Hey guys...thanks for reading and reviewing. Sorry this update has taken a little longer. My house has had some maintenance issues, so I have been a little busy with that.
Kelsi was simultaneously playing Barbies with Lauren and cars with Matthew when their mom, Sarah walked through the door. The rest of the day had been relatively uneventful when compared with the drama at the theater earlier. Kelsi and the kids had made pizza, which the kids had devoured. Kelsi had opted for a leafy green salad, knowing she would be eating pizza with Charlie and Reilly later in the evening. They had spent the remainder of the day playing inside; constructing puzzles, playing hide and go seek and watching a little television. They usually ended their days with the kid's favorite toys: Barbies for Lauren and cars for Matthew, respectively.
Sarah always knew where to find her little family when she came home from work. They were always in Lauren's room, sitting in what seemed like a carnival of toys. With Lauren's pink-themed Barbies getting chased by Matthew's miniature Matchbox cars. And she loved the continuity of that fact. She had lived through enough surprises to last a lifetime. If anyone had ever told her she would be raising her two small children in a one parent household at the age of 38, she would have thought they were playing a cruel joke on her. Sarah had met her husband Mark when she was just over 30 years old. She now wished she had some exotic story to tell Lauren and Matthew concerning how their Mommy and Daddy met, but the truth was they had met through an online website. Sarah grinned as she reflected on how unromantic that was. Because in truth that was the least romantic thing about Mark's courtship. The moment Sarah had seen her future husband it was as if fireworks had suddenly exploded not only within her own body, but in the restaurant where they were meeting too. She had known the moment her green eyes met his bright blue ones, that he was the man she was going to marry. They had been engaged 6 months later and had eloped about three months after that. They hadn't been trying to have a baby when Sarah discovered she was pregnant with Lauren. But they had been so happy with the prospect of adding on to their family. Lauren had changed everything...their world had revolved around her. She was definitely her Daddy's little girl. Mark and Sarah had taken to parenthood so naturally, that they had decided to try for another baby. And that's how Matthew came to be. They were talking about adding to their family yet again, when Mark found out he was sick. The cancer claimed him so quickly, there had hardly been time to say goodbye. Sarah felt a tear drift down her cheek as she thought of her husband's final days. He had written letters to both Lauren and Matthew; letters Sarah would give the children when they were older. She made sure on a daily basis to tell her kids how much they were loved by not just their Mommy, but their Daddy too. And every night before bed, Lauren and Matthew sent prayers and blew kisses to their Daddy in heaven.
Sarah had been struggling with figuring out how to raise her kids on her own when Kelsi had come into the picture. Kelsi had been nothing less than a Godsend for Sarah's suddenly shrinking family. Kelsi, with her music, laughter and underlying sorrow had been the healing force for not only Lauren and Matthew, but Sarah as well. Sarah was still stunned that such an ordinary miracle arrived on her doorstep in just the nick of time. And Kelsi had been that for her family...a miracle. Kelsi had reminded all of them what it was like to laugh, smile, and to simply find joy in the everyday occurrences in life. Sarah had been able to tell during the petite girl's interview that she had been running from something. And in time, Kelsi had opened up to Sarah. Little by little, Kelsi would share stories of her life in New York and Albuquerque. Sarah liked to think Kelsi viewed her as a second mother or a big sister figure. Because in Sarah's eyes, Kelsi was a member of her family.
Sarah smiled warmly as she made her way up the winding staircase that led to the upstairs bedrooms. She couldn't help but laugh at the sight and sounds that greeted her. Matthew was currently trying to park not only his cars in the Barbie house, but himself as well. How he had contorted his body to fit inside, Sarah would never know. But she did know, it would be a story she was sure to repeat to his future dates someday. Lauren was trying to act angry over her brother's interference, but she was loosing the battle quite quickly. Giggles were escaping her lips as she tried to reprimand Matthew on the perils of putting one's body inside a doll's playhouse. And Kelsi, she was laughing so hysterically, she had tears trailing down her cheeks. Surprisingly, Matthew was the first to notice his Mother's presence.
