Author's Note: I apologize to my readers who were waiting for the next chapter. I was working on another story and got really into it. Don't worry though; Chapter 2 is here! :) This chapter's just a little more mature, but not too much. The song today is: (deep voice) "Also Sprach Brooks" from Catherine soundtrack. (That was an inside joke for anyone who has played Catherine)
Chapter 2
It's been two days since the reception. It couldn't have been better. People left satisfied and tired after a long night. It was quiet since then, since Vincent and Katherine were enjoying the fruits of their marriage. Johnny and Orlando decided to meet at the bar to hang out.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and the bar couldn't have been more deserted. There were only two other people besides Johnny, Orlando, Boss, and Erica. The duo sat at their usual spot. Johnny lit a cigarette and Orlando stretched his arms across the seat.
"Can't believe I'm still tired," Johnny yawned.
"We're not having those dreams again are we?" Orlando asked.
"Nah," Johnny chuckled. "Isn't that right Boss?" He raised his voice sarcastically. Boss mumbled some obscenities.
"Oh Orlando, check this out," Johnny said while reaching for his phone.
"What?" Orlando asked interested. Johnny gave Orlando his phone. Orlando looked at it amused and smiled widely, "You devil."
"Her name's Stacy."
The picture was a bust shot of a young female. She was a brunette with ocean blue eyes. She had a cute, little nose and a shy smile. She was wearing a pink flora shirt.
"When did you meet her?"
"At the reception. She was just standing at the side when everyone was dancing. She seemed lonely, so I went to chat with her. We have a lot in common you know?"
"What? Isolated and sounds tired all the time?" Orlando joked.
"Jackass."
"Hey! How's everyone doin'?" Erica exclaimed cheerfully as she walked towards the table.
"Well you sound cheerful today," Orlando said touching his hat.
"Yeah well …" Erica paused, then took a deep breath.
"What is it?" Johnny asked.
"I'm making a big life decision."
Johnny and Orlando both leaned their heads over to hear the rest.
"I've decided I want to settle down…with Toby."
They couldn't believe what they were hearing. Erica was always the flirty type: It was near impossible to imagine her settling down, but her expression said it all. Her eyes seemed dreamy like as she said, "I've decided I want to settle down…with Toby."
"Why the big change Erica?" Johnny put down his cigar, looking intrigued at what her answer would be.
"You know guys, he's just so sweet. His innocent nature, his cute smile; it just makes you want to be a better person."
"Really?" Orlando chuckled.
"Aw shut up," she giggled. "But seriously, he just seems like someone that can help me get my life together."
"Listen Erica I hate to break it to ya, but Toby's still skeptical about the whole thing," Orlando said. Erica couldn't avoid that truth.
"Yeah I mean when I first saw you…pfft could've fooled me." Johnny blew out a puff of smoke.
"Same. I would've banged you if I had the chance; but when I found out, well…I felt confused for a couple of days." Orlando grimaced at the memory.
"Don't listen to him. Listen Erica, this is Toby's first real relationship; so something like this will take time. He'll ease into it-"
"HA!"
"Shut up Orlando. He'll ease into it and realize that you are now a beautiful woman, and that the past is the past.
"Woah! You flirtin' with her Johnny?"
"No…" His cheeks slightly started getting red. "I already have a woman."
Erica sighed, "You guys have any OTHER advice? I want this to be perfect."
"Make what perfect?" Vincent walked towards the group and sat down.
"Our friend here is thinking of getting married to Toby," Orlando said while tipping his hat to Erica.
"What?" Vincent's pupils shrunk. "This is a big surprise."
"Speak of the devil," Johnny looked up at the entrance. The bell ringed and Toby walked in. Erica's heart started beating quickly. He looked normal, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that he was hiding his true feelings of her.
He walked towards them with a smile on his face, "Hey guys. Hey Erica." He waved sweetly at Erica and winked at her. She blushed.
"Well I'll just be getting your orders," Erica said nervously. She rushed off without another word.
"What's with her?" Toby asked.
"It's best you don't know yet," Vincent said rubbing the back of his head.
"Yet? What's going o-"
"So uh Vincent…shouldn't you be with Katherine today?" Johnny interrupted.
"We're just chilling today. She's hanging out with her friends and now I'm hanging out with mine."
"So Vincent, you gonna tell us how it was with Katherine?" Orlando asked smugly.
"I'll just say this; once those glasses are off…good god she knows how to-" Vincent looked at the guys to see them wide-eyed. "Forget it, you guys look like a bunch of drooling dogs."
"The fuck man? First you don't tell us about the cheating girl, now you don't tell us about Katherine? Stop teasing us man," Orlando said distressed.
"If you're that horny, why not spend some time with your girl?"
"I'm not horny, it's just natural male curiosity."
Erica soon came back with their usual drinks: Beers for Toby and Orlando, sake for Johnny, and Rum and Cola for Vincent. Erica was slightly shaking while giving them their drinks.
"You okay Erica?" Vincent asked.
"Yeah I'm fine," Erica stuttered.
"You sure?"
Erica soon looked at Vincent with pleading eyes as if to say, "Please, let's talk about this later."
Vincent nodded slightly and thanked Erica. Once she was out of sight, Toby spoke up.
"Guys what was she talking about?"
"Nothing," they all said in unison.
"I think it's something. Guys I don't know if I can do this."
Toby don't do anything rash," Vincent said.
"But this is so much. I mean does this make me bisexual or gay if I do this?"
"That's a very naive viewpoint. She's a woman now man; stop being so insecure," Johnny said.
"I'm trying not to, but this is so crazy."
"Dude even I can't help but get a boner around her. It doesn't make you gay or bisexual; she's a nicely figured woman, therefore it's perfectly natural to be turned on by her," Orlando said smoothly. "Besides, Vincent can vouch for dealing with some crazy things. He's had to go through some serious shit before he finally got with Katherine."
"By yours truly," Boss said in a smug tone. They all stare coldly at Boss. He looks down quickly and gets back to work.
"You know you guys are right. It's just…I really want to build a family."
"Yeah so? You can always adopt," Vincent said after sipping from his glass.
"Yeah but my mother…she wants a blood-born grandson. She never liked the concept of adoption. I love Erica but…I'm just having a hard time seeing the future for us. I'm scared."
Erica peered behind a booth and wiped a tear from her eye. She heard everything he said.
I can imagine a lot of fangirls are going, "Awww :( " The next chapter will be hard for me to write, seeing how I have absolutely no idea what's going to be in that one. Also I'm thinking of naming Orlando's girls Martha. What do you guys think? Leave a review and in the words of Trisha, "Stay Golden." Also have a MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! :D
