Disclaimer: I don't own "Dawn of the Dead" nor "Concrete Angel – Martina McBride" So yes, please don't sue, I'm just borrowing them.
Author's Note: Okay, anything that's in bold is a flashback and things in italics are still people's thoughts. Thanks to everyone who reviewed for the last chapter. I really, really appreciate it. You all totally rock and I swear, I will try and update more often cause um yeah, I kinda don't have anything better to do right now, other than homework. If there are any excessive OOC moments obviously written in a fit of rage please do excuse them, I'm kinda going through a rough patch right now. This chapter is long because I was too lazy to split it into two or three sections. So, ahem, yes. Anyways, on with the show!
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By the time 8:30 rolled around Greg and Sara had been subjected to watched "Bambi" with Clara, Cody and Michelle. Now, seeing as the "big fair" was tomorrow, Mary had instructed the children to get ready for bed. Clara, who was twelve, attempted to resist but Kevin stopped her in her tracks, saying she would not be allowed to attend her friend's sleep over party unless she listened to her mother.
"Alright, off to bed now. All three of you. It's a big day tomorrow and I want you to be rested so you can have fun!" Mary smiled, turning off the TV so as to make her point clearer.
"Mommy, can Miss. Sara and Uncle Greg put us to bed?" Michelle questioned, her big blue eyes shining up under her light brown hair. Mary grinned at her daughter.
"You'll have to ask them Sweetie, but it's alright with me, yes." Mary told her. Michelle giggled and ran over to her uncle, jumping into his lap.
"Uncle Greg, can you and Miss. Sara please put Cody, Clara and I to bed?" Michelle inquired. Greg couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Sure we will Michelle. You, Clara and Cody run upstairs and get your PJs on and brush your teeth and Sara and I will come up in a couple minutes and put you to bed." Greg said, gently lifting the girl off his lap so that she could scurry after her older siblings to get ready for bed. Sara looked at Greg from where she sat on the other couch. She was still amazed at how he acted with these kids; it was as if he was a father.
'Why can't I get my feelings for him sorted out? Every time I see him with these kids I get such an odd feeling in my stomach. And now, we have to put them to bed together. Oh God, how am I going to deal with all this? I haven't even been here an entire day and already I love these kids and this family. Oh damn.' Sara mentally grimaced. Greg looked over at her and grinned, making her stomach do a flip.
"Alright, c'mon Sara, let's go deal with the pygmies," he joked, standing up and walking over to her, offering her his hand so as to help her stand. Sara took it willingly, trying her hardest not to blush as she felt a wave of electricity pass between them. Unbeknownst to her, Greg had felt the exact same jolt.
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Sara walked down the hallway after putting Cody to bed. Clara, because of her age, had just said goodnight to her and Greg before retreating into her own bedroom. Greg was currently putting her niece to bed, crouching down beside the bed frame, tucking her in.
"Uncle Greg," Michelle began, her eyes heavy with sleep and yet determined at the same time.
"Yes Michelle?" Greg asked, stopping his actions so as to sit on the side of her bed, reaching down and picking up her stuffed dog.
"Are you going to marry Miss. Sara?" Michelle finished, causing Greg to sigh and fiddle with a piece of string that was coming off the dog.
"I don't know Michelle. Miss. Sara and I are just friends; I thought we told you that." Greg said finally, looking down at the girl.
"Oh, but won't God let you marry her? Cody asked Him to at dinner," the blue eyed girl said again. Greg exhaled, trying to control his feelings.
"Well Sweetie, maybe God will let me marry her one day if I'm very lucky. But right now, I want you to stop worrying, take Puddles here and go to sleep. We've got a big day tomorrow." He told her. Michelle yawned. "Good night Michelle, I love you."
"Night, night Uncle Greg, I love you too." Michelle yawned, closing her eyes. Greg beamed down at her before standing up. As he turned around he found Sara standing in the doorway, her eyes locked on him.
"Sara, I, er- how much of that did you hear?" Greg asked as he stepped out into the hallway, closing Michelle's bedroom door behind himself. He looked up at Sara to see a confused glaze in her chocolate eyes.
