Chapter 14: We Can Work It Out

Ellie

"You don't really want this, Sean..." my voice trailed off as Sean grabbed my overnight

bag stuffed with clothes, shoes, and toiletries.

"It's only for a little bit, Elle. We just need... you're going through a lot right now. I don't want you feeling like you have to worry about me and housework and everything. I want you to take care of yourself first."

"Oh, in that case, how noble," I snapped. I pulled the bag away from him and stumbled back a bit. "I can do this myself."

"Ellie!" Sean snatched the bag back from me and made a big deal of rolling his eyes. "Maybe this time apart will help you grow up."

"Don't talk to me like that, Mr. Let's Steal and Get Caught and Go To Jail!"

"That's not fair to bring that up."

"It's not fair to put me out in the cold," I shot back. I was just so angry that he didn't want me around. He doesn't want to help me. He doesn't care about me.

"Stop being so dramatic. Your nice mansion is hardly the arctic."

I watched as he set the bag down and went back to the bedroom to get another one. I sat down in a kitchen chair. Maybe he's right. Maybe it would be better. I'd live with my parents for a few weeks, get better, and come back to live with Sean.

Yeah, right... That's the optimistic point of view. It's going to take a lot longer than just two weeks to get better. Who knows if I'll ever get better?

"When is the taxi getting here?" I shouted out to Sean.

Sean came out of the bedroom with another huge bag and let out a groan as he tried to pick up both of them. "What do you have in here? Rocks? The taxi said it'd be here at 5:00."

"Well... it's quarter til. Do you want me to get you a drink?" I got up from my chair and walked into the little kitchen quarters.

"That'd be great. Thanks."

"No problem."

I'm not going to deny it. I'm still a little upset with Sean's decision to send me to my parents, but what am I supposed to do? It's the only place I can go. I love my parents, don't get me wrong, it's just... I don't really understand how I'm supposed to get better with them around. They try, they really do, but they just always... fall short, it seems. Either my dad can't get away from work, or my mom will make some insensitive comment without realizing it, or they'll just push me way too hard and too fast.

I remember last time, when Zeke mentioned to them that I might have a problem, they had immediately taken me out for a three-course meal. They didn't try and ask me about it, they didn't ask any doctors about it, they just tried to force me to eat a huge dinner. And they thought that would cure it. They had done their part, now the rest was up to me.

At least they're not placing me in some "jail" like last time.

"Here you go," I handed the glass to Sean and started to turn away. All of a sudden, I was feeling very emotional.

But Sean grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. "Come here."

I sat down in his lap, and he wrapped his arms around me, rocking me back and forth. I kept myself from throwing my arms around him and begging him to let me stay. How am I supposed to deal with this all by myself?

A car horn honking broke us from our thoughts. Of course... just when I was gathering to courage to beg Sean, the taxi driver had to go and ruin it. I sighed as I got to my feet and looked around at our- his- apartment. It was even beginning to look decent with all the decorating I had been doing in my spare time.

Sean grabbed my bags, and I slipped on my jacket. This is really it. Oh God, I'm acting as if it's forever... It's only a few weeks, Nash. Get over it. Still, I can't help but feel like it's going to be a long time before Sean will want me back. Maybe even months!

He loaded the bags into the trunk and gave the taxi driver instructions to help me get them into the house. I noticed he slipped the disgruntled driver a bill as they shook hands.

"So..." Sean's hands fell to his side. "This is it."

"Yeah. This is it," I repeated dumbly.

"Call me when you get there, okay?"

"Okay. Bye," I kissed him quickly on the mouth, ready to just get in the car and speed off, but he grabbed my wrist and drug me back for a deeper kiss.

"I love you," he whispered into my lips.

"Me too," I whispered back.

I stared into his eyes for a second, quietly screaming inside for him to stop me, but he didn't. He just smiled and tapped the top of the taxi as I rolled away. I dug myself into the back seat and crossed my arms across my chest. This is not the beginning of something good. Not at all.

Sean

I waved to the retreating taxi, hoping that Ellie would happen to be looking back at me.

I walked back into my apartment feeling worn out. The place is going to be real lonely without her. Who else is going to whine and bitch about every little thing? I can't imagine not hearing "Law & Order" on all night or "Jeopardy". I grabbed the remote off the small coffee table and flipped through the stations. Oh, come on! "Law & Order" has to be on.

