Hey There,
Welcome! It's Thursday! It's almost June, too! Can you believe it? And this chapter is on time! YAY! Such a win! I have to say, I did not see this chapter going the way that it does… but… Like I've shared with you guys before. I'm not telling the story, they are, and I'm just writing what they tell me. But what Logan told me this time… WHOO! Can't wait for you guys to see what I mean. So let's not waste another minute! Let's get into this!
Standard Disclaimers Apply - I do not own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV, or any of the other trademarked things mentioned. I am merely borrowing all of this stuff for a my own twisted plots. Most will be returned unharmed.
Thanks to ANYONE who's given this story, this plot, this set up a chance. Special thanks to the few of you who favorited this story, or placed it on you story alert. Special thanks also to anyone who placed me on their author's alert or favorite author's list. All of that is high praise that I hope this story still lives up to.
Special thanks to my reviewer: [my friend] AwkwardGurl05 (Yay! On-time this week! Raise the roof! I'm so old… that's all that statement just proved. I love James, and I know a ton of writers cut him out or worse make him out to be a villain twirling his mustache. But I just can't see him that way, or exclude him. You know me, everybody into the pool! LoL! Even when Logan's trying to persuade me to ditch them all for a scene or twelve and to hit the lights on my way out. Winkwink! He's so bad! Even the one telling me what to write. YES! WHY did there have to be a FIRST wedding? And SECOND? AHHHG! Even if YES! Both were beautiful and the second was what it should have been all along… But the gap in-between weddings is killer! Matt and Erin acted it SO WELL TOO! It's been out nearly a year and I'm still geeking out about so much… and scratching my head at the rest… when I'm not fixing things here. Fanfiction answers the infinite what ifs and is a coping mechanism too! LoL! We did get too much more Zoey in the movie. Even though Quogan was getting married. AND YES! I had been so hoping to see the proposal! I'm writing a proposal AT - SOME - POINT! RIGHTING - THIS -WRONG! I don't know when, but I will! And I bet there were tulips too! Even if Logan was a total Eugene {from Disney's Tangled} in the respect of "After asking, and asking, and asking, and ASKING!" He finally got a YES. And the Zoey movie did back that up he was proposing to her via tweet for crying out loud… and probably all the other ways too. He was trying EVERYTHING! I'm so happy Zoey 102 reignited your Zoey feels! I'm so glad you're here and THRILLED to read what you'll do too. Can't help but toss that in there, cause it's true! Yes, I agree with both of you, Chase deserved so much better from Zoey… and he shall have it! I'm willing it to happen here. And Mark DID just kiss Quinn to shut her up that first time. It doesn't even compare to ANY of Quogan's kisses. Day and Night differences, and Logan had clearly wanted to do it for a while. I couldn't agree more. They chemistry is off the charts AND I think you're right. He was her invisible string… I've read a few different stories (and comics) lately all based upon that Asian culture fable about the red strings of fate that ties together soulmates too. Between them and the song you shared with me, I'm convinced. Logan and Quinn have got to be fated and tied to one another. And it's probably why I have always had them feeling tugs and pulls towards each other too. LOVE - THAT - SO - MUCH! I wish Quinn could have never been with Mark too. But I also, like you think it was important for both of them to learn from each other even if it really didn't work and I cringe sitting through it now. Thank you so much for saying you enjoy my added moments and interactions with Quogan and the gang. I really work hard to try to make them all interesting and feel like life or watching an episode. It really means a lot that you like them. I am gonna tackle Hawaii soon… fingers crossed I can pull off making that better too by adding the agang and a few other tricks up my sleeves. I really hope I can. And I also agree that you can see a shift sometime during season 3 where they really are flirting more. Or noticing each other more even before they're together. And I can't fathom not liking Logan or Quinn either. They're both so differently misunderstood and have so much depth and heart! All of your 'Hey Arnold' and 'Scooby' comments just made me smile so HUGE! Cause I love them too, I'd read so many comics about the jungle movie before we finally got it. That I thought nothing could shock me. And I was still floored by the end product. Still can't believe we got that, or Zoey 102! Even if Zoey really needed to get over herself throughout MOST of that whole thing. And resenting Quinn, who calls Zoey her best friend, and goes out of her way to always include her… That made me mad. Quinn was inviting Zoey all the time to game nights, nights out, and all kinds of things like that. And Zoey never even tried to go! That teed me off too! Quinn's such a sweetie, she deserved better from someone she's honoring with that title. Maid of honor or best friend, take your pick! I have to thank you for your energy, your light, your support, boundless kindness, and inspiration. Your letters, reviews, SIMtales, and art, all of it helps me keep going so much! And you even had nice thongs to say about my art, Bless you! But yes! Ch 8! Thank you so much for saying so many sweet things about my coverage of Logan. It really helped me march forward bravely with this post. Also from his eyes, and when you read. You'll see why I needed the kick of bravery to even get here. And Ch. 9, it was a BIG struggle. But the fact that you enjoyed it, really made my week! Yes she was on his shoulder and YES, he said OUR family. Luck lady, indeed! THANK YOU so much for also liking all of the other stuff going on with the other girls too. I really wanted it to not seem so one-dimensional. I really wanted it to still feel like watching the show. And if everyone was around, they would all to have their own stuff going on like that. And I've been so worried none of it worked! Thank you THANK YOU for getting so into all of their stuff as well. I am proud of it! Yep, Zoey's possible future in-laws didn't make it easy [evil giggles, I am a Quoganite! Through and through and revenge can be so sweet!] Lola's neighbor is somehow always a problem when she goes home in my head. So is her mom since she always kinda sounds like she struggles to get along with her mom. But it could also be because I keep picturing Tori's mom in Victorious who was so much like Trina and SO having an affair with that other cop guy who worked with Tori's dad. And I'm proud of Lisa too! She always struck me as sweet but strong. I did have fun with Logan's flirting and daydreams. I won't deny, but wait till you hear what he's got going on in this chapter! LoL! I can't wait for you to read this chapter either! Hope it's reaching you on a GREAT day! Take Care and Much Love!)
Enjoy!
"How We Spent Our Summer Vacay"
Chapter 10 - Too Many Monkey Wrenches!
(Logan's Perspective)
Quinn knocked out and went right to sleep on my shoulder. No problem…
But I could not sleep to save my life! I had too much all going on in my mind. And I couldn't get any of it to shut off. None of it!
For one, I was still STEAMED at Del Figs! For THINKING he knew something about Quinn that I didn't! I'd behaved when we had to talk to him again tonight. When we'd been talking to all of the gang and he happened to be along for the ride. But I think the fact that Quinn was in my lap had been ALL of how that happened. And it got all that bottled-up anger stirred up again. Just having to look at his bored face again.
DAMN she was HOT though!
Quinn. Not just then either but since I got here!
And Mark could eat his heart out! Stacey barely stayed on his lap all of twenty minutes. And that wasn't even her hardest task! Her first problem was she'd had to FIND his lap. Under all of the rest of Mark.
