XXXV. My Girl
My Girl is the property of the the Temptations.
Baby I Need Your Lovin' is the property of the Four Tops.
The portion of "Paper Cup" is the property of Heather Nova.
Author's Note: This chapter takes place five months after the last one. Thanks for reading/reviewing! It's kept me going, and as always have to give a shout-out to the wonderful AA and PC clubs! Enjoy season six!
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day.
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May.
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl).
I've got so much honey the bees envy me.
I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees.
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl).
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Ooooh.
I don't need no money, fortune, or fame.
I've got all the riches baby one man can claim.
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl).
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
with my girl.
I've even got the month of May
with my girl (fade)
"Play it back," orders Craig, putting the guitar strap over his head.
He stares hopelessly at Eddie and Hazel making out through the glass window of the booth, shakes his head. It'd been like that for the past four months, although usually they would stop whenever he came into the room. But he knew he was the last person to condemn someone for interrupting recording time for a girl.
Strumming lightly, Ashley, unsurprisingly, comes into his mind then. The days were getting harder, especially when she told him that the counselor had advised her not to invite anyone out to Malibu. He sulked about that for a couple days, but accepted that it was part of the plan that would make her better. He couldn't bare to look at the calendar anymore, except for that quick second where he marked off the day. To make it worse, she didn't give him a definite day for her arrival in Toronto. He knows it's coming up, a tiny part of him getting excited, but a bigger part of him still sad, waking up with no one by his side, not always being able to talk to her when he calls (on his birthday, on her birthday), being in the studio where they spent their last night together. Spending the holidays without her was terrible, especially Christmas and New Year's. He and Leslie sent a joint present, an album full of pictures of both of them, but it wasn't the same as being with her. He counted down New Year's with her, but it wasn't the same. How much longer?
Derek comes in through the studio door, in an all-black suit, his hair greased. Craig's eyes bug out.
"What's up, peeps!" greets Derek.
Craig opens the door of the booth, laying his guitar down on the side.
"What are you...," begins Craig.
"Wearing?" finishes Derek. "My future fiancee's ensemble. I'm all pimped out, so fresh, so clean."
"Uh, yeah," says Craig, politely. "Wait a minute...fiancee?"
Derek pushes Craig outside the studio, and takes something from his coat pocket. It's a small, velvet box, which he opens, revealing a small, gold ring.
"I'm proposing on our six month anniversary. Then, we're hitting Vegas!" exclaims Derek.
"Derek, you don't want to rush things, alright?" says Craig. "Trust me."
"Dude, sometimes you have to live for the moment," argues Derek. "If Ashley asked you to marry her, wouldn't you go for it?"
"Of course, but I've known her for years. You and Robertia just moved in together."
Derek shrugs. "She said she wouldn't cook for me anymore if we didn't get married. And she won't sleep with me until then either."
Craig bangs his forehead with his hand. "Derek, you're impossible. Marriage is more than food and sex."
"You're not married. You don't know."
"Okay, I'm not, but marriage should be based on love, trust, understanding. You should want to die for that person. Is that how you feel about her?"
"Well, I'd be willing to get hurt for her...," begins Derek. "Ugh, you're right. You're smart like the movie said you were."
"Huh?"
"Oh, come on, you didn't watch it! You come off as this really smart, streetwise musician. I think Manny helped write it."
"What?"
"Ashley's like this moody, hot ditz, and Manny's the bad girl with the heart of gold. The reviewers all said you were the best part of the movie, and the coolest part was when you saved Ashley from that shark. Robertia and I dug that."
"What shark!" cries Craig.
"The one when you guys went swimming in London. I wasn't aware there were sharks in London, but now I know. And the sex scenes. Wow. Ashley's quite the little vixen, isn't she?" says Derek, winking at him.
"Get out of here!" says Craig, giving him a small shove.
"Fine, I have to return this cubic zirconia anyway," replies Derek, glancing down at the ring. "But you'll be here in about ten minutes, right?"
"Um, yeah?" says Craig, his brow furrowing.
"Good," says Derek, starting down the hall.
