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Post by Kira & Lee Norris on Feb 3, 2008 20:35:23 GMT
The Glass Lake was thawing. Lee wasn't sure how permanent this would be, though. The weather was so tempermental these days; in fact, it was a miracle it wasn't snowing again today. Lee missed rain, though. If he was still in Ireland, it would've been raining. He guessed it just sort of got bred into you, after a while. If you'd lived in Ireland for most of you life, you grew used to the rain; you almost grew to like it. And you liked the green. And the wet. And puddles. He missed puddles. Lee sighed, sitting down on the lake bank, the letter clutched in his hand. He hadn't read it yet; hadn't really wanted to. He knew who it was from... His family. Back home. Where it was wet. But... he just didn't know what it would say. Did any of them know about Maddie? He couldn't say for sure; after all, he'd lost his memory before he could tell them! Unless Kira- but no, he didn't think she would've. So how would they react? Would they think him stupid? Rash? Irresponsible? D*mn it. Snow was falling. Again. Well, sleet; but it was still wet. Lee groaned, looking upwards towards the pure white sky. If he tried reading the letter here, it'd get all wet. He'd just come out here to get some privacy; wasn't sure why he'd walked so far. Maybe it was to prolong the wait. Maybe he was just avoiding things. But he was getting married! Lee gulped, and inhaled deeply. He couldn't avoid things anymore. So he slit the envelope open...
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Post by Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford on Feb 3, 2008 20:42:52 GMT
It wasn't snowing anymore. This morning, there had been a bit of a snow - then the sun had come out, shining brightly; its batteries recharged from the long hideaway. Madeleine had been walking through the gardens, iPod in place, Paramore playing over the noise of people starting to flood outside, turning what was left of the snow into slush. It was nice - a nice day, and she was just going for a walk, getting some time to think, to breathe. So she'd been dandering through the gardens, when suddenly, she'd stopped right in the middle of the path. Because she'd been sure that someone was there, someone familiar, someone watching her. Someone who felt a lot like Shaun. Stupidly, she'd looked around - but of course there was no one there. However, the feeling of a presence was getting stronger and stronger - so she'd closed her eyes. Just felt it, before walking on. And then, she'd got an overwhelming urge to go to the now surely melting Glass Lake. So she followed her feet, and they led her to... A very familiar figure. Madeleine smiled as she walked silently towards Lee, pulling her earphones out as she walked to him and knelt down beside him. "Hey you," she smiled, sliding her arms around his waist and kissing his neck.
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Post by Kira & Lee Norris on Feb 3, 2008 20:49:20 GMT
Her lips shocked him; he hadn't even heard her approach, her footsteps had been so light. But, he smiled anyway, turning around and kissing her lips. "Hi," he laughed. "Wow, gee. Do you know how loud your iPod is?" As he spoke, he crumpled up the letter and envelope, stuffing it in his pocket. He hadn't read it yet; but he felt a bit like Maddie shouldn't actually be present when he did... ... or should she?
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Post by Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford on Feb 3, 2008 20:53:46 GMT
"Loud enough to cover up the noises coming from all the birds and joyous creatures of spring," Madeleine laughed, leaning forward and kissing his lips, letting the kiss linger for a few seconds. He'd pushed an envelope into his pocket, but Madeleine decided not to ask. He was entitled to read his own mail. "And all the people deciding to come up and soak up the ... um... heat," she added, with a laugh. "Not that it's that warm, but still."
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Post by Kira & Lee Norris on Feb 3, 2008 20:55:39 GMT
"Warmer than it's been in a while though," Lee laughed at her. "I miss the rain." Should he say something? It was bothering him now; this stupid indecision.
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Post by Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford on Feb 3, 2008 21:53:09 GMT
Madeleine laughed. "Well, it's raining now; isn't it?" Too right. The sleet was hitting her skin, the wetness trickling down her, the raindrops creating diamond dropets of moisture in her hair. She tilted back her head, letting the water touch her face, before straightening her head. "It'd be much nicer if it was just rain and not tiny little bullets hitting my skin," she chuckled. "So what are you doing down here, anyway?"
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Post by Kira & Lee Norris on Feb 4, 2008 19:00:39 GMT
"I don't know," he admitted, looking up, and sighing. He stretched up one arm towards the spitting sky, then, as he pulled it down again, a large, black umbrella appeared in his hand. He opened it, and held it above them both; and it acted as the perfect shield from the sky. Just tell her. "I got a letter from home today," Lee said finally, after a brief pause.