"MOMMY!" Matthew yelled. "I'm inside Lo's house." Matthew continued, using the nickname he had invented to shorten Lauren's name.
"I can see that Mister Man. But how in the world do you plan on getting out of this predicament?" Sarah asked, while she squatted down to look through one of the house's mini windows.
"I dunno Mommy, I'm stuck." Matthew said, not at all concerned about the possible problems that could be associated with this scenario.
Kelsi decided now would be a good time to speak up. She didn't want Sarah to think she had okayed Matthew's latest adventure.
"I had gotten up to use the bathroom. When I came back, Matthew was in the house." Kelsi said by way of explanation.
Sarah shared a smile with Kelsi.
"Oh, don't you worry Kelsi. I knew upon first sight, you had nothing to do with this." Sarah responded.
Lauren walked over to her Mother, enfolding her in a loving hug. Sarah took a moment to smell the strawberry conditioner that scented Lauren's gentle waves.
"Hey Butterfly...how was your day?" Sarah said, she had long ago adopted Mark's pet name for their little girl.
"It was good. We went to the theater." Lauren supplied.
"You did. And was it just as fun as it usually is? Or more to the point, should I be asking you how Charlie is?" Sarah asked with a smile.
Kelsi smiled a sweet smile as she noticed the telling pink blush cover Lauren's freckled cheeks.
"It was a lot of fun. Charlie was there and I love him." Lauren stated, before taking a deep breath a continuing. "And guess who else was there?"
Kelsi felt her cheeks heat and a nervous energy enter her body at the mere mention of Lauren's question.
Sarah noticed the change in Kelsi's demeanor immediately.
"Who was there sweetheart?" Sarah asked, not quite understanding the hint of worry that accompanied the question.
"Ryan." Lauren said, without any further explanation.
Explanation was not necessary. Sarah knew exactly who Lauren was talking about the moment the name left her little pink lips. Sarah turned towards Kelsi, concern evident on every one of her features.
"Are you okay?" Sarah asked, her eyes searching Kelsi's.
Kelsi was honest with Sarah. At the moment she was beyond grateful to have a mother-like figure here in Chicago.
"I am...alright. It was a surprise...shock really. But, we have come to some sort of mutual understanding." Kelsi said, her tone even.
Matthew interrupted any further conversation at the moment.
"Mommy, Kelsi...um...I'm ready to get out now." Matthew said, his little feet wiggling from outside the doll house.
Kelsi bent over and worked on pulling Matthew out feet first, while Sarah maneuvered the young boy's limbs so they wouldn't run into anything. After some crafty shifting of the little boy's body, Kelsi and Sarah manged to free Matthew from the confines of the Barbie house.
"I'm free!" Matthew squealed, as he gifted his mother with a welcoming hug.
Kelsi spared a quick glance at her watch, her expressive bespectacled eyes widening when she caught sight of the time.
"I'd better run you guys. I have to make it to Pequod's for pizza by 7. And you never know how reliable public transportation is." Kelsi stated, as she hurried to pick up some randomly placed toys.
"Mommy, stay and play with us." Lauren said.
"Of course baby, let me just walk Kelsi out and order us some take out for dinner, okay?" Sarah stated, as she lifted her body up from the floor.
Kelsi felt her heart fill as Lauren and Matthew launched themselves at her small frame, bestowing their usual farewell upon her tiny body.
"Bye Kels Bells. I love you so much!" Lauren said, her small arms almost reaching all the way around Kelsi's waist.
Matthew wrapped his arms around both his sister and Kelsi's body, sandwiching them all together.
"Love you Kelsi. See you later." Matthew said.
Kelsi wrapped her arms around the small duo, as she used her slight weight as leverage to lift the kids slightly off the ground.
"I love you guys soooooo much! Have a good weekend, okay? And I can't wait to see you Monday."
"We already miss you." Lauren said, breaking away from Kelsi's body and placing a light kiss on the young composer's hand.
