JOE'S BIRTHDAY: 2 OF 3
So while you previously saw the contributions of others, to Joe’s 21st birthday, the following is what I had to offer. Once again happy birthday, Joe, and there is still more to come!
Betty watched the elevator ding as it carried her up the floors of Don’s building. When the door slid opened, she already felt different. Here she wasn’t a mother or anything. She was Don’s wife, and it made her important.
She walked back to his office, paying not attention to the men’s heads peek out of their doors after her. Around here, a look or a comment wasn’t unusual.
She knew Peggy saw her coming, but the secretary concentrated on her type writer, and the nearby phone. When Betty walked up, Peggy nodded signaling her to walk through the door. And nothing more had to be said. Her visits to Don’s office weren’t common, but they did contain a routine. Either something was wrong or everything was too right. And each case had a different solution. Either Don would sit and talk for as long as they went uninterrupted, or they sat and talked until they were doing more on the couch.
On this day, it was the latter, and Don wasted no time in unbuttoning Betty’s dress and sticking his thick rough fingers down the fabric of her panties. She smiled to herself, thinking how much she enjoyed the small gesture as she secretly begged for more. At this point in their marriage, they knew what made the other happy. Positions, timing, preferences all boiled down to a science. Yet, for Betty this never got old. She liked knowing what to expect. She liked knowing what made Don happy, and most of all she liked knowing she was good at something. He could ask for things one way and she could comply. So as Don moved inside her, his lips just hitting her collar bone, to say she hit a level of satisfaction was an understatement. Oddly enough it was moments like these, held up in his office, enjoying each other like it was a secret, that she loved him most. When she appreciated him most, and could say without a doubt that she was happy, were the moments she was truly thankful for.
Alex ran his hands over his face, trying to physically wake him self up. On most mornings like this he was used to waking up with a hangover the size of Washington itself. But this morning was different. Just like the pain in his chest and the figure lying next to him. It was all different. Not to mention the crying. And this wasn’t the “your sex was so amazing and I want you” cry from a woman that a part of him almost strived for. This was emotional. This was deep. This was with Izzie.
He felt her stir in bed next to him and he looked over at her. For such a complicated girl, she sure had one hell of a sexy back. She shifted; her feet kicking the sheets on the edge of the bed, as she let out something that made Alex realize she thought she was alone. He pulled the sheets off of himself, and got out of bed, putting on a pair of boxers from the floor on his way to the bathroom. With everything that had happened, the least he could do while she woke up naked and in his bed was leave her alone.
And sure enough when he emerged a few minutes later she was exasperated, to say the least. Yet, bent down to the floor, searching for what had to be her bra, with her hair hanging over her shoulder Alex wasn’t any less turned on to her.
“Hi,” he said, his voice coming off far more deep and confident than he felt.
“We have to get to work,” she said, continuing to search under the bed.
He sighed, and rolled his eyes. It’s not like he shouldn’t expect this routine. “Iz,” he breathed, as he tried to catch her eye, “just…listen”
She huffed, and looked at him. “Alex. Work. We can…do this later. Just…Work.”
He bent down on one knee, and picked up her bra where it had been under his shirt all along and handed it to her. She sighed, almost out of frustration rather than relief and took it from his hands. Yet, her feet seemed glued to his floor.
Alex stood up, and slowly took a step closer to her, “Iz,” he tried again, but this time she stayed put. “I’m…I shouldn’t have…” Fuck. He was better than this. He had his post-sex talk down pat. What the hell was taking him so long? Get the words out and go. Move on.
She nodded, “I know. It’s…I know. You still have feelings for Rebecca. I know.”
He winced at the sound of her name, like a dagger to his chest. The name Rebecca conjured up all the words he had associated with her lately, and all the words she should have. Pregnant, happy, family, sick, troubled. The list went on.
“I just….time. I need time,” he said, as if the sentence made all the sense in the world. She nodded again, her face softer this time. Almost friendly. Almost accepting.
“Time it is, then, which we are lacking right now because we do have to get to work,” she said, almost smiling.
“Shit, you’re right. Well, do you want the shower or…”
She shook her head and threw her hair over her shoulder, “Shower is yours.”
He nodded a thank you and she turned to go, before he thought better of the idea. “Hey, Iz?”
She turned around, her hair flipping with the motion and he caught a pang of wanting to run his hands through it, with her moans in his ear. “Thanks…for…thanks.” Again, he made no sense, but she just understood him. Like she had always had, and maybe always would.
She said you’re welcome, just loud enough for him to hear as she turned and walked out his door. And as he sat on his tangled sheets instead of jumping at the chance for a long shower he considered the events in pieces.
Rebecca and the help she was finally getting. His mother and the truths he was finally admitting. Himself, and the feelings he was finally uncovering. And Izzie, which may just involve the help, truths and feelings he has had all along.
Matt opened the front door to the apartment complex and started up the stairs. The two shopping bags he was carrying weighed down on his hands, but his mind was elsewhere.
