21A/N: Hi Everybody! I can't believe it that it's already 1st of July and I was gone for at least 20 days from WDTA! But I swear, I have been very productive. I finished my holiday homework, completed 2 art pieces and sneaked in the time to write this chapter!
You all might be a lil surprised to see me continue this one. Yes, I was too! This one was originally a one-shot but your reviews persuaded me to write more!
A big virtual ice-cream and a sushi (I don't know who likes sweet and who likes savory, that's why I put sushi there. It was the first thing that came into my mind;)) to all my lovely reviewers: Rain Viewing, Guest, Emily (I'm so glad that there is another Sudha Murty fan out there!), angelicalkiss, Drumboy100, MargaretA66, Prithika, novembershowers, Fonique2.
A big thanks to Sam for beta-ing, my friend Sarj and BG for their encouragements!
Disclaimer: I still do not have the ownership of Nancy, Frank and Joe. Just so you know...
Let's get into it! I present to you (*insert drum rolls*) the second chapter of We Don't Talk Anymore!
~I'm scared as hell to want you, but here I am, wanting you anyways.~
-Derek Shephard
1:02 p.m.
August 2nd, 2020
Frank Hardy's Apartment, Bayport, New York
Ding Dong.
Frank Hardy groaned and rolled over to his side on the bed.
Thud.
"Ow," he muttered, rubbing his head that had hit the floor when he had fallen from the bed.
Dingdong-dingdong. Someone at his door was surely impatient. Frank tugged at his feet and went to open the door.
"Big brother, you look like you fell in a ditch or something," Joe said, his playful blue eyes filled with amusement.
"Or something," Frank grumbled.
"Wow, it seems you woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I mean, you're never this cranky, Frank."
"Try falling off your bed in the morning to someone impatiently ringing your doorbell and then hear your dumb ass brother make dumb puns." Frank stretched as he walked into the kitchen. "Anyways, I just need coffee to wake up. What time is it?"
"One in the afternoon, brother. I never thought you could ever sleep till late," Joe said, as he settled onto a stool in the kitchen.
"Oh shit. Nancy!"
"What Nancy, Frank?"
"Oh my god, it's one and I was supposed to...Joe, can you book me a flight to River Heights?" Frank asked.
"River Heights? I mean I could, but are you going to meet…" Joe trailed off, as the realization sunk in. "Nancy?"
"Yes, I am. Now could you please book me a flight? I really need to shower now. Oh god, how could I have forgotten all this?" Frank muttered the last part of the sentence mostly to himself as he walked to the bathroom.
Fifteen minutes later, Frank was stuffing a pair of clothes in a bag when Joe walked up to him.
"Bro."
"Yeah?" Frank asked without looking up.
"I booked your flight. Now can you tell me the reason for your sudden desire to go to River Heights?" Joe asked.
"I finally decided that I was being stupid with her. Last night, I realized that I love her so much that I can't let her go without a fight. I don't want to waste any more time with her. I am going to go to her and …" Frank trailed off when he remembered that he didn't know what he was going to tell her. Hey Nancy, I love you and I want you. Can you leave Ned and be with me? Frank shook his head at his miserable attempt. No way, he wasn't going to say that.
"I am still not sure about what I am going to say to her, but certainly I am not going to go down without telling her that I love her," Frank finished and zipped his bag shut.
He really is in love with her. I knew it before, Joe thought. Out loud, to Frank he said, "Do you want me to come with you? I mean, for moral support?"
"I am going to have to turn you down on this one, Joe. Forward me the flight details on my phone, Joe. It's time I have a heart to heart with Nancy alone," Frank said and rushed out of his apartment.
1:40 p.m.
August 2nd, 2020
Hardy Residence, Bayport, New York
"Hey mom," Joe entered his parents' home and hugged his mother. "Hmmm…what are you cooking?" He sniffed appreciatively.
"Your favourite, plum pie," Laura Hardy said, walking into the kitchen. "Where's Frank, Joe?"
"He's uh.. gone to River Heights," Joe said hesitantly.
"Why?"
