Here's the next chapter.
Ch. 46 Cheer Up Charlie
Dean explained about our run in with Bombay and Fulton sat up and hugged me. I heard footsteps behind me and thought it was Dean going to change for bed.
"It was a complete coincidence that he stopped by." Fulton said.
"Yeah maybe."
Fulton pulled me down so I was lying on his bed with my back to the room. "It is Liz, besides he didn't say who he was meeting or what the negotiations are about. He could be dealing with a custody case." Fulton said.
"He's not a custody lawyer." I said.
"Maybe not but it could be someone else. Either way the divorce is nearly final Liz; he's got to talk to her about it."
"Again I can see that but..." I sighed.
"You're not going to let go of the past are you?" Fulton asked.
"No, Fult, he's part of the reason I know that song so well. Charlie is the only family I have left that understands me that well and sometimes it feels like Bombay is threatening to take that away. I don't know if I can lose him Fult. It hurts so much to see Charlie break every time Bombay disappoints him. Sure Bombay will make a great dad but just when I'm thinking that, he goes and pulls something so strange and out of left field that I wonder which side is truly him." I said.
"What song?" Fulton asked rubbing my back.
"Cheer Up, Charlie. From Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. You remember when he became Captain Blood? I was singing that song nearly every night. Charlie told me what had happened and I couldn't believe it. Charlie was hurt so bad and he didn't know what to do. Most of the team was pissed off about it and was ready to mutiny. Charlie wanted to know what to say to them to keep them from doing just that. I could hear it in his voice, he was disappointed in Bombay. It damn near broke my heart. It was like his world was shattering around him and he didn't know how to hold on. Charlie's put too much faith in that man to keep getting hurt like this."
"So basically you're scared?" Fulton asked.
"That's part of it yes." I sighed not knowing exactly how to explain it. "I keep thinking what's going to happen when Bombay splits this time or how will Charlie handle it when Bombay crosses that line. Normally I wouldn't care if a guy got this close to my aunt, really I wouldn't it's just with Bombay, Charlie is so emotionally involved already that another split between Casey and Bombay could drive Charlie over the edge."
"And if Charlie does go over the edge?" Fulton asked.
"Then I don't think I'll be able to help him and..."
"And?"
"And I'll feel like I failed at something. I don't like failing Fulton."
"And that's only part of it." Fulton said.
He knew that, why would he say it again? I pondered. I sat up and looked over at Dean's side of the room. He was sitting on his bed in just a pair of boxer shorts. My mind worked quickly to process what could have happened. Fulton must have known Dean had only gotten up to change and laid me down so I would miss the fact Dean hadn't left the room.
"Please tell me you didn't hear all that." I begged.
"I don't like lying to you Lizzy." Dean answered. I stood from the bed and looked between the pair for a few moments. Then I spun around and bolted into my dorm. I flopped down on my stomach and tried not to cry. A little while later the door opened and shut.
"I don't want to hear it so go away." I said. A soft hand was placed on my back and I knew it wasn't Dean or Fulton.
"I know you don't but I'm going to say this anyway." That was Adam's voice. "Maybe it's a good thing that Port knows some of it." Adam said softly.
"I don't think that's what I'm mad about Ads." I said rolling on my side looking up at him. He looked down at me then sat next to me.
"Then what is it Gator?"
"I think it's because Fulton pried it out of me while he knew Dean was sitting there." I wasn't sure that was it either but I didn't want to look deeper into my problem just yet.
"Lizzy—" Adam started.
"I know I know. He only did it for my own good but," I let out another sigh. "I don't know, I just don't like it."
"I was going to say that it might not be a bad thing to have someone else to run to now. You're so used to what Fult, Charlie, Jesse, and I have to say on the matter it may be nice to have a new perspective on it."
"You think?"
"Sure. Who knows, maybe it'll be good to have Port to talk to. He didn't take too kindly to Bombay at first either so he may know where you're coming from. At least he will better than we do."
"Yeah I guess."
"And don't be too hard on Fulton either. He didn't break his promise and he didn't break your trust. He may have prodded you to talk about it but you're the one that actually talked about it." His thumb swiped gently under my eye and I knew then I had shed a few tears.
"I know Banksie. Why do you have to be so smart?"
"You wouldn't like me any other way." Adam said.
"You're probably right about that." I said. I looked away from him and saw the baby on the other bed.
"Do you want me to take him or do you think you'll be ok with taking care of him?" Adam asked.
"I'll be ok." I said.
"As long as you're certain."
"I am. Thanks Banksie."
"Night Liz."
"Night Ads." Adam kissed the top of my head, gave me a smile, and then left the room. I swallowed hard then changed and went to bed.
Sunday morning I was surprised not to wake up to Dean or to screaming. Then I found it odd so I rolled over and looked around. The clock read noon and the baby was missing from my room. At first my mind jumped to kidnapping but then I realized that no one would want to kidnap a toy, especially an expensive one that cried all the time. I got up and headed for my computer to IM Charlie or Dean or someone and then I found the note on top of my laptop.
