Time For Some 'Me' Time [Zeke]

[april]

30th June 2009

April was so glad to have some time off now from her job. It wasn't a bad job, only the deadlines were a killer, and that was now left to her assistant editor, who was probably going to kill her once she went back to work. The following weeks issue was going to follow on from other stories that had related to several drug related busts that the police had over the last few weeks. But, too bad, she was no on vacation, away from anything resembling work.

As the day was beautiful, not like any winter she had lived through, April packed a few things, and headed for a walked from her little holiday apartment, down to the beach. It was probably a one kilometre walk, but April was glad for it. She needed to get out and about again. As she strolled passed shops, and other people out at that time of the morning, April smiled. It was nice to just be somewhere there wasn't really any hustle or bussel.

Finally April was at the entrance of the beach. She stopped to just look at the ocean, just seeing the wave come in and crash on the shore. Looking down at the sand, there were a few people down there, but nothing too bad as what she had experienced at other beaches around America. So taking off her shoes, April headed down the ramp, and soon found a perfect spot to set up. She placed her bag on the ground, and then attempted to put up her beach umbrella. Now she knew how a normal umbrella opened, of cause. But she had to somehow hold it up, while burying most of it in the sand, in order for it to stay up.

April knelt down, still holding it up with her left hand, while trying her best to dig fast in the sand with her right. Then all of a sudden the umbrella came down on her head. "Ouch. Shit."

[zeke]

Zeke had now been in Australia for almost two weeks, and would be heading back to the States within the next few days, his two week holiday almost over already. He wondered what to do today. Should he spend the time with his sister Katya, and keep her from working, or should he go to the beach, since the weather seemed to be rather nice for the time of year, for Australia.

"You should go to the beach today." Carly said to him, as she jumped up and down on his bed, before throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him on the cheek.

"And you just happened to be reading my mind, didn't you?" He asked her, as he grabbed at her wrists and pulled her down onto his knee before tickling her. Normal people wouldn't be able to do that, then again, normal people wouldn't be able to see or talk to ghosts, he could, and with his ability, he was also able to touch them. So for Zeke, a ghost was just like a normal living being.

"Let's go then, bring your bucket and spade." He said to her, and then they both made their way to the beach. Luckily Zeke's parents house was fairly near the beach, so they were there within a few moments. He sat down on the sand, with Carly across from him, and she began to fill her bucket and so the sand castle building began.

"I'm going to put a moat around it." She said in an excited voice, so she could then fill it with water from the sea. Zeke just grinned at her, "Alright then, sounds like fun." He felt comfortable talking to Carly today, because for once there didn't appear to be anybody near them. A few moments later, however, he heard someone say 'ouch, shit'. He knew that voice, and he was just about to turn in the direction the voice came from, when he heard Carly shout in a very excited voice.

"It's her, daddy it's her." Carly called him daddy, because to her she knew no different, and Zeke treated her like a daughter, apart from when she did silly things to make people think he was crazy. She was pointing in the direction from where he had heard the voice, but he hadn't needed Carly to confirm who she was, he had recognised it. He immediately made his way over to her, running almost, and noticed Carly had done the same.

**"Je ne peux pas croire que c'est vous. Mon doux April." He said excitedly in French. Then he picked up the umbrella, which to him looked like she had been trying to put up so she would be sitting under the shade and immediately fixed it into place on the sand and tilted it toward her. Since each time either of them had tried to get it on and they were in a relationship, he didn't want to just hug and kiss her, not until he was sure. So he just stood there, "Assume that's what you wanted done. So how've you been?" He asked her and smiled.

"You should really hug her." Carly's voice said to him. He turned to face her, 'what if she didn't want me to?' He mouthed to her, Carly just grinned, "She wants you to." She replied, and then Carly started dancing around and clapping her hands, Zeke could only laugh at her, it was so cute. So, not sure of her reaction, he did just that, grabbed her up into his arms and hugged her tightly, it was after all, just a hug.

**Translation: I can't believe it's you. My sweet April.

[april]

April couldn't believe that she couldn't put up a simple thing like a beach umbrella. She felt useless, like she was an invalid or something. Then just when she was about to give up entirely, she heard someone speak to her in French in an excited voice. April stopped in her tracks, and almost let go of the umbrella. It couldn't be, could it? She felt the umbrella lift out of her hands, and followed its movements up to meet the person who she thought it was.

April's eyes met Zeke Picard's own. She then watched as he fixed her umbrella into the sand, and made it tilt towards her. He again spoke, asking her if that was what she had wanted done, and then asked how she had been. April then decided to talk to him, and said, "It is me Zeke. I can't believe that it is you right here." she then continued, answering his last questions. "And yes, that is what I was trying to do. And I have been good. Busy, but good."

