I'm being generous, so I'll give you guys chapter 14. I hope you'll review. And just between you and me, I'm making a sequel! You're going to love it, I know it. It's really funny.
Ok, maybe it's not a sequel, but it's "another adventure with the same characters". LOL. Anyways, I'm gonna write this fanfic just to make you happy. I'm really that bored, yes.
GASP! I just figured out that Abigail and John Adams's 4th child died when she was 2! :( Poor Susanna! LOL. Don't you cry for me...blah blah blah...
A/N After the first couple of times, I'm going to call John Quincy "John Quincy". But for the rest of the time (namely after he understands that he said he loved to eat poison, not fish), I'll just call him "John" because his dad's away on "political business".
Oh yeah, I think I might put some lyrics from my favorite song!!!! I'll tell you what it is at the end of the chapter. The lyrics will be in bold italics.
Sadly, I wanted to surprise you by saying that this will be the last chapter of Secrets. The good news is that the adventures will continue in the sequel, which will be called "Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow".
Chapter 14: Goodbye For Now
"What?!?" "Cool!" "Why?"
These were the reactions to the words that ebbed from Sarah's mouth. The first was James's, the second Cecile's, and the third Henri's.
"She wants to see us, that's why," Sarah said bossily. "Wow. I only spoke to her through letters. I didn't think I was actually going to meet her!" Cecile said. "But why do we have to go?" James asked, pointing to himself and Henri. "Like I said, she wants so see us. And she wants to make sure Cecile's all right. I told her about the topa."
"Uh...ok," James said. "She said she wanted us to leave tomorrow in order to be there by Friday." "But today is Friday," Henri said. "Henri, she means next Friday."
The next day, the four of them loaded the carriage and got ready to go. They arrived at the Adams's house on Friday, as was planned. Sarah embraced her long-time friend, Abigail.
"What's happening, Mother?" John Quincy asked as he came down the stairs. Then he saw everyone else. "Hi, Sarah!" he said cheerfully. "Everyone, they're here!" he called up the stairs. All of the children, including little Abby, scuttled down the stairs, eager to see Sarah again. "Hi Sarah!" they all said. Sarah smiled at them.
"Wonderful to see you again, Sarah," Mrs. Adams said happily. "I'm guessing these are the friends you mentioned in your last letter?" Sarah nodded. "Hello Henri, nice to see you again," said Mrs. Adams. Henri smiled and said a short hello.
"And who are your other friends?" she asked. "Oh, this is James," Sarah said as she pointed to James. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Adams," James said quickly. Mrs. Adams smiled. "So you must be Cecile," she said, turning to Cecile. Cecile instantly became shy and said, "Yes, ma'am." "Please," Abigail said. "Call me Mrs. Adams." Cecile gave a small smile. "Okay," she said.
To James and Cecile she said, "These are my children, John Quincy, Abby, Thomas, and Charles." They gave each other a nice hello and then Mrs. Adams asked Abby and John Quincy to show everyone their rooms.
"You'll have the usual room, Sarah," Abby said as all of the kids walked up the stairs. She led Sarah down the upstairs hall and to the end of it, where Sarah's guest room was. Abby then showed Cecile into the room next to Sarah, while John Quincy showed Henri and James the two rooms across the hall from the girls. There seemed to be a dreamy glint in John Quincy's eyes when Cecile came back out to look around the Adams's house. She was amazed by everything and everyone around her.
After everyone was settled in, Sarah and James went to help out Mrs. Adams around the house while the children stayed upstairs and played. It sounded like some of the kids were skeptical about John Quincy.
"Say something in French," Thomas said. "Go on, go on!" "Say..." Charles said. "Say, 'I love to eat fish.'" "All right then," John Quincy said. "'J'ai manger poison.'" Now Thomas and Charles, both being younger than John Quincy, didn't know any better about what he had said. But Henri and Cecile had their wits about them, and Henri started laughing so hard that Cecile had to nudge him in the side with her elbow to actually get him to stop.
"What's he laughing about?" John Quincy asked Cecile, the dreamy glint back in his eyes. "He's laughing because---oh, be quiet Henri---. He's laughing because you said you love to eat poison," she explained. "No, I didn't!" John Quincy protested. Cecile nodded. "Poison in French is poison in English. Poisson is fish." All John Quincy could say was, "Oh." The rest of the children understood and started giggling as well.
"You know what your problem is?" John asked. "You know too much for a girl." "And you don't know how to have fun," Cecile retorted. "Henri can show you how to have lots of fun. Like flying kites and riding horses." "Oh, and you know how to have fun?" John said skeptically. "Actually, I do," Cecile said. "Prove it!" "Henri," she called, "Pass me your yo-yo for a sec." Henri took the yo-yo out of his pocket and tossed it to her. "You might want to come outside to do this. I don't want you to get hurt."
All of the Adams children and Henri followed her down the stairs and outside. She showed them a few tricks she could do with a yo-yo, like around-the-world and walk-the-dog.