Milk…chips…soda…bread…cereal…what had he forgotten?
He said it over again and over again, the words practically escaping his lips, as he reached the second stair case. Two down, two to go.
Milk…chips…soda…bread…cereal…Damnit!
He reached into his sweatshirt, pulling out his key, as he turned on to the last flight of stairs.
Milk…chips…so-apples.
He stopped mid-way and sighed. He was making pie to bring to grandma. Apple pie. He shook his head as he climbed the last steps, glanced up and saw her.
Standing perfectly between the two doors on this level with her red coat and silky hair she just stared. Eyes wide and taking in the world.
“Chu-”
“Hi Matt,” she said slowly, carefully.
“What are you-”
“Well,” she sighed, her eyes glancing towards the bags in his hands, “I was…I remember you saying you had a 3rd floor apartment and it didn’t occur to me there may be more than one or that you wouldn’t be here. In fact if that wasn’t what I was thinking I don’t know what I was thinking but nevertheless, I came and I waited and…” she stopped, and Matt was tempted to put down his bags and check to see if he still has a pulse, “Do you need help with those?”
“Oh. No, I’m ok, I’ll just…do you want to come in?” Breathe, Matt told himself. He could do full sentences.
But she just stared at him, eyes glazed over like she was… “Sure.”
Matt opened the door and let her in, placing the bags on the floor. “You know, it’s really good to-”
She smiled, a big smile that Matt thought may hold all of life’s answers. “It’s really nice to see you too.”
Right, stick to being cut off.
***
Matt pulled ice from his freezer slowly lowering it into Chuck’s glass of water while in the back of his mind remembering his grandma saying ice first, to him when her iced tea would overflow. Yet, now, as Matt carried the glass to his couch, where Chuck sat looking at the blank wall above his TV he noticed how the water seemed to be perfect.
He sat next to her, and leaned back trying to asses why she was here. Sure, maybe he had missed her in the past four months. Sure, maybe he had thought about her, even dreamed about her, but she was the one who had trekked all this way to be here. To see him.
“So how have you been,” he said, stumbling over his words.
“I’ve been good. You know…” she trailed off, catching Matt looking at her. Actually, he didn’t know. But he didn’t dare say this to her. He just nodded, as she opened her mouth and quietly asked how he was.
He nodded, wanting to so badly relay the truth of things had been better, but he didn’t want to overwhelm her. So he went with a nonchalant “Good, you know…working, visiting my grandma.”
Chuck’s face visibly brightened, as she sat up her perfect ponytail swinging behind her. “How is Lorraine?” She asked, practically gushing.
Matt thought back to how hard it was not to be happy around Chuck. She didn’t do tension or sadness. “Good, she’s good. I’m sure she’d love to see you.”
“Is she staying…with you?” Chuck asked, even though she obviously wasn’t. But Chuck didn’t know how else to ask.
Matt shook his head, and directed his glance pass her. “No, she’s in a home. Not far from here.”
Chuck took notice of the fact that Matt didn’t add a hearty ‘she’s doing well,’ to the end. She didn’t dare ask. Instead she just starred at him, which she forgot how much she missed. The lines of his face were still soft, and Chuck had a hunch he would always be able to pull off 16.
Matt turned his head and caught her gaze and smiled as he blushed. Her staring wasn’t awkward or out of place. A part of Matt even enjoyed it. He even felt him self lean toward her, their elbows even touching. With just a few more inches…
“So I know it’s early,” she said, her voice the same tone, as she broke his gaze, “But would you be interested in joining me for dinner?”
Matt nodded and smiled, not quite sure he could muster the composure she always seemed to carry. Chuck stood up, smoothing her hands over the skirt of her dress and smiled. “Wonderful,” she said, truly believing it. “I saw a small place on the way here. Of course if you know of any others, I’m sure they will be a fine substitute.”
Matt found his voice, and cleared his throat letting out a quiet “Your choice,” Trying to imply that she was guest. So even as he tried to avoid even thinking about the looming question, as Matt and Chuck made their way to dinner, it was only thing on both of their minds.
***
“Man, just come on, please it’s the last night and this is supposed to be a vacation,” Nathan sighed, and shifted his weight.
Matt picked up the remote pointing it at the hotel TV and stood up. As much as he was looking forward to his night in, he knew his roommate was right. It was a vacation, and he should at least enjoy one night of their “escape school and family shit” excursion. Of course their excursion had brought them to the beach, which wasn’t much of an escape from family or school (since half of their class had the same idea) but nevertheless, Matt let Nathan persuade him.
Yet an hour later after his second drink, Matt was wishing he had been a little more insistent on his last night in. The crowd of women was young, blonde and smashed hitting on the group of guys which were younger and drunker, if it was possible.
Matt chose a couch on the corner earlier in the night and had only moved his post once when the same girl offered him a lap dance for the third time. Otherwise, this was his night. The big vacation. Until of course she sat down.
