BSC/Heroes Fic: Stacey Loves the Invisible Man (10/14)
Title: Stacey Loves the Invisible Man (10/14)
Author: nutmeg610 & toxic_corn
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: BSC/Heroes crossover
Disclaimer: Neither The Baby-sitter's Club books, nor Heroes belong to us. They belong to Scholastic Books, Ann M. Martin, and NBC.
Summary: Stacey McGill leads a pretty mundane life in NYC. She works as a temp after a failed attempt at a modeling career, but at least she lives with her best friend, Claudia Kishi. Still, that's not enough to make Stacey think there isn't something missing in her life. She's calmed down over the years, now not nearly as boy-crazy as she once was, but thinks perhaps it's time to find her own hero. She finds more than she expected when her path crosses that of the Invisible Man.
Author's Note: The next series in a long line of crackfic, my friends! Follows Your Boyfriend Snorts Cocaine, Mary Anne, Wanna Get It On, Dawn?, and Kristy and the Doctor.
Round Up Post
It's so beautiful here! I've taken tons of pictures that I'll put up on Flicker once I get back, because I know you won't stop pleading with me until I do. Claude says hi. Ok, I've got to go. He's taking me on a country drive this afternoon!
~ postcard from Stacey McGill to Mary Anne Shelten
Claude and Stacey sat down together on the couch after coming back from a movie. Stacey covered her mouth as she yawned and Claude pushed her hair back behind her ear.
"The movie wasn't that long."
She smiled. "I know. It's just been a long day with work and everything." She snuggled back against the couch and gazed up at him.
Leaning closer to her, he teasingly said, "Gonna kiss you, petal..."
"Okay, IIIIIIIIIIIII'm ready!" she said back to him.
"Hmmm. Should I tilt my head left...?" He paused and tilted his head that way, "Or right...?" He tilted his head it that direction next.
"Mmmm... right."
Keeping his head in place, he added, "And should this be a quick kiss or a slow one?"
"Sloooooooooow."
"And then we say goodnight and part ways?"
"Nuh uh."
"No?"
"Nope."
"Cuz you'd miss me?" he asked, fishing for compliments because living the life he had, he liked to hear how much he was wanted.
She rubbed the tip of her nose against his, giving him Eskimo kisses. "Yes, sir."
He stroked her hair and then gave her the slow kiss she'd requested, before resting his forehead against hers. "May as well move in here, I spend so much time here."
Stacey opened her eyes and bit her lip excitedly. "I'd like that."
"Claudia would love it." he muttered dryly.
"Well, she's my best friend and she loves me, so I know she'll understand."
"Don't worry about it, I was only joking." he replied, even though he was longing to move in with her.
"Oh, you... wouldn't want to? I was liking the idea."
"Yeah? It sounded a bit like I invited myself." He shrugged awkwardly.
Stacey captured his bottom lip inbetween her teeth, nibbling it gently for a second, before pulling back. "Claude, pending a conversation with Claudia to make sure it's okay, would you like to move in with me?"
He could only stare at her in awe for a moment, before he urged his neck muscles to work and he nodded.
With a giddy look, she peppered his face with kisses, while he could only manage to hug her back, hands shaking a little because he couldn't help but believe he was the luckiest bastard in existance to have her.
Stacey dropped her face into his neck and kept right on kissing him, excited to reach a new point in their relationship.
A thought suddenly formed in Claude's mind, and he spontaneously said, "Come to England with me."
She pulled back, obviously surprised and confused. "Huh?"
He cupped her face in his hand and his own face was practically glowing. "Let's go to England. I'll show you where I grew up and everything."
Stacey was amazed by the look on his face. She had rarely seen it look so open and expressive. From time to time, she'd do or say something that caused him to look that way, but more often than not, his face had a guarded look to it. "I'd love to, but how can you leave the country? You can't get a passport."
"I'm the invisible man, aren't I?" he answered lightly. "I've been thinking about it, and I can get on a plane easily. You'll just buy two tickets on a red-eye flight so there'll be no one next to you. Then you can maybe stretch out across my lap, get some sleep...." He trailed off, looking excited.
"I think... that is the greatest idea anyone's ever had ever!" Stacey exclaimed. "When should we go?"
"Soon." he replied without missing a beat, with a hint of excited urgency in his voice.
"Okay, I'll see when I can take my vacation days."