That smart ass!
When I wasn't remembering the way he'd treated Quinn. When he was her boyfriend, which had been BAD enough. I kept hearing over and over again. Those douchebags twisted tales from her public school days. That I'd overheard at dinner and didn't even realize that they were about Quinn at first. Where those shit heels had terrorized my baby every chance they got! When she was still pretty much an actual baby! And they'd been a lot bigger and stronger than her, back then. When I couldn't have protected her, cause I didn't know her yet.
I WISH she'd LET me defend her BETTER than glaring for her, tonight. I could have wiped the floor with those assholes! Those murderers! When I wasn't hearing and imagining their stories on repeat. I was hearing again all the TERRIBLE things they'd been saying about Irvine's cause or animals. They just have no souls or hearts. And then Quinn told me on the walk home how these same waistoids were responsible for four cows dying. Because they'd tipped them! What is this, 'Green Acers?' 'The Hillbillies' minus the 'Beverly Hills' part?
I know, I've been called a bully more than a few times in my life. And I know that I even deserved it sometimes. I have my own set of thorns too, everyone does, no body's perfect. But even in the worst of my brat attacks I've NEVER said or done anything that mean or harmful to ANY animals. I think even the worst of me would have been disgusted with those mouthbreathers.
The only girl member of their little squad, had kept giving me that same look too. With the little dollar signs over her pupils that I've seen way too many girls give my dad. The second they realize who he is, he's top executive, or how rich he is.
And she could DREAM on!
But the WORST had been the way the biggest guy had KEPT looking at my girlfriend. Like he'd LIKED it WAY too much whenever Quinn had beat his ass, and he'd like her to do it again. Quinn had laughed it off when I mentioned it to her. But I KNOW what I saw and I was NOT gonna let that happen. NO - WAY! He'd like that too much and he'll rot in jail first!
Though I had seen my buddy "Shaggy" The Llama spit at them repeatedly. I KNEW I liked that Llama! Don't tell me he couldn't hear or understand what those lowlives had been saying either. Animals have a sense about these things, I believe that more than ever, now. After being with the animals and people here.
If these lackeys' comments about the animals weren't on repeat. Images from their stories featuring little Quinn were. Where I kept picturing the little girl I saw in photographs scattered through her house, getting bullied. Like it was a movie in my head, I couldn't change the channel on!
As if I needed anything else to set my anxiety off… I haven't been able to QUIT thinking about what Quinn had SAID! About wanting me to be her first.
Only this wasn't a bad thing at all. This was a good thing! It was everything I wanted too! But that doesn't mean I'm not internally freaking out all the time or feeling thrills tempting her. Hoping we'd find that right moment… wherever or whenever it should happen.
I couldn't help it, my mind just KEPT going back to that possibility over and over. And my mind kept wanting to plan things for this occasion. I had to keep reminding myself, that she doesn't want it planned, she wants it to happen when it's right. Naturally…
Naturally couldn't be PLANNED!
But tell my ultimate planner brain THAT! Keeping me up with all kinds of ideas. And kept reasoning how my Dad can make planned things look natural ALL the time. And fool millions of moviegoers, why can't this be the same?
Because it's not the same, and I know it. No matter how much I want to. We're doing this right and letting this happen when it's supposed to… whenever that is… God! I'm not known for being patient… I've never been good at that. But I've also never loved anyone like I love Quinn…
I was in such a hole, I ended up texting Chase to see if he could talk. Thankfully he said he could. So I stepped outside and called him from Quinn's front porch. Just to make sure she didn't hear me talking to anyone. Even though she was asleep upstairs and I was on another floor. I wasn't taking chances.
I called Chase and he'd answered on the third ring. Mid-yawn. "So you can't sleep either?" He'd asked.
"No!" I'd said way too loudly for the peaceful middle-of-the-night setting. Where it was barely raining at all and the only noises were crickets and tree frogs mostly.
I lowered my voice and said calmer, "How are you still up?"
"Well, believe it or not…" I could hear him stretching, even though I wasn't there to see it. "You know how I fell in love with Zoey at first sight?"
"Yeah… everybody knows that…" I'd shrugged. It was like asking is the sun gonna rise tomorrow… then again, I forget I'm in rainy Seattle… so maybe that's not a sure thing.
"WELL," He'd grunted. "My parents did not have that same experience meeting my girl."
"Yeah," I was honest, "That probably doesn't shock me as much as it shocked you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Chase asked me sounding annoyed.
But I broke it down to him, "Come on, man. We all know you love Zoey, so you forget too easily all of the stuff that your parents can't forget."
Chase sighed and said first, "Yeah, I guess so… because both my mom and dad confessed. They really didn't want to like her… but they love her now and everything's good now. But it took a little time, before they saw what I see. And gave me their blessing to go with her to Hawaii-"
"That was something you JUST got, for certain?" I had to ask, I thought that was a done thing.
But Chase said, "It was touch and go for a little bit there. Not gonna lie, just when I got home and they really weren't okay with me going away again so soon. But now I'm going, with their blessings, and I'm gonna be working too so… not like I'm gonna be just chasing Zoey all summer… Just some of it, everyone's happy. And now I'm in Florida with my only living grandparent. And Zoey didn't even have to work to win her over, she loved her on sight and even knows Zoey's grandparents. They live a few houses down."
"Did her grandparents like you?" I asked outta curiosity.
"Aww yeah! They said I have an old soul like her, I'm a perfect match." He'd said.
I summed up, "So Zoey did win everyone over in the end and so did you."
And Chase was bragging, "Yeah! I knew she would, even though that's all over. I feel like the rest of my body's still playing catch up, ya know? So sleep's not coming easily - but HEY! You're the one who said you can't sleep. What's eating you? It can't be that you two aren't getting along. I saw you earlier and you looked…"
"What?" I asked when didn't sound like he was gonna say anything else.
Then he said slowly, "Hap-py… together… Like the rest of us could clear out and you guys wouldn't have noticed. Happy with each other."
"We are," I admitted.
"Then what's keeping you up? Did she not let you sleep beside her or something?" He'd guessed and it was a good guess. He'd even tacked on at the end, "I think that's why I'm struggling, personally. Zoey's at her grandparent's house and I'm at mine."
"No! I was with her and everything. I've gotten to lay beside her every night since I got here. I went to sleep no problem all the rest of the time. But tonight… I don't know, man. I can't shut my mind off."
"What's on your mind?" Chase asked and I ended up telling him all about the bullies I was introduced to from Quinn's past. I told about how they're murderers, repeated their stories about mini Quinn, and repeated some of the things they'd said about the other animals too. I complained about the biggest one making eyes at Quinn too and Chase's reaction had been.
"Oh my GOD! GROSS! Ya didn't hit him… didja?" My best friend KNEW to ask.
"No, I didn't."
"Good." Chase said sounding relieved.
Till I admitted, "Quinn stopped me before I could, and I still WISH she hadn't."
Chase said, "I'm glad she did."