It wasn't.

I glanced at my watch. Only two minutes have passed since she left.

Maybe I'll just put on some of her music. I went to the computer (present from daddy) and searched through the I-Tunes for the most Ellie-like song I could find. I clicked on Two Princes by Spin Doctors and turned the volume up. She listens to this song probably twelve times a night. Trying to sing it, granted. She still can't figure out the words.

"Marry him, marry me. I'm the one that loved you baby can't you see? I ain't got no future or family tree, but I know what a prince and lover ought to be. I know what a prince and lover ought to be. Said if you want to call me baby, just go ahead now. And if you like to tell me-..."

Shit. Am I really singing Spin Doctors? Ellie is definitely going to be my downfall. She will be the destroyer of my reputation. Okay, I'll put it on "Friday I'm in Love". That'll work. The Cure isn't girly.

I glanced at my watch again. Five minutes have passed. Five minutes without her, and I'm already getting all mopey and playing songs that remind me of her. How lame is that?Okay, since nothing is on TV, maybe I'll just... uh... clean or something. No, that reminds me of her. And how insane she is about categorizing things. And I can't eat, because all I have is cereal in the house, and the cereal reminds me of her. She put them in alphabetical order.

Six minutes have passed.

Maybe I'll just go for a walk.

So I did. I grabbed my hoodie, slipped it on, and started outside. Seriously though, maybe I should try and take the route the taxi did and make sure it didn't break down or anything. That's actually a really good idea. I accelerated from my walk into a slow jog and finally full-out running. Sprinting. If I kept this speed up, I could probably catch the taxi.

It took me ten minutes, but I finally caught up with the taxi. The idiot must not have been going too fast. He was only a few blocks away. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the taxi and starting slapping on it's window.

"Stop!" I called, hoping the driver would hear me.

He did. The car broke to a halt, and I opened Ellie's door.

"Are you okay?"

She stared at me weirdly. "Um, yeah... Why wouldn't I be?"

"No reason. Okay, just making sure."

The driver looked back at me. "Hey man, do you mind? I'm trying to drive the lady home."

"No, I don't mind at all. Don't forget to call me."

Ellie gave me a little smile, and I shut the door. Good. Now that I know she's okay, I can relax back at home. I could always call Jay and have him come over. But... if he's going to come over, then Alex will probably come over, and that means it'd kind of be like a little... "party". So, shouldn't I invite Ellie? She is my girlfriend, after all. And I'm sure she's already missing Dolce and Gabanna since I'm keeping them at my house for awhile. So, I'm sure she'd like to visit them, too. I don't think she got to give them a decent goodbye. God, why don't I just admit it? I love her. And I don't want her leaving. No excuses, I just want her.

"Ellie!" I yelled, running after the taxi. Is it my imagination or did that lame driver actually speed up? "Ellie!"

I ran behind the taxi, waving my arms. Why can't she see me? I picked up my speed, sprinting until I was alongside the taxi. "Stop!" I pounded on the window. "Stop!"

The car screeched to a halt. The minute it was safe, I threw the door open and grabbed Ellie's hands. "You're not going."

"What?" her eyes widened and she glanced back at the taxi driver.

"You're not going," I repeated simply. "I love you. I don't want you to go. I want to take care of you and help you and just be with you."

Ellie laughed, "Are you kidding me?"

"No," I answered seriously.

"You want me to stay?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"More than anything."

"Then I will!"

"Seriously, don't mind my lack of intelligence before. I never really wanted you gone. It just flew out of my mouth at the store."

Ellie fiddled with her yogurt and rolled her eyes. "Suuuure."

"Quit it!" I threw a pillow at her and she giggled as she ducked it. "Who else is going to make sure I do my homework?"

"You better thank your lucky stars that I'm still around. I don't know how long I can handle you." She gave me a look that she only graces me with once in awhile. It was sexy.

I started towards her. "Well, I don't know how long I can keep from man-handling you."

"Ah!" Ellie yelped as I picked her up off the couch and carried her to the bedroom. "What are you going to do to me?"

I placed her gently on the bed and kneeled over her, kissing her head, her forehead, her nose, and finally her lips. I pulled on her lip a little bit. "Show you how much I love you."

"Mmm. Then go right ahead, sir."