Lauren and Matthew followed Kelsi and Sarah downstairs. Sarah turned towards her children and spoke to them softly, as Kelsi bundled up for the awaiting cold weather.
"Why don't you both think about what you would like for dinner, while I speak to Kelsi for a minute." Sarah said, quickly diverting her kids' attention towards their future dinner.
Sarah walked Kelsi to the front door, pausing at the threshold for a quick moment.
"Why don't you come over for dinner tomorrow night. We would have more time to talk after the kids go to bed. I am sure you are trying to adjust to Ryan's recent arrival, company could be a good natural therapy." Sarah offered with a motherly smile.
Kelsi smiled warmly at her employer. At times she could hardly believe how lucky she was to have found a job with such a caring atmosphere.
"Thank you so much for the offer Sarah, but I'll be okay. I think tomorrow will be a good day for me to have to myself." Kelsi supplied in response.
"Well, you take care of yourself sweetie." Sarah said, enfolding the smaller woman in a tight hug.
"I will. Have a great weekend. I'll see you Monday." Kelsi said, walking down the steps and into the fresh falling snow.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Ryan stood outside of the pizza joint, looking up towards the bright blue awning as snow came tumbling from the sky. Kelsi was going to be here tonight. She was meeting up with Charlie and Reilly; and she had no idea that he was crashing the party. Well, technically Ryan wasn't necessarily "crashing the party", he had been invited by Charlie. The only catch was neither Reilly nor Kelsi knew he was going to be there. And really, why was he here? He had already seen Kelsi earlier today. And even though a tentative truce had been worked out between them, she had made it pretty clear she had no wish to see him again any time soon. Ryan took a moment to ponder whether "later that same night" really classified under too soon? Who was he kidding...of course it was too soon...for Kelsi. In all honesty, Ryan was looking forward to seeing his old friend again. He had missed her...so much. He hadn't truly realized to what capacity, until he had seen her again. The moment his eyes had first caught sight of her, it was as if a part of him had been renewed.
And with that thought, Ryan walked into the pizza/ bar. The place really was a hole in the wall. There were tiny tables of varying shapes, heights and sizes scattered around in no particular order. As Ryan began to unbutton his coat, he compared his dress slacks and button down shirt to the jeans, t-shirts and sweaters surrounding him. Well, obviously he was quite over dressed. The space was so small, it took Ryan no time at all to locate Charlie, Reilly and some other people from the theater Ryan had met earlier in the day. Charlie had filled him in during his invite on the tradition associated with Pequod's. For the last five years, it has been a weekly tradition that every Friday night the gang from the theater met for pizza and beer. As Ryan scanned the newly familiar faces, he realized Kelsi wasn't among the bunch. He hoped that meant she was still coming.
Reilly was the first person to notice Ryan's entrance. She immediately whipped her head around to give Charlie a shocked look, before training her gaze back on Ryan. Charlie, noticing the direction of Reilly's glare, knew he was soon going to be hearing an earful from his girlfriend.
"Charlie! What were you thinking, inviting Ryan here? You do of course realize Kelsi is going to be walking through those doors any second now?" Reilly said with a mixture of anger and disbelief, while gesturing towards the front swinging doors serving as an entrance to the building.
Charlie actually had the gall to wear quite the innocent expression as he responded to his girlfriend.
"What's the problem Rei? Ryan's a part of the company now. What are we supposed to do, always exclude him from any of the activities we take part in, just because he and little K have a past?"
Reilly was forced to admit, Charlie did have a point. She wore a chagrined expression as she conceded.
"Okay, I know you're right. I just don't want Kelsi to get hurt. We are her safe haven Charlie, and Ryan's presence is making that said haven more threatening by the minute." Reilly stated by way of explanation, focusing her attention on Charlie.
She was completely unaware that Ryan had heard the end of her statement. Reilly had the grace to blush, as her brown eyes met Ryan's blue ones. She started to try to explain her comment, when Ryan interrupted her.
"You don't need to explain yourself Reilly. I understand where you are coming from. And honestly, I think Kelsi is lucky to have someone like you looking out for her. I can leave if it would make it easier for you guys." Ryan said, he was already starting to shrug into his jacket when Charlie stopped him.
