4.8: Uno, Dos, Tres

  -Holly's POV-
    "The nursery is decorated." I smiled. Everything was perfect- the cribs, colors; everything.
   "Are you feeling tired? Do you need a massage?"
   "Parker." I laughed. He was so sweet- overprotective, yes, but sweet. "I'm fine. And the babies are, too."
   "Are you sure? I mean I could-" He rambled on, as I sighed. I had done this before- pregnancy, not dealing with a doting husband. "And I read that you should eat lots of," He babbled. I looked at him, eyes shining. He was adorable and mine. He didn't mind that I had given birth, though not to a baby that had a part of me in it, before- he just loved he for me. Why couldn't I have found his before? I liked this man- no loved, like no one's damn business. And I proposed to him. That was insanity wrapped up in a manly diamond band.
   "Let's dance." I blurted out, not paying attention to him anymore.
   "Dance?"
   "Smustle. The one I swore to gummy bears was invented b a pregnant lady in labor or some idiot husband mocking her."
    "You're not offened by it?"
    "Look, bitch. I carried these things before. I will dress like I'm in the eighties. Kay?" I gestured to my eyeshadow and tank top I hadn't managed to fit in since college. "I will freaking dance like it, too."
    "I-okay." He nodded, turning up the stereo.

 You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, digging the Dancing Queen

                    

Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come in to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...
You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, digging the Dancing Queen

You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave them burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...   

You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, digging the Dancing Queen

 -Dancing Queen, Abba

   "Holly! This is awesome!" Parker shouted, over the blaring music. He was dancing like insanity, something incredibly uncommon for him. "Nice moves." He commented, spinning around to face me.
   "Pa-ARRKER!" I shouted, not moving.
   "What?" He asked, completely clueless.
   "Boys. Get the heck away. Now."
   "What's going on? Holly, are you okay? Steven, Chase can you go to your rooms for a minute, please? Thanks." He stopped dancing, turning to face me.
    "Coming now."
    "What's- oh, sugar!" He shouted, as it dawned on him. "The babes? Are they really-?" I nodded, grimacing in pain. I had done this before. I knew what it felt like. I knew that the babies where coming now and I didn't have a choice. "The hospital- now. Let's go."
     "Parker." I glanced down. There was no way I was getting to the hospital in time.
    "Let's go. We can try."
    "There's no use. I'm having a home birth."
    "No, you aren't." He refused. He picked me- amazing, considering that I was the size of a ballooned elephant, and carried me out the door. He set me down on the elevator, so I was leaning against the wall.
     "Why are you against home births?" I asked.
     "Calina." He glanced up, not meeting my gaze.The one word, enough for an entire paragraph of explanations, was exactly what he hated. He hated comparing me to Calina. But she had a baby there, and somehow I was too good to.
     "I'm not her."
     "I know. I love you."
     "I lov-VVE. Fudge. You. Love you." I gasped for breath. "Contractions."   We climbed out of the elevator, carefully walking outside. Parker was trying to hail a cab. "It's no use. It's too late. All the cabs are buzzing around the bars for drunks."
     "What-?"
     "Subway." The seconds where ticking by and I needed to get to a hospital. We scurried down the stairs, buying tickets, and climbing aboard the train that was conveniently about to pull out of the station.
      "Are you alright?"
      "YES!" I screamed. "Parker. Move."
      "What?!"
      "The baby. Here. Now." I was sitting up; I laid down on the seats, placing Parker's jacket underneath me.
       "What the-" SOme lady who was across froom us screamed. "She's giving BIRTH?!"
       "I don't fu-UDGINGGG like it either!" I shouted. NY public transportation. Not exactly the ideal place to bring your little bundles of joy into the world.
       "Push!" A man yelled. "I'm studying for my MD to be a pediatrician. Push!" He yelled, standing up.
       "I'm pushing!" I screamed.
       "He's..." Parker caught the baby, as I tried to not shout out more vulgar language. I'd never done this on a subway without pain meds. "Triplets. All boys." He smiled, as the  MD student helped us out. We quickly went to the hospital afterwards, much to my pleasure.
       "Welcome to the world, my little boys." I smiled. Logan, Trevor, and Hunter. I was just glad that the pregnancy was over.

4.7: First Sight: A Wedding Album

    I nervously readied myself. I was going to walk down the...metaphorical aisle. Holly and I, eleven months after she proposed to me, where having our wedding in the park. She beamed as she walked down the aisle, I was waiting under the arch. Her stomach was slightly, but beautiful round; she was three and a half months pregnant. We where doing this. We where exchanging rings. I took a deep breath, readying myself.