"Well, he finally decided that he wanted to tell Nancy he loved her. Alone too. I offered to go with him for moral support, but he said he wanted to have a 'heart-to-heart' alone," Joe shrugged and looked over at Laura who was preparing the ingredients for the custard to go along with the pie.
"Well, it's about damn time," Laura simply replied, causing Joe to look at her with his mouth agape.
"What? You are not the only one who sees how Frank is around Nancy and certainly not the only one to use that vocabulary," Laura shrugged, just like her son had done, a few moments ago.
Joe opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by the doorbell.
"Joe will you please be a dear and open the door?" Laura asked.
"Sure mom," Joe answered and walked towards the door.
Joe looked disbelievingly at the person who stood at his parent's doorstep. "Nancy?" he asked, half unsure of himself. He thought it must have been the mailman or someone else, but he wouldn't have expected Nancy Drew to be in front of him right now, when his brother was on his way to meet her.
"Oh, Nancy dear! What a wonderful surprise!" Laura rushed over to Nancy and pushed Joe gently out of the way with her elbow. Laura too stepped aside and let Nancy in. She encircled Nancy in a huge, warm hug.
Nancy was hesitant at first, but she returned the hug with equal enthusiasm. Laura Hardy was the mother Nancy never had. At the age of three, she had lost her real mother, but Laura was one of the motherly figures in her life who gave her the same love and affection that her own mother would have given, if she were alive.
Joe wrapped Nancy in a warm hug of his own and he kissed her forehead, "Good to see you Nan. It's been time. Say how many? Six months? You wouldn't believe it; mom and I were just talking about you!"
"Really?" Nancy asked bemused. She wondered why Laura and Joe would be talking about her.
"Yeah, Frank is on his way to the airport, and I just came over to mom and dad's. Shoot, Frank!" Joe exclaimed, his face reflecting concern.
"Frank? What about Frank, Joe?" Nancy asked him, worriedly and looked over to Laura for some answer. Laura's face also reflected the same expression as Joe's.
When none of them answered her, she asked again, "Joe? What happened?"
"Frank left for the airport to get on the flight to River Heights to meet you, Nance," he answered.
"Meet me?"
"I'll explain all that later. Right now, we need to get going. He's not picking his phone either," Joe said. He hugged his mother and went out after picking his keys. Nancy also hugged Laura and followed his suit.
Laura stood on the door waving to both of them, wishing that her eldest one and Nancy would soon confront each other with their love and get together.
8:00 a.m.
August 2nd, 2020
Ned Nickerson's apartment, Mapleton, Illinois
Ned Nickerson sat in the kitchen sipping his warm coffee. His large stack of mail was sitting beside his plate of pancakes. He sipped his strong espresso and picked the envelope on the top. He frowned. This envelope didn't look like mail. More like a letter from someone. He flipped it over to see a familiar handwriting on the letter.
He slid his finger under the flap of the envelope and pulled out a paper and read,
Ned,
I'm on my way out of River Heights…I have this letter delivered by Bess and George. They must have put it in your mailbox, if not met and given this to you.
It's been six years, like we both know, and I think we've both been thinking about our relationship recently.
Ned, lately, I've been feeling that… we're growing apart. I'm sure you've too. Maybe it's me, my job or something else, I don't know.
Honestly Ned, you deserve so much better. Someone who is much more capable of being your partner. Someone who's going to support you in every step. Not vice-versa. Someone who is going to sit there in the stadium and cheer for you as you do a basket. Or celebrate your trophies with much more enthusiasm. I won't be able to do that because who knows in which part of the world I might be while you're shooting baskets in the US? It's hard to admit, but I am really sorry I can't be her.
I am sorry to have hurt you, Ned. I hope you know that I would never want to do that. I have always cared for you and still do. I hope you know that. Always. We have had some great times together, but you deserve so much more than I can offer. I hope that one day you'll look back and see that this decision was the right one. I know that I will always remember you and the times we had together. If it's okay, I'd like to meet you once I'm back.
I wish you all the best for the NBA and further life.
Nancy
Two small round stains from Nancy's tears were evident on the letter. Ned could even feel his eyes water. That's why they say it's hard to say goodbye to first loves, he thought.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he opened the next mail from the stack. The Chicago Bulls had sent him a confirmation mail regarding his selection. He smiled at the irony.