Once she talked to him, April felt she was lost for words. April hadn't seen Zeke in so long, and she felt like she was a school girl, not knowing what to say to him. Normally she wasn't lost for words, but she was right then and there with Zeke. This is what he does to me, April thought, always did initially. Though she thought by now, at the age of thirty-seven, that she would be over these childish emotions, and just be straight to the point with Zeke. But no, nothing had changed between them.

April briefly looked out on the ocean, but her eyes diverted back to Zeke. She couldn't keep her eyes off him. He looked great, and seemed to be doing well. But she wouldn't know, unless she asked him. But when she went to talk to him, his head was turned. Then seconds later, April heard him laugh. This in turn made her smile. She hadn't heard him laugh like that in some time. With that, April smiled all the wider. This in turn made the sun shine a bit brighter on them. April soon realised that she was effecting the sun, and lessened her smile a bit.

When April went to turn her attention back to Zeke, he grabbed her, and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. For a second April didn't know what to do. But she then brought her arms around and returned the hug with her own. April's memories of them being together a long time ago brough make emotions. She felt like she was back with him all those years ago, right there in his arms, where she felt safe, and loved. Though April was brought back to reality, and she remembered where she was.

April parted from Zeke, and felt herself blush a little. Maybe it was the sun, once again growing bright, but she felt really happy. Happier then she had felt in a long time. Her life-long friend was back in life. Or she hoped he was anyway. "So how have you been? You do look great. Just how I ... I remembered you last." Did April just say that? But it was true. He was a little older, but still the same Zeke, that she could tell.

[zeke]

Zeke grinned when April said that it was indeed her, and that she couldn't believe he was right there in front of her. "Yes, it's really me, in the flesh." He said, teasing her a little, just like he always used to do, but in a nice way of course. The one woman he had always truly loved was in front of him, what were the chances of April being free of a relationship? He was certainly free right now himself, but he wasn't about to jump right in about it, he didn't like to do that. He was pretty sure he'd find out soon enough if she was free of a relationship or not.

He smiled when she agreed what he did with the umbrella was what she had been trying to do herself. She then answered him telling him, that she was doing good, busy, but good. He knew what it was like to be busy, he was always busy with his job as a Medium in the States. "I'm glad you're well. And trust me, I get the busy part." He then wondered if he should tell her he was on holiday at the moment, although she would probably have worked that one out.

"Over visiting the family, heading back in a few days, been here almost two weeks now." He decided to tell her anyway, he was finding it difficult to keep his eyes off her, it was just so good to see her again. He always knew he was in love, but seeing her there in front of him like that, brought it all back to him, and he was falling in love all over again.

He then stood looking out at the water for a few seconds before turning his attention back to her. He wondered if she was having similar thoughts running through her own head. After Zeke had turned to face Carly and laughed, the sun seemed to get brighter for a few seconds. He saw the smile on April's face then, which made him smile all the more himself, just seeing her smiling always made Zeke smile more.

Of course he had chosen to do what Carly had suggested and hugged April, he was glad when she hugged him back. At least he hadn't done anything wrong, from the corner of his eye he could see Carly grinning and jumping up and down. After they pulled apart from the hug Carly sat in front of them and began building another sandcastle. Zeke's eyes opened wide, because although he could see Carly building the sandcastle, to April it would appear to be building itself. He hadn't got round to telling April about his ability in all the times he had tried to get into a relationship with her.

Now was probably as good a time as any to tell her, but as he was about to speak, April got in first. "I've been great, busy with my job, something I need to tell you about." He felt himself blush when April said he looked great, just how she remembered him. "Well thanks, you haven't changed a bit either, in fact I think you look even more beautiful, if that's possible." He wasn't trying to be smooth, he really did think she was just as beautiful as before, if not more so.

Carly then jumped up and put her arms around Zeke, and started making kissing noises in his ear. "Kissy, kissy, kissy." She sang, and laughed, "Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her." She chanted, and took her arms away from Zeke's neck and started spinning around in the spot, before going back to the sandcastle to make the little moat. She then took the bucket and walked to the waters edge to fill it with water to pour into her moat. How much of this was April seeing? Blair hadn't seemed to notice the weird things, either that, or she just didn't want to mention it.

"So, yeah, there's something about my job, I think you should know. If I don't tell you, I fear you might think I'm strange." Although she may have thought he was strange anyway for all he knew.

[april]

April listened to Zeke, as he said that he was in Australia visiting family, and that he was heading back in a few days. Why was it when they finally meet up again, they were either in relationship, or one of them were going to leave wherever they were soon. As Zeke spoke, April saw him continue to look at her, whicih made her blush slightly. Once again Zeke was bringing out this side of her, where she felt like she was some girl who was unsure of what to do with a boy.

