August 1998
The day was beautiful, not a raincloud in the sky. Stacy was radiant in her dress and gazed at her reflection in mirror, she didn't have a doubt in her mind that she was doing the right thing.
A knock at the door broke her reverie. "Come in!"
There wasn't a doubt in her mind until that moment anyways. Schemer strode through the door confidently.
"Schemer! What are you doing here?" She spun around in confusion.
"I just wanted to wish you luck with your husband-to-be. I'm not staying for the ceremony or reception." He said as he slid into a Victorian era chair on the other side of the room.
"I... what? I appreciate that you came all this way, but this is a little inappropriate for you to be in here right now! I haven't seen you in a year and you just drop into my dressing room on my wedding day!" She sputtered.
He heaved a false sigh. "I know, but your invitation didn't say exactly when I could and could not come see you. So here I am." He flipped his palms up casually and placed them behind his head.
"Oh for goodness sakes." She was getting annoyed. "Schemer, what is it?"
"Dance with me."
"What?"
"Dance with me, please." He flicked his gaze up to her. "Dance with me and I'll leave you alone to your marital bliss."
She stood at a loss for words. "Okay, fine." She finally said.
He took her hand and placed the other on her waist. She looked up at him, trying to figure him out. He hummed a familiar tune, I Dream of Jeanie, and she placed it with little difficulty as they slowly rotated on the floor.
"You didn't have to go, you know." She said softly.
"Yes I did." He said simply.
"You're still infuriating." She gave him a curious look.
"Well, yes. But you never seemed to mind."
She kissed him full on the lips and he was caught unaware for the first time that day. He kissed her back before feeling a hint of remorse and breaking it off.
She looked ashamed. "I'm so sorry, I don't know what..." And broke off into silence. He stood open mouthed and shocked.
There were a million things he could have said but instead he turned around and said, "I have to go."
She just nodded, not meeting his eyes.
He briskly strode through the parking lot of the church. He caught Ned giving him a curious look but avoided his gaze. He tried to maintain confidence even though this was the most shaken he had felt since he left Shining Time for good.
I Dream of Jeanie - Jukebox Band version