He presented her with his brilliant smile, rarely seen unless he was laughing aloud, and smoothed his hands down her hair. "My petal."
"Sure am." she replied, matching his smile with one of her own.
He rubbed a strand of her hair inbetween his fingers. "For how long?"
"How long should we go for? I'll try for a week but my boss may get testy--"
"That's not what I--" he started to say, but then gave up and sighed. "Can't have a testy boss."
Stacey blinked, slowly piecing it together. "Wait, what did you mean? How long will I be yours?" She looked surprised he would even ask such a thing. "Forever, of course."
He gave a small smile, liking the answer but unable to let himself believe it since she was so young. "Well, I'll be sleeping easier now."
Satisfied, she nodded. "Good!"
His smile became a little more sincere. "With you draped all over me like I'm your personal body pillow."
She giggled. "You sleep best that way and you know it!" Then she gave him a light poke in the chest.
"I do. Even when you talk in your sleep." he replied, eyes twinkling mischievously and all thoughts of how long she'd be his forgotten.
Her mouth dropped open, like she was scandalized. "I do not!"
"It's sweet, really. You say my name and I talk back to you but it never makes much sense."
A blush spread across her cheeks. "I didn't know I did that. Sorry if I wake you."
He gently traced a finger down her cheek. "Oh, she blushes. It doesn't bother me, petal. I have wonderful conversations with you."
"What do you say to unconscious Stacey?
"Depends on what unconscious Stacey says to me."
"Well, give me an example."
"Hmmm. Take last night. I woke up to you saying my name and I said, 'What is it, petal?' And you told me that I needed to hoist the rigging."
A mixed look of embarrassment and horror spread across her face. "Oh God, please tell me I wasn't dreaming about us being on Pirate Steve's crew."
"That's what I thought, too. I asked if I was and you said that no, we were on our own private sailboat, just me and you."
"Aww, that was a sweet dream!" she said, her expression relaxing into a satisfied smile. "Wish I'd remembered it."
"Yes, it's a shame. Got a bit dirty at the end but since I'm a gentleman, I won't be repeating any of it."
Her blush deepened, but her eyes were sparkling too.
"Look so pretty when you do that..." he murmured, touching her heated face.
She closed her eyes at his touch and leaned in, so he pressed a kiss to her lips and pulled her close to cuddle her.
********************************
"You're awfully quiet."
"Mmm? Just jet lag." Stacey answered softly from the passenger seat of their rental car, which would have been the driver's seat in the U.S. Claude had already taken her to Manchester, where he'd lived before coming to America, and now he was taking them to Little Hulton, where he'd been born and raised.
Stacey didn't want to say anything, but she was less than impressed so far. Perhaps it came from reading too many British novels growing up, but she'd pictured England as being full of quaint little villages and rolling hills. Since they'd arrived, all she'd seen was a huge city, and being from New York City, that wasn't anything new to her.
"Are you not having a good time?" he asked, shooting her a look from the driver's seat. When they went to rent the car, Stacey had to do it because she was the one with the license, and she'd nearly had a heart attack driving out of the parking lot on the 'wrong side of the road,' as she'd exclaimed. As soon as they were out of sight of the rental office, they'd switched, and he'd been driving ever since.
"No, I am." Stacey said, worried she was disappointing him. She gave him a smile to prove it to him, but Claude wasn't fooled.
"I know Manchester probably isn't that impressive when you've grown up in New York, but we've got plenty of time to see all those touristy places Americans think of when they think of England." He winked at her and she giggled.
"I'm enjoying it here, really." Stacey assured. "I'm just tired from the flight, that's all."
"Well, I thought we'd stop at a few places in town really quick and then drive out to the bed and breakfast on the edge of town afterwards. Think you can hold out?"
"Sure can." Stacey answered.
"Are you sure? Because I could drive straight on and we'll come back in the morning."
"Nah, I wanna see where little wee Claude grew up right now." Stacey sat up in her seat a little, starting to feel excited at the thought.
"Alright, petal." he answered, then after a short pause added, "Just... don't expect a posh town. It's a working class area."
"That's fine by me." she shrugged.
Claude wondered how fine she'd think it was once they arrived there.
********************************
After showing Stacey the house he'd grown up in, his primary school, and other sights around the town, she and Claude had checked into the bed and breakfast to take a nap, since Stacey had been about to drop from jet lag. Now they were ready for a night out on the town, though Claude warned there wasn't much to do there but drink.
