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Post by HburgEagle44 on Jul 20, 2013 21:49:18 GMT -5
Ohhhh. Plans are scary, especially if they don't work. Update!
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Post by slyoldweasel on Jul 20, 2013 22:53:24 GMT -5
You got to tell me If you're gonna break my heart 'cause I don't want to take the chance And if it ain't true Its all gonna be It nothing but a poor romance So give me that promise to hold on And Ill never let you go We gotta have something to go on I'm letting you know now Georgiana felt her heart beat quickly as she pulled up outside of the house Saoirse had given her the address for. Her body nearly rejected the journey, she had wanted to turn down the street to their small apartment before, the one where she had ruined everything.
Damian had literally moved on and moved onto better things, so why shouldn't she?
Georgiana stepped out of the car and looked up at the house. Her breath caught in his throat at the architecture. It was a beautiful white stucco, Spanish style house. The house sat alone amidst feels that Georgiana figured grew coffee beans. She could see buildings far off in the distance and could hear the distinct sound of running water and machinery. It was a quiet hum and almost calming.
It was nothing like the constant sirens, horns, and yelling of New York City.
Georgiana took in the curved windows that covered the front of the huge house. They corresponded to the peaks of the roof.
"Can I help you ma'am?" a woman walked up to her, taking her gloves off quickly.
Georgiana stared at her for a few seconds before realizing that she was planting a tree in the front of the home. She smiled easily, "I was wondering if D-Damian is here?"
She looked at her strangely for a second, "Is he expecting you? He had a meeting earlier and I think he has gone in for a nap…"
"No," Georgiana searched her brain for an excuse to get into the home and see Damian, "but I'm an old friend here to surprise him."
The woman smiled easily, "Well, Melina, who usually takes care of this stuff is gone, but I'm sure he won't mind if you are old friends. Just go knock on the front door!"
With that, the woman smiled and walked back to the tree she was planting. It never failed to surprise Georgiana just how happy people in California were.
Walking up the front steps, Georgiana had to hold onto the black wrought iron handle in order to steady herself. Did she really think this would work? Would Damian really invite her in like nothing ever changed? How would she say she knew Saoirse was not home?
Before she could even change her mind, her fist was knocking harshly on the door. It took a few minutes, but she saw a mass of black hair walking toward the door through the glass. The figure was distorted, but Georgiana had no questions about who it was.
The door opened almost comically slowly and Damian stood there in the doorway, just staring, "Georgie?"
Instantly channeling to her actor self, Georgiana smiled, "Hi. Is…is now a good time? I just want to talk to you." She said all of this in a hushed tone, trying to seem approachable. It was difficult because the years had been nothing but good to Damian. He stood in the doorway in a pair of dark was skinny jeans, his long feet poking out from the bottom. His shirt was a simple white collared shirt that was maybe a tad too big but seemed to work with Damian's overall personality. He had glasses perched on his nose, but quickly moved to take them off.
He was still Damian.
Damian could not believe his eyes. In front of him stood that woman he'd been pining after for years. Georgiana looked like a dream – her long, trim legs were more defined under the light pink dress she was wearing, all paired with the simple black flats she always stressed was a necessity and it didn't look like she had just traveled from New York, like Damian assumed she had. He realized that Georgiana was speaking and silently thanked God that Saoirse and Melina had gone for some new clothes for the girl. "No, no," Damian moved to the side, "H-She isn't home right now," he motioned Georgiana into the foyer of the house.
Georgiana walked into the stark white foyer and grinned. Though the house was an architectural feat, it was still so Damian. She spotted dog toys lying on the ground and a telltale pile of shoes that Georgiana thought she actually recognized from years ago. The house though, was immaculate. She whistled a little, "Look at you, all grown up."
Damian ducked his head bashfully and just stared at her for a few more seconds. He snapped out of his reverie and grinned, shaking his head quickly, "I'm sorry I just…what? What are you doing here?" It went against Damian's better instincts, but he walked over quickly and wrapped his arms around the tall woman, pulling her into a hug. "How the heck have you been?" he breathed into Georgiana's ear, sending shivers down her spine.
Georgiana wanted to melt into the hug, but knew that Damian still had a girlfriend, "I'm here for a fashion show. I just…I thought maybe we should talk. Darla has been asking questions." That was not a lie, but Darla had been asking questions since she'd been seven.
Damian blinked a few more times, "Saoirse has too but...Georgie, I never thought I'd have you in my house again."
That seemed to remind Damian that she was a guest, "Oh my god! I'm sorry, I didn't even think. Come on, let's go get you a drink," he grabbed Georgiana's elbow and pulled her past the winding staircase and into the open living room.
She slowed down to appraise the house.
She could definitely live there.
The living room was tastefully decorated, not quite in her style but still it looked homey. The brown leather couch was plush and definitely lived in. There was a huge television and around it was a shrine to Saoirse – pictures of her as she grew and pictures of Damian with friends, some of his family, and some with just Saoirse.
Georgiana's heart warmed when she realized that Hannah was nowhere in the house. "It smells nice in here," she said off-handedly, trying to make small talk.
"Vanilla, Melina lights them all the time. She lit about fifty this morning. I thought she was erecting a shrine to someone." Damian's eyes sparkled when he saw Georgiana looked at the pictures.
"She's beautiful," Georgiana breathed, her heart constricting again when she literally watched her grow up in front of the camera.
"She is," Damian wrung his hands and seemed nervous, "she's my life."
Georgiana smiled and pulled out her phone, "Would you like to see Darla?" she asked softly, biting her lip.
Damian eyed Georgiana's mouth for a few seconds before nodding slowly, "I would." The tears were already on his lower eyelid and she wanted nothing more than to wipe them away.
Georgiana handed her phone over and Damian cradled in gently, almost lovingly as he stared at the brunette on the screen. "They really do look alike." She wanted to laugh and make a joke, but knew now was not the time. "They do. She's amazing."
"So is Saoirse," Damian sighed, "do you want some wine? I think I do."
This was already going better than she had thought, "I would."
Damian led Georgiana into the kitchen and once again, she was blown away. "I never thought I would see you in a big boy house," she joked.
He sidled up next to her and placed the wine glasses on the table before pouring them both a little more than necessary. "I never thought you'd be in it," Damian said honestly, still staring at her. "Please sit. Stay. Saoirse won't be back for awhile and Melina is stopping for dinner before she gets back, so she'll call."
Georgiana sat at the island and just stared at him. "So how have you been?" she asked gently, her fingers running around the rim of the wine glass.
Damian watched the fingers for a few minutes before smiling and shrugging, "I'm good. Busy. Saoirse keeps me really busy as does the business. How about you? I'll admit," a blush tinted his cheeks, "that I've kept abreast of your career."
"That's actually why I'm here," she crossed her legs toward him and leaned back a little, "My show is next week. Lots of models to fit and schematics to go over."
A shadow passed over Damian's face before he smiled again, "Your stuff is amazing, Georgie. You were always so talented."
"It's just work," she sipped her wine, "but I love it. I'm actually…um…working with your girlfriend."
He choked on his wine, "Oh. You…you know Hannah?"
"Vaguely. She's one of the best models to come along in years," she watched as Damian fiddled with a napkin holder, lightly tapping it against the dark wood of the island.
"She's something else," he said somewhat lamely.
Georgiana pursed her lips, trying to read into Damian's body language. She could not get a firm read, so she looked out the huge glass doors and felt her heart swell once again, but with pride this time. The immediate backyard held a huge pool with a fountain and a sitting area that looked like it could hold many people. But behind it, the rows and rows of green showed just how successful Damian was, and just how hard he worked.
"So Hannah is modeling in your show," Damian licked his lips and looked at her intensely, "Is…is Darla here with you?"
Georgiana was not sure where the conversation was going, so she simply nodded her head.
"Will...she have contact with her?" Damian looked concerned, a crease easily forming on his forehead.
She nodded slowly, realizing where his mind was going. "She might. She generally runs around at my shows."
Damian shook his head quickly, eyes wild, "No. She…Hannah does not listen to anyone. If she sees her, she'll know. They look too much alike, Georgie."
She held up her hands, "I understand. I'll make sure they don't see each other."
Damian gave a sigh of relief, "Sorry…she doesn't have a lot of tact."
Georgiana grinned, "That's fine, Damian."
Damian leaned back against the chair, "So sorry if I'm rude, but why are you here?" he moved the chair slightly, bumping his knee into hers, a fire starting in both of their blood at the contact. He wished Georgiana didn't know about Hannah. Truth be told, Damian wasn't exactly happy with Hannah, and a break up had been on his mind for weeks. But now breaking up with her would seem desperate and he wasn't sure it was a good idea.
At least while Georgiana was in town.
She looked so breathtakingly gorgeous sitting in his kitchen. This was like a dream come true that Damian had been having for years.
Georgiana had been waiting for Damian to pay attention again, she could see the far off look in his eyes. "I wanted to see you," she said gently, "I wanted to know you were happy. I'd…I'd like to stay in contact with you, Damo."
Damian was taken aback by Georgiana's admission. He knew she usually had a hard time reconnecting with people. "I'd like that," he said in an equally small voice.
"Damian, I am so unbelievably sorry for what I did ten years ago," Georgiana reached out and grabbed hi's hand, surprised to see that they still fit together so well. "I've regretted it every day."
He looked deeply into her eyes, searching for a sign he obviously didn't find. "Georgie, it's in the past. I think we can both agree that it...it happened for a reason. We can move past it, though, right?"
Georgiana straightened her spine and tried to hide all of the hurt she felt. "Sure. We can move past it…"
Damian kept her hand firmly in his, just holding onto the warmth and softness that was his Georgie. Her hand still felt the same. "I've missed you."
She instantly smiled widely, "You have?"
"Of course, you were my best friend! There were so many things I've wanted to tell you!" Damian laughed, "Oh god, I'm being weird aren't I? I mean, we're practically strangers…"
"I haven't changed much," she offered, "have you?" Georgiana could have told Damian that while he had changed a little, he was still pretty much the same.
"No," Damian admitted, "I'm still goofy me."
She wanted to tell him that there was nothing wrong with that, that the Damian she had fallen in love with was just as goofy, just as awkward as this Damian. "I like it," she eventually said, a blush filling her cheeks.
Damian blamed it on too strong wine.
"So tell me about your fashion show!" Damian turned in his chair and sat sideways, his arm cradling his head as he gazed at Georgiana, adoration shining in his eyes.
"I'm sure you've heard. I've been practicing the models to the bone!" Georgiana laughed a little, trying to imagine Hannah complaining about the complex catwalk she'd developed.
Damian shook his head, "I haven't actually."
"Oh? Hannah hasn't said anything?" Georgiana wanted to slap herself because she kept bringing up Hannah, but she was trying to get anything to go on about their relationship.
"No," Damian's eyes were wide and honest, "she hasn't been around for the past few days. Maybe you have been working her to the bone."
