Re: Say The Words - ch. 21 & 22 -- The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Fan Exchange

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Date Posted: 06:37:26 03/26/03 Wed
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: Say The Words - ch. 21 & 22
In reply to: dqfan 's message, "Re: Say The Words - ch. 19 & 20" on 06:32:31 03/26/03 Wed

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Peter stared at the ceiling, noticing a crack here�a cobweb there. Outside his window a hawk was cawing and further off in the distance he could hear a coyote's faint howl - nature was waking up. Peter's clock flashed 5:59. Immediately, he hit the buzzer, turning off the alarm before it could reach six a.m. Just because he hadn't slept a wink was no reason to wake Sophie.

Sophie�

Lightly, Peter's fingertips traced Sophie's bare back, from her shoulder blades down her spine, stroking her soft skin rhythmically beneath his hands. Sophie's cheek was pressed securely against his chest with her arm curled possessively around his waist. She was blissfully asleep. Gently, Peter's hands smoothed her hair. Though slightly damp and tangled from the rain, each strand still felt like silk to Peter.

Searching her sleeping face, Peter observed a faint smile on Sophie's lips and, in spite of his guilt, Peter smiled too. While not at all what he had planned, last night had been incredible and, no matter what happened today, he would remember it for the rest of his life. He had never needed or wanted her more and Sophie had given herself so freely. Peter prayed she would forgive him just as freely tonight.

Tonight, he would tell her everything. Whether his meeting with her father went well or not, the secrets would end tonight. They never should have gone on this long and Peter regretted it deeply. Never in his wildest dreams had he considered that it would take over a month to contact Sophie's father�or that his caution would wreak such havoc in their relationship.

Carefully, Peter lifted Sophie's arm gingerly from his waist. Sliding out from under her grasp, Peter provided his pillow in cozy substitution, watching with a grin as Sophie hugged it dreamily. She would sleep for a few more hours at least.

Dressing quietly into sweatpants and a sweatshirt, Peter stood undecided before his closet, wondering what he should wear for his big lunch. He felt as nervous as a schoolboy preparing to face his date's parents on prom night, which wasn't that farfetched, he supposed. Wanting to look his very best, Peter chose his blue Armani suit - the same one Reggie had secured for him in Colorado Springs. It had brought him luck then and, hopefully, it would do the same today.

To avoid waking Sophie, Peter opted to bring the suit with him. He would shower and change at Horizon. Then, once he'd made sure that all was well at the school, Peter would be on his way to Vancouver and his lunch with Alexander Becker.

Tenderly, Peter knelt by Sophie's bedside, suit in hand. "I love you, Soph," he whispered in her ear.

In response, Sophie pulled Peter's pillow closer to her chest and sighed, subconsciously enjoying his words and her incredibly sweet dreams of him.

With a hopeful smile, Peter kissed her lightly on the forehead and added winsomely, "Wish me luck�"

^^^^^^^^^^^

It was nearly nine a.m. when Charity ventured into Peter's house after once again receiving no answer to her knock.

"What's the point of having a doorbell if you never answer it?" she muttered, wandering into the living room.

As she walked across the living room carpet, Charity felt an uncomfortable squish beneath her shoes. The rug was sopping wet.

"Good heavens, did it rain inside, too?" she wondered as she called to her nephew. "Peter�?"

Receiving no reply, Charity ventured into the bedroom, the door slightly ajar.

Charity always appreciated the morning sun after a rainstorm. Without fail, it would shine brighter and more cheerfully in celebration of a new and better day. This morning's sun was no exception. Even the slatted blinds in Peter's bedroom couldn't hide the sparkling rays that danced atop the sheet covering Sophie as she slept.

"The girl sleeps too much," Charity commented wryly.

Charity proceeded to survey the bedroom with her granddaddy's discerning eye and bemused smile. The bedroom carpet was wet, too. In addition, Sophie and Peter's damp clothes were strewn haphazardly about, along with Sophie's walking cast and an oversized bath towel made for two.

"Well, now I know what kept him�" Charity chuckled. "Honestly, it's a good thing I wasn't having a heart attack," she fumed in mother-like fashion.

"Peter�" Sophie murmured, still half-asleep and still hugging his pillow.

"Sadly, no," Charity sighed with a smile, gathering the clothes and towel from off the floor on her way to open the blinds.

"Ohhh," Sophie cried, shielding her eyes from the sunlight now flooding into the bedroom.

