SUMMARY: It's New Years Eve 2003, and Bobby is doing some
thinking as he watches an old home video.
NOTE: Jake and Susan
Donnell are mentioned in this story. Those who read "All
I Want for
Christmas is You" will remember them as Bobby's relatives.
THANKS TO: Everyone that reads and sends most wonderful feedback
on these stories. It's a pleasure to write them, and I hope you like
this one.
SONG CREDITS: "My
Favorite Mistake" by Sheryl Crow (The
Globe Sessions, 1998); "Long As I Live" by John Michael
Montgomery (John Michael Montgomery,
1995)
FEEDBACK: Sure, I want it! It's the best!
<blessed_23_83@yahoo.com>
DISCLAIMER: Jake and Susan are mine, but all other characters
were created by DEK.
"Did you know, when you
go...it's the perfect ending...to the bad day I've gotten used to
spending...when you go...all I know is you're my favorite
mistake...you're my favorite mistake..."
"Ladies, gentlemen...for your entertainment this evening we have Miss
Lindsay Dole...or as I like to call her 'the future Mrs. Robert
Donnell'...performing her own personal rendition of a Sheryl Crow
song..."
"Well, maybe nothin' lasts
forever...even when you stay together...I don't need forever
after...it's your laughter won't let me go...so I'm holding on this
way..."
"Yeah, folks, you just don't get to see stuff like this
everyday...luckily, I do..."
"Did you know, could you tell...you
were the only one...that I ever loved...now everything's so wrong...did
you see me walking by...did it ever make you cry..."
"Couldn't think of a better way to close off the year..."
"You're my favorite mi - WAHH!"
"Ah, there she is. It's about time, sweetheart - I've been shooting
your backside for the past two and a half minutes."
"Oh my God, BOBBEEE!!! Turn it OFF!!!"
"Don't stop now, honey -"
"Turn it off," she warns, showing signs of an imminent smile.
"You know, I hear they're auditioning people for Dirty Dancing 2..."
"Turn it off you jerk!" She squeaks, a giggle riddling inside her
throat.
"I think that toe-twist-dip move outta at least get you a call back..."
"I'll get you for this!" She vows, shaking her finger at him.
"Oooh - promise?"
Grinning from ear to ear, Bobby chuckles as he watches the image of
Lindsay shake from the unsteady eye of the camera. Their laughter takes
him back to that night...sweet sounds so familiar to his ear that even
a press of the 'mute' button couldn't stop the blissful duet from
echoing throughout the room. His heart seems to mimic the same
accelerated pace...an invisible feather tickling his naked ankle as her
foot had done, sending them to the ground...the plush silk of her hair
raining down, showering his face...perfume like vanilla dipped roses
lingering still...lips like pink cotton candy in shade and taste
marking him hers forever...
=============
=FLASHBACK=
=============
The red light fades out as Bobby's fingers turn to butter, the camera
dropping a short distance to the floor beside them. Amused by her
delighted expression, he shakes his head with a smile.
"What?" Lindsay asks in a soft voice, her previous heightened tone
tamed by their swift progression into the living room.
"Nothing...you're just awfully cute sometimes."
"Cute?"
"Yes, cute..." he pulls her
down for a kiss, husking against her lips, "amongst other things..."
Bobby swallows her laugh as they exchange kiss after kiss after kiss.
Together they rise as Lindsay sits back on her legs, sighs of a weak
struggle puffing from her lips as his mouth teases her neck.
"Bobby..." she whispers amidst his actions in protest.
"Hmm?" he hums carelessly, sliding the blue strap from her shoulder
before tasting it.
"I have to cook...and you...mmmm...you need to shower..."
"Later," he insists, eyes glazed over with desire.
"Bob - " he cuts her off with a kiss. "Bobby, it's already seven
thirty. Jake and Susan are going to be here in less than an hour."
Much to his misfortune, she continues to pull away. With a dramatic
sigh, he stops. "Okay...I guess you're right..."
"I am?"
"Well, at least about one thing."
"Which is?"