"Doesn't she live here?" Georgiana was already grasping at straws trying to formulate a plan.
Damian let out a loud laugh, "Oh god, no. We aren't serious or anything. What has she told you?"
Georgiana tried to hold back the squeal, but Damian still caught the slight upturn of her lips when she said the news, and he couldn't miss the extra sparkle in her eye.
"She hasn't really said anything, actually, I found out in a roundabout way." She wanted to stay and ask more, but she didn't want to overstay her welcome. "But I did want to know if she invited you to the show."
Damian shook his head, "No, Hannah never really invites me to any of her shows. I think it was payback for not letting her meet Saoirse."
"And now?"
Damian shrugged, "Who knows."
Georgiana stood, "I have to get going, but you have a ticket to the show. I can get you a second one if…if you want to bring Melina or Saoirse..."
He nodded slowly, "I can't promise you I'll bring Saoirse….but I will come."
"You will?" Georgiana's voice was high and the smile was perhaps the biggest, most genuine smile she'd had in years.
"Of course!" Damian acted surprise that Georgiana would doubt him, "Oh my god of course I'll go! Can you imagine all the bragging I can do?!" He looked at her sneakily.
Georgiana blushed and suddenly her mind went back to years ago and all of those times they had together. She would give anything to get them back. "Please don't brag about that!" Georgiana covered her face with her hands, "Please. Especially if you bring Saoirse."
Damian sobered some, "I wouldn't, Georgie. I still…I still keep that sacred."
She grinned at Damian and hugged him quickly, forgetting the tense conversation. Damian wrapped his arms around Georgiana's waist, pulling her closer. They just stood for a few minutes, both breathing in the scent of the other, trying to memorize it for one last time.
Georgiana pulled back but stayed in his arms, "Promise me we'll see each other again after this?"
Damian couldn't help his urges as he leaned forward to kiss her forehead lightly. He immediately blushed, "I'm sorry...I shouldn't have done that. But yes, of course we will see each other again. I'm not letting you walk out of my life again, Georgie."
Georgiana grinned and returned the kiss, but on his cheek. "Good." She paused for a second, "Can I get your phone number?"
Damian nodded and quickly programmed it into her phone, "Now you have to keep in contact. No excuses, missy," he waggled his finger at her.
She laughed and winked quickly, "You will hear from me soon. You have a front row seat and I need that filled."
"Because it is so hard to fill your front rows," Damian rolled his eyes.
Georgiana laughed but turned to leave, not wanting to out stay her welcome.
Both knew they had a lot to talk about, and eventually the ugliness of their divorce would rear its head, but for now they were just ecstatic to see each other again.
Damian sat with a smile on his face as he watched Melina and Saoirse run around outside by the pool. The front door creaked open and Damian immediately sat up, straightening out his clothing. He tired to ignore the disappointment he felt when Hannah walked back into living room. Who had he been expecting? Damian plastered a smile on his face, "Hey! How was your day?"
Hannah flopped down onto the couch, jostling Damian, "I spent the entire day getting fitted by Georgiana Thompson. It sucked, she sucks."
Damian glanced at Hannah, "All day? What did you do this afternoon?"
"She fit me all afternoon. It was ridiculous," Hannah played on her phone for a few seconds before glancing over at Damian, "Why the questions?"
Damian knew Hannah was lying, but he didn't know why. "I'm sure she's just busy."
"Georgiana Thompson? Yeah... too busy trying to get the stick out her -"
Damian zoned out and couldn't believe the anger he felt boil up in his stomach at Hannah's words. He shouldn't feel that way, he had no reason to protect Georgiana.
But still, Hannah was lying about something.
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Post by slyoldweasel on Jul 21, 2013 3:19:30 GMT -5
Damian rolled over and felt the warmth beside him, he snuggled quickly into heat and burrowed his chin into the crook of her neck. But the skin didn't feel right. It was smooth, but not soft like he thought it would be. It was much warmer than Georgiana's always was. The bones underneath didn't even fall in the correct places.
"Can you like stop that," a harsh voice complained, "you are scratching up my neck and I need to be perfect for Saint Georgiana Thompson."
Damian came crashing back to reality when he realized that the woman in his arms wasn't his ex wife, but instead his girlfriend. Who had spent the night.
"Hannah…what are you doing here?" Damian sat up and realized he was thankfully clothed. Glancing over at Hannah, he realized that the younger woman was in her underclothes and nothing else.
"We must have fallen asleep…" Hannah sat up and stretched, "Oh crap! We fell asleep! I didn't go home last night. Oh god, Damian, I'm sorry to run, but I need to go home. I forgot to…to feed my dog!" Hannah tripped over her jeans as she pulled them on. "I knew I should have stayed dressed and not worried about wrinkling these clothes!"
Damian was worried about something else. "Saoirse didn't see you at all last night did she? Hannah, you aren't supposed to spend the night!"
Hannah looked up as she buttoned her shirt, "I know! I don't think she saw me. But she was up on her phone when I walked by last night. You might want to check to make sure she doesn't have a boyfriend."
Damian's heart immediately sank again, "You don't think she does, do you? She's too young!"
Hannah was already hurrying out of the door, "Don't look at me. Why would I know? I'm not her father, I'm just telling you what I heard!" They were halfway down the steps when Damian heard Saoirse singing as she did her daily chores.
"Hannah," Damian hissed, "she's down there!"
"Daddy?" Saoirse came running around the corner quickly, almost sliding on the floor. "Hannah!"
"What did we talk about?" Hannah said coolly to the girl, already annoyed that she was staying longer.
"Ms. Montgomery," Saoirse mumbled, looking down at the ground.
"She doesn't have to call you that," Damian said in a low voice, "this is her house."
Hannah looked at Damian with wide eyes, "Seriously? You don't want her to show respect for me?"
"There are other ways to show respect," Damian said, now leading Hannah to the door by her elbow, "and making her dislike you won't get you that."
Hannah leaned against the door, "I'm sorry. I…I don't understand this whole parenting thing. But you know, I would like to be a mom to her at some point. She needs someone else in her life, Damian."
He couldn't help the small smile that came to his lips because Hannah was right, Saoirse did need another parental figure in her life. But he wasn't so sure it should be Hannah.
"I'll think about it," Damian said eventually, trying his best to smile at her.
"I love you," Hannah said, pressing a hand to Damian's face.
Damian smiled, "I'll see you later." He still hadn't really gathered the feelings to say that back to Hannah. He wasn't sure he was ever going to get the feelings for it, but he hoped he could figure it out. He closed the door quietly behind him. He leaned against the door and tried to figure out what he was going to say to Saoirse. He walked slowly back to the kitchen where he saw Saoirse sitting with her head down in her hands.
Damian walked up behind her and rubbed a hand down her back, "I'm sorry, bug. I'll make sure she doesn't spend the night again."
She looked up at him, her face red, but she wasn't crying. "I don't like her," she mumbled.
Damian nodded and leaned back against the table, "You don't? Why don't you like her?"
Saoirse couldn't meet his eyes because she had no idea what to say. She couldn't tell him that she wanted him to be back with her mom, because she wasn't supposed to know about her yet. "She doesn't make you smile," she said honestly. She knew he was smiling yesterday when she got home, but the smile faded as soon as Hannah came home.
Damian let out a breath he had been holding since he'd woken up. His entire body hurt and his mind was clouded with decisions he didn't want to make. "Well then, how about you and I go shopping today? We can put Hannah out of our minds and just have a daddy –daughter day?" His smile was huge when he looked down at the smile on Saoirse's face.
"Can we? I don't really need new clothes…" Saoirse mused, trying to remember an event before the first day of school that she needed a dress for.
Damian's phone rang and he glanced down at it quickly.
Georgie.
"Hello?" Damian said with a question in his voice.
"Hey! It's me, Georgie!" Georgiana's voice was crisp and clear on the other side of the phone.
"Hi!" Damian couldn't help the smile that could be heard through the phone. He shook his head at Saoirse who looked at him with questioning eyes. "What can I do you for?" he asked, butterflies appearing in his stomach. He blushed when he said the sentence.
Georgiana just laughed lightly, "Well, we're setting up the fashion show today and I was wondering if you wanted to bring Saoirse and show her around. She doesn't have to see me and I don't have to see her. I just want to do…something for her."
Damian's heart melted on the spot. He never had really doubted Georgiana's love for Saoirse, but to know that someone else could love her as much as he did was definitely a relief. But he needed to think of Saoirse before he thought of his own selfish needs. "Georgie…I can't….she doesn't know anything about us yet. I want to talk to her and tell her before she creates stories in her head," Damian was now practically hidden in the pantry talking to Georgiana.
"I know, Damo. I'm telling you, you won't be allowed into the room I'll be in anyway," Georgiana sounded a little annoyed but Damian tried to pass it off as disappointment.
"Okay…when? I just promised her a shopping trip?" Damian peeked around the corner to make sure Saoirse wasn't listening at the wall. She was talking to Melina.
"Tonight, around six?" Georgiana asked, her voice slightly more hopeful.
"We'll be there," he grinned even though he knew she couldn't see it, he knew she would know exactly what his face looked like.
"Can't wait," Georgiana admitted before hanging up the phone quickly.
Damian emerged from the pantry and looked sheepishly at Melina and Saoirse who just stared at him expectantly.
"What are you all smiley for anyway?" Melina broke the silence and threw a bagel at him, in which he dodged smoothly.
Damian bit his lip and looked to Saoirse, "Hey, bug, can you go get ready to go shopping? I just need to talk to Melina really quick."
Saoirse gave a great sigh before running out of the kitchen and up the steps. Damian waited until he could hear her footsteps in her room before beginning.
"Georgiana came over yesterday," he started boldly, not quite knowing how else to bring the topic up. "She says she wants to get to know Saoirse."
Melina's face wasn't as shocked as he thought it would be.
"Why aren't you surprised?" Damian asked as he sipped his coffee, already feeling a caffeine-deficiency headache coming on.
Melina turned her head quickly and cleaned up Damian's spill, "I knew it would happen eventually. She may have been young and stupid, but she still loved you and Saoirse the day she left."
Damian's brain overpowered with what Melina said. "That would have been great information years ago, Mel!"
Melina looked sheepish, "So why were you hidden in the pantry? Are you starting up a torrid affair with her?"
"Doubtful. She probably has a whole harem of men that she does whatever she wants with, she's still gorgeous." Damian laughed, "She actually has a fashion show here this week. Guess who's modeling for her?"
"The alligator?" Melina wrinkled her nose.
Damian, for the first time, laughed at Melina's favorite insult for Hannah. "Mel...she wants me to bring her to the location of the show so she can walk around…do you think I should?"
"Damo, this really isn't my place…" Melina looked awkward for a few seconds. She fiddled with a cup.
"Come on, you are the closest thing to a godmother she'll ever have," Damian put his hands on her shoulders, "I need your help. Is this a good idea?"
Melina bit her lip and seemed to be fighting an internal battle. "I think you should at least take her tonight. That will be a good experience for her."
