Author's Note: Yes, I know meteor showers usually happen in August, but for the sake of this story, it's gonna happen in late July. Deal with it! Ok, just kidding. Um, yeah, ok, I lied about having chapter 15 ready…well, not exactly. I decided to make my original 15 into chap 16 and add this one, so it took a bit longer than I expected. Hehe, I was just joshin' y'all about makin' ya wait! (runs to corner and cowers) Please don't hit me! Lol…
Thank you all for your reviews, they are much appreciated! I'm glad you've liked it so far. Thanks to dolphinchick2568 particularly for asking that question! It was very helpful because I'd completely forgotten to explain stuff. This is gonna be short, but I felt like I needed something to lead up to chapter 16.
September 26, 2004
Disclaimer: I do not own Summerland, nor do I own any related character or places. Some of the events in this fanfic I have borrowed from the show, and the original ideas belong to the writers and creators of Summerland, but I have put my own twist on them.
Your Beautiful Soul
Chapter 15
The moon was a waning sliver in the sky, its dim light reflecting off the calm waves of the great Pacific. Bradin walked quietly up the steps to the porch. Standing silently by the sliding doors, he listened hard for any sign of movement; there was none.
It had been almost a week since he'd last seen her, and he was strangely excited to have her back—though not too strange considering how things were with their relationship the day she left. He loved her, and she loved him. How could life get better than this?
Bradin knocked lightly on the glass. A few minutes later, he heard shuffling inside, and the door started to move. Maggie poked her head out and glared at him through half-closed eyelids.
"Hi baby!" he said with a smile.
Her expression didn't change. "Do you know what time it is?" she asked casually, as if commenting on the weather.
"Um—" Bradin paused, pressing the indaglo on his watch. "3:19."
"Yes, you're right," she nodded. "It's 3:19; in—the—morn-ing." —a pause— "But you have no idea how happy I am to see you!"
Bradin lifted her and spun her around as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The kiss lasted for several enjoyably long minutes, and when at last they broke apart, Maggie hugged him again.
"So, why exactly did you come over to bug me in the middle of the night?" She asked.
"Look." Bradin pointed toward the sky. Above them, shooting stars playfully tagged one another as a volley of them careened across the dark heavens. "I heard about the meteor shower on the radio this morning, and I figured you'd like to see it."
"Thanks." She kissed him before directing her gaze upward again. "It always makes me remember my dad."
They watched the light show for another half-hour, until the last few meteors sped past, disappearing seconds after their flight began. Finding himself laying in the hammock with Maggie's head resting on his chest, Bradin broke the silence. "So, how was Seattle?"
"Oh, it was great! We got to go up the Space Needle—such a great view. And we saw the outside of the Seattle Center and something called the EMP—um, Experience Music Project. Our host family for Friday told us most locals refer to it as experience mashed pop-cans. It's a hideous thing that's supposed to look like a smashed guitar, but from the freeway, it seriously looks like crunched soda cans." She paused, laughing.
"And how was the bike ride part?"
"Hot…and muggy; really muggy, but we managed to survive. Portland was nice, but we didn't get to spend too much time wandering around. They had a big party for the riders—that I heard lasted way past midnight—but by the time we got to the hotel, we were all totally bushed, so we just went to bed."
"And the drive home was unexciting?"
"Absolutely," Maggie took his hands in her own and squeezed them gently. "It's so nice to see you. I wish you could have come with me, it would have been a thousand times more fun. And what about you? You were out both times I called. Now what could you be doing on Thursday and Friday nights?"
Bradin laughed quietly. "Sorry about that, I got invited to a party after surf team try-outs."
"How did that go?"
"Mmm, well, I'm an alternate, but the coach said I've got a spot next year, no question," he said.
"Don't worry, you'll definitely get several shots at a competition. Gotta keep your grades up, though, 'cause that's where they'll get ya." Maggie shifted, and the hammock swung gently back and forth.
"He-hey, we've still got another month and a half before school starts, do we have to bring it up now?"
She laughed. "Sorry, but East PL is practically unstoppable at longboard, so we can't afford to miss when it comes to tricks due to surfers kicked off the team."
"I'll do my best. School's never been my best subject, but I guess that doesn't matter, right?"
"Not at all," Maggie grinned. Then, with a yawn, she said, "Well, I got in late last night, and I'm really tired. Do you mind if I—"
"I can tell when I'm not wanted." He sat up.
Swinging herself off the hammock, Maggie stood and waited for Bradin to join her by the door.
"You wanna do something tomorrow?" Bradin asked.
"Um, sure. Maybe we can go surfing if the swell's good; or just hang out and catch up or whatever."
"Meet me at Jay's shop? I get off work around 4, so—"
"Sure thing." She kissed him.
"See you tomorrow," Bradin smiled. "I love you."
"Me, too." She gave him a hug before turning to go inside.
Bradin smiled to himself as he made his way back to his aunt's house. The cool early morning air embracing him as he walked easily over the sand. He hardly noticed the beginnings of a beautiful morning that surrounded him; his entire being was overwhelmed with a renewed feeling: love.