When April began to smile at him laughing, she saw him turn and then smile at her. She hoped that he hadn't notice the sun get just a little hotter then, but she was feeling so good right now, and so the environment effected how she was feeling. After they hugged, and April had asked how he had been, she thought she saw a small sandcastle in the sand, which she thought wasn't there before, but she thought that it probably was there, but she hadn't noticed, what with having trouble with the stupid umbrella.

April listened to how Zeke was, hearing that he was busy with work as well, and then he said that needed to tell her about his job. Then April saw him blush, when she mentioned that he looked great. April giggled a bit when he thanked her, and that she hadn't changed a bit either. Then Zeke said that she looked even more beautiful, if that was possible. It was April turn to blush a little. "Not sure, what with my work, really wearing me down a bit very slowly. Some days I feel older than what I am. But thanks Zeke." When she said that, April put a hand on his upper arm gently.

A few seconds later, as she moved her hand away from Zeke's arm, April thought she saw a bucket near the water, and it was like it was being dipped into the water. She blinked a few times, thinking that the sun on the water was playing tricks with her eyes. April almost missed what Zeke said, catching the end of it. "If you don't tell me what, you will fear that I might think you are strange?" April wondered what he wanted to tell her. "Whatever you want to tell me, you know that I will listen."

April then sat down under the umbrella, and gestured for Zeke to sit next to her. The sun seemed to be at it's normal heat now, as she wonder what he wanted to say. She hoped that it wasn't that he had been in jail or something, and now he was a working criminal or something. Now that would be a news story and a half.

[zeke]

Zeke was feeling two very different emotions at this moment, happy to see April again, and sad that he was about to be heading back to the States in a few days. He wondered how long April was going to be in Australia for, he might just be tempted to stay, after all, he was his own boss. "How long you here for? I can always stay longer if necessary. Not sure I like the idea of you suddenly coming back into my life and having to leave to go back to the States." Zeke said the words with a smile on his face, but a very heavy heart. Of course, he still didn't know at this point whether April was single or seeing someone, and he somehow didn't think it was the right time to just come straight out and ask her.

When April had complimented him, he had of course complimented her right back. He had half expected her to deny it, it was pretty much typical April from what he remembered. He shook his head, "Nope, not true, still as beautiful as the first day I met you." But she had then thanked him, "Only telling it how it is." When she touched his arm he felt a shiver run through him. Then he heard Carly's voice sing along again, "You love her, you love her, you love her." Then she giggled furiously. Zeke felt his face blush, and now April would wonder why because as far as she would be concerned there had been no real reason for it.

He loved Carly, but she could make his life awkward at times. Of course that was when he had said to April there was something about his job he should tell her. He knew it would help April to understand him and any weird things he might happen to do more clearly, but he still wasn't sure how she would take it, or if she'd even believe him.

April had then said he should know he could tell her anything, and she sat down under the umbrella gesturing for him to sit beside her. Since Carly was still running to and fro the castle she had made getting water for the moat, he didn't see what harm it would do to sit down and fully explain things. Well, here goes nothing he thought.

"Alright." He then sat down beside her, with his knees hunched up and wrapped his arms around them, and then looked at her. "Well, my job, I'm a Medium." Well that was the easiest part over with he thought. "Thing is, there's more to it than that." He sighed, ran his hands through his hair, took a deep breath and continued. "I am a Medium through being what's called an Evolved Human, of all the times we've, well known each other, I've never felt the right moment to tell you any of this. Thing is, I can see and talk to ghosts." Now she was probably going to look at him and think he was complete nuts, and he still wasn't finished telling her what she needed to know.

"Most ghosts and spirits move on when I've helped them, but.." How crazy was this going to sound? "I have a seven year old ghost girl attached to me, her name is Carly. She's been attached to me for a couple of years now. She calls me daddy. I can't shake her off, but I've grown fond of her, and sometimes she can make me laugh. Other times, she does things which can really make it awkward for me if I'm talking to people." There that was it out, he had told her the truth, now it was just a case of waiting to see what she would say. But so that he could possibly prove it to her, turning to make sure they were indeed alone for now and they were, he shouted out.

"Carly, Carly come here sweetheart and bring your bucket." She looked up at him and grinned. "Okay daddy." She then ran up to the both of them, bucket bouncing in mid air, well it would be to April, Zeke opened his arms out and Carly soon threw herself into his open arms sitting on his lap and giggling away. "Is she going to be my mommy?" Carly asked him, and Zeke laughed then, "Well, I'm not sure, we'd have to let April answer that question, don't you think?"

Zeke wondered if April would be able to see Carly if she and himself got emotionally and physically involved, or if Carly would always only be visible to himself. Somehow he thought it would be great if April could eventually see and hear Carly as well as himself.

