Disclaimer: I do not own the concept of fairytales – sorry to disappoint.
Chapter 5
Jeremy draws back.
"All right then…" He breathes. "All right then…" He twists a corner of his shirt round and round… "I'm not going to force you to tell me anything." Jeremy looks up carefully at me. "But… you have to understand… we cannot form a relationship on lies."
I smile.
"What time of relationship is that, anyway?"
"What sort of question is that?" He protests.
"What sort of answer is that?" I mimic his tone, making him laugh.
"I don't know… more than friendship?" He kisses me. "It takes time, Abby… it takes time."
"I have time…" I laugh. My watch beeps 4 o'clock. "Or maybe not… I have to go – I don't want to worry Lucy and Chris – my sister and brother-in-law." I tell Jeremy.
"You're not staying with your dad?" He asks innocuously. I shake my head, my ponytail bouncing. I hesitate, trying to decide how much to tell him.
"No… Lucy offered to take me in for a while… it's nice to see my nephews and nieces again – I've got two nephews and two nieces – Brittany, Rhiann, Ethan and David." I am babbling, and I know it. Jeremy puts a finger to my lips.
"It's okay, you don't have to tell me anything."
I take deep breaths.
"Thank you." I whisper.
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Jeremy walks out with me.
"Taking the bus?" I ask him.
"Yes… Dad offered to pick me up, but…" A car beeps its horn.
"Is that your Dad?" I gesture casually to the car on the side of the road. Jeremy peers at it.
"No, unless he's gotten a new car… and besides, there's a woman in there." I look more closely this time.
"Oh! It's Lucy!"
Jeremy laughs and waves to Lucy.
"Alright then." He pecks me chastely on the cheek. "Bye… see you tomorrow." I blush and wave.
"See you."
I get in the car. Lucy peers at me through the rear-view mirror and wiggles her eyebrows.
"Who was that?"
"Jeremy." I say, blushing furiously. "You didn't have to pick me up."
"Oh yes I did… especially if it mean I get to see all your latest boyfriends – you didn't waste time, did you?"
"Lucy! Firstly, Jeremy is not my boyfriend, and secondly I've known him for ages."
"Ages?" She starts the car.
"Well… a month."
"Ah. Right. Ages." Lucy laughs and starts driving. I relax into the seat. This is what I've been missing – my family.
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I sit at the desk, trying to do my homework. There is a knock at the door, and I swivel my chair around.
"Come in!"
Brittany pokes her mass of auburn curls around the door.
"Are you busy, Abby?" She asks.
"It's okay, come in." I replied cheerfully.
Brittany giggles and comes running in to sit on my bed.
"I'm four this year." She announces proudly. I kneel down beside her.
"Really? You're a big girl, then aren't you?"
She nods and giggles.
"Rhi wants to come in too." She tells me. "But she's too shy – she's hiding around the door."
"Shall I go get her?" I ask Brittany seriously. She nods at me gravely. Fighting back the urge to laugh, I walk to the door and looks around it.
Sure enough there is three-year old Rhiann, settled wide-eyed in the corner, sucking her thumb. I lean down and pick her up, tousling her blonde hair.
"Who's this hiding?" I ask her. She giggles.
"Me!" Rhiann answers, then hides her face.
"And who is me?" I settle on the bed, Rhiann in my lap, and my other hand around Brittany – just so she doesn't feel left out.
"Rhiann." She says, uncovering her little face long enough to squirm out of my grasp and onto my bed. Brittany pokes me.
"She doesn't talk very much." Brittany tells me, looking serious and mature. "She prefers to eat things."
I laugh. I cannot help myself.
"Ahem." Chris' voice sounds from the doorway. "Are these little rascals bothering you, Abby?" He walks over and starts tickling Brittany, whilst scooping Rhiann up with his other hand.
"No! No Da! We weren't!" Brittany squeals in protest. Chris winks at me.
"It's bedtime. Say goodnight to Abby."
"Night night, Abby!" Brittany throws her little arms around me while Rhiann waves merrily. Chris laughs and detangles Brittany from me.
"Goodnight Abby." He says as he walks out, taking the two children with him.
I stare after them. For a moment I envy them their happiness, then waves of guilt wash over me. Those children deserve happiness. I feel Brittany's little arms around me, Rhiann's weight in my arms… and Jeremy's kiss on my cheek.
"I've been doing too much thinking." I mutter to myself as I lean over and turn off the light, collapsing on the bed.
A/N: I know it's been a long time! I'm sorry! looks VERY ashamed Anyway, mango pudding to embracing (yes, you are smart, lol), rubydubywaslike (what are you lost about? Maybe I can try to clear up a few things?), hiphop diva (lol, no. I'm going for a completely different adaptation – am still trying to link it though :)), minor (lol, sorry it took so long), BuffyShakespeareAusten (oh the choices!).
Thank you all for reviewing! goes around madly hugging all reviewers
Anywayz… I offer you all gingerbread men if you review:D
Merry Christmas!
s.a.r.d.
