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Time Marches On; Het, James/OFC, 2004, Sequel to 'The Shortest Week'
Topic Started: August 18, 2012, 1:22 pm (12,216 Views)
-DJ-
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Blackened
[ * ]
Not overly happy with this part but I only had a short time to write it. As always, thanks for reading, you guys rock :heart: :horns2


When I got back to Anna’s she opened the door with a smile on her face expecting good news but what I was about to tell her was far from good. Once she saw the expression on my face she knew something was wrong. She took Maddison out of my arms and took her upstairs to put her to sleep. I sat on the couch still in shock and tried to come to terms with what just happened.

Anna came back down and sat beside me and pulled me into a hug. That surprised me because she was far from the warmest person in the world. As soon as my head hit her shoulder I started crying. Uncontrollably. I didn’t know what to feel. I was angry, upset and most of all, completely confused.

“You wanna talk about it?” she said quietly rubbing my back.

“I don’t get it…he just said we shouldn’t be together but that he still wants us to be friends and
he wants us to see Maddison when he can” she broke the hug and looked at me.

“That’s really strange, Zara”

“He says he thinks I can manage on my own”

“He sounds like your fucking minder not your husband. Doesn’t he realize you’re head over heels in love with him?”

“Clearly not. It’s like this is a game to him…everything changed as soon as he went on that fucking tour. Everything was perfect before that”

“Is there someone else?”

“He told me there isn’t”

“Does he want a divorce or something?”

“I don’t know. He says it’s not forever…I knew I shouldn’t have left”

“Hey, this isn’t your fault, Zara! Want me to talk to him for you? I bet I could make him see sense”

“There’s no point. Once he makes up his mind about something there’s no going back”

“No. Gimme your phone. He can’t fucking do this to you” I gave her the phone because I could see how angry she was getting. “Go upstairs to Maddy. This could get loud”

I went upstairs and changed into some sweatpants and took my stupid make up off. When I went into Maddy she was sleeping on her back. She looked so innocent, she hadn’t a clue her parents had just broken up. I could hear Anna shouting at James on the phone. I remember when we left New York for California she told him if he did anything to hurt me, she’d cut his balls off. The way I was feeling right now, I wish I could have done it myself…

Around ten minutes of shouting later she came into us.

“What did he say?”

“Lets go downstairs”

We sat on the couch and I pulled my knees to my chest.

“Well?”

“He said what he did was best for you…”

“Yeah, what HE believed was best”

“And that he wants you to live your life because you’re young. He doesn’t want to tie you down”

“Did you tell him that I love him and that I want to live my life with him?”

“Yeah I did and he says he loves you too, that you’re the only person for him and that there will never be anyone else. He also wants to know if he can take Maddison out tomorrow”

“Of course he can”

“Alright I have to call him back later and tell him. Do you wanna go to bed or something? You’re
probably worn out”

“No. I’m not gonna let him depress me. I just want to get on with my life”

--

The next day I went to the gallery early in the morning to spend the day there. I had to take my mind off things so I threw myself into work. I left Maddy with Anna and James was picking her up from there and taking her for the day.

I sat at my work station and sketched aimlessly in a pad. Although I swore I wouldn’t let James upset me, I felt like I had no motivation to do anything. I switched on the radio but all that came on were sappy love songs.

I spent the rest of the day sitting in my office looking through a box of photos of the three of us. There were photos from our wedding day, photos of Maddy since she was born and even some from New York. I knock on the metal door around 6pm gave me fright because I hadn’t opened the gallery today.

I opened the door and saw James standing there holding Maddy covering her head from the rain.

“Come in”

“So this is the Dark Room, huh?” he said walking around and checking the place out. “You did a good job”

“Thanks”

“I have some of your stuff out in the car so you can take it home”

“Oh…” that was all I said because I knew by giving me my stuff back he was making it official.

“What did you do with her today?”

“Took her to a small park, watched the ducks and played on the swings. Did you know she can walk now?”

“She can’t really, James”

“If you hold her hands she can. Watch” he put her feet on the ground and held her hands and she took tiny steps. She laughed as she fumbled along with him. It made me glad to see he was so engaged with her. “See?”

“Well I guess she can then” I said not looking at him.