{oops - another big post lol}

[april]

Zeke asked April how long she was staying for. She smiled and glanced at him, saying, "I only arrived two days ago, and will be here for another ten days, as I then have to fly back, which will take up another day itself. And then the jet lag will be a killer." She wished she had taken more time off, but two weeks is all she had decided to take. Maybe, April thought, that she could ring and let her assistant editor know that she is going to take another two days, so she can stay for the whole two weeks. April wondered if this was the answer Zeke was after.

April felt her face go hot, knowing full well that he had made her blush with his come back compliment. He always had a way with words, especially with her. Of all the guys she had dated, Zeke was the one who know how to get to her heart the most. After April had touched Zeke's arm, she saw Zeke's face blush this time around. She wondered what she had said or done. Maybe touching him was too much for now.

Zeke sat down with April under the umbrella, and she made sure that he had her full attention. He had wrapped his arms around his knees, and he looked at her, like he was looking right through her. He began to tell her about what his job was. But then he sighed, running his hands through his hair. She raised an eyebrow. Zeke had only ever done that move whenever there was something big that he had to tell her. There was one time he did that when he told her that he was seeing someone else, when they had finally met again a couple of years ago. Normally it was always April who was in a relationship at the time.

April continued to listen to what Zeke had to say. He told her about him being an evolved human, and that could see ghosts. Once again April raised her eyebrows, and then smiled. She hoped that she wasn't going to make fun of him. She wasn't, as she knew what he was talking about. But he continued on to say that he had a ghost, a seven year old ghost attached to him, who won't let him go. April bit her bottom lip slightly, and then smiled all the more. "Well Zeke. Now I know that we are something alike." She wiped some sand off of her legs, and then decided to tell him about herself.

"I am also an evolved human. I have the ability to manipulate the weather." She stopped, wondering what Zeke might say about that. April decided to tell him something, in case he had noticed before. "Before when I was really happy, the sun got quite warm. I don't know if you noticed that one. Well, I did that. When I am happy, everything is much brighter. But when I am angry, watch out." She laughed then at that. "Though I can will something to come as well, like other weather."

After she spoke, Zeke called out to a girl, which she put down to that ghost that has attached herself to him. Of cause April couldn't see the girl, but saw a bucket bouncing in mid air, which kind of freaked April out a bit. She must have looked like a stunned mullet or something. April soon realised that her mouth was open, so closed it. She then watched as Zeke opened his arms out, and then they closed over nothing, well to April he looked silly, like he was attempting to make a circle with his arms or something. But she knew different now, as she knew the truth.

Zeke then laughed out loud. Whatever this ghost said to him, must have been funny. He then said he wasn't sure, and that they would have to let her answer the question. April wondered what the ghost had asked. Whatever it was, she wanted to know. What with being a reporter and all. She frowned at Zeke. "What did she ask?" April knew that Zeke would tell her, eventually. They hadn't kept secrets from each other, but now it had seemed that they both had kept a very big secret from each other now.

[zeke]

Zeke smiled when April told him how long she was staying for. Well if he stayed the same length of time April was going to be here for, he'd have been here for a month, but he figured he didn't care. He was his own boss, not like he had to answer to anybody. "Well then, we might just get to spend a little bit of time together. I'll arrange for a later flight home, in fact, maybe we could try to fly together, on the same flight?" Zeke wasn't sure how April would react to that suggestion, but he had missed her over the time they were apart, and now they had found each other again, he was a little reluctant to her slip through his fingers quite so easily, again.

After Zeke had sat down, and began to tell April about his ability and what he could do, he was really worried about her reaction. It would just be horrible, and his luck, to have found her again, to have her go running off on him because of his ability. Although, he was certain he knew April better than that, and it hopefully wouldn't be something she would do to him, at least, he hoped not, anyway.

When she did begin to talk however, he was pleasantly surprised at what she said. She told him that they were somewhat alike. "Really? In what way?" Although he didn't have to ask that question, as she began to explain further. He soon found out she was an Evolved Human also. Well, that made him relax a little, because she should be able to believe what he had been telling her then. Obviously the most difficult thing was still to come, where she would have to deal with him, doing things which looked stupid, because it would appear he was doing it to nothing, or talking to nobody.

"Manipulate the weather? Now that's a formidable one." He laughed after saying that, what with mixing his English and French together a little. April then went on to explain her ability a little more. "I did notice it got a little brighter, but I put it down to my imagination. That's quite fantastic April. Feels good to know I'm not alone with the whole 'ability thing'." He used his fingers to make quotation marks when saying 'ability thing'.

After April had told him about herself, that was when he had called out to Carly. He had figured that now was as good a time as any, to prove to her what having his ability was like, and how it could make him look to people. Of course the minute Carly came running to him, bouncing bucket to April, he saw her mouth opened, and after a few seconds he noticed her mouth close again. He knew how it would look to her, but what could he do?