I sat quietly, staring at him

Staring at me

As our vision collided and are hearts subsided

Suddenly, I can't see why

I don't know why

I've never felt nothing like this before

We're leaning forwards

Hoping life will stop

Live in the moment

Know the moment

 When all stops but our hearts

As I cross the room

Coming closer to you

Going closer to me

I know what I've seen is true

Honey, I can't help but love you

The world is stopping, staring at me

Staring at you

Lost in our love

Just me and you, us two

Helping me stop

Helping you go

It's life for me and you

When I cannot live without you

Our fingers touch

Hearts melt

Finding the time, finding the love

As we embrace

Knowing the future is ours to face

Love at first sight

Love at first sight

I knew it was me and I knew it was you

The minute the sun hit your face

Honey I love you

Saying I do

Was the best for me

How will I ever show again

How much I love you

When I cannot live without you

This chapter is set to Madame G's song First Sight, released on her tenth wedding anniversary (about twenty years before Parker's wedding) on her CD First Sight: A Wedding Album. 

4.6: Halloween Love

   "Hey beautiful." I smiled, walking into the bathroom. Holly was primping herself, staring into the mirror.
    "Are you sure it's okay?"
    "It's fine." I smiled. "It's more than fine. You look gorgeous."
    "Really?" She glanced down at her tribal warrior outfit. "It seems a little...I don't know. Skimpy. Like, I'm saying 'Hey. Random creepy weirdos hit on me.' You know?"
    "You look amazing. Besides, look at me."
    "Yeah, hot guy in skimpy outfit. And?" She laughed, rolling her eyes. "I'm not complaining."
    "Why would you?" I chuckled, placing a kiss on her forehead. 
    "Oh..." She moaned, "Parker, I..." She began kissing me passionately, trying to edge herself onto the counter. "Parker, now..."
    "The boys are home. They'll here...we shouldn't." I didn't need to emotionally scar my ten year olds; they had an absent mother, they didn't need to walk in on Holly and I.
    "Please..." She looked into my eyes, her's wide. "Parker, we need to talk."
    "What?"  I panicked. I couldn't loose her. I didn't ever say those words. Girls did. Calina did. She said those. Something like that. That's what she said. What she did. Say those words leave. "Holly, please don't go..."
    "Go? Are you crazy?" She laughed. "Parker, I want a baby."
    "A...a baby?! What about Chase and Steven? They both love you to death and-"
    "It isn't the same. I've had kids, but never been part of their lives. I never will. I want a little piece of your DNA and mine mixed together into a bundle of joy."
     "I-" I hadn't thought of more children. I didn't really think of anything like that. This Holly...situation- she moved in and we loved each other. No marriage had come up. I suppose we didn't have a reason for it, but now. A baby? A baby? I just... "Holly, I can't. Not without us getting married."
     "Married?" She looked surprised. "Why?" I stared into her doe eyes, wanting to answer her. I wanted to. Tell her that I needed that piece of trust- I trusted her, I really did. I just... "Never mind, let's just go to the party."
      "Okay." I blushed, wishing I had a reason  for her.

-Four hours later-

      "Whoooo!" Holly shouted, the pumpkin spice beer- yes the horrible trend had entered into the alcohol world. "Parker." She grabbed my face, kissing it. I drunkenly kissed her back, my vision blurry and my body hot from the temperature and sweaty bodies that filled the room. Holly was gorgeous. Maybe a baby with her wouldn't be so bad....

      "Let's go!" I picked her up, her long legs swinging back and fourth.
      "No, no! I got a surprise." She giggled.
      "What is it?" I laughed.
      "Parker, how drunk are you?"
      "Uh..had like three beers."
      "What, like the nonalcoholic ones?"
      "The pumpkin ones."
      "Parker!" She shrieked. "You're acting like you're drunk."
      "I'm not?"

      "Nah," She laughed. "Come on." She climbed out of my arms.
      "Why can't I be drunk?"
      "I want you to remember this. Perfectly normal. Perfectly. Okay?"
      "I'm sober."
      "Good. You usually are, but ya know." She pulled my arm to the door. "This party's lame, let's dash." I ran after her, down the hallway, out to sunny morning sky.
      "Where are you going?"
      "Hush." I followed her down the wooded path, nicely tucked behind the apartment building that the unknown host lived in. She sat down at the bench, staring into the fountain. "It's peaceful here. Quiet, since the traffic goes on the overpass, cutting this part of the city off. It's like nature hidden in urban. I love it."
      "I love you." I smiled.
      "I love you more." She leaned over, planting a kiss firmly on my lips.

