Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 03:34:21 -0400
From: Secret Dreamer <quillfairy4@hotmail.com>
Subject: Fall Down and Smile - 17

Props to my home fry Dan for 'fluencing the fallin' chaptah.  What up boy-ee!

Note: I will no longer be replying to e-mails sent to dreamsecret.  I do
still check it every few days just to see if there is anything.  But
pleeeaasseeee e-mail me , from now on , at the e-mail below.  Thanks!

This is a cute chapter in my opinion.  Dawn and Iya are cute.  Iya does the
'Mom' thing.  Jonathan and Iya are cute.  It's just a really cute chapter
:-D.  But whatever.  I really hope you guys like it.  See, it didn't take
as long to get this one out.  I'm getting better *grins*. I hope every one
likes it.

.email <quillfairy4@hotmail.com>
.website <http://envy.nu/poisonthorns>
.aol im <FairyoftheQuill>
.other stuff <ask :)>


Chapter 17
"Take a Picture"

	Dawn pattered around the bedroom.  "I'm not sure this is such a
good idea.  Can't you just teach me?"

	"What are you worried about?"

	"I don't know. I just, I feel weird about doing this in front of
other people."

	"It's natural and it'll help you."

	"I know it will.  But can't you just teach me?  You know how to do
it.  I don't think it's something you really forget."

	"The next thing you're going to tell me is that you don't want to
give birth in front of anyone and you'll want me to deliver Tali."

	She stared sheepishly at the floor.  "Well..."

	"No. No no no no.  I don't have the training for that.  I'm sorry
if it makes you uncomfortable but I can't do it," I walked over to her and
clasped her hands in mine.  "It can just be you, me, and the mid-wife but
there has to be someone there who knows what they're doing."

	"James can be there.  I want him to be there.  I mean, if he wants
to be there," she sighed.  "I'm just really nervous about this.  I mean,
this is big.  I-I."

	I wrapped my arms tightly around her.  "Shh.  Everything is going
to be alright, honey.  I promise.  I found some names in the phone book, of
mid-wives, and we'll start calling tomorrow."

	She smiled up at me and rested her head on my shoulder.  "I love
you," she sighed.

	"I love you, too.  Now, come on or we'll be late for our Lamaze
class."

	She sighed and grumbled as I pulled her out the door.

*******

I feel like a newborn

	Over the next couple of weeks, Andrew DuMont would come down the
beach with his gardening tools.  Leaving each day with more progress done
in the small flower garden up front and saying he'd be back soon.

	Although, I missed the time I could've been spending with Dawn,
seeing her face filled with pride and satisfied exhaustion made all the
difference.  She would sit down on the couch and tell me everything while I
massaged her aching feet.

	Peaches would curl up on Dawn's swollen belly until 3:10 when
James' bus came down the road and he would burst in with a tremendous
smile.  She would follow him around until he picked her up and scratched
her chin and the spot just above her tail.

	I didn't think life could get any better.

*******

Take my picture

	I hummed to myself and walked through the bedroom to the adjourning
bathroom.  Peering in, I grinned.  Dawn stood naked in front of the mirror,
happily brushing out her shining blonde hair after being in the bathtub.
It still amazes me how quickly her hair grows.  It was already past her
shoulders.  I tiptoed away and grabbed my camera from the night stand,
checked the film dial and snapped a few pictures of her.  Her belly
protruded forward in a way that was more beautiful than anything I'd ever
seen in my life.

	She turned to me and blushed.  "What are you doing?"

	"Taking your picture," I replied softly, smiling at her and
snapping a few more pictures. "I figure we can put them in Tali's baby
book."

	She turned away, her hair covering her blushing cheeks.

	This made for an even better picture and I quickly captured it.
"You're beautiful," I said, setting it down and wrapped my arms around her
shoulders.  "I love you."

	She leaned against me and sighed, closing her eyes and rocking us
back and forth.  "I love you, too, Iya.  More than anything."

	We embraced in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying each others
company.  James' had already left for school, so we had the whole house to
ourselves.

	"Iya?"

	"Hmm?"

	"Thank you for understanding about the garden.  I know it's been
monopolizing my time but it means so much to me.  I missed the feeling of
dirt between my fingers."