"I wish I could change it, but I can't." He looked at April and gave her a rather confused look, because part of him loved what he could do, and a big part of him loved having Carly in his life, but another part, hated it, because of what it could do to him, and how he could be seen from people who didn't know him or didn't understand.

Of Carly had asked if April was going to be his mommy, and he had said they would have to ask April, which naturally prompted April to ask him what she had asked him. Well, Zeke wasn't really one for keeping secrets from April, other than the whole ability thing, but that was only because the moment had never been right to tell her in the past. "She asked if you were going to be her mommy. Sorry." There was no point in not telling April what Carly had said. "I'm hoping, that maybe..." He trailed off, not sure how this was going to sound, but then they had been a couple once before. "....maybe, if we were to become emotionally and physically involved, you might be able to see her and hear her too, which would make it less awkward between us."

He still wasn't sure how his ability worked in that respect, but he hoped the more he wanted April to be able to communicate with Carly, the more chances there might be for it to actually happen.

[april]

April listened to what Zeke said, about staying longer in Australia, in order to spend more time with her. She wondered if this was a good thing, but maybe it was. They had constantly kept running into each other, and either one of them would be in a relationship. So it sounded like they were single for now. April shook off her feeling of doubt, and changed it too a feeling of hopefulness, hoping that maybe they might actually get back together again. "Well it really is up to you. As long as you can take more time off. I would be nice to catch up, and chat more."

After Zeke had told her about his ability, and what he could do, April had of cause said that they were somewhat alike. Of cause Zeke wanted to know why. April then had gone on about her own ability. After April had finished telling him about it, he questioned the whole 'manipulating the weather' thing. April shook her head when Zeke said that he thought he was imagining the whole sun thing. She then had to laugh a bit with Zeke using the whole quotation marks things with his fingers. April remembered he did that sometimes to make a statement. "Well I now feel better knowing that you know."

April had finally closed her mouth, after she realised that it must have been hanging open like an idiot. She hoped that one day Zeke would tell her about this ghost that was so attached to him. Though April could see why that she would. April had fallen in love with this guy from the day they started seeing each other. He had so many qualities, one being about him being a big kid at heart. So maybe that was what attracted this child ghost to him.

After Zeke said that he wished he could change it, but couldn't, she just shook her head. "I know what it is like to want to change something. But I am sure that whatever the reason is that this ghost is attached to you, it is probably a good one. Maybe she is attracted to you as a person. Maybe when you met her, you were good to her or something. Who knows." April had no idea. She was just thinking about why randomly.

April waited for Zeke to tell her what Carly had asked him. Then he told her. Wow, was all April could think. This girl must have some big attachments to Zeke, for her to ask him that. April looked at Zeke, "So, why would she think that? And there is no need to be sorry. I am the reporter after all. Curiosity always gets the best of me."

Zeke continued on with his side of the conversation, telling her that maybe if they were to become emotionally and physically involved, that April might see and hear Carly. April didn't know much about Zeke's ability, so wasn't sure of what to make of what Zeke had said. "I am not sure. But I am sure for now, you can just tell me. And I won't think you are silly when I see you doing things that don't make sense. I will know that you are talking or playing with a ghost."

[zeke]

Zeke gave April a huge smile, when she had said that it was really up to him, if he could take more time off, but it would be nice to catch up and chat more. He nodded his head then, "Good as done, will change my flight when I get back to my parents later." It wasn't as if it was a difficult thing to do, and it shouldn't cost him that much. Being his own boss, he had the perks to be able to do that, just take extra time off when he needed it.

When April said she felt better knowing that he knew about her ability, he gave her a warm smile. It sure made him feel less of a freak, although, to many people, that's what he would always appear to be, especially when ghosts just come up and talk to him, and he replies without thinking of where he is. Still, not being seen as a freak in April's eyes, was really all that mattered to him right now.

Zeke wondered how much about Carly he should tell April, he was scared to tell her too much too soon. Telling her about his ability was one thing, telling her about Carly was another thing entirely. However, he didn't like keeping anything back from April, it wasn't how he worked. He just didn't know where to begin when it came to telling April about her.

When he had said to April he wished he could change the fact he had a ghost child attached to him, he saw her shake her head and then she spoke, her words made him smile. It was what made his decision about telling April more about Carly. "I'm not sure why she attached herself to me, other than, she saw me as a father figure. She told me that herself. She missed her family, and she is only a seven year old girl. I get a year older every year, Carly will always remain a seven year old. It gets to me." He shook his head a little then, and sighed gently at the thought, Carly's life was taken from her so soon.