    "I'm so lucky to have you."
    "I feel even luckier." She stopped the kiss, pulling away. "I wanted a baby...and you said not without marriage. I can't wait Parker. I'm almost thirty, you are. I-I...it's raining." She smiled, staring up into the sky. The drizzle began pouring down upon us. I looked at her, my face a painting of pure confusion.

    "You're confused." I nodded, in agreement. "Damn. Doing this all wrong. I...look. I watched tons of these videos and everything on how this is suppose to go."
     "How what is suppose to go?"
     "No yet. Can't tell you."
     "Why not?"
     "Because...because," She paused, looking at her feet. "Do I have to get on the ground? Yeah."

   "What are you-oh my."
   "Parker? Marry me. Please?"
   "I-I...kinda though I'd be doing this."
   "Damn you. I'm taking that as a sure."
   "Sure. Yes! I mean. Marry me Holly. I'll marry you."
   "I bought you a ring." She slipped it onto my finger.

   "Thank you."
   "You're welcome, but I'd prefer to say...nothing." She leaned forwards, kissing me on the lips for the hundredth time.
   Married. Holly proposing? It was insane- I never thought of myself being a traditionalist- I was far from one, but I never imagined myself being married like this. I didn't hate it. The twins where awesome, my PI business great, I was going to marry a wonderful woman. You didn't plan out life, it just kind of rolled at you, but if you did, I defiantly would pick this; I just would of had to have thought of it.

NOTE: I know Halloween was weeks ago, but I really thought it would a nice theme. I haven't posted in a week and really wanted to do something short and sweet. Comments and feedback are appreciated. Thanks! ☺

4.5 Part Two: Hey, It's Holly

   The library. That's where she said she worked sometimes. I felt stupid, crouching between book shelves, holding up fake plants. This would have been a better stakeout costume if I was at the park, enjoying the great outdoors, instead of the library, soaking up the florescent lightening and smell of ink. I was working on a case, some man thought that his boss, the library's history department chair, was running a small criminal ring. Something about rare books being replaced with fakes. I quickly agreed to the case, knowing it would give me a reason to look for Holly, without seeming like a crazy stalker.
    "Parker?"
    "Ah!" I screamed, turning around. "Hi, um-?" I turned around, gasping.
    "Hey, it's Holly. Is it Halloween or International Crazy Peoples day?" 
    "I'm a P.I. this is for a case."
    "Everyone can see you, even with the bush things."
    "Do you work here?"
    "What? No."
    "Two weeks ago, at the club..."
    "Oh." She took a deep breath. "What else did I tell you?"
    "Nothing, really."
    "Parker, we need to talk."
    "Iamnotstalkingyou."
    "Huh? What, wait stalking me? I believe the private investigator story-"
    "It's true."
    "Great. Doesn't matter to me, but great. I need to tell you something."
    "Alright." I nervously said.
    "Want to get dinner or something?"
    "It's ten am."
    "I know, I just can't take you seriously when you're holding a tree."
    "I see your point. Let's go." I took her hand, as we walked to the bistro across the street. "Table for two, please." I asked the hostess.
     "Right this way, sir." She directed us to a nice table.
     "Thank you." Holly smiled. We sat quietly, in awkward silence. "So...nice view." I glanced around you could see the ocean from our table; it was quite nice.
      "Yeah. Great. So what exactly did you have to talk about?" I asked, cutting to the chase.
      "We should really get to know eachother first."
      "I'm Parker Janes. I'm twenty-five, I have twin sons, Chase and Steven."
      "Wait, twins? SONS?!"
      "Yeah..." I quickly said.
      "Are  you married? Dating?"
      "I'm single."
      "Dead?"
      "Nope...she left..."
      "Thank goodness. I mean not- I just- I'm not a home wrecker."
      "I understand. What about you?"
      "Surrogate mother."
      "Huh?"
      "I'm a  surrogate mother. I was broke and needed money and have a good medical background..."
      "Wait, so do you have kids?!"
      "No.Well, two. I've been pregnant twice, but neither of the babies used my...eggs. This couple, really sweet, wanted a baby, but the mother was too sick to carry a baby. So, I was like an oven. The baby is one hundred percent not me. And then, I carried triplets for a gay couple. I mean, complete accident, suppose to be one baby, right? They used an anonymous donor." Surrogate mother? "Parker? Are you okay? Say something."
      "Not the oddest relationship I've had."
      "Really?"
      "Look, do you want a relationship?"
      "I don't know. I was at the library, removing myself from the donor sites and everything; I'm not one anymore. I don't know. I'm unemployed now."
      "I have sons, so...well, you obviously like children."
      "I do. I want a big family...I just, I've not had a real relationship ever since I started my job."
      "That's alright...?"
      "I don't really want a real relationship. I'll mess it up."
      "No you won't."
      "What if we kept it causal?"
      "I can't do that."
      "What? Why not?"
      "Well, I...when I was eighteen," And I launched into my story. Meredith, Calina, my PI business. Everything. The case and then being a homeworker. It was something I couldn't do again. "I...I really want a real relationship. And I like you, why not take a shot at it?"
     "I just can't be someone's mom yet. I want a big family, but raising twins? What if it doesn't work out?"
     "It may not, it may."
     "Want to be my unofficial boyfriend?"
     "What?"
     "Look, this can we a relationship, we just call it good friends. We'll date and celebrate anniversaries and have emotions and sex and all, but we won't call it dating."
     "Okay."
     "Do not just say yes because I said sex."
     "Totally not."
     "And...I want babies, but not too soon. And you know, twins are good practice. Okay let's do this."
     "Did we just start dating without any of my opinions?"
     "Pretty much."
     "Wow...I need-"
     "Water."
     "Yeah, sounds good. So, we aren't dating. Officially."
     "But this is a date. And I'm paying."
     "You're unemployed though, you need money."
     "I'll be fine."
     "I'm kind of rich. My mother was Madame G." 
     "The famous singer?!"
     "The one and only." I smiled.
     "Fine you can pay."
     I looked at Holly. A few days ago and this was just a dream; something I wanted to happen now it was official. And this was crazy. it started happening so fast, Holly and I dating, her moving in, the boy's getting a mother. We didn't officially begin dating though. We where 'friends'.  Friends who celebrated the boy's seventh, then eighth, then ninth birthday together. Holly and I were insanely in love. We just weren't dating. Yet.

