6A/N: Yes, we're back at it again! And I know, it's been awhile since we've last pushed this out. Why? Life. Audi and Julius have lives, too. (Mainly… I, Audi, got my laptop taken away because apparently my mom felt I was on fanfiction too much XD) So, I'm not gonna beat around the bush any longer and just get this over with! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Julius and Audi don't own Total Drama. It's a dead brand that should at least be brought back to life one last time… Or should it?
It wasn't long before sunrise that Courtney was woken up by the chatter of her close neighbors' voices coming through the open window. Being Sunday, everyone around was up getting ready for church, and for Courtney and her family, Sunday was the most important day of the week. She lumbered out of the small bed that she shared with her younger sister, who was currently shoved off to the side, her head lop-sided with drool wetting the pillow. Courtney chuckled and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, ready for the day.
"Hola mamacita," Courtney smiled as she walked past her mother to the stove and picked up a spatula to help with the early morning breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and fresh squeezed orange juice.
"How are you feeling, mi hija?" her mother asked, noticing her rather cheerful mood.
Courtney shrugged and looked up at her mother and shook her head. "Fine, I guess?" she said and carried a plate of bacon to the round, large table sitting in the next room over.
Looking at her daughter, she knew that she wasn't as fine as she said she was. Walking over to her daughter as she sat down on the breakfast table, she asked, "Mija, you miss Duncan, right?"
Courtney's face scrunched up in the middle, a habit she had when she was called out on something. She remembered how Duncan would always tease her about it, her face turning red. Courtney held back a sob and laid her head on the table. "I hate how he had to leave…" she whispered into the dark wood.
"Not only is he fighting for this country, but he's fighting for you and for your kid, you know that, right?" her mother asked, sitting down next to her, lightly patting her back. Her daughter held her tears, but she knew she couldn't hold it in longer.
"I understand that. I just don't want to raise my son or daughter without their father. What if he dies? That's what I'm worried about most. I can't do this without him."
Her mother sighed. "Then let's pray and hope God brings him back alive," she simply said, standing up and kissing her daughter before retreating to the kitchen.
The younger Lopez woman sighed and twirled the cross that is a constant around her neck and stood up. She went upstairs to her small bedroom and did something she hadn't done in a while. She prayed. She prayed that Duncan would remember to write to her, that he would let her know he was safe, that he would come home safe and sound. She prayed until her knees hurt.
After pleading to God of her wishes, Courtney stood up, wiping her eyes dry, and changed her clothes before leaving for work. She worked at a diner nearby, eight hours a day, just like anyone else, saving up her well-earned money for her child. Courtney could only dream of the day when she would welcome her child to the world… with Duncan next to her.
She wished her mother a good day and walked down the street to the diner. The bright orange neon lights lit up the "Tom's" sign above the building. As Courtney walked in, she was greeted by her regulars. Lars, an elderly man who sat at the long table with all of the other older men, ordered another coffee before she was even able to check in with the supervisor.
"Hey girl," her co-worker, Leshawna, drawled as she poured the coffee into a mug for Lars.
"Hey, 'Shawna." Courtney smiled and hip-checked her on her way past.
"Any word on when Duncan's coming home?" Leshawna asked as she added a bit of sugar and milk into her coffee.
"Haven't heard a word from him yet, actually," Courtney sighed and looked at Leshawna. "Do you think he's gonna be okay?"
"Girl, I know he gon' be okay," Leshawna reassured her. "He's somewhere in Asia, right?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"He's probably safer there than them soldiers in Europe. All that Nazi shit… it makes me sick," she spat, taking a sip of her coffee once more.
Courtney rolled her eyes at Leshawna's attitude. "Everyone does, Shawna." She put down a now dirty wash cloth into a soapy bucket. "I'll be with you in a minute," Courtney motioned to a new customer in the corner of the diner. She grabbed her booklet and pen and clicked over to the woman
When she looked up, Courtney gasped in recognition. "Penelope?" Courtney looked down at her sister-in-law and noticed how tired she was. "Coffee?" she suggested.
"Yes, please," Penelope answered in a tired tone. "Two teaspoons of sugar, half a cup of milk."
"Coming right up." Courtney headed to the counter and grabbed a fresh pot of hot coffee and half a cup of milk. After pouring the coffee, then the sugar, then the milk in succession, she sat down across the table.
"What's going on with you?" Courtney held her own cup of coffee between her hands to keep them warm as she watched Penelope.
"A lot, it's a long story. I don't want to trouble you during your job," Duncan's sister sputtered and looked down.
"Well, seeing as we barely have any customers," Courtney sighed, looking around the dining area and seeing an elderly couple having breakfast. "I think I'm fine for now."
Penelope gave her a smile. "That's nice."
"So, what brings you here?"
Penelope ran her hand through her black hair and dropped it into her lap. "I guess I'm just troubled because not only is Duncan gone, Eric is too. But while Duncan is in Asia, Eric is in Europe."
"Heard from him lately?"
"No, I haven't. Last time we saw each other, before he left, he was being sent to the frontlines in Normandy," she sighed. "Have you heard from Duncan?"
"No, not yet.
"Think you'll be fine?"
Courtney momentarily looked out the window, trying to formulate her answer. "I don't know."
The two women sat there in silence for a while before Penelope had to head back home. They hugged and Courtney sat back down and reflected over the conversation until the dinner rush came in.
Tired and weary at the end of the night, Courtney helped lock up the diner and walked with her few co-workers to her house. "Mama?" She called out into the kitchen. She walked in and saw that dinner was sitting on the counter wrapped and a light was on.
Courtney sighed and put the food in the fridge, not having been hungry much. She trudged up to her room and flicked on the light.
"What is this?" She spoke to herself as she walked over to her bed and picked up an envelope.
Courtney Lopez-Milton
85796 37th Avenue
New York, New York 10018
She opened the envelop and started reading the letter.
To Courtney,
I know, I've been meaning to write to you for a while, but war… man, war is hell. I know you've been worried about me, but I promise, there is nothing to be worried about. I wanted to tell you something that I dreamt of the other night. We were sitting under a tree in Central Park, and I had my arms wrapped around you and your round stomach. We were talking about baby names. This has been going over in my head for days, driving me crazy! If it's true, Court, I swear I will do whatever it takes to make it back to the both of you. I already know it's going to be a boy. You now both mean the world to me. So don't worry honey, I will be there. Pinky swear.
Love, Duncan.
Courtney clasped her hands over her mouth and held back a sob of joy and misery. "Pinky promise…" She whispered into the silence.
A/N: Can you believe this took us… more or less two months JUST to get this out of the way? Well, believe it bc there's this one thing that Audi and Julius are facing right now: life.
Audi's got school and work. Julius' got work and school. And church. And a little bit of YouTube. (Current events: Clowns I swear to God, I live in the Klown Kapital of the World, they're all flocking here!)
Anyways, this should wrap up this chapter… oh man, did Audi mention clowns again? Man, she's gotta get over them! Thanks for reading and make sure to drop a like and sub-
OH WAIT THIS ISN'T YOUTUBE! (wow Jewlz...)
Drop a review and thanks for reading!