Craig rolls his eyes, reenters the studio, relieved to see Hazel doodling while Eddie turns on the mixer.
"You ready, loverboy?" says Craig sarcastically.
"Don't get your boxers in a bunch," defends Eddie. "I can't wait until Ashley gets back. Then, maybe you'll chill out a notch. When she's getting here?"
"I don't know, alright?" snaps Craig, then looking down. "Sorry."
"Whatever," says Eddie. "So, me and Haze, we think you should do an old R&B number for the hidden track since you can't come up with anything. Let some of that soul out!"
"I write original music," says Craig. "Emphasis on original."
"But covers are in nowadays. You'll have twelve original songs, and then something the listener won't be expecting at all. It's all about the shock value. That's how artists stay alive."
Craig sighs. He'd been trying for months, but nope, nothing came to him. Fixing up the rest of the house, spending time with his friends and Leslie whenever Jimmy permitted, and rerecording some other tracks cut into his time, and Ashley took up the bulk of his brain. Maybe Eddie has a point.
"What song were you thinking?" prods Craig, taking up his guitar.
"Something sweet, classy...," says Eddie, staring lovingly at Hazel.
"I know! Sing that song that you sang with Ashley at Spinner and Paige's engagement party! That was so cute!" interjects Hazel as Craig goes into the booth, shutting the door behind him..
"That one?" says Craig, arching his eyebrow. "I remember it."
"Try it out," says Eddie over the speaker. "See how it sounds."
"Kick in the drum," commands Craig, finding the first note. "Even though I'm used to it being a duet."
"Oh, I can help there!" exclaims Hazel. "I'll sing along."
Craig bites his lip. "Hazel, I really like you a lot, but your voice..."
"Come on, Craig," says Hazel. "I know I'm not Ash, but I'm much better than before, and it's not like we're recording, right? We're just messing around. I mean, not that type of messing around. You know what I mean!"
"To get the best effect, you should close your eyes, really feel the music," suggests Eddie.
Craig nods. "Mmkay, let's do it then."
Eddie flips a couple switches, the drum kicking in, and Craig closes his eyes, starts to play, memories swooping by with each pluck, each string vibrating. Seeing Ashley at the charity concert, at the carnival. Touching her in the woods, in their house. Crying with her, reaching for her, longing for her. He'd do it all over again, wouldn't change a thing. He wishes he could tell her that, hold her. He starts to sing:
Baby I need your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Although you're never near
Your voice I often hear
Another day, another night
I long to hold you tight
'Cause I'm so lonely, baby."
He is lonely, not sure he can hold it for much longer, but he has to, for her sake. All those nights, he lay down in their bed, not sleeping, his eyes blinking in the darkness. He waits for Hazel's voice to pick up the song, rather startled when a beautiful alto begins to sing:
"Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'."
Craig shuts his eyes more tightly, each note flowing through him like water, like this is giving him life, empowerment, a voice
in a cruel world that is keeping him and Ashley apart, throws things at them they always manage to overcome. He sings the next verse, with more emotion, more longing:
Some say it's a sign of weakness
For a man to beg
Then weak I would rather be
If it means havin' you to keep
'Cause lately I've been losin' sleep
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'."
Craig presses the guitar closer to his side, thinks about Ashley's wedding day, the worst day of his life, which has now magically transformed itself into some necessary step to get where they are, and hopefully, where they would stay. He'd waited eight years, so he could wait however many days it would be before she came back. Craig smiles at the thought. He sings:
"Every night I call your name
Sometimes I wonder girl
Will I ever be the same
When you see me smile...you know
Things are just gettin' worse
Any smile you might see baby
Has all been rehearsed."
Craig strums patiently, waiting for Hazel to start in a few bars. It takes a while, and he thinks he hears her shuffle in her seat, the squeak of a chair, but maybe that's Eddie. The same beautiful voice comes back, fuller, stronger, and this time, wonderfully familiar:
"Baby I can't go on without ya
This loneliness won't let me live without ya
This emptiness inside me, Craig
Makes me feel half alive."