"I can describe her to you. She's got the cutest little nose, and sweetest grin, and her laugh, more a giggle, is so infectious. She has blonde hair, and has it bobbed, to just past her ears, and she has the most gorgeous blue eyes." That was at least a description on how she looked, her personality was another thing altogether. "She's such a playful and loving child, but sometimes she wants something, and gets annoyed if I don't do it right away, she sometimes forgets, that depending where I am, it's not always that easy." He sighed again then, and that's when Carly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. He hugged her closer to him.

When April had asked what Carly had said to him, and he'd replied, April had told him not to be sorry, but why would she think that, about April being her mommy. He was about to reply, when Carly bounced off his lap and began running around them both and giggling. "Because you love each other. I can tell. You should be together." She then giggled again, clapping her hands, and running around again, before settling herself in the sand between them both and looking up at them. "Please daddy, tell her, tell her you love her, then she might be my mommy. I miss my parents." Just then Carly began to cry, and that wasn't good for a ghost.

"Ssh, sweetheart, crying isn't good for you, you know it." When Carly cried, or when any ghost cried for that matter, it could usually spell a change in the weather, and not necessarily a good one. Or, if you were indoors, things began to fly around and fall off shelves for no apparent reason. Carly then got up and wrapped her arms around Zeke's neck again from the back, hugging him, as she tried to calm herself down.

Zeke looked at April with a pained expression on his face, "She misses her family. I think that's why she asked that question about you. But there's more to it than just that." Zeke then looked away, should he continue? Should he actually tell April, what they've both known for years? Then as he was struggling over his thoughts, Carly's voice came into his head again. "Tell her, just tell her." He sighed, as he put his hands up to hold onto Carly's. "Alright Carly."

"She thinks ... she thinks..." Damn, this was harder than he thought. She thinks, because I'm in love with you, and we get together, it will automatically make you... her mommy." He looked away from April then, because he knew how ridiculous it would probably sound to her, but he couldn't help it. And now, he had told April, in a round about way, that he was in love with her, truth is, he'd been in love with her from the first time they had dated, his feelings had never changed, despite the other women he had dated over time.

[april]

Apil listened to what Zeke said about Carly, about not really knowing why she attached herself to him. April grinned slightly, when Zeke mentioned the fact that Carly saw him as a father figure. Then as Zeke went on about how Carly misses her family, and that she will always stay that age, while he gets older, April felt a bit sad for Carly.

Then Zeke went on to describe Carly to April. She smiled as he told her what she looked like. Then Zeke went on to tell April about Carly, and how she was. "Well, she does sound like a rather cute kid, pity I can't see her. And she sounds like a normal kid, the way she acts." Well, to April, she had seen enough kids in her lifetime to know that some were well behaved, or little shits. But Carly sounded like a typical kid, wanting things to be perfect. That is the vibe she got anyway. April watched as Zeke's arms made a small circle, and this made her know that he was probably hugging Carly right now.

After they spoke about why Carly had said that stuff about April being her mum, April watched as Zeke was talking into air again, telling Carly to ssh, and that crying wasn't good for her. April wondered what the outcome would be if she got upset. Did Carly have the same ability as what April had? She then felt a bit of a chill in the air, when it had been warm only moments ago.

Then Zeke told April that Carly misses her family. After a long pause, he continued. April didn't know what to say to what Zeke had just said. So he was in love with her still. April let out a couple of deep breaths, trying to find the right words to reply with. There was no way that she could be this child's mother, no way. She couldn't even see her, let alone talk to her, or touch her. April shook her head.

Then she decided to do something with the feelings she still had for Zeke. She moved closer to him, and placed a hand on his arm. "From what you said about Carly, I would be proud to be her mother figure, but I just don't think that would be the case, even though I do still love you too." With that, April lent in and kissed Zeke. She just kissed him for a couple of seconds, opening her mouth only slightly, and the pulled away. April didn't know what he would say to what she said, or what she had just done.

[zeke]

When Zeke had gone into detail with April telling her that Carly saw him as a father figure, but had no real idea why she attached herself to him, he saw her grin. Well, Zeke as a father figure was a bit of a shock for April probably, not that he had ever ruled kids out, real kids that was, but, well, April was slightly older than him, and had a heavy career, last thing she wanted was kids running around her ankles. When he went on to describe Carly and how she acts, he smiled at April's response.

"Yeah, I guess she does act like a typical kid really, but not having any real kids, I guess I wouldn't really know." He laughed a little then. Then of course, Carly had got a little upset, because she wanted April to be her mommy. Zeke knew it wasn't going to be an easy thing to tell April, and he also knew that it wasn't something April would be overly happy about or keen on and he really couldn't blame her. After all, she couldn't see her, talk to her or touch her. At least, not just now.