"Wild nights, savage mornings�" Charity quipped, unable to control her Lawson humor. "Think I saw it engraved on a plaque over the Saloon�"

Sophie laughed in spite of herself. "And hello to you, too, Charity," she grinned, tucking the bedsheet discreetly under her arms as she sat up.

"Where's Peter?" Sophie asked, wishing he had been beside her when she awoke.

"I haven't the foggiest idea�but I would imagine he's at the school," Charity guessed. "Isn't that where you should be?"

Sophie shook her head with a crooked grin. "Frank said I could take the rest of the week off and start back on Monday."

"How convenient�" Charity remarked mischievously. "Especially since you don't look quite dressed for the classroom."

"I take it you and Peter have resolved your - difficulties?" Charity asked sincerely.

Unable to express in words how happy she was feeling this morning, Sophie could only smile broadly and nod contentedly.

Charity smiled, too, but her concern was still evident. "So, he told you what's been bothering him�?" she probed, seeking additional reassurance.

"Well, no, not exactly�" Sophie hedged, adding quickly, "But he will, I know he will�"

"I see�" Charity's few words expressed her disappointment with subtle eloquence.

Still warm from the love they'd shared, Sophie refused to allow any negativity to ruin her joy. She and Peter were together again and that, alone, was enough to fill Sophie with more optimism and excitement than she'd felt in weeks.

"Don't say it, Charity�" Sophie warned in advance.

"Did I say anything?" Charity huffed indignantly.

"What would you like to do today?" Charity asked, safely changing the subject.

"Plan my wedding!" Sophie announced sprightly.

"I believe we've done that�" Charity couldn't imagine what else there could be.

"Not quite everything�" Sophie reminded her as Charity voiced her surprise.

"You don't mean you're actually ready to�?" Charity had chastised her for weeks. There was one very important detail that Sophie had neglected for much too long.

"Yup," Sophie beamed. "I need to find myself a wedding dress."

"Well, it's about time!" Charity exclaimed. "I'll get the catalogs�"

Before Charity could move an inch, Sophie stopped her in mid-stream. "No�" she chided instantly. "No catalogs! We're going out!"

"Out?" Charity gulped, afraid Sophie planned to go into Agnes - a trip Charity had promised Peter they wouldn't take.

"Out�" Sophie repeated gleefully, grabbing a magazine off the nightstand. "As in Vancouver�Robson Street. There's this little boutique with the most amazing one-of-a-kind dresses�" she explained, flipping through the advertisements.

"And, well, I am a one-of-a-kind kind of gal�" Sophie boasted jokingly.

Conveniently, Sophie chose to omit the fact that Peter had told her he was meeting investors in Vancouver later that day. Charity already thought she was behaving like a lovestruck teenager. Sophie saw no sense in adding to that perception. Especially, since it was foolish to think that, in a city the size of Vancouver, she might actually run into him. Still, Sophie's heart leapt at the possibility.

Marveling at Sophie's renewed effervescence, Charity agreed whole-heartedly with Sophie's playful characterization of herself.

"Yes, my dear, you most definitely are�" she chuckled in amusement.

Relieved that their shopping expedition would not be violating Peter's instructions, Charity was thrilled to oblige. "Why don't I make us some coffee then while you get dressed?" she offered tactfully.

"Charity�" Sophie said softly, filled with appreciation for this warm, wonderful woman who treated her like a daughter. "Thank you�"

"For what, dear?" Charity could never have done less.

"Everything�" Sophie whispered.

"You're quite welcome," Charity replied, forbidding the tears she felt welling within her.

"Charity�Would you�?" Sophie hesitated.

"Would I�?" Charity repeated brightly. There was nothing she wouldn't do for Sophie or for Peter.

"Would you be my matron of honor?" Despite the difference in their ages, there wasn't a woman on earth whom Sophie felt closer to than Charity.

Charity bit her lip with all her might. Damned if she wasn't going to cry!

"Nothing would make me happier," Charity acknowledged as tears filled her eyes.

"Now I better go make that coffee�" she flustered. Quickly, Charity turned and headed toward the door before Sophie could say a word.

Safe at last in the living room, Charity let out a sigh, dabbing at her eyes. For just a moment she allowed herself the luxury of reliving a few old, cherished memories�Rachel and herself as girls, sitting on the front steps of the homestead, chatting for hours, envisioning what their futures would hold. Charity could feel Rachel's loving warmth surround her now.