Stacey now understood what he'd meant when he'd said it wasn't a posh town. It was a bit run down in some areas, and a lot of the teenagers thought they where 'gangsta' in their gold hoop earrings and track suits, but Stacey didn't think it was as bad as Claude was making it out to be. There were sweet little old ladies who owned corner shops and groups of kids playing in the park too. All in all, she could picture Claude growing up there easily.
Taking Stacey's hand in his, Claude led her into a crowded, smoky pub. It wasn't nearly as noisy as bars or clubs in New York City and Stacey was thankful for that. She let him order for her and then they snagged an empty table, Claude setting a pint of something in front of her.
"What's this?" she asked, eyebrow raised.
"Just try it." he replied, looking amused. With a wary look at him first, she reached out to pick up the glass but pulled her hand back in surprise.
"It's warm!" she hissed at him.
He reached out to stroke her hair with a chuckle. "That's how we drink it here. Give it a chance."
Now even more cautious, she lifted the glass to her lips and tasted what she was sure warm pee tasted like. Making a face, she set the glass down while Claude clicked his tongue.
"That's so weird." Stacey said with a shake of her head.
"Weird? Drinking beer cold is what's weird, petal." Claude replied before taking a long swig of his drink. She giggled at the foam that collected in his facial hair and dug around in her purse for a tissue. Then she dabbed the foam from his face with a gentle smile, which he returned.
"Thank you."
"Welcome."
"You think I can leave you here by yourself for a minute? I've just got to hit the loo." He jerked his thumb towards the doorway that led to the restrooms and she let out a dramatic sigh, tossing her hair.
"If you must."
Standing up, he pressed a kiss to her forehead before heading off. While he was gone, Stacey did her best to continue drinking her beer, or ale, or whatever the English called it. She tried convincing herself that every chug was a shot and she couldn't let it hit her tongue, and that helped her make a little headway, though she couldn't stop making a face after every swallow.
A few minutes later Claude was returning from the bathroom, just passing through the doorway from the restrooms' hall, when he saw two middle-aged woman staring at Stacey and making displeased faces. Coming up behind them without their noticing, he overheard one say, "Wonder how much that bloke's worth? That's the only reason she'd be with him."
"Oh yeah, milking him dry, I'll bet." the other agreed in a nasty tone. "Probably have his kids written out of the inheritance by now."
"Probably from California. All those gold diggers are."
In a conversational tone, Claude suddenly spoke up from behind them. "Actually, I'm the one sponging off of her."
Both women whirled around, looking shocked to have the man whose girlfriend they were slamming listening in on them. "W-What? I'm sorry?" stuttered the first woman.
"I was just commenting on the catty remarks you were making in regards to my intended over there." He nodded his head at Stacey. "Lovely girl, isn't she?"
"Oh!" the second one exclaimed, trying to save her dignity. "Uh, yes, quite beautiful." She punctuated her statement with an eager nod.
Claude continued, "One could almost chalk up those comments you made to envy."
Looking insulted, the first woman asked, "What d'you mean by that?"
"Well, the two of you rate about a two between the both of you on the beauty scale, so those untrue comments you made about the love of my life could be attributed to jealousy over her youth and loveliness. But I don't think that's it."
Neither woman could respond as their mouths were gaping like fish trying to breathe on land.
Claude smiled at their expressions. That would teach them to speak ill of his petal. "In reality, you're both frigid bitches who need to get laid more often. Good day." Without looking back, he headed back over to his table and slipped into his chair beside Stacey, whose eyes lit up at the sight of him.
"Hey!" she exclaimed. "Look, my drink's about a half inch lower than it was. Progress!"
Chuckling, he cupped the back of her head affectionately. "Good work, petal."
She beamed back, then asked, "Did you know those women you were talking to a second ago?"
"Nope. I overheard them commenting on how pretty you were so I stopped to speak with them." He stroked her hair softly before picking up his drink.
"Aww, that was nice of them." She looked over at the two, who were in the middle of arguing over who was the uglier of the two.
Claude looked over too and went "Mmm," into his pint, giving a wicked grin that Stacey couldn't see.
********************************
About an hour later, Stacey let out a yawn and rushed to cover her mouth.
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah, I think so. It's been a long day."
"All right." he answered, heading up to the bar to settle his tab before coming back and offering her his hand.
