To Mend A Broken Heart

Chapter 13: Year 3000

I took in the final words Todd had said, fully absorbing them into my mind until I realized the impact, "HOLLYWOOD! Like California's Hollywood!"

"Yeah, I'm sorry, but this is such a good opportunity and I really wanted your input."

"I have a full-ride Todd, I can't just leave that."

"You're kidding me! You'd rather stay and get your education then support your husband with his dream!"

"If I remember correctly, I was more important than your dream."

"Miles, you are, but, you don't get it. I have to do this; I can't give this up again."

"And I can't give up my scholarship…but"

"MILEY! You were #5 in your class; I barely graduated. You could get into any school in the country; I only was accepted to one. You already know what you want to be; I'm still finding out. Look at how much better off you are and then look at me, look at the difference, but you're too selfish to even see that. You can't even see how much I want this, how much I need this, because you're too blinded by your own ignorance. How many times do I have to tell you before it clicks in your head? You're pissing me off by being so self-centered, think about me for a change, think about someone other than yourself and give Hollywood a chance!"

"Is that really how you feel Todd? Do I really piss you off that much? Am I really that ignorant? Do I actually only think about myself? Am I really any better off than you are? Is my selfishness going to tick you off even more? Am I really blinded to see how much you want this? Because if you answer yes to any of those questions, you will be out of that door faster than you could even see it coming. I know how much you want this, but this is where my family is, where your family is and we're just going to pick up and move? What are we going to do about the house? I can't sell it, I can't, all of our memories are here; we can't do that. Now, if you still think I only think about myself, how the hell could I have come up with those questions TODD? How?"

"Miley, I want this so badly and you're just…"

"I just what Todd? Please let me know. Let me know every horrible, down right bad thing I've ever done to you, because I really don't, I really DO NOT KNOW!"

"You're just…preventing it from happening."

"Oh, so if I wasn't here, you'd be gone by now. Is that what I'm hearing?"

"Yes…"

"Ok, bye, leave." I said, standing and walking upstairs.

"No Miley! Wait!"

"WHAT TODD?"

"I didn't want this to happen."

"I thought it was your dream, babe?"

"No, I didn't want this," he said, pointing to me and then back at him, "to happen."

"Oh, us being married?"

"NO MILEY! DO YOU WANT US APART? DO YOU WANT A DIVORCE? BECAUSE SERIOUSLY YOU'RE ACTING LIKE, LIKE, LIKE A…I can't do it."

"Say it Todd, let me hear it! Scream it at me!"

"I promised I wouldn't. I love you too much for that to happen."

"Oh, because that makes perfect sense, you can't cuss at me but you can call me selfish, center-minded, ignorant and pissy. Makes sense Todd.

"I didn't mean to say that…"

"But you did, and that's what ticks me off! That's what me mad about this whole thing! I'd give up my scholarship for you and if you would have let me finish without interrupting you would have heard that, but instead you decided to make me feel like crap."

"I'm sorry."

"I love how sorry is the only thing you can say. Is that because you've said everything else Todd? You already trashed me, trash my family next because trust me this hole is deeper than you can fill."

"I'll be back…" he mumbled, before going out the front door, turning on his car and leaving.

"I was going to go! I was going to leave! Why? I want to leave! I want to leave! I hate this place; it's filled with everything I don't want to remember, all the fights, all the rage. I was going to leave and then he had to treat me worse than he ever has, yell at me louder than he ever has, call me names he's never called me before, and all because of his dream…crap…it's his dream. But if only he would have listened…I would be packing right now not crying at the bottom of my steps. I was going to go! If he would just walk right through that door, we could leave; I want to do this for him. He needs me right now; he needs me to approve, to be there for him." that's when I stopped, just sat on the stairs and thought, waited for Todd to walk back through that door. Twenty minutes later he did exactly that, with something in his hand I didn't expect.

"Hey, I'm back…this is for you. I'm going upstairs." That was all he said, before walking up the steps before hearing the bedroom door shut behind him.

