A Gaby FanFic
by PB
Prologue:
Thanks go out to the various fanfic authors and Maddy Bell, herself, for creating this ‘universe' and providing the inspiration. Whether you realize it or not, there's a part of each of you, in this work.
I also wish to dedicate this work to Karen J, Jillian and Angharad – three lovely people that without their continued prodding, this would never have appeared. I also have to thank Saphira, Sidonie and Meri – for enduring my endless questions and keeping my German and any details of life in Germany, close to reality … ‘ Vielen Dank!'
It would seem that I've been put on a literary path somewhat like George Lucas did with Star Wars. “Rough Waters” is the prequel to “Reconciliation”, which in turn was based upon “Notes of a Journey”. As such, like “Reconciliation”, it is highly recommended your read/re-read “Notes of a Journey”, at least up to the point the kids are preparing to leave Grottoes, Virginia. This is to avoid any confusion with references to events that occurred prior to the start of “Rough Waters”.
From the words that I remember
From my childhood still are true
That there's none so blind
As those who will not see
And to those who lack the courage
And say it's dangerous to try
Well they just don't know
That love eternal will not be denied
(Moody Blues – partial lyrics “I Know You're Out There Somewhere”)
PB
Two months later….
“Can you believe the choices for plays that Frau Fassbinder gave us?” Suse asked her friend as she and Gaby left their last class of the day.
“Just be thankful that ‘Hair' didn't make the list.” Gaby half-jokingly replied. “I'm not ready to do nude scenes on stage.”
“It's all in your mind … like … maybe we should just ask some of these boys?” Suse playfully quipped as she easily avoided a half-hearted swipe from Gaby. “Besides … I wouldn't mind seeing a few of the guys in the class ...”
“Not sure how Aldrick would take it,” Gabs casually commented.
“I guess I'd just have to get him to switch to drama, wouldn't I?” Suse replied as the two girls broke out in giggles.
Threading their way through the now crowded halls, Suse turned to Gaby and started asking her about when she was going to start her training rides again.
“I dunno … I've already had a few rides but the weather hasn't exactly co-operated, so I've mostly worked out on the turbos. Better get some more road time in before long … Mum's already put in my registration for the Sschwarzbräu-Straßenpreis 2005 later this month.”
“Where's that?” Suse asked.
“Dunno … some place called Ausburg … Mum knows the place,” Gaby replied as they arrived at their lockers.
As Gaby opened her locker and retrieved her mobile, she noticed the text window displayed ‘message waiting'. Seeing that it was from her mum, Gaby motioned for Suse to wait while she called. Kat, Steffie and Liesl approached the two other girls, as Gabs was dialing her phone.
“Hold on, guys … just got to give Mum a call,” Gaby stated as she put the mobile under her hair and up to her ear.
“Hi, Mum? … You called?” Gaby inquired.
Silence ensued for a short time, “Now? … Uh, ok … I'll let the others know … no … I'll meet you outside in the car park, b… no … I took the train today … bye.”
“Mum says George wants to see me in his office. She's coming by to pick me up … so you guys go ahead and I'll probably see you later if not tomorrow.” Gaby informed her friends.
“Why's George calling you in? Whattya do, Gab?” Kat quietly asked.
“No bloody idea!” a perplexed Gaby replied then added, “Promise you'll be one of the first to know … phone you when I get home.”
“Maybe Mama will know when she comes home,” Kat suggested. As Gaby grabbed her coat, purse and books, she closed up her locker and the girls started to walk towards the main doors.
“I guarantee she will, ‘cause Mom's driving her home … an' since I'll be with them,” Gaby sarcastically countered.
“Ja … forgot about that … well, talk to you when you get back … Tschuess,” Kat sheepishly replied.
As the girls stepped outside the building, Jules along with a boy from her class joined them. Gaby informed Jules of the change in plans and told her to go on ahead with the others to the train station.
Noting Jules' friend chose to remain at a distance from the group, Gaby discreetly asked her sister, “Sis … is that Johan?”
“Cute, isn't he? “ Jules coyly replied.
“If you like boys,” Gaby playfully shot back.
“See you at home,” Gaby called out as Jules and Johan took off to catch the others.
