Whew! Okay. Let me start by saying thank you once again for any reviews, follows, and favorites, you all are so wonderful. Next I want to apologize, stress from work plus writers block is never a good combination, and I hope I haven't lost any of you. Here is chapter 13 I apologize in advance for any mistakes.
Saturday, February 12th 1983 (continued)
As the four entered the Pizza Pit, Hannah grabbed Maura by the hand and started to run to the arcade area. Rachel called her daughter back.
"Hannah, sweetie, you'll have a hard time playing any games without these." She handed Hannah a bag of tokens.
"Thanks, mom," she replied and she and Maura ran towards the games.
Maura followed her friends lead which took her to a skee-ball machine.
"You ever play before," Hannah asked as she handed Maura a token.
"No, I can't say that have." Maura responded.
"It's easy, just watch me." Hannah put her token in the machine and pressed the start button. After the balls dropped, she picked one up, rolled the ball towards the target, and scored thirty points. "Yes! Now you try."
Maura followed suit and ended up scoring forty points. Hannah smiled at Maura. "Is that good," Maura asked.
"Yeah, you are doing great," Hannah responded putting her arm around Maura.
The two continued playing arcade games while Gia and Rachel ordered the pizza and sat in the both talking.
"You're really great with Maura, how long have you been nannying?"
"About five months with Maura, but five years total with other families."
"Only five months with Maura? You two have a really strong bond."
"Well, she's a really good kid."
"So... When are you going to have one of your own?"
Gia laughed. "Ah... Not anytime soon, if at all."
"Well you are young yet, you don't have to decide today."
Gia was thankful that the conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the pizza followed by the kids returning.
"Did you two enjoy yourselves," Rachel asked the girls.
"Yeah, Maura and I got so many tickets at Whack-A-Mole," Hannah responded as Maura held up a fist full of tickets.
Maura sat next to Gia and Rachel sat next to her mother and the four ate their pizza.
"Henry will be so jealous that we came here," Hannah announced. She looked at Maura, "Henry is my little brother, he's four, and he's having a "boys" day with my dad." She then turned to her mom with excitement. "Hey mom, can Maura sleepover?"
"It's okay with me if it's okay with Gia."
"It's okay with me, if Maura wants to do it." Gia looked at Maura who seemed to be uncertain. Gia nodded "yes" to Maura encouraging her to say "yes" too.
"Sure," Maura replied.
As the four finished at the Pizza Pit, Rachel and Hannah drove back to their house after giving Gia directions. Gia drove Maura back to the Isles residence to pack.
/
During the ride home Maura revealed her nervousness about the night.
"This is my very first sleepover, what do I do?"
"Actually, you sleeping at my apartment when Valerie and Jane came to visit was your first sleepover. So this is your second time, you're a pro now."
"How are they by the way?"
Gia didn't have an answer to that question so she just changed the subject. "We should make a list so you don't forget anything. You can grab a pen and paper from the glove compartment."
"No need, I can keep it all in here," Maura pointed to her head.
Gia started spouting off the items, "Pajamas, change of clothes for tomorrow, toothbrush..."
When the two arrived back at the Isles residence they quickly packed Maura's overnight bag and Gia drove Maura to Hannah's house.
As Gia helped Maura into her friend's house, she gave the little girl her phone number which Maura put in her coat pocket. Rachel assured Gia that she would take good care of Maura, and Hannah assured Maura that she had a fun night planned.
After getting Maura settled, Gia left to return to her car. Shortly after, she saw Maura running towards her. When Maura got to the car she was out of breath.
Gia put her window down. "Is everything okay, Peanut," she was concerned.
Maura responded while breathing heavily, "I... almost.. forgot," she held up and index card sized paper to Gia while catching her breath. "It's a ticket to my recital, you'll come right?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," she smiled at Maura. "Now get back inside it's too cold."
Maura smiled at her nanny and ran back inside.
/
Maura and Hannah spent most of the night playing with dolls and Hannah's little brother, Henry. Henry took a liking to Maura, following her every move while they played. Maura couldn't help but feel slightly jealous, Hannah had both of her parents living with her and an adorable little brother. The three played together until it was bedtime.
As the two lay in Hannah's bed talking about dance class they heard muffled sounds coming from downstairs. Hannah's parents had begun fighting.
Hannah looked at Maura with embarrassment, she knew Maura could hear them. When she couldn't face her anymore, Hannah turned away from Maura and stared at the wall.
Maura felt bad for Hannah. "Do they fight a lot?"
Hannah sighed, "Every night since I can remember. It's usually not this loud though."
Suddenly there was a knock at the door, followed by a slow open, and a small blonde head peeking through.
