Chapter 16:
How subtle. Josh and Ashley 'had to go'. And now Amanda and that other girl have moved to their own table. They seem lost to the real world. I think they're discussing.. Frankie Muniz?
So I'm trapped here with Mel who's made it completely obvious she most certainly does not want to speak to me!
"They're getting along rather well" Melanie said quietly, completely shattering my pre-conception.
"Yes, they are" I said, glancing over at the girls table.
"Sounds like they both have a crush on Frankie Muniz" She continued, with a bemused smile.
"Who is she?" I asked.
"Who? Lizzie? Oh, she's Mary-Kate and Ashley's little sister. My flatmate too. Thats coincedence for you huh?" She said with a little laugh.
I nodded absentmindedly. Melanie rested her chin on her hand and tapped a little tune on the table with her fingers.
"What songs that?" I asked "I don't remember hearing it before"
"Oh" Melanie blushed a little "It's a song I've been working on"
I raised an eyebrow "You're writing songs now?" I haveto admit I was surprised, I never knew of her writing before.
She nodded "It's always been a secret dream of mine, since childhood" She admitted.
I felt a little shocked. I thought I knew her so well. But I never knew, or even guessed that she wanted to be a songwriter..
She continued "And now with the re-" she paused, as if she'd decided it wasn't best to continue "Well, never a better time then the present. Right?"
I smiled "Very true" I agreed "Very true"
---Ashley---
Josh and I were silent the taxi ride home. When we got to our apartment he got out first and held the door open for me, then paid the driver.
"I'm thinking I should get a car" I said as I watched the money exchange hands.
Josh nodded as he took my arm and led me inside "Probably" he replied shortly, making me feel all the more nervous.
"It's just of course parking.. it's a nightmare here" I babbled nervously "And I'd worry through the night about somebody scratching it or whatever"
He just nodded as we walked into the elevator, and we both drowned in a sea of silence as we went upstairs. We reached our... I mean my apartment and I started for the kitcheb "Want some coffee? I mean... tea?" I asked with a grimace.
"Wait" Josh said, catching my hand and spinning back to me "I think we should talk" he said as he motioned to the lounge.
I sighed and nodded then followed him in. He sat down on the sofa and motioned for me sit next to him. Which I did, very obediantly. He turned to me and took my hands in his, which was kinda strange, and unexpected. And though I wished it wouldn't, the discussion began.
"You didn't tell your family that you were pregnant?" He asked.
"Well.. not the ones in California" I admitted "But I DID tell Mary-Kate!" I pointed out.
"Not immediately" He frowned but continued "You swore you would tell them months ago!"
I glanced away "I know! I was just... waiting for the right time"
He turned my head to face him "5 months Ashley!" He said seriously.
"I know! It's just... they'd be so disappointed! They were mad enough that we eloped and now... this" Argh, I hate being pregnant! The emotion.. now I'm starting to cry!
"Ashley! Ashley! Please don't cry!" He begged, squeezing my hands "I do understand. It was hard telling my mother too. It's just so important. Please don't cry...I hate it when you cry" He pulled me into his arms as I sobbed and hicupped like a complete moron. I truly can't help it. But at least it saves yelling.
---Taylor---
I'm at the diner again.It's the next day and I decided the food was so good I'm come back (Just forget the fact that I didn't actually eat anything when I was here last night)
"Hello Taylor" Becky said as she walked over to the table, I noticed her blush a little.
"Hello Becky" I said with a smile.
---Josh---
Ashley and I stayed up talking for hours. We discussed aspects of the past. Just aspects. mostly things relating to the baby. And we talked a little more about the future and what we would do. We even called Ashley's family. They were a little shocked to learn that in less then a month they would once again be grandparents. They were hurt that their daughter hadn't told them earlier. And by the end of it Ashley was feeling pretty guilty, needless to say.
"I am a terrible person" she muttered, curling up on the edge of the sofa. She sighed a little and covered her face with her hands. I didn't know what to say, so I didn't say anything. She peeked between her 2nd and 3rd fingers at me "You could argue with me here.. you know?"
