Disclaimer : I don't own a thing so there!
PITAQUEEN : Glad you're enjoying it, but I can't promise anything about Charlie and Connie. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!
MEADOW567 : Thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!
KATIE : OH MY GOD!!! I wasn't expecting a review from you. I know what you mean, I always get homesick, not because I'm a big baby that can't stand being away from home, it just a like my bed and my things lol. I have a smile, Stretched from ear to ear, To see you walking down the road, We meet at the lights, I stare for a while, The world around disappears, Just you and me, On this island of hope, A breath between us could be miles, Let me surround you, My sea to your shore, Let me be the calm you seek, Oh and every time I'm close to you, There's too much I can't say, And you just walk away, And I forgot, To tell you, I love you, And the night's, Too long, And cold here Without you, I grieve in my condition, For I cannot find the strength to say I need you so, Oh and every time I'm close to you, There's too much I can't say, And you just walk away, And I forgot, To tell you, I love you, And the night's, Too long, And cold here, Without you – Sarah McLachlan, I love you. It's a great song, it was part of the soundtrack to 'message in a bottle', with Kevin Costner and Robin Wright Penn – a must see lol.Anyways thanks for taking the time to review, luv ya 2 KT lol. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!
HOCKEYGIRL90 : You're very welcome for the review. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!
Chapter 19 – FINAL CHAPTER
GUY'S P.O.V
A few days had passed since the wedding. Connie hadn't really left the confinements of her bedroom, she only came down every so often, and then things were tense and difficult between us all. Charlie had cleared the air with her, and all seemed as though it was returning to normal – slowly but surely.
Over the passed few days, I had, had an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach, but had no idea why. It wasn't as though I was worried about the Connie and Brian situation, as that had been sorted out. Yeah I had a slight worry, that things between myself, Connie and the ducks wouldn't go back to the way they were, after we'd sabotaged her wedding, but it didn't explain the empty feeling I felt.
It was 11am, the longest I had stayed in bed for years. Charlie had been up a few hours, and I could hear the ducks down stairs, chatting idly between themselves. I started to get out of bed, to go down and join them. I sat on the edge of my bed, pulling my jeans on, then grabbing for my shirt. As I made my way toward the stairs, I passed Connie's room, and heard the unmistakable sound of Connie sobbing. I knew then, I couldn't just walk on passed her room, without checking on her.
"Connie, can I come in"? I knocked gently, before popping my head around the slightly ajar door.
"Yeah", She sat up immediately and began swiping the tears away from her cheeks.
"You ok"? I asked. I already knew the answer, but I wanted, and needed to hear it from her.
"I'll live". She almost whispered.
"Why don't you come on downstairs, we can all go out somewhere together". I offered.
"No, I'm ok here thanks. If you guys want to go out, then go, honestly I'll be fine on my own". She shook her head.
"He's not worth it you know". I stepped toward the bed and sat facing her.
"I loved him though, and I thought he loved me too". She confided. "How can someone tell you, that they love you, when they really don't"?
"I don't know Con's. He must have a thick stomach and a steel heart". Then for some reason, I realized that, although she was talking mainly about Brian, she was also thinking the same thing about me. "I know you're probably thinking, that I didn't mean what I said the other day, when I told you, that I loved you and everything. But I did, believe me Connie, I wouldn't tell you something like that and not mean it".
"I don't know what to believe anymore Guy. I've been fed so many lies, I can't tell what's the truth and what isn't". She sat there, avoiding eye contact at all costs. She looked like a lost little girl, and it made a lump in my throat. I had never seen her this vulnerable before.
"I wouldn't be here right now if I didn't mean everything I said". I lifted her chin with my hand, looking into her pain filled hazel eyes.
Fresh tears poured down her cheeks as she collapsed into my arms. I knew then that she had believed me. I sat with her for about an hour, just rocking her back and fourth, listening as her cries became sobs, and her sobs finally became silent, as she fell to sleep. I knew she hadn't been sleeping well recently, so once I was sure she was asleep, I gently laid her down, pulling the covers over her, before silently leaving the room.
I went straight down stairs, receiving odd looks from the ducks. I got myself a cup of coffee before finally joining them in the living room. As I took my first sip of the hot brown liquid, the ducks continued looking at me.
"What"? I asked finally, their looks really getting to me.
"What time do you call this"? Julie asked.
"12.30, why"?
"Exactly Guy. It's 12.30, you've never stayed in bed any longer than 11.30 in your life". Charlie spoke up.
"Well for your information. I've just been sat with Connie for the last hour and a half". I said taking another sip of coffee. "Because thanks to you guys, making me tell her that I loved her, and the fact that everyone seemed to have been lying to her these past few months, she thought I was lying to her when I said I loved her".
"What's she doing now"? Adam asked.
"She's asleep". I answered, as we all fell silent.
