Going Forward (Rated PG13) An Invisible Original Fan Fic

Clay Aiken Forum

Haven't posted a story for you all in a while and I have one that is good enough to post here with a few revisions. Hope you all like it.
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Going Forward (PG-13)
Copyright ©2005~Marti J. Ketterer
Copyright © 2005~Invisible Original Fan Fics

Please read Disclaimer before continuing
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Clay sat on the marble steps of the large building with his face cradled between his palms. He was remembering. He didn’t want to. Especially not now, but he felt the need to do it all the same. He had told Zoey he didn’t want to do this, but she was so set on it that he couldn’t refuse.

They became pregnant 3 months after getting married. Zoey and he had dated for 3 years before deciding to marry. When they did, it was a grand affair. Zoey pulled out all the stops. She had everything she desired and Clay made sure of it. After all, he had the money and it was only going to be once right? He sure hoped so anyway.

Not that Zoey didn’t have her own money. She was an actress in a long running soap opera before they married. When she became pregnant, after convincing Clay that it would make their lives so much fuller, she decided to retire to care full time for the baby. Clay didn’t mind. He was still recording and touring but had slowed down his schedule drastically for the baby’s arrival.

Through the entire pregnancy Clay feigned excitement. In truth, he was less than thrilled. He wanted children but they had no time to plan. Zoey wanted them right away and Clay would rather have waited until they could establish their marriage at any rate.

The entire pregnancy was smooth. She gained the weight allowed by her doctor, followed a strict diet plan, no drinking, no smoking, lots of exercise when it was possible, and not one prenatal vitamin was forgotten.

But, during the last month, Zoey began to swell, not the normal swelling, the extreme swelling. Clay worried about her. When her fingers spread, they looked like plump raw sausages. Zoey had to have her ring removed with a cutting tool as it was turning her finger purple from the pressure.

Zoey shrugged it off as some kind of secondary symptom. After all, she had said, she read that thousands of women experience the same thing. Clay’s mother was not convinced and neither was Clay. Faye had a difficult pregnancy with Clay herself and knew trouble when she saw it.

At 37 weeks, Zoey saw her obstetrician and was no sooner examined than she was wheeled into the hospital. Clay recalled the conversation clearly.

“Mr. Aiken. Your wife has what is called Toxemia. Her body is being poisoned by it’s own blood.” Dr. Brinkman explained.

“I don’t understand.” He narrowed his eyes.

“Sometimes the body sees the baby as a foreign object, this can cause many reactions. Either the body can induce early labor or it will poison the intruder out of the womb. The second is what’s happening. If she doesn’t deliver that baby within the next hour she will not make it.” He told Clay.

“Why didn’t you see this earlier? She was here not a month ago.” Clay voice rose.

“This can come on very suddenly as is the case here, Mr. Aiken, or it can take weeks or even months to develop.” He put a hand on Clay’s shoulder. “I’m sure we can help her.”

“You’re sure? And the baby?” Clay asked.

“I can’t tell you more till we get a monitor on her.” Dr. Brinkman walked past Clay and into the labor and delivery room.

They assured him later that the baby’s heart rate had dropped slightly but all was well. Zoey on the other hand was not fairing so well. Her blood pressure had dropped to a dangerous level and she had slipped into a coma. They forcibly removed Clay from the delivery room after repeated requests for him to wait outside. He paced the entire time.

45 minutes later his baby daughter was born via C-section and his wife of only 1 year was dead. Dr. Brinkman assured Clay that they had done everything they could, but Clay saw nothing but red. He was so angry with both the doctors and the baby for killing his wife that he walked out the door and sat hard on the front steps, never having laid one eye on his baby.

Now, Clay rose from his deep thoughts and felt ashamed. It wasn’t the baby’s fault that Zoey was gone. He helped to create her too. He trudged slowly back to the elevators and punched the up button.

When he stepped inside, he pushed the level 8 button and the doors closed. When they shut against him, he punched the panel wall and wailed.

How was he going to raise an infant on his own? How dare she leave him? Why was God so angry with him as to punish him by taking his wife?

He knew the questions had no answers. Nor did he expect to get them. He just needed to vent his anger. The elevator doors opened for him and he stepped back into the maternity ward, wiping tears of anger, sadness, and frustration out of his golden green eyes.

Dr. Brinkman was still there in the labor room. They had already retrieved Zoey and taken her to the lower level of the hospital. Clay would visit there later. Right now, he wanted to see his child.

“Is she going to be okay?” He asked the doctor.

“She’s fine. They’re cleaning her up now. She’s 7 lbs 7 oz. And 19 inches long with the reddest hair I have ever seen.” Dr. Brinkman laughed.

“Can I see her?” Clay said softly.

“Of course. Right this way.”

The Dr. led him into a small room that had only one larger than average sink, a dressing table, a shelf of baby needs, and a plastic makeshift cradle.

The portly nurse beamed at him as she held out the tiny pink-blanketed bundle of wrinkles.

“She’s gorgeous, Sir.” Nurse Tanya beamed.

“Thank you.” Clay breathed as he laid eyes on his daughter for the first time. She was so tiny and beautiful. He was speechless.

“What’s her name going to be?” Dr. Brinkman asked.

“Elizabeth.” He cried softly, “Elizabeth Faye.”

It was the name his wife and he decided on. She wouldn’t want him to change it. He kissed the tiny form on the forehead and took in the scent of new baby and Baby Magic.

“Happy Birthday, Elizabeth.” He smiled through his tears.
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More soon!

4 years later…

Clay picked up the earring from the closet he was cleaning and held it up to eye view. The gold hoop with the diamonds adorning the bottom half mesmerized him. It was Zoey’s earring. How could he have missed this? Well, he wasn’t home very much and the closet was neglected all the time. But he had a year off and decided while Lizzie was napping, to finish what he had been neglecting all the time.

He stared at the earring and held it out to view as he sat on the closet floor. He remembered the last day he saw her in those earrings. They had gone to dinner for their upcoming anniversary and Zoey had come down the stairs in a black gown and these earrings. Her blonde hair flowed softly around her and her face shined.

The earring Clay now held brought tears to his eyes. He thought he had said his goodbyes at the funeral. He vowed that day to move on for Lizzie. He believed he had to. Memories flashed through his mind and flooded his thoughts until a tiny voice came from the doorway.

“Daddy?” Lizzie called softly.

“In here punk.” He answered.

His small daughter made her way to the closet and sat across from her father who was sitting Indian style.

“Whatcha lookin’ at?” She inquired.

“This is one of your Momma’s earrings. I just found it and was sitting here thinking of her.” Clay smiled at her, trying to mask the fact that he had been close to a breakdown moments earlier.

“Can I have it?” She wondered.

Clay gazed into her green eyes and sighed. She was Zoey from her head to her feet. She was born with Clay’s red hair but now her blond poker strait hair shone and hung down to the middle of her back.

“Put it into your safe chest. Keep it forever okay?” He instructed her.