“If you give your keys I’ll put the stuff in your car”

I took my keys out of my back pocket and handed them to him and he put Maddy in my arms.
When he took they keys off me his fingers brushed mine and I still felt the same electricity I always did with him but he didn’t and if he did, he was hiding it well.

“Alright. You’ve got your stuff now” he came back in and smoothed his wet hair with his hand.

“Thanks. How’s the album going?” I attempted to make polite conversation.

“Yeah...it’s good. Can I take her out again in a few days?”

“Sure”

“I’ll call you. Stay safe, Zara” he waved goodbye and shut the heavy door behind him.

“Hey did you have a good day with daddy?” she answered me with a smile. His smile.

This was going to be tougher to deal with than I thought.
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Shayniz21
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Poor Twisted Me
[ * ]
I literally want to cry. This is just horrible and I don't understand why James is doing this. It makes no sense. I think there is something else James is hiding. This isn't right. Zara should talk to lars. More soon please.
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-DJ-
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Shayniz21
February 5, 2013, 12:09 pm
Zara should talk to lars.
You must be psychic! :lol:
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Sol
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I clearly cannot wait to see what's going on!

I really liked this part. :)
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-DJ-
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December 2006.
My cell phone ringing at 7am woke me up. I searched for it under my pillow and answered groggily.

“Hello?”

“Hey” James’ deep voice was on the other end of the phone. “Were you asleep?”

“Yeah I was. It’s Saturday y’know”

“Yeah, sorry. Anyway there’s a Christmas party at HQ later and I thought we could celebrate Maddy’s birthday there too”

“Her birthday was last week though”

“I know but I just want everyone to be there and see it. It’ll be cool”

“Alright. What time will I meet you there at?”

“I can pick you up if you want? Say 4pm?”

“Yeah that sounds good. I’ll see you later”

I tried but I couldn’t fall back asleep. I was actually excited to see the guys again. Ever since our split I didn’t see the other guys as much as I’d like to. I got up and showered and gathered everything I’d need for later. It was a HQ party so no dressing up was required.

The time dragged until 4pm. I sat with Maddy on the couch and waited for James to beep the horn outside. Then it hit me. It was a Christmas party and I didn’t get James a gift. I didn’t really know if I was supposed to or not but I felt bad not getting him anything. I went up to Anna who was still hungover in bed at 3.45.

“Anna get up” I kicked her leg in her bed.

“Fuck off, Zara”

“Look after Maddy real quick I need to do something”

“For fuck’s sake. I must be the world’s greatest friend. Do you realize the things I do for you?” she blabbed on.

“Yeah, yeah you wake up for me. Congrats. I’ll be five minutes”

I ran to my room and sketched up a drawing of three skeletons, meant to be the three of us, in charcoal for James. I framed it in a black frame, wrote ‘Happy Christmas 2006’ on the back, wrapped it and put it in a bag. It wasn’t much but it was home made so I hoped it meant something to him.

I heard James’ tyres pulling up outside and grabbed my stuff. I put a jacket on Maddy and walked out to James and put her in the car seat in the back. He turned down Motorhead on the radio and I buckled my seatbelt.

“How are you?” he asked. Despite the fact we weren’t together anymore, we remained civil with each other.

“Good. You?”

“I’m okay”

“Cool”

When we arrived at HQ everybody was in good spirits. Of course I got the occasional awkward look from people given me being there with James even though we had broken up. Platters of food were laid out in the kitchen, decorations were hanging up and a huge Christmas tree was in the corner of the kitchen. James carried Maddy everywhere with him mainly because he was proud and loved her but also because she was walking now and eyes needed to be on her all the time.

“Zara!” Lars hugged me. I missed my little artsy friend. I hadn’t seen him in around two months.

“Hey! Happy Christmas!”

“How’s the gallery goin’?”

“Awesome. Sold a lot of stuff last week”

“And how’s my goddaughter?”

“She’s fine. Need eyes in the back of my head now though”

“Man, I know how that feels. Getting more sleep these days?”

“Yeah thank god”

Anytime Lars and I talked he never mentioned James and I splitting. He treated our conversations as if nothing had change. In a way it was good because everyone else tiptoed around me but bad because when I left HQ it felt like I’d be going home to James’.

“Alright everyone listen up!” James yelled with a mouth full of food. “I know we’re here to celebrate Christmas but it’s also this little one’s birthday” he bounced Maddison on his hip.

