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Post by fallingn2ct on Jan 4, 2011 14:30:26 GMT -5
During the next month Neil and Fynn continued to exchange emails almost daily. Most of the conversation was kept light and friendly, but occasionally Neil would ask questions about Isaac and Fynn would do her best to answer without revealing too much information. She simply was not ready to discuss her deceased husband with another man. Neil had sent her information on their show in Charlotte, North Carolina and she agreed that she and Mia would make a trip down to see the show and for Fynn to meet with him regarding the possibility of doing some photography.
"So he asked you to see your work?", Lauren asked as Fynn folded more of Mia's clothes for their small road trip.
"How many times do I have to tell you this?", Fynn laughed zipping the bag," Neil asked if we would like to see the Christmas show and also asked if I would be interested in possibly doing some photography for him. His website is going live and he wants some new shots."
"So, this is more or less business", Lauren smiled.
"Yes, Laur it is, and if you keep insinutating more than that, then you can not come."
"I'm going whether or not you want me too. Keith invited me, remember?"
"How can I forget when you gush about it every time we talk?"
"You know Fynn, I get that you lost your husband only a few months ago now, but you have to stop this bitter thing. It's not healthy for you."
Fynn sighed,"Please don't tell me what is and is not good for me. I have been doing what I have to do in order to take care of my daughter and I. Sorry I am not a social butterfly after losing the love of my life."
"I'm not saying you have ot be a butterfly, I am just saying stop shutting yourself down. You can't stop yourself from feeling for someone else."
She would not meet her sister's eyes,"Can we just talk about the trip please?"
It was Lauren's turn to sigh,"Just think about what I said okay? I am not trying to be the enemy, I just care about you."
"I know", Fynn nodded,"I have to get myself packed up now" she headed towards her own room,"So what is going on with you and Keith?"
"I have no clue", Lauren laughed,"We constantly email and talk online and we pretty much can't go a day without talking to each other."
"That's a good thing!"
"It is, but it's confusing too. I don't know if we are simply best friends or if he wants more. It's strange."
"Well, enjoy every moment of it."
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jan 7, 2011 10:33:37 GMT -5
It was two days before the show, they actually had some time off while in Charlotte. The sky was a cloudless, powder blue, the breeze carried hints of the impending winter. Neil strolled down the nature path taking in a deep breath. It was peaceful and perfect for song writing. He hummed a new tune to himself as he walked. He couldn't help his mind drifting to the knowledge that Fynn would be arriving by the evening. They had been communicating with each other over emails and she had opened up some to him, but he knew that there was a lot that was being held back. He was hoping that with this visit that maybe he could break down some of the wall she kept up. He reminded himself that it had only been a few months since she had lost her husband. There was a lot at stake with Fynn, not only did he have to think about her, but about Mia as well. He ran a hand over his face as his mind began to race through different thoughts,"Get a hold of yourself", he said outloud. He finished his walk and headed back towards the hotel.
"Where'd you get off to?", Keith asked as Neil came into the large suite.
"No where, just strolling about," he opened a bottle of water.
"Still on for dinner with the girls tonight?"
"Definitely", he replied,"Fynn will have Mia though, so where ever we end up should be kid friendly."
"Lauren & I can go out after, so that's cool."
"What's up with you two anyway? You seem to like her."
Keith laughed,"I like her a lot, I just want to make sure that I don't rush into anything. We have crazy lives right now and to ask her to be a part of that isn't fair."
"We're not on the road all the time", he replied flopping into one of the chairs and picking up his guitar.
"True, but we do a lot, even in our down time there is usually something. We'll see how things go tonight."
"Cause one night will make all the difference?"
"Well, it will be the first time we have seen each other since Virginia."
"I thought about seeing if Fynn and Mia want to catch a movie after dinner or do something fun."
"Well, you guys can go do your thing and me self and Lauren will do ours. This is a pretty big place, I'm sure they have a club or something."
"I don't think a club is a good place for relationship conversation" he laughed,"Why not somewhere quiet like a coffee place or over a glass of wine."
"Because Neil my boy, that is not what she would expect from me."
"Which is exactly why you should do it!"
"Love advice fromt he love sick, always nice."
"Don't start on me, when you can't go a day without talking to her."
