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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 22, 2008 23:19:12 GMT -5
"I miss you," Susie said, her mind not really working quickly enough to filter her emotions.
The key here was that she said miss, current tense. Not missed. She missed who Zachary was when he was with her in California. She missed the feeling of freedom that he had given her.
(Sorry it's short)
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Post by Justin Scotts on Oct 23, 2008 10:09:07 GMT -5
Justin opened the door and came into the room at the look from his father. He didn't say anything though, instead he just sat in a chair by the door and leaned his head back. He wanted Suzie to have someone there on her side, regardless of what his uncle thought of him. His uncle was being an idiot and he knew he actually wanted to tell Suzie something but not with Zach there. So instead he just sat and watched and waited for an opportunity to talk to Suzie alone or for the results to come back, whichever happened first.
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Oct 23, 2008 10:40:50 GMT -5
Zach caught the meaning behind her words, because he felt the same way. He missed her, he missed himself, and he missed the way everything had seemed so easy back in Calfornia. Back then, he always knew what to say, he was always confident and he could just let himself love her without complications. He missed her laughter, her sense of adventure, and he missed her kiss. And he wished he knew what to say to make things be the way they had once been. But he was unaware that three simple words would probably have made all the difference.
Instead, he quietly brought her hand to his lips and pressed a tender kiss onto the palm. "I'm sorry," was all he could say.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 23, 2008 16:05:11 GMT -5
Sorry for what? That he couldn't be the man she had met in California? That he didn't love her, or what? There were a thousand things he could have been sorry for, and it was the wrong answer for her. He was sorry, but she just wasn't what he wanted.
Suzie sighed. "Zach... can you get me something... juice?"
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Oct 23, 2008 16:13:18 GMT -5
What he was sorry for was for getting her into this mess. He was sorry for getting her pregnant, for being so careless as to get caught by Taylor, for getting involved with that damned game... and most of all, he was sorry that he was so weak, he had let Taylor force him into leaving. But somehow he couldn't tell her all of that. The words were so simple, but somehow, he just couldn't articulate them. They died on his lips, leaving the words he did say to fall short of their mark.
"Yes, of course," he said to her request. He gave her hand a squeeze and got up quickly. "Susie, I'll be right back. You just relax."
Passing Justin at the door, he said in a low voice, "Please... she shouldn't be alone. Would you mind sitting with her?"
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Post by Justin Scotts on Oct 24, 2008 10:03:38 GMT -5
Justin nodded at his uncle, "Of course." And watched him leave the room silently. His eyes returned softly to Suzie, there was no condemnation or judgement in his gaze.. only concern. "Suzie, there's something I think you should know. Something he said outside that I don't think he'll tell you himself. I'm telling you because for some ungodly reason I care what happens to you and the baby. He wants that baby to be his, and he wants you to marry him... but not for the reasons you think. He wants you to want to marry him. I've never seen him act like this before, he doesn't usually care who he hurts or walks away from but ever since he came back from California he's been different.. changed somehow. I couldn't put my finger on why until now... somehow you managed to..." Justin paused a moment to find the right word, "He managed to fall for you I think. He's just a fool who doesn't know how to admit it."
Justin didn't care if his uncle would kill him for saying it, he was doing it for the baby.. for his uncle. He did care about his uncle's life and happiness, as much as the irony of seeing him changed and wanting to have Tanya off his own back. And he had a feeling the baby was Zach's... after all the Scotts are rather known for being a fertile lot, and he wanted to make sure the baby stayed with the family. But beyond that.. there was a care not really for Zachary so much as for this really weird connection he felt for the girl.
He had a feeling that if Zachary didn't seem to want her, that he likely would have liked her himself. He was in a way grateful that Zachary did seem to want her. And he could see why his uncle had fallen for the girl. Apparently the uncle and nephew had the same taste in women and it managed to irk Justin at the thought that he would ever feel like that for a girl that wasn't his family. At least not any time soon.
