Into You

I ran, for Maggie

Ed and I made our way down the stairs and back into the kitchen where Maggie had finished up placing generous servings of her famous cherry pie.

We all sat and ate as Maggie riddled me on the past few years away from her. She clapped her hands together and eagerly looked to me saying, "So girly, where have you been staying? Is it nice? How are the people? Oh! And Lily, has she started-"

Eddie quickly interrupted her, holding onto her flailing arms, "Hey Miss Maggie," he looked into her eyes as he spoke with a calm voice and a twitch of a smile on his lips, "slow down or you'll choke on your own tongue. And then who'll make me more of this delicious pie?"

Maggie giggled and took in a breath placing her hand on her chest, "Of course, I'm sorry it's just I haven't seen you for so long and - oh you know how nosy I am. I just have to know everything!"

I chuckled at her silly antics. "It's fine Maggie. But err, we've been near the coast for a while now. It's quiet, but I like it. And Lil, she's due to start school next month... I'll have to start looking into the schools around here actually."

Ed looked up to me from his plate and pointed his fork at me as he quickly chewed and swallowed his pie. "If you want, I know the head of St Xavier. I could probably put in a good word for you. It's a good school and it's not too far from here."

I eagerly answered as I sat up right leaning closer to Ed, "Oh God, yes. I would absolutely love that! Thank you so much Ed!"

He shied away as he looked down to his pie, "Its no trouble. I'm just being helpful."

"Oh isn't that fabulous? Fantastic!" Maggie cheered joyfully. "Eddie baby, I know its late now, but would you be a dear and show my lovely little girly where the school is tomorrow?"

I quickly interjected, "Maggie its fine," I turned to Ed and shook my head as I spoke, "Seriously Ed, don't worry about it. I need to go into the diner anyway; Tina said that I could have my old job there back. I need to go clear up all of that - aaand,  you're gonna be busy fixing my car. I'll be fine."

Maggie looked at me sternly, a look I too had mastered and used frequently when Lily was being unreasonable or naughty. " You will go with him. End of discussion."

Maggie got up and started clearing up our plates, specifically my plate, which I had yet to finish.

"I'm not done yet." I said with a hint of disappointment in my voice as the heavenly plate was lifted over my head and the pie scraped into the bin.

"Yeah, well you are now."

Eddie laughed under his breath at the comical mother-daughter moment shared between Maggie and I. He soon stopped when I looked at him with a glare.

Ed spoke up and told Maggie that he'd better be off seeing as he had my car to collect and then would be spending the whole day tomorrow down at the garage.

Maggie turned to him, drying off her soapy hands and pulled his tall body down to her by the neck so that she could embrace him. An embrace he returned equally, albeit much more awkward due to his crouched back and bended knees.

"Alright, Eddie baby, I packed you some pie to take home. Make sure you don't eat it all at once." They both chuckled as Eddie pulled away, grasping the plastic tupperware which Maggie had left on the side.

"Chelsea, honey, will you see him out while I finish up here?" Maggie asked as she continued to soap up the dishes with a soapy sponge.

I looked up a bit shocked and quietly agreed. I walked back through the hallway leading Eddie out the large oak and  frosted glass door which stood atop the patio at the front of the house. We walked down the wooden steps leading out onto the farm land where Ed had parked his truck.

I stood awkwardly as we reached his car. Ed opened the door and placed the pie down. He turned to me and said, "Well...it was lovely to finally meet you, Chelsea. Even if it was in such damsel like circumstances."
We both laughed at that.

"Oh don't act like it didn't boost your ego." I teased.

He tilted his head to the side and raised his left brow as he chuckled. "Well I can't say that isn't true... But seriously, it was really nice to meet you."

I smiled up at him, "And you too, Ed. From what I've seen so far, you're a very lovely man."

His cheeks tinted, "Thanks."

The chill of the night began creeping in with a crisp wind which made my hair blow into my face. Ed instantly reached to move it away and tucked it behind my ear. I told myself that the shiver that came with his movement was purely from the cold and not due to the feel of his warm and rough fingers brushing against my skin.

Ed leaned down slowly and wrapped his strong arms around me in a hug. I was still for a second before I lifted my arms and wrapped them around his waist.

We stayed like that for a little longer than a normal hug, but both overlooked it. He pulled away removing the warmth from me. I rubbed my hands up and down my goosebump covered arms.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then, Ed."

He grinned at me boyishly, "I guess...Cece."

Ed jumped into his truck and drove away leaving literally only a trail of dust and an odd warmth in my chest: these feelings needed to stop. I had to lay low and most of all keep Lily safe. How could I do that with my mind filled with his touch?

I turned and swiftly began to walk back to the house mentally preparing myself for the day ahead. I would have to go back into the town that I had abruptly left behind. Go back to working in the diner. Back to being the town's gossip. Back to being Chelsea. I just hoped I was ready to face it all.

Whether I was ready or not, I had to keep going.