“I will. Just tell Myra not to touch it. I don’t like her, Daddy.” Lizzie scowled and kissed her father on the cheek with a small smacking sound. Lizzie grabbed the earring and went galloping out of the room.

Clay found himself staring at the spot his daughter had once occupied and thinking again. Lizzie was a beauty of a girl. Blonde hair that shone like the sun, green eyes the color of spring leaves, freckles splashed across her tiny button nose, and large, inquisitive eyes that were always laughing.

Clay missed not spending time with her. He had kept himself so busy lately that he didn’t get to see her more than once a week, so he had hired a live in nanny to take care of his daughter while he took care of his affairs.

The nanny’s name was Myra. She was a middle-aged woman who was stern but kind. Her grayish blonde hair was always in a bun and she wore no makeup and clothes that made her look 30 years older than her 40 years.

That brought him suddenly to the comment his daughter had made. She didn’t like Myra. Why had she never said so before? Myra had been only one of many nannies that Clay had to hire for the job of helping to raise Lizzie.

Most of them were young and Clay had the impression that they applied for the job only because of who he was. Not one that he had hired before Myra paid much attention to Lizzie. Myra had been with them for one year and had been satisfactory so far.

Clay rose from the floor in an effort to move out of his bedroom and seek out his daughter. He found her in the kitchen sitting in the chair and swinging her legs back and forth.

“Whatcha need, Punk.” He asked.

“May I have some strawberry milk?” Lizzie wondered.

“Yep. I’ll get it.” Clay rose from the chair and poured the milk and strawberry liquid together in one of Lizzie’s Blue’s Clue’s cups. He stirred it and put in front of his tiny daughter.

“Daddy.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

Clay was taken aback for a moment. What did he do wrong?

“What?”

“You know I like it shaken. Not stirred.”

“Just drink it.”

“Please Daddy?”

Clay lifted the cup and shook his hips from side to side. Lizzie squealed with delight.

“There, all shaken.” He grinned at her while setting it down in front of her again.

They sat in silence for a few moments before Clay asked her about Myra.

“Why don’t you like Myra?”

“She goes into your room when she thinks I’m napping.” Lizzie said casually.

“She goes into my room?” He cocked an eyebrow at her.

“Yeah. I only caught her once but she said that she was looking for something. I asked her what and she called me a nosey Nellie and sent me to bed without lunch.” Lizzie informed him as if it were an everyday occurrence.

“Why didn’t you tell me this before, Punk.” He wondered.

“You didn’t ask.” She said matter of factly.

“Fair enough.” He said.

Lizzie finished her milk and asked to watch a cartoon. Clay agreed as he was going to check the cameras in the house.

“Blue’s Clue’s please?” She begged.

Clay popped in a DVD for her and told her he would be in the den and to come get him when the movie was over. He put in the camera’s tape from his bedroom from the last week and watched.
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More soon...

yay! invisible! im so glad you started your stories here again. im not sure i got to comment on this story at the wb, but heres my chance. i have never read a story like this! lemme say i loved it, and im reading it again so update soon babe!

I think you did comment on it at WB i'm not sure. If I need more feedback guys. If you all don't like this then I'm not going to post anymore of it. I guarentee you'll love it though. I was told that this short story should be made into a movie...that made my day!

This is dedicated to Holly Berry and Steffanee
The first one's to read this over at my new residence
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It seemed like hours before he finally saw Myra’s form slip into his room and open his nightstand drawer. She lifted something from it he couldn’t quite make out and put it in her pocket. With that task finished, she closed the drawer and went around the other side, Zoey’s side.

Clay knew that everything was the same in there. He couldn’t bring himself to empty it out after her death. It was as if he thought by keeping it there, she would one day return to collect it.

He watched with tears in his eyes as Myra pulled out the drawer and carefully shuffled through his dead wife’s things. She slipped two different things into her pocket and shut it quietly. She soon after disappeared.

Clay ran into the bedroom and opened his drawer to find his watch that Zoey had given him on their wedding day, gone. Next, he ran to Zoey’s side, he already knew they would be missing. He was correct. Zoey’s diamond engagement ring and her sapphire necklace were gone.

Clay went into the living room to check on his daughter. He found Lizzie asleep and curled onto her side. He laid a blanket on top of her and bent to kiss her forehead. She didn’t stir so he left her to finish business in the kitchen.

With a heavy heart and an angrier mind, he picked up the cordless phone and dialed Myra’s number. She answered on the third ring, breathless and heaving.

“Hullo?” She panted.

“I want to speak with you, immediately.” Clay growled.

“Mr. Aiken?”

“You have 5 minutes to get here or I call the cops.” Clay warned and hung up the phone.

He threw the cordless down on the counter and walked to the living room to sit and wait.

Lizzie’s POV…

I hoped that Daddy wasn’t mad at me for telling. He always says that nobody likes a tattletale. But it wasn’t really telling if he asked me to tell him is it?

I was confused. I woke to hear Daddy talking to someone on the phone. I hoped it was Myra. I hoped he was calling to tell her she was bad and she was going to go to time out. That’s what Daddy always did to me when I was bad.

I rolled over and pushed the covers off of me when I heard him come into the living room. I crawled up on his lap and saw him looking like he was sad.

“Whatsa matter, Daddy?” I asked him.

“Sorry Punk. Daddy is having a bad day.” He frowned. I didn’t like Daddy’s frownie face. I pushed the corners of his mouth up gently cuz I didn’t wanna hurt him.

“See? Smiley face now. No more frownie faces.” I was proud of myself. I could fix everything.

Daddy gave me a real grin and kissed me on the forehead.

“You make me happy, Punkarooni.” He started a tickle fight with me and this wasn’t good cuz Daddy’s fingers where bigger than mine and he could tickle me in more places at once that way.

When I thought my breath would never come back he stopped and started to frown again.

“Don’t frown, Daddy. I don’t like it.” I said to him.

“I have to ask you a very grown up question, Punk.” Daddy looked me straight in the eyes.

“”Kay.” I told him back. I liked grown up questions. I felt really tall when I answered them.

“Do you want Daddy to get a new nanny for you and this time, I’ll let you pick her out?” He asked me.

Now what kind of a silly question was that? Of course I didn’t want another nanny. I just wanted my Daddy. He was always gone and singing to people and then he came home so tired that he couldn’t play and wore his frownie face all the time.

I told him this too. He smiled at me and hugged me so hard I thought my ribs were cracking. When he let me go, I felt along my rib cages to see if they were sticking out of my skin. They weren’t. That was good.

“Sweets? I know I told you I have a year off but there are still some things that you need that I can’t give you. There are some things that only a woman can give you and now that Granny Faye is gone there is no woman in your life.” Daddy was confusing sometimes.

Maybe I was acting so grown up that he forgot I was just a tiny fairy princess girl. I think he was losing his remembery.

“I don’t know, Daddy. Why can’t you?” I didn’t understand. All I knew was that when I got a nanny, Daddy disappeared for a long time. I felt my eyes start to leak and pushed my fingers into the corners of my eyes to stop the leaks.

