over her face.
"Well, of course I do. Don't I have the right to meet who was able to capture my daughter's heart?"
"I... I guess you do. But mother, there is something I have to say." Marguerite bit her lip nervously. How was she going to get out of this mess?
Her mother ignored her last comment. "When are you free? What are you doing now?"
"Nothing. But..."
"Good. Open the door."
Marguerite's head snapped towards her front door. *Oh my ... *
"Marguerite?" Even before she could finish that thought she heard her mother's voice from outside her apartment door, rather than through the phone.
Reluctantly and very painfully, she walked towards the door and unlocked it. Her mother burst through the doors. She quickly gave Marguerite a hug and then started wandering about the apartment. "Where is he??? Where is my son in-law?"
"Mother, about that..."
"Well, Marguerite. You've hidden him from me for months are you going to continue playing this game of hide and seek? How come I don't see any pictures of you two? Where is all of his stuff? You mean to tell me he threw out all his stuff for you? Why..."
There was no other way but then to say it bluntly. Marguerite cut off her mom with a firm voice. "MOTHER." But when she looked at her mother's face, beaming with pride and excitement she felt even more guilty about telling the truth.
"I lied."
"You what?" Her face dropped.
"Whatever you heard from the grapevine is a lie. I ... I'm... I'm not ... married."
The look on her mother's face tugged at her heart. "Marguerite, where are my heart pills?" Marguerite watched as her mother's face suddenly became flushed and her breathing became staggered. Mrs. Krux placed a hand on her head and another over her heart. Trying to stand was becoming more and more difficult. Her body wavered as she stood there staring at Marguerite dumbfounded.
"YET!" Marguerite blurted without even thinking.
"Pardon?"
"Yet. I'm not married yet!"
"Marguerite?" Her eyes narrowed questioningly.
"We're only engaged. We... I stretched the truth a little because I wanted to show up some people from high school. He played along with my charade."
"So, you're not married. But you're engaged?" She eyed Marguerite suspiciously. "I guess that would explain a lot. Why don't you bring your fiancée over for dinner?" Mrs. Krux' face suddenly lit up with hope.
"I..."
"Great. It's settled. Tomorrow. You two will come over for dinner. It'll just be a small thing. No need to worry about bringing anything. I'll prepare for tomorrows dinner. I better go. It's getting a little late." And without another word, she waltzed out of the apartment.
Marguerite stared at the closed door in disbelief. She flopped on the couch miserably and muttered to herself. *What have I done?*
TBC...
********************************
Alrighties... I do want to apologize again for my lateness in updating. I've been so caught up with my work report I haven't had much time to concentrate on other things. But the report is due tomorrow and I've finished it already! Go me! :) So I thought I'd celebrate by posting this chapter.
What has Marguerite gotten herself into? ;) I'm thinking there might be a flashback in the next chapter... but I'm not sure. I'll let my muse guide this fic. She (or he?) has been doing a good job so far, I think.
Now... uhm. I can't say clicky on the purply submit button.. but basically... set that weird tab thingy to submit review and hit that go button!!! :) speak your mind! I love to hear from you!
I know this is the part where I say my lengthy thank yous. And I certainly have no qualms about writing a personal thank you to everyone. But I honestly think that would take up way too much room. Besides, I think you've all been waiting for the next chapter. (at least I hope so) So, I'll make a mass thank you (hope you don't mind. Since I'm back at school I don't have as much time... so I do apologize in advance for my delays in updating)
You ppls have been amazing to me. This fic has surpassed 200 reviews!!!! You can't imagine how honoured I am!!! I thank you all for taking the time to review this fic and I'm happy that you all are enjoying this story.
A big hug and thanx goes to brainfear, Jessie, Steffi, Sabrina, Alanna, A. Windsor, Steph, Galxychld, Melissa4, rollypolly, Melanie-Anne, Ascamelien, Anyanka, Lixta, robin2409, Valerie, EIE, Tessa, Michi and Lady Venom!!! (I think that should be everyone) I find it funny how a lot of you want Roxton to suffer even more.. ;)
Now onto the fic...