"What if Georgiana wants to meet her?"
Melina nodded slowly, "I think you should. But that's just me. You want to meet Darla, don't you?"
"Of course!" Damian's voice went really high and scratchy, "I want to know her today more than anything."
"Well then you have your answer. Take her shopping, then take her to the fashion show thing tonight. Then see how you feel. If you want to take it a step further, then you can talk to her, to Darla, and see what you want to do."
Damian put both of his hands on Melina's face, looking deeply into her eyes, "Thank you. I honestly have no idea what I would do without you."
"Starve. Live in filth. Probably die eventually," Melina said offhandedly.
"I love you," Damian said honestly, cocking his head to the side.
"I love you too. And I love Saoirse, which is why I want the best for her and you," Melina gave him a pointed look before shooing him out of the kitchen.
Georgiana
"Okay, it worked," Georgiana gave a little jump into the air. "He's bringing Saoirse to the show run through tonight."
Darla kicked her feet a little on the chair, "Can I come with? I want to see her?"
Georgiana looked sadly at her daughter. She knew separating the girls now that they knew each other would be tough, but she had no idea how tough it would be. Darla seemed to constantly miss either Damian or Saoirse, and it drove her nuts. "I don't think yet, baby. Soon though, maybe I can try to arrange something with Melina…"
"Maybe if you just told Damian to his face what was going on, you could have them together today," Henry cut in, grabbing a waffle from the table. "Just a suggestion."
"I know it would be easier, Dad. I just…I want to get to know Damian before I decide if I can lose my heart again."
Henry laughed a little into his coffee, "You don't even have your heart, Georgie. You left it here ten years ago."
Darla sighed and pushed herself away from the table, "Why can't you just kiss him and make up? Then Saoirse and I can play together and live together everyday!"
Georgiana gazed at her daughter, wishing it could be that simple. If things did work out between the two, what would happen? Damian couldn't move to New York, but Georgiana wasn't sure he could come back to the place that brought everything crumbling down in the first place. Plus it would mean at least one of the girls would have to change schools. What would it mean for Henry? For Keith? Georgiana sighed and ran a hand through her hair, a sign that she was really stressed out, "No matter what I do, I'm doing someone wrong here. Maybe I should just forget it…we can all just go back to New York and forget this happened. Darl, we'll have to medicate you for years, and I'll pay for therapy…"
"No," Keith stood in the doorway, "Georgia, you can't give up your one chance of true love…for the second time."
Georgiana looked at her friend, who stared at her with huge, pure eyes. Georgiana realized that Henry and Darla would, could follow her wherever she went, they based their lives around her. But Keith might not be able to, who knew where this would put him. "Keith, you do realize that if I do get back together with Damian, I will probably…"
"Yes," Keith nodded quickly, "but love is the only thing making the world worth living... and the ocean... but mostly love."
Georgiana laughed, "Okay. I can do this then. I'll talk to him tonight and see if I can get him to go out to dinner with me or something. He and I need to talk in a place that is neutral for both of us. His house wasn't going to work."
Henry nodded, "Now you are thinking smart."
Georgiana grabbed her bag, "Until then, I have thirty female models to fit, and a specific one to torture."
When she arrived at work, Georgiana waved to the women and men standing outside waiting. She still liked to remain somewhat cool towards the male models because she couldn't get a reputation and she also couldn't afford to waste time becoming friendly with everyone.
Her assistants were already lined up with tape measurers and sewing kits, "Okay, you all just take the women one at a time. I have to work with Ms. Montgomery first."
Georgiana walked back to her room and started setting up her kit. Hannah was awfully leggy for a woman and Georgiana was having a hard time making the pants look right on her. While she was still setting up, Hannah walked into the room, nearly yelling into her cell phone. "Look baby, I'm sorry! I told you I fell asleep at my friend Melina's house. It was nothing, honey. I know. You know I always come home at night!"
Georgiana looked at Hannah expectantly. Hannah may be a huge female model, but she was still working for her, and Georgiana could quite frankly ruin her career. "Sorry, I have to go, baby." Hannah hung up the phone and rolled her eyes, "boyfriends suck."
Georgiana replayed Hannah's side of the conversation in her head. How could Hannah have been talking to Damian if she mentioned staying at Melina's house? Melina lived at Damian's house! She just nodded and clenched her jaw. Hannah definitely was hiding something from Damian, and she wanted to figure out what it was.
Hannah stripped down quickly and stood on the stool in front of Georgiana. She was tall and relatively muscular, but Georgiana didn't see the appeal. Having been in contact with Hannah on many occasions, she knew there was nothing special about any part of Hannah's body, she was completely average.
She worked for awhile, taking all of Hannah's measurements for the fifth time. But she noticed something when she compared them. "You might want to lay off the Girl Scout cookies," Georgiana commented. "You gained some weight and I cannot let the clothes out."
Hannah looked at the measurements, "It's my boyfriend's cooking. He's a chef at an Italian restaurant and he's always feeding me."
"I thought your boyfriend worked in coffee?" Georgiana asked nonchalantly, trying to force her hand to stop shaking.
"My other one does," Hannah laughed, "You can never have too many boyfriends, you know what I mean?"
Georgiana pushed so hard on her paper that her pencil snapped, she looked up and laughed a little at Hannah, "Yeah…I understand. Excuse me." She nearly ran into the small bathroom in her room. She pulled out her cell phone and called Melina quickly.
"Melina's house of pain, I like to make Damian cry," Melina answered with a laugh.
"Hannah has another boyfriend," Georgiana spit, "she has another boyfriend that she lives with."
Melina screeched, "I knew there was a reason she didn't try to move in here."
Georgiana was breathing heavily, "What are we going to do, Melina? She's going to hurt him! I can't let her do that!"
Melina shushed her through the phone, "We'll be fine. He's about two steps away from leaving her anyway. Just let Hannah do what she's doing, she's messing it up enough on her own."
Georgiana nodded before she realized Melina couldn't see her, "Okay. I have to go. But just…make sure Damian comes tonight and doesn't chicken out, okay?"
"I am."
Georgiana hung up the phone before bolting out of the bathroom, "Sorry, I pricked my finger."
Hannah looked bored as she held her phone to her ear, "What do you mean I can't come over tonight?" she snapped, "I don't care if you have plans with Saoirse…"
Georgiana really wanted to tune the conversation out, but she figured she could listen to something that involved her daughter.
"Fine. I'll sit alone tonight. Whatever," with that Hannah pulled the phone away from her ear and hung up the phone, "Ugh. I'm not made for this."
Georgiana nodded before looking back down at her paper, "Let me just check something…" she reached forward and pinched some of Hannah's skin between her fingers – probably a little harder than she should have. "Yeah…that's what I thought. It isn't water retention."
Hannah put a hand to her stomach, "What do I have to do?"
"I'd suggest eating nothing but bananas and celery for the next week," Georgiana said seriously while laughing inside. "Nothing to drink but water and black coffee. Only light exercise and no... physical activity," Georgiana glared at her over the reading glasses she had perched on her nose.
Hannah raised an eyebrow. She knew what Georgiana meant. "Whatever."
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Post by HburgEagle44 on Jul 21, 2013 3:34:02 GMT -5
Hahaha oh, Hannah. She is messing up. Thank goodness. I love this!! (My favorite character, however, is Melina ) Update when you can! You update so fast; I love it
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Post by slyoldweasel on Jul 21, 2013 23:37:38 GMT -5
Damian gripped onto Saoirse's hand as they walked together around the construction of the runway. Builders were still putting lights beneath the glass, but most of the left side was constructed. He ran a hand over the glass, trying to find any nicks or bumps.
However, he found none, because the glass was perfect.
Like Georgie.
"Daddy, do you think I can walk on the runway?" Saoirse's face was bright and smiling, the new skirt her father had just bought her swishing beneath her hands. "I want to model my new outfit."
Damian looked to the remaining worker, "Would it be okay if she walked on it?"
The man looked Damian over for a few seconds before nodding, "She should be fine, just make sure she stays on this side."
Damian nodded, "Thank you, sir." He seized Saoirse beneath her arms and flung her up on the runway, her giggle echoing off of the empty walls. He could not help but wonder if Georgiana could hear it, wherever she was; it gave Damian some sort of calm, knowing that the three of them (possibly four?) were all together in the same building, like it should have been every day for the past ten years.
Saoirse put her hands on her hips and walked down the runway, throwing her hips to the side like she saw on America's Next Top Model.
"Coming up next on the runway, Saoirse McGinty modeling Justice for girls," Damian said in his best announcer voice. "Look at the way the purple and blue tie-dyed-ish skirt moves when she prances down the runway!"
Saoirse giggled at her father, "I don't think that's what someone would really say!"
Damian held a finger to his lips, "And the flowers on the top and the way they kind of," Damian searched his head for the right word, "swoop to the strap? Miss McGinty is truly a sight to behold on the runway."
Saoirse walked completely down the runway, laughing at her father's running commentary on her outfit and posed at the end, laughing when her dad pretended to take pictures. She jumped off of the runway and into his arms, laughing the entire time. "This was fun, Daddy! Can we do this again?"
Damian sobered quickly and looked down at his daughter, his prized possession. Georgiana made her happy without her even knowing it, so why would he deny her of knowing her mom? He made up his mind that Georgiana could and would have a relationship with Saoirse, even if she did not want him to know Darla. "We can," Damian said to her, "come on, let's go look around at some of the other stuff."
They walked around more, pausing to look at the pictures of the famous people sitting in the front row. They walked down the long aisle until Saoirse squealed, "Look Daddy! It's you!"
Sure enough, Damian looked down and saw his name on the chair and his stomach flip-flopped nervously.
He was in the front row.
He looked to the left of the seat and saw that no one was sitting there, it simply said "guest." Damian wondered if he could get Saoirse that seat.
They kept walking and at the very end, Damian saw Henry's name, and once again, his nerves came back. Damian had not seen Henry in a very long time. They had exchanged emails a few times over the last few years, updating each other on the lives of Saoirse and Darla. Damian was proud to say he had remained friendly with the man who became a pseudo father figure for him.
But next to Henry was the name Darla.
Damian tried to steer Saoirse away from the chairs, instead focusing on the photography pit at the very apex of the runway. His mind was moving a mile a minute.
Would Saoirse and Darla recognize each other?
Would Georgiana even let Saoirse come to the event? Maybe she didn't even want to really know the girl.
Would Henry be okay with Saoirse being so close, but unable to talk to her?
Saoirse grabbed her father's hand, "Daddy? Are you okay?"
Damian nodded stiffly, "Yeah, I'm just tired. I stayed up late last night trying to figure out roasts."
Saoirse rolled her eyes but then looked up at him sympathetically, "We can go home if you want? I mean, I don't think there is a lot more to see."
Damian bit his lip and sat down on one of the chairs, hoping he wouldn't get yelled at. "How about I have Melina come pick you up? I actually have to talk to someone that's here."