1:55 p.m.
August 2nd, 2020
Bayport, New York
"Nancy, try calling that brother of mine again from my phone and put it on speaker please," Joe said, his hands gripping the steering wheel as he drove to the airport.
"Okay."
The phone rang until Frank picked up the call.
"Joe? Why are you calling me? Did I leave something important at home?" Frank asked.
"No, you didn't. Frank, wherever you are at the airport, turn around and get back. Nancy's here with me," Joe replied.
"What? Nancy's there? Are you serious?"
"Do you think I would call you an eleventy billion times just to kid with you?" Joe shot back.
"Okay, okay I believe you. Now?" Frank asked his brother as he made his way out of the crowded airport.
"I have an idea. The nearest place to the airport is the bay. I am about 20 minutes away from the beach. I'll drop Nancy there," Joe suggested.
"Okay. Thanks Joe," Frank replied gratefully.
"No problem, just remember you owe me big time."
Nancy was silent through the whole exchange between the brothers. The flutter of her nerves and wild thumping of her heart never ceased as she heard Frank's voice after so long.
"So, we're meeting Frank at the beach right?" She finally spoke to Joe.
"Not we, only you. I said, 'I'll drop Nancy there'," Joe corrected.
Nancy's answer was only a sigh before she turned to look out of the window.
2:23 p.m.
August 2nd, 2020
Barmet Bay, Bayport, New York
Barmet Bay was not crowded at this time of the day, but it was not deserted either. A few teens were wandering on the beach and a small family that looked more like tourists were basking in the August Sun.
Frank was still not able to get over his shock that Nancy was really there in Bayport. When Joe had told him, he didn't really believe him but something in his brother's voice or the dramatics had convinced a small part of him. That's why he was sitting there in Barmet Bay, waiting for Nancy, instead of flying to River Heights to meet her. Why is she here? To meet me? No way, he thought.
A tap on his shoulder, brought Frank out of his daze. He turned over to see Nancy standing behind him. She looked as beautiful as she was when he had seen her last time in the case in Egypt. Or maybe even more beautiful in her simple black jeans paired with a light turquoise top, that accented the colour in our eyes.
Her eyes; don't get him even started on them. That beautiful pair of blue eyes were so observant that no criminal could get past them. That pair of blue eyes held the power of drowning him in their pools. But that day those blue eyes were hesitant and yet determined at the same time.
He shook himself out of his train of thoughts and offered Nancy a small hesitant smile. He shifted and patted at the space next him.
But instead of sitting there beside him Nancy walked towards the sea until she was ankle deep in water Frank watched her, bewildered. She stood there for a while as if she were collecting her thoughts and the vast, blue waters were helping her do so. When she returned to Frank moments later, she kneeled on her knees in front of him and took his hands hesitantly in hers.
"You know, Frank, Joe never told me the reason, why were you coming to River Heights?" she asked him quietly, not meeting his eyes but looking at his hands.
"To meet you," he answered simply. Nancy smiled a bit but did not look up. Before long, Frank posed a question of his own in front of her, "Why are you here Nancy, when you should be getting ready to marry…" he trailed off. "For that matter, you are not even wearing your ring."
Nancy's head shot up and surprise was clearly reflected in her aqua eyes. "When I should be getting ready to marry Ned,' Nancy finished his incomplete sentence. "You'll have to remind me to kill Bess later, once I reach River Heights."
She took a deep breath before saying, "I have to 'fess up Frank." Her eyes gazed into his brown ones. "I turned Ned down, yesterday or more like today, because I realized I am in love with you, Hardy. I love you and I want you." Frank's eyes widened but Nancy didn't notice it because she had a faraway look on her face.
"I know, we both agreed that that kiss in the balcony in Egypt was a mistake, you were in love with Callie, I was in love with Ned, and we were nothing more than friends but god, I spent each night on my bed, thinking and regretting each word I agreed to. I am tired of pretending that we're friends, Frank."
