Thank you MistressMoonDemon, Hya-chan, WitchyWanda, Constanze, Anime master Inu, BigBlackWoman, warprince2000, Akida411searcher, and Windra for your reviews. I love hearing from all of you; you're the best!
I hope you all enjoyed reading my old story. I had fun posting it back up and realizing that no matter how much I don't really like it anymore, you guys still do. That makes me feel good. Thank you all so much for your time, reviews, and encouragement. Like I said...you guys are the best:hugs:
The
Secret
Spencers13 1996 — Revised 2001
Beta Reader — Beetle
Babe
Beetlejuice & all related charcters © Geffen
Film Co.
Story concept & any original characters ©
Spencers13 (Lacey G)
R — Romance — Drama
Chapter 8 - Home
"Babes? Babes, wake up."
Lydia rolled over and grumbled something unintelligible into her pillow. She and Beetlejuice had taken up temporary residence in her small apartment in Philadelphia while she continued to attend college. They had been living there for six months so far, and Lydia was beginning to tire of the small confines. She complained to Beetlejuice daily of wanting to move out and find some place bigger to live, but he would only smile and tell her that he had everything under control, and they would be leaving soon.
"Who was on the phone?" Lydia asked into the pillow while trying to pull the covers over herself more. The ring had startled her out of her blissful slumber some ten minutes ago. She had almost fallen back asleep when Beetlejuice came over and shook her.
"That was the call I've been waiting for. Today's the big day, Lyds. Get up. I have something I wanna show you."
"Mmmm…" she grumped but rolled over and flung the covers aside anyway.
Lydia dressed slowly, her head still in the heavy fog of sleep. She had stayed up late the previous night doing homework so her weekend would be free to spend with Beetlejuice. She tripped about the apartment looking for shoes and socks. It had become a bit messy since Beetlejuice had come to live with her, but she did not mind so much. It was Beetlejuice's custom to mess things up, and she was used to it.
"Where are we going?" she asked as he pushed her toward the door.
"It's a surprise," was all he said.
Beetlejuice led her out to her car and opened the passenger door. She gave him a sharp look but got in anyway.
"Just watch out for the potholes and speed bumps this time, okay?" she said as he plopped into the driver's seat and turned the ignition key. "This isn't the Neitherworld and my poor car is not Doomie."
"Don't worry, Babes. Everything's under control."
The few minutes she expected to be on the road turned into an hour. Beetlejuice was uncharacteristically quiet, but a constant smile spread across his lips the entire trip. Huge office buildings and four lane byways melted into trees and two lane blacktop. They had been driving through a thick wooded area for a half hour before Lydia finally spoke up.
"So… where are we going?"
"You'll see."
Silence.
"When will we get there?"
"We're almost there now."
"Oh."
Silence.
Finally, Beetlejuice pulled off the main highway onto a dirt road. The gravel and soil looked relatively new compared to most back roads that Lydia had seen in her past. The road was just wide enough to fit maybe two small cars side by side. They traveled for several minutes until the trees finally gave way. Beetlejuice let one hand go of the wheel and clamped it over Lydia's eyes.
"Hey!"
"Can't let you see it yet, Lyds. Close your eyes and promise not to open 'em 'till I say."
Lydia sighed, but could not help feeling a twinge of excitement. "Alright. I promise."
"Great!" Beetlejuice pulled his hand away and shrieked in delight as he brought the car to a stop and cut off the engine. Lydia heard the driver's door open and close, then a few seconds later, her door popped open and Beetlejuice's hand grabbed hers and helped her out. "Wait here, Lyds," he whispered when he finally stopped leading her forward. Lydia obediently stood where he left her and tried to strain her ears when she heard voices up ahead.
"Nikulás Juice! It certainly is a pleasure to finally meet you!"
A man wearing a construction helmet and vest sauntered up to Beetlejuice and shook his hand roughly.
"Everything is as you requested. Here's your keys."
A jingling sound reached Lydia's ears.
"This is better than I expected! Thanks for everything," Beetlejuice's voice floated to her.
"No, thank you, Mr. Juice. It's been a pleasure doing business with you. You have a wonderful day!" The man shook Beetlejuice's hand once more then climbed into his own vehicle.
Lydia heard an engine start and a truck pull away past her.
"Beetlejuice! Can I look now!" she called out to him. She heard the jingle of keys again and a soft click, then Beetlejuice's advancing footsteps.
"Okay, Lydia… Now!"
Lydia opened her eyes and blinked.
She blinked again.
"B-Beetlejuice? H-How!"
Before Lydia stood a structure so familiar she could not believe it was there. For a moment she thought that they had been transported to the Neitherworld, but the beautiful trees and grass that surrounded the building reminded her it was still the real world.
"I had them build an exact replica of the Roadhouse for us, Babes," Beetlejuice grinned wildly. "Just for you and me… in someplace quiet. What do you think?"
Lydia stared in disbelief at the Roadhouse. It was a perfect copy of the one in the Neitherworld, right down to the signs plastered on the front. Beetlejuice had already opened the door for them and was gently coaxing her inside.
"Come on, Lyds! I wanna check it out!" He almost sounded like a little boy excited over getting a new toy. He pushed her inside and took off into various rooms to look the place over.
Lydia gazed around her. It was even the same on the inside. The oddly-shaped doorways, the uneven steps leading to the second floor, even the couch and television looked the same as the original Roadhouse in the Neitherworld.
"Lyds! Babes! They even got the right fridge!" Beetlejuice called from the kitchen.
Lydia smiled, took a deep breath and gazed about the living room a few seconds more.
"I'm home," she whispered.
THE END