"Oh? Oh! Well... um, it was a pretty terrible thing you did" I started.
She stared at me "Um, thanks! NOT HELPING!" She snapped, hurling a pillow from the sofa at me.
"Ok! Ok!" I said putting my hands up in defense "No! You're not a horrible person! OF COURSE NOT! Feel better?"
"Sort of" She said with a sniffle.
"Come on" I picked up the tv remote and turned the television on, then kinda put an arm around her neck, pulling her head down onto my shoulder. "Lets just watch Gilmore Girls or something" I said, knowing how much she loved the show.
"OK" She mumbled sleepily.
---Mary-Kate---
"Hey Zac?" I called "I'm going out for a chocolate bar, you want one?"
A mumbled response came from the hotel bedroom
"Rewind and click play!" I said, asking him to repeat that.
He staggered into the room with a sweater stuck over his head "Help!" He mumbled again.
I walked over to him "... how?"
"It's stuck!" He yelled.
"Oh" I helped him pull the sweater off, he was right, it had somehow got stuck in his hair and wasn't exactly cooperating in coming off. "I'm getting a chocolate bar, you want one?" I repeated.
He nodded while gulping for fresh air "Sure"
He carried Anna and we left hte hotel, looking for somewhere that sells junkfood. "This place looks good" I said, pointing at a diner.
Zac nodded then froze "Wait a second" He said as he peered inside. "Is that.. is that my brother?"
I looked where he was pointing "It is! But.. whos the girl?"
Chapter 17:
|
Catch your eye when you're going my way.
Go ahead. I think I'll sit this one out
"Argh!" I said as Lizzie and I walked into our apartment "Did you plan that or something?" I asked, spinning to face her.
"Plan it? I didn't even know the guys name before tonight!" She responded defensively as she hung up her jacket.
I moaned and collapsed on thesofa "That was terrible!" I grumbled, remembering how arkward the evening had been. I covered my face with my hands, as I willed the memory to leave.
The phone rang and Lizzie skipped over to answer it "Hello? Shane? Hey! Whats up?" She smiled as she played with the telephone cord "Sure! Where do you wanna meet?" She grinned at me "Ok, see you in a few!" she hung up and bounced toward her room, humming a song to herself.
And I used to think you'd see right through me
Now I just don't care who can see
Cause I'm living on a dream
Knowing what I feel
And only love can save me
(Lyric credit: Carly Binding: Love with save me)
---Mary-Kate---
Anna was asleep, Zac was lying in bed reading and I was sitting on the edge painting my toe nails. I had a magazine interview the next day, before we left for Milwaukee where the guys had a concert (No joke! And no pun intended)
There was a knock on the door then Taylors voice asked if we were still awake. I guess since we hadn't answered in a full second he felt compelled to knock again and noisily ask "Zac?! Mk?!" He nearly shouted it "Are you asleep?"
Zac put down his book and started for the door "If we had been, we wouldn't be anymore with all this yelling!" He grumbled, he opend the door, turned and walked back to the bed without so much as a greeting.
Tay looked like he was about to bounce through the cieling but was able to avoid doing so by pacing around the room. It only made me wonder more who the girl was that he'd been with at the diner. Zac and I decided they looked very cosy and we hadn't wanted to interrupt so we went to another diner.
"You're making me dizzy! Isn't he making you dizzy?" I asked Zac who'd gone back to reading his book. He mumbled something and turned a page "Tay?" I asked, turning back to him "Is something up?"
"Hmmm?" He asked. "Oh no! Nothing" He continued to pace, and then started to hum under his breath.
I watched in silence, completely intrigued. I recognized the tune and whispered the lyrics. "I never know what the future brings. But I know you're here with me now. We'll make it through and I hope you are the one I share my life with"
Taylor turned to me too. He looked rather pale, as if I'd just worked out his big secret. "I gotta go" He said, before racing out the door.