"Cecile?" Sarah called. "I could really use your help in the kitchen." "I'll be right down!" Cecile called. She took off her ring, put it in her pocket, and said, "I'll see you later." She tossed the yo-yo back to Henri and ran towards the door. John followed her, stopping at the doorway and admiring her from a distance. Everyone except for Henri laughed and said, "John Quincy's in loooooooove!" "I am not!" he contradicted. "You have no proof!"
"Something wrong?" Sarah asked Cecile while they made supper. "Well, kind of. Have you ever seen John act like that?" "Like what?" "Well, kind of like how I felt when I came here from France." "You mean that dreamy look on your face like you were waiting for Henri to kiss you?" "Sarah!" "What? It's true." "She's right," James piped up. Cecile gave James a How-would-you-know look. He gave her a Because-I-was-there-don't-you-remember look.
That night, James went up the stairs after supper to find Henri pacing in the hallway. "So this is what you've been doing that actually made you not hungry," he said, grinning. "What's going on with you?" "I don't know. When we were outside playing with my yo-yo, and Sarah called Cecile in, John just followed her and stopped at the doorway. I know those moves. He's definitely in love with Cecile."
"That's really tough," James said. "What am I going to do?" Henri said. "Just watch Cecile. Besides, she even said she loved you. Why would she dump you for a guy she just met?" "Well, I guess that's true."
Little did he know Cecile was feeling the same way.
Finally, Henri had enough courage to knock on Cecile's door. "Can I come in? I have something to tell you," he said. "Yeah, I heard you pacing the halls." She opened the door wide enough for him to come inside. "Come in," she said.
"I know what you're thinking." "It's the best friend telepathy, isn't it?" he asked. She nodded. "I don't know what to do either."
Well, I couldn't tell you
Why she felt that way
She felt it everyday
And I couldn't help her
I just watched her make
The same mistakes again
Henri sat down on her bed and they both lied down on top of it. Cecile put her head on Henri's outstretched arm. He felt warm tears wetting his sleeve.
What's wrong, What's wrong now?
Too many, too many problems
Don't know where she belongs
Where she belongs
Cecile sat up. "I miss my mom and dad," she said. "I can't stand not having parents."
She wants to go home
But nobody's home
That's where she lies
Broken inside
There's no place to go
No place to go
To dry her eyes
Broken inside
"Shh.." Henri said. "That boat accident must cause a lot of pain, huh?" Cecile nodded. "Now, I'm kind of glad I came to America."
Open your eyes
And look outside
Find the reasons why
You've been rejected
And now you can't find
What you've left behind
"It's been really hard, not having parents for 9 years. You've had parents two more years than I had." "It's going to be alright. Trust me."
Be strong, be strong now
Too many, too many problems
Don't know where she belongs
Where she belongs
"Yeah, I know. I have to be strong." More tears streamed down her face.
She wants to go home
But nobody's home
That's where she lies
Broken inside
There's no place to go
No place to go
To dry her eyes
Broken inside
"You're hiding something from me." "Friendly telepathy?" "Yup." "I think I've lost all hope."
Her feelings she hides
Her dreams she can't find
She's losing her mind
She's falling behind
She can't find her place
She's losing her faith
She's falling from grace
She's all over the place, yeah
Henri put a hand on her shoulder. "We'll all miss you if you end up leaving us. But where would you go?"
She wants to go home
But nobody's home
That's where she lies
Broken inside
There's no place to go
No place to go
To dry her eyes
Broken inside
"I don't know. I just don't know."
She's lost inside
Lost inside, oh ohhh
She's lost inside
Lost inside, oh ohhh yeah
"Just sleep on it. You'll feel better in the morning. I guarantee it," Henri assured her. "Maybe you're right." Henri sat up. "Good night. See you in the morning." Their faces leaned closer to each other. They were an inch from each other when James said, "Henri! Where's the toothpaste?!" They moved away from each other and turned towards the door...where they found John in the doorway. "John! What are you doing here?" they asked. He said nothing, but turned and ran back to his room. "You go help James. I'll go talk to him."
"John? It's me," Cecile said as she knocked on the door. "Please let me come in." The door clicked and John cracked the door open. "What do you want?" he asked. "To talk to you." He opened the door. "What?" he said. "You've already done enough damage." "I have to tell you something," she said. "The only reason you saw that was because Henri accidentally left the door open. Anyway, I wanted to say that he's only been my really good friend. Since I was 4." "Why? What happened?" "My parents died, and his dad rescued me." "That's too bad." "It's that obvious you like me. It's just...me and Henri have been friends longer." "Oh." "But that doesn't mean we can't be friends. Here...is the address to the print shop. You can write to me." "How do I know you just won't dump them?" "I'm not heartless. Friends?" Cecile streched out her hand. "Friends," John said. He shook her hand. "Hey Cecile! I found the toothpaste!" Henri said. "Where was it?" she asked. "On the top shelf of the medicine cabinet." "Nice sleuthing. You tracked down the toothpaste." She turned to John. "Good night, John." "Good night."