'Miley,

I'm sitting at the coffee shop and thinking, and now that I've thought and cleared my head, I want you to know that we don't have to go if you don't want to. You mean more to me than the world and what I said early wasn't right. You're my wife, my lover, my soul mate, my best friend and I crossed a line that shouldn't be crossed. I just want this so badly, but I know how much your scholarship means to you and so it's your decision and I will accept whatever choice you make. We have to make decisions together, but the way I acted showed me that I'm not responsible enough to handle this situation, which is why it's in your hands. Once again I'm sorry and just come upstairs when you've decided. I love you, babe and if I could rewind time…I would have already done it.

Todd'

It only took about two seconds for me to decide, so I ran upstairs and opened the bedroom door, finding Todd sitting on the bed with his head in his hands.

"Hey babe." I said, causing him to look up.

"Hey…"

I walked over and sat down next to him, "Thank you for the card."

"What I did was wrong and I'm so sorry, you didn't deserve that and if…"

"Todd, shh." I said, kissing him lightly. The kiss deepened as Todd realized that he was forgiven. He wrapped his arms around my waist and lowered me onto the bed, his legs now straddling my body.

A few minutes later, he barely parted to ask, "So what's your answer?" Kissing him a little more, trying to get him to squirm, he left my lips again, "Miles…?"

Lightly pushing him off of me I answered, "Todd…we're going to Hollywood."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"I love you and thank you so much."

"Just get back here." I said, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him onto the bed before capturing his lips one last time.

When we broke away to go back downstairs Todd just smiled and said, "Man, I love it when you're feisty."

"Oh shut up." I replied, grabbing his hand and taking him downstairs. When we arrived downstairs, I began asking questions, "When are we moving?"

"I have to be there in two weeks, so whenever works for you."

"How about next weekend?"

"Are you sure that's not too soon?"

"I think we need time to settle in."

"Ok, whatever you want, babe." he said, leaning in for another kiss, when all of a sudden my cell phone rang.

Running over to pick it up, I read the name on the front, "Michael, why is Michael calling? Hello? Hey, how are you? Pretty well. Yeah. OH MY GOD ARE YOU SERIOUS? Tomorrow? At lunch? Yes, she'll say yes! You're kidding me! Yes, you have my permission dimwit! Ok, yeah, I can make reservations. I'll call right now! OH MY GOD! Bye Michael."

"What was that about?"

"Welltomorrowatlunchhe'sgoingtoproposetoLeslieandhewasaskingformypermissionafterheaskedherdadandsoIsaidyesbecausetheyaresoperfectforeachotherandohmygoshI'msoexcitedandwowthisisactuallyhappeningwe'rebothgoingtobemarriedandmygodthisisexciting."

"Miles…first, I can't believe I actually understood that. Second, I think that's great, they truly are a perfect couple. Third, yes, we can come back for the wedding."

"I didn't even say that."

"But you were thinking it, right?"

"Maybe…"

"Ha ha. So where are you supposed to make a reservation at?"

"Chez de l'amour."

"Oh my god, that place is fancy."

"Exactly…that's why he picked it. Oh look, Les is calling." I said, picking up my phone. "Yeah I remember we're having lunch. How about Chez de l'amour? Yeah, I know it's fancy, but just for a change. Yeah, I'll make reservations. Ok, see you tomorrow. Bye."

"So she fell for that?"

"Hook, line and sinker. Ha Ha."

"Doesn't suspect a thing?"

"I don't think so…but we'll see."

"I say we go upstairs and get some much needed sleep, babe."

"Ok." I said, lacing my hands in his, and us walking upstairs.

Fifteen hours later, we were waiting in Chez de l'amour, waiting for Michael and Leslie to arrive. I was in a black dress and Todd was in a violet dress shirt with a black tie to match me with black slacks. Leslie and Michael walked in and I eyed Michael, who just patted his pocket before breathing in deeply.

I turned to the hostess, "Everyone in our party is here now."

"Ok, right this way." she said, leading us to the table.

After explaining to us all of the specials and handing us the menus she left, which was Leslie's turn to speak, "So why are we here again?"

"Les, I already told you." I spoke, "I thought a change would be nice and also Todd and I have something to tell you."

"SPILL!"

Todd interrupted, "I got a really great job offer and so…" he paused, grabbing my hand and placing it on the table, "We're moving to Hollywood."

"Hollywood! As in California's Hollywood!" Leslie screeched.