"Nothing really. Just that we have a big day tomorrow. C'mon Mary and Kevin want us to watch a movie with them." Sara said, her voice slightly higher than usual. Greg gazed at her for another moment before they headed back down the stairs and into the TV room.
'Did she hear me tell Michelle about the marriage thing? Oh God, I've probably screwed up any chances I would have had with Sara now,' Greg said to himself, sitting down on the couch opposite his sister and brother-in law. Sara smiled softly before sitting down next to him and pulling her feet up under herself.
"So, what should we watch?" Mary asked.
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It was now quarter to eleven at night. Greg, Sara, Mary and Kevin were just finishing watching the last 45 minutes of the remake of "Dawn of the Dead". Sara, who usually was calm and bored with horror movies, was actually scared. Gradually she had moved closer to Greg, coming to sit directly beside him. Every time a particularly frightening scene would transpire she would gasp, grab onto Greg and hide her face in his shoulder. Greg found the whole thing very adorable, not to mention how happy he was to have her in his arms.
Mary and Kevin, who were on the opposite couch, didn't seem phased at all by the movie. Kevin was sitting up while Mary lay on the cushions, her head resting in Kevin's lap. When the commercials came on Mary sat up, resting her weight on her elbow so that she was facing Greg and Sara.
"Sara," she began. "I just thought I might tell you that we're leaving for the fair around 1:30pm, so that we can be there by 3:30pm. My mum, Clara and I have to leave by 12:30pm because Clara and her dance class need to get ready for the competition they're in. I hope that's alright with you," Mary said. "Oh, Greg, when the movie is finished can you please show Sara to her room?" she added lastly.
Greg nodded, his stomach seeming to fall. He hated the fair. Mary felt his aura fall as he turned his attention back to the television. Mary nudged Kevin in the ribs, getting a small glare and then a smile from him. He easily knew what she wanted him to do. Read Greg's mind.
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A sixteen you old Greg Sanders was pacing his bedroom floor, holding the white gold and ruby ring, the stone shaped like a flower, in his hand. He was going to take his girlfriend of six months to the fair that night. Once there he was planning to give Kristy the ring. It was going to be a promise ring.
Greg went to school that day happy yet nervous at the same time. After his last class he went to Kristy's locker, intending that they would go directly to the fair. When he got there however; Kristy was in an intense lip lock with Jason, the captain of the football team. Immediately Greg ran, never talking to Kristy again.
A few years later he took the ring, which had never left his possession since his Grandmother had died, and put it in an envelope, mailing it back to Mary who was living with her fiancé in Paris while she attended a high class dance school. He wrote her only a short letter:
Mary,
I know what Grandma said about these rings but I can't do this.
I can't tell you what happened but I doubt I'll ever find anyone I'm in love with.
Can you please keep it for me? If I ever need it back, I'll know where to find it.
Please don't ask me why I'm doing this.
I'll talk to you soon.
Love Greg.
He put it in the mail and just as he requested Mary kept it for him, without asking any questions.
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'Oh God, how can I go to the fair with Sara? After the entire thing with Kristy? How could I ever think I was in love with that…that…Ecklie like creature? I love Sara so much, but what am I supposed to do? How can I even handle this?' Greg mentallyfrowned.
Kevin's eyes grew wide as the images from Greg's mind filled his own.
"Mare, I feel so bad for Greg!" Kevin whispered to his wife. Mary glanced up at him, her eyes questioning. She knew he wouldn't say anything while Greg was in the room, but Mary knew the minute they were alone Kevin would spill.
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"Here Sara, Mary said you can stay in this bedroom. The bathroom is the last door on the left. Mary and Kevin's room is the door around the corner, and mine is right across the hall. Is there anything you need?" Greg explained as he placed Sara's duffle bag on the bed.
"Umm no, not that I can think of," Sara replied, sitting down beside her bag.
"Okay well, goodnight then," Greg said, turning to leave the room.
"Greg," Sara called after him. Instantly he turned back around to face her.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Umm, I just wanted to say thank you, for everything. I'm really glad I came out here," Sara said, blushing slightly as she looked down at her feet.