It wasn't long before Jenny had swung into the school's car park, picked up Gaby and had her in George's office at the team's training facility.
“Ah … Nachmittag Gaby … froh konnten Sie hier sein,” George warmly greeted Gaby when she entered then he thanked Jenny for getting her daughter on such short notice.
“Sweetheart … I know you know our team's legal mind, Eric … and you briefly met this gentleman a couple of summers ago … Mr. Frank Bower, the European representative for ‘Specialized',” Jenny gently steered Gaby over to the two men standing by the conference table in George's office.
““Nachmittag, Herr Weber … I thought you looked familiar, nice to see you again, Mr. Bower.” Gaby acknowledged the two gentlemen.
Once Dave joined them a couple of minutes later, George began. “Bitte … jeder,” George offered, as he invited everyone to sit at the large table in the office. Gaby sat between her mother and father on one side of the conference table, Eric and Frank opposite them on the other side and George at the end.
As they sat down, George motioned to Frank to open the meeting. As he rose, he handed out folders to everyone except Eric, who waved his advanced copy, and Dave.
“In a nutshell Gaby, ‘Specialized' is offering you an initial one-year sponsorship contract. We know what you're capable of, what you've done and the influence you, along with your mother, have in the world of women's cycling.”
Then addressing Jenny, Frank continued, “We realise that you've retired from competition Jenny, but we also feel that you still carry a lot of influence and as such, we at Specialized' are prepared to offer you a similar one-year endorsement contract … I'd like to add that both of your contracts, although initially for a one-year period, are in reality, open, when you factor in possible extensions.” He paused to allow a surprised Jenny to collect herself before continuing.
“What we would like to do is to build a campaign around the concept of the mother-daughter duo, second generation if you will. You two have already captured the attention of everyone following the sport and to be honest, ‘Specialized' feels that having both of you as spokespersons will prove beneficial for all.”
Frank then went on to outline the concept of the ‘Specialized' campaign in further detail as well as the terms of the contracts plus any direct benefits to Gaby, Jenny, Team Apollinaris and the fledgling Apollinaris Youth Project.
“I'll give you both some time to read them over, then Eric and I will answer any questions you may have.”
After Gaby and Jenny had finished reading their respective contracts, Eric took ‘the floor' and covered the legalities of both contracts and offered his advice to the women. After all was said and done, both Gaby and Jenny signed. George, countersigned on behalf of the pro team and sponsor, and Dave gave his signature on behalf of the Apollinaris Youth Project.
“Not a bad 15 th birthday gift, is it Kiddo?” Jenny quipped, all the while holding back a few tears of joy as Gaby gave her mum a hug. She then quietly watched as Gaby thanked Frank with a handshake. Jenny followed her daughter's lead as she eventually went over and also thanked Frank in a similar fashion.
After they were all back in the house, Dave asked Gaby, “How you feel … your first real sponsorship?”
“Brill … I guess …” Gaby replied with a long sigh, as her voice trailed off.
“What's wrong, princess … I would've thought you'd be happier with your first sponsorship?” Dave asked as sat down.
“No Maddy to share it with … ( sniff )” Gaby quietly replied as the first few tears rolled down her face. Dave pulled Gaby into him and just held her as she softly cried on his shoulder.
“Oh … I have a strong hunch she'll hear about it in a day or two,” Dave softly commented as he attempted to comfort his daughter.
Following dinner, both girls attended to their homework instead of letting it slide over the weekend and then convened on Gaby's bed to start planning for Gaby's birthday.
“Who you planning to invite Sis? You only have a week … give or take.”
“Well, lessee … Judith, Steffie, Kat, Liesl and Suse … of course … the family and Mum says Kat's parents will be here as well.”
“No boys?”
“I don't think so … besides I think they'd feel a little weird at a girl's birthday party.”
“You didn't feel weird going to Maddy's parties, did ya?”
“That was different, innit? … I was Maddy's bo…” Gaby's voice quickly fading as her voice trailed off.
“I'm sorry,” Jules offered when she caught her mistake. Seeing her sister take a huge sigh, Jules asked, “You alright Sis?”
“Just thinkin'…”
“It won't be like last year,” Jules softly pointed out.
“I know … but …” Gaby's thought was interrupted as her eyes started to get wet.
