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N.S. Katherine & R.D. Mundell

Part 17-Yes

<---Previously

It was Valentine's Day and we had spent the entire day together. We were now in L.A. in his apartment. Robert held me close to him as he did at the beginning of every night and I was content in his arms.

"I'll be going home later tomorrow." I reminded him, trying to start a conversation, he was oddly silent.

He sighed and stroked my hair, "I know."

I took his hand and inspected it in between mine. "And then in a couple weeks I'll start school again and you'll start working."

He didn't respond.

"I'll really miss you." I mumbled, feeling somewhat childish.

"But you don't have to miss me." he said quietly.

I looked up and met his ever changing eyes boring into me.

"You don't have to go."

I stared at him not understanding.

"You don't have to keep going to school-well, unless you want to- but I can take care of you." His eyes scattered about my face.

"Don't go." he said. "Stay with me. Please, come with me." He was holding my face as if he would never, couldn't ever let go. "Marry me." he begged.

He held me in place with his eyes and I hardly believed my ears. My throat constricted and I barely felt like I was breathing.

"Yes." I managed to say.

"Ah." he moaned as if in relief it was almost like he had been holding his breath.

Robert's eyes lit up like I had never seen before and he kissed me passionately and I kissed him back with just as much longing.

It is impossible to be flying and falling at the same time, yet that was exactly what I felt was happening to me at that moment as we both submitted to our humanity.

 
 

I stared at the morning light on the ceiling as a million emotions swirled in my chest, but I didn't dare think. Robert was still asleep next to me, but I didn't dare look at him. I hardly dared to breathe.

Giving up on resting anymore, I shuffled out of the covers and changed, grabbed an extra blanket, wrapped it around my shoulders and went downstairs. By the time I reached the last step I had decided what I wanted, needed to do. With a determined walk I made my way to the entertainment center. I fired up a Guitar Hero game and put on headphones so I didn't bother Robert upstairs. I picked the heaviest song that I could complete and turned up the volume until it pounded in my head. I played the same song over and over going faster and harder each time and my arms began to ache. It was so loud that I didn't notice Robert until he was pulling the headphones off of my head.

"Katie." he said softly.

I ignored him continuing to play the song, starting to fight the urge to cry.

He put one arm around my waist and the other hand on the guitar.

He said my name again, pulling the guitar out of my grasp. I gave up and let it go turning around burying my face into his chest as I burst into tears. He dropped the controller on the floor and held me to him tightly, one hand on my head.

"It'll be okay." he repeated over and over as he tried to calm me.

"I love you." I stuttered. "I love you so much Rob." I kept saying as I wept.

"I'm so sorry." he whispered.

"It's not your fault." I whimpered.

He took my face into his hands making me look at him, "It's just as much my fault as it is yours." He softened, "I didn't stop either."

I shook my head at him unable to say more.

"We'll fix this." he said once we both calmed down, "We can go and get married today."

"No." I said as I wiped a few last tears from my face. "I promised Tristan years ago that she could be maid of honor no matter who the groom was. We need to do this right."

"You're right." he sighed, holding me close again.

He kissed my head gently then went off into the other room.

He came back a moment later with a closed fist.

"Asking you to marry me last night wasn't my plan, but since I did, and since we're doing this right, I need to give you this."

Robert knelt on the floor in front of me, taking my hand and opened it laying his fist on my palm. He then opened his hand slightly and something fell out of it into mine. He curled my fingers over the object, kissed my hand, and then pushed it back toward me.

With my hand shaking I opened it. On my palm rested a ring, the most simply beautiful and elegant ring I had ever seen, and it hung on a silver chain. It was perfect.

"It's to replace your old necklace. I've noticed you still reaching for something to hold every once in a while from your neck, so here you go. It's to be discrete about the whole thing too, at least for a while." he explained timidly.

Robert then took it out of my hand and stood, stepping behind me and putting it around my neck, clasping it. I traced the loop of the ring it was pleasantly cold against my skin.

I kissed him once he faced me and then I was in his arms once again.

 
 

I walked in my front door without a word and Robert came in behind me with my suitcases.

"Katie!" Tristan squealed from the kitchen running into the front room with a huge smile across her face.

I placed a smile on my face as I said hello and then I hugged her a little longer than I usually did. When she pulled away she smiled. Then took my bags from Rob and shuffled off to my room.

Rob took my hand and I turned around as he kissed it.

I went into his arms as he whispered, "I'll be back as fast as I can, a week at the most, and then we can get this all taken care of."

I let out a large sigh thinking about the many jobs ahead of me including telling Tristan, and only Tristan, what had happened.

"We can do this." he said making me look him in the eyes to show me that he truly believed it.

"I know." I answered truthfully.

He then kissed me softly, but fully.

Tristan had apparently returned, because when he pulled away he said, "I have to go now. Bye Tristan." Then to me, "I'll call you, okay?"

"Mmhmm." I answered.

Robert held me against his chest and we swayed like he was trying to comfort me by rocking me back and forth.

"I love you." he whispered in my ear.

"I know." I said into his chest.

He ran his hand over my head and kissed it, then went out the door.

I stayed where he left me, one arm wrapped around my stomach, my fingers gently touching the ring under my shirt while staring at the floor.

I sighed.

"What?" Tristan asked, I could hear the suspicion in her voice.

I continued to look at the floor without seeing it.

"You're going to really miss him this time, huh?" she asked kindly.

"No." I let out starting to feel frustrated. "That's not it."

I turned quickly and stalked off to my room.

"Then what is it?" she asked not angry.

She followed me into my room where I sat in the middle of my bed holding my knees to my chest.

I had tried to prepare myself for this explanation, but, like every time I discussed something that was hard, when it came to actually saying it my voice was caught in my throat.

I screamed a curse to the ceiling and held my head in my frustration.

Then seeing Tristan's confused and somewhat horrified face realized my only option.

I dove for my laptop and, as fast as I could, typed out everything that happened.

Once I finished I had her come and sit on my bed, handing her the computer.