Daddy pulled my hands away.

“Why are you leaking, fairy princess.” He asked with worry.

I usually loved this game with Daddy. He and I would be in the forest with all the nature and I was a fairy princess girl and he was the friendly giant. He would be all the guy people cuz there was only one guy around unless Uncle Brett came and then Daddy had to only be the giant. I never tell Daddy but Uncle Brett makes a much better Prince Charming.

“I don’t want you to go way, Daddy.” The leaks were making my stomach hurt and my breath get short.

“I’m not going anywhere, Lizzie. I just want you to have another girl around that can show you all the girly stuff I can’t show you.” He said.

“You promise me you’re not going to leave again. I hate it when you leave.” I cried some more. I was mad at my Daddy. I hoped God wouldn’t be mad that I didn’t like my Daddy very much right now.

“I promise with all my heart and soul and ice cream that I will not go anywhere for a year without you knowing. And if I do go away then it will only be cuz I have something to do for my girl. I promise.” He put up his pinky as a pinky swear.

My eyes got really big. A pinky swear was the biggest promise and swear you could ever promise. And my Daddy was gonna do it!

We wrapped our pinkies together and swore on a pinky swear.

“Okay Daddy, if you promise that you will be here too.” He agreed and I thought about what kind of nanny I wanted.

I was about to tell Daddy when he put on his mad face. I looked where he was looking and saw Myra. He was giving her something different than a time out face. I was secretly glad.

“Lizzie? You go into the kitchen for just a second okay? I will be there to fix your dinner in just a bit.” I obeyed Daddy, being the good fairy princess girl that I am, and went to the kitchen with my board books. I would practice my reading and then ask Daddy if we could go to Chuck E. Cheeses for dinner.

Daddy shouted a lot at Myra. It scared me. I heard him yell before but never like that. It seemed like he yelled for hours. It was surely only a few minutes but it sure seemed like more to me. I heard him tell Myra,

“How dare you disrespect my late wife, my daughter, and me? Empty your purse right now.” Daddy didn’t say anything and neither did Myra. I tried to tell her in my mind that she needed to do as Daddy said or she would get a spanking just like me when I was a bad princess.

“Those are my property.” He yelled. “You are not only fired. But I have evidence on tape of you stealing from me. I am pressing charges if you are not out of my life within the next 5 seconds.

Myra was crying and telling Daddy to forgive her that she needed to use the money for something called an apportion. I didn’t know what that was but Daddy must have.

“Not with my money. You are an evil, good for NOTHING witch. Get out of my house NOW!”

Myra ran really fast. I didn’t think she could run that fast with all that fat on her legs. I was surprised.

Daddy came into the kitchen and his face looked like the color of the dog Clifford on the book I was reading.

“Okay there Fairy Princess?”

“Yes, Daddy.” I answered. I didn’t want him to know that I had heard. He might be mad at me for peas droppings.

“What will it be for you tonight?” He wanted to know what I wanted for dinner.

“May we have Chuck E Cheese’s tonight Daddy?” I asked him politely like Granny Faye taught me.

“Of course. Get cleaned up and we’ll head out.” He grinned and his face, thought still a little pinkish, started to relax.

I vowed as I changed into my Blue’s Clue’s tee shirt and blue shorts and sandals that I would talk to Daddy about the kind of girl I wanted to teach me all the girly stuff. Just so he wouldn’t make a mistake again. Daddy did that a lot lately.

He took my hand and we drove to the restaurant. I held Daddy’s hand as we went in. He looked like he needed some love from his Punk.

I must have worked, cuz his frownie face turned into a goofy face. I loved when Daddy was silly. I prayed to God that he give Daddy a good time tonight.

God heard me.
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More soon...

THAT WAS GREAT KEEP ADDING ON, YOU REALLY ARE A PRO! I LOVE YOU AND THE STORY TONS!

OME i love this story. I really like this daddy side of clay. it's really cute and sweet. I also love the little toddler words like remembery. it's adorable.

oh my gosh, I love this story. It is so good. I can't wait to hear what happen next...I hope she comes back soon. That is so great!

Lizzie and Clay had a good week together. Clay spent so much time in the park he figured he knew every single blade of grass there by now. He had a good time with his daughter, though. It felt as if he was getting to know her all over again.

One week after he fired Myra, Clay started to get answers to his advertisement for a nanny. He brought each girl in, gave her an interview, did a background and reference check, and just as he was getting ready to tell them they had the job, Lizzie would shake her head.

This went on for about 4 days. Each girl looked better than the next until Lizzie got hold of her. Clay started to think she was doing it to aggravate him. On the fifth day, Clay was expecting the last person on his list of many. She was currently living in Raleigh, 30 years old, and her references were spotless.

Clay answered a knock on the door and noticed Lizzie rolling her eyes. When he opened it, a lovely girl with wavy brown hair and sea green-blue eyes smiled up at him.

“I’m Marti Ketterer. I’m here for the job interview?” She held out her hand.

Her skin was soft and silky. Clay brought her in and asked her the usual questions. She answered efficiently and honestly but he learned quickly that his opinion didn’t matter. Lizzie’s turn was coming up.

Clay watched as his small daughter came into the room and introduced herself.

“Hi. My name is Elizabeth Faye Aiken. You may call me Lizzie if you like.” She held out her small hand.

Marti shook her hand and smiled down at her.

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you. I bet that you are a fairy princess aren’t you?” Marti said with mock surprise.

Lizzie’s eyes widened.

“I AM a fairy princess! How did you know?” She said with shock.

“I can just tell. I knew the second you walked in that you were royalty.” Marti told her.

“What’s your favorite kids show.” Lizzie asked warily.

“Blue’s Clue’s without question.” Marti answered.

“Daddy?” Lizzie turned to Clay and crossed her arms.

“Yes, Punk?”

“I would like you to hire her.” Lizzie said and said goodbye to Marti and Clay.

“Well,” Clay started as he stood with Marti to show her to the door. “I guess my daughter has spoken.” He laughed.

“I have a feeling that it’s like that a lot around here huh?” She smiled.

“Yes pretty much. Come back tomorrow at this time and I’ll show you to your room and go over some of the rules.”

“Thank you Mr. Aiken. I promise you won’t be disappointed.” She grinned widely and shut the door.

Clay stood at the window watching her for a while until Lizzie broke him from his woolgathering.

“Daddy?” She said as she walked up beside him. “She’s pretty huh?”

“Yes Punk, she sure is.” Clay said softly as he watched Marti disappear around the corner.

Clay was silently glad that Lizzie had agreed to Marti. Very glad indeed.

Oh my gosh Invisible, you used your own name?! lol that's histaricle!

tahts great, keep going keep going!

im crying! just cuz i know whats happening. now i get it. at first i didnt get it.. well kinda... on nvm. im shutting up. marti this should be made into a movie!! i love it! ill act i it! i love acting!ill marti can be marti!!!and clay can be clay!!! and ill be... uh well maybe we can add another character,.. cuz i dont wanna be that evil myra, b cuz i dont take thingies that arent mine..cough cough!

oh and i love this story. u should maybe write another 1 like it!