“Is it Maddy?”
Gaby closed her eyes and whispered, “I wish she wanted to be here as much as I want her here.” Following a brief silence while she quickly composed herself, Gaby resumed the planning session with Jules.
“Now, where were we? … Since we're just talking dinner an' dancing, room won't be a problem … just move the lounge around a bit an' we'll be ok,” Gaby mused.
“Food?”
“Dunno … Mum an' Maria said they're takin' care of that … they've banned me from the kitchen while they plan,” Gaby replied.
“Oh … Well … I think that's a wrap, then! … We seemed to have covered everything … meeting adjourned,” Jules thoughtfully replied. As they got off Gaby's bed, Jules added, “Better let Mum know what we've decided …I've got to get ready … Johan should be here shortly.”
“Big date?” Gaby teased.
“Something like that, Sis,” Jules shot back through a big smile. “You braid my hair later?”
“Sure!” Gaby shot back.
As Jules was getting ready, Gaby made out the official invitations with the intent of giving them to the girls the following day when they came over.
“Sis!”
“Be right there, Jules.”
The days leading up to Gaby's 15 th birthday went by very quickly. On a couple of good days, Gaby and Judith managed some short 30Km training rides. On other days, they were on the turbos at the team facility after school let out.
Finally, ‘it' arrived and Gaby was officially 15. It was another normal day at school except that Gaby and her friends were all wearing either a skirt or a dress in place of their usual jeans, which in itself garnered the attention of many of the boys throughout the day.
After school, all the girls went directly to the Bonds. Jenny and Jules took the presents into the house and then returned to join the others outside by Dave and the van.
“Everyone here Gaby?” Dave asked. Gaby made a final mental roll call.
“Yep.”
“I'll go with Mum and the Pinger's,” Jules offered.
“Ok, everyone else … into the van,” Dave announced. “We'll do your presents after dinner, princess.”
The adults had decided to take Gaby and her friends out to the Zur Saffenberg for a birthday dinner reasoning that it would considerably simplify things. Between the Pinger's car and Dave's van, they were easily able to take everyone.
Following their arrival at the restaurant, Jenny informed the ‘hostess' they had a reservation and were promptly seated.
“Order what you want … within reason … if you're unsure, please ask. Both presents and cake will be served up back at the house.” Dave announced after they were all seated and prepared to search the menus in front of them.
Almost two hours later the tables were finally being cleared and they were preparing to leave.
“( SIGH! ) I think I need a couple of hours on the turbos … anyone else want to join me?” Jenny jokingly asked following their excellent meal. Both Gaby and Judith quickly raised their hands, much to the amusement of the others.
After they all returned from the Zur Saffenberg, the girls were directed into the lounge were they all took up seats facing Gaby.
As Gaby went to sit on the couch beside her friends, Dave called out to Gaby as he indicated the upholstered chair in the corner of the room. “Princess … your throne's over here.”
“I'll start,” Suse announced as she passed a thin box to Gaby.
Gaby accepted the wrapped gift with a puzzled look. After she started to carefully remove the wrapping paper Gaby heard a resounding chorus of, “GABY!” She proceeded to frantically rip the paper from the box to the delight of her friends. Upon removing the wrapping, she saw it was from one of the better women's clothing chains in Germany. Upon opening the box, she briefly looked in disbelief and then pulled out a red silk poncho with a hand painted floral design encompassing the entire poncho.
As Gaby carefully inspected the gift, she kept looking at Suse. “It's beautiful … it really is … Danke!”
“I thought it'd look really good in the summer with your jeans and a top … maybe a tube top or bathing suit?” Suse explained.
“Oh … I think I'll find a few things it'll go with … Danke, Suse.” She then rose from her seat, went over to her friend and gave her a hug in appreciation of the gift.
Judith gave Gaby a pair of good riding gloves and a pair of quality sport sunglasses identical to the ones that she wore when riding.
“You know these will get a lot of use, Danke, Judith.” Gaby was very appreciative of the gift and she let Judith know it with a hug.
“Me next!” Kat cheerfully interjected. After getting Gaby's full attention, she wished Gaby a happy birthday in a more normal voice, “Here, Gabs … Alles Gute zum Geburtstag .”