Craig's eyes fly open at the sound of his name. The first person he sees is the only one he wants to see. Ashley is leaning over the speaker, a huge smile on her face. Hazel turns off the music. Ashley sits up, in a pale blue dress that matches her eyes, waves at him excitedly.Instantly, he can tell she's relaxed, happy, healthy.His heart beats rapidly, staring at her. It's the only feeling in his body.
"I didn't come back a blonde," says Ashley, laughing. "Hey."
"I didn't come back a blonde," says Ashley, laughing.Hey."Craig regains his senses, smiling and looking at her, going for the door, but Eddie locks it before he can reach the knob.
"Open the door!" groans Craig.
Eddie shakes his head, Craig frowning at him. The door to the studio opens, and Kate, Joey, Caitlin, Angie, Paige, Spinner, Ellie, Derek, and Darcy carrying Leslie come in.
"Am I being Punk'd?" asks Craig, throwing Ashley a confused look.
Ashley grins, looks down. "They're here for us."
"Huh?" says Craig.
"Just shut up and listen, man," says Spinner.
Craig stares at Ashley, who clears her throat.
"You've been everything to me. A friend, a soulmate, a father to my daughter, a protector, and my love. I never would've made it through without you. I read every letter, and it left me speechless. But not so speechless, that I can't ask you something," says Ashley, joy all over her face.
Everyone smiles at him, while Craig feels trickles of sweat on the back of his neck.
"Craig Manning, will you marry me?" she asks, after taking a deep breath.
Craig's mouth falls open for a few seconds, but he closes it, grins at her.
"How many ways can I say yes?" he answers.
The others clap, squeal in delight.
"Woot!" yells Derek.
"This is so much better than the movie," says Darcy, tears falling down her cheeks.
Ashley stands, beaming, tears shining in her eyes. Craig resists the urge to cry too, putting down his guitar.
"Open the door, Eddie, before I bust it down!" shouts Craig, standing in front of the door.
"You got it," replies Eddie, chuckling.
Ashley stands on the other side while Eddie unlocks it. As soon as the door parts, she's in his arms, her heart beating in unison with his. Craig looks into her eyes, stroking her cheeks.
"How are you?" he says.
"Good. Really, really wonderful now," replies Ashley. "I'm home. It's..."
Craig kisses her, hard, fast, stopping her from speaking. Darcy gasps, playfully covers Leslie's eyes, who is trying to peep from beneath her hands.
"Wow," assesses Paige, giggling. "You can tell someone was missing someone else."
"Get a hotel room!" calls out Derek.
"They already did," says Angie.
Everyone laughs. The comment causes Craig and Ashley to break away from each other, her blushing into his chest, as Craig laughs, holds her close to him.Leslie walks over to them, and Craig picks her up.
"Congratulations," says Leslie, hugging him.
"Let's leave the newly engaged duo alone, shall we?" says Joey, clapping Craig on the back.
"Congratulations!" says Ellie and Paige at the same time.
The group trickles out, except for Derek, who beams at them. Darcy, taking Leslie from Craig, has to drag him out.
"Sorry for the surprise," says Ashley, hands wrapping around Craig's waist. "But you're not the only one who can be romantic. My parents came and got me, and I phoned Derek to make sure you'd be here. He must've made up some lame excuse to talk to you. Cubic zarconia, I think he said."
Craig shakes his head in disbelief. "I'm very impressed, Kerwin."
"Well, I'm impressed by you," says Ashley. "Can you show me how much you missed me again?"
Craig runs his fingers through her hair, presses his lips to hers. He can't find the words to express what's inside his heart, but it continues to grow and grow, like some lovely crescendo, like some joyous refrain.
II.
Paige cuts out a couple pictures with her scissors, glances at J.T., who is chewing pretzels loudly, smirking at an edition of Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Issue.
"Sweet potato, must you?" says Paige, throwing J.T. an annoyed look.
"Relax, Paige," replies J.T. "Wow, those are totally fake. Fake, but hot."
"That's it. I'm ending Spinner's subscription, posthaste," says Paige, grabbing the magazine and tossing it on the floor. "It comes in late, anyway. Apparently, not the only thing that's late."
