~*A/N: WOW! I can't believe I've written 20 chapters of this bad boy! What started out as an idea as I watched Signs has become a staple story of this section- but that's thanks to you all. Thanks are not enough for those of you who have left me my beautiful and sweet reviews! I'm glad you guys welcomed and loved Alicia into the already amazing Signs storyline. OK, enough gabbing..I've held you guys in suspense for long enough about the car accident! Have fun reading and once again- thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! ~Heath ~*
Alicia came to almost immediately after she blacked out. A sharp, almost numbing pain shot from the back of her head to her eyes.
"Ali? Honey, are you OK?"
"Yeah, I-I'm fine."
Her hands were shaking violently as she felt the huge bump that was now on the back of her head. It was bleeding a little.
"Is that blood?" Merrill asked.
"Just a little. But I'm fine. It's just a bump."
"Let me see."
Merrill parted Alicia's hair and saw the bump.
"It's not bad. You'll just have a really bad headache tonight."
"Did we get hit?"
"No. That asshole just ran us off the side of the road."
"Are you OK?"
"Yeah. I'm just worried about you."
"Don't be. Let's just go home."
Merrill picked up Alicia's hand and kissed it. Then he pulled the car back on the road and drove home. The whole time, Alicia was silent and gazing out the window.
"What are you thinking about?" Merrill asked.
She didn't answer.
"Ali? Hello?"
She broke out of a trance and said, "What?"
"I asked what you were thinking about and you didn't answer."
"Sorry."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing! Do I constantly have to smile to prove to you that I'm OK?"
"Why are you getting upset? I'm just concerned about you."
"Um, we were just run off the side of the road. We could've very easily have been killed. So sorry if I'm not exactly Miss Happiness right now."
"Alicia, don't start doing this again."
"Doing what again?"
"Blowing up at me over little, insignificant things."
Alicia scoffed and rolled her eyes like an unsatisfied child. Then she glanced at Merrill. He was obviously very frustrated and it made Alicia feel horrible. She was going back on everything she had promised Merrill when they spent the weekend together at Hollyleaf. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"I'm sorry," she said.
He took her hand in his and said, "It's OK. I know you're tense. I should've just left you alone."
"No. It's natural to be concerned about someone you love."
They finally arrived back home and went straight to the garage house. After Alicia changed into her pajamas, she sat on the sofa with Merrill and buried herself in his chest.
"Somebody has a birthday next week…the big 29."
"Uggh. Don't remind me. I can't believe I'm almost 30."
"So what do you want for your birthday?"
"I don't know..surprise me."
"There's not anything you really really want?"
"Well," he said, burying his face into her neck, "I already have the best present anyone could ask for."
"And what would that be?"
"Your love."
"Merrill Hess, you are the sweetest man in this universe."
Merrill placed his lips on Alicia's and gave her an openmouthed kiss. After they kissed, Merrill rested his hands on Alicia's stomach and stroked it.
"I forgot to tell you- I have a job interview tomorrow."
"Merrill! Why do you always wait to tell me things?"
"Because I didn't want to steal your moment when you were talking about the promotion. Plus, the near-accident kinda wiped all my short term memory away."
"Well, where's the interview?"
"At Council Rocks High School. Dad called me yesterday and said that he had heard that they were looking for an athletic director. So I called and I have an interview tomorrow at 9:30."
"Oh my God, baby! I'm so excited for you!"
"I don't have the job just yet, so don't get too excited."
"Are you kidding? You're a shoo-in. You're a college graduate, you still hold the all-time home run record in the minors, you've got an amazing personality, you never get mad…well, unless it's me, but come on! You're perfect."
"Well, I hope they think the same too."
"What are we still doing up? You need your sleep."
"Honey, Council Rocks is only like, 5 minutes away from here. I'll be fine in the morning."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive, Mom."
He grinned at her and kissed her nose.
"So," he said, "have you done any wedding preparation yet?"
"We still have 5 months."
"That 5 months is gonna sneak up on you like you wouldn't believe."
"I know. Mom says the same thing. We'll probably go7 gown shopping soon."
"Cool."