Gaby took the envelope from Kat and after opening it, removed two tickets for the Berlin date for U2's Vertigo 2005 tour. Her face immediately lit up at seeing the tickets but when she noticed the date of July 7, it was quickly replaced with a look of disappointment.
“Something wrong, Gabs?” A worried Kat asked.
“The date's for July … I'll probably be racing somewhere.” A dejected Gaby mournfully replied.
“Afraid you are, Kiddo … the BDR schedule says you have the 2005 DM Bahn Berlin , from the 2nd to the 6th of July. Jenny tried to hold a straight face as she pointed out her daughter's schedule.
“You two set me up!” Gaby exclaimed as she ran to hug both Kat and her mum. “I don't know what to say … but … THANKS!”
“How do you follow that?” Liesl asked.
Detecting just touch of concern in her voice, Gaby walked over to Liesl instead of going back to her chair and stopped directly in front of her. With all eyes on the two girls, Gaby bent down and gave Liesl a light peck on the lips.
“By being my friend,” Gaby told a surprised Liesl.
“Well … in that case … Alles Gute zum Geburtstag .” Liesl replied as she gave Gaby a hug in return and then handed her a small wrapped box.
After looking at everyone, Gaby ripped the wrapping away and upon opening the box saw a pair of white gold hoop earrings.
“Wait here!” Gaby called out as she ran to the hall mirror. After inserting the new hoops and inspecting her new earrings, she proudly turned around and proclaimed, “I love ‘em … Danke, Liesl.” She then returned to the lounge, showed everyone and gave Liesl a hug.
“ Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Gaby.” Steffie offered as she held out her gift to Gaby.
“It really has been a happy birthday with all you guys here,” Gabs replied as she peeled the Steffie's gift.
“I noticed it was missing from your Beatles collection,” Steffie offered as Gaby looked at the playlist.
“Danke, Steffie … I've heard they'd released it, but I'd never even seen it … Danke,” an appreciative Gaby responded.
When Dave asked her what CD she got, Gaby proudly announced the CD's title as she took it over to him. “Let It Be … Naked.”
“An' now we come to the family's gifts … for my favourite sister,” Jules announced with a flourish.
“Last I knew, I was your only sister,” Gaby sarcastically shot back as she accepted the gift with a hug and a kiss to Jules' cheek.
When Gaby opened the box, she held up a marine-blue, cotton tank top with a braid pattern around the neckline. “It's beautiful, thank you Jules … bet this'll look great with my jeans and moccasins!”
After she went to give Jules a hug, Dave presented her with her final gift. “This is from your Mum and I … Happy birthday, Kiddo!”
Slowly opening the box, Gaby saw a Denim jacket. Upon taking it out of the box, she realized that it was the same jacket she loved and tried on the time they took Carol into Bonn for a day of shopping.
“Thank you, you guys!” Gaby squealed as she turned to give her mum and dad a big hug.
Once all the gifts were given out, Dave and Heinrich moved some of the furniture in the lounge to improvise a dance floor while the girls talked amongst themselves and looked at Gaby's presents. Before Dave assumed his role as DJ and started the music, Steffie walked over to Gaby, took her by the hand and led her into the middle of the cleared floor.
“I'd like to say something, if I could? Bitte?” Steffie asked as she nervously looked around the room and then turned back to Gaby.
“First of all, don't blame Kat … she was only trying to find a way to help a friend. Now I'd like to try to help that friend. “ Steffie, still holding Gaby's hand, saw a very puzzled look cross her friend's face.
“Some time ago, you told Kat that you sometimes had doubts about how people … us, really … how we felt about you … well … being a lesbian.” When Steffie saw growing apprehension on Gaby's face, she squeezed Gabs' hand to let her know things were going to be all right and continued.
“I think … no … I know …( sigh ) I know I speak for all of us when I say that we really don't care if you are a lesbian … An' we couldn't care less if you und Maddy ever hold hands or kiss when you're with us, in public …” Steffie paused briefly to gather her thoughts.
“What I'm trying to say, Gabs … ist that … we don't want you to change! We love you just as you are. You just told Liesl what you wanted from her … now, we're … I mean all of us … we're telling you that all we want from you …( sigh ) ist to … just keep being our friend … that's all.” Gaby tightly hugged Steffie as the others walked up to join in a group hug.