'My dearest cousin,
First of all relax even if you don't get this till afternoon it is Sunday so don't worry about missing classes. Secondly we've taken the liberty of doing all your homework, to even your standards. Kenny and Emma have taken Ant for the day to give you some time to relax and to...'
Something had been written there and scratched out.
'Any way we're, the team that is, we're glad you slept in. You needed it after all the work you've been doing. Oh Luis had to cancel your plans due to some unforeseen scheduling conflict. So take today to chill out and enjoy your Sunday.
Love Charlie, and the team.
P.S. Port wants you to meet him at the rink no later than three pm today. Oh and he says bring your skates and yourself only.'
Looking at the clock, which now read shortly after noon, I sighed. Three hours of nothing to do. I sat down with my planner and the homework the team had done for me. I went over all of it and found it was surprisingly without error and up to my standards. The clock now read one so I went to get some lunch. After eating and watching some TV it was close enough so I went down to the rink and put my skates on. The rink was surprisingly empty. Although a bit nervous I pulled myself up and stepped out onto the ice. The lights were dimmed and every now and then music would start and stop.
"We're running a bit behind schedule." A voice said behind me. I wanted to turn to look at him but his hands on my waist stopped me. "Do you still trust me?"
"That's a stupid question Fulton. Stupid and unnecessary." I answered.
"After last night I wasn't sure but it's good to hear because I know how much you hate what I'm about to do and you'll have to trust that this is for your own good."
"Fult...?" I questioned. Then a blindfold slipped over my eyes. "Fulton please."
"It's ok. Like I said we're running a bit behind schedule and I promise nothing bad will happen to you."
"So what do I do?"
"Skate with me." That voice was different. His touch on my hand was also different from Fulton's.
"Charlie?" I had to ask.
"Of course little Lizzy." He said. "Just relax." Finally the music changed from soft pop to a song I knew by heart. "Have fun." Charlie whispered.
"She rolls the window down
And she
Talks over the sound
Of the cars that pass us by
And I don't know why
But she's changed my mind."
Dean sang in my ear. I melted into his arms as we skated around the rink and the blindfold was removed. When my eyes adjusted there was a spotlight shining on us and his arms were wrapped around my waist from behind. When the song ended he spun me around taking my hands. "Surprise." He said.
"It's perfect." I said and smiled. "How did you manage all this?"
"I've got friends." He answered shrugging. We spent the rest of the afternoon skating to music, a perfect blend of country and rock, and ended our time at the rink with two hot chocolates.
"This is amazing Dean." I said as he rubbed my feet.
"I'm glad you liked it. It's part of my Valentine's Day surprise for you."
"Dean you're not going to make a big deal out of this are you?"
"Nope."
"Good, you up for a little cuddling?"
"Sure." We went back to my room and watched TV cuddling on my bed until Kenny came in.
"Your turn." He said sitting the seat on my spare bed and laying Ant in my arms. It wasn't until dinner time that any of us moved.
The next morning at breakfast a hand came around my eyes.
"Morning Dean." I said.
"You're good." He answered dropping into a chair next to me.
"You're the only Duck not sitting here and I can see Bastian sitting over there." I said.
"Uh, Fulton's not here." Dean said.
"Fulton smells different." I said.
"Happy Valentine's Day Maverick." He said shaking his head and handing me a gift bag. "Well, go on, open it." He prodded when I just looked at it. I smiled and opened the bag pulling out a monkey and a rose.
"Awww. Thanks Dean."
"I'm glad you like it." Dean said.
"A white rose with blue tips, I love it." I said. He smiled. "It's so sweet of you." I pulled out my scissors and trimmed down the stem then slid it into my ponytail. "I love you."
"Love you too." Dean said then kissed my temple and suddenly there was a blinding flash in my face.
"For the yearbook." Some kid said before scurrying away. I stood up but Dean pulled me back down.
"Get over it." Adam said. I rolled my eyes and watched Dean eat. "And don't watch that, it's disgusting." I looked away from Dean to see Charlie watching me.
"Happy V-day, Lizzygator." Adam and Charlie both said as Adam handed over a bouquet of white carnations.
"Thanks guys." I noticed Julie and Connie had one too. Julie's were yellow and Connie's were orange. That's when Fulton finally showed up.
"She said yes." He said in my ear. Although my first reaction was to jump up and hug him, I just turned to look at him and then grinned.
"Fulton's got a girlfriend." I taunted in a low voice. He blushed bright red and then handed me a plastic, shopping bag.
"As a thank you and Valentine's Day gift." Fulton said. Inside the bag were two king sized chocolate bars.
"You're welcome." I said. I tucked that and the bouquet of flowers in the bag I had gotten from Dean.
During lunch our table became overrun by member of the Varsity baseball team. "This is from all of us Lizzy." Bastian said.
"We just wanted to show how much we've come to adore you." Alex said as Bastian handed me the bag. I set the bag and my lunch on the table and hugged Dean.
"You know I love you right?" I asked looking up at him with big eyes nearly begging him to believe me. He smiled and kissed my forehead.