	I smiled and kissed her cheek.  "You're my girl and I want you to
be happy."

	She turned and wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me deeply.
"I'll always be your girl."

	"I'm going to hold you to that," I told her.

	"I'm counting on it."

*******

I feel so real

	I left her to do her Dawn things and sauntered down the stairs to
start my tea.  I'd gone to making it after James' had left so I could spend
the morning to help him get ready.  He was sometimes hard to get out of bed
even though he couldn't wait to go back when he came home.  Funny that.

	I put the mug in the microwave and looked around for something to
have for breakfast when there was a tapping on the glass door.  I looked
out and waved at Andrew to come in.

	"Good morning," he grinned, sitting down at the table.

	"Morning.  Dawn is shooting today so she won't be around," I
reminded him, taking my hot water and placing the tea bag in it.

	"I know.  I figured that since I'm taking your girlfriend from you,
I should take you from her for a few hours."  He sat down at the table.

	I laughed.  "I suppose that's fair.  At least she won't worry about
me being alone all day."

	"She worries?"

	I nodded.  "She doesn't know that I know.  But I see the look in
her eyes.  Ever since Donny died."

	He scrunched up his forehead.  "Who was Donny?"

	I sighed and relayed the story.

	He stared at me.

	"What?"

	"I'm sorry," he whispered.  "My wife died a few years ago so I know
what you're going through."

	I smiled shyly as Dawn pattered down the stairs.

	"Hi Andrew," she grinned and hugged him.  She leaned over and
kissed me deeply.  "I have to go.  I'm late.  I'll be home around 7 or 8.
I'll call if it's any later, promise."

	I kissed her back.  "Take a bagel. I love you."

	She grinned, took one from the bread box and kissed me again.  "I
don't know what I'd do without you watching over me.  I love you, too.
Bye.  Bye Andrew," and she whisked out the door.

	I chuckled and sipped my tea.  "Just a month or two more and the
movie will be done and she can finally relax," I sighed.

	"You don't like her working?" he asked.

	"It makes her happy.  But it worries me that she's working so far
into the pregnancy.  I know there's no danger, I'm just a paranoid
girlfriend."

	He nodded and stroked his newly formed goatee in deep
thought. "Hey, you want to go out and do something?  My treat."

	"That'd be great.  There's some stuff I need to pick up anyway."

	"Anything interesting?"

	"Books and music."

	"Oohh.  Bookstore!" he grinned and did, what I guess you could
call, a dance.

	I peered at him.  "Are you sure you're 54?"

	He just laughed.

********

I don't believe in

	"You're an okay guy," I laughed, licking the ice cream from my
face.

	"You're not so bad yourself, Miss Moon," Andrew grinned, wrinkling
his nose as the cone hit his lower lip.  He chuckled and brushed it off
with a napkin.  "So what do you do for a living?"

	"I'm a writer."

	"Really?  Anything published?"

	I laughed.  "I wish!  I'm working on it though."

	"No no.  The secret is networking.  Say, if you had a friend who
already had a plethora of people in the circle to pass along your stuff."

	"Uh huh.  I don't know anyone like that."

	"Sure you do," he grinned.  "Me."

	"You?"  I laughed loudly.  "You have connections?" I teased.

	He nodded.  "Quite a few and they owe me a few favors."

	"What are you suggesting?"

	"I'm saying," he emphasized. "That we take a little walk across the
street, fire up your laptop, and print out a copy of your manuscript for my
friend to take a look at."

	"Are you serious?"

	He shrugged.  "It's the least I can do since you're letting me
borrow Dawn."

	I shook my head. "What you do is send a card or, or just thank
them.  Not give them the opportunity they've been dreaming about since they
were 5." I protested.

	He chuckled.  "That sounds better than a card, in my opinion."

	I grabbed his arm as he started across the street.  "Andrew, why
are you doing this? Really."

	He draped his arm around my shoulder loosely.  "My wife and I, we
never had kids.  But we always wanted to have two daughters."

	"And since Dawn and I are in the proximity of an age where you
could be our father..."

	He nodded.  "I'm sorry if it sounds creepy.  It was just so easy to
befriend both of you.  And it's taken me a few weeks to get up the courage
to introduce myself.  Didn't want you to think I was some dirty old man."

