Hidden River

I'll Stay

Freddy

I don't have to ask what she means, I know. I can feel her heart pounding in her chest.. I can't imagine what it must be like for her right now. Everything has collided. I want the world for her it's as simple as that, but I don't have the first clue how to give it to her. I wrap my arms around her hoping it will give her courage, it seems to work. She takes a deep breath as if preparing for a deep sea dive, I suppose in a way it is.

"I was driving we, where coming over the crest in a blizzard and... well the report said that it wasn't my fault but... the vehicle started to slip... I panicked I...There was a man there he tried to help but it was too late. There was nothing anyone could do."

"Alisa?" She nods "What did your mom tell you?"

"The man that tried to help, he bought the farm on the other side of the mountain, he and mom are dating."

I couldn't help but gasp, how else can I react? "What?"

Alisa nods "Yeah, when my Dad and I were trapped in the truck. He got the ambulance, I guess he... I don't know it's... I don't know how I feel about it all."

"That's intense"

Alisa agrees "I know"

Alisa

He does what he always does, he holds me close and asks a generous ask. "What can I do?"

I say what I have always feared saying most "Just stay with me."

"Of course. I was thinking... Why don't we go riding tomorrow?"

I nod at his suggestion "Yeah, I can show you dad's cabin." For the first time since we met I let myself fall asleep content.

Michael Outside The Book

The sun rises over the landscape as the house wakes up. Alisa and Freddy go up to the stables, saddle some horses and ride up the mountain. I throw stardust and snow on the land and paint the sky hanging the tree branches with ornaments and candy canes. Alisa and Freddy arrive at a cabin situated at the top of a small rolling range. They light a fire, cook a small meal and talk.

Freddy

"My dad built this place for my mom." She informs me

I nod "It's nice"

She sighs a bit sad "It is."

I gaze at her and for the first time since we met she returns the look without apprehension "Ali?"

"Yeah" She continues to look me in the eye.

I hold my breath and gather my courage "I want to ask you something."

My breath is caught in my throat "I've been thinking a lot lately... A lot about us I mean..."

"Freddy?"

"I heard what you said before, but that was a while ago... and I love you... I love you so much." I push ahead, I have to say it.

"Freddy" She is pushing the tears out of her throat "I'm so scared and all the stuff that's happened. I just"

I stop and wait "Is anything certain? I think. My parent's relationship is a mess and there are so many things to be afraid of in the world. I think when you find someone that you can really be yourself with you do everything you can to share your life with them, whatever it takes."

Alisa

He gets down on one knee "Marry me Ali"

"What?" It's all I can say my heart has jumped into my throat.

"I mean it. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Freddy I'm terrified but... Yes, I will"

Michael Outside The Book

I write to Michael Inside The Book's room telling him to take a leaf from a branch and throw it. He does what I write and the leaf gets gets stuck in the side of the cabin wall. Alisa and Freddy walk through the portal onto Michael Inside The Book's viewing deck. He picks another leaf and at my instruction he throws it to the ground inside the page. We all watch Alisa's parents interact: meeting on the mountain, eating a meal, getting married having Ali, etc.

Alisa

As I watch I realize that my mom never really loved my dad and now that I have gotten a bird's eye view of the whole situation, I can't help but resent them both. My mom for marrying him and my dad for settling for anything less than a great love. It was clear that he knew she didn't love him, but he chose to marry her anyway then he allowed his anger and disappointment to isolate her. No wonder she always kept me at arms length, I probably would have too. I represented all that she didn't have. I was his best friend when it should have been her that he looked after. I don't know what I'm going to say to her now that I know. From how she spoke of him I think Ryan makes her happy which I'm glad for.

Freddy

It took us some time to get here but I am so thankful that my fiancé loves me with every part of her heart. She has chosen me not out duty but just because she loves me and wants to be with me the rest of her life. I can't help but smile, I'm engaged to the most amazing person I know... I can wrap my mind around it, but wow!! Looking over at her right now I can see that she's having a hard time processing this.

Alisa

As usual he's already holding me, but he pulls me in even closer. I can feel tears welling up in my eyes... we stay like this for... well I'm not sure how long then we finally reluctantly relinquish our embrace. We ride down the mountain together to the stables then we walk back to the house. Ryan has come over while we where on the mountain.

Freddy

We all gather for dinner, once they have settled for the meal I lean over and whisper in Alisa's ear.

"Should we tell them now?" She nods.

I stand up and all the meal time chatter stops "Ali and I have an announcement to make, we're engaged."

Elenor smiles like a cat in cream "Why don't you get married while you're here?"

"Mom that crazy... I mean..." Alisa pauses.

"Why not?" I chide softly, a grin spreads across her face

"Okay then, sure."

After dinner everyone makes their way to bed. Alisa pauses to see Ryan and her mom say goodbye and embracing in a passionate kiss at the door. She takes in a sharp breath then turns up the stairs and we both walk up together. For the first time I dare to kiss her on the lips and she bends willingly into my embrace.

"You ready?" She nods.

"So ready, I'm sorry it took me so long."

I shake my head "I forgave you for everything a long time ago, I love you"

"I love you too. Let's get some sleep." We go to our respective rooms.

---

The sun rises over the landscape as the house wakes up. Elenor wakes Alisa up and they get ready for the wedding. Almost everyone from the theater company comes. They eat and dance and have a general good time. Alisa and Freddy escape the party well into the night. Alisa and Freddy walk up the stairs.

Michael Outside The Book

They head to Scotland of all places the mother of the bride all too happy to keep the sunshine child. On the happy couple’s departure the mother says that she refuses to allow them to go without giving the poor infant a name. Since sunshine can't be all she’s called they finally land on Solana Ciara Black did I have a hand in this name? I'll never say though you probably can guess.

Freddy

It's the middle of the night and for the third time Alisa is rising from the bed.

"Alisa?" She stops mid room

"I'm sorry I was trying to be quite"

"I can't sleep without you Angel. Alisa..."

"Yes?"

"Are you pregnant?" I can hear her gasp laugh a little and cough.

"Maybe"

"Good she needs a sibling"

Michael Outside The Book

I write on the wall of their room upstairs.

---

One, two, three, four

It's classic but to knock on the door

One, two, three boys to expect

but the fourth is hidden a girl that's full of mischief I get

That for now is it and all this is the final call

-The End-