Zeke kept hoping and praying when he and April got a strong connection going, she might be able to see her, and talk to her. He certainly hoped so anyway, for Carly's sake if nothing else. "When Carly gets upset, the weather sometimes gets changed, or things get thrown about, I've witnessed it a few times, she tries not to, as it scares her, but it's an automatic reaction to her sadness and upset and anger." Zeke explained, as he had felt the temperature drop slightly when Carly had been crying.

But now, she seemed to have calmed down and he could feel the heat slowly creeping back again. Eventually, Carly had managed to coax Zeke into telling April why Carly wanted him to tell her he was still in love with her. It was awkward, he knew it would be awkward, but what could he do? If he didn't tell April, Carly would get upset again and he didn't want that. So, now after telling her, he was just waiting on her response.

He soon felt April's hand on his arm, and he looked at her then, when she spoke, he could feel sadness, for what she said about Carly, not sadness for himself, but sadness for Carly. He just hoped she wouldn't get upset again. Then he felt April lean in to kiss him, which he naturally kissed her back. When April, pulled away from him, he touched his lips with his finger. That tingle and zest was still very much there.

"Well, I'm really happy you're still in love with me April, of course I am, and that kiss was, well it brought back some very happy memories, and I do understand what you're saying about Carly, I'm still hoping, the more we get emotionally and physically attached, you may be able to see her, but I just hope she doesn't get too upset by this." Carly who had still been hanging over Zeke's neck, had witnessed the kiss.

She then jumped off of Zeke's neck, and started dancing around in circles and clapping her hands. "You told her daddy, you told her, and she loves you toooooo, see, I told yoooooooou." Carly started shouting in a sing song voice. Then she stopped, and looked at April, "I'm sad she feels she can't be my mommy, but she might, just too much for her just now, right daddy?" Zeke sighed a deep breath of relief, at least she hadn't got upset with April's response to the whole mommy thing. "Maybe Carly, who knows." Zeke shrugged his shoulders lightly. Then he watched as Carly, made her way over to April, now Carly was a ghost, and could touch things, he could touch her, but he knew that April wouldn't be able to touch her, but she would be able to feel her, that he was certain.

Carly then went right up to April, and wrapped her arms around her neck and nudged into her cheek with her own face. "Tell her, tell her, I don't mind she can't think like that, but, I'm glad she might be back in your life." For such a young girl, Carly was so very wise for her years. He then looked at April, and gave her a weak smile, "Not sure if you can feel her, but she's hugging you around your neck right now, and she told me to tell you that she doesn't mind if you can't accept her right now, she's just glad you might be back in my life."

So, he didn't say exactly what Carly had said, but he said enough of it, and he just hoped April, wouldn't get upset at the fact a ghost was cuddling into her neck and cheek. It took Zeke long enough to get used to having Carly around.

[april]

April listened to what Zeke said about Carly, in regard to when she gets upset. So maybe she didn't have the same ability as April. She had never made things move when upset, so it might just be a ghost thing then. "I can imagine it being a bit scary for her. She is only a child, and what with being a ghost is probably scary enough. Let alone making this happen when emotions get in the way. I know how she feels in some ways." April could only guess what that little girl was feeling. She knew that she always had to keep her emotions in check, in order for weird weather stuff to happen.

When April had kissed Zeke, she wondered what he might say or do to it all. She was known to be someone who gets things done, and for being straight to the point. So basically, she was living up to her reputation. There was no pushing form Zeke, for her to get off, so him kissing her back was a good sign. Once they had parted, she saw Zeke put a finger to his lips. Not sure what that move meant, but she waited to hear what me might say about what she had just done.

April smiled, looking down, as Zeke said that he was happy that she was still in love with him, he was still in love with her. Then he said that the kiss brought back some very happy memories. Still looking down, not making eye contact, she nodded in acknowledgment. On and off over the years, they had some great times together, both public and private. April listened then about what Zeke's theory was, about April seeing Carly. It had been some time since she had been intimate with Zeke, and wondered if they would have that immediate spark in that department. Well, if the kiss was anything to go by, there would be no trouble.

"Maybe Zeke. Not sure how it all works. But am up for giving anything a try. She sure seems to mean a lot to you." April wasn't jealous, but did want to see what this little girl looked like, in order to fully participate in any conversations they had, which may or may not include her somewhere, like before. At least then she wouldn't have to continue to ask Zeke what she said.

She saw Zeke sigh deeply, and then he spoke to Carly, shrugging his shoulders. April didn't know what to say to Zeke. She could just ask him what Carly said, but no. She instead watched his eye line travel to her. "What?" April had no idea what Zeke was looking at. Maybe it was Carly doing something behind her. The she felt a cold shiver go up her spine, and hit her neck. April briefly closed her eyes, letting out a breath, and then opened her eyes. Then that coolness hit her cheek. Another breath was let go again, escaping April's lips.