Crazy right? I know! What did you guys think? Leave a comment below to let me know. ☺

4.3: Growing Up

   Her words lingered in my mind, even after a year. The boy's first birthday was today. The one year anniversary of her disappearance. And their appearance. Chase and Steven. Steven and Chase. I sat at my laptop, as they slumbered. Move on. I could do that.I finished attempting to set up my online dating profile, a mug of coffee, my new addiction sitting my my laptop. Online dating is not the best place to find potential mothers. Older woman wanting to cheat on their husbands, looking for a fresh face? Yes. Old men pretending to be a hot twenty something year old girl? Absolutely. A girl who's around my age, likes children, and wants to date a twenty year old who has twin boys who are a year old and has finally managed to throw out the old sweater his ex-girlfriend left yesterday? Not exactly a common find. I logged out of my profile, ignoring the message someone sent me.
   I had been working on a case lately, solving it fairly easy. I busted a small criminal circle who where petty thieves. They stole gift cards from stores. Not activated ones, but the kind you couldn't use until a cashier scanned them. Approximately six stores suffered a loss off plastic. The only thing worse than a criminal is a dumb criminal; if you can even call the gift card brigade a criminal. With the case rolling in big bucks from thankful stores and the twins, I didn't have much time for a social life. In fact, I didn't have time for much of anything.
   "Whahh!" I heard one of the babies cry out. I stood up, shutting the lid of my laptop.
   "Oh Chase." I picked him up. He didn't need a diaper change and I fed him before I logged onto my computer; about seven minutes ago. He couldn't be hungry that soon, could he? "It's your birthday today. Yes it is. Yes it is!" He giggled, looking at me. "Are you ready to blow out the cake?" I moved to the center of the room, where I had set up a table and two birthday cakes. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday Chase, happy happy happy birthday to you! I love you so much." I sang. "And now it's Steven's turn!" I sing-talked. I picked him up from the rocker, placing Chase on the floor to play with the toys I'd bought. I was lucky; Calina had decorated everything for me. She may not be a fan of children, but she did appreciate nice interior design. Does. Did. Do I refer to her in past or present tense? She isn't dead...but she might as well be. These are the things that bother me. The small details. I'm not sure if I'm suppose to hate her, or memorialize her, or pretend she didn't happen, or what.