And Sam�Her dear, sweet Sam�How Charity missed him! She could still remember the joy she felt walking down the aisle toward him on their wedding day. Unquestionably the most handsome man she had ever known, his laughter could fill her very soul. Charity chuckled, realizing that Sam was probably laughing at her right this minute�a weepy, blithering mess at the notion of accompanying Sophie down a similar aisle toward Peter.

Peter�. Lastly Charity's thoughts turned to Peter. He was the son she never had. She knew in her heart that it would have been impossible for her to love her own flesh and blood more. He was the one person on this earth she would give her life for.

Heaving a grateful sigh, Charity allowed the reminiscences to comfort her. For all her worrying, it appeared that Peter and Sophie were finally back on track. But were they? Charity had such an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, one she could only attribute to the uncanny intuition she'd inherited from Grandpa Zack.

Attempting to compose herself, Charity headed toward the kitchen with typical Lawson bravado. Purposefully, she measured the coffee and resolved to focus on the present. Today, she and Sophie would locate the perfect wedding dress. Charity began anticipating such a welcome diversion from her worries. An extravagant shopping trip into the city�a day of lunch and girl talk�Why, the adventure would do them both a world of good!

Poor Charity had no idea the adventure was just beginning�

^^^^^^^^^^^

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Peter entered the revolving door of the Pan-Pacific Hotel, eyeing Misaki's restaurant warily. The Japanese restaurant was unquestionably one of the trendiest in town. Nestled in a secluded corner of the lobby, it overlooked the bustling Vancouver streets, where passersby strained to peer in its windows. Anyone who was anyone dined at Misaki's.

Peter looked at his watch - one o'clock on the dot. He had wanted to be early but the traffic had been brutal and it had taken him longer than expected to arrive. Undoubtedly, Commander Becker was already waiting.

Nonchalantly, Peter craned his neck to sneak a peek inside but the maitre d's haughty stare convinced him otherwise.

"May I help you, Sir?" the maitre d' inquired.

Peter took a deep breath. There was no turning back now.

"Um�yes�" Peter cleared his throat. "I'm meeting someone here for lunch. The reservation is for one o'clock�"

"And the name, Sir?" Peter looked prosperous enough in his Armani suit, the maitre surmised, but he certainly wasn't the most confident fellow in the world�

"Becker�Alexander Becker�" Peter replied, a little more securely.

"Ahh, Commander Becker�Of course�He's been waiting�Allow me to show you to his table�" The maitre d's opinion of Peter had just increased ten-fold.

Peter stepped into the elegantly decorated restaurant. Immediately, a flurry of activity around one table in particular caught his eye. Sure enough, that was the direction in which the maitre d' was leading him.

Peter gulped as he squeezed past a reporter, a photographer and a small group of boys accompanied by their mothers, all anxiously awaiting autographs.

"Your luncheon guest is here, Commander�" the maitre d' introduced.

Swiftly, Alexander Becker concluded his business with his adoring public and rose to extend his hand to Peter. "Alexander Becker," he welcomed charmingly.

Peter paused for a moment, taking in the measure of the man. His handshake was impressive. Quite strong for someone his age, Peter noted, before wondering if maybe his own handshake had been weak from nerves. The Commander was tall and fit, with the slightly tanned skin of someone who traveled often.

Peter scanned Alexander's face, searching for traces of Sophie in him. Physically, there were some similarities. Sophie had definitely inherited her father's height, for example. But, on the other hand, they didn't share Sophie's blonde hair. Alexander's hair was brown with some distinguished graying at the temples. And, though they both had blue eyes, Sophie's cheekbones were considerably higher.

Quickly, Peter realized the sheer futility of his comparisons. Physical attributes were superficial after all, leading Peter to wonder if, perhaps, it was Alexander's zest for life - for living on the edge - which was his most lasting legacy to Sophie?

The man obviously relished his fame, enjoying the thrills of his profession and the spoils of its success. He was dressed in a silver RCAF bomber jacket, decorated impressively with dozens of medals and stars. Prominently on the jacket's sleeve, circling the squadron's insignia, the word "Snowbirds," was written in eye-catching red type.

"You feeling okay, Son?" The Commander asked with a chuckle, noticing Peter still hadn't said a word.

All Peter was able to notice, however, was that Alexander had Sophie's crooked grin�or rather she had his�or�

Peter shook his head, banishing all thoughts of resemblances, real or imagined.

"Yes Sir�I'm fine, thank you�Peter Scarbrow�Pleased to meet you, Sir�" Peter knew he was talking too much but he couldn't stop himself.