Walking out into the crisp night air, Stacey wrapped her free hand around his arm as they headed for the parking lot across the street. "Do you like being back here?"
"Well... yes and no."
"Okay, why yes and why no?"
"Yes because it's nice to be back where I grew up and no because it's clear that I don't belong here any more."
She could only press her cheek to his arm quietly, not quite knowing what to say to that. He stayed silent too as they walked over to the rental car and got in.
Clicking her seatbelt shut, she rested her head back and smiled at him teasingly, wanting to cheer him up. "Are you gonna carry me up the stairs to our room?"
He sounded amused as he answered, "Like a bride?"
"Mmm hmm. Or a princess."
He laughed. "All right, I'll carry you like a princess bride."
"Sweet!" she answered as they drove back to the bed and breakfast.
Once arriving and getting in the front door, Claude picked her up easily, which caused her to giggle softly and kick her legs. "My prince." she whispered, as it was late and everyone else was most likely asleep.
Smiling, he carried her up the stairs and to their room, where she fumbled for the key in her purse and let them in, still securely in his arms.
He set her gently on the bed and went to close the door. Coming back, he saw her looking up at him with admiration in her eyes. "You're the best."
Laying down beside her, he answered, "So are you," then proceeded to just stare at her.
She smiled. "What are you looking at, Mister?"
"Your pretty face."
Reaching out, she cupped his face and beckoned him closer for a kiss. "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah." he answered, before they started kissing.
********************************
The next morning when Stacey awoke, she rolled over to hear a crinkley sound beside her. Opening her eyes, she found Claude gone, but a piece of paper in his place with a note scrawled across in his hand. Squinting and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Stacey picked it up to read.
Petal,
I've just gone out for a bit, actually right across the road from the B&B. I'll be back shortly.
Love, Claude
Letting out a "Humph," Stacey rose and quickly got dressed. Checking the clock, she saw it was only shortly after 7am. She checked her blood sugar, then opened the room's mini bar to get out her insulin. Every minute she expected him to come back, but when she'd managed to get completely ready for the day and he still hadn't she saw no harm in trailing after him.
Leaving the B&B, she looked out across the road, where there was a graveyard and a small church. She could easily spot Claude as the only person walking through the graveyard that early in the morning and she moved to meet him.
When she came close enough that he'd be able to see her from the corner of his eye, he looked up, startled.
"You're up early." he said, his voice low and gruff.
"So are you." she pointed out, coming up to him and noting his somber appearance. "What's up; what are you doing here?"
"Nothing," he answered quickly. "Let's go in where it's warm." He quickly moved away from the headstone he'd been standing in front of and reached for her hand to follow, but not before she saw the name Amelia Newhouse, Loving Wife and Mother followed by Born July 26, 1933, Died January 14, 2001.
She took his hand as the wheels turned in her mind. She couldn't think of who else the woman could be but his mother, so she squeezed his hand in support, adding an understanding look when he glanced at her.
His face was blank, but he squeezed back and they continued to walk out of the graveyard. She slowly began to swing their hands as they walked across the street to the B&B.
It wasn't until they were safely back upstairs in their rented room that Stacey felt it was alright to speak again. "Are we going to go see the rolling hills and Jane Austen villages now?"
"Anything you'd like." he replied, looking pensive.
"Okay." she answered, then tried to lighten the mood. "Well, we at least have to pass one estate that looks like Pemberley or I'll think this whole 'Regency' era didn't even exist and old Jane was making the whole thing up." She hurried to add, "But is there anyplace else here you want to visit first?"
"No." he replied, cracking a smile. "Pemberley it is."
"Okay." she replied, coming over to where he sat on the bed and giving him a kiss. "After breakfast we can pack."
"Sounds like a plan." he agreed, his smiling widening.
Draping her arms loosely around his neck, she added, "This is the best trip I've even been on. Thank you."
Claude raised an eyebrow. "Really, now? This coming from the woman who's been to the Caribbean and California?"
"Mmm hmm." she replied with a nod as she smoothed his hair back. "It's been the best trip ever, even moreso because I got to go on it with you."
He closed his eyes as she played with his hair, and as she stepped inbetween his legs to kiss his forehead, he wrapped his arms around her, folding his hands together.
"Thank you for coming with me, petal. It meant the world."