"Ryan, please stay." Charlie said, laying a tanned hand on the blond man's arm. "The more time you and Kelsi spend in one another's company, the less awkward things are bound to be."
Reilly was quick to add her two cents.
"Charlie's right Ryan. You should stay. I am sorry you had to hear part of that earlier conversation. You are a part of this company, you belong here." Reilly felt Charlie's strong hand join hers under the table, as she made her welcoming comments.
Ryan took in the genuine expressions on both of his new friend's faces.
"Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. I am going to go up to the bar and get a drink, do you guys want anything?" Ryan asked politely.
By way of response, Charlie and Reilly both held up their practically full bottles of beer.
And of course, because sometimes fate is cruel that way, the moment Ryan turned his back to the front door in order to face the bar to place his drink order, was the moment Kelsi walked into the restaurant.
Kelsi didn't even need to scan the room, she knew exactly where her friends were, where they always were, around the large round table in the back right corner of the restaurant. She made a beeline straight for the table, not noticing the man turning around at the bar with his drink....it was an almost too perfect collision, with liquid spilling over both herself and the man involved.
"Ohmigosh...I am so sorry..." Kelsi started to apologize and then made the mistake of looking up. "Ryan?"
Wow, this was so not the way Ryan had planned on saying hello to Kelsi. This was actually the exact opposite of the greeting he had pictured in his mind.
"Hey Kels." Ryan said, quickly grabbing some napkins from the bar to wipe of the alcohol covering both himself and the small woman.
Kelsi gratefully took the napkins offered, as she hurried to blot up the moisture currently soaking into her only winter coat.
"Thanks." Kelsi said politely, rapidly shaking off her proper manners to interrogate. "What are you doing here Ryan?"
"Oh, that...um...Charlie invited me." Ryan said by way of explanation.
Kelsi took a moment to zero her gaze in on Charlie, once she made eye contact with her so-called friend, she gave him a glare cold enough to freeze ice. Oh, he would certainly be hearing from her later.
"Did he now. Well, that was convenient. What are you guys best friends now or something?" Kelsi stated with anger. She was mad. This was her turf. It was one thing for Ryan to be at her theater, that was business. This...this was personal...this was her social life.
Ryan couldn't believe her. Who was this woman, and what had she done with the real Kelsi? The old Kelsi would have never had this much of an attitude.
"What is your problem Kels?" Ryan stated, his own anger rising.
Oh, the gall of the man. He was asking her what her problem was? Her space was getting invaded, that was her problem. The nice, safe bubble she had spent so much time and energy creating was being infiltrated by the very person who had caused the building of the said bubble in the first place.
"My problem is that you are everywhere Evans. I can't even go to the bathroom without you waiting outside the door." Kelsi supplied, her words gaining speed the more worked up she got.
"Wow...overreact much?" Ryan countered
Kelsi just stood there with her mouth hanging open, attempting to say something...something really good and...intimidating. She kept opening her mouth, waiting for the zinger to come out. But nothing did, she just stood there, opening and closing her mouth like a guppy.
Ryan couldn't help but laugh. She was seriously resembling a little girl at the moment, her curling hair popping out from under her knit cap, as she stood there opening and closing her mouth rapidly.
Kelsi couldn't believe his nerve...he was laughing...at her. She took her mitten covered hand and held it right under Ryan's nose, oblivious to how ridiculous it looked.
"You...you...will not sit by me!" Kelsi winced the moment the words were out of her mouth, could she get any more pathetic? Dear Lord, she couldn't give an insult to save her life. Not that she necessarily wanted to insult Ryan, she just wanted to set up boundaries.
Ryan was able to get his laughter under control, but not his smile. Kelsi seriously looked like a disgruntled kitten, with her mitten pointing at air. He would have to remember to get her angry more often...she was damn near adorable. Of course he couldn't tell her that, even though he really wanted to. Instead, he simply said "fine."