She held a hand up to him when he seemed like he wanted to interrupt her and continued, "Let me speak, Frank, because if I stop then I will lose all the courage I built up. You know, there was time, I sure, loved Ned but he didn't trust me or my job. He wanted me to choose. He never said it before of course until yesterday, but…He even asked me if there was someone else. I denied it…stupidly, but I couldn't deny it with the confidence I wished I had because that's when I recognized that I had hopelessly fallen in love with you. You were always there to cheer me up, to trust me, to have my back and until yesterday, I never realized my love for you outweighed my relationship with Ned, which I had foolishly labelled as love."
She looked at him, square in his eye. "You asked me what I was doing here? I came here today because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."
A silence fell between the pair. Nancy searched Frank's face for some emotion. Some feeling, but his poker face was firmly in its place and Nancy couldn't read the actual emotion in his eyes. Nancy stood up, feeling that the silence was becoming too unbearable. "Anyways, I just had to get all this out, you know. You know that our friendship is very precious to me, and I don't want to ruin it so if you… don't feel the same…I'll go back River Heights hoping the best for you and our friendship remains…"
"Nan. Get back here," Frank pulled her hand and patted at the place next to him. Frank stood, then sat in the place where Nancy had been, just a few moments ago and began, "Before the case in Egypt, Callie broke up with me because she didn't want to worry all the time. She asked me to choose. It was damn hard, Nancy, to choose but I had to because somewhere in her actions it was reflecting that she had understood that I had hopelessly fallen for you. See the irony. She had understood it and accepted it before my rational brain could even finalise the fact."
"But you know, what was harder? Sleeping at nights because just like you, I was tossing and turning in my bed, thinking, and regretting."
"Last night was no different, the only thing was that Joe had told me you were getting married. That's when I think it finally struck that I had to fight for you otherwise I'd lose you forever before I could even confess my love," Frank said.
Frank smoothed an errant curl on Nancy's face, behind her ear. In a split second, Nancy knew what was going to happen. Frank pushed himself forward and leaned towards her. Her eyes closed without her permission, and she felt Frank's hands make their way into her hair, pulling her close. She could smell his cologne, and her heart skipped a beat.
Her stomach further twisted into knots and her knees got weaker. All thoughts left her mind, except how soft his lips were on hers when his lips parted and teased hers with them.
Nancy was lost in her momentary stupor when the reality finally sunk in. Frank was kissing her. Frank said he loved her. Her lips parted and her toes curled, unfurling all her senses as the taste of him had silenced her brain. Nancy didn't know it, but maybe the time stopped when their lips met. She couldn't remember when she had dreamt about this moment, but she certainly had.
Her whole body tingled and every inch of her being dissolved into his. He held her close. The thought of merely holding Nancy seemed forbidden to Frank. Her slender frame felt so good in his arms and his hands roamed her back, all along the smooth surface of her top. He was amazed to feel her responding against his lips that he uttered a groan at the sensation.
Just as she had begun reacting, he pulled away. "I was afraid, I wouldn't get to do that without confessing my feelings." His voice was husky and breathless.
"I glad that I came here today," Nancy replied. Her voice wasn't any better. It was good to know she felt the same effect, just like him.
Frank took Nancy's hand into his, once again. "I probably have done this, just now albeit indirectly, but I want to make it clear, damn clear," he spoke with determination and love, both mixed in equal proportions in his voice.
"I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour-and-a-half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that when I spend a day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes; and I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night."
"Wow," Nancy whispered. She pulled him closer, this time and spoke into his ear. "I certainly do not believe that you have watched my favourite 'When Harry met Sally' to catch me on that," Nancy teased.
"Just for the record, I love When Harry Met Sally a lot. Maybe a little less than I love you," Frank replied, thoughtfully before capturing her lips with his once again.
The last thought in both of their minds was the same. Everything was just right, perfect.
~"If Nothing last forever, can I be your nothing?"~
-Unknown
Now I am officially a writer who has one completed story under her name! Yess! Mission #1 accomplished. More is to come!
Thank you so very much to everyone who had read, reviewed or followed the story! I am eternally grateful! Please leave a review. All those reviews coming in my mail make my day!
Nan girl