"Why are you taking her side?" I demanded.
Chase reminded me (just like Quinn), "Because! She's right! You know that yourself. You're gonna be her date in a few days-"
But I kept hearing a southern twanging higher pitched voice agree with him. Till I pointedly asked, "Zoey? Chase? Is Zoey there with you?"
"Duh!" Zoey answered for herself.
"How long have you been there?" I asked, standing up from where I'd been sitting on Quinn's front porch.
"Long enough to remind you that Quinn's a maid of honor in that wedding, Logan! And she's never gotten to be anything like that for anyone before. I'm sure somewhere at this wedding there's gonna be a camera. And Quinn's gonna want at least one picture with you. You can't let her down by showing up with shiners, busted lips, or black eyes!"
"Just because I take a swing, does not mean I'll lose." I told them both.
But Zoey just HAD to reason, "Doesn't mean you'll get off scot-free either." Damn her logic!
Chase added to Zoey's point. "Don't you want to be as perfect for her as you know she's gonna be for all the other weddings you're dragging her to this summer?"
"Yes." But then I asked, "Did Zoey at least hear why I wanted to fight them?"
"I did, and I'm not saying I blame you. But really, you're the bigger person for walking away. Like you did… I know Quinn thinks so too. It was all over her face when we were all video chatting tonight."
"Well, of course, she was." I shrugged off before asking, "Where the hell did you come from anyways, Brooks?"
"I snuck over from my grandparents house." She explained.
Chase added sounding much more relaxed. "She couldn't sleep without me, either."
Zoey kept going though, "But Logan, Quinn is counting on you to be her perfect date. Just this once, and you know she's gonna be all that for you and then some. For all those other weddings you're going to."
"Yeah, she will." I had to agree with Zoey, even if I really didn't want to.
Then I realized "Wait a minute, you guys are really in Florida? Like East Coast three hours different time zone Florida?"
And both of them confirmed tiredly, "Yes!'
"Wow, you don't have much time to sleep left, I better go let you both try again. But hey! Thanks, both of you for talking me down and setting me right."
They both said, like they rehearsed it, in perfect unison "You're welcome!"
Then they laughed at themselves as I said "Goodnight!" Before quickly hanging up as a low rumble of thunder followed a flash of lightning. The wind picked up too, so it must be getting ready to storm.
But right before I got up from the bench I'd been sitting on out there, I felt two arms wrap around me from behind. They were attached to a very sleepy-looking girlfriend.
The first thing she asked me was, "Why did ya go?"
"I couldn't sleep and I didn't want to wake you up," I explained, turning in her grip to hug her and kiss the top of her head.
"What woke me up was you not being there anymore." She'd said tiredly.
But before I could say anything else, a loud sound started coming from the farm. Loud enough to hear it here, and think something was happening here. It sounded like an alarm and suddenly. My girlfriend was wide awake telling me, "Uh oh! That's the farm's security blowhorn."
"Should we go?" I asked, but she pointed out.
"Looks like the trouble's coming to us." And she turned me to face a bunch of idiots. Climbing fence, after fence, trying to escape. Every man for themselves.
Quinn cooly observed, "And it looks like my provocation worked quicker than I thought it would too." And suddenly, I saw what she meant. It really was the same jerks from earlier. Trying to escape after breaking in again.
The three bullies and one chick were all arguing, running, climbing and falling… Hard. Trying to outrun each other, as much as the cops.
Both police officers were running behind them. But they'd never catch up in time, not unless we helped right now. I did glance at Quinn first, even if I already knew what she was gonna say.
And she told me, "Let's help. FAST."
Before we both sprung into action. Running after them as fast as we could, and unlike the older police officers. We caught up to these lackeys quick. Quinn was even firing her zap watch at them before we got close. The rain was pouring now and the losers only needed to climb over one more fence to escape to reach their trucks. All we had to do was distract them long enough so they didn't reach their trucks parked on the side of the road. Quinn took out the girl and tall guy, with her nerve pinch. And sat on the both of them, to make sure they stayed down. While I ended up wrestling the other two to the ground, before Quinn used her pinch on them too. I still struggle perfecting that, and she's so quick with it.
It wasn't till I took a breath through my nose that the smell hit me. And I was pulling my shirt collar over my face as my eyes teared from the horrible smell. "Your stink bombs worked great, babe! Oww! Maybe too good!"
She was covering her face the same way, and said, "Yeah, there's an upside."
Just before the cops finally reached us and she advised. "I suggest both of you gentlemen cover your noses. These assailants stink to high heaven thanks to a stink bomb treatment they got on their way home tonight."
Both cops thanked her for the warning, before she was helping one of the officers cuff the tall guy's hands behind his back.
Impossibly awake again, so soon, the biggest one tried to shrug me off. They only had two pairs of handcuffs and a bunch of zip-ties. So Quinn zip-tied the girl quickly, before she jumped ontop of the biggest one's back with me and forced him down. When the creep noticed the difference in Quinn and me pushing him into the mud… the cringeworthy creep laughed this sick-sounding laugh and started flirting with Quinn.
I noticed the big guy was STILL flirting even as Quinn ignored him and kept connecting his feet and hands together. While we both were holding him down, both cops ended up helping us too. If he hadn't already been down on the ground I would have punched his lights out. I'd seen how tightly Quinn had yanked on his zip-ties too. She'd yanked them so tight they HAD to hurt, but again. The creep looked like he was enjoying it all too much. So when I helped the cops get him up on his feet as they were reading him his rights. He'd stood up and said something about Quinn being "welcome to sit on him anytime."
Quinn punched first, then I did… and he was out. GOD, that felt good! And since she went first, I hope she's not mad.
That was the moment Irvine and Marion arrived on the scene and came running for us. They'd heard the alarms and raced here while everyone else was checking on the animals. To make sure they really hadn't gotten a chance to hurt any of them this time. All the creeps were thrown in the back of Irvine's truck and the officers were holding them in place. As soon as Irvine got word that all the animals were okay. He and Marion hugged us again, thanked us, and escorted the police and crooks to the police department.
The officers shook our hands and asked me, "Did I have any interest in law enforcement?" Then they asked Quinn too because we'd done such a great job wrestling the perps to the ground and keeping them there till the cops arrived.
Quinn shrugged, "We've both fought on our school's wrestling team and Logan played football and basketball too."
Look at her bragging on me.
Both cops said, if either of us are ever interested in becoming police officers or need good college recommendations. That they would put in a good word for us. After what they'd seen today… And I swear I was listening, but Quinn had shot me this look I hadn't seen before. And even though I had been freezing cold a second ago. I was burning up now! Even though the rain was still pouring and lightning was flashing every now and again. Thunder was rumbling around us closer to the flashes too…
And when my eyes drifted over the rest of my girl… I realized that she'd run out here in pretty much her pajamas. She was wearing very short shorts and thin little top. I couldn't see her bra this time but I could make out the outline of her underwear through the soaked shorts. As I let her lead me back to her house, I got all of my staring out of my system while she couldn't see.
