CHAPTER 2:
In late February, Cat was getting ready for work, with Tori's help.
"So, the blue top or purple?" Cat asked nervously. "Hair up or down?"
"Definitely the blue top, and hair down is fine," Tori advised. "And relax, Cat, I'm sure you'll do fine!"
"You think so?" Cat asked, sounding doubtful. "We've got some really big clients coming today, and my boss Ryleigh really wants this to go well."
"You'll do fine!" Tori said. "Could you show me those design sketches again?"
"Sure, they are in the drawer," Cat said as she put on her heels.
"Ooh, yes, they are lovely," Tori replied as she looked them over one by one. "I especially love the green evening wear."
"So does everyone else," Cat admitted shyly. "God, I love my job."
"I'm very proud of you." Tori smiled. "You're one month in, and you've got a great job doing something you adore."
"And what about you? I adore that you're pursuing your acting dreams!" Cat added quickly. "You'll make it big one day."
"Oh, I sure do hope so," Tori said.
In the beginning of March, Jade was in Beck's RV talking about their future plans together.
She rested her head on his shoulder. "Why can't we have kids?" she asked, bringing up a subject that had troubled her a few hours ago.
"I have nothing against being a father," Beck said. "I'm just worried because when we were in high school, a lot of people were afraid to talk to you. If we have a child, I don't want people to be scared to approach him or her too. I would want our child to feel welcomed with open arms," he explained.
"So you think I'm scary?" Jade asked, gently.
"Sometimes," Beck admitted.
"Beck, believe it or not, I've always thought about having a child of my own," Jade sighed. "My mom and I never had a good relationship. She and my dad split when I was really young, and I just never built a relationship with her. And I don't know…" She paused. "I'm not honestly scary by nature, you should know that," she said, looking up at him and then away. "Besides, they say that having children changes people."
"Hmm," Beck said, considering, going quiet for a minute. Jade really wasn't as scary as people made her out to be. "Well - maybe you're right," he conceded. "They do say that."
"So – are you open to giving it a go?" Jade asked, wondering if that was properly phrased.
"If you really think we can handle it, then I don't see why not," Beck said.
In the middle of March, Beck was working behind the coffee counter at the mall, greeting customer after customer and getting their orders.
Some new customers walked up to the counter. When Beck looked up to greet them, he was surprised. "Mom? Dad?" he asked. "What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk, Beck," Francine said with a smile. Beck looked at her curiously. Then he glanced over at his boss, who gave the nod for him to take a break.
"So what's up?" Beck asked as his parents and he took a table.
"It's about Blake," George answered.
Beck sighed, suddenly aware of what they wanted to talk about. "What about him?" he asked.
"Isn't it time that you mended fences with him?" Francine asked her son.
"It's not something I can forget or forgive," Beck replied. "He made a move on my fiancee, and besides, he's always hated my guts."
"Maybe you two can try to talk it out?" George suggested. "He's actually flying in, in April."
"Wait, why?" Beck asked, curious.
"For your wedding in May, of course," Francine said.
"Oh," Beck said simply.
"Have you decided on who's going to be your best man yet?" George asked.
"Andre," Beck answered. "He's flying into L.A in May."
"And if he can't make it?" Francine said.
"He'll make it, Mom," Beck replied firmly. He saw the disappointed looks on his parent's faces and realized that maybe he should make up with Blake for their sake. He didn't especially want to, but he didn't like seeing his parents unhappy. "You say Blake is flying in next month?"
"Yeah," Francine said.
"I'll see what he and I can figure out," Beck said, reluctantly giving in. "Not about the best man – that's going to be Andre for sure – but about other things."
"That's good enough." Francine smiled.