A Second Chance at Love

Chapter 12 - I'm sure it will be a beautiful love story

ENJOY!!!

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~ Chapter 12 – I'm sure it will be a beautiful love story ~

At about three o'clock, the girls left for the hour-long drive back to town. On the way, they discussed the things that they would bring to the picnic the following day.

"What about chicken sandwiches and some fruit juice." Angie was saying. She was driving her red Lexus RX, not really concentrating on the road. She occasionally swerved from left to right.

"You're such a reckless driver!" Ellie exclaimed while checking on Amber to make sure that she was properly secured in her car seat, "How you made it home all these times, I still ask myself! Watch it!" She screeched as she turned to the front to see a truck heading straight for them.

Angie swerved to the right, bringing the car back to its initial lane. "I've good reflex, that's how I make it!" she said proudly.

"If you drove carefully then you wouldn't have to use your reflex that often", Ellie replied matter of factly, rolling her eyes.

Angie thought about it for a moment then shrugged nonchalantly, "I could! But where's the fun in that!" she said lifting her arms in the air, taking her hands off the stirring wheel.

"Angie!" Ellie screeched as the car zigzagged, "Keep your hands on the wheel! I swear to God I'm never going to travel with you behind the wheel again. Next time I'm driving!" Ellie said, praying to God that they make it home safe and sound.

"Oh chillax, will you!" Angie exclaimed rolling her eyes in exasperation, "live a little!"

"I've got to make it out alive first don't you think?" Ellie said, annoyed at her friend's immaturity. On top of that Amber was with them!

"Mummy, will you take me to the park?" Amber's little voice interrupted the adult's argument.

"We'll see darling," Ellie said, trying to hide her nervousness as she anxiously watched Angie drive.

"But mummy, you pwomised that we'll go!" the little girl whined.

"Okay, okay, we'll go," Ellie said quickly, wanting to make as little noise as possible so as not to disrupt Angie. "Can you leave us at the park please?" She glanced at Angie to get an answer and found the latter concentrating hard. Eyes focused and hands gripping the wheel.

Maybe she learned her lesson, Ellie thought.

They finally made it to the park at around four and Ellie and Amber went straight to the playground. Ellie always thought that this was the perfect time of the day to be out in the open. The sun does not shine directly on them and Amber does not tire quickly. It's also more pleasurable to write under the shade of a tree.

As Amber ran to the colorful slide, Ellie made her way to her favorite bench under the big tree, from where she could see the whole playground. She made herself comfortable, getting her blue notebook and pen out, letting the sound of children's laughter bring her to her happy place as she started writing away.

"Hey," the sound of a voice close to her made her jump. She looked up to find Matthew staring down at her with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you," he added sitting down beside her.

"It's alright, I hardly ever notice anything around me when I write," she chuckled motioning her notebook. "Angie always complains about it," she said with a small smile.

"You know, you never told me what you write," Matthew said with a smile making Ellie's heart flutter.

"I'm writing a novel," Ellie replied. After a glance at Matthew's expectant gaze, she added, "a love story", she added shyly.

Matt looked at the blush creeping up her cheeks. She wouldn't be blushing of she didn't like me right? Matt thought, feeling the hope rise in his chest.

"Uh-huh?" He said encouragingly. In truth, he had no idea what to say and so hoped that she will keep talking,

"It's my parents' love story," Ellie elaborated, her eyes getting a little shiny, as tears pool at the edges. "I'm recreating their first meeting and all that and turning it into a story. It's my way of keeping them alive," she added quietly.

She looked so vulnerable when she mentioned her parents that Matthew has found himself lost for words. A protective part of him made him want to take her into his arms and make her pain go away. A selfish part of him wanted her to start crying so that he would have an excuse to hold her close.

As if fate was on his side, she looked up at him as the tears start to overflow and ran slowly on her cheeks.

"And you know what's sad?" she asked rhetorically, "they never got the chance to relate their story to me. Everything that I know about their story is what Helena told me. And even then she didn't know all of it!" she said, the tears were now streaming down her face and she did nothing to hold them back. It was the first time that she confides in someone about her frustrations regarding her book.

Matt let his impulsion guide him as he stretches his arm to her and drawing her to him, bringing her the comfort that she needed.

As her tears subsided, Ellie pulled away from him with a grateful smile as she tried to wipe her tears away with the back of her hand, cursing herself for forgetting to carry a handkerchief.

"You know." Matt said after a few moments of silence, only disturbed by Ellie's occasional hiccups. He dug in his pockets for his handkerchief and handed it to her. "I find it very brave of you to do this. You don't have any personal memories, yet you try your best to make it real. You recreate something that happened years ago from your own imagination and research. I'm sure that it will be a beautiful love story." He finished with a reassuring smile.

Upon hearing Mathew's words, Ellie slowly lifted her eyes to look at him, dabbing her eyes with his handkerchief. It smelt quite good too, she noted.

"Thank you, Matthew," she murmured. "I'm sorry for breaking down like this." She added embarrassed.

Matthew felt a smile creep up his lips. He stretched his hand to wipe a fresh tear from her left cheek and looked in her eyes.

"It's no problem" he replied with a shrug. "You can tell me anything you want. I'll always be willing to listen and if needed, comfort you. Alright?" He stared deep in her eyes, wanting to make her see his sincerity.

Ellie slowly nodded, looking back into her eyes. Matthew felt his heart constrict. Even with red, puffy eyes, Ellie looked beautiful and the will to have her in his life doubled.

"Thank you," he gave him a small smile before a look crossed her face. She narrowed her eyes at him, "is it I or you are always in the park when I am? Are you stalking me?" She teased him.