I warned her, when we were walking up her porch steps. "I can see through your shorts a little. But don't worry, Your top's still hiding your bra, so they couldn't have seen that."
That was when Quinn absolutely blew my mind, and said. "Well, it would be pretty amazing if they could see it, since I'm not wearing one."
I know I said, "Say what?"
And when we were on her front porch again, she repeated. "I'm not wearing one… most girls take them off before bed, ya know? And I was asleep before all of this commotion." She'd said as she walked back inside of her front door and I felt like my head wasn't connected to my body anymore. I don't know how I kept walking, I looked down at my legs moving, but I couldn't feel it. That's how blown my mind was. But then she'd closed the doors behind us, leaned on her front door, and turned on her living room lights. To ask me, "How about now?"
"How about what now?" I'd asked. Still just gabberflasted. God-smacked, dumbfounded.
She playfully asked, "Can you see I'm not wearing a bra? Now that you know that?"
She'd asked me to look… so I looked, and I'd lied and said. "N-no, no… I don't think it shows… or at least out there it didn't show. It was too dark, I think."
"How bout in here? Does it show in here?"
I gave myself away by not being able to tear my eyes away from the shape of her. So clearly outlined by the soaked through clothes. And so freaking GOREGOUS. She covered her mouth with her hands and laughed before she said, "I'm gonna take that smile as a yes." Then she'd put her hand out to me and said, "Come here."
I don't think I've ever come so fast to any other call. Like I was across that short distance, so fast and letting her pull me to her. She had that new look on her face again, the one I had only now just seen the first time outside. And she'd given me a little kiss, barely touching me, saying. "I don't want to make you any more wet than you already are. I'm soaked-"
I let her know, "So am I, I don't care, GOD, you feel good." I'd said as I cornered her. And pressed against her where she was leaned.
She laughed this little laugh, and kissed me quickly. Before she pulled me into a hug that I made a lot tighter. Crushing her too me a little better than I have in a while (I've been too afraid of hurting her). Even thinking about it made me loosen my grip and ask her. "Are you okay from moving and thinking so fast out there? Just now?… You've had to be so careful since the fire."
"I'm fine," she'd laughed and pulled me back into that more crushing contact and Dear GOD! She just felt better and better each time. My skin was on fire, and then she kissed me and I just was FIRE.
EVERY PLACE!
But she insisted on talking more, "I just wanted to thank you so much. For everything you just did, everything you've done since you got here… or really everything since you found me on that bench that day. Every part of it has just been so much more than I could have ever imagined and I… I just love you so much… I feel like I could just bust, I don't even know how else to say it."
"I feel the same," I had to tell her, "You don't have to say a thing. I get it."
"But I feel like there's so much that I should say… but there's no words to describe it right." She'd tried to explain, "It just all seems beyond explanation… like there are no words that can do it justice."
I shushed her and smiled, "I know… and there aren't words, none I know that could begin to say what you mean to me either… which is why I hope you don't mind I punched that guy. After taking the high road and rising above as long as I could… and remember, you punched him first. I took that as permission to take a shot too."
She'd laughed, such a magical sound and said, "If I ask you to carry me upstairs, can you please not remember I asked you to when we reach the top?"
"Why is it so terrible if I remember that?" I asked with a grin.
"You'll see what I mean when we get there." Quinn shrugged one shoulder at me while I got a better grip on her.
And I think I said, "I got you, baby."
And she'd said, "Thank you, because if I had to climb the stairs I might not feel as well after I get up there." She explained.
"I keep telling you that I can take you any time you want." I told her as we were still climbing, and she was still holding on tight.
She sighed, and I'd felt it go through her whole body. "I know, but it's good therapy for a speedier recovery. And I do have a tons of stairs to walk down for this wedding too, this weekend."
"Yeah, I know." I said as we reached the top and I placed her on her feet again and said. "Alright, we're here, at the top and I'm wiping it from my mind that I carried you. No matter how much I enjoyed it, it's gone now. You walked your sexy ass all the way up here all by yourself. You didn't even need the railing." I'd said as she'd thrown her head back and laughed. So Beautifully!
Then I'd stolen an eskimo kiss and asked her, "Happy?"
"I am," she said rubbing her nose against mine. "But I have one more request, if I may. And this one, I don't want you to forget." She teased taping the tip of my nose with her finger.
"Good, because I'm having a hard time forgetting that last one. You felt way too good that whole trip… and I didn't want to let you go." I shared.
"I didn't want you to let me go either," She admitted. Before she asked, "Can you not let me go the rest of the night?"
"Sure," I'd promised first before I reminded her. "But I think we need to change out of these wet clothes first."
And I'll never forget the way she'd said, "Or we could just lose 'em."
"Wait-wha-You mean?"
"Uh huh." She agreed, and I sorta crashed into her bedroom door, and she bumped into with me.
My brain shorted out, "You mean you? And me? We? You want to?"
"Only if you do too." She'd said, "I told you this can only happen when we're both ready. And that still stands, if you're not into it then-"
But I'd stopped her with a kiss and made myself tell her. "No, I want this as much as you, I know I do. But are you sure? Like, no doubt, completely certain."
She'd opened her bedroom door and said, "Sure enough to do this." She pulled me inside, close the door behind us and put her arms over her head. before she added, "And this, can you help me again?"
And I'd slowly helped her out of all of those wet clothes, while she'd helped me out of mine.
It wasn't planned…
It wasn't where I saw tonight going at all.
When I couldn't sleep, when I had been out on her porch beating myself up about NOT punching that prick. I'd had so much on my mind. And this possibility seemed like a distant speck of a fat chance. I really had no idea that I would get to both punch that loser and lose my v-card all in one night.
But I'd carried my baby up those stairs, and I'd made love with her for the very first time after that. I couldn't call it anything else but love, that's what it was. We'd laughed, we'd learned, we shared so much… and there was so much... again, love… I know I'll never be the same… And it was hands down the best night of my life… well, so far.
But I think I've watched too much tv and movies about this. Because I was nervous about the next morning, about Quinn regretting it. Any of it and most of all I was really worried I'd hurt her.
But that ended up being a lot of worry over nothing. Because the only thing better than going to sleep this way. Was waking up with her, and seeing it wasn't all a dream… not this time. All of those things really had happened and I really had FINALLY gotten to be this way with the person I love more than anything or anyone.
I thought she'd been beautiful before in her sleep… but this morning, when she was so relaxed and still holding on to me so tight. Still resting her head on my shoulder too. Fitting against me like a missing puzzle piece under those covers. With nothing between us but smiles… I'd wanted to do anything to keep her there even a second longer. I wanted to make any excuse and fake any sickness to keep us here a little longer. But as the sun rose and all the farm animal sounds started to float through the windows from outside… I knew we needed to be getting up and heading over to the farm. I knew there were people counting on us to show up and help out…
And more than all of this, I knew Quinn wasn't gonna let them down. So I'd decided to wake her up, gently and hopefully not freak her out too much. But as I started to kiss her and tease her to wakefulness… I felt her hand slide down my bare chest, to my hip and down my leg. Till I asked her, "What are you looking for?"