"Who?" Saoirse's blue eyes were wide and innocent.
Damian tried not to show that he was thinking quickly, "Hannah's here," he said eventually, "Unless you want to stay and see her…?"
"No!" Saoirse shook her head quickly and took a few steps back, "I'll call Melina. She promised me we'd get smoothies tonight anyway."
Damian smiled again. He loved that Melina really took Saoirse under her wing and tried to be a mother figure to her. He made a mental note that he really did not pay her enough. Then again, what does one pay the woman who pieced his life back together and would probably have to do the same thing again at any moment?
Saoirse rested on the runway until Melina came in to get her. She whistled low in her throat, "Thompson really made something for herself, didn't she?" she looked at Damian gently, like she knew he could break at any moment.
Damian glanced at Saoirse who paid no notice to either of them, "She really did. I knew she would, though. Someone who was willing to work that hard had to make it someday."
"Even if it was her grave," Melina said calmly, still gazing at him. "But it paid off."
Damian nodded, his lips pressed into a line. "I'm proud of her."
Melina let the statement hang in the air, "Come on Saoirse, your dad has some grown up business to deal with."
Saoirse sighed loudly but hopped off of the runway with some help from Damian and grabbed Melina's hand. They were walking out when she turned around and looked at Damian, "Can Hannah not sleep over tonight?"
He nodded, "She won't sleep over again, don't worry."
She grinned at Melina slyly before they walked through the exit at the back of the auditorium.
Damian stayed sitting, but pulled his phone out. He quickly texted Georgiana and told her to come out to talk.
It took about fifteen minutes, but Georgiana eventually emerged from behind the stage and walked down the runway.
Damian could not help himself, he immediately stuck his fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly. "Oh baby!" he yelled, jokingly. He had no idea what made him do it, it was something he normally wouldn't say to anyone.
Georgiana laughed but put an extra sway in her walk, her footsteps becoming heavier. "This is exactly what I tell them not to look like," she laughed.
Damian stood and came to meet Georgiana. He reached a hand out tentatively in order to help her off of the catwalk. Instead, she took the hand and pulled, helping him jump up on the glass.
"Is this going to hold me?" Damian laughed, testing it a little.
Georgiana nodded and kept her hand intertwined with his, pulling him a little until they were on a panel that was lit from beneath. Georgiana gracefully sat down, crossing her legs and motioning for him to do the same.
Damian jumped down less gracefully, and instead of sitting, laid on the warm glass. "This is hotter than I expected," he said in almost a dazed voice, staring up at the lights.
Georgiana laughed and moved to lie next to Damian, keeping a safe distance between them.
Damian looked at her and smiled sadly, "You know, somehow it doesn't feel like we've been…" he paused, looking down.
"Divorced," Georgiana supplied, figuring it would not help them to be coy about exactly what they were – divorced.
"Divorced," Damian finished, swallowing thickly. "It feels like we've at least been friends this whole time. I was always more comfortable with you than anyone else."
Georgiana smiled because she knew he was nervous. Damian always babbled and said whatever was in his head when he felt the nerves kick in. It had helped at many times during their relationship, and Georgiana could not help but think it would help now. "I know," she said softly, "I was so nervous about the show, but somehow being here makes me remember how you used to calm me down by just being there."
"Except that one time," Damian said with a laugh, wrinkles forming around his eyes, "the night before you final collection was shown to the college board? I thought you were going to become dehydrated from all the tears you cried."
Georgiana felt herself flush, but gently wacked Damian's arm, "I wasn't that bad!"
"You were," Damian said, turning to look into her eyes, "but look where you are now! This is phenomenal, Georgie!"
Georgiana shrugged, "I'm not sure if it even means anything, Damo. I have always found some sort of solace in my designs…but not now. Now I feel like I have nothing to design for anymore."
He peered at Georgiana again, wanting nothing more than to press a hand to her back and rub the fear out of her body like he did years before. "I don't think you mean that. You just need…time to find inspiration." She knew he was right. She had time, she could take a break. Nevertheless, her designs always pulled inspiration from Damian, and right now the designs were as confused as she was.
"Can I ask you a question?" Georgiana asked, a slight tremor in her voice, "You don't have to answer it if you don't want to."
"You can ask me anything," Damian said sincerely, not daring to hope Georgiana would ask the one question he wanted her to.
Georgiana took a deep breath and tried to find someone to hold onto, something to anchor her to the runway. "What allowed you to move on?"
Damian's eyebrows pressed together as he looked down and then up again, his eyes as vulnerable as they had been the first time he asked Georgiana to prom.
"You don't have to answer," Georgiana suddenly felt self-conscious. She was an idiot. She was lying on the runway with her ex husband, hoping they could just go back to being who they were. She wanted to make Damian see that she had changed. However, really it was Damian who had changed, changed into something completely different, someone who couldn't love her anymore. "That was a stupid question," she stuttered, sitting up and wrapping her hands around her knees.
"There are no stupid questions," Damian said gently, sitting up and placing a hand over Georgiana's, "I just don't…have an answer."
Georgiana looked up, still feeling more vulnerable than ever. "Why not?"
"Because I don't think I did. I'm with Hannah because…because I figured I'd need to learn how to cope. I thought maybe if I found someone else to care about, a burn that happened ten years ago that shouldn't hurt anymore, would stop reminding me daily that I failed."
"Damian, you didn't..."
"I did," Damian squeezed at Georgiana's hand. "I should have tried instead of running away."
"You were thinking of the girls!" Georgiana broke in again. The last thing she wanted Damian to do was take responsibility for what had happened.
"I was thinking of them, yes. But I also thought about myself. Do you know who I didn't think of?" Damian's eyes were slightly watery and he looked away quickly, willing his eyes to dry up.
She knew where he was going, but she tried to play dumb, "Who?"
"You," Damian shook his head quickly, glancing away again, "I didn't for one second think about you. I didn't think about the pressure you were under. I held everything in and blew up on you. I should have let you know from the first day I felt…forgotten…that we needed to change something. Instead, I let it well up inside of me."
Georgiana wanted to wrap him in her arms, but a part of her felt like he was right. "Can't we both take responsibility for what happened? We were young and stupid and had no idea what we were doing. We just…we loved each other so much that it clouded every other fiber of good judgment we had. I never stopped loving you because of my job. I never stopped," Georgiana paused but decided to let the sentence stop there – it was true.
Damian shook his head and seemed to snap himself out of his sadness. "Let's not talk about that right now."
Georgiana wanted to agree, but a part of her knew her father had been right. "No, Damian, I think we should. We need to get everything out in the open."
Damian's face fell but he realized that she was right, they needed to be completely honest with each other. "Okay, we can do that."
Georgiana grabbed both of Damian's hands, "When I left that apartment Damo…I was so lost. I did not know who I was without you. So I spent ten years trying to find you, trying to put you back into me. Every single line I did traced back to you in some way. Every day of my life since that day, I have seen you in every single stranger walking down the streets of New York. I regret it so much. I do not know what I can even say to make you realize that. I thought one day you would contact me and we would…fall in love again. But ten years passed…"
Damian's thumb traced the pattern of her knuckles and wrist rhythmically, his thumb pressing hard enough to be felt, but it was still gentle and loving. "I always thought so too. I still have your coffee cup."
"But you moved…"
"And it moved with me. I wanted to have something that would show you, no matter if you came back in fifty years, that I was still waiting for you." Damian shrugged, looking away again, "I'm stupid. That was just a really, really naïve thing to do. I know once Saoirse almost knocked it off the counter and I yelled at her. I cried for three hours after it happened and then I hid it in the highest cabinet in the very back."
Georgiana wasn't sure whether she should laugh or cry. Had they really been waiting for each other the whole time? Moving in the same direction, but never quite meeting? "What about Hannah?" she asked in a small voice.
Damian nodded, "Hannah. What is there to even say about her? She approached me at a benefit one night. She was a little tipsy, but she said I was cute and she was really interested in going on a date with me. Georgie…a young, really good looking woman wanted to go on a date with me. I was alone at this benefit that I was being honored at. I was a bit…self conscious, so I said yes. We had a great time on the date, and we started seeing each other. But…that first date is still really my best memory of her. There is not a lot between us when you scrape away the superficial. She's just a really good looking, and I'm old and getting uglier by the day."
Georgiana gave a sarcastic snort, "Yeah, okay. You wear your age very well. In fact, I don't think you've really changed."
Damian shot her a face before continuing, "But like I said…it never felt right with Hannah. It always felt like I was missing something. She always...hides things from me, and you know how I hate that. I'd rather someone be honest and hurt my feelings than lie to me."
Georgiana felt the entire world stop spinning. Damian just said that he hated the one thing that she was doing. "C-can I tell you something?" Georgiana asked quietly, "Something that I probably should have told you when I showed up at your house?"
"You're married again?" Damian asked, a hint of sadness in his voice.
"No," she laughed, "Definitely not. Single."
Damian nodded, "Then by all means, tell me. I'll try not to get angry."
Georgiana took a deep breath and calmed herself. "Actually, can I do something first?"
"Of course."
She leaned forward and cupped his face, "Feel free to stop me," she whispered as she lowered her mouth down over Damian's, feeling the soft lips under hers for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. His mouth was still the same though, Georgiana pressed against him further. He whimpered slightly but wrapped his arms around hers to keep her in place. .
Damian still tasted like coffee, wine, and the slightest hint of chocolate that Georgiana could never forget. Georgiana still tasted like mint, vanilla, and coconut, the one thing Damian had desired for years, but never could replicate. They kissed until the urge to breath was too much and they had to break apart, panting. Georgiana pressed her forehead into Damian's and they breathed the same air, both afraid of what would happen if they separated again. Georgiana kissed his nose and forehead before pulling back, still panting.
Damian tensed for a moment when he realized that they still needed to have a conversation.
"C-can you tell me what you felt there?" Georgiana asked, apprehension in her voice.
Damian licked his lips and smiled, "Home. I felt like the one place I had for a few moments of time...and then I lost. It felt, it felt right, Georgia."
Georgiana wanted to cry with happiness, "Can you promise me you'll remember that?" Georgiana asked, now in a broken voice, "Promise me you'll remember you felt that way once I tell you what I have to tell you."
Damian nodded, grabbing Georgiana's hand.
"I should have told you this before," Georgiana was already falling apart, "There is a reason why I'm here, a reason why I plucked up the courage to talk to you now." She paused, trying to rationalize what she was about to say.
"And that would be?"
"Our daughters found each other," Georgiana said simply, "they found each other at camp."
Damian's eyes darkened but he did not drop her hand, "So…."
Georgiana held up a finger, "I'm not done. And they switched places on us. For about a week after they came home…you had Darla and I had Saoirse."
Georgiana could practically see Damian's brain overworking. "How did I not know?" Damian asked to no one in particular, "How did I not see it?"
"I didn't either," Georgiana admitted, "It was my dad that saw it."