Previous: Interlude 3 :: Next: Chapter 11
*Sorry for the delay. I hope this nice, long chapter makes up for it! :)*
Author: nutmeg610 & toxic_corn
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: BSC/Heroes crossover
Disclaimer: Neither The Baby-sitter's Club books, nor Heroes belong to us. They belong to Scholastic Books, Ann M. Martin, and NBC.
Summary: Stacey McGill leads a pretty mundane life in NYC. She works as a temp after a failed attempt at a modeling career, but at least she lives with her best friend, Claudia Kishi. Still, that's not enough to make Stacey think there isn't something missing in her life. She's calmed down over the years, now not nearly as boy-crazy as she once was, but thinks perhaps it's time to find her own hero. She finds more than she expected when her path crosses that of the Invisible Man.
Author's Note: The next series in a long line of crackfic, my friends! Follows Your Boyfriend Snorts Cocaine, Mary Anne, Wanna Get It On, Dawn?, and Kristy and the Doctor.
Round Up Post
It's so beautiful here! I've taken tons of pictures that I'll put up on Flicker once I get back, because I know you won't stop pleading with me until I do. Claude says hi. Ok, I've got to go. He's taking me on a country drive this afternoon!
~ postcard from Stacey McGill to Mary Anne Shelten
Claude and Stacey sat down together on the couch after coming back from a movie. Stacey covered her mouth as she yawned and Claude pushed her hair back behind her ear.
"The movie wasn't that long."
She smiled. "I know. It's just been a long day with work and everything." She snuggled back against the couch and gazed up at him.
Leaning closer to her, he teasingly said, "Gonna kiss you, petal..."
"Okay, IIIIIIIIIIIII'm ready!" she said back to him.
"Hmmm. Should I tilt my head left...?" He paused and tilted his head that way, "Or right...?" He tilted his head it that direction next.
"Mmmm... right."
Keeping his head in place, he added, "And should this be a quick kiss or a slow one?"
"Sloooooooooow."
"And then we say goodnight and part ways?"
"Nuh uh."
"No?"
"Nope."
"Cuz you'd miss me?" he asked, fishing for compliments because living the life he had, he liked to hear how much he was wanted.
She rubbed the tip of her nose against his, giving him Eskimo kisses. "Yes, sir."
He stroked her hair and then gave her the slow kiss she'd requested, before resting his forehead against hers. "May as well move in here, I spend so much time here."
Stacey opened her eyes and bit her lip excitedly. "I'd like that."
"Claudia would love it." he muttered dryly.
"Well, she's my best friend and she loves me, so I know she'll understand."
"Don't worry about it, I was only joking." he replied, even though he was longing to move in with her.
"Oh, you... wouldn't want to? I was liking the idea."
"Yeah? It sounded a bit like I invited myself." He shrugged awkwardly.
Stacey captured his bottom lip inbetween her teeth, nibbling it gently for a second, before pulling back. "Claude, pending a conversation with Claudia to make sure it's okay, would you like to move in with me?"
He could only stare at her in awe for a moment, before he urged his neck muscles to work and he nodded.
With a giddy look, she peppered his face with kisses, while he could only manage to hug her back, hands shaking a little because he couldn't help but believe he was the luckiest bastard in existance to have her.
Stacey dropped her face into his neck and kept right on kissing him, excited to reach a new point in their relationship.
A thought suddenly formed in Claude's mind, and he spontaneously said, "Come to England with me."
She pulled back, obviously surprised and confused. "Huh?"
He cupped her face in his hand and his own face was practically glowing. "Let's go to England. I'll show you where I grew up and everything."
Stacey was amazed by the look on his face. She had rarely seen it look so open and expressive. From time to time, she'd do or say something that caused him to look that way, but more often than not, his face had a guarded look to it. "I'd love to, but how can you leave the country? You can't get a passport."
"I'm the invisible man, aren't I?" he answered lightly. "I've been thinking about it, and I can get on a plane easily. You'll just buy two tickets on a red-eye flight so there'll be no one next to you. Then you can maybe stretch out across my lap, get some sleep...." He trailed off, looking excited.
"I think... that is the greatest idea anyone's ever had ever!" Stacey exclaimed. "When should we go?"
"Soon." he replied without missing a beat, with a hint of excited urgency in his voice.
"Okay, I'll see when I can take my vacation days."