All April could do was just stare at Zeke, flabbergasted. He then said to her that Carly was hugging her right now around her neck. And then said that Carly told him to tell her that she doesn't mind if she can't accept Carly right now, and that Carly was glad that she might be back in Zeke's life. So that explained the cold shiver she felt. "I did feel something, like a cold shiver up my spine, and then at my neck, and on my cheek. So that must have been Carly." She quickly stood up then, not knowing what to do. April had never felt like that, unless you count the numerous times when she had kissed Zeke, feeling the tingling on her body, whenever they were close. But this was different.

She had no idea what to say to what she said. April felt like she was in a bit of a daze. She hadn't heard her phone ring at all, and the sound of the ringtone began to get louder. "Oh." She rummaged through her bag, and found it. Looking down at the call I.D., it was work. She told her assistant editor to call only if there was an emergency. "I ... I have to take this." She pointed to the phone, and answered it.

[zeke]

Zeke nodded his head when April said she could only imagine that it was scary for Carly, what with her being a ghost, without her emotions causing things to go wrong. "It took her long enough to understand she was a ghost, and that even though she could see her parents, they couldn't see her." Just thinking back to those days, tugged at Zeke's heart. It was probably that alone, which made Zeke take a shine to the young ghost, and after helping her, when most ghosts crossed over, she stayed. Not wanting to leave him. Now, after a couple of years he was used to it and didn't really know any better.

When Zeke had spoken to April about her maybe having more of a connection to Carly like he has, when they got more physically and emotionally attached. After all, if they were going to get into a relationship, it would be very awkward, if Zeke had to keep entertaining Carly when April couldn't see, or have any idea what the girl was saying or doing. Being a medium Zeke should have a good idea about it all, if it was possible for April to hear and see Carly after becoming emotionally involved with him, but he himself wasn't sure, so naturally he knew April wouldn't be sure either.

"I'm glad you're willing to give it a shot, I don't really know myself and I'm the medium, guess we really will just have to wait and see." He left it at that, as he wasn't wanting to push the intimacy issue with April, not after her just coming back into his life. "She does mean a lot to me, only because I've not been able to make her cross over, and she wanted to stay with me. I think it's more a case of she felt I needed her, more than she needs me." He wasn't sure how much of that was true, but at the time, Carly was a great addition to his life, and even now, he couldn't deny he had fun around her, because he did.

The next thing that happened was Carly going over to April, and giving her a hug around her neck and placing her face next to April's cheek. Zeke knew that April would feel a coolness around her, as Carly did this. He could have just stayed quiet, but he figured if he let April know that Carly was happy around her, it might help, although he hadn't quite expected the reaction from April, he did get. When April stood up, Carly had dropped to the sand, but she was giggling.

"Yes, that would have been Carly, I'm sorry April, I'm sorry that you've come back into my life while I have this addition you can't see or talk to." He didn't know what else to say, or do about it. He knew it would be awkward and unfair for April, but he also knew he didn't want another opportunity of being with April to slip through his fingers. Then there was the sound of a mobile ringing, and April realised it was her own, she said she had to take it once she looked at who was calling.

Zeke just nodded his head, what else could he do? Carly came back up to him then and sat on his knee. "I like her daddy." Zeke just gave her a warm smile, and hugged her to him. "Yeah, I like her too, too much probably." He sighed then, and leaned his chin on top of Carly's head. "So, do you think you'll, you know?" She giggled after saying it. Zeke could only laugh a little, "I don't know, we'll just have to say, yeah?" Carly just sighed gently, and the next thing he knew, she was sleeping in his arms. They hadn't even been at the beach for that long, but it had obviously taken its toll on his little girl.

[april]

April smiled, when Zeke said that he was glad that she was willing to give their relationship a shot. It was great for Zeke to be in her life again, and she hoped that they would indeed get back to the way they were before they went their separate ways. It was also great to hear that Carly meant a lot to him, even if she was a ghost.

That feeling of Carly touching her body, just made April shiver so much. When Zeke confirmed that it was Carly, April continued to stand, just feeling that she had no control on the feeling that she had when Carly in fact hugged her and put her face to April's. April hated not being in control of anything, especially her feelings. Though each time that she lost Zeke, her feelings would go haywire, as she tried to control the situation.

When her phone rang, after not hearing it at first, April said that she had to take it. Why did her phone have to ring now, just when she was with the one guy she couldn't live without. Once she had spoken to her assistant editor, she hoped that it never happened again. Turning back to Zeke, she gave him a weak smile. "Sorry about that. A bit of a disaster on page two or something. I have to actually go and email the office with some stuff."

She went to get her bag, but glanced at Zeke, hoping that she didn't ruin their reunion at all. "I'm sorry that I have to go. But we should get together in the next couple of days?" April hoped so, in order to not let him get away again.

{ooc - sorry it is such a short post. I was finding it hard to reply for some reason}