And so Ryan sat on one side of the table, while Kelsi sat on the other. There were about ten people present, so it was easy for the two not to talk to one another. But seeing as it was a round table, it was impossible for them not to catch each other's eye every now and again. Ryan sat next to Charlie and Reilly. It seemed Kelsi was still a little...no scratch that, a lot mad with Charlie. Kelsi sat next to one of the stage hands, a nice looking man named Simon. It was obvious to Ryan that Simon was interested in Kelsi. He was paying far too much attention to her. Honestly, it was like the man was completely unaware that there were other people sitting at the table. Ryan felt his ire rising as he watched Simon push one of Kelsi's stray curls behind her ear, his hand lingering on her smooth cheek.
Kelsi had known Simon was interested in her. He had asked her out on a few dates in the past. Kelsi had partaken in a few good conversations with him, but always in a group setting. She had actually been considering possibly taking him up on his offer of a date. But now with Ryan back, she knew it wouldn't be fair to Simon. He really genuinely liked her, and honestly Kelsi couldn't seem to wrap her mind around any man other than Ryan...damn him. Seriously, how dare he come back here and push her all the way back to square one. She had been doing so well. And then he shows up out of nowhere, and her mind is complete incoherent mush.
Kelsi tried to focus on Simon, he was saying something to her, she just wasn't sure what. Kelsi decided to wing it and just laugh, hoping he had just shared something where that was the appropriate response.
Ryan watched Kelsi laughing at the other man. Look at her, flirting shamelessly. He didn't have to sit here and watch that. More to the point, he didn't have to put up with that. Before giving it a moment's thought, Ryan stood up and walked around the table. He stopped directly in front of Kelsi, positioning himself between her and Simon.
"Outside now." Ryan stated in an eerily quiet voice.
Kelsi had never seen Ryan like this before. Why on Earth was he acting so weird? And who did he think he was, demanding things of her...he had no right.
"What? No. Go away Ryan. You're being rude." Kelsi said in response, trying to look around Ryan to whisper an apology to Simon.
Ryan felt like he was going to burst any second. Red hot anger and jealousy were coursing through his veins...they were a duo of emotions he had never felt together before. He had the imminent need to hit something...preferably Simon's face.
"Kelsi, either you get outside now or I do something that is sure to publicly offend you." Ryan's voice was whisper soft. And quite honestly, his tone frightened Kelsi more than his threat. And because of this fact, Kelsi relented.
"Fine, let's go." Kelsi went to grab for her coat, but felt her arm being pulled by Ryan before she had a chance to.
Ryan whisked Kelsi outside as fast as humanly possible. The moment the were out the door, he drew her to the side, out of the light of the building.
"What the hell were you doing in there?" Ryan demanded.
Kelsi's mouth dropped open for the second time that night.
"What? What? Me? No..nonono..not me, you? What the hell are you doing?" Kelsi countered, somewhat surprised that Ryan still understood her gibberish when he responded.
"I wasn't doing anything other than watch you flirt shamelessly with that...guy." Ryan stated, his anger on the rise. Ryan seriously was expecting some sort of fire to come leaping out of his fingers, that's how angry he was.
"Oh please Ryan...I was not flirting. What you saw is called...talking. It's quite the concept. Apparently, Simon could give you a few lessons in the art of conversation, because you've got a lot to learn." Kelsi said, her voice raising with each passing word. She was completely unaware of the snow and cold...she was too invested in the present conversation.
"Talking? That was not talking Kels...he was...touching you," As Ryan relived Simon's action, he found his own hands reaching into Kelsi's curls, holding her head in place. "He was looking at you...staring really..." Ryan started to trail off as his blue eyes held and captured Kelsi's.
Kelsi felt like she was tied so tight. Her breath was coming out in short gasping spurts as her eyes locked on Ryan's. His blue eyes seemed almost bluer as they shined into hers. It was as if the mood and atmosphere had suddenly shifted. Tension was still evident, but something was different.
Ryan felt what seemed like an invisible tension wrapped around them. It was like some unseen force was drawing him in. All he knew was that he needed to be closer to Kelsi...he needed to feel her.