"And you can?"
"We email, it's different. The two of you chat on the net, text messages. Every form of communication possible. So therefore, you should just go ahead and jump in head first."
"Maybe I will, we'll just see," he grinned,"For now I am going to have a look around this place. See what shops are any good."
"See ya!", Neil said returning is attention to the guitar he held.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jan 12, 2011 11:57:21 GMT -5
"I can't believe she has slept this long", Fynn said turning to look at Mia who was fast asleep.
"Car rides always put me to sleep", Lauren said watching the road.
"How soon should we be there?"
"Not long now, probably about an hour," she yawned.
"Want me to take over?", she asked.
"No, I'm good. Ready to be out of this car though."
"Me too, at least we will be at a nice hotel."
"Yeah, Keith said that they have a couple of large suites that the guys are sharing."
"Well, aren't they just special", she laughed,"I just want a hot shower and some real food."
"Tonight is dinner with Neil and Keith, hopefully that will entail real food", Lauren said with a smile.
"I forgot about that", she groaned,"I don't know of Mia will be up for being out tonight. She's been in a car all day and I don't want to worry anyone else with having to watch out for her if she gets wound up."
"You're making excuses Fynn", Lauren looked at her sister,"No one says this has to be some sort of date, it's just dinner."
"You have no idea", Fynn shook her head looking out the window and the passing scenery,"None what so ever."
"Then tell me Fynn, please tell me. I have no clue because you don't talk about things. You bottle them up inside until one day you break down, someone has to call you on it and I am that someone."
Fynn felt hot tears forming in her eyes,"I lost the love of my life only a few months ago, my daughter lost her father. I have had to pick up and carry on while everyone gets to take their time and figure out how to deal with it. I don't get that time Lauren, I never have time to figure out how to deal with not having Isaac around. So when you find the time to let me deal with it, you let me know."
"Fynn, you know I will come watch Mia for you. You know mom will too, you have to reach out to us. If you need time away, tell us! Mom understands and even though I don't know what you're going through, I can empathize with you. But you have to ask for help, you can't expect people to autimatically know what you need or want."
"What I want is to not talk about this with my child in the car", she said angrily.
"Fine, whatever", Lauren said getting off at an exit,"Hotel should be about another ten minutes up. The two women remained silent as they drove through the city looking for the hotel," I have to text Keith and let him know we are checking in."
"Okay, if you can get us checked in I will stay out here with Mia."
"Be back", Lauren said stepping out of the vehicle and into the main lobby of the hotel.
Fynn put her head back closing her eyes, willing away the pound she felt in her temples. Lauren always struck a nerve with her and part of that nerve was the knowlesge that she was correct. Fynn knew she didn't let people in and didn't ask for help. A part of her felt like she didn't need help and that she should handle her life on her own. Her life now was more complicated than it had been in a long time.
"The guys will meet us in the parking garage", Lauren said getting back in the car.
"Help with the bags will be nice", Fynn laughed.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jan 13, 2011 12:35:32 GMT -5
Lauren pulled the small car into a spot and put it into park,"let's get out of this thing."
"Finally", Fynn laughed as she opened her door.
"Hey there", Neil waved approaching the car with Keith in tow.
"Hey guys!", Lauren grinned,"Thanks for coming to give us a hand."
"We appreciate it", Fynn said with a smiled,"Mia is asleep, so I will carry her."
"Long drive?", Neil asked as they stood by the trunk.
"Longer than I've been on in a while", she replied,"Thanks for inviting us to come down."
"Of course! We have a few days free, something that doesn't happen often."
"Bet you're ejoying that", she stopped as their hands touched briefly while holding onto the strap of a bag,"Sorry", she said quickly.
"It's okay," he smiled,"I'll take it for you."
"Thanks, I'll get Mia out", she moved to the side of the car taking a deep breath.
"What are we doing for dinner?", Lauren asked as she and Keith waited by the elevator.
"Something," he shrugged.
"Thanks for being vague, great help", she rolled her eyes.
"I try", he smirked,"Neil and I thought we would do something that all of us, including Mia would enjoy. Then after that you and I can go do something."
"Have you seen anything good to get into?"
