Author's Note: Just wanted to say thanks for reviewing the last chapter. I'm pleased you all like it. I'll continue as long as there is interest in the story.
Disclaimer: Of course, I still don't own any rights to Degrassi or its' characters.
Take My Breath Away
Chapter Two: The Brunch
Everyone arrived at the Simpson home promptly at eleven o'clock. Joey, Ang and Caitlin arrived first after picking up Lucy at her hotel. "I can't believe you two are married!" Lucy exclaimed as she hugged them.
Christine laughed. "I know! Me neither!"
Emma and Manny arrived next. They went straight to work in serving the food, cheese balls and finger sandwiches. "This is so much fun," Manny said, as they piled the food onto separate platters.
Emma raised her eyebrows. "Whatever you say, Manny," she grinned, as they headed into the living room.
Just then the doorbell rang. Emma opened the door to find Sean and Craig. "Hi Sean! Hi Craig!" she smiled, "come on in and join the party."
As the boys walked in, other guests arrived. Emma greeted them all and showed them into the living room where the happy couple was holding court. "We're so glad you all could come," Christine told everyone.
Joey made his way over to Craig. "You didn't tell me you were coming," he said.
Craig grinned. "I didn't know," he began, "Sean called right after you and Ang left this morning. He needed moral support."
Joey looked over at Sean, who was standing uncomfortably with Snake and Spike. Joey knew they were asking him harmless questions, but judging from Sean's expression, you'd think they were giving him the third degree. Joey chuckled and nodded in Sean's direction. "Looks like your friend would appreciate some of that 'support' right about now."
Craig looked over and laughed. "Yeah, I'll see you later," he said as he walked over to Sean.
Caitlin approached Joey. "What's so funny?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing really," Joey explained, "just kids' stuff. You remember being a kid, don't you?"
Caitlin laughed. "Oh yeah," she chuckled. "I wouldn't do it again if you paid me a million dollars."
Ang walked up to them. "Daddy, would you like some cheese?"
Joey kneeled down. "Thank you very much, sweetheart," he said, taking a cheese puff from her tray. "Are you helping Emma today?"
Ang nodded. "Would you like some cheese, Caitlin?" she asked, holding the tray toward Caitlin.
"Why, yes, I would, thank you, Ang," Caitlin smiled.
After Ang moved on to the next guest, Caitlin turned to Joey. "She's such a sweet little girl, Joey," she said, "you're doing a great job with her."
"Thanks," Joey answered, "I'm really lucky to have her." He paused. "She likes you a lot, you know."
"Really?" Caitlin smiled, "well, I feel the same way…for both of you."
There was a silence between them as they both thought about the significance of Caitlin's words.
Joey broke the silence first. "Good, I'm glad," he said quietly, "I like you too."
The party went on for another couple of hours until Snake announced that it was time to take his new bride on their honeymoon. Joey helped him pack their suitcases into the car and everyone said their goodbyes.
Before leaving, Christine took Emma aside. "I know I don't have to tell you this but," she began, "be good. Remember Mr. and Mrs. Santos are in charge."
"I will, Mom," Emma assured her mother, "don't worry about me. Just enjoy yourself."
They hugged one more time and then the newlyweds jumped in the car and were on their way.
Manny threw her arm around Emma's shoulders. "We're going to have so much fun this week," she squealed.
Emma smiled and followed Manny inside the house to pick her overnight bag. Joey offered the girls a ride over to Manny's but they politely refused. She locked up the house and they started walking with Sean and Craig at their side.
Sean and Emma ended up walking side by side a little ahead of Craig and Manny. "Can I carry your bag for you?" Sean asked.
"No, that's okay, Sean," Emma assured him, "it's not heavy."
Sean nodded. He struggled to find something to say. "It was a nice brunch today," he said finally.
Emma smiled. "Yeah, a lot of people showed up. Mom and Snake really liked it, didn't they?"
Manny and Craig chatted comfortably behind them. Ever since, Manny had gotten over her crush on Craig, she was able to talk to him like he was just another boy she went to school with. Craig was more comfortable talking to Manny also now that she wasn't mooning over him.
Soon, they reached Manny's house. "You guys want to come in for a drink?" Manny invited.