Later that afternoon, Connie finally came down and sat with us. She looked better after she'd had a bit of a sleep, but pain and hurt etched every feature of her face. Things were slightly awkward between us all, not because any of us thought Connie hated us, but because none of us knew what to say to each other, all scared that we'd hurt her feelings more than we already had.
"You can talk you know, I'm not going to shatter into a million pieces". Connie finally spoke up. "He isn't worth it". She told us, looking at me as she gave me a small smile. I winked back in return.
Idle chatter commenced for the next hour or so. I couldn't help but think that the old Connie was coming back to us ever so slightly. She had let a few small smiles cross her features, but non stayed too long, as though the memory of the last few days stabbed her every so often, reminding her of all her heartache.
"Um, Con's, what are you doing with all the black bags"? Fulton asked, as he returned from the door, after paying for the pizza we'd ordered, and nearly tripping over the bags, that still remained crowded around the door.
"Oh, um, I suppose I'll take them to a charity shop sometime tomorrow". She looked longingly at the 4 black bags. "Someone less fortunate might as well have them".
"What exactly is in them"? Ken asked.
"Brian's things". She answered simply.
"We'll take them tonight on the way back to the hotel if you want". Luis offered.
"If you don't mind, that would be great". She answered, receiving a chorus of 'course we don't'. "Oh and Julie, you can do what you want with your dress". She told her, and I knew then that her dress was in one of the bags.
Later that evening, the ducks left earlier than they had the previous few nights, in order to drop the bags off at a charity shop. The apartment felt a little empty with just me, Connie and Charlie there, yet it felt that little more relaxed. We settled down with a big bowl of pop corn and another full of chips and began watching some films. About half way through the first one, Connie got up to get us all a drink. She was just passing the door, when someone tried unlocking the door. Connie went and answered it, and I could tell there was something wrong as soon as she'd opened the door. Her whole demeanor had changed, she was stood almost fearfully in the doorway.
I nudged Charlie who turned more of his attention on Connie. We both climbed to our feet, and headed over to Connie. Immediately on reaching her, I knew why her demeanor had changed so suddenly.
"Oh look who it is". Brian sniped.
"What do you want Brian"? Connie asked gently.
"Well, I came for my things, you know the things that rightly belong to me". He was no longer the loving fiancé anymore.
"They aren't here anymore". Connie said strongly back.
"What do you mean they aren't here anymore? What have you done with all my things". He barged passed Connie, but both myself and Charlie pushed him back out onto the corridor.
"Exactly what she say's". Charlie snapped.
"I've sent all your things to a charity shop". Connie declared.
"You stupid bitch, you had no right. They were my personal possessions". His face went red, I instinctively held Connie's arm, ready pull her inside if needs must.
"Possession Brian, is 9/10ths of the law. You left your 'possessions' in my apartment. I was free to do whatever I liked with them". Connie argued.
"How could you do this? This isn't you. You weren't like this until 'the ducks' flew back into your life. You've changed and you don't even know it".
"The real question here Brian is how you could do what you've done, to me? I never changed, I've always been the way I am, it's just that you smothered that part of me". Connie held her own. "You say you loved me, that you'd do anything for me, God you even proposed to me. Why, why do all that if you were going behind my back? Why not just end it with me, and start new with Tammy"? Connie began crying, but remained strong.
"Because I loved you, I still love you. I didn't want to hurt you". He said with what should have been feelings, but there was nothing.
"LIAR". Connie shouted in his face.
Brian began raising his fist, and I began pulling Connie away, but she pulled her arm out of my grasp. I tried again but, again did she pull away from me.
"Go ahead, hit me, you can't hurt me anymore than you already have done". She said quietly, though I guessed her voice was betraying her feelings. Brian's arm dropped back to his side.
"I thought you loved me". Brian softened, trying a different tact.
"I did. But that love was never reciprocated. Now I just truly, madly, deeply DETEST you". And with that Connie finally shut the door in his face.
She headed straight back to the living room. Where she sat with her head in her hands. Both me and Charlie followed her, sitting either side of her, rubbing her back affectionately.
"You ok"? I asked. She nodded her head and wiped away the tears.
"I don't think he'll be bothering you again". Charlie tried seeing the brighter side of things.
"While ever he knows he can get to me, he will. It's his way, he chases things until their his". Connie confided.
"Well the first thing you're going to do, is get the locks changed. And he'll get the message eventually". I told her.
"And we're gonna be here for a while. We won't let him anywhere near you". Charlie added.
"You're not going to be here forever". Connie shook her head.
"What are you saying Connie"? I asked.
"I think it's time I moved on, started somewhere new". She whispered.
"Like"? Charlie looked as shocked as I felt.
"I don't know. I think I'm gonna head on home for a few weeks and go from there. Maybe ask Simon to be transferred to the Minnesota office".
"So you're gonna come home"? I asked, happy yet shocked.
"Yeah, I am". She said positively.
So I think I'll leave it there. Anyways what you think? PLEASE R&R!!!!