He presented her with his brilliant smile, rarely seen unless he was laughing aloud, and smoothed his hands down her hair. "My petal."
"Sure am." she replied, matching his smile with one of her own.
He rubbed a strand of her hair inbetween his fingers. "For how long?"
"How long should we go for? I'll try for a week but my boss may get testy--"
"That's not what I--" he started to say, but then gave up and sighed. "Can't have a testy boss."
Stacey blinked, slowly piecing it together. "Wait, what did you mean? How long will I be yours?" She looked surprised he would even ask such a thing. "Forever, of course."
He gave a small smile, liking the answer but unable to let himself believe it since she was so young. "Well, I'll be sleeping easier now."
Satisfied, she nodded. "Good!"
His smile became a little more sincere. "With you draped all over me like I'm your personal body pillow."
She giggled. "You sleep best that way and you know it!" Then she gave him a light poke in the chest.
"I do. Even when you talk in your sleep." he replied, eyes twinkling mischievously and all thoughts of how long she'd be his forgotten.
Her mouth dropped open, like she was scandalized. "I do not!"
"It's sweet, really. You say my name and I talk back to you but it never makes much sense."
A blush spread across her cheeks. "I didn't know I did that. Sorry if I wake you."
He gently traced a finger down her cheek. "Oh, she blushes. It doesn't bother me, petal. I have wonderful conversations with you."
"What do you say to unconscious Stacey?
"Depends on what unconscious Stacey says to me."
"Well, give me an example."
"Hmmm. Take last night. I woke up to you saying my name and I said, 'What is it, petal?' And you told me that I needed to hoist the rigging."
A mixed look of embarrassment and horror spread across her face. "Oh God, please tell me I wasn't dreaming about us being on Pirate Steve's crew."
"That's what I thought, too. I asked if I was and you said that no, we were on our own private sailboat, just me and you."
"Aww, that was a sweet dream!" she said, her expression relaxing into a satisfied smile. "Wish I'd remembered it."
"Yes, it's a shame. Got a bit dirty at the end but since I'm a gentleman, I won't be repeating any of it."
Her blush deepened, but her eyes were sparkling too.
"Look so pretty when you do that..." he murmured, touching her heated face.
She closed her eyes at his touch and leaned in, so he pressed a kiss to her lips and pulled her close to cuddle her.
********************************
"You're awfully quiet."
"Mmm? Just jet lag." Stacey answered softly from the passenger seat of their rental car, which would have been the driver's seat in the U.S. Claude had already taken her to Manchester, where he'd lived before coming to America, and now he was taking them to Little Hulton, where he'd been born and raised.
Stacey didn't want to say anything, but she was less than impressed so far. Perhaps it came from reading too many British novels growing up, but she'd pictured England as being full of quaint little villages and rolling hills. Since they'd arrived, all she'd seen was a huge city, and being from New York City, that wasn't anything new to her.
"Are you not having a good time?" he asked, shooting her a look from the driver's seat. When they went to rent the car, Stacey had to do it because she was the one with the license, and she'd nearly had a heart attack driving out of the parking lot on the 'wrong side of the road,' as she'd exclaimed. As soon as they were out of sight of the rental office, they'd switched, and he'd been driving ever since.
"No, I am." Stacey said, worried she was disappointing him. She gave him a smile to prove it to him, but Claude wasn't fooled.
"I know Manchester probably isn't that impressive when you've grown up in New York, but we've got plenty of time to see all those touristy places Americans think of when they think of England." He winked at her and she giggled.
"I'm enjoying it here, really." Stacey assured. "I'm just tired from the flight, that's all."
"Well, I thought we'd stop at a few places in town really quick and then drive out to the bed and breakfast on the edge of town afterwards. Think you can hold out?"
"Sure can." Stacey answered.
"Are you sure? Because I could drive straight on and we'll come back in the morning."
"Nah, I wanna see where little wee Claude grew up right now." Stacey sat up in her seat a little, starting to feel excited at the thought.
"Alright, petal." he answered, then after a short pause added, "Just... don't expect a posh town. It's a working class area."
"That's fine by me." she shrugged.
Claude wondered how fine she'd think it was once they arrived there.
********************************
After showing Stacey the house he'd grown up in, his primary school, and other sights around the town, she and Claude had checked into the bed and breakfast to take a nap, since Stacey had been about to drop from jet lag. Now they were ready for a night out on the town, though Claude warned there wasn't much to do there but drink.
