Chapter Text
Once you make it to the top of the mountain, what’s left for you but lightning. Depends on if you’re ready for it or not.
Ted stands idly by. He fidgets with his newspaper as he waits. Familiar blonde bellows of hair catch the corner of his eye. Gaining his full attention, he sees her. As if she had felt his searing gaze, Rebecca Welton in all her towering, beautiful presence turns toward him. Her smile is bright and wide, a sight for sore eyes after the last time they’ve been alone together. He takes her in, silently soaking in the sight of her. He notices she’s wearing the same outfit when they first met. Fitting for the occasion he thinks, poetic even. A subtle tingling dances with the knots that form in his stomach. He heads to her as she struts to him, meeting him halfway. Mirth is in his eyes as the surprise washes away.
“Now what the heck, you doin’ here?”
“I just-- bought a ticket to get through security so I can come and say-- a proper goodbye,” Rebcca says breathily.
“A classic rom-com leave cute tactic…”
She gives a tight titter.
“...I love it. M’kay, wait, hold on? You bought yourself a first class ticket for a flight you ain’t ever gonna take?” shocked and confusion etched in his voice.
Rebecca dismisses it, chargin in her voice. “Ted…,” That tingling is matched with a quick flutter. A result from the way she exasperatedly says his name. He notices it and instantly pushes it away, not interested to understand what or why it's happening now.
“... Right--yes, it was just a force of habit.”
“Oh--ok, sure. I um-- Ted lifts his newspaper up, briefly flashing her photo to Rebecca.
“You're sticking around still, though.”
She laughs softly, “Well Ted, you’re going home to your son. I actually want to stay with my-- no, our family." Ted smiles somberly, he focuses back on the paper. Something neutral to school back the boiling emotions inside.
Rebecca continues, “ We know you have to go, but don’t think that means you must stay away forever. When you’re ready, we’ll be here. With open arms. For you, Henry, Michelle, even lovely Dottie. Always."
Ted’s face twitches at the mention of his mom, but the gentle fondness look that is reserved for just Rebcca returns as quickly as it left.
“That’s a mighty big promise, Rebecca.”
“It’s a guarantee, Ted. I’m a woman of my word.”
There’s brief silence as they both grin, just a little too tight and little too force. Swinging the paper once more, Ted changes the subject.
“It’s a great picture, it doesn’t beat the real thing though,” he gestures toward her.
She playful shakes her head. “I can’t wait to read the article.”
“It’s not bad, actually. I much rather preferred if they hadn’t referred to me as the club matriarch.” Rebecca complains.
Ted murmurs his own disdain, “Mmmm, yeah, well it has more gravitas than soccer mom.” Rebecca chuckles once more, the silence returns like a thief in the night, the air turns to constricting anxious mist.
Both of their eyes dart from everywhere to back to the other.
“Thank you--”
“Thank you--”
They both spoke at the same time.
“Oh, I’m sorry."
“No, I’m sorry, you go first.” Ted motions for her to continue. Like the other times before when they talked, which is a first , he doesn’t have the right words to say. He hopes that she says it all for them both.
“Thank you, you did a lot for me Ted, That’s what I'm going to remember forever."
“Nah, I ain’t do anything special, Rebecca. What did I ever really give you, that you couldn’t give yourself?"
Ted can see that her mind is racing, searching for the right words. Her eyes are slowly glistening. A watery smile awaits as she thinks one answer and says another.
“Hope. No one else could’ve given me that, not even myself.”
He tips his head forward, accepting the gravity of her words and the ones in between.
With a deep breath, Ted murmurs, “Thank you. You gave me the chance to see and do some wonderful things. A fresh start that opened my eyes to what’s important. I’ll always owe you, Rebecca.”
“I distinctly remember a certain coach offering a coupon for life?”
“Redeemable anytime and any place.”
“How about now?,” Rebecca rushes. It's a desperate plea but light tears now escape as the two smile politely at the weight of her words.
He leans forward first and takes Rebecca in an embrace. Her rich perfume tickles his mustache. Ted coughs in a failed attempt to mask the rising tears. He grips a bit tighter as he hears her sniffles. His heart pounds and the knots return to his stomach as her fingers lightly graze the back of his neck. In this moment, he inhales every scent, every feeling of her body, praying it's burned in his memory.
A strong tap on his shoulder and he’s reminded that he should let go. Facing her once more, it almost knocks the air out his lungs to see her teary eyed. Even more sadder than that fateful gala night three years ago. She nods for him to go and he smiles ever slightly. He checks in at the desk and as he enters the tunnel he looks back one time, she’s right in place and salutes him. He does the same and walks away. Unknowingly, taking her heart with him and leaving a piece of his with her.
-----
Rebecca attempts to calm herself and the sting in her eyes as Ted enters his plane. His question replayed over and over in her head, and a single intrusive thought jumping before she could shoo it away.
“What did I ever really give you, that you couldn’t give yourself? “Love, Coach Lasso. Love.”
She presses a manicure finger to her lips to keep them from quivering. The pain that rips through her as she turns her head to the glass window. She searches for the word to describe it, then it hits her as her eyes watch as his plane ascends into the sky. It's was visceral as lightning.