"Come in, Henry," Hannah turned to Maura and whispered, "Do you mind if he stays in here with us?"
Maura shook her head "no".
"Come on up, Buddy," Hannah said as she patted the bed.
The sandy haired, four year old ran and jumped on his sister's bed placing himself between the two girls. Henry coiled his fingers around Maura's hair. "Hannah can you sing the song?"
Hannah began singing a silly song she made up for Henry to drown out the muffled sounds of her parents fighting. By the time she was finished, Henry was asleep.
"Do you think you'll every have kids when you grow up, Maura?"
Maura was caught off guard by the question and remained silent, carefully trying to figure out how to respond.
Hannah continued, "I don't think I will, I like kids, I mean... I really love my brother, but if it's not working out with me and my husband, I wouldn't want my kids hearing us fight."
Maura answered next. "I don't know if I will either, but if I do, I'm going to make sure I'm there for them."
The two fell silent after their conversation, eventually falling asleep.
/
Late, Saturday, February 12th 1983 to Early, Sunday, February 13th 1983
Gia lay on her couch watching television when she heard a key in the lock of her door followed by it opening. Hope stumbled in, already drunk, holding a bottle of bourbon, and not saying a word. She made her way to Gia's kitchen and searched through her cabinets for a shot glass. When she found what she was looking for she poured the bourbon in the glass and knocked it back. She repeated this one more time before offering Gia a shot.
Gia took the shot glass and sipped from it, while Hope took a swig from the bottle.
"So... How did it go," Gia asked already knowing the answer wasn't going to be favorable.
"The bastard never showed up, I waited around for two hours. I looked like a fool." Hope took another swig from the bottle.
"Maybe you should slow down a bit." Gia suggested.
Hope ignored Gia's suggestion and continued to take a longer swig. When she finished she put the bottle down. "Who does he think he is? Coming into my life just to ruin it when ever he wants."
Gia listen to her friend continue to vent her frustrations.
"I know it's complicated, I know I'm complicated...but we have history, painful, serious history, and... I don't know... I don't know why he doesn't give me the respect I deserve." Hope took another swig of bourbon. "My baby is dead... The life that we created together." Hope starts crying. "... Is dead... And he doesn't even care."
Hope covered her mouth and ran into the bathroom. She threw up in the toilet. Gia followed her and held her hair back as she continued to heave. Hope put her head down on the toilet seat.
"The room is spinning," Hope expressed timidly as her eyes began to water due to the stress she was putting her body through.
Gia grabbed a towel and put it around Hope who was shaking from a cold sweat. She then grabbed a washcloth and wiped Hope's forehead. Gia watched with pain in her eyes as her dear friend's entire body tensed as she started to violently vomit again. Gia sat on the ground behind her friend and carefully gathered Hope's hair into a loose ponytail. Hope continued a cycle of vomiting for a few seconds and then stopping all the while with Gia rubbing her back trying to comfort her.
"Hope, I think you might have alcohol poisoning, I'm going to call 911." Gia got up to get the phone but stopped when she felt a week pull on her pant leg.
"Please don't, they'll send me to my hospital, I can't have my colleagues see me like this, I could get fired."
"...But Hope you're in really bad shape."
"I'm fine. I'm fine. I just need to get it all out of me." Hope lay her head on the toilet seat waiting for the next round of vomiting to begin.
Gia reluctantly accepted the doctor's plea. "Okay, but I'm staying with you," she sighed.
After about two more rounds of vomiting Hope fell asleep sitting up against the toilet seat. Gia did not want to move her, knowing that any movement could cause her friend more discomfort or nausea. Gia leaned against the tub keeping an eye on her friend as she slept.
Two hours later Hope woke up to Gia quietly reading a magazine.
"Oh my God, my head is throbbing, I'm dehydrated."
Gia quickly got up and grabbed a cup from the sink, filled it with water, and handed it to Hope.
"Thank you," Hope said as she took small sips until it was finished. "Do you mind if I take a shower?"
"Sure, but are you going to be okay?"
"I'm a little weak, but, I'm sober, so I should be able to manage."
"Alright, I'm going to get you a towel and some comfortable clothes."
When Gia left, Hope stood up and washed her mouth out at the sink. She was thankful that Gia had mouthwash so she could rid herself of the taste of bourbon and bile.
While Hope was taking a shower, Gia entered and placed the clothes and towels on the sink for Hope then exited the bathroom waiting for her friend on the couch.
After Hope finished her shower she exited the bathroom and went into the living room. Gia got up from the couch and walked to the kitchen. "You should lie down," she gestured towards the couch. When Gia returned to the living room she brought a bucket, two aspirin, and a glass of water. She put the bucket on the floor beside Hope, "This is just in case." Then she handed the doctor the two aspirin and glass of water. "You're off tomorrow right?"