Stacey now understood what he'd meant when he'd said it wasn't a posh town. It was a bit run down in some areas, and a lot of the teenagers thought they where 'gangsta' in their gold hoop earrings and track suits, but Stacey didn't think it was as bad as Claude was making it out to be. There were sweet little old ladies who owned corner shops and groups of kids playing in the park too. All in all, she could picture Claude growing up there easily.
Taking Stacey's hand in his, Claude led her into a crowded, smoky pub. It wasn't nearly as noisy as bars or clubs in New York City and Stacey was thankful for that. She let him order for her and then they snagged an empty table, Claude setting a pint of something in front of her.
"What's this?" she asked, eyebrow raised.
"Just try it." he replied, looking amused. With a wary look at him first, she reached out to pick up the glass but pulled her hand back in surprise.
"It's warm!" she hissed at him.
He reached out to stroke her hair with a chuckle. "That's how we drink it here. Give it a chance."
Now even more cautious, she lifted the glass to her lips and tasted what she was sure warm pee tasted like. Making a face, she set the glass down while Claude clicked his tongue.
"That's so weird." Stacey said with a shake of her head.
"Weird? Drinking beer cold is what's weird, petal." Claude replied before taking a long swig of his drink. She giggled at the foam that collected in his facial hair and dug around in her purse for a tissue. Then she dabbed the foam from his face with a gentle smile, which he returned.
"Thank you."
"Welcome."
"You think I can leave you here by yourself for a minute? I've just got to hit the loo." He jerked his thumb towards the doorway that led to the restrooms and she let out a dramatic sigh, tossing her hair.
"If you must."
Standing up, he pressed a kiss to her forehead before heading off. While he was gone, Stacey did her best to continue drinking her beer, or ale, or whatever the English called it. She tried convincing herself that every chug was a shot and she couldn't let it hit her tongue, and that helped her make a little headway, though she couldn't stop making a face after every swallow.
A few minutes later Claude was returning from the bathroom, just passing through the doorway from the restrooms' hall, when he saw two middle-aged woman staring at Stacey and making displeased faces. Coming up behind them without their noticing, he overheard one say, "Wonder how much that bloke's worth? That's the only reason she'd be with him."
"Oh yeah, milking him dry, I'll bet." the other agreed in a nasty tone. "Probably have his kids written out of the inheritance by now."
"Probably from California. All those gold diggers are."
In a conversational tone, Claude suddenly spoke up from behind them. "Actually, I'm the one sponging off of her."
Both women whirled around, looking shocked to have the man whose girlfriend they were slamming listening in on them. "W-What? I'm sorry?" stuttered the first woman.
"I was just commenting on the catty remarks you were making in regards to my intended over there." He nodded his head at Stacey. "Lovely girl, isn't she?"
"Oh!" the second one exclaimed, trying to save her dignity. "Uh, yes, quite beautiful." She punctuated her statement with an eager nod.
Claude continued, "One could almost chalk up those comments you made to envy."
Looking insulted, the first woman asked, "What d'you mean by that?"
"Well, the two of you rate about a two between the both of you on the beauty scale, so those untrue comments you made about the love of my life could be attributed to jealousy over her youth and loveliness. But I don't think that's it."
Neither woman could respond as their mouths were gaping like fish trying to breathe on land.
Claude smiled at their expressions. That would teach them to speak ill of his petal. "In reality, you're both frigid bitches who need to get laid more often. Good day." Without looking back, he headed back over to his table and slipped into his chair beside Stacey, whose eyes lit up at the sight of him.
"Hey!" she exclaimed. "Look, my drink's about a half inch lower than it was. Progress!"
Chuckling, he cupped the back of her head affectionately. "Good work, petal."
She beamed back, then asked, "Did you know those women you were talking to a second ago?"
"Nope. I overheard them commenting on how pretty you were so I stopped to speak with them." He stroked her hair softly before picking up his drink.
"Aww, that was nice of them." She looked over at the two, who were in the middle of arguing over who was the uglier of the two.
Claude looked over too and went "Mmm," into his pint, giving a wicked grin that Stacey couldn't see.
********************************
About an hour later, Stacey let out a yawn and rushed to cover her mouth.
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah, I think so. It's been a long day."
"All right." he answered, heading up to the bar to settle his tab before coming back and offering her his hand.