Matt only looked up when he felt the weight on the couch shift, and had to do at least one double take. Saying she was pretty, and the most modestly dressed person in the place were both sincere understatements. And that was all before she smiled big, and offered her hand for Matt to shake.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Charlotte…but most people call me Chuck.”
Matt was tempted to look behind him, to see who this girl was talking to, but he was afraid if he moved he would wake up.
“And you are…” she prompted, looking him straight in the eye.
“Mat-tt,” he stuttered, and blinked hard a few times thinking she couldn’t be real. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Chuck nodded once and turned her attention to the bar scene unfolding around them, before looking back at Matt and smiling, “You know, I don’t know if this is your type of venue, but it isn’t mine and I would love some company. Care to join me?”
Matt stood without thinking twice about his answer. He set down his nearly empty beer and followed Chuck out of the bar. Once hitting the fresh air, Matt was once again struck by her beauty. Her pale skin, dark hair and pure features seemed to fit so perfect it was like she was a doll made from scratch. And in making the doll, it was like they had Matt’s perfect idea of a woman in mind.
Matt and Chuck walked along the boardwalk in silence for a while, taking in the sound of their footsteps, the wind, the waves and the night life spilling into the outdoors. After what seemed like a lifetime, Chuck silently walked to one of the benches along the railing that separated the beach and the walkway. She sat down, and looked up at Matt and silently invited him to sit. He followed suit, but waited for her speak, surprised to see that once she started she wouldn’t stop. Eventually, and for no reason at all, they got around to discussing the intricate details of one another’s lives. About growing up, their families, past and current friends, their plans for future, and all the details strangers never seem to cover. They forgot about where they were or who they were with and each took up the chance to talk and express without reason.
When Chuck noticed the sun starting to peak in over the ocean, she suggested they continue over breakfast, and Matt wholeheartedly agreed. So when they found the smallest 24-hour diner at the far end of the boardwalk, they were both elated, sure that they would use it to their advantage. And once again, they talked. The facts and details and opinions flowed from one another like they had known each for years. Within this routine, the last day of their vacation flew by, and they were both disappointed to know they had to go. Awkwardly, they exchanged information and went their separate ways. So although he’d known her for less than 24 hours, Chuck soon became the girl of Matt’s dreams, while unbeknownst to Matt, Chuck thought of him just as much.
And now, months later, Matt and Chuck were in a very different situation, sitting across from each other in a tiny Italian waiter with nothing but their eyes and their waiter doing the talking.
The only thing on Matt’s mind was why she was here and the only thing on Chuck’s was why she came. Yet they were each just curios more than unhappy with the idea. They both considered this as the waiter sat down a basket of bread between them on their small table meant for a couple. Without thinking better, they both reached for the end slice, and were met with the other’s hand. Their eyes flashed to the bread and then to each other, daring the other to move. But it wasn’t what either of them wanted. When it came down to the truth, Matt wanted nothing more than to be sitting and holding Chuck’s hand.
And lucky for Matt, she wanted to exact same thing.
Eric’s hand rested on the gold handle of the door. The gesture was premature considering the rest of his family hadn’t emerged from the back room yet, but for Eric on this day, it seemed necessary. What seemed like hours later he heard a few creeks of the church floor and the door he had been staring at swung open. Gracie walked out first, her expression elated for the experience. Her flowing dress made her look too old to Eric who on days like this was grasping on to the innocence and youth of his daughters. As this thought crossed his mind, he saw a wave of white through the door followed by Julie and Tami. Tami adjusted Julie’s veil as Eric stared into his daughter’s already misty eyes. This was just one of those days.
One of the suited ushers slipped in through the church doors, telling the family it was show time. Julie beamed, Gracie got serious, being sure to fulfill her duties and Tami took a deep breath in and grabbed her husband’s hand. Eric looked around and almost panicked, feeling like he was forgetting something. And as the gold handles on the church doors were finally opened, it occurred to him what was missing. He looked down the aisle and saw the small figure in the black suit, waiting. On the day he gave away his oldest daughter he expected to feel like he was giving up a daughter and gaining a son. But the man on the other end couldn’t be more like a son if he wanted to be. Matt Saracen was a part of the family. Gracie adored her future brother-in-law. Tami and Eric trusted him as much as one of their own children, and most of all Julie had loved him since they were 16 and every day since.
As the music swelled, and Eric and Tami led Julie to the front of the church, he became more satisfied and less nervous. He didn’t need to give the new husband talk to Matt. He didn’t need to brief him on Julie’s past or future. Matt was her past and future, and Eric was as proud of his former quarterback as he was of his own daughter.
So when he met Matt near the front pew and extended his hand, Eric had no reservations about grabbing him in a hug and handing off his daughter. He grabbed his wife’s hand, as she wiped her own tears and they watched not sure if they could be any happier.
Master post ASAP!! =)