"Yes, Leslie." I added. "It's his dream and so I'm supporting him."

"That's so sweet. Married couples are so sweet, don't you think Michael?"

"Yes, I do sweetheart." he replied, kissing her cheek.

"What are you going to do about the scholarship?"

"I'm giving it up. I can go to school in California, it's really not that important that I have a full-ride." I said, looking at Todd.

"You know what that means?"

"What Les?"

"We can actually see each other more!"

"Oh, I didn't even think about that. That's great!" I said, I quickly looked at Michael who eyed me and gave me the cue, "Hey, Les, I have to use the restroom, can you come with me?"

"Sure."

Leslie and I went to restroom and just talked about California, before we came back out and ate lunch before the waiter came back to our table.

"Can I interest anyone in dessert?"

"I don't really want any." Leslie said, causing Todd, Michael and I to look at each other.

"I want some." all three of us said at the same time.

"Fine…I won't eat any of it though."

"How about we get the cake?" Michael proposed.

"Yeah that sounds good." Todd and I agreed the waiter then walking away.

"I'm mad now." Leslie said.

"Why babe?"

"Because, I didn't want dessert."

"It will give us more time to talk."

"About what?"

"Us." and as if right on cue, here came the cake, filled with sparklers and red roses.

"What are you talking about Michael?"

Without even thinking, Michael got out of his seat and on one knee, causing me to glance at Todd who just picked my hand up and kissed it. "Leslie, you have made me so happy this past year and a half and I can't picture spending my life with anyone else. Before you go to college, I just wanted you to know that I'm coming with you because nothing is going to keep us apart. Not during college and never again in our lives because…Leslie, will you marry me?"

Already crying she answered, "Yes…" causing Michael to stand and give her a kiss, the rest of the restaurant awing. (I don't even know if that's a verb haha) Breaking away from the kiss, Leslie looked at me, "You knew didn't you?"

"Maybe…"

"MILEY!"

"You knew about Todd…"

"So, I can do that, you never do that. You always tell me."

"Not this time…"

"Thanks…"

"ANYTIME!"

"Did you know too Todd?"

"Just because she told me!" he exclaimed, pointing at me.

"TODD!" I said, hitting his shoulder.

"I don't want her mad at me." Todd said, glancing at Leslie.

"God…"

"I love you Michael…"

"I love you too, Leslie." he replied, kissing her ever so lightly.

Turning to whisper in Todd's ear I said, "Why is life so perfect?"

"Because we're in it together and there's no one else I'd rather spend it."

"I'm ready for Hollywood."

"Me too, Miles, me too." he said, kissing my cheek.

One week later…

"FLIGHT 45 NOW BOARDING. FLIGHT 45."

"Todd, that's us." I said, shaking him awake.

"Huh, what?"

"That's our flight."

"Ok, ok. I'm ready." he stood, almost falling from just waking up.

"Whatever you say Todd."

"So why couldn't your parents see us off?"

"They're asleep. It's two in the morning."

"Oh right, the nap confused me."

"Todd, you're nuts."

"But, I'm your nut."

"True…"

"I'm sad no ones here to say goodbye."

"Todd, it's fine, we'll be fine. You arranged the hotel right?"

"Yes, Miles."

"And the furniture is being sent Tuesday?"

"Yes, Miles."

"And we're moving in Monday?"

"Yes, Miles."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Miles."

"Are you just saying that to be annoying?"

"Yes, Miles."

"As long as I know…come on, let's board."

So here I am, flying on a plane to California, to start a new life, a new adventure. Going on a trip, a very long trip but the fear of my future is shrinking less and less every moment we get higher into the sky. I can't help but think that my life will drastically change, that Todd and his band will end up like all of the other bands in the world, that I will be forgotten. The other half of me sees the good that can come, I will be away from all of my stresses only with the one who loves me, I can forget about my previous life and focus on the future. The future. What will happen? Will everything be fine? Will life get better? In how many years will I be a mother? Will I love that feeling? Will Todd and I grow old together? What will life be like? Will my kids have a future greater than my own? Will they find someone that loves them just as much as I love Todd and he loves me? With the many years laid out before me, I closed my eyes with one last thought floating in my brain. What will life be like in Year 3000?