Oh this story just keeps getting better and better. I missed your stories and glad you and them are back!

Holly Berry! SHush up girlie. Don't give it away...haha.

and thanks for welcoming me back. I am trying to stop by more often than usual..

your so welcome back! I think I see where this story is going but I can't to see how you make it go that way if I am right!

umm hots i dont think u see where its goin...*shuts up b cuz mrs marti pants said so!*

oh good then. I hate when I think I know what is going to happen

I have no idea what's going to happen, and i'm going insane trying to figure out what yall r thinkin.

The next morning, Clay was up at the crack of dawn. He hadn’t slept well at all. He was nervous about Marti. Not that he was instantly in love with her but there was something about her that intrigued him.

What it was Clay couldn’t say. He just knew he was looking forward to her arrival. He snuck into his daughter’s bedroom and watched her sleeping.

It almost seemed as if she were a stranger anymore. All he ever did was leave her. He had a career to establish and money to make to make sure his daughter never wanted for a thing, but he supposed he really didn’t think about the effect it would have on Lizzie.

He tiptoed out after covering her up and set about making some hot tea. He thought a lot about Lizzie, about Zoey, about Marti and about himself too.

Before he knew it, the doorbell was chiming. He rose to answer it and glanced at the clock. He had been sitting there, tea untouched, for 3 hours.

He opened the door to find Marti standing on the other side. She looked radiant. Her sea colored eyes were shining in the morning sunlight, her hair was long and blowing slightly in the breeze, and she had on a summer dress that was yellow with red roses printed throughout.

“Good Morning, Mr. Aiken.” She smiled.

“Well, good morning to you, bright eyes.” He waved her in. “Would you like some tea?”

“Love some thank you.” She sat in the kitchen with him and Clay set a steaming cup of sweet hot tea in front of her.

“Listen, I need to ask one question. You mentioned that you had a year off?” Marti asked, Clay nodded a yes at her, “Then what do you need a nanny for?”

“Oh, well, my wife died 4 years ago and my mother passed away nearly 2 years ago. She doesn’t have any women in her life and as I told her, there are just some things she will need to know that, frankly, I can’t talk with her about.” He grinned. “I also need a housekeeper as you can plainly see.”

“Yeah, I kinda noticed.” Marti said as she glanced around the not so neat kitchen.

“I do have a year off, but I will do small local appearances and I would like someone to be here with her full time. I hate carting her around simply because she gets bored easily waiting for me.”

“That’s fine. I’m happy to have the job. So I’m a live in?” Clay nodded a yes, “Can you tell me where I will be staying?”

Clay showed her the room she would be occupying which was in between Lizzie’s room and Clay’s.

“I thought maybe you would like to be closer to her in case she needs you.” Marti wondered.

“Lizzie was adamant on the room she has. She wouldn’t move for all the money in the world. She says her momma picked it out for her.” Clay got misty eyed as he remembered Lizzie revealing that to him. “She did occupy your room but insisted that I move her.”

“Well, I don’t mind. I just didn’t want to impose.” Marti said.

“No. This is your home too. Just make yourself comfortable. By the way, I guess I should warn you that you and I have to share a bathroom. Don’t worry, there are locks on both doors so there will be no barging in.” He laughed.

“Oh. Okay.” Marti grinned.

“I have space cleared off in the shelves in the linen closet there for you. I’ll get your bags and things inside and let you settle in. When Lizzie wakes you two can get to know each other and you may start the housekeeping duties tomorrow.” He informed her.

“You mean the three of us?” She said quietly.

“What?”

“The three of us should get to know each other later. Not just Lizzie and me. You have to live with me too.” Marti giggled.

“That’s what I meant. We’ll pick a place to go later to sit and talk.”

“Hey, do you have a grill?” Marti asked.

“Yep. Out on the back deck. Why?”

“Uh…well if you don’t mind. I make killer barbeque. I would love to make lunch and spend the day with you outside.” Marti asked shyly. “It’s such a beautiful day.”

“Sounds like plan. I got all the makings for it. Man, I haven’t had good barbeque since my momma passed. Lizzie loves it.” Clay licked his lips.

“It’s settled then.” Marti skipped down the hall to retrieve her things, Clay close behind.

this is good. I have a question...is the story already writen and your just giving it to us little by little or are u writing it as you go!

this story is already completed and posted on another board. I'm just giving to you bit by bit to build suspence. Claymybuttercup has already read the complete version which is why she is teasing you all. Lol. Why?

oh thanks. I was just wondering that

yupper pepper. im a teaser!

I know....I can't wait to see what happens!

*hangs piece of meat in front of your face*I KNOW WHATS HAPPENING!!! I KNOW WHATS HAPPENING!!!

As the lunch hour approached, Marti gathered all she needed for the outdoor barbeque later. Setting her ingredients on the counter, she turned to find Lizzie standing in the doorway.

“Well, hello there, princess.” Marti grinned at her. They had a wonderful morning watching Blue’s Clues and playing cooties. Lizzie had beaten her at all the 4 games they played.

“Can I help you Miss Marti?” Lizzie asked.

“Of course you can. Sit right up here and I’ll get stuff ready for you.” Marti patted the kitchen chair and set shredded cabbage and carrots, mayonnaise, vinegar, and various cups filled with things in front of her.

“What’s this?” Lizzie asked with a scowl on her face.

“Makings of the best and most famousest of Cole slaw.” Marti grinned, “You’ve never had Cole slaw?”

“Yeah, from the store. Daddy can’t cook.” Lizzie smiled and looked around as if wondering if her father had heard.

“Well, fairy princess, things are gonna be different from now on. You have me to cook now.” Marti sat across from the small girl and started to pull apart pieces of meat.

“Miss Marti?” Lizzie started, “Are you going to be my new mommy?”

Marti almost dropped the meat she had been preparing.

“What?” She sputtered. “You already have a mommy, Sweetness. I’m just a friend.”

“Okay that’s good. Can you keep a secret?” Lizzie leaned close to her. Marti nodded. “Sometimes, I feel like Daddy is trying to find me a mommy so he doesn’t have to bother with me as much.”

Lizzie leaned back in her chair and started to pour all the ingredients into the bowl of cabbage and carrots.

“Lizzie. That isn’t true. Your Daddy loves you so much. He’s just making sure that you always have everything you need.” Marti hoped she was right in telling her that.

“I just want my Daddy. You can stay too, but Daddy…” Lizzie stopped and regarded the bowl, then changed the subject. “How am I supposed to mix this stuff?”

“With your hands.” Marti said, glad for the change of subject. “Just dip in and smoosh it all around.”

“Ewww!” Lizzie grinned. She stuck her hands in and made a scrunched up face. “This is gross. But it’s fun!”

The two made the Cole slaw and put it in the fridge. They headed outside next to start the barbeque on the grill.