     "Happy birthday, happy happy birthday! Happy birthday to Steven. And many more. I love you." I said. I loved both of my boys, regardless of the circumstances. I'm healing...I don't wish Calina was here for me. I just regret her not being here to see the boys grow up. I have no idea where she is or I would try and send her pictures of everything. I know she doesn't want to be a mother, but doesn't she deserve to see her children? I've forgiven her. I was upset, but then it hit me. I have the boys. I can despise her all I want, but without her I wouldn't be a father. I can wish she stayed, but she wouldn't like it. She would hate every moment of it, making life miserable for the boys. She wouldn't purposely do it; it would just happen.

 Dear Calina,
   I know that you'll never receive this letter; I won't send, even if I did I don't know where I would. Life began flying by, once they began toddlers. Chase is talking. You'll never guess what his first word was. it was no! I was trying to have him say daddy, but he refused:
    "Say daddy!"
    "No." He giggled.
    "No! That's right! No." Even though he was ignoring me, he still said his first word. No. Chase was defiantly going to be the rebel of the pair. Steven has begun walking; he skipped crawling and decided he wanted to go places the big boy way.

He is a lot less chatty than Chase was. Of course, since his older brother was walking, Chase had to as well:

I wish you could see them; they're growing up so fast. You would be proud, if you knew. You wouldn't be the one mother who's teaching her sons everything, you probably would be quietly reading a book about Australia or something, but you'd be annoyed. I know you would be, even if you where proud..... Their birthdays was eleven months ago. I'm moving on; I hate to sound rude, but I'm not missing you as much. I wish you where here for your sons, but I understand it's better this way. I still love you, but not... it's hard to explain. You're the mother of my child. You'll always have a special place in my heart, excuse the poetry, I know you hate it, but I'm not in puppy dog love. I'm thinking of you more like a really good friend than a wife or girlfriend. Sorry. I don't know how to explain it. 
    If there's one thing I know you wouldn't miss, it's the potty training! Chase is against it, completely. Steven was okay, but Chase refuses. He gives me this little look, like he's saying: "Why me? Why? Please don't make me do this." He giggles and tries to run away, but I catch him and bring him back. I started giving little stickers to him as a reward system. Steven likes playing with the blocks and hates stickers. He likes colors though, so I give him crayons and paper to play with while I potty train Chase. I gave Chase this Elmo sticker one day and he refuses to take it off his shirt. He's stubborn; just like you.  

   Steven likes mashed potatoes a lot. I thought that was funny, since you loved them so much, but during your pregnancy you couldn't stand them. He's a messy eater, throwing his spoon away when he's done. He can feed himself now. 

Both the boys have the odd love for applesauce. If one of them refuses to eat their mashed peas (I have to admit, they look better in the jar), I'll tell him "Applesauce after." And they'll eat it. Or if they want to play and it's nappy time, I'll feed them after their nap if they don't fuss. Or, I'll use there bear. They each have one. "Beary is tired, he wants to go beddy bye." It works like a charm.
    My PI business is going well. I guess being self employed helps, since I don't have to leave them with a sitter all the time; I can have clients over at the house instead of the office. I should go now, Steven is crying and Chase is holding his bear- I bet you can figure out what happened!
From Love Sincerely,
Parker, Steven, and Chase

Thank you for reading! I recently reached 7,000 views! Seven thousand! That's a huge amount , especially since I reached 6,000 about three/four weeks! Thank you so, so, so much! I don't know how to thank you all; I'm just so grateful.