Damian tried to piece together the puzzle by himself, but there were so many hazy areas that he had no idea about. "So why…didn't you tell me this?"
"Well…my dad, Melina, Saoirse, Darla, and I all sort of…plotted together. See, Darla told us about Hannah and how you two were dating," Georgiana gave a dry laugh, "So we formulated this...scheme to get you to break up with her and realize that you and I belonged together. Which we do."
Damian dropped her hand, "So you didn't decide to tell me that my daughter had been gallivanting all over New York City with you for an entire week, and I had no idea?"
"Please…you said you wouldn't be mad…"
"Well I am!" Damian stood immediately, "You could have come to me like an adult, Georgiana. You went behind my back, you caused both of my daughters to go behind my back…and my best friend? Next you're going to tell me Hannah was in on it too!"
"No, of course not," Georgiana laughed bitterly, "Hannah is perfect, isn't she?"
"At least she didn't lie to me!" Damian bellowed, "Did you think I would be perfectly okay with Darla and Saoirse switching places? Didn't you think some sort of punishment was needed?"
"No! They just…how can we blame them for finding each other and wanting the truth!"
Damian was pacing now, "I raised my daughter with respect and dignity! I taught her to tell the truth, not run behind my back and come up with some half baked plan that probably wouldn't have worked! Did you really think I wasn't going to find out?"
Georgiana tried to calm down her nerves. She didn't want to say something to Damian that she would regret, "Please Damian, just...just listen to me. I am sorry, that was stupid. But you know how you felt when we kissed. This thing…this is not over between us. You can't tell me that you're willing to throw it all away again."
Damian looked down at his shoes before sighing and running a hand through his hair, "You know, Georgiana, I'm not so sure about that anymore. I cannot believe the first thing you thought about was lying to me. You are just as bad as you were before. Once again, you really only do care about yourself. Did you ever even think about what it would be like for me to break up with my girlfriend? The pain it would cause me? What about my daughters? What if things hadn't worked out, their little minds would be so screwed up…more screwed up than they already are!"
"Please, Damian.." Georgiana started, tears rolling down her face. Why didn't she ever listen to her father?
"No," Damian aid in his best father voice, "five minutes ago I was willing to give up everything I had to be with you again. Now I just feel like we're in the same place, like we're back where we started. Maybe there was a reason neither of us made the simple phone call. We had our chance. In fact, we had two of them. This isn't going to work, Georgiana, I'm sorry."
"Please, Damian, you don't mean that, I just…I just thought I got you back," Georgiana desperately tried to cling to him, hoping to hold onto the happiness that just being in his presence brought.
"No," Damian's eyes and demeanor were cold, "You just made me cheat on my girlfriend for no good reason."
"Not like she's cheating on your or anything," she spat.
Damian turned and looked at Georgiana, "Stop with the lies. Stop." He continued walking, his shoulders heaving as he tried not to cry. When he got to the door, he turned, "Tell Darla that I'm bringing Saoirse to the fashion show still. At least I will have a seat to see my girlfriend. She and Saoirse can sit together so they at least have some time. Before you leave, we'll have to talk about how to get them to see each other a few times a year." He did not even wait for a response, he simply turned and left the room.
Georgiana waited until she was sure Damian was safely in his car before collapsing onto the runway and sobbing, the lights of the auditorium going off around her.
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Post by HburgEagle44 on Jul 22, 2013 0:06:25 GMT -5
No. Damian. No.
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Post by slyoldweasel on Jul 22, 2013 0:19:13 GMT -5
Damian tried to calm himself on the ride home. He tried to rationalize everything in his brain. It just made him angrier and angrier to think that Georgiana had lied to him.
Georgiana had never lied to him. Sure, Georgiana had sometimes forgotten a promise or two, but lying was completely different. Damian remembered that even in the worst of times, there were never secrets between them. They had worked through every crush, every tense moment, every uncertainty with complete honesty.
Until now.
He had calmed down enough so he wouldn't scare Saoirse; he knew she had never witnessed his temper, and tonight was not going to be the night she did.
He walked into the foyer of the house and saw both Saoirse and Melina sitting on the curved steps, staring down at him. Saoirse was tucked into Melina's lap, staring at him through an opening in her arms. Melina looked miserable, she had tear tracks down her face, and she couldn't quite meet his eyes when he stared up at them. Damian immediately felt his heart lighten. He didn't want either of them to think he was going to be a horrible person to them. "I guess she told you," he finally said after a long silence. He tried to keep his tone light, but he didn't succeed; he still sounded tortured.
Melina nodded, her legs bouncing and her mouth set in a thin line.
Saoirse untangled herself and stood, running down to Damian and hugging around his waist, "Are you mad at me, Daddy?"
Damian knelt and hugged her completely, "No, baby, I'm not. I may have overreacted with…" Damian paused for a few seconds. He had no idea what to call Georgiana.
"Mom?" Saoirse supplied, seeming to feel his internal battle.
Damian nodded, "with Mom. Come on, it's late. Let's get you into bed and then we can talk for a little, okay?"
Saoirse nodded but still held his hand as they ascended the stairs together. Melina was leaning against the banister now, "Should I pack my things?" she asked in a timid voice.
Damian paused and turned slowly, careful not to break contact with Saoirse. "I was actually hoping you could go get us some wine ready. Maybe go sit by the fire pit?"
Melina looked surprised, but nodded.
"And Mel?"
She turned quickly.
"I would never make you leave your home."
Melina looked into his eyes for a moment before breathing a sigh of relief, "Thank you."
Damian nodded and turned to continue his journey up the stairs, "Go get your jammies on, and I'll be in your room in a couple of minutes, okay?"
Saoirse didn't look like she wanted to part their hands but nodded and ran toward her room, closing the door loudly behind her.
"Want to try that again?" Damian said with a bit of a laugh in his voice.
Saoirse opened the door slowly and then closed the door quietly.
"Thank you," Damian bellowed before walking into his bedroom and rifling through a few boxes he kept buried on the completely empty side of the closet.
What was he thinking getting a house with this big of a closet? He didn't even use a quarter of it, and there was a room down the hall with a closet the same size. Damian grabbed what he was looking for and quickly padded down the hall to Saoirse's room, "Knock knock," he said quietly, rapping his knuckles on the door frame.
"Come in," Saoirse said equally quiet, still afraid of what her father was going to say. She'd heard half of the conversation with Georgiana, and she knew things weren't going to go well.
Damian sat cross legged on the bed, and stared at her, not to scare her, but he wanted her to start the conversation.
"I'm sorry, Daddy, I shouldn't have lied to you," she said eventually, playing with her hands and looking down. "I just didn't want you to hate me for wanting to know my mom…"
Damian took the fumbling hands in his, "I know, princess. I want you to know that I'm not mad at you. I think you should have come to me, but I understand why you didn't. Just know that in the future, whatever you come to me with, I'm never going to hate you, Saoirse. You are the most precious thing in my life." Damian wrapped her up in his arms, trying to ignore the tears stinging on his cheeks. "I will never hate you."
Saoirse sniffled into his shoulder, "Daddy….can you not hate uhm…G-Georgie?"
"You can call her whatever you want," Damian said honestly.
"Mom?" Saoirse finished, seeming to make that her final decision for her name.
Damian sighed, "I'm not going to lie. I'm very irritated with your mother, but I don't hate her. I never have hated your mother."
"But she was crying on the phone," Saoirse said, her eyes wide.
Damian bit his lip and willed the pain he felt from that simple notion away. "Well, I'll have to make her smile next time I see her."
Saoirse nodded happily, "Does that mean you are going to be married again?"
Damian laughed warmly, "It isn't that simple, sweetheart."
Saoirse had been expecting that answer, so she just nodded. She was sad, but knew that neither of her parents would keep her away from her sister.
Damian leaned in and kissed Saoirse's forehead, "Okay. I know it's only 9, so I'm leaving these here," Damian held up four huge photo albums he'd had hidden in the back of his closet, "these are pictures of your mother and I throughout the years. You can look at them for awhile if you want."
Saoirse grabbed them eagerly, the smile on her face huge as she turned the page and saw Damian standing in a navy blazer with Georgiana in a simple pair of jeans and a white blouse. "Daddy?"
"Yes," Damian was standing but turned to look at Saoirse
"Is your wedding in these?'
Damian nodded, "The white album. The pages are worn though, so be careful." He'd looked over the contents of that album so often that he knew the pages were breaking down to nothing. He'd have to replace the book soon if he wanted to keep the pictures. He shut the door softly and walked through the house quickly to find Melina. He knew she'd be at the fire pit eventually, but also knew that when she was upset, she wandered throughout the house and yard.
She was sitting by the fire pit, however, her legs tucked beneath her and her wine glass still full. She had a faraway look in her eyes as she stared at the crackling fire.
Damian sat down beside her and picked up his wine glass, taking a longer sip than usual, he turned to her and sighed, "We really got ourselves into it this time."
Melina nodded, not taking her eyes off of the embers, "I'm sorry, Damian. My allegiance is to you, and I should have stuck with it. I just…I'm sorry I lied. I just…I thought you'd be happy!"
"I would have been…had I known the truth originally," Damian stared into the fire with Melina. His mind was in a million places at once, not quite sure what he should be fighting or what he should do.
Melina watched the mirage of expressions on his face, and she put a hand on his shoulder, "She's upset, you know. She called me earlier and wanted to know if she blew every chance she had of ever getting it back."
Damian froze, "And what did you tell her?" His voice had a calm edge that Melina knew meant he was going to be angry no matter what she said.
"I told him to never lose faith in the ones you love," Melina said honestly. She still had confidence they could work it out. She hated Hannah, but she loved the idea of Georgiana and Damian being together again more than anything, even more than she hated the slimy woman.
Damian softened, "Thank you," he said genuinely. "I don't want her to give up hope."
Melina grinned at the man who suddenly looked like he was young again. "Are you going to talk things out with her?"
Damian looked away and busied himself, using a poker to shift the embers around, "I'll talk to her. But I can't…I can't just walk away from Hannah either. No matter what I do, someone gets hurt."
"So do something you never do, Damo. Think of yourself. Only you. Not Georgie. Not Hannah. Not Saoirse. Not me. Not your parents. Not anyone but you. What do you want? What will make you happy?" Melina had both arms on his shoulders and was shaking him slightly. "What do you need? Who do you need?"
Damian blinked a few times, "I wish it were that simple, Mel. I wish I could just choose what my heart wants. But what if she leaves again? What if she walks away because she has a job offer in Paris? Or she can't stay in California? She would not only hurt me by walking out of my life, but she'd hurt Saoirse because she'd leave her for a second time. She'd hurt Darla because she would once again be jostled around because of us, because of me." Damian felt a nasty headache coming and wanted the entire nightmare to be over. He cursed his younger self for being too dumb and stubborn to not work things out originally.