Paige rubs her stomach, moans. The baby was due three days ago, and it still hadn't made its grand appearance. Luckily, Sheila Stanley gave her the great news that the Gaige bags were selling as well as Manolo Blahniks, so that eased her nerves a little. The other great news, Craig and Ashley's engagement the week before, had settled in, and Paige insisted on doing the dress, today going through magazines for inspiration.
"Um, if I'm lending you my seamstress skills in a couple months, I better be getting something," says J.T. pointedly.
"There's Sprite in the fridge," says Paige. "Or would you prefer French fries?"
"Ha ha," responds J.T., dryly. "That commercial got me a lot of dough."
He goes into the kitchen, pours a glass of Sprite for himself and Paige, hands it to her, sits back down. Paige sips, notices it's too full, feels a little drip down her pink cashmere sweater.
"Ugh, such a pig," complains Paige. "I have enough gas to fill a blimp. My breasts ache. My thighs..."
"Too much information, Paige," says J.T., putting up a hand in protest.
"Okay, I'll just wait until Spin comes home, and tell him what he's done to me," says Paige.
"Where is he?"
"Staff meeting. And he...oooh!"
Paige is quiet, feeling liquid soak her thighs. She holds her stomach. J.T. walks over to her, sees Paige's soaked skirt.
"Sprite spill," says J.T., wriggling his nose in disgust.
"J.T...J.T.," breathes Paige, trying her best to stay calm. "That's not Sprite!"
"Not Sprite," says J.T., absent-mindedly, then yells, "Not Sprite! Oh wow...oh wow!"
Paige props herself up, puts a magazine on the table, grabs her overnight bag, and goes back to J.T., who is pacing , fanning himself with Time magazine.
"I can't deliver a baby!" yells J.T. "I...I can make a baby, but I can't deliver one. Oh wow!"
Paige stops J.T. in his tracks, hands him the phone. "Call Spinner and...ooh!"
She crouches to the floor, a sharp pain flowing through her body.
"Paige! Paige!" yells J.T., sitting down beside her. "Calling Spinner!"
He dials the restaurant, Paige gasping the numbers for him. Spinner picks up after the third ring.
"Mason's Bar and Grill?" says Spinner, cheerfully.
Paige moans, her blonde hair splayed across the floor.
"Paige! Paige!" shouts J.T.
"What the?" yells Spinner. "What's going on there?"
"We're on the floor, Spinner!" yells J.T., Paige moaning in the background.
"You nasty little...get off my wife!" exclaims Spinner. "She's nine months pregnant, and you guys are..."
Paige screams from the pain, clutching J.T.'s hair.
"Aaah, Paige!" groans J.T.
"I mean it, J.T.!" shouts Spinner. "If you don't get your grubby hands away from Paige, I'll..."
Paige grabs the phone from J.T. "I'm in labor, you idiot! Get your butt to the hospital!"
"Oh my...I'll be right there," cries Spinner. "Gustavo, you're in charge!"
The phone clicks off. J.T. uses all his strength to lift Paige, heading for the door. Paige huddles along with him, and J.T. gets her into the car, driving speedily. Paige takes quick, short breaths like she learned in Lamaze class. Everytime she screams, J.T. yells in fear.
"Please don't have this baby in my Audi, Paige," begs J.T.
"Because the leather interior is so much more important than the well-being of my infant!" snaps Paige.
"I just bought this!" counters J.T.
"How about I buy you a black eye?" yells Paige.
"Driving and shutting up," says J.T., turning into the parking lot.
III.
Ellie bites her lip in anticipation, watches Marco say "hmmm" for about the millionth time as he glances through some papers. She bangs on the table to get his attention, causing some other customers in Spinner's restaurant to grimace at her.
"Sorry," she mouths to them.
Marco's head shoots up. "Overseas adoptions are better for single moms. And your financial status has gotten better since Priya Got Mutilated broke box office records."
"Hence, Alex getting that condo," points out Ellie. "But kids are way more expensive. Medical bills, clothes, food..."
