Thanks to those who reviewed!
Nathan Riddle: its fine but I did miss you back there. Yeah, Cameron's heart is safe from being broken, for now. Wow, you're harsh to John; made me wonder if I should've toned down the Riley business. And John can't die; he still is the savior of humanity. Thanks
Vfergus: Thanks so much for that! I was a little worried it would be. Alright, your imagination is running wild, Lols. Well, that's one way of looking at it. John feel really bad to Cameron, one thing and he also realized how much he needed her to live. Yeah, that was also why I had John left Sarah so that there would be less friction between the two and if there was, poor Sarah would be like Cameron when John was with Riley. Thanks and for the last part, Lols. ^.^
djpc450: Thanks and you're welcome!
TSCC FAN: Wow, I'm so glad you're happy for Cameron getting her memories back and I hope you'll still like that concept after this chapter. *winks*
zahnfan23 : thanks!
TK-MR : Lols. You are such an imaginative person . but that's a good one, lols.
To Nathan riddle (chapter 5): Thanks, right now, I pretty much trying to keep my grammar balanced. Please do point out the mistake so that I can make the changes to them. Lols, good analogy ^.^ Thanks!
Hope you would enjoy this chapter! More emotional rollercoaster on this one.
Chapter 7: A Lifelong Partner
"So… ready to-" John's jaw dropped and he froze at the end of the corridor as Cameron emerged from the room, standing at the other end.
Cameron walked to him, wearing the denim skirt he brought along from the house. It was way too short for John's comfort in bringing her out on the streets. As she walked to him, her habit of adding a little sway to her hips hasn't changed.
John gulped, taking in her spaghetti strips and how low it was. He almost intended to change the idea of bringing her out at the thought of others getting their eyeful of her!
"What's wrong?" Cameron frowned.
"Everything!" John practically screamed, "We're going out to public for god's sake!"
Now, it was Cameron's turn to freeze but not in shock, but in fear and confusion, "But-"
"No 'buts' Cameron! Please, change! I remember bringing you much decent clothes," John grabbed her hand and gently pulled her back to the room.
"Why?" Cameron probed, "the weather-"
"Firstly, I don't care about the weather. Please, I don't want to display you to general public like that, you get it?" John said without turning around. They entered the room and he shut the door, digging into Cameron's clothes in the wardrobe.
"No," Was the honest and blunt reply.
"I don't like people looking at you in that desirable way alright?! Like you're some sort of person for them to admire," John grunted, frustrated.
"Then what am I?" Cameron asked, "Won't people only look at me if I'm attractive and it's good if I am, right?"
John paused for a second in rummaging through the clothes. She's right? Aren't I overreacting? Maybe I should chill but, I can't! What if she was grabbed just because she looked so good and people just want to- He sighed, turning and holding Cameron's hand in both of his, "Listen carefully," John started slowly, "I don't like people to look at you in a way because you're min-" He caught himself just in time.
Cameron cocked her head ever so slightly, frowning.
"Because they can't. It's not right in terms of human modesty," John finished hastily.
"But if I'm not for people to desire and to look at then what am I for? I can't help you and neither can I-"
"You help me a great deal," John cut her off, cupping her face in his hands, "I doubt I would be able to live a second without you," He said softly. Cameron blinked, lost in thoughts. John smiled as he saw her thoughtful look. Bringing her head closer to him, he pecked her gently on her forehead, letting her go and finding a suitable set of clothes for her to change into.
"What am I for?" She asked bluntly.
"What'd you mean?" John turned around, picking out a pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt to go with it.
"I have no purpose in life and I'm expendable-" Cameron blurted.
"No!" John snapped, "You're too important to me. I told you, I'll be dead without you. Do you want me dead?" John threw the clothes on the bed. Cameron shook her head hurriedly. He swallowed slightly, pulling her to him by her hand and hugging her close. His hand stroked the back of her head gently, feeling her soft and silky brown hair.
"I'll change," Cameron spoke, nuzzling close to John. She felt very assured being close to him she definitely liked that better than uncertainty.
"What?" He pulled her away gently, caught of guard by her reply.
"I'll change," Cameron repeated, "Physically and mentally. I promise you," She offered. John know exactly what's she offering. She's offering a promise, but not just any old promises. It's a promise that would turn her life around. She practically offering him her future for him and what kind of person she'll become depends on this very promise.
John gave her a bright smile, holding her by her shoulder and nodding, "Alright," He smiled, "I can't wait,"
Grinning and always taking many looks over his back before he shut the door behind him. Cameron smiled sweetly as she watched him leave. Upon the closure of the door, her hands found the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head.
John leaned on the counter, waiting for Cameron to change. He dug into his pocket and pulled out the bag of diamonds. Opening it, he poured all the diamonds onto the counter table, counting them carefully and putting them into 16 pouches.