"Spotted a few pubs and some other places, we'll decide later on," he said as Neil and Fynn approached them.
"We're set guys, sorry", Fynn said adjusting Mia in her arms.
"No worries,"Keith said pushing the button for the elevator,"Somebody's a Saints fan."
Fynn smiled,"Her dad was, she never sleeps without this blanket."
"Well, you can tell her when she wakes up that Neil never sleeps without his nightlight."
"What are you talking about?", Neil looked at him cheeks slightly growing crimson.
"Making conversation", Keith snickered.
"Boys, boys", Lauren shook her head as the elevator stopped at the tenth floor,"This is us", she peered at the room key in her hand. The group shuffled off the elevator to the hotel room.
"Thank you guys so much", Fynn said softly as she paid Mia on the closest bed.
"You're welcome,"Neil replied placing items on the floor next to the bed,"Dinner about eight sound okay?"
"Sounds good", she nodded,"Mia should be awake before too long."
"Glad you're here Fynn", Neil said hugging her.
Fynn wasn't sure how to react to this sudden act of affection, she simply gave him a light squeeze and said,"Me too."
"See you gals later", Keith waved as he and Neil left the room.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jan 13, 2011 15:37:56 GMT -5
"Physical contact, that's a good thing", Keith said as he and Neil stepped out of the elevator on their own floor.
"She barely responded though", Neil said dejectedly,"I shouldn't have done it."
"It was a hug Neil, it's not a big deal. She was probably not ready for it."
"I guess", he shrugged.
"Come on mate, we're going out this evening. So rest up!"
"We have a few hours, think I will lay down and then get ready."
"Mommy", Mia said rubbing her eyes.
"Hey baby girl", Fynn said laying next to her rubbing her back,"You finally woke up."
"Mommy, I want to see daddy", the little girl's voice trembled.
"Honey", she said feeling her own voice catch in her throat,"We have talked about that, remember?"
"Yes", she sniffed,"But I miss him."
"Come here baby", Fynn pulled her into her arms as she cried. She stroked her hair softly,"I know it's hard Mi-pea, but remember that daddy is in heaven and that any time you want to talk to him you can."
"She okay?", Lauren whispered looking at her sister.
"Just give us a few minutes," Fynn said quietly.
"Are you going to leave too?', Mia hiccuped and looked at her mother.
"I'm not going any where my love", she kissed her forehead,"You ready to get up?"
"No", she said with a quiver.
"Okay, we'll lay here til you're ready" she held her and closed her own eyes. These moments were the hardest, when Mia wanted her father or to see him, she had to be the one to remind her that he was gone. At first her episodes would be long and drawn out with screaming fits of cries. Now they were subdued and would only occur every once in a while. It made Fynn hurt inside and out that Mia would never know Isaac and how much he truly loved her. It would be up to her to keep his memory alive. A question suddenly arose in Fynn's mind, would she ever fall in love again? And if she did, could she give that person her heart without guilt and without pain. She thought briefly and then focused her attention back to Mia who sniffled slightly and clung to her Saints blanket.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jan 21, 2011 10:23:26 GMT -5
"What are we having for dinner?" Mia asked as her mother carefully braided her hair.
"We are going out to dinner with Aunt Lauren, Keith, and Neil." Fynn replied twisting the hair tie onto the end of the braid.
"I know that, but where?"
"I don't know sweetheart, we will have to see what everyone wants."
"I want pizza!" she grinned.
"Oh you do?", she laughed,"What if I don't want pizza?"
"Aunt Lauren might want pizza", she answered as Lauren emerged from the bathroom putting an earring in her ear.
"I think pizza sounds great!" Lauren sided with her niece.
"Two against one" Fynn sighed playfully.
"We win!", Mia cheered as Lauren gave her a high five.
"You're a booger", Fynn tickled her daughter's sides as they heard a knock at the door.
"Coming!", Lauren called,"It's Keith and Neil", she said looking through the peep hole.
"Let them in", Fynn said gathering a few things and putting a jacket on Mia.
"Hey guys!", Lauren said opening the door.
"Hullo", Keith smiled,"You gals ready to go?"
"We are", she replied,"Fynn and Mia, you coming?"
"Yep, just getting my purse", she answered taking Mia's hand. They met the others at the door and the group headed towards the elevator.
