Chapter Text
She should have called before she came here.
It's been one year since she last saw him. That fateful day at the airport where she somehow made things just a little...worse (for herself)
"I'm sorry I didn't call,"
"Oh no. We don't do that, right?"
Why would she say that!? She can't think about it. And it's been a year. A year since she's seen him walk away again.
But here she is.
Standing outside his house. With a suitcase. And a pissed-off manager in New York. What else is new though?
"What the fuck are you doing?"
"I don't know Susie."
"What the fuck do you mean, you don't know Miriam?"
"I'm going...on vacation."
She knew this is what she needed to do though. Regardless of what Susie thinks. Hell, Dinah even agreed with her!
Who knows, she could use a tan...?
Ring the doorbell. Don't back out now.
With a breath and a need for a smoke (and maybe a martini), she rings the bell.
She is instantly met with a little girl.
A little girl that stares right into her soul. She looks somewhat surprised and also like she knows who Midge is.
Which is...strange.
"You're my dad's friend,"
The little girl looks suspicious now. Her eyebrows scrunch up just like his. And Midge is...well, she feels out of her depth here.
"Yes...is your dad here?"
Right when those words come out of her mouth, she sees him.
Fuck.
His curled hair is natural — no gel. He looks like he's been eating. He has glasses on. And holy fucking shit is he tan!
"Kit, what did I say about the door!"
The little girl — Kit — rolls her eyes but looks embarrassed.
"I thought it was grandma! We were going to spend the day in the pool." She sighs before saying, "I'm sorry Dad."
He looks away from her and then takes notice of who's at the door.
"Did I know you were coming?"
She shakes her head.
Wow, you don't have a thing to say for once...surprising.
He stares at her. He's obviously waiting for her to tell him why she's here and the little girl looks between them and blurts, "We should get ice cream...please!"
He looks at his daughter, gives her a little smile, and says "Go get your shoes on and then we'll go,"
She runs down the hall and then they are alone.
He looks around the inside of the house and closes the door to join her outside.
"How'd you find me?"
"Dinah...and Susie."
"Why?"
"Would you believe me if I said I missed you?"
He gives her a look. A blank stare. He seems to be in disbelief that she's actually here. At his house.
"No. No, I wouldn't,"
"Well, I do. Miss you. Have missed you."
"What do you want me to say to that..."
It was then obvious that the reunion she dreamed of was never going to be a reality. She thought he would be somewhat happy to see her. But his eyes convey nothing but confusion.
"Nothing. It's just um...I decided to finally use the vacation time I haven't even thought of using until now." She pauses. "This is the longest time we haven't seen each other or talked and I really miss you."
"Midge—"
"Please, Lenny. Just let me talk."
He nods. Quietly mumbling "ok,"
"I know I fucked up. Last year with the Tony Bennett gig. Ok, I know. I don't really understand what the fuck I was doing all time I wasn't performing all the gigs I could have had. Shy was...Shy was my friend and I was hurt so I decided to just...do anything that didn't involve opening acts."
Now she really could use that martini.
"And then well, you know you...you left. I promised I wasn't going to ruin my career. I'm performing. Any gig, small or big. Close or far. It's honestly a little much sometimes. But nothing I can't handle. In heels even."
He snorts.
"Yes, I know."
She grabs his hand and intertwines their fingers. "I really have missed you, Lenny."
He uses his free hand to cradle her cheek. "Well, since we're being honest...I've missed you a little I guess."
She rolls her eyes.
"Just a little?"
"Mainly missed the hats,"
She smiles and shakes her head. And just when she's about to say something else, the door opens.
He moves away from her. His daughter immediately launching herself at him.
"Ok, I'm ready!"
He beams at her excitement but notices the way his daughter is staring at Midge.
He is about to introduce Kitty when she says, "Will you come with us to get ice cream, too?"
Midge looks at Lenny as if to ask if it's okay and he nods. "I would be delighted."
Then she suddenly remembers that she never told her who she was.
"I'm Midge, sorry I didn't introduce myself."
"I know, you're my dad's best friend,"
She quirks her eyebrows and smirks at him.
"Best friend, huh?"
He shrugs and lets Kitty down on the floor.
"Kitty, stop saying my secrets." She shrugs too but her smile says something else entirely.
"C'mon let's go get ice cream!"
They both laugh. She really did miss him.
Yeah. I needed this.
———
She finds herself next to him on the beach. Kitty is a few inches away from the water. Her feet splashing around with a strawberry ice cream cone in her hand (it's pink just like my dress, Dad!)
He hasn't said anything. And neither has she. But they are holding hands.
She tries not to think too much about the fact that they look like a couple. Like a family.
It's not until he looks at her that she sees how different he is. It's not just appearance but he looks relaxed. Calm. Happy.
"How long are you staying for?"
"A few weeks."
"And Susie is not fucking losing her mind."
"I'm on vacation."
"With little old me. I'm touched." He goes to put emphasis, placing his hand against his heart.
They still have a lot of ground to cover. But she doesn't know if she can break this peaceful moment with him. Her mouth has different ideas though.
"Lenny—"
He turns his head toward her. His other hand went to her cheek. He shakes his head, mumbling "Not yet."
His lips touch her cheek. Her nose. Her left eyebrow. Her forehead. And then her lips.
She feels dizzy.
In love.
Her lips part a little just right when he pulls back.
He looks beautiful like this. Sunkissed, unwound, and smiling down at her.
She's about to kiss him again when Kitty asks him to go into the water. (It's warm, I swear Dad)
"Give me a minute, will ya?"
"Careful with the sharks,"
He laughs, it's filled with something fond and he then goes closer to the ocean.
Kitty immediately pushes him into the waves. She's laughing when both Kitty and him are splashing each other.
Fuck it, I love you. I love this.