She took it sitting up against the pillows. I sat next to her and laid my head on her shoulder as she read, pulling the ring out and holding it in my hand.

When she finished she set the computer down on the bed and wrapped her arms around me and kissed my head. She didn't say anything. She didn't need to. She knew the pain and confusion Rob and I were both feeling. Pain because we had made a grave mistake and were extremely disappointed in ourselves. Confusion because even though we knew that what had happened was wrong and that we hadn't wanted it, we didn't necessarily regret it. It had been an amazing thing even if it had occurred at the wrong time.

And even though we couldn't change the past, couldn't necessarily make it right, we weren't going to let it happen again.

-----------------

It was the day after Katie got back. I hadn't slept well, thinking about what I would say to Katie. As I lie awake I was surprised at the conclusion I came to.

I went out into the living room and found Katie sitting on the couch, a blank stare on her face. Slowly I lowered myself down next to her. I brushed some hair from her face and wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

"Katie?" I spoke softly.

"Hum?" Her stare didn't move. I could tell she was blocking out most thoughts, trying to sort them carefully.

"Can I tell you something?"

She blinked suddenly and her face twisted a bit, as if she feared what might be coming, as if I would give her some lecture but she slowly shook her head yes.

"I wanted to tell you… I'm… I mean…" I searched for the words. "Katie, I'm not disappointed in you."

This shocked her out of her trance and she looked up at me, a bit shocked.

I smiled softly at her. "Honey, I trust you, trust your intuitions and judgments. And truthfully, I trust Robert too. I know that if it was the wrong time one of you would have stopped it. You both had many chances for that. And I don't feel that what you did was wrong. Yes, you're not married, but I see so much more in the relationship you have than I see in most modern marriages. I see you two together and it fits. I'm not disappointed in what happened. I just wanted you to know that." Then I got up to leave.

Katie grabbed my arm before I could leave. I tensed. Her eyes were soft, slightly clouded, as she searched my eyes. "Really? You mean all that? I mean all of it?"

My body relaxed and I sighed. "Of course, Katie. Every word."

She sighed and smiled at me. "Thank you."

----------

"So." Katie's eyes lit up. "We're getting married."

That was no surprise to me, Katie had already told me. "I know."

It was Robert's turn to smile at me. "Ya." He took Katie's hand and stared at her for a moment. She stared back and I started to feel as if I was intruding on a private moment but at the same time I was glad to be sharing this tender exchange with them.

Slowly, they both turned back to me, still holding hands. Robert was glowing. "We want you to plan it."

I knew that my face had broken into a huge smile. Katie always said she would let me plan her wedding, but I had never really thought it would happen and now I was getting the chance.

"We want to get married before Robert has to leave again." Katie said.

So I sighed and turned to Robert. "So when do you leave?"

"Two weeks."

I think I might have fainted for a second. "WHAT?! But the… and…. Oh… two weeks?"

Robert laughed. "But I'll be back in three months for the wedding."

I breathed a small sigh of relief but the panic must still shown on my face because Katie was trying a hard as she could to hold back a laugh. Then I quickly got up, deciding not to waste any precious time. As I felt the room I picked up the phone and let out a small panicked whimper.

I picked up the phone book and flipped through it. As I dialed the phone I heard Katie's muffled footsteps behind me. She leaned over my shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

"Shhh… I'm on the phone."

"To who?"

"This really awesome cake place. Yum. The make the best chocolate and butter cream cake ever!"

Joy washed over Katie's face as she wrapped her arms around my shoulder and sighed. "Thank you." She breathed.

After I got off the phone I returned to the living room where Katie and Robert sat laughing. I plopped down across from them. "So, what's my budget?" I asked with a small smile.

"Oh how does 20,000 sound?"

I smiled evilly. "Oh, I can work with that."

------

I had my arms folded on the back of the couch with my head resting on them. I was watching Tristan bending over the phone, her fingers stroking the phone book pages as though they were pages of scripture. I tilted my head as I watched her talking frantically though I didn't really hear what she was saying, my melancholy state of mind fogging my surroundings.

I sighed quietly. We'd already gone to three stores today and spent at least two and a half hours in each. I really hoped she wasn't trying to get to any more before they closed. I was tired and hungry and even though I did like what things we had decided on, I felt no attachment to them. Something was off.

I realized with a sinking feeling what we were doing. We were rushing to get married to make up for our mistake.

Instantly, I countered the thought. No, he said that he was planning on asking me in the next few days, so in all reality, we'd probably be doing this exact thing right now regardless of what happened.

I held onto that truth as if it would be the only thing keeping me breathing at that moment.

Tristan hung up the phone and gave me an unsure smile. I smiled back just as unconvincingly. Then the phone rang and I about jumped over the back of the couch as Tristan jerked a little then answered it.

"Hello? …Oh yeah here she is."

Tristan handed the phone to me and I took it cautiously. Why didn't this feel right?

I turned around and sank my bottom onto the cushion. "Hello?"

"Hey."

My heart plummeted. It was Rob, but I could tell from his voice that something wasn't right.

"What's…wrong?" I asked carefully, not sure if I wanted to hear the answer.

He sighed, and sounded frustrated, but guilty.

"They're thinking of taking longer with filming." He blurted in one breath.

I paused. "For how long?" I was surprised by how small my voice was.

"At least a month." He answered his anger rising.

"Oh." I let myself fall slowly sideways, curling into myself gently.

"Just-I'm so sorry. I'm trying to convince them, but-it's not like I can tell them what to do, and-"

"It's okay." I interrupted.

This made him stop. "No, it's not okay." He murmured.

"We'll figure it out." I said, beings it was the only thing I could say and be completely truthful.

He sighed. "Yeah. I'll let you know when I find out more."

"Kay."

He sighed again, but it was more releasing.

"Hey."

"Hmm?"

"I love you. Really…I do…so much."

"I love you too." I managed to say, my voice beginning to catch in my throat.

"Bye."

"Bye." I whispered. I hung up the phone and let it gently fall to the floor.