Ryan's head dipped low, as his lips moved effortlessly towards Kelsi. Their duel breaths mingled. And at the last moment, Kelsi turned her head. Ryan's lips met her cheek, before moving down towards her waiting mouth. Kelsi had about one second to pull away, but she didn't...she couldn't. And as Ryan's lips finally met hers, it was like an electric fuse was lit. This was no gentle first kiss. This kiss was all consuming and filled with heat. It was as if both of them were going up in flames. Kelsi felt her back press roughly against the brick wall. The opposite forces of the cold brick of the building and Ryan's warm mouth making the fuse seem almost hotter. Kelsi just held on to Ryan for dear life, not daring to let go. She turned her mind completely off, only allowing herself to feel. To feel Ryan's silky blond hair as her hands skimmed through it. To feel his strong biceps as she gripped them in order to stay standing. To feel the soft and rough touch of his lips in their first kiss. Oh, the kiss...it seemed she had been waiting forever for this kiss. Forever and ever.
And with that thought, she pushed herself free. She didn't want this. Well, okay a part of her definitely did. But this was wrong, this wasn't how she had always pictured her first kiss with Ryan. It wasn't supposed to be up against a wall and started out of anger. In all of her many fantasies of the past, the kiss had never happened like this. True, she had been waiting for his kiss for forever, but not like this. Kelsi forced herself to break her mouth free, even though her body craved the heat he offered.
"N-no...stop Ryan. T-this isn't right." Kelsi tried to get the words out, but they resembled more a whimper than an order. She tried again.
"R-Ryan...stop...stop...Stop!" And at her order, Ryan immediately broke himself away from her. Stopping all contact and practically hurling himself out of her arms.
Ryan and Kelsi stood staring at each other. Both of their mouths hung open in shock, as quick panting breaths escaped their lips. Alarmed over not only what had just happened, but also the all consuming need that seemed to encompass both of them and the disbelief that it had actually happened.
Ryan was the first to attempt to speak.
"Kelsi...I-I'm so sorr-"
Kelsi quickly interrupted him.
"Ryan Evans, I swear to God, if you apologize to me right now, I will..." Kelsi paused, thinking of the ending to her threat. "Well, I don't know what I'll do at the moment, but I can promise you it won't be pleasant."
Ryan took her accusation to heart. Opting instead to just stand there and stare at her in silence. After a few seconds, he started to notice the increasing shivers that seemed to be engulfing Kelsi. Dear Lord, he had forced her outside in the middle of winter, without a coat to offer protection from the harsh weather.
"We should go back inside, I didn't mean to take you out of there without a coat." Ryan started to move towards Kelsi, to wrap her in his arms.
Kelsi saw the foolishness in this reaction.
"No, no, no...you stay over there." Kelsi ordered, pointing her finger for emphasis, as she saw Ryan inching towards her.
Ryan froze to the spot, waiting for Kelsi to speak.
"I am going to go in first, and you can follow soon after." Kelsi kept going, before she lost her nerve. "This was a mistake Ryan...this k-kiss...it never should have happened. We're just going to pretend like it never ex-existed." And with that parting comment, Kelsi walked back into the entrance, fighting to hold on to the denial that was serving as a security blanket. Kelsi couldn't deal with that kiss and all of the emotions it had brought up. It was too much. She had already laid her heart on the line once for Ryan Evans...she couldn't risk it again. She couldn't let him break down her walls, she had worked way to hard to put them up.
Ryan watched Kelsi's small frame walk back into the restaurant. He knew Kelsi still cared for him. You didn't kiss someone like that...heck...you didn't feel something like that if you didn't at least care for that person. He could tell she was afraid. Only half of her trembling had been due to the cold, the other half had been fear. And whereas Kelsi may be able to wrap herself up in denial, Ryan couldn't. Something had been awakened in him tonight, something he hadn't known was there. But from the force of his feelings, it was obvious it had been there for quite some time. Kelsi had better get ready, because he was planning on wooing her like nobody's business.