"Clothes," she said squinting her glassesless eyes at me. "It feels like you're not wearing any."
Not one to pass up on any game like this. I took two fingers and ran them down her bare shoulder to the blade, then her hips, the cute curve of her butt and then her bare leg and she'd kept laughing saying it tickled. But it sounded different from any other time I've tickled her. It was sensual as hell!
Even before I said, "Funny, you're not wearing any either."
She smiled so brightly and said, "So that wasn't a dream, we really…"
"Yeah, we really did all that. Are you okay? I know for some girls it hurts the first time. My dad told me that. Seriously are you okay?"
"Yeah," she said putting her arms around me she'd said, "Lola and Lydia both said the same, but baby, you didn't hurt me at all."
"Are you sure?" I had to ask.
She assured, again "Postive."
"No regrets or anything?"
"Nope, not a one... how 'bout you?" She'd said kinda shakily.
I was answering her so fast, "No, I don't regret a thing."
"Are you sure, it happened kinda fast and outta nowhere."
"We wanted natural, that's what we got." I said.
And she'd asked sounding worried, "So you're happy too?"
"Are you kidding? I can't remember ever feeling this happy. Not ever." And I'd kissed her hands cause it was the first thing I could reach. We ended up kissing for a bit before my worries about her, still wouldn't shut up in my head and I told her. "Try moving around, make sure you're still moving okay."
And she tucked the sheets under her arms tightly and started to move all around. She even danced a little jig at the end from where she'd sat up. Just to make me laugh before saying, "See, I'm fine."
"Then what's with the sheet locked tighter around you than Fort Knox?" I had to ask, since this is the woman who had let me take off her shirt last night.
She'd shrugged, "I don't want to blind you first thing in the morning."
"Blind me? What have you got under there a strobe light?" I'd asked while we were both in a tug of war. Her trying to keep the sheet where it was and me trying to make her lose it. But we were both laughing and pulling and it quickly became a game.
She finally admitted, "These are the worst of my scars that happened on the front of my body. Yes, the ones on my back are worse. But I'm really afraid of you seeing any of this in the daylight time… it could seriously leave more than me scarred. Could make you go blind… like looking Medusa in the eye."
I'd corrected, "Medusa would turn me to stone, not make me go blind."
"Oh right, I knew that." She'd liked it way too much that I knew that. I saw it in her smile. Before she was back to, "No way! Not gonna look."
I let go and I'd said, "Okay fine, but can you let me tell you what I think, though?"
"Did you look at it when I was asleep?" She asked shooting me a look.
And I'd answered honestly, "No… because I looked last night. Right in the middle of everything, remember? How I'd stopped everything to tell you how beautiful you are? Quinn I meant every part of you, every… single… inch. You're perfect to me and you always will be… and last night was the best thing to ever happen to me… it was the best night of my entire life."
"Mine too." She admitted.
So I told her, "Then unclench these shoulders, give me a hug and don't think you ever have to be self-conscience around me… ever. Okay?"
"Okay." She said, rushing to hug me but still forcing that sheet between us stubbornly.
When I tried to pull it out again she said, "Logan it's early, but if you pull this sheet out from between us. More than my injuries are gonna be obvious."
"What else are you hiding?" I'd asked with a grin.
She did that thing where she bit her lip too so I knew she was hiding something else that she didn't want me to know. But I yanked and tugged, till she said my name like a complaint.
"Lo-GAN!"
"Tell me, or I'll yank till I see for myself," I warned with a laugh… nothing could ruin this for me right now. This morning was already too good and fun.
Finally, Quinn said, "Fine!" All flustered and red-faced. "I also don't want you to look at me… because if you saw my chest right now you'd see-"
"What?" I nuzzled her and kissed her neck and shoulders.
She finally said with some effort, "You'll see that I'm really turned on right now… like I really really want to be with you again. Like right now-"
"What's wrong with that," I'd laughed and warmed the skin at the back of her neck. As I talked and breathed.
"Because, we-" she leaned in closer and said in a whisper. "We were at it all night."
"Yeaaaaah, we were." I'd said, still way too happy about it. I'd shrugged, "So?"
"So, I know I shouldn't feel this way, I should be set. For life probably, and you have to be tired of it. Tired of me… Ti-tired of… something I forget… Logan that's not fair, Oh GOD!"
I chuckled into her hair and the warm sound relaxed her shoulders. Allowing me to pull the sheets free and feast my eyes finally. And if she had been red before, her face was closer to purple now. And I found out that that blush isn't always just on her face.
"Hmm," I looked her over hungerly while she covered her face with both of her hands. A complete blushing, laughing, mess of hair and laughter in our pillows. Even after all we did last night. She's still shy about this? Sounds like I've still got work to do.
I agreed with her assessment, "Yep! You want me, there's no denying that."
"See! I told you it was way obvious." She said, distorting the sounds with her hands.
I immediately got to work giving this area I'd worked so hard to expose ALL of my attention. Claiming "Let's see if I can help the situation any."
"No, don't!" She'd said pushing on me, not because she didn't want me to, but because she was trying to reason with herself. "I think if you even touch me right now I'm gonna be a goner."
"Again, where's bad?" I asked, "It's what we both want? Isn't it?"
"It's embarrassing." She'd finally said as I got her hands away from her face.
"Even when we both want it?" I asked.
"YES!" she said before I used everything I'd learned last night and during all of our make out sessions and fooling around together. I used it all till she wasn't embarrassed anymore, and I knew she was just as crazy for me as I knew I was for her. All the while throwing myself over the falls too. But I'd never gone happier, and I cornered her quickly. Asking, "Don't you think we have time for one more round?"
She'd nodded her head up and down and smiled so beautifully as she pulled me to her. Wrapping me in the covers, her arms, her legs and she'd kissed me so tenderly. It was heartbreaking and whispered, "We can be late…"
I'd kissed her and said, "We're gonna be really late."
But she was already lost, "So Late... Oh Baby!… We can be so late today… Aww, baby… Just love me… just please, don't stop… God! I love you… so much..."
And then I was lost… loving her with everything I had… everything in me…
So we'd spent the rest of our night last night and most of this next morning, loving each other in this new way.
And I wouldn't trade a second of it… not for the world.
She's ruined me for anyone else, I can't even think other girl names today, after that. Ladies, who I've looked at everyday, and KNOW their names. Were all blanks today. She's wiped them all from my mind. And she was the only one on my mind… my only one… I know it. And there's no way I'm ever gonna let myself forget that. I love her way too much for that. I can't mess this up, now more than ever. This has to LAST, I'm determined for this to go the distance. Just as determined as I am to achieve all of the other things I want to do in my life… None of it can happen if she's not with me. Not anymore… probably never could.