Zac glanced up as the door closed "Did I miss something?" He asked.
I shook my head "Nah, just Tay" I said, smiling to myself. Interesting. Very interesting.
---Melanie---
It was late, past midnight. I'd given up on sleeping an hour ago. The whole episode at the Ice cream parlor just kept playing through my head. It was so strange. I'd been so mad at Michael. But now.. I wasn't any more. I was just kind of numb.
I guess that's a good thing, right?
It's kind of boring though. There's something invigorating about such passionate self-righteous anger. Is that really what it is? Self righteous anger?
I mean. I thought I loved him more then anything the world. That's what everyone thought. But yet, I see something and immediately decide what it is I saw. I refuse to listen to or believe his side of the story and I run away from everything, to the other side of the country.
I won't compromise. I won't hear him out when he tries to contact me. And now... he's given up. I used to think I was happy about that fact.
Now I'm not so sure..
---Ashley---
I woke up with a stiff neck and the strong feeling that someone was behind me. But this is all confusing. I'm not in my room. But I'm under a blanket. And wait a second.. there is someone behind me!
I yawned sleepily, really still half asleep and only half registering what and where I was. I rolled over then blinked in shock. Josh's face was mere centimeters from mine. He was fast asleep of course. I guess we'd both fallen asleep while watching tv last night. But that can't be right. Who pulled the blanket up over us? And if I fell asleep first why didn't Josh just carry me to my room? After all the sofas small. And it's rather uncomfortable with two people.
You know what? I think I think too much. Maybe I should just stop thinking. Maybe I should just pause and observe how adorable he looks when he's asleep. I could think about how much I miss watching him sleep at nights. But that's not a good idea. Yeah, not thinking is the best thing. When I'm not thinking I don't have to worry about the risk of waking him up when I brush a strand of hair from his face like I'm doing now. And when I don't think I can just give into curiousity. Example: I wonder what it would be like to kiss him again? After so long. He's asleep, he doesn't usually wake up easily. All I'd have to do is lean forward and brush my lips against his..
---Josh---
Hmmm, I'm liking this dream. Shame it's just a dream. Why do the best things always seem to happen in dreams. And the worst things get stuck in real life. At least my life seems that way lately. See right now I'm dreaming Ashley and I fell asleep on the couch, but only she woke up and thought I was asleep, then for some reason she started kissing me.
See? Perfect dream. But, like that would happen in real life. You can pinch me if you like, but there's no doubt this is a dream. Ok, I'll pinch myself.
Ow! That hurt.
Wait a second...
I opened one eye to see Ashley, her eyes closed, softly kissing me on the lips. I was completely shocked. I knew I wasn't dreaming. But it felt so much like a dream. I should probably just wait it out, but I can't. So I started kissing her back. She didn't notice straight away, but when she did she pulled back really fast, she would have fallen off the sofa if I hadn't caught her arm and pulled her a little closer to me.
"Um, Ashley?" I asked our faces still really close together, and our breath tickling the others face. I so wanted to rest my forehead against hers. "What are you doing?" I whispered, looking into her eyes.
"Um..." she glanced away and bit her lip. "I don't know" She pulled away and stood up "Good-night Josh" She walked away leaving me there in a complete state of shock and with more then a few questions.
Chapter 18:
|
"Mary-Kate Olsen thank-you for being here today" The interviewer finished.
"Thanks for having me" I returned with a smile. She closed the scene and I walked off the stage and across the studio to where Zac was waiting. Today was one of those rare days with just the two of us. Ike and Kirsten were being angels and baby-sitting for us.
"How long have we got before we have to be at the airport?" I asked as we left the studio.
"About an hour" He responded, putting an arm around my shoulder.
"You know what that leaves time for" I grinned.
He nodded "Spying on my brother!"
We made our way to the diner, chose a window and proceeded to spy as subtly as we could. Sure enough, Taylor was still there (we'd checked on our way to the studio earlier that morning)
"She's pretty" I observed.