4.5 Part One: Dancing Til Dawn

    "Woo! This awesome." Holly shouted. It was twelve-ten am Friday night- or Saturday morning to be accurate, and so far our date was going amazing. By amazing I mean we'd both had two shots and Holly's alcohol tolerance was incredibly low. I wouldn't ever take advantage of someone when they where in her current state- she was just a very fun, party animal, tad stupid drunk. Much better then the mean violent ones. "Let's get this party started!"
     "Yeah!" I shouted over the music. The club was a bit on the rough side- tattered chairs covered in stains, rusty door, and the bathrooms that looked like hadn't been cleaned in forever; they probably hadn't been. Holly was screaming and luckily hadn't begun dancing on tables deciding that this dance club was now a strip club. I'd stop her long before that happened, of course.
     "Wanna get a drink?" She asked me over the blaring music.
     "Sure."
     "Commme on." She grabbed my arm, pushing through the crowd to get to the bar. "Barrrtennder two drinks. Whatever yaa gottts."
     "Right away." That was the one advantage of having Holly- the hot, tipsy if not completely drunk, blonde. Guys seemed to give her whatever she wanted; they let her go ahead when they've been waiting for forever, and they hardly complained when she ended up sloshing vodka all over them (and her light colored lacy, barely covering anything top). "Here ya go." He handed her two drinks that where a neon violet color.
     "How muchchch?"
     "No charge. Wouldn't want to ruin your fun."
     "Thankss. Parker, hollldd these." She thrust the drinks in my direction. The bartender paled, as if he was just noticing that she was here with a date and free drinks wouldn't get him anywhere.
    "Here." I handed her her glass once she was stand still, stable. I took a gulp, as the concoction burned down my throat.
    "This is goood." She swayed in time with the music.
    "Wanna dance more?"
    "Whatdya mean?" She giggled.
    "You're- oh, nope." She was dizzy from the alcohol, not trying to dance. On second thought, let me take that. I grabbed the cup from her hand as she pouted, protesting.
    "It's my thirrd onnne onllyy. Gimme."
    "Holly, you can handle alcohol as well as my great grandmother could- not very well."
    "Fine. You meeaaannss though." She began walking away, stumbling over her heels.
    "Holly! Holly- here." I turned to some stranger, handing him our drinks. "Hold this."
    "Dude. Nice one ya go there."
    "I'm not doing to- Holly!" I rushed over to her- she had fallen down and was currently leaning against an incredibly muscly man who was getting a treat considering how far forwards she was leaning. "We should be going." I took Holly's arm and placed it around my shoulders.
     "Dis nice mammmn gonna show me hisss rocket." She giggled. 
     "Seriously?" I glanced at him. "That's what you say to her?" He shrugged and turned away.
     "We gonna dance?"
     "We're sitting down."
     "I gonna dance whille youu seat and watchh."
     "No, you're going to sit and sober up."
     "Parkerrrr," She leaned against me. "I gonna dancey wancey."
     "No, we're going to sitty witty."
     "Finnne. You smarrrt. I dooo what youuuu sayy."
     "How do you feel?"
     "Good." She fell onto the couch- she was laying down. "But myy headdd huuurtts."
     "We should get you home." I didn't know where her home was, though. I couldn't stick her in a cab without knowing something about her. The last thing I needed was her rambling some address off and ending up in the bad part of town with no one to help her.
     "I cann go after wee part-TAY."
     "Where do you work?"
     "I'm unemppployed. I- hehe!" She laughed. Something was incredibly funny- and I was missing it.
     "What's funny?"
     "Oh, I don't gots a job. Buuut, I readd lots. I usually go to library and I work someeee thereess."
     "The library. Alright. That's going someplace."
     "Someplace...yes! Let's go to the libraryy! Nopey- nopey. Mee go hommme. You come witth."
     "Holly that sounds great. Really, really, really, really, really, really, really- what are we talking about again? Oh yeah. Really great. But we can't."
     "Why notttts?"
     "You're drunk."
     "Me notttt drunk."
     "Yes, you are."
     "Haha! I'm not drunk..."
     "Who's the president?"
     "George Clooney."
     "What- he- Clooney? He never even was a president, he's an actor. You know, Gravity?"
     "See, you drunk, not me."
     "Do you mean Washington? As in George Washington? Or Bush maybe? Because both those answers are wrong- real presidents, but wrong."
     "Nope, nope..." We continued chatting and dancing, until it was five am- the club's closing time. Holly was sobered up, lucky for me; I wouldn't have to stick her in a cab and hope for the best.
     "I had a great time." I said outside the club, as the sun began rising.
     "Me too." She smiled at me.
     "You know, you get drunk as quick as you sober up."
     "Should have warned you. My heads going to kill me in about three hours, though."
     "Soup." 
     "Huh?"
     "I've found that it's great hangover food- surprising, right?"
     "I should try that sometime. You're so nice..."
     "Thanks...you're incredibly humorous when drunk."
     "What did I do?" She leaned closer to me.
     "Said George Clooney was president. And Paramore was a type of angle, not a band.  And Adele was a computer."'
     "Gaw- I'm really, really stupid!"
     "Only when drunk. Besides, you only confused pop culture with... not pop culture stuff."
     "I haven't drank in awhile."
     "Awhile?" Oh please don't let this be the first time. Please let her be twenty-one.
     "Four months." My nervousness was let out in a huge sigh.
     "Hold old are you?"
     "Parker! Never ask a ladies' age."
     "Sorry, sor-"
     "Twenty-five."
     "Thank goodness."
     "What? Why is that good?'
     "I was worried you where like eighteen."
     "Thank you."
     "That was a compliment?"
     "You thought I was eighteen. Of course that's a compliment."
     "I...I..."
     "Parker." She quietly said, leaning even closer to me; we where practically touching. "Don't speak. Just...you're so nice. And kind." She stumbled into me, as her lips touched mine.
     "Holly." I quietly said, once she pulled away.
     "You didn't kiss me."
     "I did."
     "No...it was me kissing you. We weren't...it wasn't like a spark."
     "Are you still a little drunk?"
     "Maybe." She chuckled. "You taste good, though." Defiantly a tad bit tipsy still.
    "Holly, I like you. We can't begin like this."
    "We won't begin like this.We'll...we'll...Parker. Kiss me."
    "Holly...we're both drunk, probably. It's getting early. I should head home."
    "But...but..." She leaned on my shoulder. "Parker, I want to see you again."
    "I want to see you again, too."
    "My cab." She pointed to the yellow car. "I need to go." She walked away, giving me a little wave. Something great almost happened. Something would have, if both of us had been a little more sober and the day was still a little earlier. Now we'd have to wait to see if it'll come around again.
     She sat in her cab, waving goodbye to me. She rode away, into the distance. Her cab was pulling us apart. I didn't know her last name, address, or cell number. I had no way of contacting her. I sighed, as I began the trek. The trek to find a cabat a time where all the drunk people began disappearing form the streets so the sober businessmen and woman could rule Bridgeport, turning it from a party place into a second Wall Street. I sighed, riding home in my cab. I stared out the window, wondering. Holly. I know we'd see each other again, I just didn't know when or where. But I wished it was soon, and it was. Sooner than I thought it would be.