They laid on the sofa together until they both dozed off. However, Merrill woke up about an hour and a half later. He turned off the TV and lifted Alicia off of him. He thought about moving her to the bed with him, but she looked entirely too comfortable. He carefully placed her head on a pillow and looked at her. He kneeled beside her and kissed her forehead, then her lips.
"I love you," he whispered.
Then he turned out all the lights and climbed into bed.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Merrill gazed at the trophies that lined the wall of Council Rock's athletic building. Suddenly, he heard laughter and talking coming from a distance. A group of cheerleaders walked by him, halting their conversation. Each one of them grinned at Merrill and he smiled back. They all giggled and walked away, as if they had just seen their favorite celebrity. A few minutes later, a man came out of the offices.
"You're Merrill, right?"
"Yes, that's me."
"I'm Mark Allenberg. I'm the current athletic director. Nice to meet you."
"Same here."
"Come inside and let's talk."
They went into Mark's office and Merrill sat across from him.
Mark asked, "So you went to Penn State?"
"Yeah. Even though I was playing baseball full time, I was determined to finish my degree."
"And as soon as you graduated, you went into the minors?"
"Yep."
"Well, you could definitely be an asset to the baseball department. We had some great teams a few years back, but then we had so many coaches going in and out, we lost our fire. And we'll definitely need a boost after the attacks. I think maybe the guys could use someone like you to boost their morale- you know, show them a thing or two."
"When I called, the principal said that the athletic director position was open. But I guess it's not.."
"No, it is. I got a job offer in North Carolina and I'm moving after winter break. That way, you can get used to everything before you completely take on the position."
"Sounds good."
"Well, if it were up to me, I'd hire you right now. But I'm not the principal, so I'll call Ms. McCarthy in now. I think she'll agree with me."
"Thanks."
Meanwhile, Alicia finished getting ready for work and went to the main house to meet Graham. He had just got back from taking the kids to school and was reading the newspaper.
"Hey," she said, "I'm ready when you are. Thanks for taking me to work."
"No problem- anytime."
Graham looked at Alicia and smiled.
"You look great," he said, "I can't believe they're making you assistant manager."
"Me neither."
"Colleen would be so ecstatic."
Alicia looked at the ground and nodded.
"She would."
"I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-"
"It's OK."
Alicia looked at her hand that was resting on the table. Graham's was on top of it. They immediately moved away from each other.
"I'm gonna go get my keys," he said.
Alicia met him at the front door and then they went out to the car. As they began the drive to LaStalla, Graham tried to make conversation.
"I hope Merrill gets the job at Council Rocks. That's a great school."
"I know."
"I'm glad he'll be back in his element."
"I agree."
"Listen, Alicia, I know that things happened between us, but that doesn't mean that we don't have to be uncomfortable around each other."
"Who said things were uncomfortable? I'm perfectly fine holding an everyday conversation with you."
But it's hard for me, Graham thought to himself.
He pulled up to LaStalla and Alicia got out of the car. Before she closed the door, she poked her head back in and smiled at Graham.
"You're the best. I'll see you later on tonight."
"Will do."
He watched as she went inside the restaurant, carefully observing everything about her. Then she sat in the car for a few moments and thought to himself. Despite the fact that he was fighting it with all of his might, he was finding himself even more attracted to Alicia then he had previously been before.
It'll pass, it'll pass, he thought aloud.
He knew he was going to have to force himself to- before things got out of control.
Alicia took one last inhale and then threw out the cigarette before the car pulled into the driveway.
"Thanks again for the ride, Miranda."
"No problem. I don't know why you've never asked before. It's on my way home."
"I'll remember that next time. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Ali."
Alicia got out of Miranda's car and went to the garage house. She was happy to see Merrill's car there.
I haven't heard from him all day. I hope his interview didn't go bad.
She trudged up the stairs and opened the door. Much to her surprise, there was an elaborate dinner set up, with candles everywhere and music playing softly in the background. Merrill, who had been relaxing on the bed, got up.
"Hey there, beautiful," he said.
"Hey there, stud. What's all this for?"
"It's a celebratory dinner."
"Celebratory? Did you get the job?"
He grinned and nodded his head.