	I smiled up at him.  "It's not creepy.  I understand.  When my
daughter died and I left for school, I met a woman with a daughter about
the age Hazel would've been.  I kind of treated her like a niece.  Spoiling
her if I could.  Taking her to the park."

	"Thank you for understanding."

	"No problem.  But I can't let you do this.  I need to get a
contract on my own."

	He held up his hands.  "Whoa.  You will.  I'm just giving you the
audience, you've gotta sell yourself, so to speak."

	"So their decision won't be affected by their relationship with
you?"

	"No a bit."

	I bit my lip.  I would be a complete idiot to turn down this offer.
This could be my moment.  I nodded.  "Okay.  Let's go."

	He smiled broadly.  "Great.  We may have to do some schmoozing to
get up to his office.  I'm not sure if he's in or not but don't worry.
Just let me lead."

	I nodded, in a slight daze of the situation.

	"Is your novel on a disk or will we need to print it out?"  He
asked as he lead me across the street.

	"I can download it onto a disk," I managed to mutter out.

	"Good.  Good," he opened the door and had to push me inside.
"Don't be nervous.  They smell fear," he growled in his throat and wiggled
his eyebrows as we boarded the elevator.

	I giggled behind my hand.  My nerves were loosening up with the
distraction.  If only I could keep myself from twisting this piece of hair.

	He smiled when the doors opened and walked up to a receptionists'
desk.  "Hello.  Is Mr. Finch in?"

	The secretary didn't even look up from where she was busily
typing. "I'm sorry, sir, but Mr. Finch is in a conference and he has
instructed me not to let anyone in to see him."

	"Can you tell me when he'll be finished?"

	"In a few hours, it's a very important conference," she said
matter-of-factly and continued typing into the computer.

	Andrew wrinkled his forehead.  "Well, I've got some new talent for
him and I know that he doesn't like it to slip through his fingers.  If you
could just page him and tell him Andrew DuMont is here to see him, I would
be eternally grateful."

	"Mr. DuMont, I have explicit instructions not to let any-"

	"-Andy!"

	We both turned around and Andrew smiled brightly.  Mr. Finch was a
portly man with graying hair and a very 'grandfather' look to him.  The two
hugged tightly with a manly pat on the back.

	"What are you doing here?"  He laughed, a dimple showing in his
right cheek.

	Andrew stepped aside and pulled me forward.  "This, my dear man, is
Iya Moon."

	"Hello Miss Moon," he shook my hand.  "What can I do for you?"

	"Actually, Ian, this is kind of a thank-you present for Iya.  I've
been borrowing her fiancˇe for the past few weeks to work on a garden
and I wanted to show her my gratitude."

	Mr. Finch, Ian, chuckled.  "You and your gardens, Andy.  What do
you do, Iya?"

	Somewhere, I found a very strong, professional voice inside me and
blurted out.  "I'm a writer."

	He scratched his chin.  "Would I've seen your work anywhere?"

	"Probably not, sir.  Usually I just write for myself and for a few
friends."

	"Call me Ian.  Well, if you've got something I'll gladly take a
look at it since your Andy's personal pick.  I can't make any promises.  I
make it a point not to let my friendships interfere with my clients.  If
they should be here, they'll prove it on their own."

	"Thank you," I sighed with relief.  "I was kind of worried about
that."

	He motioned up to follow him into his office.  "You don't like
free-bees?"

	"Well, I do but not when it involves something like a career or
anything completely life-changing. I'd like to make sure I'm not handed
anything on a silver platter."

	"Really?" he inquired, sitting behind a desk.  "I would think you'd
love to be handed something with no consequences."

	"But there are consequences.  No matter where, somewhere there's a
consequence.  And plus, silver platters need to be polished too often and I
don't have that kind of time."

	Ian laughed loudly.  "Wonderful!  Sit, sit and show me your stuff."

	I grinned and took my laptop from my bag.  "You'll have to excuse
this.  I wasn't aware that we would be coming here."

	He laughed again.  "No worries.  I'm free all afternoon so take
your time."

	I checked my watch as I booted up the computer.  11:55.  "There are
a series of examples I have.  Shorts, a novel, novellas."