*****************************
Marguerite sat glumly with her elbows propped up on the front counter and her hands holding up her chin. The day was dragging on. Glancing at the clock, she could've sworn that she saw it was moving backwards. She sighed again wearily.
"Gee Madge, that's like the thousandth time you've sighed."
"Huh?" She broke out of her slump to respond to Finn.
"Look, from the time you walked in the store till now, you've been staring off into space and sighing way too loudly for my comfort. I mean, think of the customers. What better way to welcome them to buy loads and loads of expensive jewellery than to make them feel depressed? Common, Madge. You gotta perk up a bit. How 'bout I go buy you a coffee."
"I'm not really in the mood for coffee." She mumbled back.
"Gasp! Not in the mood for coffee??? Has the world gone berzerk? Soon your going to tell me that pigs have suddenly sprouted wings and are circling your apartment in search of the queen of England!" She waited to see a smile on Marguerite's face. When she was awarded with another sigh she decided against using more sarcasm. "Marguerite. You have to snap out of this slump."
Marguerite blinked at Finn in response.
"For goodness sake. Just ask Ned what hotel Roxton's staying at." Finn was getting so annoyed at Marguerite's childish moping.
Marguerite's head snapped up. "Now why would I want to do that for?"
Rolling her eyes for the umpteenth time. "Because you want to say you're sorry for acting like a fool and ask HIM to forgive you? Really, Madge. I know in your heart you want to forgive him. Maybe you already have and you just don't know it. But you can't let him walk out of your life forever. You owe it to yourself to go and fix things between you two. You know it, I know it... Ned and Vee know it. I'm sure the whole world knows it. Are you really prepared to let such a childish thing get in the way of you being happy?"
"Since when have you become such a psychologist? I'm not accustomed to begging for forgiveness. And I will not start now." *Besides, if he really cared, he would have chased after me instead of let me run out.* She frowned as she recalled how secretly she had wished that Roxton would have run down the hall and pull her into his arms and just embrace her. No. That was the kind of stuff that only happened in movies or novels. But not in real life. Especially not hers.
"You have a head as hard as marble, you know? I'm telling you, you're going to regret this, Madge. And one day, while you're sitting at home you're going to wish..." The bell signalling that someone had entered the store suddenly rang. "Lucky you were saved by the bell." Finn turned and walked to the customer. Putting on a bright smile she greeted them.
Marguerite turned and walked back into her office and shut the door quietly. She knew Finn was right. She already regretted not forgiving Roxton those ten years ago. But pride was on the line. It was a matter of principle. No one was allowed to treat her in such a fashion and expect her to brush it off with a laugh.
~~~~~
Later that night
"Hi, I'm sorry but I can't come to the phone. Please leave a message after the tone and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. BEEP."
"MARGUERITE! Don't you dare not pick up the phone. I will flood your answering machine with messages until you pick up the phone!!! I know you're back from work. Don't try and pretend you're not at home! I've already checked with Veronica and Finn. Pick up the bloody phone! I did not CARRY YOU FOR 9 MONTHS AND spend 24 hours in AN EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL labour so that you could one day not pick up the phone when I called you!!! MARGUERITE KRUX, YOU ANSWER THE PHONE RIGHT NOW!"
Marguerite bit her fingernails nervously as she stared at the phone in sheer horror. *Common, Marguerite. It's your MOTHER. You shouldn't be scared of talking to her. Just pick up the phone and find out why she's calling you. Command centre, this is the brain. Hands, move towards the phone, you're clear to land.* Her hand slowly and shakily moved towards the phone. *Thatta girl. Now fingers grasp the phone and pick it up. ... Good girl. Now bring it to your ear and speak. Mouth, I can't hear you. You're going to have to speak up. MOUTH! That's your job!!!!*
"... uh... hello mother." Her voice was quiet.
"So, you've finally decided to grace me with your presence and pick up the phone. I've been calling you for the past few hours!" Her mother's voice was hard and Marguerite could hear the angered tone in her voice.
"Are you going to tell me why you've been calling me and leaving messages on my machine from noon till now?" Marguerite sighed.
"You even have the audacity to question me??? You, young lady, have a lot of explaining to do!"
