Can't Stop (Frusciante fan fic)

Part 42-Awaiting Life As Another Man

A/N: Perhaps not the best picture for this chapter, but it IS very different from John's life the past 12 years, so it works for me :)

Ellie's POV

John and I walk into the kitchen where Aaron and Sophia are standing silently, about 6 feet apart from each other. Sophia has tears in her eyes. She reaches out to hug John one last time.

She says "I love you, don't be a stranger," as he hugs her tightly and says, "I love you too Sophie. Your Mom is lucky to have you," he smiles. "She also has an idea she'll tell you about later." I presume he is talking about the (probably fantastical) ceremony for my late parents.

John surprisingly hugs Aaron too, though I suspect Aaron was rude to him. "John, I'm sorry about earlier. I'm enormously grateful to you and wish you and the whole band great success," Aaron manages. "I appreciate it, man," John says, patting him on the back.

John and I walk out the door to his car, which isn't far. At first we're completely silent, then our eyes meet as we stop not far from his car.

"Oh, my God, this is so hard," we both say to each other at the same time. "That's what she said," I say, unable to resist even though it's an line from "The Office" from eons ago. John still gets the joke and laughs. I imagine he's smart and doesn't watch much TV. He just pursues his passion for music and runs with it, which I have so much respect for.

"John," I say, "I owe you enormous gratitude and you have it from the bottom of my heart." I pause as we start walking again. "Marcia is a lucky woman," I blurt out. "I know you don't want to be a father, but you still would have been a great one, just seeing how kind you are to Sophia," I babble. "But none of my business, like you said, I hit the jackpot with the kid I had.."

"Yes, you did, love, and if it's true that we do pick our parents, Sophie chose extremely well. She loves you so much, and rightly so. And you know what?" he goes on. "Maybe both of you will find out she picked the right father too," he grins shyly. "But she is the luckiest kid in the world, regardless, Ellie," he pulls me toward him as we reach his car.

I start to tear up. "I love you and always will, John. I hope we can meet again over my parents' ashes. Oh, that sounds really morbid, I'm sorry," I laugh stupidly.

John smiles at me and drops his bag, and guitar, as he wraps his arms around me and kisses me on the lips, apparently not caring who sees us. "You know we will, Ellie," he replies. I lean up to kiss him again, unable to resist him. "I'm just glad you are in my life, for whatever time that might be." I can tell he's trying not to cry either. We both are emotional people.

"I love you too Ellie," he says as he pulls away. "And I love that little angel you created. I will call you when I get home safe, presuming I do," he suddenly looks scared. Both of us appear to be thinking of his driving and laugh shakily.

"You can do it, John! Just stay in the second to left lane all the way up the 5 and you'll be fine. I've done it many times before, just all the way up to Watsonville and Santa Cruz. Which is a 7-hour drive. You only have 2 hours to drive"

"If you say so, Ellie," he says, looking unnerved. "Go for it, John!" I encourage him and hug him quickly one more time. I put his guitar in the car, he puts his bag in the backseat, and I nod reluctantly for him to get in the driver's seat. "You got this John! The freeway is right up the street and it is your oyster. Text me when you get home safe!" He nods and closes the door.

As he pulls away, we both wave, him through his rearview mirror and me standing on the sidewalk. I'm trying to process that except for on the stage in Boston, I may never see this man again. I imagine his girlfriend is going to be furious at him. I hope she's not a trained martial artist who will kick his ass when he gets home. I smile faintly to myself because I know that regardless of how talented she is, she's not.