"I'm glad you did too Sar. Goodnight," Greg responded.
"Goodnight." Sara practically whispered. She watched Greg leave the room, closing the door behind himself. Once she heard his door shut she sat down on the mattress. 'Oh my God, what the hell is wrong with me? I wanted him to kiss me so badly just now! Oh God, what am I going to do?' She wondered.
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The early morning sunlight crept across the backyard, slowly stepping onto the porch, Nary watched the sky's colours changing as it rose. She looked down at her hands which held a cup of coffee. On one hand was the ring that Greg had mailed back to her. After what Kevin had said she figured Greg should have it back. After all, he had Sara in his life now, even if she was only a friend.
"Wow, nice sunrise," Greg commented, startling his older sister.
"Ah! God, Greg, don't sneak up on me like that!" Mary protested with a smirk.
"Sorry," Greg apologized, taking a seat beside her.
"Did you sleep alright?" She questioned.
"Mmmhmm," was the only reply she got as Greg stole her coffee, taking a sip of it, glad that his sister favoured the more expensive brands like he himself did.
"Greg, I er- I know what happened between you and Kristy. I'm so sorry about all that, I really wish you would have told me. But, I think that it's time you take this ring back. I mean, Grandma told us to give it to a special person in our lives, and I think that you have someone very special that you can give this to." Mary told him quietly, handing him the ruby-rose ring.
Greg looked down at the ring, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Mary watched him, mainly because his aura was confusing to her. It was happy, scared and confused all at the same time.
"How could I give this to her though? We're just friends," Greg told Mary, standing up and leaning against the porch railing.
"Tell her it's a friendship ring. You can even tell her what Grandma told us when she gave them to us." Mary said, pushing some of her hair out of her face. However; the wavy dirty-blonde strands just fell back again, causing her to groan in annoyance. Greg laughed nervously.
"What if it scares her though Mare? I don't want to scare Sara off," he sighed.
"For some reason I'm positive that you won't. When Sara arrived here yesterday her aura was so different. It was sad and it didn't seem to be fully here. But by the time Kev and I got home she was so much happier, and at ease. Well, except for a few particular moments, like at dinner." Mary leered. Greg blushed slightly.
"Why would Cody say something like that?" he questioned. Mary shrugged. Greg sighed and nodded, heading back into the house, leaving his sister alone on the porch once again. Mary exhaled loudly before turning her gaze back to the sunrise. After another minute she pulled herself out of the chair, running a hand through her hair.
"Where you going Mare?" Kevin asked from the kitchen door.
"To practise my routines and to check the choreography on the kid's numbers. My young adult class is coming on Wednesday. The nationals are next month Kev, we've got to be ready," Mary replied with a grin.
"Alrighty then. I'll get the kids fed and then maybe I'll get them playing soccer." Kevin suggested as they went into the kitchen.
"Thanks Darling, I'll be up in an hour or so," Mary stated. She leaned up and kissed Kevin on the lips before heading downstairs to the basement dance studio where she taught her dance classes. Kevin figured she'd either be practising her jazz or ballet. Or maybe the gymnastics routine that the National Dance Committee has asked her to prepare. He couldn't be sure because of the sound proofing, but he assumed she'd want to practise the ballet.
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Sara awoke to find a bright light on her face. As she sat up and stretched, she yawned.
'Wait a minute, where am I?' Sara wondered. As if an answer to her question her door flew open and in ran a giggling Michelle.
"Good morning Miss. Sara! Daddy wants to know if you want breakfast!" the small light-brown haired girl beamed as she jumped up and down on Sara's bed.
"Michelle! Let Sara sleep! She can eat later!" Greg laughed as he ran into the room, grabbing his niece and playfully turning her upside-down. Michelle squealed with mirth at his actions. The minute Greg put her down Michelle ran to the door, stopping just outside the frame and turning back to look at them.
"Uncle Greg, are you going to go in the 'Tunnel of Love' with Miss. Sara?" The four year old inquired. Greg blushed.