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Post by Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford on Feb 4, 2008 19:05:39 GMT
Madeleine moved under the umbrella, closer to Lee. "Oh?" she asked, a little apprehensively. She knew Lee had sent a letter telling his family that his memory was back and that he was engaged, but... Lee didn't look too thrilled about getting a reply. "What did it say?"
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Post by Kira & Lee Norris on Feb 4, 2008 19:08:53 GMT
He laughed awkwardly. "I don't know. I haven't read it yet." Would it make Lee a coward if he asked her to read it to him? Would it make Lee selfish if he didn't let her read it? He was confused, he supposed; but he knew one thing for certain. Maddie would never ask to read it. She'd leave that completely up to him. Lee fished the crumpled paper out of his pocket, holding it up under the shade of the umbrella. "I probably should."
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Post by Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford on Feb 4, 2008 19:16:41 GMT
Madeleine studied the crumpled piece of paper, unconciously raising her hand to her lips and biting a nail nervously. "You probably should," she repeated quietly, her eyes flicking to his and watching them carefully. Hopefully, Lee's parents wouldn't go as ape as her mum did.
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Post by Kira & Lee Norris on Feb 4, 2008 19:38:15 GMT
Lee didn't mean Maddie's gaze as he held up the letter. He couldn't actually open it. Argh. He sighed, a little exasperated, resting his arm around Maddie's shoulder; the arm that held the umbrella, which was quite heavy. "Sorry... can you...?" He felt stupid asking her... it was just... well.. she had two free hands.
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Post by Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford on Feb 4, 2008 19:43:16 GMT
Madeleine laughed, taking the letter and sliding her penknife from her pocket, flicking it open and finishing slitting the envelope open. For some reason, her fingers nervously hesitated as she pulled the paper from the envelope. What was she so nervous of? Honestly, it was just a letter. Keeping it folded, so she couldn't see what it said, she passed it to Lee's free hand. "Want me to hold the umbrella while you read it?"
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Post by Kira & Lee Norris on Feb 4, 2008 19:53:29 GMT
Lee passed it to her gratefully, hoping she could hold it high enough for them both. No offence to her... but he was quite a bit taller. By... er... 9 inches. "Hey, Maddie..." he said suddenly, looking at the letter, but not reading. Not yet. Not yet. "Kiss for luck?"
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Post by Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford on Feb 4, 2008 20:00:39 GMT
Madeleine smiled as she raised her arm to hold the umbrella. "Sure," she said, leaning towards him and kissing him softly, before moving back, and returning to her anxious waiting. "Fingers crossed it goes well," she added quietly, dutifully crossing her fingers.
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Post by Kira & Lee Norris on Feb 4, 2008 20:27:17 GMT
It was from his mother.
Lee,
Before I say anything else, I want to make one thing perfectly clear- I think you're absolutely mental. But, I can't help but be completely, insanely happy for you. Shocked! But happy. Lee, you know how much we all love you. Can't believe we didn't hear about this before! Madeleine? Madeleine Baudelaire? Oh, her name's lovely. She must be lovely. Why haven't we met her? Memory loss is no excuse, young man. You still should've invited her over for Christmas. Oh, goodness! Sorry. I'm meant to be responsible, and give you the whole pep talk thing about making decisions, you're too young, blah, blah, blah... But Lee, you're a smart boy; you always have been. I know you're not being stupid. Besides, look at Bethany and Jason! Look how happy they are. Oh, you're gonna be that happy too, aren't you? This is brilliant. Forgive me for writing this but... my little boy's getting married! My little Lee! Phew, okay, embarrassing mum moment over. Well, you didn't think you could just get away with writing a letter and being done with it? We're coming over; all of us- hopefully your aunt and uncle too. How's Kira keeping? Oh, I bet she's excited. Bethany's going mental. She wants to know why she hasn't heard of Madeleine before. Oh, Madeleine. Sorry. It's just such a pretty name. Is it French? Is she French?! Oh, Lee, you're so silly- you tell us nothing! I'll send you the dates of our departure whenever we sort the flights from Dublin out. Then, and only then, can I shout at you properly, and welcome your lovely Madeleine to the family. Warn her. She's going to get hugged.
My love is with you both,
Mum
Wordlessly, Lee, looked up, and passed the letter to Maddie... waiting to see her reaction.
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