The way John looked at it, she seems really similar to the Cameron he used to know and loved so much. She doesn't realize the term of human modesty and neither does she realize his discomfort. It really worried John now. What is she were in public with him and someone touched her? Would she understand that it was wrong?
The opening and shutting of the door down the corridor interrupted his thoughts. Cameron emerged from the corridor. She wore tight dark denim jeans and a long sleeved shirt, the sleeves reaching past her wrist and covering part of her hands. But altogether, although not that revealing anymore, she still looked beautiful in John's eyes.
"What are you doing?" She walked to his side, sitting on the tall stool by the counter, beside John.
"I'm separating what money we have so that if one of our pouches is stolen, we'll still have the bunch more," John explained, holding out eight pouches, "Here, these are yours,"
Cameron frowned, shaking her head and rejecting those pouches, "I can't. I would lose them," She said.
"You promised you'll change remember and I doubt you're breaking your promise that soon huh?" John raised an eyebrow. Cameron looked away from him, "Here, take it," He passed them to her. She took them this time and put one in her jeans pocket and looked at John.
"Can I leave some of them at home?" Cameron asked.
John caught that, smiling to himself. Home…she'd finally acknowledge this place…this beautiful place where they could possibly have their most treasured memories. "Of course you can," He smiled brightly at her. Then John stowed one pouch into his bag, one in the inside pocket of his jacket and the other in his jeans pocket, intending to leave the rest at various places in the house.
Cameron nodded and walked to the room, returning soon after, holding the last pouch.
"Where'd you want to put the last one?" John asked curiously.
"In the jeep," She replied after much consideration.
"Alright, then let's go to the jeep!" John grinned cheekily, leading her by her hand though she really didn't need it. They walked down the path, locking the door behind them.
"Hello John!"
John jumped, turning to see Dennis and Denise playing ball in the garden beside his. Cameron frowned, cocking her head at the sight of these 'little people'.
"Hey you two!" John grinned, walking over to the fence and leaned over, propping himself up using his elbow.
"Den-" Mrs. Lewis paused, stepping out of the house, "Oh, hi Mr Gale!" She smiled warmly.
"Hi!" John replied cheerily.
"I take it this beautiful young lady here is your girlfriend?" Mrs. Lewis peered over John's shoulder and at Cameron, who frowned upon hearing this.
"Urm, yeah, this is Cameron," John took a step back and stood by Cameron, "Cameron, this is Mrs. Lewis and her children, Dennis and Denise," He pointed to them as he introduced.
"Hi," Mrs. Lewis smiled, stepping forward to have a closer look at Cameron and to have a warm handshake. For a moment, Cameron froze. John cursed in himself for not teaching her this sort of simple-
But to his surprise, Cameron stepped forward with a sweet smile, taking Mrs. Lewis's hand and shaking it warmly.
"You two really are the pair," She commented. Cameron smiled in appreciation and a shy thanks. John grinned in pride for that comment as well as Cameron's understanding of shaking hands, at least without him teaching her.
"John," Dennis ran closer to the fence, "When are you both getting married?"
John swore he saw Cameron cast him a dark look but he shook it off easily with a smile and replied, "It depends if Cameron here wants to marry me," John said playfully.
However, Mrs. Lewis interrupted, "Dennis, don't ask," She snapped, "You two go back to the house," the children nodded and ran into the house, "I apologise for that," She turned to John and Cameron.
"It's alright," John replied quickly, "Anyway, we got to go Mrs. Lewis. It's nice meeting you," Mrs. Lewis nodded and waved as the two walked to their jeep, which nearby is the wreckage of the terrified previous house owner's car. Both of them ignored that, boarding the jeep.
John ignited the engine wordlessly.
"So…" John started and drove to town, "When are you marrying me?" He asked casually, glancing at Cameron and catching her shocked look.
"What?" was all she said. John was a little taken aback by her blunt reply of surprise.
"Alright, will you marry me? Please?" John asked, cheeks burning slightly.
Silence engulfed the jeep.
Cameron stared puzzled but earnestly at nothing. John waited impatiently, wondering if this was the right time for this.
This is not the time for this. That was what Sarah liked to say to him when he broke the rules. The last time was when he brought Riley home. She was furious but John was quite certain. He is finally the one deciding whether this was the time or not. And he decided.
Today is the day.
The absence of Cameron's reply made John a little disappointed but he didn't blame her knowing full well this is new to her. John stepped on the accelerator, turning away from the route to the mart which they had agreed to take.
"Where are we going?" Cameron asked, not mentioning about the marriage like she never even heard it in the first place, which John's heart took a stab to.
"Somewhere where it's convenient," John shrugged.
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John pulled the handbrakes, sighing as he releases his seatbelt, "Come on," He said before opening the door and alighting. Cameron followed him wordlessly, a little hesitant but her trust for him overrode everything. She got out of the jeep and got a good look at her environment.
