Walter was lucky to have found parking closer to his apartment. Thankfully, he didn't have to return the car until tomorrow. The two youngsters ran out of the car, and into the building.
"Can't remember the last time that happened..." Lily said, as Walter jiggled his keys in the door of his flat.
"Ya, me neither." Walter said, opening it. They went inside, and Walter threw his keys into the key bowl.
"Wow, really nice place." Lily said.
"Thanks, you can sit if you want. I'll go get some towels." Walter left the room, to go get what he needed. Lily took off her wet boots, and went to the living room. She looked at the huge window view, just in time for Walter to get back.
"Gorgeous view..." She said, as Walter put the pile of folded towels down on the coffee table.
"Yeah, I know. Best part about this place..."
Lily put down her shoulder bag, and picked up a towel. She used it to dry her dripping hair, gently. Walter watched, unaware he was staring. Lily looked at him.
"Are you okay...?" She asked. Walter snapped out of it.
"Oh uh, yeah! I'm fine. I think I got some rain water in my eyes." Walter picked up a towel, and dabbed dried his hair, face, and neck. He took off his wet black sweater, and put it on the towel.
"You could just leave them there. I'll clean up, later." Walter said, brushing the water off his white shirt. "Can I get you anything?"
"No, I'm okay. Thanks." Lily said. The two of them sat on the couch. Lily looked around, and saw the framed photo of Walter's dad.
"Nice photo of him..." She said. Walter looked at it too, and nodded.
"Yeah, he could never take a bad picture. I keep a nicer quality one in my wallet."
Lily looked towards him. "Really? Can I see it?" Walter hesitated, but did so. He took out the wallet that he's had for a long time. It was old and worn out. He flipped it open, and easily took out the same, yet smaller picture of his dad.
Lily looked at it. It was the same photo, but she was intrigued as to what was written on the back.
"What's on the back?" She asked. Walter turned the photo. On the back, in thick writing it said:
Never stop fighting for what you love, Walter.
Love, dad.
Walter felt his heart throb a bit, at his father's writing. He looked up at Lily.
"I got it from him a few months before he...died." Walter said, not hesitating on the words this time. Lily put her hand on Walter's.
"He was a good man." Lily told him.
"Yeah..." Walter responded, putting the photo back in his wallet and putting it on the table.
"I see him in you..." Lily said. Walter shrugged at her comment.
"I don't know, maybe..." He said, looking up at her.
"No, I really do." She said. "It's in your eyes..."
Walter lingered his stare at her for a while, then broke it. He looked at his wallet that sat on the table.
"Sometimes I worry that I'm gonna lose it..." He said. "It's not a sturdy wallet. So, I check to make sure the photo is still in there."
"What about your cards...?"
"Well, those too. But, that photo means a lot to me."
Lily stayed quiet, her hand was still on Walter's. She felt like she made things awkward.
"Maybe it's about time you got a new one...? T-to keep your photo safe, that is." Lily suggested. Walter looked back at her.
"Yeah, if I have the time." Walter said. The boy looked back at Lily, her eyes glued to him. He stared into them, swearing he was staring into a beautiful gems."
"Lily...?"
"Hm..?"
"I just wanted to say, I think you're really talented...like star-worthy talent..."
Lily tilted her head, slightly. She carefully took Walter's other hand in both of hers. They were now holding each other's hands, and were looking right at one another. Nothing was gonna stop them, now.
Walter was actually the first to lean in, a bit too quickly. Lily shifted away, a bit surprised. Walter took notice to this.
"Oh sorry, I-" But before he could finish his sentence, Lily crashed her lips against his. Walter eye's grew wide open, and he swore that his heart was gonna fly out of his chest. It beat so fast, Lily could feel it. She gently pressed her hand against where his heart was, letting him calm down. Walter then began to kiss back, and his eyes fell closed.
They continued to kiss, feeling filled with life. Walter felt like he could fly. It was all happening so suddenly, but he enjoyed it so much. Eventually, it had to end so they could breathe. Walter didn't want it to, but he was out of breath.
The two of them breathed heavily, trying to fill their lungs in with the air they needed. When both their breathing was steady, Lily spoke.
"Well, I certainly didn't think that of you when I was five years old." She said, stroking his hand with her thumb. Walter chuckled, and gently brushed her bangs out of her face.
"Neither did I. But for what it's worth, I'm glad this is happening..."
Lily arched an eyebrow. "Calm down cowboy, it's only our first date." She laughed.
"Hey, you kissed me first." Walter pouted. Lily giggled and kissed him on his cheek. Walter blushed, allured.
"It's still raining. Would you mind driving me home?" She asked.
"Not at all." He said.
The two walked to the door, as Walter grabbed an umbrella. They walked out the door, Walter's arm around Lily.
On Sunday morning, Kermit sat in the living room of his and Miss Piggy's mansion. He was in his robe, sitting on the couch and drinking his coffee. He was trying to relax. This week, they were having a real show since the telethon. The tour didn't count since one, Kermit wasn't there. And two, it was a rigged tour.
