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                            Swans Crossing 1998
			   By Sierra D. Feinberg
 			         (c) 1998 

                               Parts 18 & 19    

Callie is sitting in her room in flannel pajama bottoms and a green
tank top, looking at pictures from high school strewn across the floor.
'Times were practically perfect back then, compared to now anyways,' she
says to herself. She picks up a picture of her, Sydney, and Glory from
their graduation. 'We thought we could rule the world back then, but we
found out we had never really lived in the world.' Her thoughts are
interrupted by the doorbell.  'And I thought I was going to have a nice
quiet evening to myself.'  She walks downstairs and answers the door,
finding Jimmy sitting on her doorstep. "Jimmy," she taps him on the
shoulder.

Jimmy stands up and turns around, "Oh, hey. I wasn't sure if you would be
home."

"Well, I am. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Talk," Jimmy says softly. 

"About what?"

"Oh, never mind. I should go. I don't know why I came here."

"Jimmy, wait a second. What's the matter. I know something's wrong...."
suddenly a thought dawns on her.  "Oh, Jimmy. How could I forget. Your
mother, this is the anniversary of her death."

Jimmy nods, "You know I just remembered a few hours ago. My father and
brothers never ever mention it. We haven't talked about it for years.  It
makes it easy to forget now, to forget that we ever went through that and
I guess it's easier that way. Listen, Cal. I'm sorry for bothering you. I
don't know why I even came here. I guess it's instinct. But I just
thought that if anyone would understand it would be you."

"Do you want to come in, I can make coffee or tea or something and we can
just hang out," Callie asks?

"You don't  mind?"

"I know what it feels like to be lonely. Come on in, I've got the whole
house to myself tonight."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sydney and her mother walk over to a table at the Country Club where
Garrett, Glory, and their parents are already sitting. Garrett stands up
when Sydney reaches their table. "Sydney, Mrs. Rutledge," he pulls a
chair out for Mrs. Rutledge. 

"Thank you Garrett." Mrs. Rutledge sits and  looks at Mr. and Mrs. Booth,
"Hello Glory, Cornelia," she says with a smile, "Grant," she says
rather coldly.

"Alright, your girlfriend and her mother are here now," Mr. Booth says
matter a factly. 'So let's get to what the point of this dinner is
exactly."

Sydney looks at Garrett who is sitting next to her and squeezes his hand,
"Well mother, Mr. and Mrs. Booth, Glory. Garrett and I thought we might
wait till after dinner to tell you this but I guess now is a better time
than any."

"I knew it you are pregnant," Grant bellows.

Mrs. Booth nudges her husband, "Let the child finish, honey."

Sydney bites her lip, "No, I'm not pregnant. Nor do I plan to be for a
long time. But well....."


Garrett takes Sydney's hand, "What Sydney is trying to say is. Last night
I asked Sydney to marry me, and she accepted," he says calmly.

Mr. Booth chuckles a bit, "This is a joke right? Right," he looks at the
happy couple for assurance.

"I don't think it's a joke, daddy," Glory says quietly.

"Well I Object," Grant yells loudly. "Married, married. You two are barely
19. You actually think you're in love, do you even know what love is?"

Mrs.  Rutledge stares at her daughter, "Sydney, why? Why, so early. What
about school. "

"Is that all you're going to say, our children are about to make the
biggest mistake of their lives and you say, 'what about school' What kind
of mother are you," Grant says trying to calm himself.

"A very good one, and I pride myself on it," Mrs. Rutledge snaps. "I
expected this would happen eventually and it has. Our children have been
in love for years now. It hasn't been a secret I'm just surprised this is
happening so soon. So soon after high school."

"I agree with Margaret. Maybe you two should wait a year or two,"
Cornelia says calmly.

"Now, can we say something. You haven't even give us time to explain,"
Sydney says loudly. "Garrett and I have both thought about what to do
about school and all the other things you are worried about. We are going
to take a semester off but that's it. That way it will give either
Garrett or I to apply to UCSD or George Washington. Then we will  apply
for family housing and we will continue our studies. I can't picture my
life without your son," Sydney looks at  Mr. and Mrs. Booth, "I love him
with all my heart. I have dated other people this past year. I've seen
what all the other fish in the sea are like and none of them have lived
up to Garrett, made my heart feel like it does when I'm with Garrett,
cared about me life Garrett does, understand me like he does. I know this
seems fast, and yes we are young but I know we will make it. Beat the
statistic of  failed marriages by people under 21.  I may not know much
but I know in my heart this is what I want."