"So, what do you girls want for dinner?", Neil asked.
"Well, Miss Mia here wants pizza", Fynn replied.
"Pizza sounds delicious", Neil gave Mia a wink causing her to giggle.
"We should try to go to one of those places where they have games", Keith said as they stepped into the elevator.
"And who is the kid here", Lauren laughed.
"Mia, do you want to play games while we have pizza?", Keith squatted next to her. She only nodded in response.
"She's a little shy", Fynn smiled.
"Well, looks like it's settled", Neil said as they stepped on the elevator,"Pizza and games!"
"I think we will have to watch three kids tonight", Lauren nudged Fynn as they made their way to the lobby to get a cab.
"I think Mia will have fun," she said quietly,"Without Isaac she hasn't really had any male figure to play with her or teach her things like video games."
"Cause you know you're no good at them", she laughed.
"Not at all."
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jan 21, 2011 16:23:59 GMT -5
Keith climbed into the front passengar side of the minivan taxi and let the driver know what they were looking for.
"There's a kids pizza placed called Pizza Palace not too far, about five or six miles", the driver said.
"That sounds good, what do you think Mia?", Neil looked at the little girl who sat next to her mother. The response was a nod and a wide smile,"Pizza Palace here we come!"
Fynn smiled at Neil's efforts to get Mia to warm up to him. The fact that she was smiling and giggling at him was more than Fynn thought she would do. Fynn found herself giving a shy smile as Neil's eyes caught hers over Mia's head. She quickly looked out the window noticing they were coming to a stop. Keith handed the driver money and the group stepped out. The building was designed to resemble a castle, a large neon sign read "Pizza Palace" in a script style lettering.
"This looks fantastic", Keith said as they made their way inside.
"Try to keep yourself from being too excited", Lauren laughed as they waited to be seated.
"How many?", a young woman dressed in black slacks and a polo shirt smiled.
"Five", Neil said making sure he had counted correctly.
"That's how old I am", Mia giggled.
"You're only five?", Neil said with mock shock," I could have sworn you were about ten!" he laughed as she corrected him on her age,"Please forgive my mistake Miss Mia."
"Okay you two", Fynn smiled as they followed the hostess,"Play nicely."
"Fynn you and Neil want to order some food while Keith and I take little one to play?" Lauren looked at her sister with a wide smile.
"That's fine", she answered knowing that there was no way she could try to get out of the situation.
"Come on Aunt Lauren! They have a ball pit!", Mia squealed.
"I'll race ya!", Keith took off with Mia after him and Lauren following.
"Sometimes you would think he is more excitable", Neil said pulling out a chair,"Here ya go."
"Thanks", Fynn said placing her purse on the back of the chair,"Mia is wired after sleeping for most of the day."
"She is a great little girl", he smiled.
"That she is", she replied twisting a napkin in her hand.
"How is it we can talk every day through emails and here we are and now we barely spreak?"
This caused Fynn to laugh,"It's weird, I know. Guess it's just different when you're in front of the other person."
"I'm shocked I haven't made a bumbling idiot out of myself yet."
"Well, the night is young", she teased.
"Right you are", he stopped as the server approached to take their order.
"I thought we could get together tomorrow over coffee and I could show you my portfolio."
"Sounds like a plan to me, tonight no work," he took a sip of his glass of water,"What music, other than ours obviously", he winked," do you listen to?"
"Nice, you think I listen to you guys all the time huh?"
"A presumption, I know" he shrugged.
Fynn laughed as she thought,"I like a lot of different things. My guilty pleasure though is this group, who also happens to be from Ireland. They're called West Life."
"Seriously?", Neil sputtered.
"Yes, seriously!"
He suddenly got serious,"You cannot tell Keith or anyone else, but they're my guilty music pleasure too."
"Shut up, don't make fun of me," she felt herself blush.
"No seriously," he smiled,"I taught myself a few of their songs on the guitar."
"Like which songs?"
"From their first album,"Swear it Again", another one is "Close Your Eyes", personal favorite of mine."
"Wow! Never would have pegged your for their style."
"Guess somewhere inside, we all have the boyband wish".
"Oh really? So you would want to be in a boyband?", she found herself becoming more at ease with him.