Alex

"Jay, do you really think you should just barge in?" I smacked his arm, but followed him

inside Sean's apartment anyway. I was ready for a beer.

Jay stopped in his tracks and looked around. "Where are they?"

I had to suppress my laughter. "Better yet, what's that noise?"

Jay gave me a weird look and listened. It took him a few moments, but he realized soon what he was hearing. "Oh, gross! Disgusting!"

I placed my hands on my hips. "Oh, so sex is disgusting now? I'll remember that."

"Only when it's Sean and Ellie. You'd think they would have learned by now what happens when they screw."

"Uh, I don't think they have to worry about that anymore. Come on, let's go."

At that moment, the bedroom door flew open and Sean came out in a pair of boxers, sweaty and elated. He stopped when he saw us, though. "What the hell are you guys doing here?"

"Pop in visit?" I quipped.

"Um, well..."

"Sean! Come on! I want more!" Ellie's voice called out from the bedroom. "You owe me."

Jay and I burst out laughing at the expression on Sean's face. Total embarrassment.

"Uh, honey, Jay and Alex decided to pay us an unwanted visit!" Sean slapped a huge grin on his face and walked towards the kitchen. "Drink, anyone?"

"A beer for me."

"Me, too."

"Jay, Alex?" Ellie bounded out of the bedroom in a pair of pajama pants and a tank top.

"Jay!" I snapped, kicking Jay under the table. Can I help it, though? He was practically drooling at Ellie.

"What!" Jay shot back defensively.

"Stop checking out, Ellie." There, that'll embarrass him.

Jay reddened, "I was not checking out her. I was looking at..."

Ellie rolled her eyes and grabbed a sweatshirt hanging off the back of the couch. "Sorry to disappoint, Jay, but I'm putting this on now."

All three of us laughed at the face Jay was making. "Oh, lighten up!" I squeezed his knee and gave him a charming smile. "But from now on, you only look at me like that."

Jay grinned and raised his eyebrows. "Deal, babe."

"So," I grinned impishly at Ellie. "I'm guessing things are going okay with Sean?"

Ellie gave me a relieved look and drew her knees up to her chest on the couch, looking towards Sean and Jay who were outside on the balcony trying to do something with a firecracker. "Yeah. Things are... good."

"Ha! Okay, dish, what's it like with him?"

"Um, what do you mean?"

"The sex! Come on, us experienced women gotta talk about this shit!" I rested my head on my hand and shrugged a shoulder. "Like, how big?"

Ellie threw back her head and laughed. "I don't know! Like this?" She held her hands a part.

"Damn! Yeah, Jay's pretty well hung himself. Oh, god, now here's the real question: how long does it take before he's totally lost it? Because Jay, I swear, can only last a few minutes."

Ellie smiled. "Well, it usually depends. I won't bore you with details, but sometimes we'll just get into this mood and make it last for hours. It's awesome."

"I worship you. You guys are so cute together it makes my physically sick," I teased.

Ellie gave me an offended look, but then laughed. We were still laughing when Sean and Jay walked in through the sliding door.

"What's so funny?" Jay asked.

Ellie and I look at each other and tried to sustain our giggles. "Oh... nothing..." my voice trailed off and Sean gave us a weird look.

Ellie stood up from the couch. "How was the firecracker?"

"Stupid thing didn't work," Sean mumbled.

"We're going to go and buy more," Jay piped in. "Wanna come?"

I nodded and stood up from the couch. "Okay, you coming, Ellie?"

Ellie shook her head and stretched her legs out on the couch. "I think I'll just stay here."

Sean gave us a sidelong glance and took his coat off. "I'm staying, too."

"You don't have to, Sean."

"No, El, I want to."

A few seconds later, they were too busy making puppy dog eyes at each other and playing kissy-face to even notice Jay and I slip out the door. We started down the steps outside, and I shivered at the frigid air. "Cold?" Jay wrapped an arm around me and pulled me closer to him.

I couldn't help but smile. "Yeah... Do you think they're going to stay together?"

"Who? Sean and Ellie?"

"Yeah."

"Those two wouldn't last a second without each other. Can you imagine?"

"Yeah, they'd both be driving someone else nuts."

Jay laughed huskily and spun me towards him. "Come here," he muttered and crushed my lips with his.

He pulled away a few minutes later. "Wow!" I breathed. "What was that for?"