4.4: Dives and Dates

   "And remember boys, no running. The rules are right here." I pointed to the water park's rule board that was at the entryway.

   "We know dad." Chase sighed. They'd turned six recently, and had discovered their love for swimming.  Over the summer we had started become frequent visitors water park, much to the delight of  my six year old's who where completely bored with Bridgeport's normal activities. That didn't keep me from going over the rules multiple times, though.
    "Daddy, we'll be fine." Steven said. "Can we go play now?"
    "Yes..." It was a routine. I explain the park's rules, Chase, out of boredom, says he knows them all, and Steven asks if they can go play. They'll go play in the Slip 'n Slides, and I'll dive off the high dive, then lounge in the hot tub. "As long as you two stick together."
    "We will, we will!" They both said together, running off together.  I glanced at the high dive. The line was increadibly long, much longer than usually. I walked to the hot tub, deciding not to wait.

-Steven's POV-  

     "This is so fun!" I shouted, as I slid on the Slip n' Slide.
     "Yeah!" Chase screamed in agreement, as I jumped onto the pink and green one. I stood up, shivering slightly. A light breeze had come by. "Wanna go down the slide?"
     "Slide?" I hadn't ever done that before.
     "It'll be awesome." Chase assured me.
     "Defiantly. Okay, I will." I loved water, and if Chase said something would be awesome, chances are it was. I quickly warmed up, running across the concrete to the slides. Chase climbed up the ladder, rushing down. I followed suit, excitedly.

     "Do you have any money?" Chase asked me, when I landed in the water. 
     "Yeah, why?"
     "I want to buy ice cream."
     "Don't you have some?"
     "Couple quarters."
     "I know! Let's have a contest! Whoever can hold their breath the longest underwater wins all the money."
     "Deal. And then has to buy the loser ice cream."
     "Worried you're going to lose?"
     "Just making sure you have something to cool down your anger after I win."
     "It's on!" We counted to three and submerged ourselves in the pool water.

    I held my nose, hoping that I would win. It wouldn't matter, since either way you got ice cream, but the bragging rights where what we where after; not the money. I glanced at Chase. His eyes where firmly closed. I could feel my lungs getting ready to explode; it had been about twenty seconds. Chase looked fine. I had to keep going. Twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty- three- I felt a tug on my arm.
     "Hey!" I shouted. Chase had pulled me up to the surface; it was a tie.
     "What?" He smirked. "Wanna get ice cream?"
     "You cheated!"
     "Did not!"
     "Did to." I splashed him, angrily. 
     "Did not!" He splashed me.
     "To!"
     "Not!"
     "To-"
     "Boys, what's going on?" We stopped our splashing match- that was turning into a shoving match.
     "Uhhh." We both said at the same time.
     "Can we please have money for ice cream?"
     "Sure. It's getting hot anyways." He handed us each a couple dollar from the pockets in his swim trunks.
     "Great!" We climbed out of the pool, running to the vendors. "Thanks!" I remembered to shout when we where halfway there.