Four months.

It would possibly be four months after we'd gotten engaged that we'd be getting married.

And after four months I could possibly be-

I sighed internally, not allowing myself to finish the thought.

 

"It's highly unlikely." Tristan said with authority.

I had voiced my concern with her after I had first come home and we discussed my body's cycles before and after the fact.

"Okay." I nodded, not looking at her, still skeptical.

It might have been scientifically unlikely, but that didn't make it impossible.

 

I curled tighter around myself on the couch. We might have really messed up and how could I face everyone at my wedding knowing that? 

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Next--->

Part 16-A Trail of Roses

<---Texas Part 2 and Diamonds

Joe smiled. "So what do you want to do for Valentine's Day?" He asked. 

"Oh. I don't know. As long as we do it together."

"Hum." He seemed to be pondering something. "How about dinner and a movie?"

I smiled and grabbed his hand, "That sounds great.

-----

Valentine's Day. I had a date, after classes of course. Two to be exact.

It wasn't going to be that bad though. My first class was English with Mrs. Ryane, one of the best teachers ever. After that was Art Appreciation with Mr. Black, and frankly that class was pretty fun. So this was a day I was looking forward to.

Mrs. Ryane was taking roll and I was causally chatting with the girl next to me.

"Tristan?" Mrs. Ryane called.

"Here." I said a turned back to my conversation. 

"Can you see me after class?"

Everyone looked at me. "Ya." I said, now extremely nervous.

Class went well and it was fun, but in the back of my mind I wondered what I did wrong. After class I hung back and waited for everyone else to be out the door before I went up to Mrs. Ryane's desk.

She looked up at me and smiled. "You're not in trouble, dear." She said as she opened a drawer to her left. "I just wanted to tell you that a nice young man stopped by and asked if I could give you…" She reached into the drawer and pulled something out. "This."

It was a single long-stem red rose. A red black ribbon tied a note to the stem. I was choked up a bit. There was no mistaking who that 'nice young man' was.

My hand shook a bit as I took it from her. "Thank you." I stuttered.

"He seems really sweet. Happy Valentine's Day." Mrs. Ryane said, telling me it was ok if I left now.

I couldn't take my eyes off the rose as I walked from the room. The note read "For all the Smiles…" It was initialed J.J. at the bottom.

What a gorgeous and romantic gesture. I couldn't help but think witch of his brothers helped him plan it. As I walked to my next class I slowly spun the stem in my fingers. The whole way I was playing different scenarios in my head about thanking Joe.

I sat down in class and set the rose across the top of my desk. The girl to my right was watching me. "That's pretty. Who gave it to you?"

"My boyfriend." Wow. Joe Jonas. My boyfriend. How strange.

"What's his name?" She asked in a normal tone, but to me it was dripping with disaster.

I tried to think fast but nothing was coming. Finally I blurted out "James." A lie.

"Oh. He must be sweet. My boyfriend doesn't send me flowers."

She believed me. "Ya. He is really sweet to me."

Mr. Black walked it and sat some things on his desk. He went to gather some things from the back of the room and as he passed my desk he stopped for a second. "Can you hang back after class for a minute?"

Again? "Yeah. Yeah I can."

Great. What was it this time? Was it for the same thing? I doubted that. So what had I done wrong? Had Mr. Black graded our papers? Had I failed?

Through class I was going to be thinking about it again. Or so I thought. Class started, and it was amazingly interesting. There was no room in my brain to think about what was after class and when we were released I had almost forgot I had to stay behind.

I stepped up to Mr. Black's desk as the last students trickled out. Sighing I smiled, "You wanted to see me Mr. Black?"

He looked up from his paper and over his glasses. He smiled at me. "You know you have a very romantic young man in your life…"

What? Really? Joe again? I bit my bottom lip and smiled. "Thank you?"

He laughed and started to pull something from under his desk. He looked around and then in hushed tones said "Mr. Jonas asked me to give you this." He started to bring something up on to the desk, but shock must have shown on my face because he froze. "My dear, what's wrong?"

"You… I mean….. Did he tell you who he was?" This wasn't good. The flying felling I had been having in light of the romantic turn of events quickly turned to a falling panic.

"No. I have two teenage daughters." He chuckled to himself.

"Mr. Black…."

He cut me off. "Don't worry. I understand you guys want to keep this more of a secret. That he did tell me. I won't tell anyone. On my honor."

I sighed in relief. I knew that he would keep his word. My smile was back. "Thank you." I said yet again.

He brought up the object he had been holding right out of my sights. Another rose. As I always told Katie, I felt all mushy inside.

I took it from Mr. Black and slowly flipped open the card that was tied to this one. "For all the laughs…" I had a big smile on my face as I left them room, thanking Mr. Black again.

Absent mindedly I walked to the information center to pick up some of my work. Then I headed back to my car. It wasn't a really long walk but my mind was traveling a hundred miles an hour, yet still it was clouded.

I opened the door to my car and froze. On the driver's seat, another rose. Now how did he do that? I didn't really care. Quickly I sat and read the new note, "For every kiss…"

The notes had gotten more sentimental. But I really liked it. What more did he have in store for me?

I had a hair appointment in town and I barely made it. My hair-dresser was a sweet guy named Lyle. I had gone to him since I was in the sixth grade. He felt like extended family.

Walking into the shop I smiled as Lyle looked at me through the mirror. He was cutting the hair of an older lady. "Happy Valentine's Day!" He smirked.

"Same to you!"

"Have a seat. I'll be done in a sec."

Slowly I sat on a big bench that was pushed against one wall. As I did this I picked up a stack of old magazines. I scanned the pages, read the gossip, and laughed at how I now knew that the majority of stories were just truths blown way out of proportion. But it was still interesting.

I had decided to be brave. I was getting a haircut. Not just a trim, a cut. A style. I picked one out of a big style book and stared at it nervously, trying to picture my face in the place of the models.

Lyle said goodbye to his other client and walked over to where I sat. "So what are we doing today?"