Zac nodded, his nose pressed up against the glass "Look how happy Taylor looks"
Taylor did look happy. He was smiling that goofy smile and laughing at something the girl had said. At that moment they glanced over at us and we quickly ducked out of site.
---Taylor---
"Is it just me or do you get the feeling we're being watched?" Becky asked, turning back to face me.
I nodded, still watching the window and waiting for Zac and Mary-Kate to reappear "I think you're right. Come on, I'll introduce you" I took her hand and led her across the diner.
"Wait. You mean you know them?" She asked.
I nodded "Oh yeah"
We made our way outside and around the side of the building. There crouching on the ground and having not yet seen us where Zac and Mary-Kate.
"Hi Guys!" I called loudly.
The two screamed their heads off, lost their balance and proceeded to constantly trip over each other as they tried to regain their footing. When they finally turned to see who had called the greeting they both went extremely red.
"Zac, Mary-Kate, meet Becky." I introduced them all. "Becky meet my very nosy brother and sister-in-law"
"Hi Becky" They both mumbled.
"So would you like to interview her now or do you have something else you're supposed to be doing?" I asked, hoping for the latter.
"The interview sounds good. Ow!" Zac ended as Mary-Kate elbowed him in the ribs. I smiled at her gratefully.
"It was really nice to meet you Becky. Hopefully we can talk again sometimes, but right now my husband and I need to go... um... pack"
"But we packed this morning" Zac whispered to her, just loud enough for Becky and I to hear.
"Shhh!" she scolded him. "Bye you guys" She said with a sweet smile and then proceeded to drag Zac away.
"Well.. they're... interesting" Becky said.
"Oh you don't know the half of it" I said with a laugh as we went back inside.
---Josh---
I woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee brewing. I yawned as I stumbled my way into the kitchen. "You're not going to drink that are you?" I asked Ashley.
She smiled at me, then looked away arkwardly "No. But I'm sure you'd love to torture me and drink it in front of me. At least I can enjoy the smell" She said sadly as she handed me a cup.
"Thanks" I mumbled. She stood there, nervously twisting a ring on her right hand as she watched me "Is anything wrong?" I asked.
"No. I just.. wanted to apologize about last night" She started.
"You don't have to apologize" I said as I got up and took my cup to the sink.
"Yeah I do. I shouldn't have..." She trailed off, blushing a little.
"Kissed me?" I asked frankly.
She looked up suddenly, she was now blushing a lot "Yeah" She whispered "Anyway, I'm sorry" She started for the door "I'm, um, gonna go out for awhile. Bye" And with that she was gone. It was as if she couldn't bare to be in the room for another second.
---Melanie---
Lizzie got in rather late the night before. She'd gone to the ballet with Shane. She seemed really happy the next morning and I was starting to get a little curious about this Shane guy. She, however, refused to tell me any information on him.
"But that's not fair!" I whined.
"Sure it is. You won't tell me anything about Michael" She responded.
I was a little taken aback "That's.. different"
"I told you about Nick" She whispered. "And it's not different" she added before I could say anything.
"Noted" Was all I could respond with.
"That's all you're going to say? Noted?" She asked in astonishment.
"Look. I'm sorry. I know I should tell you about it, it's really no big secret, if you have to know go ask one of my friends. I just.. don't want to talk about it right now"
I didn't wait to see or hear her reaction, I grabbed my jacket and walked out the front door. I needed some fresh air.
---Taylor---
She moves with a tender kiss
and I can't stop feeling
and she soothes with her tenderness
and I can't stop feeling
I don't even know her name
but I can't stop feeling
if she says that she feels the same
and I can't stop feeling
and if you let me try tonight
you just might see that i'm falling deeper and deeper and deeper
and you know
that I'm feeling more and more and more in love
I think that sums all thats happened since our last talk perfectly.
(Lyric credit: Hanson and Michelle Branch)
Chapter 19:
|
Well Melanies out and obviously mnad at me. So I'm left alone and bored. I should be studying, but like, come on! I tried watching tv but all that was on was 'The One'. I watched it till it got up to that big fight sequence with them going against each other then I got bored with it and turned the tv off.