Marco nods. "I know some people at my non-profit that can help you, El. I'll show them these documents, talk to them."
Ellie smiles widely, reaches over the table to hug Marco tightly.
"Can't breathe, Ellie," sputters out Marco.
"Apologies," says Ellie, letting him go.
Marco starts to say something, but is silenced when Spinner runs out of the back door, untying an apron, his cheeks red.
"Paige...baby...coming now!" blurts out Spinner.
Marco and Ellie glance at each other, immediately stand, and run out the door, all three hopping into Marco's car. Once they reach the parking lot, Marco turns off the car, and they jog through the double doors, Ellie peering at different signs to locate the maternity ward. Spinner gets halfway down one hall.
"Spinner, this way!" yells Ellie, grabbing his hand, and turning him the other way.
All three head to the maternity ward, where they see J.T. in a chair, appearing rattled.
"How...how is she?" asks Spinner, barely breathing.
"They doped her up, and her contractions aren't that far apart," says J.T. "Me? I fainted and am trying to find oxygen again."
Marco sits down, rubs J.T.'s back.
"What room?" asks Spinner.
"5B," says J.T.
Ellie pats Spinner's shoulder. "It'll be fine, Spin."
Spinner nods at her, heads to the room. Ellie takes a seat besides Marco, stares at the clock on the opposite wall. Thirty minutes later, Craig, carrying Leslie, and Ashley arrive, then Dylan and Paige's mother.
"How is she?" inquires Ashley.
Ellie shrugs. "Spinner's in there with her. I'm guessing she's alright."
"I can't wait anymore!" groans Marco. "I'm just going to take a peep."
Marco rises from his seat, Ellie trailing him. Craig and Ashley plop into their empty seats. Peering through the small window of the door to 5B, Paige shouts happily for them to come in. An attentive nurse rolls her eyes, checks her clipboard.
"Marco! Ellie! Hi!" exclaims Paige, her eyes glazed over. "So nice to see you! The baby's not coming for another thirty minutes! Isn't that great?"
Spinner, dressed in a gown and hospital mask, gives them a nervous smile.
"Okay, this is worse than when she was on pot," whispers Marco to Ellie.
Ellie shushes him.
"I just have to tell you guys that I'm super. Super super super duper! Also, Marco, and I've been meaning to say this to you for awhile, but I think you're the hottest guy ever! I've been wondering what you're like in bed since like grade ten. And Ellie, I 've always been so jealous of your red hair. I keep meaning to ask you if it's natural. I'm not a natural honey blonde. It's more strawberry blonde. Oops, shouldn't have let that slip. Spinner, you're looking all kinds of hot right now!"
"Honeybee, calm down!" says Spinner.
"No, you calm down! I'm talking to my friends. Gosh! Should I tell them about the time in the sauna room of my mother's spa, when we...oh, wow...we..."
Spinner covers her mouth. "Leave, please."
Ellie and Marco obey, both their faces blank. Marco closes the door.
"She's not a natural honey blonde, huh?" says Marco.
Ellie laughs, playfully punches him. They see Dr. Ames going into the door after them.
Forty-five minutes later, more people arrive. Jimmy wheels next to Ashley, asks her how she is, and Spinner's parents, as well as Hazel and Kendra, come down the hall, pink and blue balloons in their hands. Ellie is listening to Ashley tell her about some great films she saw in Malibu, when Spinner comes out, his face frozen. They all stand expectantly. Spinner takes off the mask, chuckles.
"Mason's got a boy, yo!" exclaims Spinner, thrusting a fist into the air.
"Alright!" yells Craig, hugging Spinner.
Jimmy rolls over to Spinner, and gives him a huge hug.
"I can teach him floor hockey!" squeals Kendra, taking the blue balloons from her mother.
"And I can school him in basketball," adds Jimmy.
"Let's just make sure he can walk first," says Ashley, Craig putting an arm around her.
"Can we see Paige?" asks Ellie.
"In an hour," replies Spinner. "They're still doing all that afterbirth stuff. Oh, man. I'm totally over the Earth right now!"
"Over the moon?" offers Kendra.