Walking out into the crisp night air, Stacey wrapped her free hand around his arm as they headed for the parking lot across the street. "Do you like being back here?"
"Well... yes and no."
"Okay, why yes and why no?"
"Yes because it's nice to be back where I grew up and no because it's clear that I don't belong here any more."
She could only press her cheek to his arm quietly, not quite knowing what to say to that. He stayed silent too as they walked over to the rental car and got in.
Clicking her seatbelt shut, she rested her head back and smiled at him teasingly, wanting to cheer him up. "Are you gonna carry me up the stairs to our room?"
He sounded amused as he answered, "Like a bride?"
"Mmm hmm. Or a princess."
He laughed. "All right, I'll carry you like a princess bride."
"Sweet!" she answered as they drove back to the bed and breakfast.
Once arriving and getting in the front door, Claude picked her up easily, which caused her to giggle softly and kick her legs. "My prince." she whispered, as it was late and everyone else was most likely asleep.
Smiling, he carried her up the stairs and to their room, where she fumbled for the key in her purse and let them in, still securely in his arms.
He set her gently on the bed and went to close the door. Coming back, he saw her looking up at him with admiration in her eyes. "You're the best."
Laying down beside her, he answered, "So are you," then proceeded to just stare at her.
She smiled. "What are you looking at, Mister?"
"Your pretty face."
Reaching out, she cupped his face and beckoned him closer for a kiss. "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah." he answered, before they started kissing.
********************************
The next morning when Stacey awoke, she rolled over to hear a crinkley sound beside her. Opening her eyes, she found Claude gone, but a piece of paper in his place with a note scrawled across in his hand. Squinting and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Stacey picked it up to read.
Petal,
I've just gone out for a bit, actually right across the road from the B&B. I'll be back shortly.
Love, Claude
Letting out a "Humph," Stacey rose and quickly got dressed. Checking the clock, she saw it was only shortly after 7am. She checked her blood sugar, then opened the room's mini bar to get out her insulin. Every minute she expected him to come back, but when she'd managed to get completely ready for the day and he still hadn't she saw no harm in trailing after him.
Leaving the B&B, she looked out across the road, where there was a graveyard and a small church. She could easily spot Claude as the only person walking through the graveyard that early in the morning and she moved to meet him.
When she came close enough that he'd be able to see her from the corner of his eye, he looked up, startled.
"You're up early." he said, his voice low and gruff.
"So are you." she pointed out, coming up to him and noting his somber appearance. "What's up; what are you doing here?"
"Nothing," he answered quickly. "Let's go in where it's warm." He quickly moved away from the headstone he'd been standing in front of and reached for her hand to follow, but not before she saw the name Amelia Newhouse, Loving Wife and Mother followed by Born July 26, 1933, Died January 14, 2001.
She took his hand as the wheels turned in her mind. She couldn't think of who else the woman could be but his mother, so she squeezed his hand in support, adding an understanding look when he glanced at her.
His face was blank, but he squeezed back and they continued to walk out of the graveyard. She slowly began to swing their hands as they walked across the street to the B&B.
It wasn't until they were safely back upstairs in their rented room that Stacey felt it was alright to speak again. "Are we going to go see the rolling hills and Jane Austen villages now?"
"Anything you'd like." he replied, looking pensive.
"Okay." she answered, then tried to lighten the mood. "Well, we at least have to pass one estate that looks like Pemberley or I'll think this whole 'Regency' era didn't even exist and old Jane was making the whole thing up." She hurried to add, "But is there anyplace else here you want to visit first?"
"No." he replied, cracking a smile. "Pemberley it is."
"Okay." she replied, coming over to where he sat on the bed and giving him a kiss. "After breakfast we can pack."
"Sounds like a plan." he agreed, his smiling widening.
Draping her arms loosely around his neck, she added, "This is the best trip I've even been on. Thank you."
Claude raised an eyebrow. "Really, now? This coming from the woman who's been to the Caribbean and California?"
"Mmm hmm." she replied with a nod as she smoothed his hair back. "It's been the best trip ever, even moreso because I got to go on it with you."
He closed his eyes as she played with his hair, and as she stepped inbetween his legs to kiss his forehead, he wrapped his arms around her, folding his hands together.
"Thank you for coming with me, petal. It meant the world."
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*Sorry for the delay. I hope this nice, long chapter makes up for it! :)*