	"Let's start with a short and work it from there.  I'll just read
it from the computer."

	I nodded and typed in my passwords and opened the first file.  He
took the laptop and set it on his desk.  I was a bundle of nerves.

*******

My skin is bare

	After the short story, he wanted to read another one but with a
different style.  Then a few chapters of a novella.  Throughout all of this
he kept a very straight face which was driving me nuts.  My heart was
nearly beating out of my chest.  I was sure I was sweating like a pig.

	Andrew sat on the windowsill, swinging his legs and staring out of
the window.  He just kept smiling and smiling.  At least one of us was
calm.  I checked my watch. 1:40.

	Ian looked up from the computer and handed it back to me.  "I
really like what you're doing.  You're style is different.  Very straight
forward, I like that.  You don't dance around but you put in detail.  Now,
I need to give a copy to some of my colleagues but in my opinion, welcome
to the family."

	I think I fainted.  Or maybe I just don't remember much of what
happened after that.  Andrew swung me around the room and clapped Ian on
the back.  They printed out 5 copies of the novella and had them sent to
the other offices immediately.  I still couldn't talk.

	"Do you need to call anyone?"  Ian asked.  "I'd like you to stay
until the rest of them have read it and we have a final answer for you."

	2:00.  Had to be home in an hour.  This could wait.  "I have to be
home at 3, my son gets home around 3:10 and."

	He held up his hand.  "Say no more.  I have kids and grandkids of
my own. I understand.  How old is he?"

	"He's almost 6."

	"Well, why don't you give me your number and I'll call you as soon
as I have something for you."

	I still couldn't breath very well but I nodded.  This was too
unreal.  "Thank you.  Thank you so much."

	He chuckled.  "Don't thank me.  Thank Andrew.  He's the one who
made you come here."

	I blushed and let Andrew push me from the room.

	"I'll call you later, Ian.  We'll do lunch sometime."

	I didn't hear the reply.  I don't even know if he actually said
anything.  As soon was the door was closed, I launched myself onto Andrew.
"Thank you thank you thank you," I gushed, kissing his face all over.

	He laughed and set me down.  "Calm down, little girl.  Stay calm.
I thought you were going to die in there."

	I grinned stupidly. "Almost did, twice."

	He chuckled and draped his arm over my shoulder.  "Come on, let's
get you home to James and Dawn."

	I half skipped - half sprinted to the car and climbed in.  I felt
like I was on a caffeine high, my leg wouldn't stop jiggling up and down.

	Andrew got in and started the car.  "Are you going to be alright or
should we get you some Ritalin or something," he laughed.

	"I'm fine.  Really."  I bounced in my seat, trying to keep myself
from sticking my head out the window and screaming at the top of my lungs.
Had to get home.  Had to get home to tell Dawn.  I bit my lip to the point
where it nearly bled.  This was my chance.  This was the chance I'd been
waiting for my whole life!

	Andrew dropped me off and I waited patiently on the porch for
James.  His bus came around at 3:10 and he sprinted from the vehicle.  I
swooped him into my arms, planting kisses all over his face.

	"Mama?  Are you alright?"  he asked.

	I laughed and held him close.  "I'm wonderful, James.  Absolutely
wonderful."

	He grinned.  "Okay," shimmied from my grasp and embraced Peaches
who was patiently waiting by the door.  "When is Dawn coming home?"

	"Not for a few hours, honey."

	"Alright.  Can I watch TV?"

	I nodded.  "Go ahead and watch TRL."

	He blushed.

	I laughed.  "Go watch. No more secrets though."

	He grinned.  "Thanks Mama," and bounded to the living room, Peaches
in tow.

	I wandered into the kitchen, desperate to find something to keep me
busy until Dawn got home.  I was about to burst.  Luckily, the phone rang
keeping me from my aforementioned combustion.  "Hello?"

	"Hey Iya!"

	"Yo Jono!  Guess what?"

	"You're a secret agent sent to track alien activity?"

	I rolled my eyes.  "No dumbass, that's your ideal job."

	"Oh. Ri-ght."

	"Anyway, Andrew took me out today and-"

	"-the creepy guy from down the beach?"

	"He's not creepy!"  I cried before relayed everything that had
happened in Ian's office.