"Yeah, all the planets," replies Spinner. "I'm going back."
Spinner jogs down the hall, and Ellie lets out a sigh of relief. She knew everything would go according to plan. It is Paige's baby, after all. Her heart beats more slowly, thinking about what she could've had. She wipes a tear from her eye, glad no one is looking at her. During that hour, she gets coffee, doesn't say much as she sips. Marco sits with her as the hour nears its end.
"Hey," says Marco. "We're happy, right?"
Ellie kisses his forehead. "So happy for her."
"That's my girl," whispers Marco, cuddling her to his chest.
Spinner reappears, less sweaty, more calm.
"Who wants to see the spawn?" he asks. "And I don't mean the comic book."
Everyone gets up, heads towards 5B.
"She's still a little woozy," says Spinner, before opening the door.
"So am I," replies J.T.
Inside, Paige's back, sweaty, hair ruffled, rests against the pillows, holding a blue blanket covering a small, pink baby who yawns, his eyes shut. Paige smiles at them. The sadness in Ellie's heart gives way to bliss, pure utter bliss for her new friend.
"He made quite the entrance, but it was worth it," she says softly, winking at Ellie.
"You did me proud, Paige," says Spinner, kissing Paige's cheek.
"Awww," whispers Hazel, going by Paige's side. "What's his name?"
"Michael Jet Mason," replies Paige. "Named after one of my favorite designers, Michael Kors. And Spinner's unhealthy obsession with Jet Li. I had to compromise some kind of way."
They all chuckle lightly.
"We do have to take care of some important business," says Spinner. "Then we'll let Paigey rest."
"That's the last time you call me, Paigey," says Paige, giggling, rubbing her son's forehead.
"Whatever," says Spinner. "Anyways, godparents. We got to select two each."
"And I ruled out people we already considered family," speaks up Paige. "So Marco and Ash, that rules you out. Sorry."
"Yeah," agrees Spinner. "I didn't, though. So Jimmy and Hazel, if you guys would like that honor."
Jimmy and Hazel smile at each other.
"I'm honored," replies Jimmy.
"You know I'm in," says Hazel.
"Paige?" prompts Spinner.
"As I said, I went a different route, trying to bring people into our little fold. So sweet potato, J.T..."
"Cool!" says J.T. "Sorry for fainting on your birthday, little man."
"And Ellie," finishes Paige.
Ellie glances at Spinner, Ashley, Marco, then Craig, who nods excitedly at her.
"Me? Are you...are you sure?" says Ellie, softly.
"Yeah, well, you need the practice," says Paige. "Ash doesn't. You willing?"
Ellie blushes. "Yeah, okay."
Paige kisses Michael's head. "Anyone want to hold him?"
"Me!" says Kendra, clapping her hands.
"I think Ellie should hold him," speaks up Craig, nudging her forward.
Ellie swallows the lump in her throat. Paige hands Michael to Ellie, grinning at her. Ellie makes sure to support the head, cradling him to her chest, small but happy tears trickling down her face. Michael, his eyes closed, smiles.
"He's perfect, Paige," says Ellie, sniffling. "Perfect."
IV.
"So tell me about the kid," says Alex, Nirvana pumping out of her car stereo.
She makes a sharp right, and Ellie grabs her chest in fright.
"Okay, don't kill us, Alex," shouts Ellie over the music.
"Have no clue what to do. I suppose I could send Paige a card. We didn't really keep in touch, you know?"
"I'm sure she'd appreciate a call, though. It's been a week since Mikey was born."
"Mikey Mason. That kid is so getting made fun of," replies Alex. "Unless he goes by Jet."
"I don't know what to call him," admits Ellie. "He's smiled at me like six names, so I don't think he cares."
"Man, I love this new car!" shouts Alex, pulling into Ellie's driveway.
"Just show up for work, as usual," says Ellie, unbuckling her seatbelt.
"Yes, Commander Nash," says Alex. "See ya."
Alex pulls out, and Ellie goes to check her mail. Nothing interesting. What is interesting is the presence of Craig's car on the street, and another car parked right behind it. Unlocking her door, she sees Craig with a box in his hands.