“I thought her birthday was last week?” Lars whispered.

“It was” I laughed.

James continued to boast about our daughter and everyone sang a happy birthday while she smiled and yanked his beard. I watched how happy he was to just be with her. He came over to me and handed her to me.

“I think she needs to be changed” he laughed in my ear and gave me the key to his office.

“Alright. She needs to be fed too”

“See you in a bit” he chatted to one of the crew.

I went up to James’ office and took care of Maddy. She was getting tired and restless and was falling asleep in my arms because she didn’t get to take a nap today. I decided to stay where I was away from the crowd because it was far too noisy for a sleeping baby.

I saw Lars walking by and waved him down because I couldn’t shout. I wanted to clear something up with him. He came in and closed the door behind him and sat beside me on the couch his shorts and socks.

“Everything okay?” he whispered, careful not to wake Maddy.

“Yes and no. Remember the summer tour you guys went on?”

“Yeah” he nodded interested.

“And you know how me and James broke up when you came back?” he nodded again. “Did anything happen on tour that he’s not telling me?”

He diverted eye contact with me.

“Fuck…okay. Remember that day he called you and you had a meeting with Trent Reznor?”

“Yeah”

“Well you know what James is like and obviously I know you wouldn’t cheat or anything but for some reason he got it into his head something went on between you two”

“What the fuck?”

“Yeah so anyway. We went out that night in England to some club. This really fucked up drunk chick starts rubbing herself all over James and it was disgusting then all of a sudden, she kisses him. Like really fucking gross kissing, tongues and shit”

“Okay, I don’t need details, Lars”

“Straight after that happened he got a cab back to the hotel we were staying in and I got in the one after him and I went to his room. I was banging on the door for ages before he let me in. He was sitting on the bed with the phone in his hand going to call you but he couldn’t. He was really beating himself up about it, crying and all. Then the next night we go on stage, got the crowd to sing the last verse of Nothing Else Matters because he was fucking crying. As soon as he did his solo he ran off stage, Kirk had to do another solo while I went and talked to him. He nearly didn’t come back on stage. The next gig, the same thing happened during Fade to Black”

“All that over a kiss?”

“Yeah he was really hurting. Thought he blew it with you”

“Why didn’t he just tell me though?”

“I have no idea but I swear nothing happened after that. I was with him that whole tour and I wouldn’t lie to you, you know that”

“Okay thanks, Lars” he got up and left.

I don’t know why James just didn’t tell me he kissed someone. I wouldn’t have been too mad. In fact I was angrier that he made up some bullshit excuse telling me I needed to live my life.

He came up to me a while later.

“Oh she’s asleep” he said softly sitting down beside me.

“Yeah. Hey I need to talk to you for a sec”

“’kay” he said staring at his sleeping daughter.

“Lars told me what happened on tour with that girl”

He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees breathing heavily. He was trying to come up with words…or an excuse.

“Why didn’t you just tell me, James?”

“I just couldn’t. I thought you wouldn’t want to be with me anymore”

“It was a dumb kiss. It’s not like you were having a massive affair with her. You could have told me, I’m not a monster”

“I know but—“

“I’m just upset you made up a silly excuse to make me leave so you could avoid it… I got you something”

I handed him the bag with the drawing in it. He unwrapped it carefully and looked at it.

“Oh wow. It’s awesome. Very you” he smiled and stayed silent for a while then suddenly his brows furrowed. “Zara don’t take this the wrong way but is this a way of trying to get back with me because I’m—“

“Nope. Don’t flatter yourself. It’s just to say Merry Christmas because that’s what friends do. I’ve thought about it and since you can’t tell me about a stupid kiss then maybe you’re right and we should just be friends” he looked slightly shocked at what I had just said and my change of tone. If we couldn’t tell each other things how could we work out? We couldn’t. “Ready to drop me home?” I asked standing up trying not to wake Maddy in the meantime.

“Um…yeah sure” he put the frame on his desk and we left with me finally knowing the truth and as friends.
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Shayniz21
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Poor Twisted Me
[ * ]
*lets out a heavy sigh* I think Zara should have let James finish when he was asking her if the present was a way of getting back together because I think he was willing to get back together. JUst because James didn't tell her about that kiss with the girl doesn't mean that they can't be together! Most marriages don't start with good communication thats why you have situations like this one and you learn from it and then have better communication :lol:

I really hope Zara isn't making a big mistake, although I feel that she is and I think she will realize she is being blind to what is really going on.