Melina noticed that Damian had grown up so much in ten years, and she'd never noticed it. She remembered the Damian that had begged her to call Georgiana and beg her to turn around. She remembered how he couldn't be left in a room with a phone for months, because he would always try to find Georgiana via the operator. Now he had Georgiana in front of him, and he was trying to make the most adult decision.
Maybe they weren't young anymore.
She grabbed his hand and poured them both some more wine, "Look, just give her a chance. Go tonight, look amazing in this outfit, and at least talk to her. You know how I feel about Hannah, and I know how you feel about Hannah. You loved Georgie more when you hated her than you love Hannah."
Damian laughed a little, knowing that she was right. But he still couldn't let himself fall right away, he had to give Georgiana a chance to prove that she had changed for the better, that this plot was really just a one-time thing. If she could do that, Damian thought he might give them a chance. "So what do I do about Hannah? I don't want to hurt her."
Melina wanted to help Damian do this easily, but only for his sake. She knew hurting Hannah would only make Damian even more vulnerable. "Is she coming over tonight?"
Damian nodded, "But I can't do it tonight. She's going to have a show tomorrow and she shouldn't have this on her mind."
Melina rolled her finger over the screen of the phone, looking at a message from Georgiana a few days ago.
Should she add to his pain?
"Damian…maybe you should just get it over with. You hated that everyone went behind your back with Georgie. Why would Hannah feel any different about you not having feelings for her and just keeping her around?" Melina poured even more wine for Damian. He was always bolder when he was a little tipsy, and Hannah would be over any minute.
Damian looked at the full glass, "I know what you're doing."
Melina looked over Damian's head. "…you have a guest."
Damian turned around, expecting to see Hannah, but instead saw someone else:
Henry Thompson.
"Henry!" Damian stood quickly and threw his arms around the man, shaking a little. "You look fantastic!"
"Oh shut up, I don't. I have a bum hip, a bum knee, and I can't see anything close up," Henry laughed, staring at Damian, "You haven't changed at all though."
Damian blushed under the scrutiny of his former father-in-law, "Thanks," he finally said, dipping his head. "I think I know why you're here."
Henry nodded, "Care if we have a seat?"
"Of course," Damian turned and saw that Melina had left. "Would you like some wine? Coffee?"
Henry shook his head, "I'm not going to be here for long. I have a girl sitting on the sofa at the hotel with a huge vat of ice cream. I'm afraid she's going to go into a sugar coma."
Damian hung his head. The look on Henry's face was one of disappointment, and Damian had never wanted to be the one to receive that look. "I'm sorry."
Henry shook his head, "I'm not blaming you. I fully blame her. I told her from the start not to lie to you. She wanted to do it this way. I think it was more romantic in her eyes," Henry nodded a few times, "she thought she could be the princess that came and saved you from Hannah. And I gotta tell you, kid, man to man here, that Hannah is no good."
Damian quirked his head to the side, "What do you mean?"
Henry realized then that no one had told Damian the truth about Hannah. "Kid…your girlfriend lives with another man…"
Damian felt like all of his air had been sucked out of him. "Really?" Damian couldn't say he was surprised. He always wondered why Hannah hadn't made a greater fuss about not being able to sleep at the house. Damian felt like he just knew someone in the back of his mind that Hannah wouldn't go for a man like him anyway.
"You okay?" Henry put a hand on Damian's shoulder. He watched for a few minutes as Damian seemed to fold in on himself, the weight of everything crashing down around him.
Damian eventually shrugged, "I'm not right now," his voice was a little thick, "but I will be eventually."
Henry remembered the boy from high school who held everything inside of him, the boy who never cried because the world had been so tough on him. Henry also remembered on Damian and Georgiana's wedding day that Damian couldn't stop his tears. Damian had learned to show his emotions through being with her. Damian was strong, and he would get through anything.
"I'm not one to tell people what to do. But I think you need to break up with this kid," Henry shrugged and leaned back, "I mean, I would if it were me."
"Did they all know?" Damian asked, his tone jaded and far away, "Did everyone know that Hannah was cheating?"
Henry looked up at the house, really taking in the life Damian had built for himself. He was almost hoping he wouldn't have to answer the question. But Damian remained silent, his focus only on Henry. "They just found out for sure today. Georgie tried to tell you, I think…"
Damian thought over their conversation, trying to remember any hint of that announcement.
"Not like she's cheating on your or anything," Georgiana spat.
Damian turned and looked at Georgiana, "Stop with the lies. Stop." Damian continued walking, his shoulders heaving as he tried not to cry. When he got to the door, he turned, "Tell Darla that I'm bringing Saoirse to the fashion show still. At least I will have a seat to see my girlfriend. She and Saoirse can sit together so they at least have some time. Before you leave, we'll have to talk about how to get them to see each other a few times a year."
Damian sucked in a breath, "Georgie did try to tell me. But…I was already angry, and I just thought she was lying."
Henry nodded, "That's understandable."
"How did she find out though?"
Henry shrugged, "That I don't know. I don't know if she saw them together or Hannah just told her. Hannah doesn't know about who Georgie really is, does she?"
Damian flushed, "No…no she doesn't."
Henry leaned in closer to Damian, "That means that Georgie and Melina weren't the only two being untruthful. If you really were being truthful to Hannah, wouldn't you have told her that she was modeling for your daughter's mother? For your ex wife?"
Damian looked down and fumbled his hands together wishing Melina hadn't taken his glass so he would have something to play with.
"I'm not judging you," Henry held his hands up, "but you didn't exactly run to Hannah and tell her about the kiss you shared with my daughter this afternoon, did you?"
Damian sputtered; he couldn't believe Georgiana had told him about that.
"We share a lot with each other," Henry put a hand on Damian's shoulder again. He didn't want to outstay his welcome. "Damo, you are a phenomenal human being. I cannot believe someone like you stayed single for so long. But I also want to believe that it means something that you did. I want nothing more than to have you back in my life, Georgie's life, and Darla's life again. But I'm not going to push you to that. I know feelings change and sometimes the hurt doesn't go away. Sometimes we learn from the hurt and we push through it, but it still lets us know what not to do again. I'm going to tell you what I think you should do, not what I want you to do. This decision is for you. But it would make my life a lot easier if you would at least befriend Georgie. She's incredibly successful but doesn't surround herself with many people. She needs a friend at least. I know she doesn't want that only, and I would welcome you back as a boyfriend of my daughter or my son-in-law in a heartbeat, but if you could at least be civil with each other, it would make everything easier. You raised a heck of a kid, and I want to be around her more often."
Damian hugged Henry. "You know, it would be easier if I could just marry you," he laughed at little, still slightly nervous.
"Well now that would be weird. I know my fabulous good looks are endearing, but I think my daughter would be mad," Henry laughed and stood, "I'm going to get going, because I hear Melina hissing in the house, which I assume means Hannah is here. I'm going to go around the house."
"Thank you," Damian said quietly, "I will try to be friends with her. At least…for now."
Henry gave him a genuine smile, "Good. Because I want to see the inside of this house when it isn't filled with someone I hate without knowing."
Damian laughed and waited until Henry was safely back to his car before taking a deep breath and walking in the house.
"Who was that?" Hannah asked, craning her neck to see out of the window, "were you on a date back there?"
"At least it isn't the man who lives with me," Damian said, suddenly gaining some of his spark back.
Hannah stopped, "Who...who told you that?"
"It doesn't matter," Damian said honestly, "Why would you do that to me? Why would you do that to him?"
"Oh please, it's not like you're anything special," Hannah said with a laugh, "I stay with a lot of men. You just paid for better meals than the rest."
Melina mimicked throwing a glass at Hannah, but Damian shook his head, "Well Hannah, your meal ticket is gone then. You can go home because we're done."
"Do you really think you're going to find someone like me somewhere else, old man?"
"I'm in my early thirties, I'm not old!"
Hannah laughed, "Keep telling yourself that. No one wants an old man who has an annoying daughter."
"Don't you dare talk about my little girl like that," Damian snarled.
Hannah just laughed, "Don't worry. I found someone so much better than you anyway."
Damian winced but said nothing.
"I'd like to meet that poor man." Melina laughed while drying the glasses.
Hannah Cheshire grinned at her, "You can't. I don't think Keith Harkin wants to meddle with you... you know, Georgiana Thompson's right hand man? Oh that's right... you don't."
The glass Melina was holding crashed to the ground as she jumped from just the name.
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Post by celticbear on Jul 22, 2013 0:52:07 GMT -5
Thank goodness Damo calmed down and gave the albums to Saoirse! And that Mel and the girls grandfather talked Damo into breaking up with Hannah! I WANT KEITH WITH MEL!
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Post by daisyfields on Jul 22, 2013 4:09:27 GMT -5
^^ yeah, I WANT KEITH WITH MEL!
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Post by meg_cahill21 on Jul 22, 2013 7:00:24 GMT -5
this is sooo much like the parent trap! haha...i LOVE this! update soon!
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Post by HburgEagle44 on Jul 22, 2013 14:51:26 GMT -5
o.o You were right. So many twists and drama that I didn't see coming. Haha update when you can
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Post by slyoldweasel on Jul 22, 2013 21:29:06 GMT -5
Damian padded into the kitchen earlier than usual the next morning, his eyes tired and his heart jumping in his chest. Today was the day of the fashion show, and he wasn't quite sure how to handle anything. There was a heavy silence between Saoirse, Melina, and himself. He knew the silence had just started because he heard the girls gossiping and giggling when he awoke.
Melina leaned against the island in the center of the kitchen, "So I'm going to need a few hours off to go fix this manicure…." She broke the silence with a sheepish grin and stared at the floor, "I mean… it was your fault I broke a nail."
Damian couldn't help but snort back a laugh, "How was it my fault?"
"You dated that idiot to begin with," Melina said lightly, handing Damian his morning cup of coffee with a grin.
Damian laughed, trying to remember the night before and never let it leave his mind.
Night Before
The glass Melina was holding crashed to the ground as she jumped from just the name.
Damian blinked and before he knew it, Melina was on top of Hannah, legs wrapped around her waist as she batted at her head, "Sei capelli è puzzolente. Odio il tuo viso. Sembri un bastone avete bisogno di più carne. Esci dalla mia casa idiota. Lasciami!"She screeched loudly as she continued to slap her head and pull her head. Hannah twirled in circles, trying to buck the girl off of her back.
"Would you two stop?" Damian asked after watching for a few minutes. He laughed as he saw Melina glance up at him and freeze.
"Why?" she had a slight glint of danger in her eyes. She would kill Damian if he was defending Hannah.
"Hannah, I doubt you stayed with Keith Harkin," Damian leaned backward against the island, "Actually I know you didn't."
Melina slid off of Hannah's back, collecting herself and brushing lint off her clothing, "She said, it Damo. I'm gonna kill Keith."
Hannah cocked her head, "How can you be so sure, Damian? You didn't know I was living with my boyfriend. You really aren't the type to pick up on things…"
"Hannah, get out," Damian was firm, his tone cold but his eyes blazing. "I'm tired of you."
