AUTHOR'S NOTES: Hey everybody! This is the last chapter. I know, I know; so sad. I wanted to thank everybody for reading this story, when there was just six different fics in this section. You guys are super savvy and inspiring. My birthstone is a Topaz, just so you know. And don't start panicking, make sure you read the bottom author's note, savvy?
After an hour of talking about random things, we both got up. Rainey handed me an old robe while he put on his tattered blue on. We both walked downstairs, and I put on some coffee while Rainey read the newspaper.
"Oh shit," he said and I quirked an eyebrow.
He handed me the front page of the paper he was reading and my eyes bulged. There, on the paper, was a picture of Mort and I, kissing. The headline read Writer Thanks A Fan... For What? We Don't Know. I skimmed through the paper, reading bits of stuff like "....she popped out of nowhere..." and "...we wonder if she knows about his ex-wife, and if she does, does she care?..."
After I finished, I handed it back at him and shrugged. "I know what I got myself into when I fell in love with you," I murmured. "And I don't care what they think. Remember, Mort, that your rep is what people think of you but your character is who you really are."
He smiled at me and beckoned me over. I returned my his smile and sat on his lap, leaning my head on his shoulder, skimming the paper that Rainey was now reading. Silently, I began to think about how we had come to meet.
I was so naive, when I first came here. I was afraid of him and didn't give him a chance. And yet, he gave me one, and slowly, I began to befriend him, and then finally fall in love with him. I smiled at the thought. Yes, I was so in love with him. I still could not believe what Amy had done and was surprised at how well Mort handled it. Well, how well any skitzophrenic would handle it...
I silently wondered if the voices would ever come back. I hoped not. I wasn't really worried about my safety, but more for Mort's. He said he wouldn't let himself hurt me, even if that meant dying, but I wouldn't let him kill himself for me. I shook the thoughts out of my head and sighed.
"What's the matter?" Mort asked quietly, intently watching me.
Before I could respond, a loud knock was heard at the door. I quirked an eyebrow. People never came to Rainey's house because of all the damn gossip going around. There were never any visitors since I had worked here, and I was slightly intrigued at who it might be.
I got up and Rainey followed me, as though he wanted to protect me in a way. I smiled at the small yet powerful gesture and opened the door. I didn't know why I didn't look through the peephole, or even out the window. I should've asked who it was, or something like that, but definitely not open the door.
But I did...
...and was met with the same copy of the newspaper in my face and an oddly familiar voice, "Is this a joke?"
"Holy shit," I breathed, my eyes widening in realization.
My father dropped his arm, allowing us to see him clearly. I felt Rainey's arm snake around my waist protectively, as he leaned his other arm on the doorway. "What do you want, Mr. Fletcher?" Rainey asked coldly.
"Is this a joke?" my father repeated, glaring at me.
"What do you mean?" I finally managed to ask, my voice even and cold.
"Are the two of you together?" he asked, his eyes flashing with fury.
I almost knew Rainey was wearing a smirk when he replied, "Actually, we are. Now, if there's anything else..."
Fury seethed through my father but he lingered in the doorway. "Do I get any of the profit?"
I snorted, a very un-lady like thing to do. "Profit? For what?"
However, my father wasn't paying attention to me, but gazing at Mort instead. There seemed to be a silent exchange of words when he did something unexpected; he dramatically turned away and began to stomp down the street, and hopefully, I would never hear from him again.
I turned towards Rainey as he closed the door and pulled him into a kiss. When we broke away, Rainey quirked an eyebrow but a smile was written upon his face. "What was that for?"
I grinned, following him back into the kitchen. "Must I have a reason to kiss the man I love?"
"No," he replied, smiling. "But I'd like to know so I can do it more often."
My smile grew as I said, "Just be the Mort Rainey that I have come to love."
"I will," he replied and then, quickly changing the subject, he said, "Oh, did I tell you? I have the perfect ending for my book."
I quirked an eyebrow and he continued, having memorized it already, "Je t'aime tellement mon amoureux,' she said staring into his eyes. It seemed as though his actions in the past were ignored.
"He smiled serenely and took her into his arms, squeezing her tightly. They had been through so much hurt and so much pain, but at least they had each other to cry on, to lean on. They went through it all together, and it had amazed him that even after all he had done in the past, she had still chosen to stay with him. She trusted him completely. Granted, he had to work hard for it, and little by little, she had opened up to him, had fun with him. All of his efforts payed off in the end; everything they went through was worth it because she was finally his... and he was finally hers.
"So..." Mort said, staring fixedly on the ground. "That's my ending... what'd you think?"
My eyes had gotten misty as he read through the lines. They were perfectly placed, perfectly worded. So much emotion was placed into it, I felt like he had sliced open the depths of his soul. I admired him for doing so. I looked back up at him and scolded myself for leaving him hanging for so long. He was so vulnerable and quiet, his face down and his shoulders slooped.
"I thought it was perfect," I said quietly, my voice cracking slightly. "Although, I was wondering..." I saw his head lift slowly as my cheeks started to burn. "I was wondering.. what does Je t'aime tellement mon amoureux mean?"
He smiled at my mispronunciation. "It means," he said, taking a step closer to me. "I love you so much, my lover."
I smiled up at him and he did the same down at me. I suddenly realized how close we were, just centimeters apart. I could feel his body heat radiate mine. I could've sworn that he could probably feel the vibrations against my chest, my heart was beating so rapidly... I loved the feeling it brought me... excitement... It felt right to be so close to him, to feel his body slightly touching mine. I peeked up at him and came in contact with his mesmerizing chocolate eyes. Our noses were slightly brushing and I glanced at his lips.
"Madison." He said my name quietly yet huskily.
I locked eyes with him once again and suddenly emotions overtook and insecurities that I once had. He seemed to understand and cupped my face in his hands, kissing me passionately. I stifled a moan as I felt his tongue make its presence known in my mouth. I bit playfully on it and I heard him moan. His hands ran carelessly through my hair as I explored every inch of his cement-like chest.
Suddenly, he pulled away, taking a step back. A look of confusement reigned on my face as he tried to read my eyes. "I love you," he said suddenly, as though he needed me to know it before we moved any further.
I smiled and let out a breath I did not know I was holding. "Mort," I said breathlessly, looking him in the eye. "You know I love you."
Gently swooping me into his arms, he began to carry me upstairs, and I thought that this was not the perfect ending, but the perfect beginning as well.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: It's done! But stay tuned for the sequel. I don't wanna tell you what happens because it'll give too much away. Let's just say there's going to be a change of location, and meeting interesting family members for a mysterious family gatherings. Drinks all around! Please review! Ta for now!