I can't wait for more, God I want to know what happens next like right now! :biggrin
Edited by Shayniz21, February 5, 2013, 4:22 pm.
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CarpeDiemBaby
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// Sunglasses indoors.
[ * ]
Oh damn! James, really?
It was just a kiss, I bet he did worst things in the past. lol

I don't know if I'm beinging mean or something but I think Zara is acting too patient with him, I mean, after all the things he said and did to her. sdkjghdskj ugh!

I neer more! :D
Edited by CarpeDiemBaby, February 5, 2013, 5:36 pm.
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Phantomlady
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Blackened
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My feelings... :(
Tell me that things will be alright between them.. I mean, no more of this 'let's be friends' thing..
I want them to be together :(
Moooooore please :biggrin
:heart:
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-DJ-
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January 2009.

Things between James and I got better. It was tough but I learned to forgive him for just letting me go with almost no explanation other than I needed to live my life and that he kissed someone else. We talked often and agreed that we had rushed a lot of things in our relationship like getting married, having a kid and that was our main reason for our downfall but still we had no regrets and didn’t get divorced. We maintained a good relationship and he was there for me if Maddy or I ever needed him. He was there for birthdays, any activities she had going on or just took her off my hands if I ever needed a break. We communicated a lot better apart than we did when we were together.

I moved out of Anna’s and into a three bedroom house nearer to the gallery in San Francisco. Anna worked for me at the gallery now and she took care of Maddison if ever James and I couldn’t be there. The house was smaller than James’ but it fitted us just fine. At three years old now, she took after him in many ways, her eyes, her smile, her contagious laugh but most of all her huge amount of energy.

I was busy all the time and I had another exhibition coming up tonight. Maddison came into my bedroom with my cell phone ringing and the caller ID read ‘James’.

“Hello?”

“Hey how are you?” he asked me happily.

“I’m good, keeping busy. How’s the tour?”

“Well it’s over now, finally home. How’s Maddy?”

“Oh yeah I forgot. She’s great. She drew a picture for you that she wants to show you”

“Awesome. Actually that’s what I called you about last time I was over I promised to take her for ice cream and-“

“Yeah she’s been asking about that but I knew how busy you were. Are you free tonight?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“It’s just that I have an exhibition tonight and I need a babysitter so instead of getting Anna maybe you could come over? Would you mind?”

“I’d love to. What time should I call over?”

“Seven?”

“Perfect. See you guys later.

I continued to get ready straightening my hair while Maddison watched cartoons on the tv in my room.

“When can I see daddy again?” she asked me playing with the remote control.

“He’s coming over tonight to look after you while I go out”

“Yay!” she screamed happily. “Do you think he’ll draw with me?”

“Ask him sweetie. I’m sure he’d love to”

“And do you think he’ll let me eat cereal out of the box?”

“He lets you do that?”

“Yeah! He says it’s better because you don’t have to wash the bowl after you’re done”

It looked like she’d picked up some of his bad habits too.

“You shouldn’t do that, honey” I laughed.

It was 6.30 and I wanted to give Maddison a bath before James arrived. I ran the water but the doorbell rang and Maddison ran to answer it. She stretched up to reach the handle.

“Daddy!” he scooped her up into his arms.

“Hey baby girl. Where’s your mommy?”

“I’m up here!” he walked up the stairs and greeted me with a one armed hug.

“I was just about to give her a bath”

“I can do it if you want to finish getting ready?”

“That’d be great thanks”

She ran and got her pajamas and went back to James. I watched him kneel at the bath and wash her hair from the doorway that was slightly ajar.

“Close your eyes” he said as he rinsed her hair. He was truly a great father.

“Now you close your eyes, daddy” he did as he was told. “Open your mouth too” she took a handful of bubbles and shoved them into his mouth and fell into a fit of giggles. I suppressed a laugh and watched as his face contorted from the horrible flavor of the soap.