Garrett clears his throat, "This isn't a joke. We aren't just doing this
just to do it. I love Sydney. So much that I can't even describe it. Were
going to get married in August before the summer ends. It would mean the
world to us  to have your blessing but if we don't that's okay too but
were doing it no matter what.  Over the past year I learned, I learned
that   that my life isn't worth living if  I don't have Sydney to share
it with. "

Mrs. Rutledge puts her arm around Garrett and hugs him, "Welcome to the
family, Garrett."

Glory gets out of her seat and goes over to Sydney and hugs her,
"Congratulations."

"Be one of my bridesmaids," Sydney whispers in her ear.

"You don't even have to ask."

Cornelia smiles, "You two obviously make each other very happy. May you
have many, many, happy years ahead of you."

"Am I the only one that doesn't like this idea," Grant says sternly.

"Looks that way, Grant," Mrs. Rutledge says in a sing song voice. 

"Well I may not like it but it's your decision to make. And you made it
so congratulations he grunts, "but if things don't work out. You run out
of money, don't think you'll be living off of us."

"We wouldn't think about it dad," Garret says putting his arm around his
Sydney.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chase walks Mila to her door, "So did you have a good time?"

Mila smiles, "The best."

"I'm sorry I couldn't take you out to a restaurant or dancing or
anything."

"Chase, a moonlit picnic, dancing under stars. It was perfect."

"So does that mean you will see me again."

Mila looks at him seriously, "You tell me.   Chase, I'm going to tell you
something. And I understand if you don't want to see me again after you
hear it. I really do."

"Mila, wild horses couldn't keep me away from you."

"How about a pregnant date?"

Chase's eyes widen, "You're pregnant," he stutters.

"Two Months. Chase, I really like you. I do. But right now, a boyfriend
is the last thing I'm looking for."

"Then what are you looking for?"

"A good friend, just a friend but maybe down the line. I'll be looking
for something more," she gives him a hopeful look. "Thank you for giving
me a night, a night where I could forget reality and live a dream."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jimmy and  Callie are sitting on her floor looking at pictures. Jimmy
picks up one of  Garrett, Sydney, and Mila at an after prom party.
"Remember this night."

"How could I forget," Callie laughs. "Garrett got so drunk and was
wandering around our hotel room quoting Shakespeare."

"So we had to get him out of the hallway and hide him from the hotel
security who heard the noise from down the hall. And we hid him in our
bathroom in our room and he ended up falling in the bathtub with a towel
on his head pretending to be Moses crossing the Red Sea," Jimmy laughs.

"Poor Sydney, so much for that romantic evening she had planned."

"If remember correctly she wasn't in the best shape herself," Jimmy says
with a grin.

"We were so horrible back then."

"I know who would have thought, if our parents ever found out we would
surely have been locked up for life. After all  we'd be ruining their
reputations in this town as parents. The most rebellious thing they ever
did was paint a bunch of Swans."

Callie holds up a picture of her and Jimmy in front of the White House,
"Remember this trip. I thought we would never get away with sneaking out
that night and going dancing at that club right under Mrs. Hanley's
nose."

"You and I were the only two with guts enough to do it."

"Everyone was so jealous when we came back, only we never told them we
spent half the night waiting in line to actually get in that club."

"But it was still great, just the thrill of knowing that we broke a major
rule and never got caught made the night one of the best of my life."

"Do you miss high school?"

"Sometimes. What I really miss the most is the closeness we all used to
have."

"I do too."

Jimmy looks into Callie's eyes, "I miss you."

Callie looks down, "Well if you're going to USC next year we will be sure
to see each other lots."

"Do you miss me Callie. Did you miss me this past year?"

"Well, of course I missed you. We were barely inseparable for three
years."

"You're not answering my question very well."

"Jimmy,  I did miss you, so much. There were so many times when I came
home and just wanted to have you near me so I could hug you. And so many
times when I would pick up the phone to call you and tell you about my
day but then I realized you wouldn't even be home."

"Callie, why don't you want me anymore? What's wrong with me, that you
don't love me."

"I never said I stopped loving you. I could never stop caring about you."

"But you don't want me."

"Honestly, I don't know. Right now, I don't know what I want. I don't
know if I even really want Grant. Or if I even want a guy in my life at
all right now. I think I just want some me time."

"Grant," Jimmy says confused.