So.. yeah.. I think I'll call Shane.
I picked up the phone and dialed his number. (A friend had given me his number as he for some reason hadn't already)
Eventually someone answered "Hello?" A girls voice, she sounded so familiar but I couldm't place who she was.
"Um..." Ok, I'd never been in this situation before. "Is Shane there?"
She must have cupped her hand over the reciever as the sound was a little muffled but still pretty clear "Hey Shane it's - NO! Don't you dare tickle me! Shane!" She giggled a little "Shane it's for you" she moved her hand away and said to me "Here he is"
And with that I slammed down the phone.
Now, please, tell me that wasn't what I thought it was!
---Melanie---
I know I can be a little stubborn sometimes
And I seem, A little righteous and too proud
I just wanna find a way to compromise
cause I believe that we could work things out.
I thought I had all the answers. Never giving in
But baby since you've gone, I admit that I was wrong!
I was walking through the mall, desperately trying to ignore the song that seemed to fit all to well and was playing over the speakers. I don't know what I'm doing here. I just wanted to get out of the apartment. Away from Lizzie's prying.
I don't know why I don't want to tell her the story. Maybe cause I feel kind of stupid now.
I was gazing at the shop windows when someone further along caught my eye. I ducked into a nearby clothing department as my pulse sped up. Of all the shopping malls in all the world.. how'd I end up in the same one as Michael!!??
A middle aged woman walked up to me, looking rather surprised to see me "May I help you?"
"Um..." I glanced around. Oh help, no wonder she's surprised to see me. I'm in a plus size old ladies store (to put it frankly) "I.. need a gift for my mother..."
"What size is she?" The lady asked, looking skeptical.
"Um... I don't know" I admitted softly.
The lady seemed to be losing patience "Great"
I saw Michael approaching through the store windows and and ducked down behind a rack of shirts. The store lady stared at me as if I'd sprouted another head.
All I know is I'm lost without you.
I'm not gonna lie.
How am I gonna be strong without you?
I need you by my side.
If we ever say we'll never be together and we ended with goodbye
Don't know what I'd do I'm lost without you
And if that song does not finish soon I'm going to find the store radio and bash it was a sledgehammer!! That or I'm going to die of musically inflicted guilt!
The store buzzer sounded as someone walked inside and I snuck a peek beyond the clothes I was hiding behind. Just my luck! Michael just walked in!
The lady shot one last disdainful look at me then deciding it was best to leave the crazy girl who doesn't even know her own mothers size crouching on the floor like a crazed lunatic, she walked over to him
"May I help you?" I heard her ask.
"Um, yeah. I'm looking for a gift for my mother" He responded.
I glanced around just in time to see the lady roll her eyes and walk away, leaving Michael looking rather confused.
How am I ever gonna get rid of these blues
Baby I'm so lonely all the time
Everywhere I go I get so confused
You're the only thing that's on my mind
Scarily ironic, considering I'm hiding behind a wall of blue sweaters and anyone who observed me would consider me very confused.
I took in a shaky breath wondering how I'd ever get out of this situation when I heard footsteps approaching the stand I was hiding behind 'Please don't be Michael. Please don't be Michael.' I whispered to myself.
The person paused in front of the stand and I heard them pick up one of the blue shirts. As they did they knocked another shirt onto the floor right next to me. I slunk away as far as I could but couldn't go any further as the store window was behind me (yeah, a small crowd was forming outside staring at the girl crawling across the clothing store floor)
I miss you more each day
Only you can make it right no I'm not too proud to say
You know something? Pride is a pathetic thing. Thanks to pride I'm hiding behind a clothing stand, in fear of being discovered by the love of my life. There's a large crowd outside all staring at me. And right now I'm lacking any form of proud. Maybe I should do as the song says, stand up and talk to him, apologize even.
I closed my eyes and prepared to stand up. Then I collapsed on the floor again. Nope, can't do it.