"Realistically no, but it is sort of cool in a respect."
"Mommy!", Mia came running to the table with Lauren and Keith trailing, they both appeared out of breath.
"Hey peanut! Did you tire Aunt Lauren & Keith out?"
"We played in the ball pit, Keith was pretending to be a shark!"
"I bet he was scary shark," she pulled Mia on to her lap.
"He tried to be, but he laughed so it wasn't scary."
"She has far too much energy" Lauren said sitting next to Fynn.
"You guys played for all of twenty minutes", Fynn laughed at her sister.
"We had fun didn't we Mia?", Keith held his hand out for a high five.
"Yep, we did!", she slapped his up turned hand.
"After dinner, how about a video game?", Neil asked Mia,"Anyone you want."
"Can I mommy?", Mia looked at her mother.
"That's fine baby, but we need to eat first," she said as the server came to sit the pizzas on the table.
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Post by celticbear on Jan 21, 2011 21:58:52 GMT -5
LOL! Fall! these last two updates where ADORABLE! I can so see Keith acting like a kid in Chuckie Cheese for real! UPDATE WHEN YOU CAN! PLEASE!
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jan 25, 2011 16:50:36 GMT -5
"I'm all done!", Mia announced.
"Well, thank you for letting us know", Fynn said looking at her,"Did even taste your pizza?"
"I did and it was yummy!", she said wiping her hands on a napkin,"Can I go play a game with Neil now?"
"Maybe you should rest for just a minute", she replied take a sip of her water.
"I did rest!", Mia said,"I ate my pizza and I was sitting," this caused laughter to ring out from everyone at the table.
"You know, you are right Mia", Neil began,"Fynn, would it be okay if we went to play a game? I did sort of tell her we could."
"Yeah, he did! Please, please mommy?"
"I am not winning here am I?", Fynn ruffled her hair,"I'll come with you guys."
"Have fun!", Lauren waved as the three made their way towards the arcade area,"You know, I was thinking, why don't you and I watch Mia for a while after dinner," she looked at Keith.
"Thought we were going out", he answered polishing off a slice of pizza.
"I know, but I think it would be good if Fynn and Neil had some time together tonight. She really needs it."
"Don't you feel weird trying to thrust her into something when she just lost her husband?"
"I'm not trying to thrust her into anything, but I know that Neil likes her a lot. Even just a good strong friendship right now would be good for her. She gets so focused on everything else, that she forgets about herself."
"And you feel it's your job as big sister to assist in that department?"
"I do, it's a sisterly duty," she smiled.
Keith took her hand in his,"Long as when Mia is down for the night, you and I have some quality time."
Lauren couldn't help but smile,"I think I can handle that."
"You're beating me!" Neil laughed as he and Mia both sat on the computerized racing bikes.
"I'm good at this game!", she laughed,"I'm going fast mommy!"
"Yes you are baby", Fynn said holding onto her so she wouldn't slip off.
"Oh, looks like you won!", Neil sighed as the game came to an end.
"I won! I won!", Mia squealed with laughter.
"You do realize she is never going to sleep tonight", Fynn said to Neil as they walked over to a new game.
"They're only this age once right?", he smiled,"Which game is next Ms. Mia?"
"The basketball one!", she led the way to where other kids were shooting the small balls into the hoops.
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Post by celticbear on Jan 25, 2011 22:05:34 GMT -5
I loved it! But something tells me Neil let Mia win! and I love how Lauren talked Keith into them babysitting Mia for the night! So that Neil and Fynn can spend some more time getting to know each other better! Looking forward to the next Chapter Fall!
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jan 26, 2011 11:43:10 GMT -5
Fynn watched as Neil entered the tokens and then began helping Mia shoot the basketball towards the hoop. She loved to hear her laugh and to see her just being the five year old she needed to be. At the same time she felt the joy, she felt a wave of guilt slowly creeping over her. The ache that she hadn't felt in what seemed like days was suddenly becoming the gaping wound that throbbed. She drew her arms around herself trying to fend off the swelling need to suddenly run from the resturant.
"Mommy, mommy look!", Mia called.
Neil looked to Fynn her face was pale and tears slowly streaked her cheeks,"Mia, here are a few more tokens, try to earn some more tickets."