Alexander found it rather amusing. Usually, it was the young ones who became tongue-tied in his presence. "Sit down, Peter�You must've been a fan growing up�"

Settling himself at the table, Peter placed his napkin in his lap and replied a bit awkwardly, "Well�no�actually. I'm from the U.S.�When I was growing up we had the�"

"Blue Angels�" Becker cut him off, slightly annoyed. "Not bad�I grant you�But you haven't lived until you've seen The Snowbirds�"

Peter took his cue instantly, "So I've heard�I'm looking forward to your air show in Agnes next month."

"You wanted to talk to me about giving a lecture at your school," Alexander believed the lunch's purpose to be as Peter had described to Major Walters.

Now was Peter's chance. This was what he'd wanted�what he'd worked so tirelessly to achieve - a private meeting with Sophie's father. Not even on the highest mountain climb, had Peter felt this dizzy. He had to get control of himself. He could see Alexander staring at him, waiting for him to say - something�

"Yes�I did�" Peter began hesitantly, striving for composure. "But that's not the only reason�"

"Oh?" Alexander sat back in his chair and took a sip of his Scotch.

"I wanted to talk to you about�Sophie," Peter blurted, feeling like he'd dropped the atomic bomb.

"Sophie�" Alexander's voice rose imperceptibly and he leaned forward, putting his drink down on the table with a tiny thud. "You know Sophie?"

Peter would have given anything in the world for a taste of Alexander's whiskey right about now but he soldiered on with his usual drive and determination.

"She's a counselor at our school - Mount Horizon," Peter figured he'd start with the basics.

"Then I'm afraid I won't be lecturing there�" Alexander stood abruptly, preparing to leave. "Goodbye, Mr. Scarbrow�"

"No, wait!" Peter shouted a little too loudly, causing heads to turn.

Lowering his voice, Peter pleaded softly, "Please, Commander, I've risked a great deal to speak with you today�"

"Risked?" Alexander was intrigued by Peter's choice of words and sat back down - temporarily.

"I haven't told Sophie about our meeting," Peter explained. "She doesn't know about the air show�"

"Thought they were promoting the daylights out of it�" Alexander seemed more concerned about the lapse in his publicity than he did about his daughter.

"They are�" Peter assured him, trying stay focused on what he was saying. "I didn't want her to know about it until I could tell how you'd react to seeing her."

"And what business is that of yours?" Alexander's steely gaze locked with Peter's terrified one.

"I care about your daughter a great deal, Sir�" Peter started before Alexander cut him off again.

"Oh, please�how long have you known her? A month? Maybe two?" Alexander posed his biting question. "Sophie never stays in one place longer than that�"

"You're wasting your time, Peter, if you think it will ever be more than that�" Alexander lectured to Peter as if he were speaking to a child.

"It IS more than that, Sir�" Peter felt his temper raging. "I love her�"

Alexander considered Peter's devotion endearing, if somewhat misguided. "But�" he began to speak.

"And she loves me," Peter continued, ignoring Alexander's attempts to interrupt. "We're getting married in May."

There! He'd said it! Peter's relief was overwhelming and, finally noticing that there was water on the table, he proceeded to drink his entire glass in one gulp.

"Married?!" Alexander exclaimed in astonishment.

"You can't be serious! My daughter is the freest spirit that ever walked the face of this earth - next to me, of course. She would never agree to marry anyone - especially someone so�" Alexander eyes raked Peter over the coals.

From where Alexander was sitting, Peter was a lovestruck busybody in a buttoned-down Armani suit. Stiff and uptight - Sophie wouldn't give him the time of day!

"So, well�" Alexander tried to find the most polite words possible.

"You�look like a banker!" he sputtered, speaking his mind as always.

"Stockbroker�" Peter muttered under his breath, regretting deeply his choice of wardrobe at the moment.

"I mean�I was a stockbroker�Now I'm the Director of Mount Horizon," Peter said proudly.

"Look�Peter�I think we got off on the wrong foot," Alexander offered magnanimously. "I'm sure you're a very nice guy and I believe you honestly think Sophie's going to marry you but�"

"May I take your orders?" the waiter interrupted cheerfully.

Sighing, the two combatants took a break from round one to place their orders for the house special�

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Replies:

Re: Say The Words - ch. 23& 24 -- dqfan, 06:41:25 03/26/03 Wed
- Re: Say The Words - ch. 25 -- dqfan, 06:44:01 03/26/03 Wed