About an hour and a half later I walked out to my car. I flipped my hair and ran my hands through it. Then I leaned over and looked at the back window. Smiling back at me was my reflection. My hair was just so different, but in a good way. We had thinned it, added layers, and added some bangs. I really liked it.

As I drove home I kept twisting pieces of hair through my fingers. Right as I turned on to my street the roses in the seat next to me caught my eye. I had to wonder what was waiting at home. Opening the door the house I smiled as Katie walked into the living room at the same time I did.

She had on the powder blue dress and white over coat we had bought her. Spinning around she laughed a bit as her dressed puffed out a bit and then she came to a stop in the middle of the room. As she looked at me her eyes got really round.

"Your hair!" She rushed forward and brought her hands up to my hair.

I smiled and laughed as she pushed some of it around.

"It's… and you… Bangs!" she smiled at me. "It's so cute."

"Thanks. And you look great!"

Her brow furrowed and she placed a hand on her hip. "I can't get the hair right. And I don't know how I should go about doing the makeup."

"I'll help." We both laughed a bit.

"Oh!" she seemed to be remembering something. "I have something to show you." A mischievous smile spread across her face.

"Oh no. What?"

Katie walked around behind me and covered my eyes with her hands.

"Where are we…"

"Shh! Just walk forward."

Slowly she guided me to my room and led me inside. I had my eyes closed tight and a smile on my face. "Katie…" I said impatiently.

"Ok. Open!"

I opened my eyes to see my room just as normal. Furrowing my brow I looked at Katie. "Well, to be honest, I though you to would have made my room look like a cupid doll attacked it."

Katie laughed. "Well, we were going to. But… we talked about it and though it was a bit much… Instead we got you this." She side stepped to reveal a black dress hanging if front of my closet.

It was amazing. "Oh! Wow!" I walked up to it.

Katie stepped out the door, "Try it on." She closed the door behind her.

Quickly I slipped the dress on. Katie had done a great job because it fit great and was really cute. It was tight around my chest, pleated, then belled out. I swayed back and forth a few times before calling Katie back in. As she opened the door and I turned to look at her something on the bed caught my eye.

Another rose.

"It fits!" She chimed happily.

I picked up a rose that lay on top of a letter. The note tied to the stem red "For all the little moments…" 

Katie walked up behind me and hugged me. I turned and hugged her back.

"I owe you so much. I wanted to do something for you for once." She touched my hair. "The letter just tells you when the driver will pick you up…"

I held her back. "The WHO?!"

Katie smiled, apparently still knowing more about the evening ahead than I did. "Well I couldn't drive you. I have plans to. And Joe will be busy getting ready…"

"Isn't it a bit risky having a driver pick me up here?"

"Not here. You'll meet them later. But right now we should be getting ready…"

I smiled. "I have the perfect plan for your hair."

We spent the next hour and a half laughing and getting ready. I got Katie's hair done first then her makeup. Then my makeup.

Katie was now running around get everything she would need. She even got my stuff together for me. I laughed as she finally stopped running and sat down in an arm chair.

The door bell rang and I went to get it. Robert stood on the step with what looked like a dozen roses in his hand. "You look nice Tristan." He smiled at me.

"Thank you." I smiled back. Spur of the moment I reached up with one arm and gave him a quick hug. "Happy Valentine's day. I hope you have a good time. Ring the bell again and I'll send her to the door." I winked and playfully shut the door on him.

I walked back into the living room. "It's for you." I told Katie just as the bell rang again. I gave Katie a big hug as she got up to leave. "Have a good time, Ok?" I squeezed her a bit tighter, "And thank you."

Robert hadn't shown up to much before I had to leave so it wasn't long till I was on my way to my rendezvous point. Once there I was surprised to see a black SUV waiting for me. I got in the back seat. It was a longer ride than I was expecting.

We were pretty far up into the mountains when we stopped. Dusk was just gracing the land around us. I hadn't seen a house for miles but we stopped in front of a huge scenic looking cabin. The driver dropped me off out front and left me.

I had to stand there staring for a few minutes. A hill sloped down to the cabin and the ground leveled out somewhere behind it. From this angle I could see that the front door, even though it was at ground level in the front of the house, was actually on the second story. It seemed like it had been pulled from the pages of a fairy-tale.

Slowly I walked down the cobble-stone path to the front door. It was open and I let myself in. There were some rooms off to both sides but the level was mostly a living room. The back wall was lined with large windows and had a veranda doors in the center that led to a red wood balcony. Out the window I could see that the sun had set and it was getting dark quickly and the lighting was turning the grayish color that it does as the dusk falls.

From the letter I got I knew I needed to go down stairs. The stair case was to my right. The railing was a dark wood like the rest of the house. I walked down and had to gasp. This floor was almost the same as the one above it only there were no other rooms. It was entirely a living room. One wall was a kitchen and a dining room table out from that. But that was a minor detail and did not attract my attention.

All the furniture had been pushed against the walls, leaving the entire floor free. Candles flickered from random places all around. Some sat on the arms of the couch and chairs and some just sat flickering on the floor.

The back wall was completely windows. The veranda doors on this level were left open. They led out to a large porch that over looked the forest and a glittering lake. I walked out onto the porch. The railing all around had candles sitting on it. A large section of the edge was stairs that led down onto a large grassy area. Trees surrounded the area.

A large blanket and a basket lay directly out from the steps. They were a good distance from the deck. On the railing next to the stairs lay a rose. I walked over and picked it up. The note on this one was red "For all the ways you love me…"

I heard someone moving behind me as I twirled the stem in my fingers. Slowly I turned to face Joe standing in the door. Behind his glasses his eyes grew wide and he smiled. We both slowly walked towards each other and met in about the middle of the porch. In a leisurely movement Joe stretched his arms out and wrapped them around me, pulling me in close to him. He pressed his lips to my forehead and sighed.

"You look amazing." He whispered to me.

"Thanks." I said shyly. "You too."

He was wearing white button up shirt, tie, jeans, and a nice dress jacket. The sleeves on his jacket were rolled to just above his elbows.