He looked at Suzie though, he had no intent other than to try to clearup what was obvious to him as miscommunication... and if it saved the girl from some other fate so be it.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 24, 2008 12:13:03 GMT -5
Suzie shook her head slowly. It would be nice, if all of that were true. It would be wonderful if the fairytale wasn't over, but the concersations that she had with Zachary so far proved otherwise.
"No, Justin," she said softly. "He didn't fall me. But that's okay. We'll find out who the father is pretty soon and figure things out from there."
If he had fallen for her, he would have stayed and fought Taylor. He would have fought for her, anyway. If he loved her, he never would have said he'd let her go, even if the baby was his. He was just so willing to give things up that she didn't have the energy to fight to be wanted.
"He liked me when it was easy, Justin. Things changed. They're not easy anymore."
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Post by Justin Scotts on Oct 24, 2008 13:40:40 GMT -5
"When is life ever easy? You don't know Zach like I do... there's something different about him since he got back and if I were a gambling man, I'd bet a small fortune that it's because of you. But it's your choice if you ask me, at least.. about who you marry. But if the baby is a Scotts... it should be raised with us and not some other man that you don't even love either. What harm does it do to stay with one man that I can tell you care about rather than some jerk you don't? Seems obvious to me but it's your life and despite what you think or despite my uncle's fumbling over his emotions with you... come to think of it, he's always a smooth talker and you have him tied it knots.. it's rather funny if it wasn't so obvious to the rest of us that he can't seem to communicate how he feels." Justin was talking causally with her as if he'd known her for years, he didn't feel intimidated by the woman and he found he rather liked her so he treated her like he would his sister.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 24, 2008 15:28:51 GMT -5
"I don't want him forced into a realtionship, or a marriage, just because of a child. I don't love Taylor, you're right. But he loves me, and... he could forgive me for the child."
He hadn't cast her aside when he found out about the affair, after all.
She rubbed her eyes, feeling the sedation slowly starting to wear off, and it was making it a little easier to think and to talk to Justin.
"And I'm worried. If... if I left Taylor..."
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Post by Justin Scotts on Oct 24, 2008 15:47:39 GMT -5
"You're worried about how Taylor would react? You really don't know my family much do you? I can assure you that whatever his threat, it wouldn't go far here. We would protect you as one of our own if you were to marry Zachary.. or even if you didn't and still had his child, we would. I can't speak for my father or aunt... but I don't think you understand that you'd be protected.. I'd make sure of that."
Why was he telling this woman these things? shouldn't he be acting like the rest of his family? probably but he couldn't help it for some reason, he felt responsible for the woman being here, and somehow managed to care what happened to her. Maybe because she reminded him so much of his sister.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 24, 2008 15:52:53 GMT -5
Suzette sighed deeply. "As long as the child was safe," she said. "I love Zachary, even knowing he's not the man I knew in California. But I won't force him into anything. I don't want him to see me as an obligation," she added.
Finally she shook her head, still slowly. "I don't know what to do. I can't think right now. I just... we should wait for the results."
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Post by Justin Scotts on Oct 24, 2008 16:05:24 GMT -5
"Of course, but if it is Zach's... I think you should give him a chance to see what he really wants. Ignore my aunt and father... for once don't pre-judge what you think Zach does or doesn't want. If he didn't want to marry you I can guarantee you that he would never be trapped into it or feel obligated, he'd already be gone." And that was the honest truth... he knew it just as well as Zach had even admited to it. He knew his uncle enough to know that he wouldn't have stayed around. He had actually expected the man to already be gone by now and had been a bit surprised that Zach was still here.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 24, 2008 16:25:59 GMT -5
Suzie swallowed. If she stayed with Zach, they would have to talk and work some things out. They would need to talk and honestly work things out.
He couldn't continue gambling like he did. He would have to grow up... he would have to be some semblance of the man she knew in Calfornia, because she wasn't going to have all those problems around the baby.