"I need to take a shower."
Standing, he reaches his hand out to her. As she takes it, he drags her
up and starts for their bedroom.
"Bobby!"
"What?"
"I need to cook!"
Dropping her hand, Bobby walks over to the coffee table and grabs the
cordless phone. Without a word or look in her direction, he dials a
number and waits for an answer. "Yes, I need an order to be
delivered...Bobby Donnell...yes, that's correct...uh, yeah, I'd like a
party appetizer sampler and two boxes of Nova chips...that's
all...okay, thanks."
Hanging up, he sets the phone back on the table and makes his way back
to her. Capturing her hand once more, he ignores the odd look on
Lindsay's face and plainly offers, "Forty five minutes."
And what a forty five
minutes it had been. Slippery and wet, tangled together both physically
and emotionally. A feeling so deep that it was impractical to think it
couldn't stand the test of time...love so warm and rich that rapture
was found by a mere glance into eyes shimmering with devotion.
Happiness that swelled within, creating an ache inside that was proof
of the power of two souls clinging as one...a connection seemingly
carved in stone.
But it wasn't. She was gone, and he had no one but himself to blame for
it. The term 'ass' comes to mind in describing a man that lets
everything that matters in his life go. Someone had once told him that
Lindsay was his only hope...truer words were never spoken. Even now,
even though they're no longer together, even though she might not know
it, she is there for him in times when the road ahead looks to lead to
nothing.
Delicately, hauntingly...the pieces of Lindsay float around him in this
place where marvelous love once existed. Their precious son, asleep in
the next room...everlasting memories of a divine yesterday and
fantasies he covets, longing for them to grace his reality...little
things only a lonely heart could recall. Sitting here alone tonight, he
wonders if the new year will bring him an answer to his prayers; a
second chance.
Bobby was sure Lindsay could notice a change in him...sure that she
could see the man she once loved each time their eyes met. She had to
know that if it was possible, he would turn back time and do things
differently. The harsh experience of superb loss cured his blindness -
lies and denial going up in flames. The past couple of months had
certainly given him reason to believe she knew: long talks and
laughs...stolen moments that eventually led to a kiss just days ago.
Of course, since then, he hasn't seen her. She even got Helen to drop
Bobby Junior off at his place. So often her choice when things got
rough was to run away and hide. In those instances in the past he had
been bitter, but not anymore. He understands that he must cherish every
moment...let time and patience bring them back together.
"It's day one of the year two-thousand...the time is - seven o' five
a.m...what you're about to see isn't pretty..."
Bobby chuckles as the video now depicts Lindsay's journey through their
apartment and into their room. A hand flies to his mouth as she slowly
eases herself onto the bed, getting a clear shot of him sprawled out on
top of it.
"Now, this is Robert Gordon Donnell at his finest...scary what
alcohol'll do to ya...snoring...drool...pretty much the only signs that
life is left...Jake, Suse - if you're watching this - thanks..."
The camera's angle changes as Lindsay stands, then jumps up and down on
the mattress until her pathetic mate begins to move. Bobby listens as
his own voice joins in the fun.
"What the - Lindsay?!"
"Good morning, Sunshine!"
"What is this?!"
"THIS is payback, baby! Now smile
for the camera! AHH!"
Lindsay shrieks, collapsing onto him as he snatches her by the waist.
Immediately after, the scene ends, a mass of black and white fuzz
filling up the screen, only to be replaced by Lucy's face. Before she
speaks, the doorbell rings. Pausing it, Bobby moves to answer it. The
door
is barely open when he freezes.
"Lindsay!"
"Sorry, I know it's late -"
"No, no...it's fine, uh, is everything okay?"
"Yes," she nods, looking at him quite strangely. "I just came by to see
Bobby."
"Oh, well, he's asleep, but -"
"I figured, I just wanted to...I thought you'd be up..."
"Yeah," he nods. "Come on in," he gestures for her to walk in front of
him, then closes the door. "Let me help you with that," he insists,
assisting her with her coat.
"Thanks," she smiles. "I won't be long."