Her only response was a tearful, but quiet and very sincere, “Danke.”
“S'cuse me … ( sniff ) I probably look a right mess,” Gaby observed as she left the room a couple of minutes later, quickly followed by Jules.
“See Sis … nothing like last year, innit?” Jules whispered as Gaby was fixing her make-up. Gaby looked at her sister before giving Jules a long hug.
Dave had already started the music by the time Jules and Gaby returned. Some of the girls were up dancing as well as Maria and her husband. The quick tempo of the music reflected the absence of their boyfriends.
After several dances had transpired, Steffie discreetly got Kat's attention and pointed towards Gaby. She had noticed that even though Gaby seemed to be enjoying herself, there was something missing. Kat agreed and decided to try to resolve the problem.
“Mama? …Would you get mad if I had a slow dance with Gaby?” Kat timidly asked her mother as she approached the adults sitting around the kitchen table. Maria looked at Kat with a puzzled expression, obviously wondering the motive behind her daughter's strange question.
“You now telling me that you like girls?” Maria quietly asked.
“Mama! … She's my friend! … Besides, you know I like Kurt! …” Kat hissed.
“… But look at her … it's her birthday and everyone's having fun … except her. I know her Mama! She may look happy, but look how quiet she's been … she ist probably thinking of Maddy again.”
“I know she is, Kat … with every dance,” Jenny solemnly replied.
“Well … Don't you think it might be nice if I went und asked her to dance?” Kat asked her mother. “Might make her feel better … about … things.”
Both Jenny and Maria picked up on the veiled references to Maddy and memories of Gaby's last birthday. The two women momentarily looked at each other then Maria hugged her daughter.
“I think Steffie already did a lot to bury memories of Gaby's last birthday, but I also think she'd appreciate your idea, Kat.”
“Can I pick the song, Herr Bond?” Kat quietly asked Dave knowing that Gaby frequently invaded her dad's music collection.
“Of course, Kat,” Dave agreed. “You know where they are.” Kat went and looked through Dave's CD's, and after several minutes, she went back up to Dave and indicated the song she wanted him to select off the CD.
“Wait ‘til I ask, ok?” Kat asked as she went out to join the rest of the kids.
Kat motioned for the music to stop as she walked over to Gaby. The other kids watched as she sat beside a surprised Gaby and gently taking Gabs' hand in her own, softly asked, “You're thinking of Maddy … aren't you?” Gaby slowly nodded as Kat continued, “I know I'm not her … but could I please have this dance, Fräulein?”
Kat stood up, keeping a hold of Gaby's hand and then announced to the other kids that this was a special dance for Gaby. Once both girls were on their feet, Kat took Gabs in her arms as the first bars of Elvis Presley's “Can't Help Falling In Love” floated out of the speakers. As Gaby laid her head upon Kat's shoulders, she whispered into her friend's ear, “Danke, Kat”
As the song was nearing its end, Kat thought she felt Gaby softly crying. On a whim, Kat stopped dancing and with the final notes still in the air, gently placed a finger under Gaby's chin, and raised her head until the two girls were looking into each other's eyes.
“Happy birthday, Gaby,” Kat softly cooed as she planted a long kiss on Gaby's lips. Gaby resisted only for the briefest of seconds, then melted back into Kat's embrace enjoying the kiss. Once they broke apart, Gaby, with tears forming in her eyes, looked at Kat then lightly kissed her, followed by a tight hug.
“Danke, Kat … I don't know what else to say … but thank you!” Gaby's emotional and heartfelt thanks was all Kat needed to hear.
Dave quickly selected a more upbeat piece of music and the others soon found space on the improvised dance floor.
After another quick dance, Dave stopped the music and the lights in the lounge went off. As the girls parted, Jenny carefully walked over to Gaby with a tray and a cake topped by 15 lit candles.
“Humour us … make a wish, kiddo!” Jenny urged. Gaby thought for a nanosecond then blew out all the candles.
“Whaddya wish for Sis?” Jules asked.
“Yeah, tell us Gabs,” Liesl echoed.
“I think you all know…” Gaby replied, her voice fading as it trailed off.(to be continued)
PB 17.06.07 © 2007
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