"Okay," she said happily putting the tokens in the machine.
"Fynn", Neil knelt in front of her,"Fynn, what's going on?"
She simply shook her head,"I'm fine," she took a deep breath.
"You're not fine", he said softly," it's okay to admit that. We can leave any time."
"Mia is having fun, she needs this", she quickly wiped her eyes.
"What do you need?", he took her hands in his,"Bet you haven't asked yourself that in a while have you?"
She shook her head as a fresh wave of tears clouded her eyes,"Not in a long time."
"Let's go get Lauren and Keith, I think little one has enough tickets to purchase the place", he helped her to stand.
"Mommy, look at all the tickets I got!", Mia bounded over to them with a stream of tickets trailing behind her.
"I think Neil is right", Fynn laughed,"Looks like you can buy the whole place."
"What can I get with them?", she asked as they made their way back to the table where Lauren and Keith were talking.
"Let's go to the counter on the way out and see", Neil replied.
"Hey guys!", Lauren said as she saw the three walking towards the table.
"You two ready to go?", Fynn asked.
"Yeah, everything okay?", Lauren studied her sister.
"Fine", she replied,"It's getting a little late and Mia needs to start heading towards bed."
"Well then, here's the plan,"she began,"Keith and I will take Mia back to the hotel andget her settled for the night. You and Neil can go grab some coffee or something."
"Lauren, really, you guys don't have to do that", Fynn said nervously,"I mean, we're in a strange city and if Mia won't settle down."
"It was my idea", Keith said quickly,"So, the two of you go and have fun. We got munchkin over here, right kiddo?"
Mia smiled and nodded,"Can we play a game when we get back to the hotel?"
"Only if it's hide and seek!"
"Yay!",she cheered.
"We don't have to stay out long", Neil looked at her,"besides, I think these two already have this plan in the bag."
"Now that my daughter is on board they do", Fynn replied. The group made their way out of the restaurant, stopping to cash in Mia's tickets where she was rewarded with a small, black, stuffed cat,"You promise to be good for Aunt Lauren and Keith?"
"yes ma'am", the little girl nodded as she sat next to her aunt in the cab.
"I love you baby girl", she kissed her forehead.
"Love you too mommy", she waved as her mother closed the door. Fynn sighed heavily watching the cab pull away.
"First time you have let her out of your sight in a long time?", Neil asked.
"Other than school we are hardly apart", she answered.
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Post by celticbear on Jan 26, 2011 21:34:03 GMT -5
Fall! I loved this update! Especially how Keith got Lauren off the hook by saying the Idea to babysit Mia was His! AWE! So like MY KEITH TO DO THE HONORABLE THING!
Can't wait for the next UPDATE! So Please UPDATE SOON!
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jan 27, 2011 16:27:58 GMT -5
"What do you feel like doing?", Neil asked as the strolled quietly side by side.
"Hot coffee sounds delicious right now", Fynn replied shoving her frigid hands into her jacket pockets.
"It is chilly", he replied,"I'm sure there is something along here." The street was lined with different shops some with neon signs blazing with the word open or else the name of the business.
"Here we go", Fynn pointed to a shop that had signs reading coffe and tea.
"After you", Neil opened the door.
"Thanks", she stepped inside the small shop inhaling the fragrance of strong coffee and pastries blending together,"Smells amazing in here."
"I know!", Neil laughed," I suddenly want cake."
Fynn smiled at him,"That makes two of us."
"How about you grab us a table and I will get us something," he offered.
"Plain coffe with some cream and sugar on the side and then cake of any type."
"I'll pick a good one", he said walking up to the counter to place their order. He turned and watched her as he waited for the order to be filled, she picked a table that wasn't too far towards the back and yet far enough from the entrance to avoid a draft. So far the evening had gone well and he wanted that to continue, she was relaxing with him and seemed comfortable. He found himself having to resist the urge to take her hand or to touch her hair as it swirled in the wind when they walked. Feelings had been churning inside him that he was unaccustomed to. It had nearly ripped his heart in two to see her so broken at the restaurant, but she hadn't shrugged off his efforts to be consoling. It was one step at a time, one very careful step.