Meanwhile the person leaned down and picked up the short. They were looking across the room away from me so I could see the back of their head but they couldn't see me. And yeah, it was Michael.
All I know is I'm lost without you I'm not gonna lie
How my going to be strong without you I need you by my side
The song continued as I stared at the back of his head. He stood up again and I sighed, realizing just how much I missed the back of his head. And the front of it. And him, oh so much.
"Melanie" I heard a voice say calmly. I looked around but no one was there. "I know you're hiding back there" The voice repeated, Michaels voice.
I gulped.
He knelt down like he had to pick up the shirt only this time he was facing me. I leaned against the stand and sighed "Hi" I whispered. "How'd you know I was here?"
"First off I saw you duck behind here as I walked past. And second. Um," He pointed in front of me, to a large mirror"I could see you in the mirror the whole time"
I buried my head in my hands. This was bad!
If I could only hold you now and make the pain just go away
Can't stop the tears from running down my face
The song concluded.
--- Mary-Kate---
I knocked on Taylors hotel room door "Tay? You ready to go?" I called.
A moment later the door opened and Taylor stood there looking rather depressed. "No" He muttered.
"Come on Tay Tay" I said putting a hand on his shoulder and leading him out the door "The taxis waiting"
He silently walked beside me as we made our way to the elevator.
"Hey Tay" I said "Did you hear that Nancy quit?"
"Who's Nancy?" He asked.
"Our tour coordinator" I responded "Now I know it's really up to you guys to hire a new one. But I took the liberty to do so. I hope you don't mind"
He grunted non-commitedly.
"Yeah. She's waiting in the taxi" I continued "It's out front. You go out there. I've gotta go find Zac then we'll get our own taxi and meet you at the airport"
I gave him a little push out the front door and he slowly started toward the taxi. Somewhere along the way he sped up till he was almost running. Then the taxi door opened and Becky jumped out. She ran over to him and the two hugged.
I smiled and went to find my husband.
---Ashley---
I'd woken up this morning with the strange urge to clean the house. So.. that's what I'd been doing.
That is, until I felt this sharp pain in my stomach..
And...
I think I'm having a baby.
Chapter 20:
|
Melanie and I found out way to a nearby starbucks. We both ordered out drinks and sat down together. Then the awful silence started it. A song I'd heard earlier that day was running through my head. I'll admit I was ashamed. It was such a girly one too. Just certain lines..
Did you think that every time I'd see you
I would cry?
No, not me, not I
"How have you been?" I finally asked.
"Besides looking a complete psycho hiding behind display cases?" She asked with a laugh. "Fine. You?"
"I've been ok" It was funny. There'd been so much I'd wanted to say to her. But now I seemingly had the chance I couldn't think of a thing to say...
It's hard to find the reasons
Who can see the rhyme?
I guess that we were seasons out of time
I guess you didn't know me
"Been working on any more songs?" I asked.
"Yeah. But..." She frowned then shrugged. "They're just.. all the same. I don't know"
The story goes on without you
And there's got to be another ending
"What are they like?"
"Depressing. I think I'm in a rut" She admitted. "But I don't know how to get out of it. I'm so new at all this. I guess it shows"
I found myself wondering if she was really talking about songwriting anymore..
And a new door opens we close the ones behind
"Wanna know something about me you never knew?" I asked
She tipped her head to the side and kinda smiled at me "Sure"
"I wrote a couple of songs in my teens" I admitted.
She raised an eyebrow "You? But you.."
"Sound like a hyena when I sing? Yeah I know, I dunno. I just liked doing lyrics. I had some friends in a band and I'd write some of their material for them"
"That's amazing. Why didn't you ever tell me?"
And if you search your soul you'll find
You never really knew me
"It never came up" I said simply.
(Lyric Credit: Delta Goodrem: 'Not me, not I')
---Josh---
"JOSH!" I'd been fast asleep on the sofa dreaming I was the terminator and was totally kicking butt in some fight with a guy who'd come to earth with the mission to kill Ashley, when she suddenly started screaming at me.