"I start helping out with summer school in a week."
"Merrill! Oh my God! Congratulations!"
Alicia was so happy that she jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around him.
"I haven't been this happy in…forever! This is amazing! You're teaching, I'm managing..well, kind of, but still! Now all we need is to successfully get married, remodel the garage and then we're set for perfection."
"I don't know about you, but perfection would include maybe…I don't know…a baby."
"Well, let's get settled into our new careers and then I promise you, we'll start a family."
"Sounds good to me."
"So what are we having for dinner?"
"I got sushi."
"Sweet. I've had such a craving for sushi for the last few days.."
"We're going to the beach, we're going to the beach, hi ho the derry-o, we're going to the beach!!"
Bo sang at the top of her lungs while she let her hand flail in the blowing wind.
"Bo," Merrill said, "please keep your hands inside the car. You don't want a car to come by and knock it off, do you?"
"That can't happen."
Alicia, who was sitting between Bo and Morgan in the back, said, "It happened to me when I was your age. I had to get my hand sewn back on."
"No you didn't!"
"Wanna see the scars?"
Alicia held her wrist in Bo's face and make noises while she tickled her. It was a little after 8:30 on the following Saturday morning. They were driving in Merrill's convertible to Ocean City to spend the day at the beach. Merrill and Graham were equally having a hard time keeping their minds- and eyes- off of the tiny black bikini that Alicia was sporting.
Morgan said, "Aunt Ali, I brought my metal detector. Do you wanna go scavenging with me when we get to the beach?"
"I sure will. Maybe we can find some gold and sell it."
"You think?"
"You never know there, matey."
Morgan rested his head against Alicia's shoulder and she kissed the top of his head, wrapping her arm around him. It still scared her to death when she thought about how close she was to losing her little buddy the morning after the invasion.
She ran her fingers through his hair and took a gummy bear out of Bo's backpack. She threw it at Merrill.
"Ali, come on! That's the 17th gummy bear you've thrown at me. What gives?"
"I just felt like it, " she said, giggling.
"Oh, I'll get you later."
"Bring it on. So, Graham, you gonna go surfing today?"
"Um…not likely."
"Oh come on. We'll rent a board and you can hang ten. It'll be great."
"The day you see me surfing is the day it starts snowing in July."
When they finally arrived at the beach, Merrill parked the car in a nearby lot and everyone got out. They had coolers, blankets, sand toys- everything essential for a day at the beach. As Graham followed the kids to find a spot, Merrill and Alicia strolled behind them, their arms around each other.
"Why did you have to wear that bikini?" he asked.
"Cause I wanted to..why?"
"Because now the only thing I'm going to concentrate on all day is you."
"Isn't that your goal every day?"
"Well…"
They kissed and then Merrill pointed at the ocean. He wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"I love you more than that ocean stretches on."
"And feel the same exact way about you."
Merrill kissed Alicia again and then bent down, rummaging his hands in the sand.
"What are you doing?" Alicia asked.
"I dropped…something..hold on."
He grabbed a handful of sand, pulled Alicia's bikini bottoms away from her body, and dropped the sand inside.
"Payback's a bitch, ain't it?"
He ran as fast as he could, with Alicia chasing him. Finally, she made a flying leap and knocked him into the sand. She grabbed a handful of sand and put it down his shorts.
"Gotcha!" she yelled.
He pulled her close to his face and said, "Sweetheart, you've got me for the rest of my life."
"That was cheesy, Hess. But I liked it."
"And I love you."
Without any regards for the people around them, they gave each other a very openmouthed kiss and then got up to join the kids and Graham.
"Where were you two?" Graham asked.
"We were taking our time, walking around."
Morgan said, "Come on, Aunt Ali! Let's use the metal detector."
"Absolutely."
They ran off together, with Bo following them. Merrill and Graham both laughed as they watched Bo stumbling in the sand.
"My little girl is growing up so fast," Graham said, "but it's a part of life."
"Yeah, you're right."
Merrill grabbed two sodas out of the cooler and handed one to Graham.
"Here's to a much needed day at the beach. Thanks for the idea and the invite, big brother."
"No problem, little brother. Cheers."
"Cheers."