It was a quiet and almost deserted place but beautiful. There were shop houses. The shops stretched over a long distance, selling things of different variety. The shoppers were not as rowdy as the ones John met back at their old house with Sarah.
It brought back painful memories for John but all he can thank was Cameron not remembering a thing about Ryan or he was sure Cameron wouldn't leave the house even if she had to lose a limb to stay.
Cameron's eyes scanned the surrounding eagerly, taking in general public for once. Before she knew it, John stood by her, grabbing her hand, she was pulled to a shop slightly a distance to the right of their jeep.
Cameron froze outside the ring shop. Inside, cases of rings glittered in the spotlights. The shop was filled with a few couples but all of them are at least in their thirties or so.
"Come on," John cooed softly, pulling her in by her hand gently. Cameron let him bring her in, settling her in front of a case of particularly expensive but beautiful rings. John held her shoulders; standing beside her while she sat in the chair.
"May I help you?" The woman behind the cases frightened Cameron a little with her sudden appearance. John felt her stiffened and squeezed her shoulders to try to assure her.
"Erm, yeah," John stammered with his words. He had not in the least idea how to buy a ring!
"So, what type of ring do you want to get?"
"Well, I don't really know," John replied, embarrassed, "anything she'd like I guess," He resisted the urge to scratch the back of his head.
"Then just wait a second," The woman flashed them a bright smile before retreating to the back to get the keys. Cameron shot John a confused glance who leaned over, pecking her gently on her cheek before up righting himself as the lady returned with a few rings on the soft black board…
Cameron watched curiously as she set the board down, on it was three pairs of glittering diamond ring "Take your time," the lady said politely. Cameron looked up at John, confused and lost. He chuckled before grabbing a chair nearby and sitting down beside her.
"Erm, maybe you can leave us here for a moment, we'll call when we've chosen," John smiled to the lady who nodded and walked away. He watched her walk away before leaning in and resting his forehead on Cameron's left temple, "Marry me, please?" He whispered, shutting his eyes and praying to all the gods who would care.
Cameron did not reply him but neither did she shy away like she usually did in public. John opened his eyes, seeing Cameron's light blush that's forming. He was almost ready to leave his chair to start begging when she leaned in to him, giving a slight and barely noticeable nod. He pulled away with a smile. Cameron looked away, shyly. He smiled, shaking his head and wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her in.
"Thank you. Come on, choose a ring which you like," John whispered into her ear. Cameron nodded enthusiastically, peering over the case and at the rings.
All the rings looks perfect to John, they all looked beautiful in the spotlight. The first was beautiful with the diamond small, in a small square case merging with the band to look like a full ring. The second was the band with the diamond sitting on the band, sticking out slightly. John thought this was awkward and instead of making a good wedding ring, the second one may make a good target for thieves.
The third's band was broad at the top and slowly getting narrower by the bottom and like the first, covered with a small square glass on it. The diamond was broad, like the band, making a good guy's ring for him. John's eyes flew to Cameron's set.
"So, made your pick?" John asked. Cameron nodded her head, pointing at the ring which was similar to John's but the cutting of the band is slightly narrower though still having the alteration in width gradually.
John grinned, nodded, "I like the other pair of that too."
Cameron smiled, pleased. He reached out, taking her left hand under the table, thumb brushing over the back of her hand. Her smooth skin felt like silk under his slightly larger and rougher ones. His thumb skimmed over knuckles. An involuntary flashback struck Cameron
It was a corridor, gently lighted with the lamps by the walls. Four people were in a confrontation. One's eyes burning with anger, the other indifferent. And the other two quiet. There was a sudden burst of anger and a punch was given.
Cameron marched pass a blonde man, who furiously threw that punch, and crouched by John. She held his chin gently, examining his quickly swelling cheek anxiously.
"No bones are broken but-" Cameron started but John's hand shoves hers away from him roughly and subconsciously, his hand found its way to her shoulder, pushing her roughly away from him. Cameron fell off her feet and knees, sitting on the carpet. Cameron let out a soft wince as she used her fists to cushion her fall. Everybody heard that.
It brought John back to reality, realizing what he did, He lunged forward, wanting to help her but the blonde man shoved him away hard and helped Cameron up by positioning his arms beneath hers, hands on her elbows.
John's eyes caught his hand holding on to Cameron, his thumb brushing her knuckles. However, when Cameron noticed John looking, she pulled away her hand from his.
He hurt her…
To be continued…
Well, little flashbacks and progress on Cameron's part but a big leap for Jameron! I hope you enjoyed it and that the marriage wasn't too cheesy on John's part. I just purely enjoyed portray a John who is pathetic at relationships. .
Please review!
Next chapter: Cameron and John purchased the ring and went to the mart but when they bumped into a bunch of bullies, John's fears came true. Things started to get interesting.
Minor Action in the next Chapter