And my touchy-feelyness around her has been kicked into a new gear. We were pretty mushy before, but after last night... I felt like she was part of me, and I was part of her… Like she'd left a part of herself inside of me and it was made of pure sunshine. And we were inseparable.
THANK GOD, all of the farm family thought we'd just been sleeping in, after that late night bust. That happened right beside Quinn's house more so than Irvine's. They were so busy calling us heroes that no one questioned anything further… at least on my end they didn't. I hope Quinn says the same, I think she would have told me otherwise.
But right after lunchtime was when all of the little monkey wrenches started to show up. And throw themselves into the works. So that our first night together was looking more and more like it could be our ONLY night together, like this. EVER! And no, I'm not even being the least bit overdramatic, here.
Like Monkey wrench number ONE! And the BIGGEST one too was. Quinn's Dad came home from India, BIG surprise for everyone. Which is great for Quinn she hasn't seen her dad in the longest time and I know they're pretty close.
He's been traveling the longest time trying make things work. In his marriage, but he finished his job in India and instead of continuing to chase after his wife, who never stops globetrotting, like she's determined to leave him in the dust. He came home for his baby brother's wedding, to be one of his groomsmen. And to see his daughter be the maid of honor for the first time.
Don't get me wrong, I'm so glad he did that, for Irvine, Marion, and Quinn. But you understand how that makes it impossible for me to be with her like I was last night. Since he's staying with us in Quinn's house too… I can't even sleep beside her while he's around… and that's all JUST monkey wrench number one!
It's the biggest one, but not the ONLY one!
Monkey wrenches TWO and THREE! Are these grandparents of Quinn's who have been making such a big stink about the wedding. Not wanting to come to it, not liking Marion, too worried about what their friends would think… Well, they're here now too. And staying in a hotel, thank GOD. Quinn's Dad had stopped over to pick them up and make them look like total HEELS to ALL of their friends. For not only for treating Irvine and Marion the way they have. But Mr. Pensky had absolutely leveled them for how they had treated Quinn, and what they had put her through. Calling them callous and cruel, and since these were his own parents, I guess they finally straightened up.
SERVES them RIGHT!
They're not happy about ANY of it… so that should be GREAT during the wedding, and rehearsal dinner. All of that hostlity and tension… just really put this wedding into a place more like the weddings I'm used to… the dramatic ones that leave a lot people amazed they survived it to tell the tale. Even more shocked when the ceremony is successful. But I didn't DARE tell Quinn that, she was under enough pressure as it is. But it can be something we'll laugh about together when we're going to all of those other weddings this summer.
Quinn's other grandma was here too, her mom's mom... but she was so sweet and kept sneaking me and Quinn snacks. And saying how cute a couple we were. So I won't call her a monkey wrench. She was just too sweet. (And yes, this is her grandma from the movie)
Monkey wrenches FOUR and FIVE! Are Quinn's twin cousins from Nebraska who arrived today too. They're thirteen and both have the hots for me. And only one of them was a girl! They keep getting between us and I'm ready to ream them both!
Monkey wrenches SIX and SEVEN! Paulina and Gleb are here tonight for pizza and helping to dance classes. Paulina and Gleb are the pro dancers that were helping Quinn and me teach our classmates and anyone else at PCA who wanted to know how to dance better before the prom. And even though they're my friends, doing this out of the kindness of their hearts for no more than some shared pizza. I have to say they're both monkey wrenches for stealing Quinn away from me too much while they're here…
Even if they did make up for it by pairing us up a bunch too.
Paulina telling everyone. "Watch them, this is what we call, natural chemistry."
While Gleb added, "These two have been burning up dance floors together for months and MONTHS! They've even taught us a thing or twelve."
It wasn't as easy school, with all our classmates staring, and teachers watching us. Not with Quinn's Dad eyeing me, like he was planning my murder as I stole the show with his daughter. But thankfully Quinn was so AMAZING, his focus couldn't stay on me long.
It was nice seeing the pros again, and they did light Quinn up too.
But monkey wrench number EIGHT, happened WAY before our dance classes began, when we were supposed to be warming up and stretching together. And Stacey had called Quinn in tears… she'd had a terrible fight with Mark. Because her pet duck is sick, and Mark just doesn't care. As she's worrying away about a pet she loves and ALL of the Del Figgalo family have been talking about cooking the duck for dinner too. And not in a kidding or trying to be funny way either, that has totally freaked Stacey out.
As if things needed to get worse, Mark said Stacey, 'Was no one's friend, really. Just a charity case everyone took pity on.' and he was 'Guilty of it too.'
He'd said this when he was talking to a neighbor about Stacey, and she'd overheard that. And now was so hurt, she didn't want to stay there anymore.
Poor thing was even wondering if the PCA parking lot was really all that bad. In comparison.
And this is the girl he thinks he loves?! And he treats her like this? What the hell is wrong with him? Seriously?! First he dumps Quinn for Brooke, and treats Quinn terrible for months on end. He gets dumped by Brooke right before prom, makes peace with Quinn, and they're kinda friends again. He tells everyone how he wants to be with Stacey now, but then he treats her like this? Even after I heard Zoey threatening to let Martinez castrate him if he hurt ANY girl EVER again ESPECIALLY Stacey!
Seriously, what is his problem?
Quinn was still listening to Stacey while mouthing to me that 'she didn't know what to do.' But 'she needs help.' and I couldn't agree more.
She even pulled me aside and said, "I want to help her, I really do. But I don't see how we can. And if I get James and Lydia to take her, Lola will make her feel even worse than she does right now. Caring less than even Mark does."
"Want me to ask if it's cool for her to come here?" I'd asked, in a whisper.
"Could you? I don't think I can hang up." She whispered back.
I told her, "Don't do that, let me go ask your dad and Irvine if he doesn't mind an extra body at the wedding."
Now given, I could have shrugged this one off and avoided this monkey wrench altogether. But this was Stacey… you know? Stacey who was my Prom date and still happy for me when I yelled that I was in love with someone else. Stacey who'd told me something new about Quinn every day while I had to be away from her. Some story I didn't know, or some story Quinn had shared with her I didn't know… She didn't have to do any of those things, but she's a good person… even if a weird one.
And even if she wasn't my BEST friend… she is a good friend… and bottom line, no girl deserved to be treated like that. So I told Quinn to, "Keep her busy just a little longer, keep her talking, let me see if I can work some magic."
And I walked around the corner to see if any of my dad's drivers could help us out. And one was nearby that could pick up Stacey and bring her here. So after clearing it with Quinn's Dad and Uncle. I came back to Quinn and asked, "Still Stacey?"
She nodded and handed me the phone when I put my hand out. I told her, "Stacey?… Stacey. Calm down."
She was just a wreck on the other end. But I kept talking anyway. "I'm sending one of our cars for you. Okay? A driver named 'Miles' is gonna pick you up, he works for my dad, and he's gonna bring you here, okay? You can stay with us, and we can help you take care of the duck. Okay? If we can't figure it out, Irvine, Quinn's uncle can probably help, or get us to someone who can. Just pack up your stuff, with whatever the duck could need till you get here, and don't even worry about it okay? It's gonna be alright."
