My spoiler alert….later in this chapter there will be a spoiler, so be warned.The first half is mine and (---) denotes an actual scene, but what comes before and after that, will be completely made up.
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT
CHAPTER 7: RIGHT HERE WAITING
"Ash over here", Ellie called, waiving a big welcome home sign. Ashley rushed over and hugged her tightly. "Everyone's back there", Ellie pointed over to group of familiar faces. There was Kate, Jeff, Toby, Marco, Paige, Dylan, Spinner…but the one face Ashley was looking forward to seeing the most…was nowhere in sight. Kate ran up to hug her daughter. "We're so glad you're home", she cried, pulling Ashley close. "Me too, Mom", Ashley replied, peering over her mothers shoulder, to look through the crowds.
Once her family was done greeting her Ashley turned to her friends. "Hey guys, thanks for coming", she chuckled weakly, trying to hide her disappointment. "Okay, I cant take it anymore", Ellie said, throwing her hands up in the air. Just then Marco and Paige moved to the side to let Jimmy through. Ashley's hands flew up to her face and tears filled her eyes. "What, you thought I wouldn't come?", Jimmy laughed, moving closer to her.
Ashley leaned in and squeezed him. "I missed you so much Ash", he whispered, with much emotion. His warm breath on her neck sent a shiver through her. "I missed you too", she gasped out, breaking the embrace and standing straight. "What is that?", she giggled, just noticing the giant bouquet sitting on his lap. "Fifty-two roses.…one for every day you were gone", he smiled, handing the flowers to her. "Awww", everyone collectively sighed.
Ashley laughed out loud when the shear weight of the flowers made her sway a little. "Oh my gosh, they are so beautiful Jimmy", she said. "Thank you". Jimmy took her free hand in his and they stared at one another for a moment. "Oh for God's sake, kiss her already", Marco cried out. Ashley looked at Jimmy questionably while the group chanted, "kiss, kiss, kiss". So Jimmy did just that, he pulled Ashley down onto his lap and kissed her in front of the entire airport lobby.
"Well this is a side to Jimmy Brooks I never thought I'd see", Ashley chuckled as they sat at his kitchen table. "What? I've always been a nice guy", he replied with mock hurt. " No silly, I mean Jimmy Brooks….the baker?", she looked at him questionably as she finished the last bite of her cake. "To be totally honest, my mother did help me…a little.…with the decorating. Oh, and she got the cake pans down for me too", he admitted, nodding to the overhead cabinet.
"Well it was delicious.…and very, very sweet of you", she stated happily. "So is this", she added, referring to the alone time by his house. "Well I figured you could use some quiet, after that huge welcome home party your mom and Jeff threw you", Jimmy replied, taking his plate to the sink. "If you're not too tired…what'd you say to a movie?".
"Sure", Ashley answered, slicing another piece of cake. She looked shyly over at Jimmy. "We'll share it", she giggled, grabbing a glass of milk too and heading for the room off of the family room, Jimmy's new multipurpose room. Ashley took a seat on the couch while Jimmy put the movie on. He came back over, stopping to the side of the couch.
Ashley looked at him, her eyes telling him, she wanted him to join her. Jimmy hung his head down. He still felt uncomfortable out of his chair, like he was naked without it. Ashley sensed this and pushed a throw pillow to the side and patted the seat. His uncertain eyes met hers…she smiled and nodded. Jimmy moved in closer and easily transferred himself to the couch.
Ashley cuddled close taking a deep breath and inhaling his intoxicating scent. "How's your hand doing?", Ashley asked when he grabbed the glass of milk from her. "Fine", he replied, turning it back and forth. "It's still a little weak…so I need some extra support", he said, referring to the semi-rigid black wrist brace he was wearing. Ashley kissed his hand and held onto it, while Jimmy placed his other hand, protectively around her waist. Ashley wanted to relish in this moment forever, but was having a hard time keeping her tired eyes open.
Jimmy could feel her getting drowsy. He pulled out the pillow between him and the side of the couch and laid it on his lap. "Hey Ash…lay down", he whispered, guiding her head to the pillow. Ashley stretched her legs out to the other end of the couch and nestled into the pillow. Jimmy smiled to himself as he caressed her long brown hair…almost sure he heard a mumbled 'I love you', escape her mouth...and that made him start to think things over.
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"Thanks for coming early guys", Paige greeted as she opened the door to Dylan and Marco's apartment. "Well we had to, Paige, we brought half the food", Ellie chuckled, carrying a tray of sandwiches. Paige ran in to hug her friends and they went right to work. Ellie helped Paige in the kitchen, Ashley went around the room, hanging up decorations, while Jimmy, Marco and Spinner set up the band's equipment.