"Breaking and entering?" she jokes.
"Getting the last of my stuff," says Craig, defensively, putting down the box.
"Oh," says Ellie. "I suppose this is it."
Neither one of them knows what to say, so they hug, Craig stroking Ellie's back.
"Not much for words," admits Ellie, shrugging.
"I got some words," says Craig. "There's a rat...a really big one in the extra room."
"And you didn't try to get it like a real man? Craig...I hate rats!" shouts Ellie.
"I'm running late," replies Craig. "Just put down a trap. It seems like a nice rat. There's a dog too."
"I don't want it to die!" says Ellie. "And what? A dog?"
Craig shoulders the box, opens the door. "Check ya later, El."
Ellie crosses her arms as Craig slams the door behind her. She walks tentatively to the extra room, about to enter when Andromeda jumps up on her, causing her to kneel.
"Never thought I'd see you again," she says, scratching his chin.
"What about me?" calls a voice from the other room.
She stands frozen in the door frame, blushing. Sean. He has on jeans and a white T-shirt, waves shyly at her. He stands in front of a white sheet covering something. Andromeda jogs to him, lays down at his feet.
"Not so sure about you," admits Ellie. "What are you doing here?"
"Delivering something," answers Sean.
"Okay?" says Ellie.
Sean pulls the sheet from where it is, revealing a beautifully constructed crib, made from mahogany wood, a flowered design carved on the headboard, clean linen already placed inside. Ellie covers her mouth, a grin forming under her lips. Sean stares at the floor, then back at her.
"I heard about Mikey," says Sean. "You're the godmother? He needs a place to sleep when he comes over, right?"
Ellie runs a hand through her hair. "Yeah...thank you."
She goes over, wrapping him in her arms, and it's as satisfying as it always is. Sean breathes against her neck, the sensation thrilling her. Pulling away slowly, she stares into his eyes.
"This is an amazing gift," says Ellie.
"For an amazing woman," says Sean. "I started it when we got back from Wasaga. Wanted to give you some hope. The mahogany...it's so elegant, red, stunning, like you. The flowers, sweet like you. This is totally you, Ellie, and you totally deserve good things. The best things."
"Sean, don't say stuff like that to me," whispers Ellie, laying her head against his chest.
Sean shakes his head, and Ellie can see he's trying not to cry.
"You want...you want to go to lunch one day?" asks Sean.
Ellie smiles. "A friendly lunch?"
"Friends can have lunch," replies Sean. "I'll pay?"
Ellie laughs. "Well, in that case..."
Sean laughs too.
"Can friends...can friends, um, dance?" asks Ellie.
She stares at the radio, turns it to a station they used to listen to. Then, she stands right in front of Sean.
"What do you think?" says Sean, reaching out for her hand.
The song, so beautiful, so light, so serene, like how they used to be. There's a trace of sadness, but a beautiful sadness, that lets Ellie know the feelings would remain, remain forever.
Wishful thinking I might be yours
Drifting on every step
I'm always drawn to the dark horse
Sweet sweet, oh nothing's said
Sean gently wraps his arms around Ellie's waist, his lips brushing the side of her hair. Ellie closes her eyes, intoxicated, not caring how long this moment lasts. Couldn't she loop these moments together, hold tightly to them, pretend they were as immortal as her films? In her heart, she knows they are.
And every dream, every, is just a dream after all
And everything stands so still when you dance
Everything spins so fast
And the night's in a paper cup
When you want it to last
Wishful thinking you might be mine
Every shiver sends
One breath under the bridge of sighs
Bending where the river bends
And every dream, every, is just a dream, after all
It's still, so still. A heart against a heart makes it so. Ellie puts her nose to his, Sean smiling. Though he's with Emma, they'd always have this, a past so impenetrable they can't describe it. That's what all first loves have, she thinks, hugging Sean again.