Bobby looks on as she disappears down the hall, giving her a moment
before joining her. He couldn't resist; it was something he always had
done when opportunity presented itself. There was nothing like watching
them together.
Lindsay must have known, he realizes, as the second he appears in the
doorway she speaks.
"I lied."
Stepping closer, he whispers. "What?"
"I lied," she repeats, standing and walking over to him. "I didn't come
over because of him."
"Then, why did you?"
Lindsay doesn't answer him, instead leaving their son's room with Bobby
hot on her trail. Once they reach the living room, she stops in front
of the window. Bobby's hand creeps onto her shoulder, rubbing it in a
docile manner.
"Why, Lindsay?"
Turning, she murmurs. "You." She looks down, sighing. "Lately...I've
been going against myself. I keep thinking about you...what we had. I
keep hearing this voice in my head that says forgive him...give him
another chance. I know you're sorry...I know you want to make things
right and good...like they used to be. But when everything fell apart I
swore I'd never give you that...no matter how many times or different
ways you apologised...I thought I'd convinced myself that that was the
only way I could survive - at a distance...away from you."
Swallowing the lump in his throat, he whispers, "And now?"
"Now, I..." her voice cracks, "you were gone, Bobby...I think I was,
too, in a way. But now, when I look at you - it's you again. And I know
that I can see you like I did before - maybe even fall again...oh,
hell, that's already happened, I guess - that's why I'm here...it's
just so hard...so hard not to...no matter how much I try to stop it..."
"What are you saying?"
"I don't know...I - I just...I just feel..."
"Like going with your head?" he teases, touching her cheek.
Lindsay laughs. "All in all it wasn't such a bad choice before I
suppose..."
"No..."
"That kiss the other day...I enjoyed it. I really did, Bobby."
"So did I," Bobby says, trying his hardest not to get excited too soon.
"But I'm not ready to jump in all the way..."
"Oh," he looks down, dejected.
"Though, I don't think it would be a terrible idea to take things
slow...one day at a time..." Lindsay is taken aback by the startled
expression on his face. "That is, if you want to..."
Tears have formed in his eyes she sees as he takes her hand, kissing it
affectionately. "More than anything, Lindsay..."
Grinning, she places her hands on either side of his face, pushing up
on her toes slightly, kissing him tenderly. He kisses her back much the
same way, pulling her close and into his arms. When her eyes reopen,
she notices the still picture of Lucy on the television, and lifts her
chin from his shoulder.
"Bobby?"
"Hmm?"
Lindsay slides out of his embrace and points toward the TV. "What is
that?"
"Um," Bobby turns around. "I'm not sure, but I think it's from our
wedding night. It's the tape -"
"With me singing?"
"Right," he blushes.
"So, that's how you've been entertaining yourself this evening, huh?
Did you have fun?"
"Not really..." taking her hand in his, he squeezes it lightly. "But
now..."
They share a smile, Lindsay's appreciation for the comment obvious.
"Let's see about this," she says as they sit down on the sofa. "I can't
believe we never watched it."
Bobby starts the tape again, and both sit ready for something good.
"Hi Bobby. Hi Lindsay. Wow, it seems just like yesterday that I was
watching you guys suck face through Bobby's office window!"
"What?!" Lindsay demands, as if Lucy were in the room with them.
"Come on, should we really be that surprised?"
"I guess not," she giggles.
"Uh, which I'm sure you didn't know about - but Helen was there, too!!"
"Now, that I don't doubt," Bobby grumbles.
"Anyway, you guys are like the greatest couple I know. And since the
rest of the group is camera shy and Helen won't stop crying, I'll speak
for all of us in saying we love you and wish you all the happiness in
the world. Congratulations." Lucy looks away briefly, then back. "Hey
Jimmy - get that! Over there! Awe!"
The Donnells' dance in their own private corner, lost in one another as
the music plays a fitting ballad. His lips brush her forehead; she
sighs in complete and utter contentment. It was page one of
the best chapter of their lives.
