Can't Stop (Frusciante fan fic)

Part 39-We Should Be Thankful Who We Are

A/N: John with glasses, as he is in this chapter. I have a few more chapters written now that the house has cooled down enough to tolerate sitting and writing, stay tuned..

Ellie's POV

Dinner is a success overall. John is in vegetarian mode, though it seems not permanently, which is cool with me either way, because Sophia and I get the whole chicken to ourselves. Plus, he isn't self-righteous in the least like Aaron's stupid (ex?) girlfriend was to Sophie. If Aaron shows up with her in tow tomorrow, I'll be really pissed. A leopard never changes its' spots, like they say.

Sophia and John say nice things about how good the food is, probably just to make me feel better, but, I think I did a pretty decent job. I tell them to go play music for a while while I wash the dishes. Although I am definitely interested in anything John does musically, and to see how Sophia's playing improves, which I know it will, I tune them out for the most part so I can think about the future. I've been quiet, doing that since we arrived home.

Once I finish the dishes, I tell Sophia to take a shower and wash all the sand off of her. She grudgingly goes, leaving me alone with John.

John smiles at me, "I'll take a shower when she's done, El. Come sit with me." He pats the seat next to him on the couch. He wraps an arm around me as I sit next to him, and we have a moment of comfortable silence. I lean against him, not wanting to move, ever.

"John?" I ask, and before he can reply, I blurt out, "Can I tell you what I want to do with my parents' ashes?" Oh, God, like he really wants to know. I'm creeping myself out now. "Never mind, you don't have to answer that, John, forget I said anything, I'm sorry.."

"No, I want to hear. Tell me, Ellie," he says firmly, pulling me closer and looking me in the eyes. I've already put my foot in my mouth, so I suppose I have to say something. Linda told me I was a blithering idiot. I say takes it takes one to know one.

"Well, see, they were married in this church in Venice, a few blocks from the beach, even though they didn't live there, by Father Sheldon, a priest who drove a motorcycle and was a good friend to our family. They didn't want a big fancy wedding, but they loved Venice and wanted it to be somewhere nice. About 9 years later, Father Sheldon baptized me in my parents' backyard in Canoga Park."

"So, I want to bury their ashes in the same place they were married. And I want to find Father Sheldon and have him officiate. Linda says it's stupid and unrealistic, but I just love the idea of having them somewhere with meaning and beauty. I'm sorry, I know it's idiotic, you don't have to say.."

"Ellie, that's beautiful, I love it!" John says. He hugs me and looks up at the pictures of my parents. "I bet they would love it too. And they are so proud of you and Sophie. So, if you can find that old priest, or even if you can't.." He pauses.

"Oh, my God, so I'm not a total idiot?" I ask, wondering how much he is humoring me. "Not at all, Ellie. You should try to find that priest! And I have a suggestion you might find even more unusual.." This time, he pauses.

"If you ever do find that priest, or someone else, but it sounds really cool if you found Father Sheldon," he rambles a bit, "I would be honored to write the music for the service. If I'm allowed to, that is. I don't know what the rules in the Catholic Church are.."

I'm totally blown away that he wants to do something so special and intimate for us. "John, are you serious? I..I don't even know what to say. You're such an amazing person," I place my hand on his jaw and cheek and look him in the eyes.

"Of course I mean it, Ellie. They meant the world to you, and it's an understatement to say that I love writing music. You could have a nice ceremony for them in Venice. What do you think?" John leans over to kiss me before I can answer.