"Here you are sir", the cashier said handing him a small tray with their drinks and pastries.
"Thank you", he nodded not realizing he had been overly absorbed in his thoughts,"Here we go," he said placing the tray on the table.
"Looks good", Fynn said taking her cup of coffee.
"Figured I couldn't go wrong with a slice of cheesecake," he said stirring honey into his mug of tea.
"You don't do coffee?", she asked pouring the cream into her coffee.
"In a pinch sure, but I am Irish. To not drink tea is basically blasphemy."
"Really?", she laughed,"For me not having coffee is blasphemy. When I was pregnant with Mia, the doctor put a stop to my caffeine habit. It nearly drove me insane."
"Why couldn't you have it?"
"My blood pressure would spike really bad, so he said to simply not drink it."
"Interesting, never thought about that. So, what do you love most about being a mother?"
"That is not a fair question" she began with a smile,"Everything about it is wonderful. To have that little person inside for nine months and then getting to watch them grow, discovering everything for the first time. Hoping she won't be the terror that I was when I was a teenager."
"You were a terror?", he laughed taking a bite of the cheesecake,"This you must elaborate on."
"I was just very rebilious and my parents knew nothing at all. Honestly the worst thing I did was when I was eighteen."
"What did you do?"
"Snuck off with my friends for a road trip to New Orleans for spring break," she suddenly lost the laugh that had been in her voice as she remembered that trip,"That's when I met Isaac."
Neil swallowed the bite of cake he had taken,"You can talk about it Fynn", he squeezed her hand gently.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jan 31, 2011 10:00:16 GMT -5
"You don't need to hear about that", Fynn said quietly looking at her hand in Neil's.
"Why don't you try me?", he smiled,"I'm a really good listener."
She looked up at him through her lashes, his eyes were kind and waiting patiently for her decision,"I just haven't talked about any of this with really", she thought for a moment,"anyone."
"Well, now you have a captive audience, go ahead," he released her hand sipping on the tea in front of him.
She took a deep breath hoping that she would not end up in a mess of broken down tears in front of him,"I was eighteen and the idea of doing something my parents wouldn't approve of just made the whole trip even more appealing. We drove from Virginia to New Orleans over night, we checked into this little place near the French Quarter and slept for most of the day. That night we decided to go out on the town and just have fun and whatever happened, happened. I had no idea I was going to meet my future husband," she smiled as the memory came flooding back.
Bourbon Street, something that Fynn and her friends had only heard about and seen on the television. Nothing that they had heard or seen could have prepared them for what really took place there. It was Spring Break and everyone from seniors in high school to seniors in college were there. Bourbon street was lit with neon signs advertising bars, restaurants, and clubs of questionable nature. Fynn and her two friends Jules, and Mara felt like small town girls completely unsure of how to react to all the different people and activities taking place.
"Let's find a good club", Jules said twisting her hair into a clip as they walked.
"How do we know which ones are actual night clubs and what isn't?", Fynn laughed.
"They all seem to have signs of some sort, so let's just find a place", Mara said,"Let's go here", she said looking at a sign that read "735". The three girls pulled out their id's and showed them to the bouncer, they were administered wrist bands and told to have fun. Music poured out of the club as they made their way inside, pulsing dance beats and bass lines.
"Let's go dance!", Fynn shouted over the music pulling Jules behind her with Mara following. The three girls went out on the floor dancing and laughing as the songs changed,"I need liquid refreshment", Fynn fanned herself after four songs had played.
"We'll come too", Mara said following her. They made their way to the bar, all three simply ordering bottles of water,"Couple of hotties over there", she nodded to where two guys were sitting at the end of the bar. One of them had short dirty blonde hair and the other had longish hair that hung partially in his eyes.
"I think that one with the blonde hair is into you", Jules said nudging Fynn
"What ever, they are probably way older than us and drinking", she turned to look at who the other girls were talking about. She was greeted by a wide smile from the handsome man at the end of the bar. She felt her face grow warm and she tried to avert her eyes, but felt as if she couldn't. She watched as both men stood up and made their was towards the three friends.
"They are coming over here", Jules squealed.
"Stay cool", Mara instructed.
"Hi there", the bonde haired one spoke first,"How are you ladies this evening?"