Callie sighs, "I never told you, huh? Grant Booth is the guy I was seeing
this past year."

"Oh," Jimmy says quickly. "The two of you seem so different."

"We are, we are. But I think that's what made us work. He helped me see a
side in me that I never thought existed."

"Do you see a future with him, do you love him that much?"

"I think that Grant's feelings for me go deeper than mine do for him. I
just don't know if he realizes it."

"Well, Callie. When you decide what you want. Let me know and whatever
your decision is I'll accept it just promise me one thing?"

"What?"

"That you will always be my friend. That when June 3 comes around I will
always have you to remember my mother's death with."

Callie nods, "Friends forever no matter what."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

PART 19:

Sydney walks up to Callie's door, with Garrett trudging behind, "Babe,
it's 8 a.m. in the morning. Guaranteed Callie is still asleep."

"So, what. we have to tell her. She has to know before our new goes
through the grapevine. It's important to me that she is one of the first
people to know. And, after we tell Callie we can swing by Jimmy's and tell
him. That my, Maid of Honor and your Best Man will both be one of the
first to know besides our family.

"Do you think Callie and Jimmy will really be happy for us. I mean they
aren't exactly the hopeless romantic types. Callie will probably think
you are throwing your future away."

Sydney shrugs, "yes, but she's also my best friend so not matter what her
opinion she will be happy. Besides, if we convinced your parents that we
were meant to be I'm sure
we can convince her."

Suddenly the door opens, and Captain Walker walks out, "Hello Sydney,
Garrett. Are you two planning on knocking or are you just going to stand
here for the rest of the morning."

"You saw us?"

"Well, I am out the door myself. By the way, I hear congratulations are
in order," he smiles.  "You two have the right approach. Seize the day.
Don't take time for granted," a look of sorrow passes over the Captains
as he remembers his late wife.

"Did you tell Callie?"

The Captain nods, "No, your mother just called me this morning with the
news. Callie's  upstairs, still sleeping."

"I figured that much, but she's used to me waking her up.."

"Well, have a good day."

"Bye, Captain," Garrett says waving.

Sydney opens the door, "So, here goes nothing." She heads up the stairs
with Garrett trailing behind her, opens the door to Callie's room. Her
jaw drops slightly when she sees that Callie isn't sleeping alone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sandy stares at herself in her Vanity mirror, 'why was it that she never
liked what she saw.' People told her that she was beautiful, talented,
driven, but when she looked in the mirror that's not what she saw. What
she say was her face surrounded by Sydney's, Mila's, Callie's, and
Nancy's who are all taunting her because she would never live up to their
standards. Sometimes, she hears their voices. 'Sandy Swan, shouldn't you
be doing laundry. Don't bother putting make-up on, Sandy it will just get
messed up when you finish all the chores you have to do. Borrow my dress
Sandy, yours just won't fit in tonight it's too homely. You'll never make
it as an entertainer. It's not your fault you're not just drop dead
gorgeous, you don't have the type of  style you need to become a big star
'  The only person that was even capable of saying things like that was
Nancy but Sandy knew that those thoughts  must have crossed the minds of
her other friends. It was no secret the founding family of Swans Crossing
was now the worst off. The thing was they weren't even that broke, or
poor but compared to families like the Atwaters,' or the Rutledges' and
Booths', they were practically a charity case barely sliding by. Sandy's
family lived in a modest house, she couldn't afford the designer clothes,
they didn't have a staff. In her house the kids were the staff. 'Well,
not for long. I'm going to make it. Big Time, and my family will rise to
power again. We will be back on top and able to compete with her friend's
families.' No one would ever treat the Swans like charity ever again.

Sandy rummages in her drawer for her lipstick but her hands pick up her
pill  bottle instead, 'No,' she orders herself, 'you don't need those. I
can get through a day without one. I'm not hooked. Owen was wrong, he
doesn't know or understand. I'm not as bad off as he is.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Garrett pushes Sydney softly, "Choo, choo. What stopped the train." He
peers over her shoulder and sees Callie and Jimmy sleeping together in
the same bed, "Whoa," he exclaims loudly, and causes Callie to stir.

Callie opens up her eyes slowly and sees a blurry vision of Garrett and
Sydney standing in her doorway, "Garrett, Sydney," she says groggily,
"What are you two doing here, so early." She sits up.

Sydney walks all the way into her friend's bedroom, "Uh, better
question. What is he doing here," she motions to Jimmy.