Marti thought about what Lizzie had said. Did Clay know that she felt that way? She had promised the little girl she wouldn’t say anything, so what should she do?

Marti had a feeling she needed to bring the two together somehow. She needed to find a way for Clay to realize his daughter felt this way without actually telling him.

Marti realized she had a lot more work to do than originally planned.


Marti was showing Lizzie how to mix the barbeque sauce and was giving her a sample taste when Clay came up behind them.

“Well, how are my two chefs doing?” He drawled. He picked Lizzie up and kissed her nose. “What’s up Punk?”

“Daddy, Miss Marti let me make the code slaw and I tasted the sauce and she is gonna show me how to make a red velvet cake tonight. But Daddy?”

“Yes, Punk?”

“How do get velvet into a cake?” Lizzie asked seriously.

Marti and Clay both broke into laughter.

“Sweetie, you’ll see what I mean when we make it tonight.” Marti giggled.

Lizzie went to play in her sandbox and Clay sat on a chair next to the grill.

“So, it seems as though you and my Lizzie are getting along quite nicely.” Clay grinned at Marti.

“You have no idea how special that girl is. She is so smart for just 4 years old.” Marti turned the pork on the grill and sat down next to Clay.

“She got her mother’s wit.” Clay laughed. “Sometimes she’ll say something that even leaves me speechless.” He turned to her and Marti could feel his eyes boring into her. “I don’t mean to sound conceited but, are you a fan of mine?”

Marti shook her head slightly. “No, not particularly. I mean, I’ve heard you and there’s no question you have an amazing gift. I’m more of an 80s music girl.”

Clay reached behind them to the table to pour some sweet tea for both him and Marti. She accepted and sipped delicately.

“Well, I like the 80s stuff too. I covered an 80s song in concert.” Clay said proudly.

“Which one?”

“’Kyrie’. Tell me who it’s by if your so clever.” Clay set down his drink and looked at her.

“Mr. Mister. Circa 1985 from the album ‘Welcome to The Real World.’” Marti grinned.

“Wow. You are good.” Clay gushed.

“Yeah. I’m kind of a 80s music nut.” Marti grinned.

“I’ll have to test you more later.” Clay grinned and Marti noticed his eyes wander just south of her neck. She got up to divert his stare and wandered over to the grill to check on the pork.

“I’m gonna go check on Lizzie.” Clay revealed, “How much longer?”

“Oh, I’d say a half hour.” Marti informed him.

“Looking forward to it.” Clay grinned and winked at her.

Marti stood motionless.

“Uh oh.” She said softly. “This is gonna be harder than I thought.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They all sat on the patio outside for lunch and Clay had to fight hard to keep from staring at Marti. Something about her just kept him wanting more from her. Not sexually, or maybe it was. He just knew that she had to stay around for a while.

They talked and got to know one another for hours. Clay was testing her on her knowledge of 80s music and Lizzie tested her on her knowledge of Blue’s Clues.

“Who do you think is better, Joe or Steve?” Lizzie asked seriously.

Clay almost spit his Cole slaw out. If Marti said the wrong answer he may have to kick her out. He smiled lovingly at his daughter.

“Hey, now Punk? Whatever she says should be okay right? She doesn’t have to like the same guy you do.” Clay reminded her.

“Pfft. Of course she does Daddy. Otherwise how are we going to enjoy it together?” Lizzie said seriously.

Marti sat her tea down hard and laughed gleefully.

“Well, Lizzie. I think Steve is better. He was much cuter.” She answered.

“Yeah. Steve was the best but he was kind of a nerd.” Lizzie informed her while sipping her tea.

“Nothing wrong with the nerdy ones.” Marti said and chanced a look at Clay. Oh yes. He noticed.


Clay changed the subject to Marti.

“So tell me. You’re from Indiana originally. What made you come out here?”

“I have an aunt who lived here. I was living with her until recently. She passed away 3 months ago from breast cancer and I took a job waitressing when they sold Aunt Lynn’s house. The job was nice but it didn’t make enough to pay rent and go to college. I wanted to start classes in a couple of months but I wanna make sure I have enough saved to get me through the whole 4 years.” Marti answered.

“Sorry about your Auntie.” Lizzie frowned. “Were you really sad, like Daddy when Mommie died?”

“Lizzie. Manners.” Clay told her.

“No it’s okay. Yes I was sad Lizzie but I know my aunt is in a much better place now and she isn’t hurting anymore.” Marti answered.

Clay had to change the subject again. Fast.

“Why a nanny slash housekeeper? I’m sure you have many other…talents.” Clay said slowly.

Marti answered him unfazed.

“No not really. I used to write a lot and that’s what I’m going to college for but I’m not good enough at it to make a living yet.” She smiled.

“Can I be excused Daddy?” Lizzie said politely.

“You don’t wanna stay and talk with us Lizzie?” He wondered.

“Clay. Don’t you know? Blue is on in 5 minutes.” Marti said, feigning shock.

“Man, you are good, Miss Marti.” Lizzie smiled and ran to hug her.

“Go ahead punk but take your dishes inside and come back out when the show is over.” Clay instructed.

Marti busied herself clearing dishes and carting food inside, insisting that Clay stay seated, as this was her job now.

Clay watched her the entire time. Every move she made was emblazoned in his mind by the end of her task. He wished he could deny his feelings but he couldn’t. He wanted her in the worst way.

Clay also knew that it meant trouble if he voiced his opinion. Sleeping with the hired help. That would make a dandy of a headline wouldn’t it? He thought.

But he couldn’t help himself. He wanted her just the same.

He was broken from his thoughts when he realized that Marti had been talking.

“I’m sorry. What was it you just said?”

“I said, why don’t you and Lizzie go do something today and leave the house to me. I can get the place cleaned up and aired out. It’s kinda musty in here.” She wrinkled her nose slightly. Clay found the gesture endearing.

“I…I guess I could do that. I wonder if she wants to go to the park again.” Clay wondered aloud.

“Does she like it there?” Marti asked.

“Well, she kinda does. She never wants to stay long. As soon as I sit down and get comfortable she’s already done.” He smiled. He noticed Marti’s frown, “What?”

“You don’t get up and play with her?” Marti wondered.

“Well, no. I can’t fit in most of the equipment cuz I’m tall. So I let her have her fun.” He revealed.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Aiken. I don’t mean to sound rude but may I make a suggestion?” Marti asked and Clay gave his approval “There’s a place down the road called discovery kids. It’s a learning center but they have things down there for both the adults and children to do together. I bet she would love it.”

“That’s good then. I’ll take her there.” Clay decided and rushed off to get Lizzie going.

marti when your done with this story i have a question. if i asked now id give it all away

this is a great story, i want more!

man I love this story...and I know you said it doesn't go the way I think it is...but him and her would make a great couple...can't wait for more!

Here's a long update for ya!
---------------------------------

Lizzie’s POV~

Daddy and I had so much fun. He played with me, which is something that he has been too tired to do a lot lately. I didn’t know what to do with myself I was so happy.

