Title: The Best Thing
Part: 3/5
Author: Wendy
Category: Others
Rating: R
Copyright: 1999
Kyle and Claudia arrived at the beach about an hour before the show. There was a temporary ring built with a pool in front. The beach was within walking distance. Fans gathered around and surrounded the ring on a first come first serve basis.
He went to change and told Claudia to wait in the back. Since the stage was up above the ground, she couldn't really see much from where she was. She paced back and forth, hoping that everything would be okay. The show started and everybody cheered, but Claudia couldn't make herself see the violent sport, if it was one.
Minutes went by like hours and it would just never end. Suddenly, Claudia heard a splash and people gasping. Everything in her mind went by fast, she didn't know what had happened.
The crowd was whispering a lot, but she kept on hearing that The Ice had fallen into the water and no one knew what was happening to him.
"Daddy?" a little girl cried in the mist of all the confusion.
Claudia walked over to her and asked her what was wrong.
"My daddy fell in the water, is he okay?" she asked innocently.
It hit her that Kyle had a daughter already, but she tried to put that thought aside. "I'm sure he will be. Why don't we wait here for a little while and see if he shows up. If doesn't, I'll bring you home and we'll wait there. Okay?"
The little girl nodded and held Claudia's hand. The two waited impatiently for any news, but there wasn't anything.
"Why don't we get you home? Maybe he's there waiting for you already," Claudia comforted the child.
She nodded and led the way to her house. Claudia hoped for the best and that Kyle would be home to welcome his daughter. The house was just a short distance down the beach, facing the ocean. The front door wasn't closed completely, so the two let themselves in.
Kyle stood on top of the staircase with a woman. He was wearing yet another tank top and a pair of jeans.
His daughter yelled out, "Daddy!"
She ran up and was picked up by Kyle. He smiled happily and went into her room together. The woman who had been with Kyle descended the stairs and greeted Claudia.
"Hi, I'm Maggie, thank you so much for bringing Emilie back," the woman smiled. "What's your name?"
Claudia struggled for something to say, but she couldn't bring herself to it. She replied, "Uhh…it's Nancy. Well, I should be going now."
She quickly exited the house, afraid that she would break into tears soon.
"Daddy, I was afraid that something happened to you."
"Don't worry about me, Emilie, Daddy is okay," he comforted her.
"That lady was really nice, she brought me home," Emilie explained.
"She did? That was nice of her. I think I should go thank her," Kyle said. "Let me get Aunt Maggie up here and I'll come back in a little while, okay?"
She nodded and Kyle left her room.
Maggie was downstairs, straightening things out. When she heard Kyle walk down the stairs, she said, "That lady, Nancy, said that she had to go."
Kyle, totally shocked by what his sister told him, went out to hopefully see Claudia, or Nancy, whatever her name was, again.
Claudia walked down the beach. What she thought earlier that morning was true, she wouldn't be able to have a future with Kyle. She looked over at the stage, where the show had continued. The night of passion with him sneaked back into her mind and tears were flowing freely down her cheeks.
Kyle had finally caught up to Claudia. He recognized her long dark hair that was blowing in the wind. He gently touched her on her shoulder and she turned around to reveal her tear-stained face.
She was surprised and confused at the person who stood in front of her.
"I know what you must be thinking right now, Claudia, or Nancy, or whatever your name is," he started.
She grinned at him a little through her tears, "I'm still Claudia."
"It isn't what you think."
She waited for him to say more.
"I was married, and that's where Emilie came from. Maggie is my sister and she's just here to help me take care of Emilie, that's all," Kyle explained.
"That's good," Claudia replied doubtfully. "But you don't have to explain to me."
"I think I do. Please don't tell me what happened last night did nothing to you. You don't honestly think that it did nothing for me, did you?" he asked with his eyes looking straight into hers.
She remained silent.
He ran his fingers through his dark hair. "It did. I know it sounds weird and stuff. I know that you think I just go out and sleep with all the ladies who come in my way, well, I was like that. But you were different. I wouldn't have asked for you if it wasn't like that. I really like you."
"Well, I'm glad that you like me and all, but I don't want to be with you," Claudia replied.
This time, it was his turn to be silent and shocked.
"I like you, but I can't stand what you do. What happened before, it's not something I'd like to deal with," she explained.
"Then stay around for Em," Kyle pleaded.
"What do you mean?"
"She likes you a lot. Ever since Emerald left us, Emilie was never able to open up to anyone, especially a woman. But she told me that she likes you. Don't leave her like that."
"Kyle, she barely knows me, I'm sure that it won't be a big deal."
"Please, I really want us to be together," Kyle begged her again.
"I can't, I'm sorry."
Claudia turned around to walk away.
"Damnit," Kyle muttered angrily under his breath.
She walked further and further away from him. She heard him call out, "Wait!", to her, and began to run.
Looking at Claudia running further and further from him, he just had to run after her. He was afraid that he would regret it forever if he just let her run out of his life forever.
Kyle turned her around and hugged her. First she struggled to get away, but he just held her tighter. She cried hysterically onto his shirt.
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