	"I bet he's gay."

	"What does that have to do with anything?"  I blurted in
exasperation.

	"He's gay," he said matter-of-factly.

	"Jonathan, he's not gay.  His wife died a few years ago."

	"You shouldn't be spreading rumors like that," he tsked.

	"You are such a moron, you know that?"

	"I love it when you talk dirty," he purred.

	"Whose talking dirty to you?"  Adam shouted in the background.

	"Just Iya," he yelled back.

	"Is he still all uptight?"

	"Mm," he confirmed.  "I really need to break him of that."

	"Take him to bed.  I'm sure he'll loosen up for you then."

	"Okay!  Not something I wanted to hear come out of your mouth.  I
think you've made me sterile."

	I giggled as Adam shouted again.  There was a slight struggle on
the other end.  "Iya?  Stop messing with my man!  I'd like him to stay the
way I found him."

	"Used?"

	There was a silence before he started snickering and coughed as
Jonathan asked what I had said.  "I think we better go.  I'm sure you'll
want to tell your woman all about today."

	"Mama!  Can I talk , too?"

	"Oh, hold on Adam.  James wants to talk," I handed him the phone
and ruffled his hair.

	"Hi Uncle Adam!"

	I chuckled , turned to the fridge and took out the apple that
James' would want with peanut butter.  I sighed, remembering it was the
snack Mama would always have ready for me when I got home from school.  I
cut up the fleshy fruit and put it on a plate with a bit of peanut butter.

	"Okay, bye Uncle Jonathan," he clicked off the phone and handed it
to me.  "Are those for me?"

	I nodded and handed them over.

	He grinned, thanked me, and scampered back to the living room.

	I stared around the kitchen, trying to think of something to do.  I
tapped my finger nails impatiently against the counter and decided to cook.

*******

My skin is theirs

	Dawn's pulled into the driveway around 7.  I was waiting
impatiently on the porch, jumping from one foot to the other.  Once she
parked, I raced to her door and flung it open.  "I'm going to be a
published author." So much for being subtle about it.

	She blinked at me.  "What?"

	"I'm going to be a published author!"  I shortened the story as
well as I could while replaying it about a mile a minute.

	"Oh my god!  Oh my god!"  She got out of the car and threw her arms
around me.  "Oh my god!  Iya!"  she laughed and kissed me, jumping up and
down.  "This is phenomenal!  We have to go out to celebrate."

	I grinned.  "Even better.  I made lasagna."

	"You cook?"

	I laughed.  "You're not the only one with secrets but you're better
than I am."

	She grinned.  "I think I liked it better when I was the only one
holding back."

	I kissed her cheek and grabbed her bag from the car.  "It's not
definite yet.  Andrew's friend read it and he wants some of his colleagues
to read it, too."

	"But still," she gushed.  "This is huge!"

	I grinned.  "I hope it stays huge."

	"I bet it will.  I really wish I could read it, though," she sighed
dramatically.  "I suppose I'll just have to buy a copy and hide it from
you."

	I grinned.  "Thanks for understanding, honey.  Oh, I gotta get the
mail."

	She took her bag back, kissed me, whispered an 'I'm proud of you'
and wobbled inside.

	I whistled as I got the mail and brought it inside.  Dawn.
Dawn. Dawn. Bill. Ew. Bill. Me. Me.  Dawn.  I split it up and handed her
her pile.  She smiled at me and slit open one of the envelopes.  I listened
to her hum as I prepared a salad when she stopped in mid-note.  I looked
over my shoulder, about to pick up the song, thinking she'd forgotten the
rest but her hand was clutched to her stomach.

	"Dawn?"  I rushed across the kitchen, kneeling next to her.  "Is it
Tali?  Is something wrong?"

	She turned to me, tears streaming down her face.  "They want Tali."

	"Who wants Tali?"

	She gasped for air and collapsed against me.  "Jared's parents."

	The buzzer on the oven went off signaling the lasagna but neither
of us moved.  Dinner and my news completely swept out the window.

--

Woo! I'm a bitch *grins* hehe.  Have faith, though.  I know what I'm doing,
sorta.

Don't forget to Smile,
SD <quillfairy4@hotmail.com>