Daddy had fun too, I think. He says his favorite thing to do with me was the “Learn your Frogs” exhibit. It showed all about frogs and where they live and where their babies were born and everything. I just liked it cuz my Daddy did.

When we came back home, Daddy and I walked into the front door and I stopped laughing. Someone had robbed our house. I just knew it. All the curtains were gone and someone had stuck up new one’s in their place. They even came in and rearranged our furniture.

Oh, I hope they didn’t get my Blue’s Clue’s movies. I was so proud of my collection. I had taped every single episode on TV since I was 3. A whole year ago.

I walked to the stand and my eyes got big. They were there all right but they looked different.

Marti walked in from the laundry room.

“Hey kiddo! What do you think?” She asked and smiled really big at me.

I just looked at her. I really didn’t know what to think cuz I was confused about what she had done.

“Ah, I know that look. Okay, what I did was, I re-organized your tapes. You see here?” She took out one of the tapes and showed me the label. “I put the name of the episode on the front and the date that it was taped. That way you can watch them in order, and you know what episode it is so you can choose which one you want to watch.”

“That’s super cool!” I yelled. What a neat thing to do. Now I didn’t have to wonder which tape I was putting in. I would already know. “Thank you so much!”

I gave Marti a super big hug. She really thought about me.

Daddy was still looking around the living room but when Miss Marti bent down to talk to me he got a weird look on his face. He looked the same way he did when she left yesterday morning, but worse.

I didn’t know what the look meant. I know what the mean, mad, sad, disapproving, happy, and mushy look. But I didn’t know this look.

I didn’t want to be around anymore. Not because of Daddy or Miss Marti, but because I was getting sorta sleepy and wanted to snuggle like a buggle in my bed.

I kissed Daddy goodnight and gave Miss Marti another big hug. I got to my room and when I saw what the burglars had done to it…I screamed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marti could hear that scream anywhere in the house. She and Clay went running into the room and stooped down to soothe Lizzie.

“What’s wrong sweetie.” Clay asked.

“Oh Daddy. The burglar’s did something to my room. They took all my toys.” She cried.

“Oh, no sweets. Here let me show you.” Marti walked to the closet and opened the doors. “I cleaned your closet and reorganized it. Now all our toys are safe and sound on this shelf and in the drawer underneath. This way all you have to do is come in and pick which toy you want and they won’t all be crowded in your room. Look at how much space you have now.” Marti told her.

“Daddy, since I have lots more room, can Miss Marti and I change around my furniture tomorrow.” Lizzie asked him.

“Sure Punk. If that’s what you really want.” Clay had a look on his face that Marti couldn’t explain. It was somewhere between sadness and anger.

“I’ll go to bed right now so I’ll have lots of energy tomorrow, okay?” Lizzie bounced up and down.

“I don’t think that will be much of a problem.” Marti laughed and Clay started to tuck her in.

“Miss Marti can you tuck me in tonight?”

“Sure sweets, if your Daddy doesn’t mind.” Marti said and chanced a look at Clay.

“Go ahead.” He mumbled and kissed his daughter goodnight. After, he stalked into the kitchen and Marti heard him talking to himself.

Oh boy. She thought. This is gonna be all kinds of fun.

Marti rolled her eyes and walked in after him.

Marti walked into the kitchen and stopped when she saw the look on Clay’s face. She wanted to laugh but was very sure that now would not be the right time.

“What the heck did you do to my kitchen?” He asked rather loudly.

“You don’t like it?” Marti wondered.

“I…I don’t know!” He sighed loudly. “It’s all…clean. Where is everything?”

“I put the spices by the stove, I put all the potholders in one drawer, I hung up the little pans on the wall above the stove, and I straightened out the cabinets and washed the windows.” She answered.

“Nothing looks the same. It’s…clean. Wow!” He marveled. “How did you do all this in one night?”

“I had plenty of time. You all were gone for nearly 5 hours.” She laughed. “I know I wasn’t supposed to start till tomorrow but I wanted to do this. It was so dark and gloomy in here.”

“I liked it dark and gloomy. My fans like to traipse through my yard and look in my windows which is why I had the blinds up that are now missing.” He stated angrily.

Marti never flinched. “They aren’t gone. I am bleaching them right now. When I put them back up tomorrow morning they will be nice and bright.”

“Uh…Okay.”

“Clay, I have your safety in mind. I’m not heartless.” Marti told him while pouring them both a glass of tea. “I just think that a brighter environment would be good for Lizzie.”

“How do you know what’s good for Lizzie.” Clay stared her down.

“I’m just saying that it’s so dark in here. Look at the kitchen now. Even in the moonlight you can tell how much brighter it is. So much more…alive.” She informed him.

“What about rearranging things? Huh? Everything was fine!” He stated angrily.

“Clay what did you hire me for? Do you want me to leave? I was hired to keep the house and take care of your daughter for you. I do both of those things and now you’re telling me not to.” Marti said flustered. “Listen, I’m going to go to bed. I just thought that maybe something a little different would bring a little light into your house again. I was only thinking of the two of you.”

Marti left him sitting at the table, staring at his tea glass. A hot bath was what she needed. If Clay thought he was going to bully her and make her give up this mission, he was wrong!”

Woah, that's a weird turn, I never thought that would happen!

wow this is good.I hope she comes back to finish it

Clay sat in the kitchen and fumed. How dare she move things around? Zoey had everything just where she wanted it. This was what she liked. Now Clay had to walk in to find everything upside down? He didn’t like it one bit.

Well, it was brighter in here, and Lizzie was complaining about her surroundings lately but Zoey liked it this way. It provided more privacy from onlookers. Both her fans and his had clamored here after they moved in and the dark rooms made it harder for the fans to see inside.

He had half a mind to walk into that bathroom and fire her right then and there. But he wouldn’t. Who would watch Lizzie and play with her then? Well, anyhow, Clay was going to talk with her when she got out of the tub.

He was going to talk to her and…then what? Oh right, he would tell her to put everything back the way it was.

Forget it! He thought, I’m going in there right now!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marti slipped into the peach scented bubble bath and sighed deeply. When she agreed to do this, she didn’t think he would be that hard to deal with. Man, he was a grump! She had her orders though and it was not going to be easy but she would trudge through it.

As soon as she got comfortable and started to reach for her sponge, the door to the bathroom flew open and there stood her employer. Red as fire and breathing like a madman.

“What the…?” She screeched.

Man she had to remember to lock her side of the door as well.

“I have had this house in the former position for 5 years. You had no right to come in and toss and turn everything without asking me first.” He boiled.

“I did so. I had every right.” She said calmly.

“What? Are you serious?” He fumed.

“Yup. I did what I did cuz it was better for you. You don’t know how much more you’ll like it until you see it in the sunlight. And by the way, you are invading some serious privacy you know.” She added unruffled.

“I don’t care! This is serious.” He growled.

“No it isn’t. You are holding on to something that should have been dealt with years ago. You can’t keep holding on to the way things were.” She told him.