The frog was nervous, but was trying to calm down. Miss Piggy told him that he needs to relax more, and not always be worrying. But, that was easy for her to say. Jim Henson built a huge foundation, and chose Kermit as his apprentice when the frog was young. He's been working almost his whole life, except for when The Muppets had split up.
Kermit thought he was making good progress, though. He didn't feel too tense, and was actually feeling in a peaceful place. 80s Robot then entered the room, carrying a newspaper.
"The Sunday paper, Mr. Kermit." 80s Robot said in his robotic voice, handing the paper to Kermit.
"Thank you, 80s Robot." Kermit said, taking the newspaper out of the robot's claw. 80s Robot left just in time for Miss Piggy to come in with her tea and a French Vogue magazine. She sat on a chair and put her tea down. She flipped through the magazine.
"Hm, they've really gone down since I left. No surprise." Piggy said, looking at the company she use to be a part of. She continued to read through it.
As Kermit lifted the newspaper to read it, he took a sip of his coffee. He immediately coughed it back into his mug however, when he saw what was on the front cover.
"Oh my goodness." Kermit said, putting his mug down. His gaze was still on the cover of the paper. By this point, Piggy was looking at the frog.
"Kermie, what is it?" She asked. Kermit turned the paper to Miss Piggy.
"Walter is on the cover of the Los Angeles Times, by himself!" Miss Piggy shot out of her seat, and went to sit by Kermit. She looked more carefully at the paper.
"Kermie, you're right! But, he's not alone. He's with a girl!"
It was true. There was a picture of Walter standing with a girl on a miniature stage. They both held a mic, and were smiling sweetly at each other.
"The Muppets' youngest newcomer, Walter, was spotted Friday night at the live music watering hole, Melody Bar and Grill. The young Muppet was as well not alone, and was found with a mystery girl. The press were unaware as to who she was, but came to the conclusion that the two were on a romantic outing." Kermit read the headline article out loud, as Piggy looked over his shoulder.
"That must be Lily!" Miss Piggy squealed. "Oh, she's so cute!"
Kermit passed the newspaper to Piggy and ran out of the living room.
"80s Robot, where's my phone?" Kermit's voice echoed through the hall. "I have to call Fozzie."
Meanwhile, in Walter's apartment. The boy was in his pyjamas, as well. He whistled, and went to the door to get his newspaper. He opened it, picked it up, and closef the door behind him.
Walter looked at the cover as he took sip of his coffee. He immediately spat it out, when he saw what was on it. Spilt coffee now on his floor.
He was on the paper with Lily. The front cover. Walter did not expect that. He hasn't been famous for that long, and is already the apple of the paparazzi's eye. He didn't panic, it was just an article of the two of them at a restaurant. It's nothing bad.
Until he remembered that every single Muppet read the newspaper.
"Uh, oh." Walter said. He didn't know what to do. He couldn't call any of them, because they probably already saw it. And besides, this was gonna come out eventually. However, it still worried Walter.
Walter grabbed his smart phone, and called Lily.
"Hey, Walter." Lily said, answering.
"Did you see the paper?" He asked.
"I'm looking at it, right now. Pretty insane, right?"
"Does it bother you...?" Walter asked, not hearing too much worry.
"Well, it's not like it's anything bad. I mean, I didn't want to get publicized until I started working. But, as long as I don't have a bad reputation, I think I'll be okay."
Walter smiled. "That's very mature..." He didn't hear a response from Lily. "Lily?"
"You're freaking out about it, aren't you?" She asked.
"Not necessarily freaking out...but I'm worried."
"Why?"
Walter stayed quiet.
"Walter...?" The Muppet still hesitated, not responding.
"Walter, you didn't tell your friends about me yet, have you?"
"I just, didn't want to jinx it." Walter finally spoke. "I was so excited about you coming to L.A., and I was even more excited about our date. I didn't want to get my hopes up that everything was gonna be awesome with you, by telling them. They aren't just my idols, anymore. They've been trying hard to be a family for me, and I really appreciate it. I'm sorry I-
"Walter." Lily interrupted. "It's okay. Take a breath." Walter did as told.
"Considering how good of a time I had the other night, I don't think you have to worry about things getting ruined." Lily said, allowing Walter to relax.
"You know, I'm gonna be busy all week. I'm meeting with a lot of casting directors. But, I'm free today..." Lily said.
Walter arched his brows. "What did you have in mind?"
"Maybe there's a brunch place we can go to? Somewhere the press won't find us?" She asked.
"Sure, I can eat. Secretively." Walter said, shrugging his shoulders. He heard Lily laugh at the other end, making him smile. The two of them sorted out a place and time, and ended the phone call.
Walter got ready for his brunch date. But, his mind was still on the other Muppets seeing the article. And what was gonna come of it on Monday.