My mind still stuck in the dream came up with the response "Don't worry! I'll save you!"
"Great! Then take me to the hospital!" She responded "JOSH! I'm going to go get my bag ok?"
I mumbled something in response and I guess she left. I was still totally lost in the dream however. At this point I'd kinda... well... lost.. to the bad guy. So I was lying there nearly unconcious and he was menacingly moving toward Ashley who was running away. "Ashley!" I called sobbingly as the guy got closer "No" I whispered "Please, I love you. I do. I'm sorry I never showed it" Just as the guy took her by the shoulder the dream ended and I was this time completely pulled in to reality by Ashley screaming in pain.
"What? Whats going on?" I called, I sat up and rubbed my eyes.
"For goodness sake! I'm having a baby and all you can do is count sheep!" She yelled. "Get me to the hospital now!"
---Mary-Kate---
Zac was dozing and I'd been sitting at the window watching the white candy-floss-like clouds pass by from my window seat on the plane. The captain had just announced that we'd be landing in a few minutes. I sighed. I'd been on this plane for faaaaar too long.
My cellphone rang and I went pale. No, it wasn't because of the deathly glare I recieved from the flight attendant (how much trouble do you get for leaving your cell phone on in a plane?) It was because I had turned my cellphone off. Which meant this was the phone I'd kept for the sole purpase of Josh calling me when Ashley went into labor.
For some reason I couldn't move. Thankfully the ringing had woken Zac, he quickly apologized to the flight attendant, flashed her a brilliant smile and promised it would just take a second. She blushed a little, obviously recognizing him, but when he picked up the phone and put it to his ear she continued to argue. "She is? How long do they think it will be? Ok, we'll see what we can do. Thanks" he hung up the phone and smiled at the flight attendant "Done. Thanks!"
I gripped his arm, I couldn't speak and that was the only way I could ask what was happening.
"She's in labor. They expect she's still got a lot longer though"
Suddenly I regained control of my muscles and my voice. I stood up "We have to stop the plane!" I nearly shouted " No.. we have to redirect it to New York. I've got to be there for her!" I started scrambling toward the aisle, thankfully Zac was between me and it. He quickly pulled me down then moved me back to my site. He pointed to the 'fastened seatbelts' sign.
"We can't redirect the plane Mary-Kate" he said slowly.
I knew he was right, but yet it took every ounce of my will power to fight the urge to struggle past him, up to the cockpit and hijack the plane with threats of injury if it didn't promptly start for NYC. (Don't ask how I' do that. I have no clue)
---Lizzie---
I'd been sitting in my room sobbing about the fact that my boyfriend was cheating on me when the phone rang "Hello?... She's WHAT?!" I slammed the phone down before Josh could answer.
I lept up and grabbed my jacket then two mismatched shoes which I threw on without even thinking, "I've got to get to the hospital!" I said to myself as I grabbed my purse then raced for the front door. Just as I was closing it I realized I hadn't asked which hospital..
The phone ran again and I quickly picked it up "Central Hospital" Was all Josh said.
"Thanks" I said before hanging up again. This time I ran out and closed the door behind me.
---Ashley---
The taxi was speeding down the road toward the hospital, Josh was on his cell and I was willing myself not to cry. I'd never been so scared.
Josh snapped the phone shut and turned to me "Mary-Kate's having a panic attack in the air, Lizzie's.. well.. she's acting like you. I tried Michael's home phone but there was no answer. I'll try his cell now. I don't know if Mel's with Lizzie or not."
I nodded and concentrated on breathing. The taxi pulled up in front of the hospital and I was lost in the confusion of being pushed into a wheelchair then wheeled inside "Josh!" I called. He'd disappeared in the mass of people surrounding me and I started to falling into a panic attack
"I'm right here!" I heard his voice call. The next thing he was right beside me, his hand holding mine "I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere" He said giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. Chapters 21 - 25