“I liked my furniture the way it was.” He sat on the floor hard.

“I wasn’t talking about your furniture. Now are you going to get out and leave me to my bath, get in with me, or fire me?” She asked him coolly.

It took him a few seconds to respond.

“I’m…What if I said I was coming in after you.” He stared her down.

“You won’t. I know you won’t. Not yet.” She smiled.

“I would so!” He whined.

“No you wouldn’t.” She said surely.

“Fine! What’s your problem anyway? You think you can just jump in my life and rearrange everything to YOUR liking?” He screamed.

“Yes. I do. And sooner than later you’re going to find out why and agree with me.” Marti told him.

Clay stormed out of the room leaving Marti to her bath. She finished and walked into her bedroom to slip into her nightgown.

“This is gonna be harder than I thought. Especially when it will come to Lizzie’s role in all this.” She whispered.

Marti laid her head down and no sooner had she taken the next breath than she was asleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning, Clay woke to the sound of bacon frying and the smell of fresh eggs. It was a smell he hadn’t awoken to in years. Not since…

The aroma was intoxicating. He sat on the edge of the bed and shook the sleep from his eyes. He jumped into the shower and when he emerged he stared at the tub. Marti was in there just last night, her body naked, warm, and inviting in the hot water.

She said he wouldn’t come in, and as hard as he tried not to, he admitted in the end that she was right. He really did want to but he knew he couldn’t.

He had no plans for the day and thought about what he and Lizzie should do today. He really should spend more time with her. The past year he hadn’t really paid much attention to her at all. Myra hadn’t either really. She took care of the house and made sure things were taken care of but it was like to the women he hired, Lizzie was one of those things that “Maybe if we ignore her, she will go away.”

Marti had been a gift really. He was still angry with her but when he thought of it, she really did lighten the place up. He glanced down the hall and watched Lizzie and Marti making breakfast.

It warmed him to see Lizzie and Marti getting along so well. Marti was the only nanny he had hired so far that even realized that Lizzie was there. She seemed to love Marti so much.

Clay walked into the kitchen and smiled.

“How are my girls?” He asked them.

“Daddy!” Lizzie ran to him and linked her small fingers in his, “Look! Miss Marti showed me how to make toast and she said that I can put grape jelly on one slice and blackberry jelly on the other.”

“G’mornin’ to you too, Punk.” He grinned and kissed her on the nose.

“Good morning Mr. Aiken. How would you like your eggs?” Marti said without looking at him.

“Scrambled please. It smells delicious in here.”

“Scrambled it is.” Marti said and fixed him a plate.

“I…I’m sorry about last night.” Clay said softly to Marti when she leaned to put his plate in front of him.

“No worries.” She said back and sat Lizzie at the table. “Okay Miss Lizzie, you remember the important thing we have to do today?”

“Yes, Miss Marti.”

“We’re gonna do that right after breakfast. So eat up.” Marti told her and smoothed out her hair.

“Yay! Daddy? We’re gonna change my room today!” Lizzie said excitedly.

“Cool! You wanna do something afterwards? Just me and you?” He asked.

“Can you just play outside with me today Daddy? When we go to the park none of the other kids talk to me.” She frowned.

Clay noticed. No matter what Lizzie did none of the children would glance at her. He didn’t understand why. She was such a sweet girl. They would just shoot a side-glance in her direction and go on with a scowl on their faces.

He hated that, but figured they were jealous of her because Lizzie was richer than most of the kids that lived around her.

He had even talked with their parents, the one’s he knew anyway, about a playdate and got hung up on most of the time.

“Yep. You pick the game and we will spend the whole day outside if you want.” Clay agreed.

“Yay! Can Miss Marti come too?” Lizzie asked.

“No Princess. I have some more work to do here in the house and besides, you and your Daddy need some time to yourself.” Marti said to her.

“Okay, but can you help me with my bath tonight? Daddy doesn’t’ like to.” She grinned shyly.

Clay blushed. He never did feel comfortable doing that. For that, he was grateful that Marti was here.

“Of course. I promise!” Clay heard Marti whisper to Lizzie, “You can even use some of my peach scented bubble bath.”

Lizzie turned bright and started to eat her breakfast.

Marti sat down at the bar across the kitchen.

“What are you doin’ way over there?” Clay asked her confused.

“Not family. Besides, I wasn’t invited.” Marti said seriously.

“Get over here. Of course we would love for you to sit at the table with us during meals.” Clay grinned at her.

Marti accepted the invitation and moved over to sit with them. They had a wonderful time talking and planning their day. Clay found himself looking at Marti a whole new way.

He was looking at her the same way he had looked at Zoey when he first met her. The realization startled him. He didn’t know this girl. How could he feel that way so soon? He’s never felt anything like that since his wife died.

Clay shook the thought from his brain and headed outside to spend some quality time with his daughter.

ok now this is a twist....

Conclusion and Epilogue...
_________________________

Time passed and before Marti knew it, a month had gone by. She and Clay had learned to live with each other and despite their first argument; Clay complimented her daily on her work around the house.

Marti knew she had to finish her mission. She knew it had to be tonight. She didn’t know whether to tell Clay first or Lizzie. Lizzie, she thought, already had an idea what was going on.

“I’ll have to start with Lizzie. Find out what she understands.” Marti said to herself.

This would be her last mission. She had been doing things like this for going on 8 years and she decided at the beginning of this job that she couldn’t do it anymore.

Clay and Lizzie came in from the backyard and Marti noticed the laughter in Clay’s eyes. She had managed to bring them closer together and for that Clay had been grateful.

Last week, he sat and told her this:

“I’m so grateful for you. You’ve made me appreciate Lizzie so much more. Before, I kind of looked at her as an inconvenience. She was in the way, or she would cry to play when I was so damn tired. I’ve gotten to know her this past month and it’s all because of you.” He had said.

That was when Marti knew her job was coming to an end. The first thing she was told to do was to make Clay realize what he had. She was to help him see that Lizzie was his daughter and not just some game he could bring out at his convenience.


Now as the clock struck 9 pm, she knew that tonight was the night.

Clay sat in the living room and Lizzie walked up to Marti when she noticed her in the kitchen doorway.

“You gotta talk girl talk with me now don’t you.” Lizzie said with sad eyes.

“Yep. I sure do.” Marti knew the look in her eyes. She knew. Marti thought maybe she always knew.

They walked into the bedroom together. After about an hour they emerged.

Lizzie was wiping tears from her eyes and had her Blue’s Clue’s stuffed dog cradled in her arms.

Marti had been right. Lizzie knew. She knew the minute that Marti walked into the house. She didn’t want to know, but she did.

The hardest part was over. Now for Clay.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clay looked up to see Lizzie and Marti standing in front of the television staring at him.

Lizzie was cradling Blue in her arms and tears were flowing down her tiny cheeks.

“What’s goin on?” He asked.

“Clay. It’s time we talked.” Marti told him.

Talked about what? Clay was worried.

