Aye me! I did not even notice that I forgot to put my little answer as to where the title of the story refers – yes, you two (Purple Rhapsody and Aeris Tiniel Mirime) got it right! Though, after the title, this story does not really bear any resemblance to the book...other than the central theme of lost love coming back to haunt you...and a friend's misguided advice, I suppose.
And I'll second that 'Go Jane Austen fans!' Seriously, if you guys haven't read her stuff – do it! Do it now – well, after you read and review this, or course: ) Heehee. Austen is an underestimated comic genius!
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR LOVELY REVIEWS!
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Maddie heaved the black bag on her shoulder for the hundredth time, trying to make the weight more comfortable. She impatiently stood in the narrow aisle, waiting for her chance to walk off the plane. The line finally began to move and she groaned as the man behind her kept hitting her in the back with his bags. After an uncomfortable shuffle she was released from the claustrophobic crowd and she paused a moment, peering around her. There was a sign hanging above the hallway to her left, saying 'Gates 1 – 4 B, International' and to her right were the words 'Baggage Claim for International Flights'. She shifted her feet to move her toward the latter, her ton bag rubbing heavy marks into her shoulder. She knew she should not have packed so many books, it was her one huge mistake that she always made when packing. She was thrifty with her clothes and toiletries, but when it came to which friendly books to carry with her, she was always greedy – for how do you pick and choose which dear ones to leave behind? But the painful lead canvas that was slung over her arm gave her cause to rethink bringing the extra volumes in the future.
People in all sorts of dress and manner were milling about her, emitting various emotions as is always found in an airport. Those that are eagerly awaiting their departure on a grand adventure; those that are dragging their feet, in annoyance or fear, not wanting to take the plane to whatever unhappy occasional awaits them; and then there's the group of people that Maddie is most drawn to...those that are tearfully leaving loved ones behind. She's known that feeling all too well, and as she's walking she witnesses one of those very scenes. A young woman is slowly walking toward the security gates, a tall man watching her walk away with a face full of sorrow; when the girl suddenly turns around, dropping her bag, and runs back toward him with all her might, flinging herself into his eager arms. Maddie paused, transfixed at the scene before her. The girl's cheeks are stained with tears and she can hear the boy murmuring consolingly in her ear that it won't be long before they're together again. Maddie turned her head away and continued walking, attempting to choke back the bitter taste that consumes her.
She missed the old days when everyone could accompany a traveler to the gates, it all seemed more cozy then. Now, they can only go as far as the massive security gates, and you must say your goodbyes among the starchy and cold confines of technology. She laughed wryly to herself; they make you empty your pockets, take off your shoes, and walk through the metal detector on the way in to ascertain that you aren't carrying any weapons on your purse, but on the way out, you simply breeze by – they don't care if you smuggle anything out. Same way with customs – every once in a while they pick a poor schmo to detain and harass, rummaging and emptying out their bags carelessly – while everyone else; even Mr. John Doe who could have very bad things, indeed, smuggled in his bag; everyone else just walks past and they often don't even bat a lash.
"MADDIE!"
She looked around and saw her old friend running towards her with an enormous smile.
"London!"
London's arms wrapped round Maddie's slender shoulders when she reached her, causing the black bag of annoyance to slip off of her arm and clunk to the depressing carpet. They both stepped out of the hug, watching each other expectantly.
"Thanks for picking me up, London. It was really nice of you."
"Ah – duh! I haven't seen you in ages – besides, did you think I would make you take one of those ucky cabs? As if!"
Maddie chuckled. "You really haven't changed all that much, have you?" she said in fond remembrance.
"Well, I am just as wonderful as ever, if that's what you mean!"
"Yep – same old London."
"Hey – who are you calling 'old'?"
Maddie just shook her head, a lazy grin covering her, in spite of herself. "Well, I need to go grab my suitcase."
"Done."
"What do you mean, 'done'?"
"I mean my guy is already down there, getting it for you."
"But, how does he know what it looks like?"
London cocked her head. "Is it that old pink one that you've had for ages, with Hello Kitty all over it?"
Maddie sputtered.