Slowly we rocked back and forth, as if we were dancing. Then Joe pulled away and held me at arm's length. I looked into his eyes and sighed. It had been a long time since I had seen him, let alone really look at him. 

He brought one hand up to my hair and brushed my bangs.

"I like it." He smiled at me. Then he looked me up and down. "Thank you Katie." He mocked.

 I slapped his arm. "Joe!" I crossed my arms over my chest and turned my back to him.

"Kidding…" He laughed and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. "Kidding." He kissed the side of my head in apology.

I sighed. "I know."

"I missed you." He told me.

I turned back to Joe and brought my hand to the side of his face. "Joe." I smiled at him and brushed my thumb over his cheek bone under the edge of his glasses. "I missed you too."

Light, weather it came from the candles or the moon that now shown bright overhead I didn't know, danced in his eyes. "Come here. I have something for you." He took my hand and led me down to the blanket. He crossed his legs and sat down Indian style on one side of the blanket. "Sit." He invited.

Kicking off my shoes I took my time sitting down, working to keep myself covered with my dress. Once I was sitting I looked across at Joe. A smile danced on my lips. "So, what is all of this?"

"Dinner." He smiled at me as he started to pull things from the basket. "I cooked it for you…"

"Oh no." I let my shoulders fall and acted disappointed. "Are you sure it's fit to eat?"

He handed me a plate. "Ha ha. Very funny."

"Joking." I told him as I looked down and traced the edged of the china with my fingers.

Unknown to me Joe had pulled out his Polaroid camera. I had a small smile on my face as I looked up. To my surprise a bright flash lit up around me.

"AH! Joe!" I hid behind my plate, a bit too late.

He laughed as he shook the picture. "You're so cute."

"You could have told me…"

"But then it wouldn't be so… real." He said happily.

I leaned over and snatched the camera from him. "Give me that." I scooted over closer to him and leaned in next to him. Stretching my arm out I held the camera pointed back at us. "Smile."

Dinner was actually really good. Katie had told him how to make one of my favorite dishes and he had done well. As normal when we were together, we laughed a lot. I loved that Joe was wearing his glasses. It was such a personal part of him and it just felt more private, special.

We talked as we ate and the night air settled around us. I shivered a few times and Joe took off his jacket and draped it around my shoulders. He rolled down the sleeves of his shirt to make up for the loss of the layer.

After we finished eating we put our plates back into the basket and moved it off the blanket. Stretching out, we lay next to each other looking up at the stars. Joe had one arm around over my head. I rested my head on his shoulder smiling up at the sky.

Even though we talked often we still found a lot to talk about. And even when we fell into moments of silence, it was amazing. I was content to lie there in is arms. As we both watched the stars, neither of us notices as they disappeared and clouds filled the sky.

Lighting flashed through the sky and a clap of thunder rolled through the air. I sat up strait. "What?" I turned my face to the sky as a few drops of rain fell onto it. "AH!" I jumped up laughing. Joe followed suit.

The rain started to poor down as we gathered the stuff around us. We danced back up to the porch, laughing and spinning as the rain fell against our skin.

Once back on the porch I looked down over myself. "I'm all… wet."

Joe laughed. He was watching me with a gentle expression. "And very beautiful." He said.

I spun around once then shook my head, making water fly. Joe and I both laughed.

We sat down on the porch and watched the rain on the lake below us. I had my head rested on Joe's shoulder and he rested his head on mine.

After a while we fell silent. We sat like that for a few moments, then Joe took one of my hands. "I love you. You know that, right?"

I raised my head and looked at him. "Of course I do. And I love you too. Why?"

He reached up and brushed some wet hair from my face. "Sometime… when I'm gone for a long time… I just need to know that you know I love you. I can't always tell you or show you that as often as I would like to."

"Joe." I smiled and kissed the hand he had on my face. "You find ways to show me you love me that you may not realize. I hear it every time we talk. I see it in your eyes every time I see you. I can feel it when you touch me." I raised our hands in the air and pushed our palms together. "My only wish is that you know in the same way how I feel about you."

He smiled at me. "I do know." He took my face in both hands then kissed my forehead. "I know."

I smiled up at him. "It is nice to hear it every once in a while though."

He laughed.

We sat there for a while, talking and just being together. I said something about dancing and Joe looked up and smiled.

He propped himself on his elbow. "May I have this dance?"

I turned my head raised my eyebrow at him. "What dance?"

He smiled and took my hand. We got up and he led me back into the house. "Joe what are you doing?"

He didn't answer me but picked up a small remote and hit a button. Somewhere a radio clicked on. The song was slow. Joe pulled me to him and we started to sway.

"Can I show you something?" He whispered in my ear.

"Sure…"

Joe pulled back a bit. He placed one hand on the small of my back. He reached up with his other hand and took one of mine.

"I rented this movie…" He explained as he started to step, leading me in a ballroom dance. "And it taught me basic steps."

He spun me and pulled me back to him. "I thought it was something we might like to do some time." 

Yes--->

Animations

Currently we here at FaF are working on ways to make this whole process more fun for you. Without you what we do is rather pointless. So we have come up with the idea of doing short animations. These will include clips of the actual story plot as well as their very own plots and twists. Mostly they will sever as humors clips meant to get you more acquainted with the characters and their relationships.

In this process we have brought in a couple of our friends to do some character designing and maybe even the actual animating. We are pleased to share with you some of the first designs. These are not necessarily the final results that will end up being in the animations. These are just the first designs.

We welcome ANY coments you have, for or against these designs.

Without futher adu:

(Click Image to see larger)

 

Style 1

Style 2

Style 3

A Possible Change!

Hey guys, this is N.S. Katherine. Lately I've been feeling that I don't have a strong base of Katie's POV or just of her's and Rob's relationship. The development is lacking and I feel like a lot of it is just being...mushy, for lack of another term. So, for a while now there has been this idea shifting around in my head of another way to start it. A completely other sequence of events and just events in general of their relationship getting started and progressing. It has really been growing on me. I really think that it would be a lot stronger and, frankly, a great deal better than what I already have. I'm not completely depleting what's there already nor am I changing the main parts of the plot, just shifting or adding on to it. 