He shrugged and gave me a lopsided grin. "I don't know. Maybe because I think you're the shit."

"Nice, Jay. You have such a way with words."

"I do what I can. Did you expect me to tell you that I think you're the beautifulest girl in the world? And I think you're strong and exciting and... yeah..." he looked away, his cheeks starting to flush.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed his hand. "Come here, you big oaf. By the way, it's most beautiful."

Craig

"Ellie?" I looked at the redhead sitting in a chair in front of me. What was she doing in

the waiting room?

"Craig."

"Why weren't you in school? Why are you here?"

She sighed and put down the magazine she had been reading. "Ashley hasn't told you yet?"

"Tell me what?"

"That's a shock... She loves telling everyone my personal business."

"Don't get on her about it, okay? Whatever she did, I'm sure she didn't mean it!" I retorted back on the brink of anger.

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Watch it, Craigy. You wouldn't want to go all bi-polar on me or anything..."

"Oh, why don't you go stick your finger down your throat?" I grabbed a magazine and flounced down in a seat across from her. Seriously, her whole attitude is starting to piss me off. What happened to the cool Ellie Nash?

"What did you say?" she whispered.

I looked over my magazine and gave her a sharp look. "I said, go stick your finger down your throat. You're such a pro at it."

She let out a bitter laugh and hugged her sweatshirt closer to her body. "I guess it is my area of expertise..."

"What?" I'm shocked. Really. Did she just... admit to it?

"That's why I'm here. Because I... well, I..."

"I know."

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"Not making me say it. I hate saying it out loud."

"I don't imagine why," I replied sarcastically. "So that's why you're here? Who you seeing?"

"Dr. Brahm."

"I'm here to see Dr. Griggs. She's pretty hot." I smiled at the thought of her short blonde hair and long, long legs. "Yeah... really sexy."

"You're talking to a girl over here, Craig."

"I thought is was 'Craigy'?" I gave her my most irresistible smile and she turned away, but not before I saw the smile spreading across her lips.

"Doesn't it hurt the baby?"

Ellie looked back at me. "Does what hurt the baby?"

"Throwing up, not eating, whatever it is you do."

"Yeah, that's why I'm not doing it anymore..." She looked so embarrassed.

I shrugged. "You don't have to feel awkward talking to me about it. I have my own share of problems. I can't judge you. But, I also find it unrealistic that you think you can just stop. I didn't think it was that easy."

"It's not... I'm just... being hopeful. I'm hoping it doesn't have that big of a hold on me yet."

"I'm about 99.9 sure it does. These things are powerful."

"Wow, Dr. Manning. What's your next diagnosis?"

"You're not mad I just said that?" I couldn't believe she was still joking around with me.

She jumped out of her seat and took the one right next to me. "Listen, I'm not going to bite your head off for stating the obvious. I think- I think I might have been screaming for someone to help me. You know? I don't want to be treated with kid gloves. I want everyone to be tough. That's the only way I'll get through this. At least you're honest."

I took one of her hands and squeezed it. "Thanks. But seriously, it's not going to be easy. This probably sounds really stupid coming from me because I'm a guy and everything and I've never cared about my weight, but... I can almost imagine what you're going through. I mean, there's something wrong with me, too, that I can't necessarily just shut off automatically. It takes time. But, I think, if we help each other, we can do this. You can always come to me if you need to. Even if it's just to tell me that you ate breakfast or that you gave in and threw up or skipped a meal. Seriously, I want you to come talk to me."

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"You know how I feel about you, Nash. I know there will never be anything romantic between us, but you'll always have a special place in my heart. And you're Ashley's best friend. And I like to think I know more about you than a lot of other people. Believe me, I've observed you."

"And I care about you, too... You're not as bad as I thought."

"Gee, thanks."

"Your welcome!"

I squeezed her hand again. "Even though it probably means nothing, I think you are the most gorgeous girl in the world."

hope you enjoyed it. I put a little Craig in there for those who wanted it! I thought it was a nice, fluffy chapter, nothing too serious going on except that Ellie and Craig have therapists in the same building. Next chapter Ellie will have her meeting with her therapist. Ummm... Sean and her will probably do a little shopping for baby, talk about baby names, junk like that. Okay, question: how far along do you guys htink Ellie is? I have no idea... and i'm just too lazy to look back and guess. I don't know... we'll see.