-Parker's POV-

    "Boys, boys, boys." I sighed. I stood up from my current position; I was crouched by the side of the pool and walked back over to the hot tub. I climbed in, glad that I was the only one. I let my brain wander carelessly, with my eyes shut. Twenty-five. Wow... It had been six years since she left, and I was perfectly content living the single dad and twin sons life. It was a bit awkward, especially when I had to go to things like PTA, where the majority of the attendees where mothers a decade older than me, or whenever they needed to bring food into class; I was always the dad who sent in the store bought cookies.
    I opened my eyes, looking around. The boys where currently eating ice cream on the swing set. I glanced around and then- my brain stopped working. There she was. every time I came to this park with the boys, she was always here. Usually she'd be sunbathing or lounging by the pool. I glanced around she didn't appear to be here with anyone. I'd seen her for the last couple times and had slowly begun to develop what might be a tiny crush- if adults even had them.
    Summer was coming to a close; with only two more weeks until school started in September, the water park wouldn't be open for much longer. If I couldn't come to the park anymore, I couldn't see the suntan girl. I didn't know her name; I hadn't talked to her any. I'd never see her again if I left the park today without saying something. My brain raced. This felt like high school, nervously asking a girl out to Prom. (Darcy Williams, and she said yes.)
    I stood up, confident. I worked out at the gym. I stayed in shape. I had my very own Private Investigators firm. What wasn't there to like? She always seemed so confident and kind to everyone- this was fate. Why else would she be here every time I was? She didn't work here- the standard red lifeguard out was defiantly not what she was wearing; I preferred her skimpy green bikini.
    I walked over to her, trying to act nonchalant. "Hey." I smiled.
    "Hey." She said, standing up.
    "I'm Parker."
    "Holly."
    "Holly. Beautiful name." I nervously stuck out my hand, as she shook it. "Mind if I sit?" I gestured to one of the lounge chairs.
    "Go ahead."
    "So... come here often?" I nervously racked my brains for pick up lines. I hadn't used any in so long.. dammit, losing my touch.
    "Seriously?" She laughed, sitting next to me.
    "Yeah." I blushed.
    "Did you just come over here to hit on me?"
    "I'm guessing that yes is the wrong answer, soooo.... nope."
    "You're funny." She laughed. Her laugh was adorable. "So, why are you over here?"
    "To talk about the weather."
    "The weather?"
    "Yep. Defiantly what I meant to say and not the first thing to pop out of my mind."
    "It's hot. It's summer. I'm way to tan."
    "Why do you come every week, then?"
    "Huh?" Crap. I just admitted that I'd seen her before.
    "I come here a lot and have seen you before...you seemed cute and-"
    "Oh, honey you're so clueless." Clueless? Is that bad? "It's adorable."
    "Adorable?"
    "Like a little lost puppy."
    "Is that a good thing?"
    "I certainly think it's a good move."
    "Uh, thanks. Totally what I meant it as."
    "Are you going to ask me out now?"
    "Out?"
    "Come on, you didn't just come over here for an awkward conversation."
    "Want to go out sometime?"
    "Sure! When?"
    "Friday night, nine pm, the Grind?"
    "Love that place. Good choice."
    "Do you want me to pick you up?"
    "Nah, we'll meet. I'd like to get to know you more before giving you my address."
    "You're..."
    "Direct?"
    "And that's totally cool." I nodded. She was different. Quirky. I liked it. "I should go." I glanced over at Chase and Steven, who where running around, chasing each other with sunscreen. 
    "See you Friday."
    "See you." I stood up, excited. I had a date,. One of my first dates since the boys had come along.
    "Daddy, I have a sunburn!"
    "He's chasing my with sunscreen!"
    "Can I have a hot dog?" I sighed as their demands and questions filled my ears. Friday night. Two days from now. Two days to survive.

Thanks to Rflong7 who created this fabulous water park! It was edited by me a little to fit the story better, but Rflong7 gets 100% credit. You can download this amazing park HERE.