"Sure," Craig said. Sean simply nodded and followed them inside.
*****
Joey stopped by his parents' house to drop Angela off. Caitlin and Lucy went inside with them to say hello. Mrs. Jeremiah gushed over seeing the girls after such a long time.
After a short visit, they stood to leave. Joey bent down to hug Ang. "You have fun with Grandma and Grandpa," he told her.
"Okay, daddy," she replied, "I love you."
The three of them drove to a local restaurant to have an early dinner before they took Lucy to the airport to catch her flight home to Arizona.
*****
Manny and Emma laid on Manny's twin beds and talked about their favorite subject, boys. "I wish I could find someone who looked at me like Sean looks at you, Emma," Manny sighed.
"What about Craig?" Emma asked, "He seemed pretty interested today."
Manny frowned. "I'm over Craig," she insisted. "He couldn't see me for the great girl I was before. It's his loss. I'm looking for someone who could appreciate me."
Emma wasn't convinced. "You're saying that if Craig came to you and professed his true feelings, you wouldn't jump up and down for joy?"
Manny's eyes twinkled. "Well, I would be a little excited, sure," she admitted, "I mean, Craig's cute."
Emma laughed out loud and threw a pillow at her friend. Manny retaliated, which led to a pillow fight.
*****
Craig led Sean into his house. He called out to see if anyone was home. When he got no answer, he turned to Sean. "Cool, we got the whole house," he grinned. "Set up the playstation 2, will ya? I'll get us some drinks."
Sean pulled the playstation 2 out from the entertainment center and turned it on. He popped in the new "Sims" game and set up the controls. Craig carried two sodas into the living room and handed one to Sean as he sat down. As they played they cracked each other up over some the characters they created. Once they got bored with that (which wasn't long for two fourteen-year-old boys), they popped in the "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers". It kept their interest longer and they were in the middle of the game when Joey walked in.
Joey looked at his watch. "Hey guys, you know it's almost eight o'clock?"
Sean jumped up. "Jeez, Tracker's going to kill me," he said. "I'll see you at school tomorrow, man."
As Sean left, Craig started putting away the game system. "Where's Ang?" he asked Joey.
"She's over at my folks," Joey answered. "Did you eat dinner?"
"Yeah, I grabbed a sandwich," Craig told him. "I'm going upstairs to work on some homework before bed. Good night."
"Good night," Joey called out, as he stretched out on the couch and turned on the TV. He watched the "Charmed" Ones fight off the Source again and then he tuned into "Law & Order: Criminal Intent". At ten o'clock, he shut off the lights, locked the door and went upstairs to bed.
Craig's light was still on when he passed his room. He peeked inside and saw Craig slumped over his desk fast asleep. Joey went in and nudged him awake. He helped Craig stumble over to his bed and collapse, falling into a deep sleep immediately.
As Joey moved on to his own room, the phone rang. "Talk to me," he said.
"Joey, I'm glad I caught you before you went to sleep," Caitlin told him, "Do you think you can do me a favor?"
"Sure, Cait," Joey told her, "what's up?"
"I just got a call from my producer," she began, "There's a problem. I need to get back to Vancouver right away. I know it's late, but do you think you can give me a lift to the airport right away?"
"You're leaving now?" Joey asked, surprised. He had hoped she would stay in town a few days.
"Yeah, I know it's sudden," she said, "but this can't wait. I think the show is in trouble."
Joey agreed to take her to the airport and told her he'd be by her hotel in ten minutes. He threw his shirt back on and slipped his feet inside his sneakers.
He arrived at the hotel and found Caitlin waiting out front. She threw her suitcase in the back and climbed into the passenger seat. "I really appreciate this, Joey," she told him, "I could have called a shuttle, but I wanted to say goodbye to you in person instead of over the phone."
"I'm glad you called, Cait," Joey told her. "I would have been disappointed if I couldn't tell you bye in person. You're going to call me when you get home, right?"
Caitlin smiled. "Of course I will," she assured him.
Joey drove to the airport and hugged her goodbye. He was a little sad as he watched her plane disappear. He was surely going to miss her.
*****
Okay, I know this stretched a little too long…sorry! LOL. Enjoy! Next chapter: I miss you (guess who this is about?)