"What was that all about?" "I said we could be friends. He looked kind of happy about it. Well, here's to make up for the toothpaste incident." She grabbed his hand and led him into her room, making sure to close the door. "The toothpaste incident?" Henri asked quizzically. "Yeah, when James called you to help him find the toothpaste. Remember?" "Yeah. It just happened, what, 3 minutes ago?"
They looked at each other for about a minute. "Well, um, good night," Henri said and got up to leave. He opened the door, but Cecile got up and caught him by the hand. Henri turned around. "What?" he asked. "I think you deserve a thank you for consoling me. Here's one feeling I don't hide." Once again, they looked at each other for a minute. Their faces inched closer to each other.
Sarah and James were watching the whole thing outside the door. Henri forgot to close it...again. "You think they will?" Sarah asked. "Please," James said. "They did it in Chickasaw Bluffs behind the back of a bunch of Redcoats. I really don't think they care where they are." "Really?" Sarah asked. "And you neglected to tell me this...why?" "Shh," James said. "If you don't be quiet they're going to know we're here!" So they were both silent as they watched the two children move closer to each other, unsuspecting the two teenagers outside the door.
Henri and Cecile were still moving closer to each other. But then they stopped for some reason. It all happened so quickly. First they were just still as statues. Then, Cecile could feel Henri holding her hands. She reached up and kissed him. Although neither of them expected it, neither of them wanted to break away.
Hmmmm, Cecile was thinking. Never expected this. So she just smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Although James wasn't into this kind of thing (just like any other teenage boy), he couldn't help but watch and smile. He wrapped an arm around Sarah's shoulder. She smiled, and, on impulse, gave him a strong hug. "What was that for?" he asked playfully. "That was your 'suffering at the hands of the British'," she flirted. "I never thought I'd see the day when I'd be saying this, but, Sarah, gove me more suffering." "All right, then. How much suffering would you like?" "As much as you can give." "All right, but it'll cost you!" she flirted, and she reached up to put her lips in contact with his. "When's the last time we did that?" James asked. "A long time ago. Probably last year." "James, be quiet," Sarah said and reached up for another kiss.
After Henri and Cecile had broken away from what seemed to be the kiss of a lifetime, Henri said, "You know, I hardly ask you for anything." "And let's keep it that way!" Cecile said playfully. "No, really," he said seriously. "What are you playing at?" she asked him cautiously. "You'll see in time," he replied slyly. Cecile laughed and shook her head. "Henri, sometimes you can be the silliest boy on Earth," she said. "Good night." "Good night," he said, and left the room.
"Good night, Sarah," James said as he closed the door to his room. "Good night, James," Sarah said after a kiss on his forehead.
As James lay in bed that night, he started to think, which was something he seldom did. He thought about how he was blessed with two friends, and how it was a miracle for him to get landed with one of the most beautiful girls in Pennsylvania, no, the United States of America.
Wait a minute. What was he thinking? Was he insane? She's a Tory! And from a high-class family, he might add. But maybe he wasn't insane. She even said she was a Patriot on that ship to New York, and she said she was an American. He was blowing the whole thing way out of proportion. He loved her, and she loved him.
And that was that.
As not-so-little-anymore Henri LeFebvre pulled his covers over himself, he wondered whether he was in denial, or whether he was truly in love. Was she just a friend? Or something more? Did those hugs and kisses mean anything? Was she just his "partner in crime"? How could he tell what it was?
Then it came to him. It was like his heart sent a message to his brain.
There was no denying it. He did love Cecile DuMont as more than a friend.
Cecile's long ebony locks blocked her back from view as she kneeled on the floor beside her bed and said her prayers.
"Dear God. Thank you for giving me such good friends in America when I couldn't find any in France. Thank you for Sarah, and James as well. They've been more than friends to me. They've been my family.
"And thank you, God, for finally telling my heart that I am, without a doubt, in love with Henri LeFebvre."
As Sarah sat in front of her mirror, brush in hand, she started to think, which was something she and most other girls often did. Did she really love James Hiller? Or was he just a very good friend? Did he love her back?
No, she told herself. She was going insane.
But did she? Did that kiss mean anything? Maybe I should just sleep on it. I'll figure something out sooner or later. She put the brush down and kept her ginger tresses down. She got in bed and pulled the covers over herself. She had made a final decision.
She was, indeed, in love with James Hiller.
I really didn't want this fic to end. I'm sure none of you did. But trust me, the sequel will be so much better, I promise. Get your reviews in now, because it's the very last time I'll be reading them. Oh, yeah, review my other story, "The Teenage Braniac vs. Time Travel". That one's not done yet!!!
Love you all, and thanks for the reviews.
Sahar
P.S. The next chapter will be completely made up of credits!! LOL It'll be some time before I get them all done because I have to get all the voices, and the producers. It'll be like the credits at the ending of Liberty's Kids.
P.P.S. The song was "Nobody's Home" by Avril Lavigne. I just love that song.