London laughed. "Yeah, I thought so. I told him to grab that one – I figured no one else is as strange as you so there wouldn't be any other bags with such an obvious lack of taste! Anyway, let's get going!"
Maddie and London made their way through the bustling airport, but stopped inside at the exit.
"Roberto will be in a moment to collect us."
Maddie stared at London with a cracked mouth. "Collect?"
London's lips turned up into a smug expression. "Well, I did change a little – I'm been brushing up on my vocabu-a-lary."
After a moment or two Roberto drove up and came inside to collect them, as promised. The two were seated in the luxurious back seat, the tinted windows rolled down ever so slightly. London glanced sideways at her blonde friend.
"Are you nervous?"
"Of course not," Maddie lied, a little too quickly.
"He's there."
"Where?" Her neck snapped to the side swiftly.
"The Tipton."
Maddie felt as though she were a balloon that had just been brutally popped with a pin, the air whooshing out of her lungs in large gusts. "But – but – he – he can't be there...not now...not yet! I'm not ready!"
"Well, you better get ready quick."
"What?" she asked, completely distracted with the horrifying realization that she wouldn't have the time to prepare that she had counted on.
"We're here."
Roberto pulled the car through to the front entrance, getting out and opening the door for them. London got out quickly but she had to coax Maddie out.
"Come on, you've got to face him sooner or later. Isn't that what you came all of this way for?"
"Yes, but I didn't expect it to be so soon! Why didn't you tell me he was here sooner?" she slowly climbed out of the limo, dread etched on her face.
"Because, I didn't want to give you too much time to worry on it. See – you should be thanking me!" London walked in, but when she noticed that Maddie wasn't behind her she went back outside. "It's time, Maddie – you didn't come all of this way for nothing."
Maddie's eyes widened, and she noticed with no small amount of surprise, that London was being the sensible one for once. She steadied her wobbly legs as she took a step, desperately screaming in her brain – left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot.
It was as if she were leaving her safe world behind and on the other side of the turning door would be a new frightening one to greet her.
The cheerful décor of The Tipton Hotel smiled upon her as she stepped back into her past. She quickly scanned the room but saw no one familiar to her, and half of her heart relaxed with relief, while the other half lurched in disappointment that he was not standing plainly in front of her.
"I think he's in the restaurant, having dinner with Mr. Moseby right now."
Maddie nodded absentmindedly.
"So, aren't you going to go in there?"
"Huh? Oh, um, in a minute."
London looked at her reproachfully. "The longer you wait, the more harder it will get."
Maddie must have been distracted, for normally she would automatically correct her friend of her atrocious grammar. "Um, London – I'd like to be alone for a minute; if you don't mind."
The heiress' face softened in comprehension. "Ok; just don't worry. It's just Esteban – he's always been good to you, Maddie; there's no reason to think he won't be, now."
Maddie scoffed. "Yeah, expect for the fact that I shattered his heart into a million pieces..."
"Oh, yeah – well there is that."
"Not to mention the fact that I only now decide to come back, almost on the eve of his wedding...only two days away."
"Yeah – that, too. On second thought; maybe you should worry."
Maddie glared at her. "You're not helping."
"Ok! Gone. But you know where I'll be if you need me – my same old fabulous room!" London tittered off, leaving an overly anxious girl behind.
Alright, you can do this! After all, I am Madeline Margaret Genevieve Miranda Catherine Fitzpatrick!
She strode purposefully to the hotel restaurant, only to stop dead in her tracks.
Alright, you can't do this, yet! I need more time to think!
She spun around quickly, heading for the elevators, filled with balled up nerves. The little light flickered and emitted a little 'ding' as the doors parted way, allowing her entrance. She stepped inside, waiting for the sliding doors to shut again and zoom her upwards and away from her trepidation . They slowly began to shut out the lobby in front of her when her eyes bulged at the sight before her – it was Esteban! He was walking by casually, until his gaze fell in her direction. His long legs suddenly froze and his mouth gaped, his eyebrows shooting straight up – he looked as though he was seeing a ghost. Just as his brain seemed to work again and he took long strides toward her the elevator doors sealed shut, closing him off from her.
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Ah, poor Esteban's in for a surprise, hmm?
Review?