Re: Say the Words - ch.35 -- The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Fan Exchange

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Date Posted: 07:37:50 03/26/03 Wed
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: Say the Words - ch.35
In reply to: dqfan 's message, "Re: Say the Words - ch.34" on 07:34:35 03/26/03 Wed

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

Though she was probably only half as indignant as she proclaimed to be, Sophie exclaimed righteously, "How could you? Use a little girl, like that�"

"I know�" Peter was prepared to accept his punishment.

"It's deceitful�" Sophie reminded him, rather enjoying the guilt he so obviously felt.

"Soph, please�" he tried to squeeze a word in edgewise.

"It's dishonest�." she scolded without taking a breath.

"Not to mention what Annie will say�." she added as an afterthought.

"Sophie!" Peter pleaded in a high-pitched tone, afraid that the night was on the verge of being totally ruined.

"What!" she finally exhaled, exhausted from her overzealous condemnation.

"Open your present�" Sheepishly, Peter offered the gift with a shrug and a twinkling smile.

From the sidelines, Sully encouraged his grandson's efforts with pride. "That's it�Give her a reason�"

"So, this little plan of his was your idea?" Michaela pretended to appear suitably shocked.

"Just gave him somethin' t'think about�" Valiantly, Sully attempted to minimize his involvement.

"Well, I must say the quotes are a nice touch - though he might at least have used Mr. Emerson or Mr. Dickens in his campaign. They can be most persuasive�" Knowing better than to disagree, Sully nodded as Michaela lobbied for her favorites.

"Trouble, kids?" Alexander moved quickly to diffuse the potential disaster, concerned that Peter's charm alone might not be enough to win Sophie's good graces.

"No�no trouble�" Peter replied swiftly. "I was just returning something that belongs to Sophie�"

Sophie had little choice now but to open the gift; and, as she'd expected, her Hindu goddess of wisdom, Saraswati, was being returned safe and sound.

"You still collecting those things?" Alexander chuckled at the sight.

"They are not things!" Sophie huffed, her annoyance shifting to Alexander, just as he had hoped. "They are goddesses of wisdom!"

"Relax, Honey�" Alexander attempted to improve his daughter's mood with an old familiar remedy.

"It's my own fault," he explained, turning to Peter with a wistful expression. "My first tour of duty was Istanbul�I went exploring in the city and ran smack into Haiga Sophia - the Byzantine chapel built by Constantine. The name means sacred wisdom�"

"Dad, Peter doesn't really need to hear this story now�" But Sophie's repeated objections fell on deaf ears as Peter listened with rapt attention.

"It was, without a doubt, the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen before in my entire life," Alexander recalled with amazement, picturing it again so clearly in his mind.

"That is�until I held my newborn daughter for the first time," he smiled lovingly at Sophie, who was mellowing noticeably with Alexander's every word.

"And so�I named her Sophie," Alexander finished his remembrance with a light kiss on Sophie's cheek.

"That is a great story�" Peter sighed, cherishing every tidbit of information regarding Sophie's past.

"I know," Alexander grinned, "She used to make me tell it to her every night before she went to bed�"

"Okay, you two," Sophie interrupted, feeling as if she were five years old again, "that's enough�." A small smile had finally returned to her face.

"Then I'll leave you alone," Alexander winked to a very grateful Peter.

"I'm gonna drive the kids back to Horizon and Frank's bringing Charity home," Alexander explained as the party began to break up.

"I know you came with them, Peter, but why don't you give my girl here one last dance," Alexander nudged as Sophie's eyes rolled in chagrin, "and I'll swing by and pick you up later?"

"That'd be great�thanks," Peter nodded, happy to have the extra time with Sophie.

Alone in the empty restaurant, except for Sully and Michaela's unseen presence, Peter and Sophie struggled to find their way back to each other.

Awkwardly, they stood apart on the dance floor, though the music was still playing.

"Forgive me?" Peter ventured daringly, leaning forward with an endearing thrust of his chin.

"And why should I again?" Sophie hadn't completely forgiven all his recent deceptions.

"Ask Saraswati," Peter riddled, pointing to the slip of paper that was still in the box.

With a smirk, Sophie unfolded the slip of paper, and recited Peter's latest literary reference�

"Wise men are not wise at all times�"

"Finally!" Michaela exclaimed victoriously.

"What?" Her excitement was lost on Sully.

"Ralph Waldo Emerson�" Sophie read the author's name aloud.

Now Sully understood� "Happy?" he asked with a smile.

"Very," Michaela professed, positively beaming.

"Then, what'dya say we leave 'em alone," he suggested, prodding her shoulder gently with his own.

"So soon?" Michaela had enjoyed herself thoroughly.

Sully's eyes sparkled as he took Michaela by the hand and lead her toward the door.

As they began to disappear, Sully mischievously lectured his very proper wife, "Just 'cause we're leavin' the party, don't mean we gotta stop dancin'�"

Hoping Sophie might feel the same, Peter asked gallantly, "So, may I have this dance?"

"Oh, I don't know, Peter, it's getting late�" Sophie's head was looking for a good excuse to stay out of his arms but her heart was telling her it was absolutely hopeless. Whether she liked it or not, Sophie was in love with Peter Scarbrow and she always would be.

"But the music's not over yet�" Peter smiled, hearing a particularly suitable melody begin to play.

"Sinatra�" Sophie noted wryly. "Gianni would be pleased."

"I heard from him today," Peter revealed as he drew her close. "He's definitely coming to the wedding�I mean, if you decide there's going to be a wedding�" he added hopefully.

"I think we might be able to manage that," Sophie sighed as she permitted the last vestiges of anger and hurt to flow from her body.

