Title: Forgive Me
Author: hezziebob182
Rating: T
Summary: Common Threads- how it could have been. Chapter 3 up!
Chapter 3: Promises
Disclaimer: I don't own Joan Of Arcadia. :( Pretty please don't sue me!
Ello reading and hopefully reviewing public. I have a few shout outs. (Hehe)
Lemmingally: Hey chicken, so are we gonna write some more Eric in tangeriny (whilst desperately trying to avoid the evil pink shirt wearing fanfic filled note invading obsessive coldplay hating gremlin who at regular intervals says inappropriate things and sings folk songs loudly and not so well in our learning environment) or what? (If you ever do read this (god forbid) then sozzy Sir! We do love your jazzy shirts! The multicoloured ties also!)
The mysterious "Sam" who always has nice things to say: Cheers. Have you thought about getting an account? I would so review any stuff you wrote!
LostSchizophrenic: Hey dude. I don't know you but oh well. Your review made me smile.
And all the other wonderful people who have had positive things to say about this story so far: I think your suggestions are gonna help! Thank you!
AN: Yes, I'm still ignoring Ryan. I am thinking about a fanfic solely dealing with him though, much as I hate him. Ally: I wanted to make Bonnie pregnant, really, and I will do something along those lines at an unspecified point in the future, maybe after I've gotten over this thing I have, it's called "needing to give fanfics sweet storylines-itis" (ok, so that one I did about bonnie, not so sweet, just a one off I think)!
Joan woke up as the sun appeared from her bedroom window. Squinting, she smiled and welcomed the new day.
Wait, why am I smiling?
She remembers the day before, vividly clear in her mind and yet as distant as a half forgotten dream.
Adam and I. Joan and Adam. Adam and Joan. Us.
Joan had found it hard to keep a grip on reality those past few hours before she had dozed off. Thoughts spun around in her mind, crashing and colliding as the need for sleep took hold. The kisses they had shared that night, the look Adam had in his eyes when he had cried. Scenes from the Woods, Bonnie spray-painting a wall outside school, her first ever visit to Adam's shed, mock trial, the science fair, millions more. They played out in her head like a movie of her relationship with Adam where the guy arranging the scenes had messed up, all chronology lost to a random sequence that somehow ends up making more sense.
She rolls out of bed and gets dressed.
I'll drop by at Adam's on the way; see if he's coming into school.
Joan jumped down the stairs three at a time and landed with a dull thud at the bottom. Helen was making pancakes.
"Morning Honey."
"Mom, I don't really have time for breakfast."
"You can spare your mother five minutes to eat the breakfast she has already made you, Joan."
"Okay, five minutes. Whatever."
"Joan," Helen put the plates on the table and sat down next to her daughter. "Are you sure your doing the right thing?"
"What? You mean Adam?"
"You were worried about him, you had a right to be, but you can't let it cloud your judgement. I know that you love him Joan but whatever the reason you broke up, I could see he hurt you really badly."
"I know, but maybe… maybe I hurt him too."
"Aww, sweetie, you're growing up so fast." Helen gave her daughter a hug, reassured that she had thought things through enough.
Joan ate breakfast and then left the house, anxious to see Adam. She found him in the shed once again, working on a new sketch. It was rain, hard and heavy, landing in puddles on ground. Although this was all it showed, Joan made the connection between it and the woods immediately.
"Hey Adam." She kissed the top of his head, still getting used to the newly reinstated closeness.
"Hey." He put the sketch down and curled his fingers through hers, pulling them to his lips to kiss them.
Joan took a deep breath in, revelling in the waves of emotion running through her. She was overcome with a sudden gratitude for the ability to feel the way this second made her feel.
After all that's happened with us, I think I love him more. Is that possible? I can't imagine my life without us like this.
"Are you coming to class?"
"Yeah, I guess. Listen Jane…"
"What…? The panic was more than evident in her voice.
"No, it's not like that. I was asking… last night, things got pretty intense. This is how I want things to be but if you've changed your mind… I understand." Adam had regretted the words before they had even left his lips but had been unable to stop them. His eyes blurred his vision with a teary screen, not flooding over yet but still there.
No, no, no! Don't change your mind! I need you Jane! Don't leave me!
Adam tried desperately to verbalise his thoughts but the tears were too close.
Let her talk. If she's changed her mind I have to know.
Adam caught the look in her eyes, irresolute. He braced himself for the worst.
Little did he know that it wasn't her answer Joan was considering.
Is he telling the truth? Or is that his way of saying he's not so sure?
Joan saw the fear in Adam's expression.
Oh! He's serious. He honestly thinks I've changed my mind!
"No Adam! I've not changed my mind. If anything I'm more sure now."
Relief spread through him, enabling him to notice just how hard his heart was beating.
"Adam, the stuff I said last night, I meant it all. There's never gonna be anyone else but you."
Adam replied, "I meant what I said too. " He reached for his hat and pulled it down over his head before pulling up his hood. "And there never will be anyone else again, I swear Jane."
She nodded. "Let's go then."
When they got to school they went to Joan's locker. Grace joined them.
"Hey. How you doing Rove? I expected you to take a few sick days before you came back."
"Cha, I couldn't stand to miss AP physics," Adam caught Grace's expression of horror. "Like, kidding Grace."
"Dude, you worried me for a second! Seriously though, are you okay?"