And every dream, every, is just a dream, after all
And everything stands so still when you dance
Everything spins so fast
And the nights in a paper cup
When you want it to last
And every dream, every, is just a dream after all
And everything stands so still when you dance
Everything spins so fast
And the night's in a paper cup
When you want it to last
The moonlight shines through the window, on them, on the lives they live separately, on the life they will share. Sean kisses her forehead. Ellie hugs him again, smiles as the music ends. When there are no words, there's the silence, that speaks volumes. What a silence.
V.
Jimmy zips up his sweatshirt, stares at the frost covering the golf course grass as he sits on the veranda. Though it's January, soon spring would be there, and other younger golfers would take to the green, pursue their dreams. They might be as good as Leslie, maybe better, maybe not, but Leslie wouldn't be among them. He'd convinced his father to let Leslie stop for a year, let Leslie concentrate on her music. It took about four talks, but Mr. Brooks came around, though he was pretty sure Leslie wouldn't give up golf completely. Jimmy wasn't so sure about that, but more importantly, he doesn't care. Seeing her sing at the variety show made it that much clearer that she'd found something that she loved. That didn't stop him from letting Mr. Brooks take her mini-golfing that day, however.
Jimmy chuckles at the thought of his father trying to putt a ball under a windmill. He'd taken her a couple times after Ashley went to rehab, and she enjoyed it, particularly because she beat him, both times.
He hears heels tapping against the floor of the veranda, and Tia comes up to him, holding two cups of hot tea.
"Here you go," she says, handing him a cup.
"Thank you," says Jimmy, blowing on it.
"It's good," compliments Tia.
"You're better," says Jimmy, leaning over and kissing her.
Tia clasps her face with her hands, and they're interrupted by someone clearing his throat. Jimmy pulls away, shakes his head.
"Craig, you really know how to ruin my love life," says Jimmy.
Craig shoves his hands into his slacks, pulling out a key. "Yeah, I've been told that."
Tia wipes some lipstick off Jimmy's lips, offers to get Craig tea, and he agrees. She walks off, Jimmy watching her.
"Do I know how to pick them or what?" says Jimmy.
"Yep, you do," says Craig, giving Tia an appreciative glance. "This is Les' key to our house."
"Alright, I'll hold onto it," says Jimmy, putting it in his coat pocket.
"So, are you and her...like...," begins Craig.
"Okay, some of us don't do spontaneous proposals like you, okay?" says Jimmy, chuckling. "Some of us wait awhile. Like Ashley, which I heard about. Congratulations."
Jimmy sips his tea, not staring at Craig.
"Thanks," says Craig.
"When's the wedding?"
"Summer, we're thinking. The album will be done, and the mini-tour I'm doing. Should work out."
Jimmy smacks his lips. The conversation was turning weird, and he still wasn't sure how to feel about all of this. At the same time, it felt a bit right, felt normal.
"Look, Craig, we're having a difficult time communicating as you may have noticed," says Jimmy.
"Oh I hadn't...well, yeah," says Craig.
"I'm...I'm sorry for putting you through all that, Ashley through all that. You were right. I wasn't thinking of Les as much as I should've. But now I am. We all are. So...maybe we can be friends? Or something like friends? And I'm not only saying that because the divorce is final."
Craig grins. "Well, you have seen me half-naked before. Wouldn't want to be on your bad side."
Jimmy chuckles, shakes his hand.
"Golf," says Craig, awkwardly. "What a weird sport."
"Have you played before?" says Jimmy.
"Uhhhhh...no."
"Get a club," says Jimmy, pointing to the golf clubs at the other end of the table.
Craig selects one, holds it up, examines it.
"It's not too cold?" says Craig.
"For golf? Nah. It's good for the blood," explains Jimmy. "You're worse than the girls I coach."
Craig shoulders the club. "Alright, then. I'm not a wuss. Let's play."
Jimmy takes another club, and they both head toward the first hole.
"So, Leslie wants a guitar," says Jimmy, the sun rising higher as they walk. "Don't know where she got that idea."
"It wasn't me," says Craig. "I tried to convince her to get a clarinet."
They both laugh, the sun's rays stretching across the course, warming them, the day feeling welcoming, bright, triumphant.
Thanks for reading!