And Quinn was squeezing my hand and thanking me, almost as much as Stacey was. I told them both, "Don't worry about it, what are friends for?" Even if it was hard to remember Stacey was still on the phone with me, when Quinn had stolen a quick kiss.
After last night it just carried a different weight… STILL! And my focus was SHOT. I hadn't let it end so quickly either. I still somehow managed to tell her. "Just pack up everything, Miles should be there in another five minutes. He'll be in a black Cadillac with tinted windows-"
Quinn said into the mouthpiece, "He's not shady even if that car description was, he's really nice."
And I realized that car probably did sound suspicious. So I assured Stacey too, "Yeah! He's good people, he used to help me an Quinn sneak around for dates. He even got Chase from the airport to PCA on our Prom night. He's good people, just calm down, breathe, everything's gonna be alright."
Stacey said, "Thank you so much Quinn and Logan! You're both lifesavers." And she did sound calmer when she hung up and was heading someplace with SO much animal know-how. But before Quinn and I could get even a second to recover from that… The pizzas were ordered for a set time, our Pro friends were here with their cute little kids, and we needed to get ready for the dance classes.
So we'd both needed to get up and help teach AGAIN. Like we had all of those weeks before Prom… And Quinn was even moving better, so she got to dance way more than she had during our last class when I first got here.
Everyone was having so much fun, that the dance classes became a mini party. Everyone was still dancing and having fun… And Paulina and Gleb were now invited to the rehearsal dinner and wedding too. They'd hit it off so well with Quinn's family... even the still stewing grandparents. Paulina had gotten them laughing and showing off what they knew on the dancefloor.
When Stacey arrived, (Is it me? Or did that seem to pass a lot quicker for Stacey than it did for me? I'm getting Miles to drive from now on.) she came running at Quinn and me and hugged us both. Thanking us and everyone who had any part in letting her come. Before Irvine, Marion and their vet friend Dr. Rosett dropped everything to take a quick look at Stacey's duck and put it in a place where it would get looked after by pros till he was feeling better. And even socialize with some other ducks too. Which seemed to have been a factor for him too.
Before Stacey too was treated to pizza and dancing with Quinn's other cousin from Missouri. Named "Maverick." He was very quiet, but seemed nice. He wore cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, and had a great beard even if he was just turned twenty… When he mentioned the only dance he knew how to dance was "the two step." before today.
Stacey told him he'd have to "Prove it." She'd won a contest in Mississippi with her "Two-step."
I took as MANY pictures as I could. Of Stacey having fun.
When my girlfriend asked me 'What I was doing?'
I had to share. "Mark probably won't even realize Stacey's gone. I want him to feel the BURN this time."
Quinn tried to warn me, "Good luck with that."
Nobody knew better than her, how unfeeling and unphased Mark can be by his own carelessness. And AGAIN, I had to ask her. "WHY are we friends with him again."
Quinn had answered immediately, "He's not all bad… he can just be… so bad. I can't even lie about that-"
"No, you can't." I said for her. Still wishing I could erase how badly she'd been hurt by this same supposed 'friend.' That made me so much angrier than even what he'd done to Stacey.
How could anyone hurt Quinn that way? I couldn't imagine it then and I really can't now…
Quinn had the easier side of this at least, since Stacey was appearing with her. She didn't have so much explaining and arguing to do… to get Mark to realize he messed up! BIG! I even told Quinn to please let the other girls know EXACTLY what's up. Let's see if any of their threats are legit.
When the time for the video chat meet up came. We had to bail on the party, and try to get to get back in time for the meet up with our friends… Even if the meeting was virtual.
The girls did their setup upstairs in Quinn's room. And I did mine in the spare room downstairs, where I really would be staying tonight. Quinn's Dad was already watching me like a hawk, much worse than Irvine. I think if he even caught me tip toeing up the stairs, he might come at me with his hammer collection… it was impressively hanging on his garage wall. But I did not want to die that way. So I'm not risking it…
Really! I'm not…
I just have to keep telling myself this.
Thank goodness Micheal was running the guy's side of things tonight. So I could ask him to let everyone else get online before Mark. So I can tell the others, what's up. Thank goodness I was the second guy he'd invited. And I'd caught him just before he could invite Del Figgs.
Michael even sassed me, "Alright, man! We all here. What do you want to tell us before Mark gets here?"
"Stacey's not there with him anymore, she's here in Seattle with us-" I said as all of them were reacting.
"Really?" Vince and james said at the same time, they're syncing up so much now it's scary.
While Chase just asked, "Is she alright?"
"No! He hurt her and she called us all devastated. Her pet's sick and she over heard Mark talking about her to a neighbor and she was so hurt. She couldn't stop crying. So I got one of my dad's drivers to pick her up and give her a lift here, she's been here a few hours and I will bet money. That mark hasn't even noticed that Stacey's gone."
All of the guys agreed with me but Chase who said, "Now hold on guys. We could have this all wrong and it could all just be a misunderstanding… we haven't heard Mark's side of things and there is a law that says, innocent until proven guilty, right?"
I had to tell them, "Even when Stacey's worried about her sick pet duck and all his family keeps planning to have him for dinner?"
Chase even said, "Oh my GOD!"
And the others all were grossed out too.
I reminded him and everyone else, "This is Mark we're talking about. The guy who has already broken Quinn's heart. Excuse me for expecting nothing but more bull shit from him."
Michael swayed, "I don't know, maybe Chase is right. And there really is more to the story."
I admitted, "I really hope you're right too. Don't get me wrong, but 20 bucks says he hasn't even noticed Stace is gone."
Vince let everyone know, "Hey guys, Mark's IMing me, asking 'why isn't anyone inviting him yet'… and asking 'do I know what's up?' 'Wasn't Micheal running it?' and 'did he forget me?'"
"Let 'em in Michael." Chase said same time as me.
Michael said, "Okay - okay - okay - OKAY! Cheese and Rice, y'all getting all demanding up in here! He's INVITED! Just waiting for him to accept now."
It took another few minutes for him to show up, and even then. He was eating a plain baked potato wrapped up in a paper towel. Wearing his ever blank expression asking. "Did you guys forget about me?"
"No, man!" Vince covered. "Micheal just had a hard time sending all the invites for some reason."
James helped out, "Yeah, and we had a hard time logging in for some reason too. Must be a glitch."
And Mark agreed easily, "Yeah, my computer's been super glitchy all day. I was downloading a new war game, the sci-club guys want me to join their team on. It's taken most of the day to get it all loaded, now my PC hates me."
Chase simplified, "So you've been on your computer most of today?"
"I just said that, yeah." He shrugged.
"How's Stacey?" James asked.
"Why are you asking about her?" Mark asked taking another big bite of potato.
"Well, she is there with you, and she is our friend too." Vince reasoned.
Mark finally said, after a long pause, "She's fine, why?"