"What are you talking about?" Bewildered at what her mother could possibly be referring to, her mind began racing at the possible reasons. *Did I forget an anniversary? When was the last time I visited? What...*
"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. I'm your mother! Why didn't you tell me! Why did you have to hide the most important day of your life?????" Her voice softened and sounded even pained.
*Uh oh.* Marguerite suddenly had an inkling as to what her mother may have been referring to. "Mother. I can explain..."
"Explain what? How you suddenly ran off and got married to a man I haven't heard of before??? What happened to Charles? I thought you were going to work things out with him. I've never even heard of Mr. Roxton and now he's suddenly my son in-law?!"
She sighed. She was definitely going to have to do a lot of explaining. "Mother... about that..." But before Marguerite could continue she was interrupted.
"I'm so happy for you!!!"
"Excuse me?" Marguerite just managed to sputter.
"When do I get to meet your husband? Well, technically, I should call him my son in-law. But it really doesn't matter what I call him. You've finally settled down. Marguerite, I'm so proud of you." Her voice was positively beaming. It frightened Marguerite to no end.
"When... do you... ... You want to meet him?" Confusion was written all over her face.
"Well, of course I do. Don't I have the right to meet who was able to capture my daughter's heart?"
"I... I guess you do. But mother, there is something I have to say." Marguerite bit her lip nervously. How was she going to get out of this mess?
Her mother ignored her last comment. "When are you free? What are you doing now?"
"Nothing. But..."
"Good. Open the door."
Marguerite's head snapped towards her front door. *Oh my ... *
"Marguerite?" Even before she could finish that thought she heard her mother's voice from outside her apartment door, rather than through the phone.
Reluctantly and very painfully, she walked towards the door and unlocked it. Her mother burst through the doors. She quickly gave Marguerite a hug and then started wandering about the apartment. "Where is he??? Where is my son in-law?"
"Mother, about that..."
"Well, Marguerite. You've hidden him from me for months are you going to continue playing this game of hide and seek? How come I don't see any pictures of you two? Where is all of his stuff? You mean to tell me he threw out all his stuff for you? Why..."
There was no other way but then to say it bluntly. Marguerite cut off her mom with a firm voice. "MOTHER." But when she looked at her mother's face, beaming with pride and excitement she felt even more guilty about telling the truth.
"I lied."
"You what?" Her face dropped.
"Whatever you heard from the grapevine is a lie. I ... I'm... I'm not ... married."
The look on her mother's face tugged at her heart. "Marguerite, where are my heart pills?" Marguerite watched as her mother's face suddenly became flushed and her breathing became staggered. Mrs. Krux placed a hand on her head and another over her heart. Trying to stand was becoming more and more difficult. Her body wavered as she stood there staring at Marguerite dumbfounded.
"YET!" Marguerite blurted without even thinking.
"Pardon?"
"Yet. I'm not married yet!"
"Marguerite?" Her eyes narrowed questioningly.
"We're only engaged. We... I stretched the truth a little because I wanted to show up some people from high school. He played along with my charade."
"So, you're not married. But you're engaged?" She eyed Marguerite suspiciously. "I guess that would explain a lot. Why don't you bring your fiancée over for dinner?" Mrs. Krux' face suddenly lit up with hope.
"I..."
"Great. It's settled. Tomorrow. You two will come over for dinner. It'll just be a small thing. No need to worry about bringing anything. I'll prepare for tomorrows dinner. I better go. It's getting a little late." And without another word, she waltzed out of the apartment.
Marguerite stared at the closed door in disbelief. She flopped on the couch miserably and muttered to herself. *What have I done?*
TBC...
********************************
Alrighties... I do want to apologize again for my lateness in updating. I've been so caught up with my work report I haven't had much time to concentrate on other things. But the report is due tomorrow and I've finished it already! Go me! :) So I thought I'd celebrate by posting this chapter.
What has Marguerite gotten herself into? ;) I'm thinking there might be a flashback in the next chapter... but I'm not sure. I'll let my muse guide this fic. She (or he?) has been doing a good job so far, I think.
Now... uhm. I can't say clicky on the purply submit button.. but basically... set that weird tab thingy to submit review and hit that go button!!! :) speak your mind! I love to hear from you!