Hannah looked taken aback. She had no idea where this sense of self came from in Damian. Usually Damian was somewhat of a pushover, but Hannah must have hit a nerve. "You know Damo, I actually did care about you, which is more than you can say." With that, Hannah turned and walked quickly out of the house, closing the door quietly behind her.
Damian felt a bit of a shock go through his body. Was it possible that Hannah, beneath the bravado and the sarcasm, actually did care about him? He couldn't shake the feeling that he had done some wrong to the woman, but couldn't look back now; he had to move on toward the future. He walked over to Melina and hugged her tightly, trying to hold onto something solid. "I told you someone would get hurt," he whispered, "I just didn't think it would actually be Hannah... don't listen to her..."
Melina took Damian's face in her hands, "Now you see how easy it is hurt someone. Do you really think Georgiana thought missing a few things a decade ago was because she wanted to hurt you?" Melina shrugged when Damian didn't answer, "Just think about it, okay?" With that, the girl turned and moved toward her part of the house, "Also, I'm going to need a manicure. That girl must have had a metal plate in her head. I bet that's where the aliens probed her."
Damian laughed but was thankful for Melina once again. He made a silent wish that she would find herself love in Keith instead of fighting for him to find someone.
"Yeah, you can go get a manicure whenever you want. I still need to go pick something up for the show tonight," Damian frowned, he had no idea what to wear. He mostly wore one of the two suits he had or jeans and a button up. He rarely dressed up for anything. "Which..I have no idea what to wear, so this should be fantastic."
Melina bent and picked up a huge box, "I think someone was still hoping you'd show up. She sent over this box this morning. She also sent one for Saoirse."
Damian couldn't help the smile on his face, "She probably didn't want me to embarrass her."
"Or she actually cares about you and knew you wouldn't feel comfortable in your own clothes," Melina tried, "just a thought."
Damian jumped off of his stool, "Oh god! I should probably send her flowers!"
"Damian, I don't know..." Melina started, but stopped, "You know what…do whatever you want."
"I can't believe I didn't think of this! She deserves flowers from someone who cares about her!" Damian was frantically searching throughout the kitchen and dining room for his laptop.
Saoirse just watched Melina and Damian dance around each other, a small smile on her face. "Can I send Mom a flower bouquet too?"
Damian froze, remembering that Saoirse was in the room, "Of course you can sweetie. Let me just find my laptop…"
"You left it on the sofa!" Melina was carrying the open laptop into the kitchen, "Also, why were you Google searching Georgiana Thompsonl?"
Damian flushed and snatched the computer, "No reason." Damian sat back at the island and pulled Saoirse into his lap, "Should we each send one or just one from both of us?"
Melina bit her lip, debating whether she wanted to barge into the conversation. "I think you should send two," she finally supplied.
Damian nodded, "Bug, how about you pick first and then maybe you and I can go get a haircut?"
"Someone wants to look nice for tonight," Melina commented, grabbing her purse, "I'm going to get my nails done. I'll see you two lovely people later."
Damian nodded and turned to Saoirse, "What kind of flowers do you want to send?"
"Sunflowers!" Saoirse giggled, her eyes lighting up at the bouquets on the screen.
Damian laughed but searched for the flowers. To Saoirse's dismay, only two bouquets came up on the screen. "This one is pretty," Damian pointed to a 14-flower bouquet that was simple but he knew Georgiana would love a stick in the mud that came from Saoirse.
She nodded, "Do you think she'll like it?"
"I think she'll love it," Damian said honestly. "What do you want the card to say?"
Saoirse thought for a moment, a finger going to her lips, "How about: I love you, Mom."
Damian felt his breath catch but nodded, "If that's what you want. I'll add a 'From Saoirse' to it?"
She nodded then jumped down off his knee, "Hurry up, Daddy! I have to have at least three hours to get ready for tonight," her hands were on her hips as she looked up at him.
Damian ruffled her hair and gently pushed her toward the stairs, "Go beauty queen."
Damian stared at the pages and pages of flowers, his heart racing. He had never been good at picking out flowers. Didn't they have meanings? Didn't the colors have meaning? The shape? The number of petals?
He pulled out a legal pad and went searching on the internet. He had to find the perfect flowers, because even if Georgiana didn't know what he was saying, Damian knew.
He had to express how he was feeling in some way.
"Saoirse! We're going to stop at the florist on the way to the salon!" Damian yelled up the stairs, hand quickly jotting down different types of flowers he wanted to add to the bouquet.
The only thing he wanted to stay away from was red roses – even if they were applicable. Maybe.
Before he knew it, the list became longer than he thought. He hoped the florist could work all of the flowers together in such a short time.
Ambrosia
Arbutus
Pink Camellias
Red Camellias
Red Carnations
Daffodils
Forget Me Nots
Forsythia
Purple Hyacinth
Jonquil
Lily of the Valley
Orchid
Peony
Primrose
Tulips
Zinnia
He would get this perfect, even if the bouquet took up the entire building.
Damian ran quickly up the stairs, taking them two by two. He suddenly had a lot more to do in his day than he had originally intended.
He threw on a pair of loose jeans, a white button down, and grabbed his converse, not caring what he looked like for the time being. "Saoirse, are you ready?"
Saoirse walked out of her room in denim capris, a white t-shirt, and converse. They both just stared at each other and burst out laughing. "We look alike!" She laughed, slipping her hand into Damian's as they hustled down the stairs together. He just grinned. He knew these days would be over soon, so he wanted to soak them up as much as he could.
"Top down?" Damian asked, jumping swiftly into his car.
"Yes!" Saoirse strapped herself into the front seat, moving it forward.
The two drove into the nearby city, their hair flying behind them as they sang loudly. Damian may have been having a battle inside, but he wanted his daughter to believe he was fine.
Their first stop in the city was the florist. Damian jogged inside, Saoirse coming quickly behind him, "I need a bouquet! A big bouquet! It needs to have all of these flowers!" Damian thrust the list into the man's hands, "Please help me!"
The man looked at the list, his eyes wide, "Dude, this is going to cost a lot of money."
"I don't care."
The man smiled, "Okay, who is the bouquet for and what do you want your bouquet to say?"
Damian looked down at Saoirse before turning back to the man, "It's for my ex-wife who I just talked to again for the first time in ten years and I told her I didn't really want to be with her but I don't really know what I want...and I want it to say that I'm sorry and I forgive her and I hope she forgives me for being the biggest jerk in the entire world and I want her to at least be in my life in some capacity."
The man held up a hand, "Sir…that's a lot to say with flowers."
"That's your job, isn't it?"
The man nodded, "We're going to have to go into the stock room…"
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Georgiana woke up the next morning with eyes that were swollen shut. She sighed and quickly warmed up a washcloth, pressing it to her face and trying to ease them open. She looked around her hotel room and leaned her head back against the wall. Everything was such a mess. An empty ice cream container sat on her nightstand and his clothes were just strewn about the room. She really hadn't thought Damian would be as mad as he was. She thought Damian would find it silly, funny, or even cute. He had always liked to play games.
Damian was the one who decided painting each other instead of the walls was a good idea.
Damian was the one who went streaking through the snow in a pair of rain boots and a Speedo.
But now was not the time to sit and sulk. Regardless of what happened, Georgiana still had a job to do and a daughter to support.
Georgiana quickly showered and put on her best dress for the day. No matter that there were still literally hours until the show; there would be cameras and reporters backstage, so she had to look her best. It was around ten when she finally woke up her father, Darla, and Keith. All of their outfits were wheeled in on mannequins. Just like Georgiana, they would be on display as well.
Henry put a hand on her shoulder, "Are you okay?"
She nodded, "The show must go on, right?"
Henry looked down, "I went to see him last night. I told him about Hannah."
Georgiana gaped at Henry, "Why? Dad…."
"He still loves you," Henry said wisely, "he still loves you just as much as, if not more than, he did ten years ago. I know, I can see it."
Georgiana breathed in a shuddering breath, "Dad, right now I have to pay attention to my job."
Henry nodded and took a deep breath, "Georgie...isn't that what got you here in the first place?"
"Yes, Dad, yes it is. But I'm tired of being the bad guy in this situation. Damian gets to play the grown up card? Well so do I." Georgiana was seeing red; she couldn't believe that people were still blaming everything on her. She wasn't the one who had given up the first time.
"I'm going to go into work. I'll have a car come get you all later. Keith knows what to do with Darla's hair. He can tell the hairdresser." Georgiana hated burying herself in her work, but sometimes she had to do it.
Georgiana crept into Darla's room on her way out. She walked over to her bed and gently brushed the stray curls off of Darla's face. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Good morning, princess."
"Morning, Mommy," she said sleepily, rubbing her eyes a little. She quickly sat up however, "Oh my god! I get to see Saoirse today!"
Georgiana laughed a little, hoping her daughter was right. She hated that they might have to be spread apart again because Damian insisted on being negative about everything. "I'm pretty sure you will!" She wanted to do something for Damian at least. She made a quick mental note to move around the seats at her show.
Damian deserved to be with both girls at once; it was the least Georgiana could do.
She rushed around trying to make sure everything was ready when Henry walked into the kitchen again, "Hey kid…I was just wondering, are we really leaving tomorrow or are we staying here, we gotta let the hotel know."
Georgiana's heart stopped. It had all been part of her plan – making sure she and Damian were back together by the time the show was over, then realizing she only booked the hotel for so long, then getting invited to Damian's house to stay.
Everything was backfiring.
"We're leaving," Georgiana said before grabbing her keys and slipping out of the room. She needed to get to work, she needed to make something of herself, and she needed to forget.
Georgiana paced back and forth through the hall once she arrived at the venue. She was nervous, and alone, and she just wanted someone to be able to bounce her problems off of. But she couldn't let that distract her. She took a deep breath and walked back into her own dressing room and her eyes widened when she saw her vanity. A huge bouquet of sunflowers first caught her eye. She reached over and picked up the card:
I love you, Mom! - Saoirse
Georgiana bit her lip hard and ran her fingers gently over the petals. She moved to the next bouquet, a group of very bright purple hyacinth wrapped in a pink ribbon and in a short vase. She grinned at them as well.
I was told these mean I'm sorry. I am. – Damian
Georgiana couldn't help the water smile that formed on her lips. She moved to the next bouquet, her heart considerably lighter. This bouquet was different. The vase was tall and stained a dark green. Tall, bright yellow forsythia stuck out the top. They weren't quite at full bloom yet but they still smelled strongly. Curious, she looked at the card.
I cannot wait to see your work. – Damian
She let out a little giggle, glancing at the flowers next to them. Were they all from Damian? She continued down the line.
