An Unwanted Fairytale - ii

Chapter Two.

Waiting at the train station she wondered if Georgia was caught up in traffic or if she had gotten the arrival times mixed up.

Freddie's train had come in a bit earlier than expected and she had been waiting for almost an hour; not that she minded at all.

Georgia called her up a few days earlier to say that it would only be the two of them plus Chari. Freddie almost insisted that they reschedule, but Georgia went on about the things they would do that Freddie didn't dare disappoint her eager hostess.

Unfortunately, her weekend stay in Marsdale would be a short one. Ara and Charlie's flight would be coming in on Monday morning so that meant Freddie had to be home by Sunday evening to do the week's closing figures. It wasn't necessary, but she wanted to make sure everything was tip-top before her bosses got home from their worry-free vacation.

Freddie also didn't mind being in her hometown for a shorter period of time because it meant less chances of bumping into anyone she knew.

Yes, she was avoiding this place for a reason.

One very specific reason that could be described as tall, dark, blue eyed, handsome, and kind-hearted. As much as she wanted to stay away, she knew that she had left a big part of herself here with him.

Putting her shades back on her nose, she called Georgia to tell her that she'd take the bus instead. A reluctant Georgia agreed.

Choosing the right bus, Freddie stood in line.

"Winnifred Joan! Don't tell me you were going to visit Marsdale and not show up on your old Auntie's doorstep!"

Freddie froze. Oh no!

"Hi Auntie," she replied dumbstruck.

"Where are you going young lady?"

"To visit a friend who needs some company."

"Oh?" her Aunt inquired.

"Yeah, she has a newborn and her husband's away. She just wanted company."
"Come and visit me when you have the time, OK? Before you leave?"
"Oh Auntie, I'll try. But I'm not sure because I have to be back to work by Sunday evening."

"Oh don't worry. I'll have someone drive you home."
"No Auntie..." Freddie warned.
"But.."
"Auntie, please..." Freddie began to tear.
"He's been so sad without you."

"He's not the only one..."

Thankfully Freddie's bus came.

With a firm hug and a kiss goodbye, Freddie hopped onto her bus trying to deal with the overwhelming heartache that suddenly consumed her.

By the time she reached Georgia's place, she had focused on the weekend ahead and tucked away the thoughts for later when she'd be alone.

"You made it!"
"Yup! I'm here!" Freddie offered a smile.
"Great! Do you want to rest first?"
"Sure, if you don't mind. I just want to say hi to Chari first, then I'll take a little nap and we'll start on whatever you want to do."

"I can't tell you how excited I am that you could make it! We'll take Chari out for a stroll to the mall."

"Sounds good. The weather is perfect. No snow, no rain and no wind. Just sunlight."

"Are you ok?"

"Yup," she smiled through watery eyes. Carrying Chari in her arms, she continued, "How does it feel to be a mother?"

"Devine. All those days of worry and sickness paid off. I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Freddie smiled and put Chari back in her crib.
Wiping her eyes dry, she turned to Georgia and said, "I don't know why I'm so emotional right now."
"It's ok, honey. Just go to bed. It's ok if you want to just sleep until night. We can just order in and have a quiet night in? I'm used to those kinds of nights."

"Aww, you sure Georgia? How about I just take the nap and then we still go out for the stroll to the mall. I'm in need of a shopping trip anyway."

"Sounds good. Whenever you're ready to go, just come down and tell me, ok?"
"Ok," Freddie replied and jogged up to the guest room.

Changed and tucked into bed for her nap, Freddie's final thought was, "I hope I don't bump into him this weekend. Please..."