"I think Zach and I just need to talk... without the pressure of anyone else around. Can you help me?" She asked, looking up. "When we get the results... if it's his, can you help us have some time alone to talk before they start planning a marriage?"
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Post by Justin Scotts on Oct 24, 2008 16:35:19 GMT -5
"Yes, I'll do what I can with my family at least until you two talk. I can't make promises my aunt wont' hex me into next year.. but I'll do what I can. Just give him a chance okay? I really think he loves you.. even if he's a fool about it. And really, I can see why. You remind me of my sister, I think you'd like her... and my brothers. My whole family isn't all like my father and aunt you know. I'm no saint.. but.. I care about my family.. and I have a feeling that includes you and that baby now." He came over and held her hand, "I'll do what I can, Suzie."
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 24, 2008 16:40:32 GMT -5
"Thank you," she said with a soft smile. Trying to work things out without knowing whose baby she carried wasn't working for them, and once word spread that the baby was his, if it was his, she didn't think she'd have a lot of time with just Zack. They needed some news, like that the baby was his, to force them to think about what needed to be done. The what ifs were going to kill them.
"I trust you, you know."
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Post by Justin Scotts on Oct 24, 2008 16:45:31 GMT -5
"I'm not perfect, Suzie. But I am on your side if that helps any. If it wasn't for Zach I'd probably offer to marry you myself." He chuckled softly at that but he knew she'd blow it off, he wasn't the type to marry but he genuinely liked her. "Just don't tell Zachary I said that... he'd have my head served to Tanya in a heartbeat to get me married off." He winked at her, trying to put her at ease and he squeezed her hand softly with reassurance.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 24, 2008 16:55:13 GMT -5
"It helps," Suzie replied. Having someone that understood her side of things helped immensely.
"Zach should be back soon." And the test results, too. She was impatient for those.
"Thank you, Justin," she added, her eyes moving towards the door as if expecing Zach to walk back in at any moment.
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Oct 24, 2008 18:24:57 GMT -5
Almost as if on cue, the door swung open slowly, and Zachary walked into the room. He lacked his usual confidence in his steps and looked almost tentative. He was holding in his hand a tray, on which was a glass of juice and a plate of toast. "You didn't ask for anything to eat," he said, "but I thought I should get you something anyway. It might help settle your stomach."
He glanced at Justin a moment, wondering what, if anything, they'd been talking about while he'd been gone. Perhaps it was best if he didn't know.
Setting the tray on the table by the bed, he sat down in the chair and looked at her uncertainly. It seemed almost like everything he said was wrong, and he wasn't sure what else to say that wouldn't upset her. "Is... everything OK?" he asked hesitantly, careful not to ask her how she was doing.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 24, 2008 18:45:22 GMT -5
"Thank you," Suzie said, looking at the toast and realizing, for a second time, that she was hungry and she reached for a piece of toast as well as the juice.
She looked up at him at his question and resisted the urge to look at Justin for a moment. "I don't know, Zach. I don't know if everything is okay or if it's all gone to pot. You tell me."
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Oct 24, 2008 22:10:17 GMT -5
Zachary sighed. He wished he had a drink--the stronger, the better. Maybe then he would be able to talk to her again. He wanted nothing more than to be the man Susie thought he was. The man he'd been in California. The trouble was, that man had never existed; not really. It was true that he'd shared more of himself with her than he ever had with any other woman. And there had been many times when he'd let go of the facade and just allowed himself to be with her, to relax and enjoy it. And those were his favorite memories with her. But he didn't know whether that was the man she wanted him to be. And right now, he wasn't sure he even remembered how. It almost seemed that he'd left that part of himself back in California.
"I'm not sure what you want me to say," he said. "The situation... it's sticky, to be sure. But we'll figure it out. Together. I'll find a way to make things right again."
Somehow he knew that he was saying all the wrong things. But he wasn't sure what the right words were.
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