I'm not going to tell you details of what I'm wanting to do instead, but I do want your thoughts. 

In a while though I might have written a little of this new version and I might share it and ask for your opinion, but for now, just tell me what you think of this! 

Thanks!

~N.S.Katherine

Part 15-Texas Part 2 and Diamonds

<---Part 14

Tapping my fingers on my knee I smiled as we piled into the back of the big red truck. Kevin Sr. had just finished hooking up the boat and had joined Denise and Frankie in the cab. The bed of the truck had benches along the sides for riding in it. Somehow we managed to fit me, Katie, Joe, Nick, Kevin, and Danielle into the back comfortably. Last to join us was Elvis, who happily jumped up into the back among our legs.

It wasn't a long ride to the lake but needless to say it was fun. I mean, we were all crammed in the back of a truck!

As we pulled up to the lake Elvis lifted his head off of Nick's lap, where it had been for most of the ride, and looked longingly at the small waves breaking on the bank. I couldn't help but thinking I probably had the same look on my face.

After we completely stopped and the truck was turned off, Kevin put down the tail-gate. We all started to stand and I hopped down first, Elvis right on my heels. With a small smile I threw my arms up and yelled "Water!"

I started for the lake at a dead run and was not surprised to find Elvis bounding along beside me. We hit the water at the same time, sending splashes all over. Laughter echoed from the direction of the truck as I bounded through the waves with a golden retriever at my side.

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With a sigh, I greedily shoved enough pieces into my mouth and swallowed them, scraping my throat.

I desperately wanted to reach out for more, but I resisted knowing I just needed time. I normally wouldn't have resisted and just done it with no one to tell me any different, but Nick was sitting next to me.

I momentarily imagined him smacking my hand as I reached for the bag again, but was too worn to let the amusement of the image show on my face.

 ----------------------

I played with one of the ruffles on the front of my shirt as I flipped my ponytail around. Glancing over my appearance I giggled. Katie always said I was a country girl at heart. My shirt was hot pink and black plaid, my shorts had a big cuff and hit right above my knees, my hair was up with a few wavy strands hanging down, and to top off the look I had on cowboy boots. It was perfect for Texas .

Danielle walked in to see if I was ready. "Oh, you look so cute!" She said as she took me in. Smiling she asked, "Do you and Joe plan to match? Or does it just happen?"

I hadn't seen Joe yet, hadn't spoke to him since lunch actually. His family was treating this like a really big thing. It reminded me of a prom scene in a movie. "I didn't know we were matching. It seems to just happen." I laughed a bit.

Katie walked in then carrying my newest brown ruffled purse. "I got your things together." She said smiling. "You look cute."

"Thanks." I beamed. They were the only two who I had seen since I was ready and they both approved. "Everything else ready?" I asked as I took my bag and slung it over my shoulder.

"Yup. Everyone is waiting down stairs." Danielle said as we left the room headed to the stairs.

I looked over the railing before I headed down. Kevin and Nick sat casually in a couple of chairs across from each other, playing a game of cards with Frankie standing over them. Joe leaned against the wall watching them without any interest in what they were actually doing. Kevin Sr. and Denise stood in the doorway to the living room, watching their boys with soft smiles on their faces. It seemed so normal you would never guess this was the family of rock starts.

I smiled down at them, so happy to be as accepted into this as I was. Danielle and Katie walked up behind me and looked down too then Danielle coughed to get their attention.

Immediately, all eyes snapped up to the stairs and Joe stood up straight and stepped forward. Now I really thought of that movie as I started down the stairs with everyone looking at me. The reason I had come up with for this being such a big deal was that it was really the first time we had gone on a one on one date leaving his house. Normally he picked me up from my house or we met somewhere. The only time we had left from his house was when we where going somewhere with his brothers.

Stepping off the last step I rocked up on my toes and waited as Joe walked over to me. He leaned down and pressed his lips quickly to my cheek. "Shall we?" He said as he stepped aside. I couldn't leave the room without saying goodbye to everyone so first I went over and gave Kevin Sr. a hug. "Thank you." I said smiling up at him. He shook his head with a smile.

Then I turned to Denise. "You look great." She said, smiling big and holding open her arms for a hug as well. "Thank you." I told her.

As I turned to Nick and Kevin to give them a hug and mutter goodbye Joe walked over to his mom and gave her a kiss on the cheek. My heart melted as that picture froze in my head. He was a close to his family as I was to mine.

Last I turned and waved to Katie and Danielle who had remained at the top of the stairs. Joe came up beside me and waved as well.

"Do you have your house key, Joe?" Kevin Sr. asked.

I hadn't known we would be out late enough for him to need his key so I was a bit surprised and looked at him. "Ya, Dad. I have it." Joe sighed with a small smile directed at me.

"Oh wait." Denise said as she turned and grabbed a camera from the table next to her. "Smile!"

"Mom!" Joe murmured with distaste.

In response I turned to the side and pushed myself in to his arms, my hands on his chest, and a big smile on my face. Joe couldn't help but smile and Denise snapped the picture. As a joke I threw up one leg behind me with a laugh. Everyone else laughed too as Denise took another picture.

Lost in my sudden playfulness Joe rested his cheek on the top of my head for a few more pictures before he said, "We good now?" to his mom.

"Yes, Joseph, we're good. You can go now."

"Thank you." Joe smiled at his parents and with one arm around my waist lead me out the door.

"Drive careful in my car!" Kevin Sr. called as Joe shut the door behind us.

"His car? We're not taking your car?" I said, wondering how many surprises I was getting this evening as we walked down the driveway.

"I thought we might take the truck." He said with a smile as he opened the passenger door for me.

I jumped in and slid into the middle as he walked around and climbed into the driver's seat. He hadn't expected to find me sitting in the middle so he smiled down at me for a second before her stuck the key into the ignition. We slipped our seatbelts on as he pulled out of the driveway.