"I really am sorry, Soph," Peter whispered close to her ear, his voice cracking slightly. "For everything�"

"I know," she nodded, afraid she might cry.

Clasping her arms tightly around Peter's waist, Sophie allowed the haunting introductory saxophone strains to transport her as they began to dance to the music�.

When somebody loves you
It's no good unless he loves you
All the way.

When somebody needs you
It's no good unless he needs you
All the way.

The old song's sentimental lyrics expressed Peter's feelings better than anything he could ever say. He would never be able to love Sophie just half way. He would always worry about her�he would always want to keep her from hurt or harm�he would always love her - all the way.

Hoping she could finally understand, hoping she could finally forgive him, Peter's hands tenderly caressed Sophie's back as he allowed the music to speak what was in his heart�.

Who knows where the road will lead us
Only a fool can say.

But if you let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you
All the way.

Peter felt Sophie relax fully against him and he let himself enjoy it, his cheek lightly brushing the softness of her hair as they moved. As Sinatra's voice faded and the saxophone chords returned, they each found it increasingly difficult to forget the last time they'd danced like this�their private New Year's Eve celebration on Vashon Island.

Their voices were taking on a huskier tone now�the dancing slower�their longing deeper, tantalizing each other by merely the smallest touch.

"If Sinatra's gonna affect you like this, maybe I should buy the whole collection," Peter teased, running his hands through her hair.

"It's not Sinatra�" Sophie breathed temptingly close to his ear. "It's the saxophone," she teased right back.

"Did I ever tell you I played the saxophone as a kid?" Peter whispered, hoping to impress her as he let his fingertips run from the back of Sophie's neck down her spine until they rested dangerously atop her zipper.

Sophie gulped, wondering if he'd pull the zipper down. Half of her wished he would�but the other half wanted to go slower. Maybe Michaela had been right? Maybe they should wait now until they were married? It would only be a few more weeks. Once she said her vows, Sophie felt certain that Peter's trust in her would be absolute. Then she could return that trust by loving him just as completely. There would be no turning back for either of them.

If she didn't break away soon, Sophie knew all her resolve, as well as Michaela's good intentions, would be a waste. Still she couldn't bring herself to end the dance, or their provocative flirtation, quite yet. Deciding to live dangerously a while longer, Sophie smoothed Peter's hair softly behind his ear.

"So, why'd you stop?" she asked seductively, referring to his abandoned saxophone lessons.

In reply, Peter's laugh was part chuckle and part growl, low and raspy. His blue eyes sparkled so brightly that Sophie instantly knew she'd made a mistake in asking�.

Unable to stop himself, Peter brought his mouth to hers and answered devilishly, "Teacher told me I didn't have the lips for it�"

With a soft moan, Sophie let herself fall into his sensuous kiss.

God, she'd missed him so much! Missed his touch�missed his taste. Sophie's emotions were spiralling wildly. She felt Peter gently maneuvering her toward the counter and her heart leapt. At the same time, bells and whistles were going off in her head. She knew they were moving too fast. They should stop�but she didn't want him to stop�please, don't stop�.

Maybe Michaela was wrong, Sophie convinced herself, as she felt her body urging him to take his loving further�and further...

The loud honk of Alexander's car horn outside shot them both apart like gunfire. Sophie's lips were swollen, her face was flushed and her dress was decidedly crooked. Equally dazed, Peter's shirt was unbuttoned to the waist and he was covered in Sophie's red lipstick. They looked for all the world like two lovestruck teenagers caught in the act by exquisite parental timing.

For several seconds, they just stood there, stunned. Then, slowly, the absurdity of the situation prompted waves of laughter to overtake them. Lovingly, they collapsed into each other's arms, finding solace in a quick, consolation hug. Somewhat sheepishly, Sophie adjusted her dress and helped Peter wipe away the lipstick as he fumbled to rebutton his shirt.

Taking a few more minutes and several deep breaths, Peter put on his jacket and hoped he didn't look as embarrassed as he felt.

"Tell Dad I said goodnight?" Sophie bit her lip to keep from laughing again.

"Sure�" Peter shook his head in resignation.

"See you tomorrow," he added hopefully, praying their newfound closeness wouldn't disappear as easily as Cinderella's pumpkin.

"It's Saturday," Sophie reminded him, "I'm working on my Dad's flight crew for the air show."

Though he tried to hide it, the look of disappointment on Peter's face was more than Sophie could bear. Quickly she added, "Wanna come along?"

Alexander honked one more time, wondering if maybe the evening had gone better than he and Charity had ever anticipated, and perhaps he should just go back to the motel for the evening.

"See you at 7�" Peter grinned, giving her one last kiss as he flew out the door.

"Seven�." Sophie repeated gleefully as she closed the door behind him.

Awkwardly, Peter entered Alexander's rental car. Surmising that Alexander would be expecting some sort of report on how Charity's reconciliation plan had worked, Peter looked straight ahead and replied curtly, "It went well�"

Slyly, Alexander accepted Peter's abridged description of the evening's events and shifted the car into gear. Then, with similar directness, he handed Peter his handkerchief and instructed helpfully, "You missed a spot�"

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Replies:

Re: Say the Words - ch.36 -- dqfan, 07:41:34 03/26/03 Wed
- Re: Say the Words - ch.37 -- dqfan, 07:46:12 03/26/03 Wed
  - Re: Say the Words - ch.38 -- dqfan, 07:49:45 03/26/03 Wed
    - Re: Say the Words - ch.39 -- dqfan, 07:53:38 03/26/03 Wed
      - Re: Say the Words - ch.40 -- dqfan, 07:57:55 03/26/03 Wed