“Is Lizzie okay?” He bent down to hug his little girl.

“Lizzie is gonna be fine. Sit down.”

Lizzie, Marti, and he sat at the kitchen table.

“Clay,” Marti said taking his hand. “I know you aren’t going to believe me when I tell you this. But please, let me get through it all okay?”

Clay nodded.

Marti sighed deeply.

“Clay, I am a medium. Do you know what that is?”

Clay nodded.

“I am a messenger for the one’s who have passed from this life. My job is to help families release their loved one’s that they can’t seem to let go.” Marti continued when Clay said nothing. “There is someone in your life that you are having a hard time letting go. I am here to release her so that you can move on. You need to move on. You can’t keep holding on to her memory.”

“I came to terms with Zoey’s death. I still miss her and sometimes I can still hear her voice but I’ve accepted that she’s dead.” Clay informed her.

“I was talking about Lizzie.” Marti said softly.

Clay laughed, “Is this some sort of sick joke? Lizzie isn’t dead. She’s right the…”

He glanced at the place where Lizzie had been sitting to see it empty.

“What’s going on?” Clay said shakily.

“I need you to go back a year ago, Clay. To the day you fired Myra. I really need you to remember that day.” Marti asked as kindly as she could.

“This is stupid. That was only a month ago. Not a year. What are you trying to pull?” He seethed.

“Clay, please. You have to trust me.” Marti consoled.

“Go back to the day I fired Myra huh? All right. I don’t know what kind of game you and Liz have going and I am going to whip her for this, but for now I’ll play along.” Clay closed his eyes and remembered that day.

“Go back to the point where she told you what she needed the money for.” Marti prompted him.

“She needed the money for an abortion.” Clay said sleepily. He felt as if he were floating. He could see Myra facing him. Angry. She was yelling.

“I need that money!” She had said.

“You’re not getting anything from me!” Clay had yelled back.

He saw Myra run into the kitchen.

“No!” Clay had yelled. He ran after her to find Myra holding Lizzie in one arm. Myra’s arm was hooked around Lizzie’s neck.

“You give me that money or I am taking her with me and you’ll never see her again.” Myra threatened.

“Give her to me. We can work this out.” Clay said steadily.

“I didn’t have time to get her away. She took off with Lizzie before I could make any arrangements.” Clay said dreamily. “They found Lizzie 4 days later.”

“At the park, Clay.” Marti finished. “Dead.”

Clay snapped back into the present. He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t move.

“Clay. I’m sorry to do this. I really am. But you have to let her go.”

“No. You saw her too. Lizzie was making breakfast this morning. I…” Clay was shaking and crying. “I went into the kitchen that day. She was reading her board books and I made her strawberry milk.”

“No, you didn’t.” Marti corrected him softly. “Clay I know you don’t understand but with the death of your wife and how hard it was on you, you couldn’t make yourself believe that Lizzie was gone too. You snapped, Clay. You’ve been living with her memory for a year now. Lizzie has been buried for a year.” Marti told him.

“How…no.” Clay said, still crying. “She…she was at Chuck E. Cheeses with me. We played at the park.”

“Clay, you noticed that the other kids didn’t play with her. You noticed how when you called about play dates, the parents would hang up. They thought you were crazy Clay. Everyone in town went to Lizzie’s funeral.”

Something flickered through Clay’s head. Realization hit him hard, like a rock on the side of the head.

“Everyone but me.” He said softly. “Oh god. Everyone went but me.”

“That’s right. The day of her funeral, you were sitting in the living room watching her tapes. That’s when you brought her back. You refused to let her go. She knows Clay. She wants to go and be with her mom.”

“Oh God. My Lizzie.” Clay broke down. How could he have done this? What was wrong with him?

“Daddy?” He heard a tiny voice say.

Marti and Clay looked up to see Lizzie standing next to Clay.

“Baby.” Clay sobbed, “Daddy is so sorry.”

“It’s okay Daddy. I’m gonna go take care of Mommy and Granny Faye. I miss them.” She smiled.

“Okay baby. You take good care of them.” Clay felt his daughter move through him. He bawled and lifted his head up.

“Clay. I really am sorry. I don’t know what to say. I…” Marti stopped.

“Who are you?” He asked.

“Just who I said. I am Marti Ketterer. I am your housekeeper. I am a medium. I was sent by someone we both know and love to help you.” She smiled.

Clay knew who she meant.

“I have to…” He started.

“I know. You need time to adjust. It’s going to be tough to get past but you will. You’re strong, Clay.” Marti stood up and Clay followed her.

Clay got to the doorway and grabbed Marti by the shoulders. He said nothing for a minute, then pulled Marti tight into his arms.

“Help me!” He cried. “Don’t go. Stay and help me understand.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Clay. I’ll never leave you.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Epilogue…

5 years later…

Clay sat at the gravesite with two yellow roses in his hand. One he laid on his former wife’s side, the other, on his daughter’s side.

“Love you, Punk.” He whispered and blew a kiss at the picture of Lizzie that was mounted on the headstone.

He got up, remembering the past 5 years. They had been hard. His mind must have broken when Lizzie was found dead. Accepting her death had not been in the cards. He still couldn’t believe that all he had done with his daughter since was an illusion.

He was grateful for it though. Even though she wasn’t really there, it helped him in that time before he released her, to get closer to her.

He took therapy and threw himself into his work. It’s what he needed to do. He needed to keep busy and his music was just the thing.

He turned away from the graves and took Marti’s hand. Her pregnant stomach was covered in a light blue summer dress.

“I’ll have to come out here tomorrow and pull the weeds from the base of the tombstone.” Marti told him.

Clay fingered her wedding ring and looked into her eyes.

“You can’t do that! You’re 8 months pregnant for god sakes. You have to take it easy.” He put his arm around his wife’s waist.

“I can so. I can do little things like that.” She smiled back.

“We’ll come and do it together then. How bout that.” Clay bent down and kissed Marti’s lips tenderly.

“Oh, I thought of a name for the baby.” Marti said.

“What’s that?” He wondered.

“How about Riley Elizabeth.” She smiled.

“Sounds perfect.” Clay kissed his wife’s lips again looked at the gravestone.

Clay knew that everything was going to be fine.

The end…

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Surprise Ending!!!! Hahahahaha. I hope you all enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I see I have recieved award points for this thread and thank whoever nominated and rewarded me. I would like to know who you are so I can send you a thank you through e-mail but since I don't know..THANK YOU!

Love You All

Love
Marti

again another great story. I hope u write more to share soon. Your such a great writer!!!

marti, you dont know how many times you have almost thrown me over a cliff! all those u turns! but i like them. you put alot of emotion into your stories. you move me with them! man are you talented!

I know I would of never guessed that ending

I loved it! I laughed , I cried ,and on some parts, I got surprised ! It was exellent !

Beffers,

You crack me up baby. Love you!

(For those of you who have not met her yet...Elizabeth93 is my daughter...so if you see me sign my name as Mommie, then you'll know why )

oh ok thanks for letting us know....