Good-Bye
Author: dreamweaver99
Title: Good-Bye .
Disclaimer: I don’t own anyone.
Part: One Shot & Final Shot
Pairing: Shannon/?
Summary: Everyone needs closure - even me
Comments: I haven’t posted here for a long time and this will most likely be my last DWTS Fan Fiction. I’m leaving a lot to my reader’s imagination with this final chapter but I think that’s a good thing. We can think what we want. Please remember, dear readers, that this is wholly & entirely a work of fiction that was born in my rather bizarre mind. Please leave comments as they are always appreciated.
GOOD-BYE
“Bye.” Shannon ended the call, a soft smile lingering as she laid her cell phone down next to her. It was late, very late but there were so many pleasant thoughts tumbling around in her mind that sleep would have to wait. The phone call was from an old friend who had recently re-entered her life and by all indications he was on the fast track to becoming a very special friend. Since they were not on the same coast tonight, he had called to wish Shannon a happy birthday. She could still hear his heartfelt regrets and sweet wishes for her tomorrows.
“I’m so lucky.” She thought to herself. “We have the same beliefs, the same hopes and dreams, the same passion for the causes dear to us.” He surprised her when she left for the East Coast by driving her to the airport. She remembered being touched and then when he hugged her, kissed her softly and said he would miss her - she was amazed at how safe and right she felt in his arms. Still, this relationship would be a work in progress, neither one of them in a hurry but enjoying the journey as it unfolds. Both had loved deeply in the past and been hurt when that love was rejected.
She was startled from her daydreams by her phone’s ringtone. “I wonder what he forgot to tell me” was the thought that popped into her mind as she reached out to pick up her call. “Oh!” Surprise & confusion took the place of her smile as she saw a number she recognized but hadn’t seen for a long time.
“Hi.” Her voice was tentative and a bit guarded.
“Happy Birthday Babe! Wish I could have been there to tell you that in person.”
“Thank you - but I really didn’t expect to hear from you tonight or actually any other time. I thought we had moved on.”
“Yeah, well, here’s the thing. I thought we moved on too but I can’t seem to do it.”
“Seriously? How can you say that? It was your idea!!!”
“I know, I know - I was a fool. I still love you Shannon. I love you & miss you like crazy. I miss the dogs too but I miss you most of all and I want us to try again. Can we please try again? Please? I promise you it will be different this time.”
Shannon bit her lip as tears pricked her eyes. “I can’t. I can’t do this again and no, don’t say anything, let me finish. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve wished you would have said that to me? If you had said it to me last fall, I would have said yes. If you would have said it to me last Christmas the answer would have been the same and even when I came back to LA in January, I would have considered it. But you had another agenda and you have no idea how hard it’s been for me to move on but I did. I’m seeing a great guy and you know what, I’m falling in love with him. He knows me without even trying and I’m happy. So - no, we can’t try again.”
The seconds stretched out in silence - only a short amount time but it seemed like forever before Shannon heard that very familiar voice whisper her name.
“Shannon, sweetheart - I love you. I will always love you. I’m so sorry for everything.”
“I’m sorry too. I gave you my heart and my love and you hurt me. I can’t risk that again. What I felt for you was too powerful so the only thing I can say to you is good-bye. Please be careful with the next woman who falls in love with you. You won’t get too many extra chances at this. I hope you find someone who makes you happy.”
“Good bye sweetheart. Take care of yourself - wish I had done a better job.”
“Bye”
Shannon let out a sob as she ended the call and let the tears fall. She cried for what might have been, for causing someone she loved pain tonight but mostly she cried because it was finally over and this was closure. “If only, if only” she thought to herself “if only it could have worked out differently.” She sighed and reached for her phone, intent on calling one of her good friends, hoping that would make her feel better. Her cell phone almost fell from her fingers, as the ring tone blared out once again.
“Oh no - please don’t be him again.” As she glanced at her screen, a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“Hi - I thought you’d be in bed by now!”
“Hi yourself! What’s wrong? You sound a little down. Have you been crying?”
“I’m OK! Really I am! Yes I was crying but only because I was trying to deal with some issues and now that I've resolved them & moved on, I'm in a good place.”
“As long as you are OK. I don’t want to see my pretty lady crying.”
Shannon smiled at his words. “Sweet talker! I’m fine - so you’re calling because…..?
Suddenly the voice became unsure & a little shy. “Well I was sitting here and it occurred to me that I don’t have anything at all on my calendar for next few days. So I was wondering if maybe….I mean I know you’re only in New York for a few days…..but I was thinking that if you don’t mind, I could fly out and we could spend some time together. But you’ll be busy, won’t you? Bad idea.”
Shannon laughed because this wonderful, confident, self assured guy who never stammered was stumbling over his words like a clumsy oaf. “Stop - I’d love to see you! I’ll even pick you up at the airport. How’s that for deal? When does your flight leave?”
“Actually I’m really glad you said that because I’m in the air even as we speak. I’ll be there in about 3 hours. Shannon - I can’t wait to see you.”
“Neither can I. See you soon.”
Shannon was smiling as she ended the call, smiling as she freshened up, smiling on the cab ride to the airport and on her way to the concourse. If anyone had asked, the cabbie would have said his fare was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. He also would have said that she seemed to have a glow. And he was a bit envious as well because surely that glow could only come from being in love. Climbing back into his cab, preparing to wait for his next passengers, he could be heard to mutter…”Lucky guy….”