"That was an amazing night..." Lindsay declares.
"Yeah..." Bobby accedes.
"The girls were smart to pick the office for the reception...it was
pretty perfect I think..."
~The world's been spinning 'round since time began~
~An' when it stops, it's out of my hands~ ~So
I could swear forever for all it's worth~ ~Or
give you every day I have on Earth~
Shivers rush down her spine against
his touch...his fingers tracing up and down her neck so softly. Blue
eyes scream desire...telling her he really isn't sorry. Electricity and
fire and passion and all the things she knows shouldn't but does in
fact exist between them wear down her will power. Somehow he must have
read her mind, she speculates, as he lowers his mouth to hers. Wrong?
No...how could something like this be wrong? It was real. It was right.
Maybe even love?
~Long
as I live~ ~Long
as I breathe~ ~With
every heartbeat~
~I'll need you near me~ ~I
won't leave you behind~ ~'Til
the Lord says it's time to go with him~ ~I'm
yours long as I live~
It was love. A feeling so profound
she could no longer see what might go wrong...all there was was light
and magic and the perfection of his mouth dancing with hers. Holding
each other close...never wanting to let go again. They were drawn to
each other...destined to be partners...fate's hands driving them home.
~No
matter if there's mountains you can't move~ ~Or
harder times then you thought you'd go through~
~And the weight of your world's too much to bear~ ~Just
remember I'll always be there~
"I love you..." he gushes, eyes of
stars and words of a man in awe. Leaning over her, he kisses her with
all the feeling he has inside. Lighthearted giggles and sighs of
promises and devotion...the ground miles away. A thumb fumbles with the
glittering rock circling her finger, twisting it about as if to make
sure it wasn't a dream. But it was - it was a dream come true.
She said "yes."
~Long
as I live~ ~Long
as I breathe~ ~With
every heartbeat~ ~I'll
need you near me~ ~I
won't leave you behind~ ~'Til
the Lord says it's time to go with him~ ~I'm
yours long as I live~
"Okay...now this is the first shot of mommy...just a month in
term...isn't she beautiful?"
A new live-memory plays before them, Bobby's cheerful voice narrating
as he zooms in on Lindsay's adoring face. Abruptly, the focus moves to
his free hand, which he uses to raise her shirt from her belly.
"Now, at the moment it looks like there's nothing in there, but just
wait a few months...OUCH!"
"I think it's time to switch to daddy," Lindsay says, annoyed, Bobby
soon taking her place as the camera obtains a new controller.
"Beware of mommy's books," Bobby groans, rubbing his forehead.
"Okay, this is your father...just remember, he's the reason why I was
screaming when we first met..."
"Ha, ha...come here, you!"
Both in the picture now, the pillows of their bed cushion their fall,
Bobby covering Lindsay in kisses. When they part, they look toward the
camera with matching grins.
"We love you," Lindsay says for herself and her husband.
"I love you," Bobby tells her, now looking her way.
"I love you," she soughs, accepting his kiss. "Hmm-mm" she laughs as he
keeps on.
"Byyye," he waves his fingers, speaking in an animated voice.
~The
moon and stars aren't mine to give~ ~Neither
is eternity~ ~But
I'll give you a promise tonight~ ~That
I can keep~
Lindsay pats Bobby's knee as he shuts the VCR off. Happy home movies
make room for a wild New Year's party; the thousands of guests 'rockin'
Times Square chant the countdown to a new and hopefully better new year.
"Just twenty seconds until two thousand four..."
"So, do you have any big plans for the new year, Bobby?"
They kiss, nuzzling their noses before Lindsay lays her head on his
chest. Hearts and minds at ease...souls resting peacefully as bodies
revel in the blessed splendor of reunion. A new year, a new day, a new
beginning.
~Long
as I live~ ~Long
as I breathe~ ~With
every heartbeat~ ~I'll
need you near me~ ~I
won't leave you behind~ ~'Til
the Lord says it's time to go with him~ ~I'm
yours long as I live~ ~I'm
yours long as I live~
~THE
END~
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