"Go eat your breakfast Michelle," was his response. His niece giggled and then ran off. "Sorry about that Sar, did you sleep well?" he asked. Sara smiled up at him and rubbed her right shoulder where the white tank-top strap had slid down a few inches.
"Yeah, I haven't slept that well in while. So, any idea what's for breakfast?" Sara asked, slipping out of bed and swinging on a track jacket. She then turned around, intent on making the bed.
"Fruit salad and cereal I think. The kids may be having bacon but we're not." Greg responded as he went to the other side of the bed, picking up the opposite side of the sheet.
"Sounds good. You don't have to help me with this Greg, I do know how to make a bed." Sara said shyly, evidently she was shaky about the severe domestic actions they were taking part in together.
"S'okay, I'd like to help….if that's okay I mean." Greg stated, looking across the bed at Sara who just nodded, going back to pulling the blanket up. Once they were finished the two headed downstairs to the kitchen, still in their pajamas.
"Well, look who's up!" Kevin chortled as he set a pitcher of orange juice on the table, next to a large bowl of chopped fruit. Another bowl, filled with mixed nuts for cereal, lay beside it. Greg pulled out a chair, offering it to Sara who took it willingly; he then sat down beside her.
Kevin looked over his shoulder at them, obviously reading the interesting actions between the younger couple.
"Sara, I'm sorry to bother you but could you please run downstairs and grab some sugar from the cellar? It's just the door at the very bottom of the stairs." Kevin said as he poured some flour into a bowl.
"Sure," Sara replied as she got up from the table and went to the stairs, quickly descending. As she turned to go down the last few steps beyond the small landing she stopped, turning instead to peer through the crack in the door that concealed the dance studio. As Sara watched through the gap between the door and the frame she saw Mary dancing complicated ballet steps to a haunting melody, one quite sad and yet beautiful. That was when she heard the lyrics.
A statue stands in a shady place
An Angel girl with an upturned face
A name is written on a polished rock
A broken heart that the world forgot
Within those words Sara remembered all her heartache from Grissom and Hank. She wondered then, if Greg was just being nice to her by letting her stay there. She instantly pained over the thought that no one would ever love her. A tear slid down her cheek, she couldn't believe it. She had just begun to feel happy again but then she fell into a pit of doubt and despair.
"Hey, don't think like that Sara. Your heart can mend and I, for one, could never forget you. You're my best friend." Greg said, coming up beside her and lifting her chin so that he could look into her eyes. "I would not and could not ever abandon you in anyway." He said. Sara smiled at him weakly, embracing him as her response Greg wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him.
"Thanks Greg," Sara whispered. "You're my best friend as well." Greg smiled softly against her hair, placing a soft kiss on the crown of her head.
"C'mon, let's get the sugar and then we can eat breakfast. I think Clara, Cody and Michelle want us to play soccer with them after we eat." He explained as he took her hand, leading her to the cellar where the retrieved the sugar. They then headed back up to the kitchen. Greg took the bag to Kevin while Sara sat down. "Thanks for the heads up Kev," he whispered.
"No trouble at all Greg," Kevin responded quietly, measuring the sugar. Greg then returned to the table, pouring Sara a glass or orange juice. As they ate he reached over and squeezed her hand under the table. Sara smiled delicately and gripped his hand back.
Mary smiled as she did a back-flip. Sara's aura had improved greatly since Greg's declaration. Well, Greg's had as well for that matter alone.
'Please, please let Sara realize how much Greg cares for her. We all know that they should be together, now we just need Sara to see that. I know she feels the same way on some level, we just need her to show it. God, please let her see the light of this matter.' Mary pleased silently. All she wanted was for her brother to be happy, preferable with Sara in his life.
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"Dad! Come on! We want to get started!" Clara complained, as she paced around the kitchen . Kevin rolled his eyes, all he really wanted to do was finish his baking.
"Alright Hun, just give me a minute. Can you please go get your mother, she's in the studio." He said.