Callie looks on her side, "Oh, we must have fallen asleep last night. He
came over and we stayed up talking pretty late," she says yawning.

"In bed, you were talking in bed," Garrett says in disbelief.

Callie rolls her eyes, it was too early to explain, "I guess. I don't
really remember. But nothing happened if that's what you are wondering,"
she throws her covers off, "see, I'm still in the same clothes I wore
last night. Now, why are you here so early. You never answered my
question."

Jimmy's eyes open slowly, looking slowly around Callie's room, not
remembering where he is, "Garrett, Sydney" 'why were Garrett and Sydney
here'.

"Hey lover-boy," Garrett winks.

Callie gets out of the bed, "I told you nothing happened."

Jimmy looks at Callie finally realizing why he was in unusual
surrounding, "Cal, when did we fall asleep."

"I think around midnight, I don't really remember even going to sleep,"
Callie answers trying to pick up the pick up the mess they made looking
through all the pictures on her floor.

Jimmy stretches and get out of the bed, "Hey, what are you two doing here
anyways."

Sydney sits on the foot of Callie's bed, "Well, this actually kind of
works out perfectly because we were going to go to your house next Jimmy,
we have some news," she smiles.

"That couldn't wait till I woke up," Callie says taking a seat at her
desk chair so she is facing Sydney.

"Garrett, and I were just so excited," Sydney says.

"Hey, don't get me into it. I was willing to wait till a decent hour," he
takes a seat next to Sydney and she swats him playfully.

"So, what's the big news," Jimmy asks having no clue  was his friends had
up their sleeves.

"Well, two nights ago Garrett asked me to marry him and I said yes."

Callie stares at her friend, "You're not joking are you, because it's too
early to play jokes. My brain isn't functioning yet."

Sydney shakes her head, "It's the real deal. Please, say you're happy for
us because I want you to be my Maid of Honor...."

"And you my Best Man," Garrett looks at Jimmy.

Callie sighs not knowing what to say, she knows she should be happy for
Sydney but in the pit of her stomach she has the suspicion that Sydney is
making a huge mistake. She was just so young, she was the same age as
herself and Callie couldn't picture getting married at all at this stage
in her life although her situation was a lot different than Sydney's.

"Say, something either of you," Sydney presses.

"Uh, congratulations, and I'd be happy to be your best man," Jimmy says
slowly and looks at Callie as to give her, her cue.

"Well, I think that you should wait awhile. I'm not going to lie and say
that I totally agree with your decision. But if this is what you want,
then I am very happy for you and wish you the best," she pauses, "so I
guess this means I'll be searching for a new roommate next semester."

Sydney jumps off the bed and hugs Callie, "Thank you so much. You didn't
answer my question though, will you do the honor of being my maid of honor."

'Well, duh. Of course I will," Callie giggles.

"Good, cause I wouldn't want it any other way," Sydney says walking over
to Jimmy and hugging him. "Our two best friends, standing net to us at
the alter. It will be perfect," she squeals.

"Did you tell your parents yet," Jimmy asks.

Garrett  nods, "Last night at the Swan Club."

"And you're still alive, what did you do? Tell them when they were in a
catatonic state," Jimmy chuckles.

Sydney laughs, "No, believe it or not our parents were very understanding
for once and gave us their blessing."

"That's impressive on their part," Callie remarks. 

"Well, I think my mom knew this was going to eventually come so she's
been playing it over in her head. Anyways, last night I thought of the
most wonderful idea. You're going to love it."

"What is it," Jimmy asks bracing himself for another bombshell.

"I was thinking we could have a slumber party. Like the old days," she
notices the looks on Callie and Jimmy and Garrett's face too that they
didn't see the point, "well with my impending marriage," she squeezes
Garrett's hand, "I've realized that all of us are moving from teenagers
to adults and taking on very adult decisions. Before we move on to that
part of life I think a lot of us need to make some type of closure with
each other. I mean when you think about it, some of us are still angry at
people or holding grudges for little things that happened in high school.
I think having one last slumber party could be a lot of fun and give us
time to talk and overcome the problems that split our group up."

Callie nods, actually liking this idea, "It will be sort of a cleansing
of our souls."

Sydney nods, "Exactly, so this afternoon I think we should get the whole
gang back together. Everyone from Nancy to Neil and propose our idea and
see if they are into it."


                            To be continued...

***If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc., email Sierra at 
sunflower293@juno.com