"Yes," Hope replied before taking the pills. She made a face as they went down, "Thank God." Hope then lay back down putting her head on the pillow and Gia sat with her back to her friend leaning against the couch.
"Maybe something came up and he couldn't come," Gia offered in consolation.
"Yeah, he's good for that," Hope started playing with Gia's hair, "It's getting so long." She sighed. "I don't know why I keep letting him back in when all he ever does is break my heart."
"Because you love him."
"I wonder if things would have been different if she lived... If he would have been different."
"I couldn't even image what that must have been like for you."
"I think about her everyday, my therapist told me that it would pass... It hasn't. I lied to her and told her that it did."
"I think that's a ridiculous assumption for her to make in the first place."
Hope shrugged, "You ever think you'll have kids, Gianna?"
Gia paused, surprised that she was asked this question twice that day.
Hope continued, "I still consider myself a mother, but I don't think I can have anymore children. The thought of going through it again, all of it, just scares me." Hope continued to play with Gia's hair. "I really like it this long."
"Thank you." Gia replied sincerely. "But I thinking about cutting it about shoulder length."
"Don't," Hope replied, twirling a section between her fingers. At that point the conversation shifted to regrettable hairstyles of their past before both fell asleep where they were.
/
Sunday, February 13th 1983
Gia woke up an hour and a half later to her phone ringing.
"Hello?"
"Gia, hi, it's Rachel."
"What's wrong? Is everything okay? I wasn't supposed to get Maura till noon, right?"
"Maura is okay, maybe just a little shaken up, she fainted this morning, after telling me she didn't feel well, she said she just wants to go home."
"Okay, tell her I'll be right there."
Gia turned and woke up Hope. "Hey Doc, I'm leaving, the little Peanut got sick at her sleepover, you may stay as long as you like, I'll see you later."
Hope responded still half asleep, "Thank you Gianna, you're such a good friend, I love you."
Gia laughed, "I love you too Hope."
/
When Gia pulled up to Hannah's house she didn't even need to beep. She watched Maura hug her friend as she exited the house and run to her car. Gia waved to Rachel and Hannah when they waved to her from their doorstep.
"Not feeling so well huh, peanut."
"Actually, I'm okay"
"You fainted, Peanut." She put her hand on the little girl's forehead. "And you're all red."
"I lied"
Gia looked confused.
Maura elaborated, "I wanted to leave earlier than I was supposed to so, I told Hannah's mom that I felt sick but it was a lie."
Gia was still confused.
Maura continued. "The vasovagal syncope is a side effect of when I lie, I also get hives."
"Did something happen that made you not want to stay?"
Maura felt bad about telling Gia about Hannah's personal business but lying about it would only cause another episode so she told the truth. "Her parents were fighting last night, it was uncomfortable to see them this morning. I'd rather not discuss it further. How was your night, you look exhausted?"
"No comment, Peanut. Are you hungry?"
"Yes, very much so."
The two went to a bagel shop and picked up breakfast before returning to the Isles residence. When they got to their destination the two sat in the dining room eating their breakfast across from each other.
"Do you want kids, Gia?"
"What is with this question all of the sudden?"
Maura looked confused.
Gia digressed. "I don't know if I can." She took a sip of her coffee.
Maura looked at Gia. "Well I'm sure you can, you are healthy, you have plenty of viable eggs, and I bet your reproductive organs would perform ideally in the given situation."
Gia reacted as she swallowed and started to choke a bit on the coffee, coughing profusely.
Maura got up from her seat and sat next to Gia patting her back. "You okay?"
"Yeah it went down the wrong pipe, I'm not used to people discussing my reproductive organs so candidly."
"Ah, pulmonary aspiration, and I don't see what the big deal is, reproduction is a part of life, it's why you and I are here right now."
"Very well, Peanut, it's just weird that... Never mind. Let me rephrase my answer, I don't know if I will."
Maura looked sad. "Why not?"
"I just don't think, I'd be any good."
"You're great with me, Gia."
"You're different, Peanut."
"Well, I hope you reconsider, I think it would be a disservice to the world if you didn't get to be a mom. Plus, I'd love to see some mini Gias, they'd be so cute."
Gia smiled. "No where near as cute as little Peanuts would be, but you're not allowed to date until you're thirty." Gia shook her finger at the little girl who giggled.
The two spent the rest of the day reading books and watching movies until it was time for Maura to go to bed.
I know there wasn't a lot of just Maura and Gia time but, next chapter should be. I hope you all are still liking this story. I have about six more chapters planned. Review if you'd like, they make my day.
Be well and have a splendid day :)