The radio rang out a country song and I smiled and rested my head on Joe's shoulder. "Where are we going?" I asked casually playing with the rolled up sleeve of his blue and black plaid shirt.

"It's a surprise." He said as we pulled out the gate of the community.

"You're really not going to tell me?" I asked pouting out my lip and blinking my eyes.

His smile grew as he sighed and shook his head. "No. You'll just have to wait and see."

"Fine." I said sticking my tongue out at him.

Laughing he wrapped one arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer to his side as we drove out of town.

We had been on country roads for a good twenty minutes both of us singing along to the radio. His arm was around my shoulder again and I had one hand on his knee as we turned onto a dirt road. My interest peaked.

"Really Joe, where are we going?" I said, leaning forward and trying to see something.

"I told you you'll see." He said more excited as we pulled up to an old ranch gate. He put the car in park and hopped out. I watched him in wonder for a moment, and the thought crossed my mind that I really loved him in those blue jeans. The black boots weren't bad either. Realizing he was opening the gate to let us in I slid into the driver's seat and pulled the truck through so he could close the gate behind us.

Jumping back into the driver seat he drove us down into the ranch and up to a big barn. It wasn't the old red barn you would think to find, but rather a nice, up kept brown one. Joe put the truck in park and turned it off. "What do you think?" he asked with a smile that could melt anyone's heart.

"To be honest, I don't really get it." I said, not able to take my eyes off him as he ran his hand threw his hair.

"Come on. You'll see." He said as he jumped from the truck and started jogging towards the barn.

I climbed out the other side and called after him, "You keep saying that!" before I followed.

Walking slowly in the direction I smiled to myself, Joe's smile still in my mind. I hadn't quite reached the door before Joe came walking back out, leading two fully saddled horses behind him.

A gasp escaped me as I looked at him. "What are you doing?" I asked. "Are we riding those?"

He smiled at me. "You like it?"

"Well, ya. But you rented horses? I would have been fine jus-"

He cut me off. "We're not renting them. Family friend." He said as he tied off the horse's reins to the side of what I now knew was a stable. "Let me help you up." Joe said as he took my hand and led me to the side of a beautiful deep brown horse.

After he helped me into the saddle he untied the reins, handed me mine and then climbed onto his horse, who was a soft tan with dark black mane and legs. The light caught in his hair and danced on his skin as he turned to look at me. "You ever done this before?" He asked.

In response I tapped my heels into the horse's side and called "Yaah!" leaned in and dashed forward into the rolling fields. Laughing I glanced back over my shoulder to see Joe bent over racing after me, a smile lighting up his whole face.

We rode around for hours just laughing and chasing each other through the rolling hills that made up the ranch. As the sun started to set Joe asked me to follow him and we went deep into the ranch and over a large hill. Stopped at the top Joe looked down at something and I slowed and walked up to his side. We were looking out over the most amazing view. Tall grass blew around all over the hills and caught the light of the setting sun. Below us a river snaked by, glistening.

We sat in silence for a minute, looking out over the beautiful landscape before us. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Joe watching me so I turned to him. I tried to tell him it was beautiful but I couldn't find words as I stared at him.

"I love you." He said softly.

My heart beat wildly and I felt tears building but I forced them back. "I love you, too." I said smiling at him. "I'm so lucky."

Our horses were so close that our legs brushed together then. Like the force of a magnet I was pulled to him, and he to me. One of his hands found the back of my head as our lips found each other's.

After a minute he pulled away and looked at me. "Let's get outta here." He smiled and took off fast back down the hill. Laughing yet again I followed him.

We made it back to the stables and put the horses back. Then we jumped in the truck and headed out of the farm but when I expected to turn back the way we had come, Joe turned the other way.

"Do I get to know where we're going now?" I asked.

"To watch the sun set." Joe smiled at me.

We drove up some hills and into a slightly wooded area that told me we where near water. Sure enough we pulled right up to the edge of a river, probably the same one as before, and Joe put the truck in park parallel to the running water. The area we where parked in was mostly surrounded buy trees but the area next to us over the water was clear and gave us a perfect view of the setting sun.

Joe got out and I followed him as he climbed up into the bed of the truck. The benches that had been in there on the way to the lake had been removed so we sat on the side of the truck, looking out over the water. After a minute Joe stood and went over to the ice chest that I hadn't noticed until now. He returned with a couple of sandwiches and brown-bottled root-beers.

I chuckled as I took mine from him. "Real classy," I said as I examined my sandwich. "We go on a big date and for dinner we have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and root-beer."

Joe looked at me with worry in his eyes. "Are you disappointed?"

I laughed. "No! Joe, I'm not disappointed. I love it. It's perfect." I said in complete honesty. "Really fitting. And yummy." I said as I took in a mouthful of the sandwich.

Joe smiled as he took a bite of his. "Good." He said with relief. "I tried to think of something else, but it was all too hard to try to keep until now."

"Ya, I get it." I said as I took a swig of my root-beer. I couldn't help but laugh again. "But I bet we look really country right now!"

Joe laughed. We ate and joked as the sun in front of us set. Looking at me Joe smiled. "You know, that is the shirt you were wearing the first time we met. Of course at the time you were covered in blood…" He trailed off looking at me.

That was something I hadn't noticed and it made me smile. "Wow, you remember that?"

He laughed. "Well, you kinda fell into my arms covered in blood. That's a pretty memorable thing. But honestly," He said through the laughter. "I like that shirt a lot. Of course at that time I didn't know I was going to fall in love with the girl wearing it."

As the light started to fade away the fireflies started to come out and I was excited about that because I had never seen them in real life before. The mood of the whole place brought to mind a song so I jumped down from the bed and went to the cab.

I didn't turn the car on all the way, just enough to roll down the windows and turn on the radio then shut it off. After a second I realized I was stuck. If I opened the doors the radio would shut off so the only way out was through the open window. As I was climbing out I heard Joe laughing. "Couldn't you have got out and restarted the radio through the open window?" He asked with a mocking smirk.