"Fine and you?", Mara answered watching Fynn fidget with the class ring on her finger.
"Doing great, my name is Isaac and this is my friend Shane", he motioned to the man next to him who gave a slight wave.
"I'm Mara, these are my friends Jules and Fynn."
"Fynn, interesting name", he smiled at the shy girl with brunette hair and hazel eyes,"Can we buy you ladies anything to drink?"
"How about a dance?", Mara smiled at Shane
"Sure", Shane followed her towards the crowded dance floor.
"How about you Fynn?",Isaac asked.
"I'm sorry", she looked at him.
"A dance?" he held out his hand placing his drink on the bar.
"Go", Jules said giving her a slight shove.
"Um.... sure", she placed her hand in his as they made their way out onto the floor.
"We must have danced until two in the morning or so.", Fynn finished,"The girls went back to the hotel and I stayed out with him until nearly six am. We walke around and talked, got breakfast. He was a southern gentleman to the extreme and he was older, twenty one to be exact."
"Your parents must have loved that" Neil said with a smile. Hearing Fynn talk about Isaac he could here the love that she still carried with her. He knew that she hadn't been able to talk about him or if she did it would end up with nothing but heartache, something she didn't need any more of.
"They didn't know that until we had been dating for a few months, plus they had to get over the shock that I had gone to New Orleans in the first place."
"You were a wild child", he laughed,"I think we all go through those stages. Mine was me trying to be a hard core rocker."
Fynn couldn't help the laughter that bubbled over,"A hard core rocker?"
"Oh yeah!," he continued,"ears pierced, my eyebrow, the dark eye liner. Did the whole bit. Decided to keep the piercings, but lose the eyeliner. Didn't work too well for me."
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Post by fallingn2ct on Feb 1, 2011 11:41:19 GMT -5
The hotel was warm & inviting as Neil and Fynn made their way inside. The lobby was done in low lighting and a few people lingered about on the large couches and chairs.
"Feels good to be out of that cold air", Fynn said sniffling slightly.
"Your nose is red", Neil laughed as they stepped onto the elevator.
"You're one to talk", she shoved his shoulder playfully.
"I had a good time tonight", he said catching her hand in his.
Fynn didn't try to pull her hand away, but looked at how it fit into his,"I had good time too," she smiled,"Thank you for everything."
"It was my pleasure", he replied as the elevator came to a stop on the floor where Fynn's room was,"Can I walk you to your room?"
"Sure", she led the way, her hand still in his,"This is me."
"Close to the elevators", he smiled.
"Yeah, I find it easier", she swallowed hard as he came closer to her.
"Please don't be upset about this," he said almost in a whisper.
"About what?", she stopped as his lips met hers softly and slowly. She wanted to pull away from him, to tell him to stop, but she couldn't. She found herself leaning into him as his arms encircled her. He held her in a way that said he knew she was fragile, that at any moment she could shatter into a thousand pieces. Neil couldn't believe that Fynn had not pushed him away or protested as he kissed her. Her mouth still held the lingering flavor of the coffee, her lips responding to his timidly at first and then eagerly. After the restraint he had held in all night, moment, this place and this woman was right.
"Neil, please", Fynn said pulling back from him.
"It's okay", he said catching his breath, but not releasing his hold on her.
"I...I have to go", she said suddenly.
"Fynn, please don't", he said trying to look at her,"Look at me, please."
She shook her head,"I'm sorry", her voice became thick with tears,"I can't do this."
"You didn't do anything wrong", he said softly,"It's okay."
"It's not", she felt the wound throbbing at the edges and the guilt again coming in violent waves,"It's not okay, nothing is okay."
"Fynn", Neil felt a knot in his own throat,"Don't do this to yourself."
"Please let me go", she pulled herself free from his arms.
He sighed,"I can't help what's happening here anymore that you can. There is nothing wrong with feeling something for me."
Fynn looked at him, she felt helpless and lost. Her emotions were a raging sea of guilt, sadness, happiness, and confusion. The waves coming endlessly and relentlessly,"I just can't, I", she gathered her own thoughts,"I have to deal with this and I don't know how."
"Then let me help you", he pulled her back into his arms as a torrent of sobs began racking her body,"please let me help you."
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