You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

Chapter 11

December 1958 (9 years later)

Chrissy drove her car anxiously through the fabulous streets of Beverly Hills, attempting to find Dean's and Jeanne's new home. They had finally moved away and Chrissy missed all of them dearly. Jamie missed them too, especially Dean, Craig, Dean Paul, and Ricci. After Noni had passed away suddenly, Dean begged Chrissy to come visit Beverly Hills. So Chrissy saved up all of her vacation time at work for the ultimate road trip. 

"Mama?"

"Yes, honey?"

"Do you think they all remember me?"

"Of course, Jamie! It's only been two years and I'm sure they can't wait to see you!"

"I miss Uncle Dino."

"I know you do, honey. He misses you too."

Finally, Chrissy pulled into a driveway and saw Dino sitting on the front porch. Both her and Jamie nearly jumped out of the car and ran to him. Dino picked up Jamie, "Hey, sport! I missed you."

Jamie wiped his eyes, and Chrissy began to tear up at her son's sudden emotions, "I missed you, Uncle Dino!" He buried his head in Dino's neck, so no one could see the few tears falling from his eyes.

"Chrissy, you look..."

"Two years older?" She joked.

"No, really. You look great."

Chrissy blushed, "Well, where's everyone at? Where's that brand new baby?"

"See, I might have fibbed a bit. My house is about ten minutes from here."

"Well then, where are we?"

"Your house..."

"What?" Chrissy gasped.

"Jamie," Dino set him down, "Go inside and find your room. It's the one that's fit for a cowboy." Jamie squealed with delight and ran inside. Chrissy began to speak, and Dino put a hand up, "Now you listen to me. You told me I could pay you back one day and buy you a mansion..."

"Dean, that was a joke."

"Joke or no joke. I owe you one. Not to mention I'm going to have a little Italian woman haunting me if I don't take care of you. Your Noni called me a few weeks before she died, and thanked me for a bouquet I sent her for Mother's Day, and she made me promise that I would look after you. That's one hell of a job when you're on the other side of the country. Not to mention, there's Jamie."

Chrissy was still surprised and stared at him, "Huh?"

"In a few years, little Jamie is going to be a man and while you are a wonderful mother, he needs a man in his life that he can talk to about chicks and all the weird things that happen at puberty. And if that's not enough there's you."

"Me? What?" Chrissy didn't realize that tears were sliding down her cheeks.

Dean pulled her inside the house and wiped some tears away with his thumb. "Chrissy, you cared for me and my kids when there was no one else. No one else said I'd make it big or supported me. You're the only friend I've ever had that's stuck by me. You liked me when I was flat broke. You're one hell of a pal, and I need to know that you're safe."

"But..."

"I know you can take care of yourself and Jamie, but if one of you would get sick or your car would break down, you're all alone now. I can't stand it."

Chrissy was stunned and couldn't speak. She stared at Dean for a few minutes before Jamie came running into the corridor, "Mama!! You have to see my room! There's pictures of cowboys! The Duke wrote me a message!"

Chrissy followed Jamie into his new room where there were posters of all sorts of cowboys and western films. Most prominently displayed was a poster for Dean's upcoming picture Rio Bravo autographed with special messages from John Wayne, Ricky Nelson, and Dino himself.

"To a special pilgrim, ride high, Jamie!- The Duke."

"Jamie, be good and enjoy the picture- Ricky Nelson."

Chrissy felt her breath hitch when she read Dean's message to Jamie, "For my favorite sport- I'll love you forever, Uncle Dino."

Dean tackled Jamie onto his new bed, "What do you think, sport? Do you want to live here?"

"Mama? Can we?"

"If you won't miss you friends too much, then we can stay. Dean, I need a job though."

"We'll discuss more later. For now, let's get in the car and go see the rest of the gang."

Jamie ran ahead of Dean and Chrissy toward Dean's car, "Dean," Chrissy stopped him, "Thank you."