Little by little, guests started streaming in to Paige's bon voyage party.---The band was playing; Spinner on drums, Marco and Jimmy on guitar and Ashley on vocals and keyboard. Darcy walked up to Paige. "Hey Paige, I guess I'm the only one who's not sorry to see you go. I know you had sex with Spinner last year, I thought you were above being a low grade ho...guess I was wrong", she stated with mock sweetness. "Sweetie, I would love to indulge you need to ruin my party with a full on cat fight, but I'll pass. Save the drama for high school, I'm moving on", Paige responded, just as bitter-sweetly and walked away.---
"That was a huge success", Ashley stated, helping Paige clear off the table."Everyone had a great time...except for Darcy, she didn't look too happy to be here".
Paige rolled her eyes. "Oh, she's pissed because I sorta...slept with Spinner the day before graduation", she divulged. "What?", Ashley gasped. "Yeah, I know...complete heat of the moment, end of an era type thing", Paige tried brushing it off.
"But, you still have feelings for him?", Ashley inquired with a smile. "Of course, I do...he was my first boyfriend"...Ashley looked over at Jimmy, who's sitting in the next room, playing cards with Marco, Dylan and Ellie..."we have a history. But I'm moving on. I want to meet new people...and you're not listening to a word I'm saying", Paige chuckled.
Ashley quickly turned to Paige. "I'm sorry, I didn't here you", she apologized. "Apparently not", Paige laughed. "So what's the deal with you two?", she asked, glancing from Ashley to Jimmy. Ashley sighed heavily. "I don't know Paige...we're stuck in this...limbo; more than friends but not quite a couple", she explained.
"Well, do you want to be a couple?", Paige asked. Ashley glanced back over at Jimmy. "Because it would be totally understandable...I mean, even Hazel couldn't handle..."Ashley's jaw dropped. "I am not Hazel, Paige", she bit back, defensively. "Sorry Ash, I didn't mean it like that", Paige apologized. "It's fine", Ashley said dismissively and walked over to the card game.
Ashley dropped Ellie off at home then proceeded to take Jimmy and the van, full of band equipment, back to his house. "I need to get my own car, I hate sharing a car with Toby", Ashley complained, as she and Jimmy waited for her mom to pick her up. "Yeah, I think it's time I started driving again too", Jimmy revealed.
"That's great Jimmy", she said encouragingly, noticing how much of the cocky self-confidence he once posessed, was gone. "I'm sure Joey can find you a car equipped with hand controls, then I can bum a ride off of you, instead of waiting for my stupid brother", she added with a chuckle.
Jimmy smiled a little...Ashley had noticed a slight change in him since she came back. He was more serious, a little quiet...even sad, sometimes. She gathered up the courage and sighed. "Listen Jimmy, I think we need to talk...about us", she stated. "Yeah, I've been meaning to do that", he replied quietly.
Ashley didn't like where this was going. "I realized something the day you got back...when you fell asleep on the couch", Jimmy stated. Ashley smiled at the memory. "It felt so good to have you in my arms", he continued. "But then I realized, this whole summer I've only thought about how I feel...how you make me feel. I never once thought about how all of this affects you".
Ashley looked at him questionably. "I feel like I'm holding you back, like I...", he continued. "Jimmy?", she gasped. "No Ash...", he said, looking down at his chair. "I'm this package deal with a ton of excess baggage..."
"Okay, just stop", Ashley interrupted with a waive of her hand. "Jimmy, I want a relationship with you...and everything that goes with it", she chuckled a little, taking his hand. "But if you're not sure, right now...I'm willing to wait...", she added sweetly.
"No, I don't want to wait...", Jimmy said quietly, just as Kate pulled up. "Hi Jimmy", she greeted from the car. "Hey Mrs. Kerwin", he smiled and waived. "So we're official then?", Ashley asked, hopefully. "If you're really sure", he questioned. "I've never been so sure of anything, in my entire life", she whispered, kissing him on the cheek...then quickly walking down the driveway.
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My note...I know it was a bit of a yo-yo chapter, but I wanted to give Jimmy a little doubt, about taking their relationship further...that will be continued in a later chapter and is also part of a spoiler.
Next chapter will take place during the first day of school and will have more spoilers and scenes from the clips I've seen.
Thanks to samitiny and Raina-Bess, you two keep this story going...I really appreciate your wonderful reviews. Thank You!
My disclaimer...Degrassi is not mine, nor is 'Right Here Waiting', that belongs to Richard Marx...but I wouldn't mind borrowing him...