"Yeah. I'm really good. I…" Adam slips his hand back through Joan's. "We have something to tell you."
Grace looked from Adam to his and Joan's linked hands. She put two and two together and, for once, made four. "Um, I think I can guess. Congratulations… I suppose…" She didn't quite know what to make of this.
Am I happy for Adam or concerned for Joan? Damn it, they always make me choose.
Grace wrestled with her dilemma for a few seconds before deciding.
I can at least try to do both.
She gave Adam a hug.
He hugged her back, realising how little he had appreciated Grace's friendship since things between him and Joan had got hectic.
"Hey, public display of affection? Are you sick Grace?" Adam teased her, placing a hand on her forehead as if checking for a fever the way Joan had in the hospital.
"No. I'm just glad you're not dead, that's all."
"Whatever you say."
"Can I borrow 'Jane' for a minute Rove?"
"Yeah, sure. I guess."
"Come on then Girardi." Grace dragged Joan to the biology closet.
Luke was already there waiting for Grace. He smiled and got up to meet her. He saw his sister and the smile fell to the floor. "What…?"
Joan was equally pleased. "Ewww Grace. I'm not comfortable with watching my best friend and my little brother make out!"
"We're not…Wait, I'm your best friend?" For a second Grace looked elated. "Luke, just give us one minute? I'll make it up to you?" She licked her lips.
Joan looked away. "Again with the ewww! Grace!"
Luke picked up his bag and walked out, stopping on the way to kiss Grace's cheek. "I'm holding you to that."
"Anyway female Girardi, cut the sentimental crap for a second. You're back with Rove? How? Spill."
"I don't know Grace. It just happened." She saw Grace's look of concern. "I love him. Just like you love Luke."
Grace opened her mouth to protest but realised it was stupid to deny the truth. Truth she had already admitted to Luke.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Then I'm cool with it."
"Come here best friend." She pulls Grace in for a hug.
Grace hugs her back before shrugging her off. "God! Is it get all slushy towards Grace day today and nobody told me?" She was grinning though.
"Nope. Just needed a hug. And yes, you are my best friend."
"I don't do best friends."
"I seem to recall you don't do boyfriends either."
"Shoot. You got me."
"I'm gonna go find Adam."
"Tell Luke I'm waiting."
"Urg. Do I have to?" She did anyway.
Luke strolled in and grabbed Grace's waist. "What was that about?"
"Her and Rove are back to worshiping each other."
"Oh."
"That's it? 'Oh,' He cheated on her! They had a horrific break up! Less than a week ago! It's crazy.
"I suppose." He kisses her neck.
"Just so you know, you ever even think about doing something like that to me, forget forgiveness. You are DEAD."
"I know. But when I have you, why would I want to? I love you." Yet another hug for Grace.
"That's it. I'm postponing the making out. Sack history. I'm going home. I've had just about as many hugs as I can take in one day! Hopefully when I get back after lunch everyone will be slush free."
"Grace!"
"You could come with me if you like."
"Oh… I don't know. I've never…"
"God you are so geeky! Yes or no?"
Luke paused.
Grace or school: School or Grace. Luke, are you seriously even considering this?
"I'm there."
"Good boy. Side entrance is still open."
Grace took Luke to the park, where they ended up forgetting about class and spending the day there. Joan met Adam outside school after last class.
"Jane?"
"Yeah?"
"I want to make you dinner tonight, my dad's out late. Is that ok?"
"Sounds great. I didn't know you cooked."
"I haven't ever tried it before actually."
"Then how about I bring pizza?"
"Sounds perfect."
Joan arrived at Adam's at seven that night with an extra large pizza. She went straight down to the shed; she knew that's where he would be.
She found him, not drawing but waiting for her.
"Hey."
"Hey." After putting the pizza down she walked over and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Jane… I have something to ask you."
"Sounds serious. Go on then."
"After everything that's happened, I want to show you what you mean to me, need to show you I meant everything…" A few damp tears flowed down the side of his face. This time he did nothing to hide them. He pulled a velvet box out of his jeans pocket and sunk to the floor.
Joan suddenly knew exactly what the question was. Tears welled up her eyes. She wished she could pause time and have this second for the rest of her life.
Adam!
"Oh Adam."
The box opened to reveal a diamond ring.
Joan gasped.
Oh my god.
"Adam…how?"
"It was my Mom's. She wanted me to have it." He took her hand. "Jane, will you marry me?"
Joan thought she was going to have a heart attack. This was too much to take in.
"Adam, we're sixteen years old."
"I know. I'm not saying now. I'm saying one day."
She doesn't want to. I'm so stupid. I've probably just ruined everything.
Joan reached over to Adam and put a hand on one of his damp cheeks, running her thumb over his skin. "Yes."
"What?" Adam couldn't believe it.
"Yes, I'll marry you." She looked into his eyes and put her left hand out to him, spreading out her fingers.
With a shaking hand Adam plucked the ring from the box and slipped it onto Joan's ring finger. It was a perfect fit.
"I love you." They kissed, a kiss like none other they had shared. It sent sparks down their spines as they stood there, lips fused, safe in the recognition that they would spend the rest of their lives together.
Hehe. I'm willing to bet you are either awww-ing by now or throwing up. There's going to be one more chapter, 10 guesses what it's going to be about! Please review! Thanks, Hezzie xXx