“Eww! That’s gross, sweetie! We don’t eat bubbles okay? Time to get out”

He wrapped her in a big fluffy towel and I ran downstairs as I didn’t want to get caught eavesdropping on their father-daughter time.

He carried her downstairs on his hip with her hair still slightly damp and we talked at the door before I left.

“You all clean now?” She nodded in answer into James’ shoulder. “Good. Can I have a hug before I go please?” she wrapped her arms around my neck tightly and I rubbed her back. “Thanks for this, James”

“My pleasure. You look great” he smiled.

“I gotta go. You know where everything is. Oh and don’t let her eat cereal from the box!” he looked half guilty and half confused.

“Did you tell mommy our secret?” he asked her sweetly.

“No…” she played with his goatee.

“I think you did” he began to tickle her while she wriggled in his arms and laughed uncontrollably.

I left the house to the sound of their laughter.

I arrived at the gallery early. I walked around looking at my work that people would eventually bid on. I was staring at a painting and thought about how none of this would have been possible without James, I owed him everything. A tap on the shoulder broke my trance I turned around and saw Lars sipping on a glass of white wine. I hadn’t seen him in months.

“Hey! What are you doing here?”

“Taking a break. How are you?”

“I’m good. James is looking after Maddison tonight”

“Oh cool. She’s a great kid. You should bring her down to the studio someday. James was talking about doing that actually and it’d be cool to hang out with my goddaughter”

“She’d love that”

“Amazing work by the way” he sipped his wine. “Your best work so far”

“Thanks. Are you here by yourself?”

“Nah. One of my art buddies is around somewhere. I’ll talk to you later, Zara”

The exhibition drew a decent crowd and I got home around 11.30. I opened the door and saw James carrying our daughter to bed. He motioned for me to hush. He crept back downstairs and I made us tea in the kitchen. I waited for him in the back garden so we wouldn’t wake Maddison with our talking.

“How was she?” I asked as he took his cup and sat in the sun lounger.

“Great. She fell asleep about an hour ago when I put the history channel on” he chuckled. “How
was your thing?”

“It went well. I saw Lars there actually. Did you know he’d be there?”

“Nope”

“Oh…so how have you been? Y’know, just in general?”

“Good I guess. I miss Maddison a lot though…and you of course” he added quickly then clearing his throat.

“Lars said you wanted to take her to HQ”

“Yeah…if that’s okay with you. You could come too of course”

“Yeah sure. She loves being with you”

There was some awkward silence for a short while.

“So—“ we spoke at the same time. “You first” we spoke again.

“So are you uh… seeing anyone?” he inquired cautiously.

“Nope. Haven’t really got the time you know? I’m not that interested in dating anyway. You?”
He shook his head in response and fidgeted with his empty mug.

“I better go. You’re probably tired” he told me.

I walked him to the door.

“Thanks again for all your help tonight”

“Anytime” he slipped his jacket back on and put his hand on the door handle to leave but turned back around to me. “Are you busy tomorrow?”

“No. Why?”

“If you want I can pick you two up and we can hang at HQ then we can go for dinner or something?”

“That sounds like fun” I smiled at his offer.

“Is 2pm alright then?”

“Perfect”

“Well I better go” he gave me a friendly hug and closed the front door behind him.

It’d be the first time in a while I’d be going to bed with a genuine smile on my face.
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Sol
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Frantic
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Wow! I really enjoyed this one!

That was so sweet! :dance

I may sound repetitive but I cannot wait for the next update, Becca. :)
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Phantomlady
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Blackened
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That chapter was really great, I hope they get back together :dance
I'm loving this, your writing is really awesome in case I didn't mention it :heart:
:biggrin
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Shayniz21
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Poor Twisted Me
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I feel like James is trying to get back together with Zara ! This makes me happy and hopeful! Can't wait for more!
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HannahBanana
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Poor Twisted Me
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Wtf? They're not together anymore?
I hope they can rekindle that flame once again.
Great updates! I missed so much lol :) :heart:
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CarpeDiemBaby
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// Sunglasses indoors.
[ * ]
HannahBanana
February 6, 2013, 7:32 pm
Wtf? They're not together anymore?
I hope they can rekindle that flame once again.
^ This!

Waiting for more! :heart:
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Powerslave
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Bad Seed
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Oh my I hope James is trying to get back together with Zara!
Lovely chapter! :heart:
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