I furrowed my brow in frustration. He was right. "This is much more… sexy." I couldn't come up with anything else.

Joe laughed more. "Well, I would have to agree, but I'm a bit bias."

After I had successfully climbed from the cab, luckily without injury, I scurried back up into the truck bed. Somehow I managed to slip doing that. Quickly grabbing my elbows before I fell to the ground Joe pulled me up and into his arms.

The world seemed to be inline with us at that moment because as my feet rested onto the truck a soft song came on the radio and Joe smiled down at me. Without a word I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his chest. He already held me to him and we started to sway back and forth, slow dancing in the dark.

As we danced I took in a deep breath and sighed as his scent filled my nose. Then his voice drifted softly to my ears as he sang to me, nearly inaudibly. It sent a shiver down my spine as he harmonized with the girl on the radio. My head was still rested against his chest and I felt the tears from earlier return. This time I couldn't hold them all in and a few rolled down my cheeks.

Joe kissed the top of my head and left his lips there, mumbling the words into my hair. I couldn't help but say the one thing that clouded my mind. "I love you." I whispered, barely loud enough to be heard.

He pulled back a bit and looked into my face. I didn't want him to see me crying but it was too late. The smile faded from his face. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing." I said smiling up at him. "Nothing could be wrong right now. I just- I love you so much." Wiping my eyes I sighed. "I'm sorry. I just didn't know I could ever feel like this about someone."

Joe smiled softly down at me. "I know. This-" He sighed trying to find the words. "I have never felt this strongly before. Didn't know I could."

Smiling up at Joe I though back to Turlock . I thought about an older lady and her husband. And in that instant I knew how true it was when she told me that the realist, truest love was the most impossible, the most incredible, and the deepest.

It was just after midnight when we pulled back into the driveway of the house.

----------------------

"Katie, I've been around long enough and have had enough of my own relationships to be able to see real love when it's there. … You have that with Rob and it's not going to change how much you two are supposed to be together."

----------------

My book was getting interesting. Sitting on the couch I had hunkered down under my big blanket and continued the novel I had picked up at the store a few days earlier. Thumbing through the soft, new pages as I read I lost myself in the story.

The doorbell rang and I looked up from my book in surprise. I wasn't expecting anyone and Katie was working her last shift of the week. Crawling out from under my blanket I went to the front door and was shocked at who I found on my doorstep.

"Rob. Katie's at work and…"

"I know. I was actually…" he was staring at his feet and he ran a hand through his hair as he quickly glanced up to my face. "Well, I was actually hoping to speak with you. If I could that is…"

"Of course. Come in." I stepped aside and let him in. I followed him into the living room where he turned to me.

"I-" He couldn't seem to find any words and he turned from me and went into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Folding his arms in front of him he sighed and rested his head on his arms.

Without a word I went to the cabinet and pulled out two large mugs, making us some hot chocolate. After they were done I walked over to the table and sat his in front of him.

"Thank you." He mumbled as he sat up and took the warm mug in his hands. After a moment he took a long sip. We sat in silence for a while and I tried to be silently supportive of whatever he was going through.

As I sat there staring at Rob I smiled. I had known this complicated man for nearly two years now and in that time I had the privilege of watching him grow. He had taken it upon himself to be better for Katie. I loved him for that.

But more than that I had also grown close to him. He was my friend and as much as I would be there for him, I knew he would try to be there for me. And I trusted him. I trusted him with my biggest secret and he trusted me with his, and I knew we would both protect the other.

These thoughts rolled around in my head as I watched him struggling to tell me what he had come to talk to me about. Without thinking I reached out and placed my hands on one of his. This brought his eyes up to mine and I saw a layer of stress melt away, but just one layer.

Taking a deep breath he put his other hand into his pocket and pulled something out. Silently he placed a small box into my hands and he closed my fingers around it. Slowly I brought it closer to me and looked down into my palms. It was a soft velvet box, black, and I was pretty sure I knew what was in it.

Still I had to open it. Inside was a sparkling diamond ring that made the breath catch in my throat. It was a larger center diamond with two slightly smaller diamonds set on either side of it. The silver band came up on the sides and to the middle of the center diamond before it came out a bit, forming little rounded wisps on each side. "Oh, Rob." I sighed.

"It's bad isn't it?" He said sitting up on edge.

"No!" I quickly responded, reassuring my friend. "No, Rob, it's perfect. You did amazing."

He looked at me. "I'm going to ask her to marry me." He seemed scared to admit he had even thought of it. His eyes shot back down to his own hands as he lowered his head a bit. "I just- I don't know why she would say yes."

I raised my brow and laughed softly. "Rob, she has no reason to say no."

He looked up at me again, a bit more hopefully. "You think… You think she would want to marry me?"

I had to pat his hand again. "I know she does Rob."

His eyes gleamed and I realized something. "But Rob, I can't answer for her. I don't know if for some reason she would hold back. She might, but I don't know why she would."

The doubt clouded his face again. "I should just wait then, until she's ready."

I didn't know how to approach this. "No, Rob. If you feel the time is right, then ask her. You alone know the depths of the turbulent raging waters of her heart."

He still looked at me doubtfully.

I sighed. "Rob, you two are perfect for each other. All of us know that. Trust yourself and you'll know. She loves you, know that."

Softly he smiled at me. "Thank you." He said, and I knew he believed me.

Smiling I smacked his arm. "So, how are you gonna ask her?"

He laughed a bit, trying to shake off the nerves. "Don't know yet. I planned to think about that while I'm gone and ask her when I get back. Just figured I should have the ring approved first." He joked with me. Our laughter died down and he looked around. "So, what were you doing before I showed up?"

Rob was a fellow reader so we soon found ourselves chatting about books over our cooling hot chocolate. Eventually we ended up back in the living room, me reading my book and Rob at the other end of the couch flipping endlessly through the TV channels.

After a few hours, Katie walked in. 

A Possible Change
 Animations
Part 16--->