Small blue forget-me-nots sitting in a short vase of water with a blue ribbon: I can't help but think about all those nights you sat with Band-Aids on your fingers because you poked them repeatedly. Look where it got you! – Damian
Purple and white speckled orchids in a square vase with rocks: If what you sent me this morning is any indication, your line is going to be nothing short of stunning. - Damian
Simple, purple peonies with sprigs of baby's breath: I cannot wait to be there to support you today. Did I mention that I'm sorry? – Damian
A huge bouquet of variegated tulips that were already open and lush. I hope we can talk after the show. I will wait all night. – Damian
Georgiana couldn't get a deep breath at she read over the cards. She didn't know what Damian was doing, but she had hope that maybe they could at least be civil with each other. She wanted so much to at least have a relationship with the man who had once saved her.
She picked up the final bouquet, a mixture of zinnias, and placed it on the only open surface left in her room. Georgiana needed to pull it together at least for now. She needed to not think about the meanings and the intentions behind the flowers.
Georgiana fit a few models that morning, trying to adjust their pants and shirts for weight gain, weight loss, and apparent shrinkage. She was exhausted and she still had to fit Hannah Montgomery in her ending piece.
The last thing she wanted to do was fit Hannah in clothes with flowers from her boyfriend throughout Georgiana's dressing room.
Hannah walked in, her eyes rimmed in red and bloodshot. Georgiana wanted to act like a jerk, but instead put on a caring face. "Are you okay, Hannah?"
The woman grabbed her coffee but shook her head, "No. My boyfriend dumped me last night."
Georgiana slipped and accidentally poked herself with a pin, "Which one? The one you live with or the other one?" She couldn't help her slip, now was not the time to play coy – she needed to know.
"The other one," Hannah said as she started to strip down.
"Well, he had to find out you were cheating…" Georgiana said quietly, feeling guilty. Hannah actually seemed distraught about the turn of events.
"Yeah, but I was going to move out of my current house and break up with my boyfriend," Hannah said quietly. "But it doesn't matter."
Georgiana put a hand on Hannah's shoulder, "You'll find someone else," Georgiana knew those words wouldn't really help her, but she felt she needed to say them.
Hannah shrugged, "I'll be fine. I always am. He wasn't that into me anyway. He's still hung up on his ex wife."
Georgiana started working on Hannah's tailoring, "Oh really?" She tried to feign interest, but in reality she wanted to shake the woman down and ask her a hundred questions.
"Yeah, at one point I was snooping around his closet and he has like…totes and totes filled with some of her old stuff. I looked through it to see if I really had competition…" Hannah stopped and looked down at Georgiana with wide eyes, "Oh my god."
Georgiana took a step back and looked at Hannah, "Now…don't freak out. Please, don't freak out."
Hannah was breathing deeply and looked confused, "Wait…so you dated Damian. You married Damian… Huh... is that why you always seem so stingy? Honestly, there are better looking guys..."
That was the moment Georgiana stopped feeling bad for Hannah. "Is that really what you are worried about? I thought you honestly had feelings for him?"
"I do," Hannah stepped away from the working station, "but I just…he's okay..."
"That is a personal opinion."
Hannah was still thinking, Georgiana could practically see her mind working. "You still have feelings for him too, don't you?"
Georgiana didn't know if she really wanted to spread her personal feelings around to everyone. "He and I are barely on speaking terms right now."
"The flowers are from him, aren't they," Hannah motioned over to the open room with her chin.
Georgiana nodded.
Hannah closed her eyes and thought, "Damian deserves someone who is going to treat him well. I couldn't do that, and from what he told me about you, the two of you were perfect together. I didn't know it was you to be honest, but still."
"I thought you were a jerk," Georgiana said jokingly, going back to arranging Hannah's outfit. The hours were passing quickly and she barely had any time before show time.
"I can be," Hannah said honestly, "but he actually did mean something to me."
Georgiana nodded; Damian had no idea what kind of effect he had on people, how easily he could hurt someone.
She wanted more than anything to tell Hannah that she was sorry, but she wasn't. She didn't know where she stood with Damian, but she knew where she wanted to get, and that involved Hannah being out of the picture.
-
Damian was nervous. He looked down at himself and felt like an idiot. There was no way he could pull off this outfit. Georgiana obviously wasn't as good as Damian had previously thought.
"Daddy, you look very handsome," Saoirse said as they walked into the venue. There were cameras taking pictures of more famous people coming in, skipping right over Damian, thank goodness.
Damian looked down at his jacket. It looked like a pea coat, but it was really his suit jacket. The material was shiny and the buttons were huge. Georgiana had sent a white vest with faint gray pinstripes and a black tie. The pants were more fitted than Damian usually wore today, looking more like something he would have worn in high school.
Melina had styled his hair into a nice combination of dapper and curls.
"You look gorgeous as well honey," Damian looked down at Saoirse's outfit, another Georgiana creation. Damian thought that she could expand into children's clothes if this was an indication. Against his wishes, Melina helped Saoirse iron her hair flat, and she looked so much more grown up.
Saoirse ran her hands over the purple dress with hot pink tulle. Georgiana had kept the dress simple, mature, but still appropriate.
In the future, Georgiana could take the girls shopping for their clothes.
Damian wanted to smack himself; he needed to stop thinking about being domestic with her.
Melina was trailing behind them. Apparently Georgiana had invited her before, and Damian wasn't going to say no because he needed Melina to keep him calm. She wore another Georgiana creation, a tighter black dress with ruffles on the bodice. Melina had spent over an hour on her own hair.
"Dressing up for someone?" Damian had asked.
"Shut up," she said, though Damian didn't miss the blush on her cheeks. "Bringing those flowers to impress someone?"
Damian played with the flowers in his hand. He wasn't sure they were a good idea, but in his heart he knew he wanted to do it, so that was all that mattered. Damian heard what was happening before he realized what was going on.
"DARLA!" Saoirse had shrieked and ran across the entrance of the venue. Damian hastened to keep up with her, trying not to let her out of his sight.
Damian saw Saoirse hugging a girl of similar height, curly brown hair, and a blue and green dress that was identical to Saoirse's. His heart beat in overdrive as he realized he was seeing his daughters together for the first time. He quickly pulled a tissue out of his pocket and dabbed at his eyes.
Saoirse dragged Darla over by her hand, "Daddy…this is Darla."
Damian knelt down, forgetting about his expensive suit and just looked at them together. This was a dream he'd been having for twelve years, and he wasn't sure what to do. "Can I have a hug?" he eventually asked, his voice breaking.
Darla nodded shyly but practically ran into his arms, interlacing her hands around his neck.
He didn't want to let her go, but opened up his other arm for Saoirse to fall in. Having both of his daughters in his arms was a feeling he'd never had before, though it still felt like something was missing. He pushed that thought to the back of his mind as he stood and just looked at them. It was awkward, but he had no idea what to even say.
Saoirse grabbed Damian's hand, sensing the tension, "Come on, let's go get our seats! The show starts in fifteen minutes!"
Damian saw Henry walking over and reached out his other hand to shake Henry's hand. Henry was sweating a little. "Nervous?" Damian joked as he put his hand down. He felt something grab it, and looked down to see Darla holding his hand as well.
Henry didn't miss the action either. He laughed, "You have no idea. I think she's probably either stress eating back there or pacing a hole in the floor."
Damian laughed and felt more at ease knowing his Georgie never changed.
"Let's go in then," he said to the group, "Come on Melina," Damian turned to see Melina talking to a blonde boy wearing a tight, grey suit and blue tie.
Henry saw the question on Damian's face, "That's Georgiana's Melina, Keith."
"Oh," Henry said simply. "Melina and Keith?"
The girls jumped and looked at Damian with easy smiles.
"We're going in."
They motioned the group away as they continued talking.
The seats they had were fantastic, and Damian couldn't help but feel his own nerves for Georgiana. Henry sat first, then Darla, then him, then Saoirse, then Melina, then Keith. Damian loved having both girls surrounding him, but he was hoping Melina would have been next to him to keep him calm.
Damian listened to both Saoirse and Darla banter around him, learning a lot about them both in the process.
The lights when down, and Damian, once again, had two small hands in his as the music started.
Damian's breath caught as Georgiana walked out onto the runway and stopped right in front of them, looking taller than usually and flawless.
"Welcome to the show," Georgiana said quietly, the entire room enraptured with every word. "Our lives are composed of memories, tiny memoirs that shape the course of our lives. We had moments of intense happiness and spells of severe depression. My life has been filled with instances of both," Georgiana glanced down at her daughters, her father, and Damian, "tonight's show will highlight those exact moments, the happiest and the saddest and the courage to move forward that has highlighted my life. I hope you enjoy my little trip down memory lane." Georgiana took a bow and blew a kiss down to her family before skipping off of the runway.
The music got louder, and Damian could hear his own heartbeat. This was it, the biggest show of Georgiana's life.
The first model came out wearing a pair of tight leather pants and a nearly knee length black and white hound's-tooth sweater. Henry laughed a little next to him, and Damian figured that was before his time.
The next model came down the runway wearing a navy blazer with sequins on it, but Damian knew exactly what this was for, he could practically feel Henry's eyes on him.
Damian kept recognizing life events. When the model came out in a strapless tulle dress closed with pins, Damian laughed out loud as well. It was like watching Georgiana grow up again.
There was a shift when two people walked out onto the catwalk together. Melina drew a breath in audibly as did Henry. It took Damian a few seconds to realize that this was meant to be their wedding.
A few more models passed, representing the birth of Saoirse and Darla, Georgiana's first real job, and the downward spiral of the relationship.
The next model made Damian want to cry. She was wearing a dress similar to those that the model representing Georgiana at the wedding wore, but it was black and was torn and trailing behind her on the runway. The model wore no shoes and wasn't styled like any of the other models.
It was after that when Damian realized he didn't recognize any of the following life events. He had no idea what was going on in Georgiana's life.
There was a pause and then the second to last model walked out. He was in all white and a stark contrast to the rest of the models.
Damian understood, he represented the hope Georgiana had to resume whatever they had.
It was until Hannah turned the corner as the final model that Damian even remembered she would be there. Hannah wore a huge two toned coat with layers and layers beneath it. She carried a piece of luggage with her.
Damian couldn't understand. He looked to Henry, who just shrugged.
When Hannah returned, almost instantaneously the rest of the models came out clapping, and everyone stood up, whistling and screaming as Georgiana walked down the runway again.
Damian grabbed the red-tipped yellow roses and handed them up to Georgiana as she walked by. She took them and grinned down at Damian before continuing back down the runway.
It was a start.
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Post by HburgEagle44 on Jul 22, 2013 23:42:04 GMT -5
What is that last one supposed to mean? Love it!!
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Post by celticbear on Jul 23, 2013 0:02:41 GMT -5
Loved the cat fight between Hannah and Melanie! Also loved how frantic Damian got about sending all those flowers! The fashion show was great! And I see not one but two weddings in the near future! One for Damian and Georgie and the other for Melanie and Keith! With the girls being the flower girls at both weddings!
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Post by daisyfields on Jul 23, 2013 0:09:41 GMT -5
i just cannot get enough of this story!
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