"I know and I love you too. Thank you for appeasing me though." Dean said.
I smiled then turned back to the bag and opened it. I reached inside feeling weird shapes and pulled out something round. It was a baseball that had been autographed by the entire team. Also in the bag were three boxes of chocolate in different colors and a picture of the team in their uniforms.
"Aw guys. This is so sweet." I said.
"The red box is solid chocolate, the pink box is dark chocolate filled with milk chocolate, and the white box is white chocolate and chocolate covered caramel." Bash explained.
"Thanks guys, now shoo so I can eat my lunch." I said. Bash kissed my forehead and then they left us alone. "Looks like I'm gonna make someone happy today."
"Why?" Dean asked.
"Because white chocolate is never good and caramel is only good in candy bars." Fulton said for me. "Or at least that's what she says."
"And that hasn't changed." I said. "I can't believe you remember that."
"You're my best friend like a kid sister, of course I'm gonna remember all your favorites and what you hate." Fulton said.
"You're amazing." I said.
"I know." Fulton shrugged.
During the last period of the day, class was interrupted by a student council member. "Flower delivery." He said. Everyone looked excited that he had broken up studying. We sat and watched as he passed around flowers to nearly everyone.
I looked around and noticed just like I thought the three Volleyball girls in the back had only one flower apiece. Then the student council member walked back to them and handed them each another flower. I smiled having put that smile on their faces. Most of the time the girls kept to themselves and I noticed that they seemed to be ostracized by the rest of the team and the school in general. So I decided that I should send them a little something so they knew not everyone hated them.
There were three different color choices for flowers. This year from what I had been told they had chosen carnations after the fiasco with roses the year prior. White meant friend, yellow meant admirer, and red meant love.
Most of mine were white with only two being yellow and two being red. Then it sunk in. Two red flowers. I looked at Dean to see him watching me. "I just want you to know only one of those is from me." Dean said. I swallowed wondering what I should do. I knew there was nothing else to do so I opened it. After a few seconds I heard Dean's voice in my ear. "To Lizzy, Dear Mav, happy Valentines day hope it rocks as much as you do. Love always, your wingman Goose." I smiled and pulled out my scissors and trimmed down the stem. I pulled the note off the flower and dropped it in the bag. Then I stuck the flower in my ponytail with the other one and kissed Dean's cheek.
Then I opened the other red flower's note and read it. "To Lizzy, a beautiful girl needs to know she's loved even if she has a boyfriend. Love...you can guess." I laughed after reading it. Although the wording didn't match the handwriting, I knew who it was from.
"Who is it from?" Dean asked.
"Good friends." I answered.
"Tex?" Dean asks.
"No I said friends and they're female Dean." I answered. "It's not like Tex to send a red one. He probably sent a yellow or white one."
"Ah well then check them I would like to know what he said." Dean told me.
"And what makes you think I'm going to tell you?" I asked.
"Please?" He gave me a puppy dog pout and I sighed.
"Fine." I picked up one yellow one and read the note. "To Liz, you're beautiful, smart, kind, and caring, I know Portman loves you but I had to let you know that someone else does care about you too." It was signed Someone who cares.
"See it wasn't too bad."
"Dwayne would have signed it Tex or Babbit." I said. "I don't know who it's from."
"It's a harmless flower and as long as you still care about me the most I'm not going to worry about it." Dean said.
I smiled and picked up the other one. "Lizzy, my beautiful friend, wishing you the best Valentines Day yet. I still care. Love Tex." I read.
"See he did send you one."
"You're not mad?" I asked.
"No because although you care about him you love me." Dean said. I smiled and looked at his pile of flowers. He had a single red one, five yellow, and a load of white.
"Aren't you going to find out who sent you what?" I asked.
"Nope. I already know. The white are from admirers who know they don't stand a chance, the yellow from Cheerleaders who haven't lost hope quite yet, and the red one," he picked it up and touched my nose with it, "is from you." Dean answered.
"Don't you want—?"
"Dean Portman." The monitor interrupted me.
"Yes ma'am?" Dean answered.
"You have one more it was mixed in with another class." Dean got up and retrieved it and then sat back down next to me.
"A red one? Who's it from?"
"Please tell me you're joking."
"No, the rest of your gift is after practice." I turned to feed Ant and heard Dean sigh.
"Alright I'll read it. 'My sweet Deanie, you're the most handsome man I have ever met. Meet me out by the rink after practice today and I'll give you what your girlfriend can't.'" I didn't look up until Dean had finished.
"Who was it from?" I asked.
"There wasn't a name." Dean sighed.
"You're not..." I trailed off.
"I'm not going to respond to something like that Maverick. I love you and only you. You're the only person I want to spend my Valentine's Day with." Then he picked up the other red flower and looked at the note.
"Dean you're amazingly sweet and very handsome. I love you, your wingman, Maverick." I read in his ear. He turned and smiled at me.
"Thank you."
Well there you have it. Part of the reason Lizzy hates Bombay so much and Valentine's Day. You know I actually wrote this on Valentine's Day. Sorry I didn't post this then.