Always On My Mind

Part 16

September 22nd, 1957

The day had quickly approached and practically blindsided you. E was finally shipping off from New York and then sailing to Germany for the next two years if not longer. You almost refused to accompany him and even refused the Colonel, but Elvis in his cute, persuasive way got you to cave and there you were on a plane sitting next to him and across from Red, Sonny, and Lamar, about to land in New York. Even sitting across from Sonny had you feeling uneasy, despite Elvis's lack of knowledge of your feelings. Still, the time had to be now to tell him or at least to let him know you needed to explore your options, despite how much you loved him. You had to try to have a life outside of Elvis. As the plane finally met the ground the guys immediately went into action to get all of his things, leaving you still sitting next to Elvis, the perfect opportunity, you just hated that it had to be here in a plane with so much going on around you instead of in a more private setting. "I hate you for making me come. I hope you know." You admit. "You love me. Don't worry though, I'll be back before you know it." He smirked and patted your hand which gripped the arm rest. "Hey, don't be mad please. I can't bare to leave you on bad terms baby." He said rubbing a finger on the top of your hand, sending shivers down your spine. "What am I supposed to do while you're gone? Just sit and wait? I have to do something with my life while you're away." You said, almost shocked at how honest and open you were being. "I know. The Colonel told me he'd have some work for you." Elvis said trying to reassure you. "What if I want to find work myself? What if I want to go on with my life and explore new places and people and try new things and..." Elvis took his hand back, catching your wording. "New people? Y/n, you mean you wanna see someone? Well I don't care who you go to fuck." He said, his words catching you off guard. You turn in your seat and give him your stern motherly look. "Now don't go gettin mad at me Elvis Presley. We've never been truly exclusive and you know damn well you wanna be free to do as you please in a foreign country." You lecture. "Yeah, but you're supposed to be here for me." He said, clearly upset and frustrated by your own wants. "I will be Elvis, as your best friend I'll always be here, but I'd really like to be able to be on someone's arm without worrying about reputations or mobs." You say. His head drops. Even he knew you couldn't do that. At least not since his fame skyrocketed and certainly not now. "Goddamnit." He muttered. "E, you don't have to be mad. It's not like much is gonna change. I promise." You say. "But everything's already changed...and with mama gone.." His voice broke. He was still mourning and it hurt you knowing he still had to leave with still so much pain left unhealed. "I know E. I know. I'll be here though. I'm here now and I'll be here when you get back. I promise." You say and go to squeeze his hand. He squeezes back and gives a small smile. "You've been a constant since diapers, wittle darlin." He lifts your hand and kisses it softly. "Thank you for coming." He smiles kindly and starts leaning in. You hear several pairs of feet climbing the stairs to the plane again and quickly adjust yourself away from Elvis. Sonny and Red walk in followed by Vernon and Lamar. "Son, they're ready for you." Vernon said. Elvis nodded and looked over at you and gives you a nod and stands up. "Need anything else man?" Sonny asks. "Naw, I'm good. Just y/n's photography skills." Elvis gives you a wink and Sonny catches it and frowns slightly. God, you really loved Elvis, but you really needed to see if going with Sonny would be better for you. You made a mental note to talk to Sonny later. You stand up and grab your camera and bag from the overhead bin and follow Elvis and Vernon out of the plane and down the stairs. You could hear the roar of the crow before you even stepped outside and it looked like thousands were there to bid farewell to Elvis as well. "Get a good one for me, baby." He smiles and gives you a quick peck on the cheek before making his way to the boat, but ensuring to turn and give a good pose, practically looking you dead in the eyes. You fumble with your camera and snap the photo quickly.

The second the camera flashes was the second Elvis was stepped away and through the crowd. You could only see the top of his hat as he Vernon, and the Colonel follow him up to the boat's long plank. You take in the moments you have before he all but disappears from view and make your way through the sea of people, still waving snd screaming. You're almost to the plane when a bigger crowd of girls rushes towards you. This was it. You would die by trample. You brace for the impact but instead feel arms wrap around you, as you're practically picked up and brought up the stairs of the plane. You're finally released. Your breaths come quick and heavy as you realize your near escape from the stampede and finally collapse in the closest chair. "You okay, y/n?" Sonny's voice brought you back to reality and you realize it was him that practically saved your life. "Damn Sonny, you got there just in time! Thank you!" He chuckles at your colorful language and comes to sit next to you. "No problem. It's what I'm here for." He gives you a smile. Small butterflies stir in your stomach. "Sonny, seriously thank you." You smile and reach to hold his hand. His hand is strong and rough from the manual labor he had grown up doing on his family's land and from. Protecting Elvis recently alongside his brother. "You know I'm not with Elvis...right?" You say, knowing now was better than ever to finally come clean and move towards your goals of a life of your own. "Well, now I do. I just always thought...well I don't know. E.P is a bit confusin sometimes." He says and chuckles. You giggle, knowingly. "Oh lord do I know that. But yeah, no he's just my best friend. We've been there for each other since the school yard." You reassure and Sonny nods. "That's good. You're a great person." He smiles. "I try to be." You say and continue to hold Sonny's hand for the next hour until we heard who could only have been Vernon and Lamar making their way back to the plane. After all was said and done you had seen Elvis off for who knows how long and you had finally took the first step in pursing a new relationship.

October 15th, 1957

You had just finished applying your makeup and last touches as you readied yourself for your date in front of the mirror in the downstairs hall, as you were still staying at Graceland. "Knock, knock!" A voice that made you smile came from the door. "Hey handsome!" You smile and turn to see Sonny dressed in a suit, his longer hair slightly combed, but still messy enough to have a rather manly look to it. You go to him and he scoops you up. "There she is. Damn do you look great tonight!" He smiles, looking you up and down and gives you a rather passionate kiss. You giggle and pull back. "Careful, Vernon is upstairs in the office." You say and smile naughtily. He chuckles. "Speaking of I know you and Vernon would love to see this." He swings a newspaper out from behind him and hands it to you. You open it revealing none other than Elvis on the front. It was a very sweet article about his life in Germany so far.

It hadn't been long, but you did still miss him. "This is recent?" You say, skimming through the rest of the page. "Hot off the press." He said. "Thanks Sonny. I'll make sure Vernon gets this too." You place the newspaper on the small table under the mirror and fluff your dress. "Until then, I'm ready." You smile and Sonny holds out an arm for you. You take it and follow him out to his car, a beautiful black 57 Lincoln. He opens the door for you. "Madam." He says and you smile and take your seat inside. You enjoyed your dates with Sonny. He was always a gentleman, q great kisser, and you never had to worry about being mobbed while being out and about, but a small part of you had a longing for one other person...that no matter how hard you tried just wouldn't go away. But you tried and you would continue to try. Besides, he probably didn't pay any mind to you while he was away.

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(Authors note: apologies for being MIA. I just got back from Graceland! 😁 I have so much inspiration so fear not there will be plenty more coming soon!)