Chase lied and said, "Well, we were all just talking about the girls with us. Zoey's all excited to go bowling with her grandparents tomorrow. And she's even more excited about heading to Hawaii this weekend."
"Yeah!" Michael chimed in, "And Little Lisa's ALL excited about getting to Memphis tomorrow. Then spending time showing me around her stomping grounds."
"Is Stacey excited about anything, right now?" James lined him up for a chance to show he hasn't been completely giving Stacey the shaft.
But, of course, Mark's answer this question was, "How should I know?"
Chase, really wanting him to not come off as a total assbag. And sinking in quicksand fast over this. Said, "Mark… I want you to think for a second. Think really hard now, have to talked to Stacey… at all… today?"
"I saw her at breakfast, why do you ask?" He took a sip of milk through a straw.
Am I the only one who feels like I'm losing my mind here. Trying to contain my absolute fury. At these answers?
"Because, Mark!" Michael pointed out. "You took Stacey home with you, you said you'd like to date her. Have you spent anytime with her at all since she got there?"
"Sure, but why are you guys asking me this?" He asked, before I couldn't hold it anymore and I lost it.
"Because she's HERE, you asshole!" I said.
He answered right away, "No, she isn't. She's probably chatting with the girls in her room. They're all chatting together now too, you know?"
"NO! I mean STACEY'S - HERE! In SEATTLE! With Quinn and Me!" I spelled out.
And he finally said, "She is? She didn't tell me she was… wait-... That must be what she was trying to tell me when I told her I couldn't talk… Are you guys helping her with her duck? She's been crying about him all day."
"She wasn't JUST crying about her pet, Del Figgs." I let him know. "She says you guys had a fight and she then she overheard you telling someone she was 'nobody's friend and nothing but a charity case!'"
"I didn't say that about her." He swore.
I threw back, "Then why does she say you did? Or think you did?"
"I was talking about my neighbor who's also named Stacey, an old mean woman who lives on my block. She's who my neighbor was asking about…I wasn't talking about OUR Stacey. I would never say anything like that about her." He said all blank-faced still, not one bit of emotion.
And I was pissed for Stacey's sake. Too many times, he acts misunderstood like this and still shits the bed when you forgive him. I've seen it too many times and I have HAD it! For both Stacey and QUINN!
So I stayed firm, "Well, she thinks you did, she called Quinn and me all to pieces. And I sent a car for her, she packed her things and her duck, left the house. Our driver drove her here (which took HOURS) and she got here a good while ago and YOU - NEVER - EVEN - NOTICED - SHE - WAS - GONE! Or HURT! Mad or SAD, MARK! And after ALL you did to Quinn too this year. Just what the hell is WRONG with you?! Why does everyone around you eventually get treated like this? Why do we keep misunderstanding too many things that all have to do with you?"
Finally a little rattled, He said shakily, "I don't know- I wish I did… but I don't know myself." Then he asked, "Can I talk to her?"
"No." I put my foot down, "No you can't. I'm not gonna run and make her more hurt or confused than she already is. Not till you get your shit together, and straighten this out. Whatever it is that makes you treat people the way you do. We all warned you we were not gonna let you hurt anyone else the way you hurt Quinn and I'm keeping that promise right now. You take some time and work on you while we've got Stacey and we're taking care of her. When Quinn and me come to work on 'Mystic Mountain'… Not this week about to start but the following week. Hopefully we'll have Stacey with us, and THEN, you can explain. But this can't keep happening Mark. She deserves better than this and so do you."
Believe it or not, not only did Mark agree to this. But he still stuck around for the rest of the chat. Not nearly as smartalike or full of himself either… When he did sign out, all of the guys were raving, thinking we'd broke through to him.
But I'll still believe it when I see it… I've seen too much of what he put Quinn through. And even if she's too nice to be bitter most of the time. I'm way more petty and glad to keep a grudge for her.
But not long after I signed off and was laying across my bed with my arms behind my head. I heard a knock on the door that I knew was Quinn, before I could even see her.
"Yeah?" I said loud enough for her to hear me.
And I heard her ask, "Can I come in?"
"Just you?"
I could hear her smiling too, "Yes, just me… for now."
"Come on in." I said, and she'd walked in and just climbed right on top of me. Giving me a few greeting kisses before curling into my side and saying. "I knew today would be busy, but I had no clue it would be this nuts."
"Me either," I'd admitted. "But after last night, nothing surprises me anymore."
She'd smacked me and shushed me all bug-eyed and adorable behind those glasses. I said, "What? It's just us. And you've gotta admit, I have been really good all day… especially since I know I won't even get to be next to you tonight."
"No, not while Dad's here, anyways." She'd said like it was killing her too. She even said, "I already miss you so much, and it's not even time for sleep yet."
"Yeah, me too." I had to tease, "I'm gonna miss your heartbeat, your warmth, and the way you breathe."
"Don't you mean almost snore?" She corrected.
"All of it." I told her.
She looked me in the eye and said, "And I'm gonna miss your snuggles, your heartbeat, and feet."
"My feet?" That was a new one.
"Yeah, mine are always cold and yours are always warm." She explained. And GOD! I did not want to let her go. I just wanted to trap her and keep her here with me. To hell with Stacey, I just spent the last several hours helping her, can't I get a little something here?
But as if she really was set on some cue I didn't know about. Stacey chose that moment to knock and ask. "Do you guys need another minute or can I come in?"
"Come back tomorrow." I said as Quinn swat me again.
"He's kidding, Come in Stace!"
She said, "I'm baking some cookies, to say thanks. You guys want some before bed?"
So we may not get to sleep side by side, and we may need to keep everything way more G-rated for a little while. But at least we got cookies, that had even made Quinn's Dad smile… a little.
And even though it finally happened between us. Quinn and me were each other's firsts, LAST night… Finally… now I have no idea when it will ever happen again! And it's SO hard keeping my hands to myself whenever she's close…
So I traded one hell for another… lucky me. And now that I know what it's like to love her like that… It's ALWAYS on my mind. ALWAYS!
And so much worse than all of that… I can read her like a book and I can see when it's on her mind too… AHHHHHG!
Pray for us, that Quinn can be the perfect maid of honor. Like she's trying to be...
And we can keep this new milestone a secret between us...
That I don't piss off all of these strong male family members she's got protecting her right now. Because I can't keep my hands to myself too...
Yeah, I'm really gonna need a prayer.
That's All Folks!
Well, for this chapter anyways. But don't worry more will come next week, AND it will be Quinn's perspective. She almost had a little bit of this chapter… But the chapter would have gotten too long and only been all about one scene only… even if it was the best scene. All of Quinn's take on things next time, more on what went on here, plus the rehearsals for the wedding, and rehearsal dinner are all gonna be something else. Can't wait to share that all next time, till then. Hope you liked it, please write in if you get a chance. I would love to hear from you. Hope you're having a GREAT week! Take Care and Much Love!
~DarcyBeDippy85!