"Okay! Make sure Uncle Greg and Miss. Sara are ready too Dad!" Clara hollered as she ran down the stairs. Kevin exhaled. When Sara had been having those thoughts the only thing he could do was advise his brother-in-law to quickly take action.
"You did good Kev, you did real good," Mary said quietly, hugging Kevin from behind.
"You did too I'm guessing. Not using your usual music today were you?"
"Mmm, what would the fun of that have been?" Mary inquired with a Cheshire-cat grin. Kevin beamed at her and gently dropped some flour on her nose. Mary gaped at him before starting to cackle with laughter. Kevin bent down, kissing her firmly on the lips.
"I love you Mare," he said, leaning his forehead against hers.
"And I love you," Mary replied, giving him an Eskimo kiss.
"Ahem, sorry, are we going to play soccer now?" Greg asked, an amused look on his face. Sara stood next to him, wearing some clothes Mary had lent her, a smirk on her face.
"Yep," Mary confirmed, grabbing a sweatshirt from the back of a chair. Kevin put the pan of cake batter in the fridge, wiping his hands on a towel, and then followed his wife out the back door. Greg grinned, placing a hand on the small of Sara's back, and leading her out the door and into the morning sunlight.
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Nearly two hours later the four adults and three children returned to the kitchen where Helen was cooking lunch.
"How was your game?" she inquired, directing the question to the children.
"Miss. Sara fell on top of Uncle Greg! It was so romantic!" Clara sighed, flopping down into a chair. Helen smiled at the twelve year old brunette. Greg and Sara both looked down at the floor, evidently embarrassed. Mary shook her head and went over to the fridge, retrieving a bottle of Fruitopia.
"Everyone wash your hands and then you can eat your egg-salad sandwiches." Helen instructed, placing the tray of sandwiches on the table. The three kids instantly ran from the room. Mary placed the partially empty bottle on the oak table before taking Sara by the arm, leading her downstairs so that they could wash their hands. Kevin gave Helen a quick smiling glance before he too left the room. "Gregory, you stay right here," Helen began. Greg looked at her curiously before turning the tap on so as to wash his hands.
"What is it Mum?" he asked.
"Do you love her as much as I think you do?" Helen questioned.
"Yes Mum. Please, don't judge Sara or I on what Dad says. Mary knows what I mean, I'm hoping you can understand as well," Greg told her.
"I agree with your sister, but do be careful Greg," Helen smiled.
"Thanks Mum, you know I will," Greg answered, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
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"So, how do you like it here?" Mary inquired as she leaned against the bathroom door frame, watching Sara wash her hands.
"It's wonderful Mary, I can't remember the last time I've had this much fun. Thank you for letting me stay for the weekend." Sara beamed, rinsing her hands. Mary chortled.
"If you don't mind me saying, your aura was quite…flirtatious and something else when you and Greg took your little trip earlier. I just want you to know that my little brother really cares about you Sara, and I'm being dead serious about that." Sara turned to the older woman, questions in her eyes.
"What so you mean Mary? How much does he care?"
"A lot. But you need to find out for yourself." Was Mary's calm retort.
'What does Mary mean? I know Greg had a crush on me years ago but could he really care about me as much as I want him to?' Sara mentally wondered.
The two women then went back into the kitchen to find Christopher, Helen, Kevin and Greg sitting with the kids at the table. Mary took her respective place between Kevin and her mother while Sara sat beside Greg and Michelle who both gave her warm smiled.
'Maybe he does care that much, no one else I know would invite me, of all people, to stay with them for Thanksgiving weekend. I'm the one who's mother killed her father, not the one who gets brought home to meet a family, let alone stay for more than a couple hours…'Sara thought as she bit into her sandwich.
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Author's Note: Alrighty, there's that chappie finally done! Took me too long to type. I know there really weren't too many developments in this chapter but I swear there will be more in the next one, mainly because its….THE FAIR! insert evil laughter here Ahem, yes. Please review, I love to hear from you all and because of a certain friend of mine insisting upon it, if you review I will either give you Peak Freans, cupcakes or CHEESECAKE! Just please specify which one you would like. Thanks for reading! Next chapter should be up within the next week or so, I hope. :)