The Age of Adaline Scene When She Meets William Again
*Fan fiction. A continuation of The Historic period of Adaline (moving picture) story.
New year's Eve 2015
"Wow!" Ellis beams every bit Adaline strides into the room draped in a floor-length golden gown.
"I just need a zip," she says, presenting her dorsum to Ellis. "Are yous sure you don't want to come with the states?" Adaline turns to her girl.
"I'grand positive," Flemming says, "I've got my date right hither." She bends down to pick up the tiny King Charles puppy near her feet.
Adaline leans in to identify a kiss on Flemming's weathered cheek, "Love you," while she gives the puppy an affectionate pat.
"Honey you lot also," Flemming replies.
"I forgot my clutch…and my camera," Adaline calls over her shoulder. She heads back down the hallway. Communicable a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she does a double-take. Adaline reaches upward virtually her temple to pluck at a single gray hair.
Property the strand betwixt her fingers, she marvels at its significance. Adaline doesn't look a 24-hour interval over twenty-nine. She'south been that style since 1937.
"Adaline, you OK?" Ellis calls.
Smiling thoughtfully, she whispers, "Yeah…perfect."
Ellis holds out Adaline'southward cloak and helps to settle it in place. He grins at Flemming, "Don't wait upwardly." Flemming holds out a hand. He grasps it and gives it a brief squeeze.
He ushers Adaline toward the door.
"What are you two upward to?" Adaline wants to know.
"Cipher! Take a wonderful evening, Mama."
****
In the taxi, Ellis pulls Adaline shut to his side. He kisses the tiptop of her caput then inhales her scent, "Mmm… you lot always smell so good."
Adaline purrs a response, "I think that you are the most handsome human that I've ever known."
He chuckles, "That's considering yous've got love colored glasses on."
"Maybe," she reaches for him. It's something she likes to do whenever they are alone in the night.
Ellis captures her roaming hand, holding it nevertheless. He doesn't want her to detect the surprise he's got subconscious. They arrange themselves comfortably for the forty-minute ride to the Fairmont.
He focuses on actualization relaxed, though his toes are tapping within his apparel shoes. He leans his head back against the neck rest and closes his eyes, leaving them open up in thin slits. The urban center lights become rainbow-colored starbursts moving through his vision.
He is sure of her, now…generally. Information technology'south funny how familiarity numbs astonishment. His lips bend when he remembers this fourth dimension last yr. He was newly in love and adapting to all of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Adaline. Her true age, her seventy-eight-twelvemonth-old girl, and her name.
It was his dad who first figured out her mystery. He called her Adaline the moment he laid optics on 'Jenny.'
Mind Games
Ellis had brought Jenny home for the weekend to gloat his parent's fortieth wedding anniversary. His begetter, William, couldn't cease staring.
"Adaline was my mother," she'd explained, flustered.
"The resemblance is extraordinary. We were very close." William kept repeating as he recounted the details of his kickoff meeting with Adaline nigh London in the 1960s.
The post-obit day, William noticed a scar on Jenny'south mitt. Jenny failed to recognize the state of panic that his ascertainment triggered.
"I'g going out for a walk," she told him.
Once she was gone, William tore into the garage to aimlessly search through dusty boxes. Standing there like a statue, he held a faded photo of the two of them. A bandage on her mitt curtained seven stitches that he's sewn over fifty years ago.
Jumping in his suburban, William raced after her. He found Jenny, alone, on the dirt road a few miles from the firm. "Adaline!" he yelled equally he got out of the machine.
She halted, regarding him with concern. " William, are you alright?"
"No! I'm not alright ─ I know."
"What? ─" her face turned ashen. She started to shake.
He grabbed her hand, pointing at the scar. "It is you. I couldn't forget that!" he ground out through labored breaths.
"Oh, William," she cried softly.
His hard expression softened. He stepped closer, tipping her chin so that he could examine her face up, "How? How is this possible?"
"I don't know."
"Is this why you lot left me?" His unruly eyebrows steepled.
She nodded, her brow furrowed. "I can't tell you how painful that was." Adaline'due south voice sounded distraught.
"Oh, I know something about that," he replied gruffly, "I was on the verge of proposing." William looked puzzled as he continued to lightly trace the contours of her face.
Adaline closed her optics. He could tell that she was holding back tears. "I wanted to stay with yous, William, but I… only… couldn't."
He pulled her against him, cradling her in his arms. "I would have protected you lot if yous had trusted me."
She nodded, crying harder, "I know…"
William pulled away. Earthworks in his pocket, he brought out a handkerchief. Handing it to her he said, "Here, sop it up, Della." His weak smile didn't attain his optics. "I take information technology that you make a habit of running?"
She nodded, still dabbing at her face up. "It's the only way to stay safe. I don't ordinarily get involved with people or put down roots. You lot were the first human being I loved afterwards my husband died. That was in 1937. Ellis is the 2d."
"That's a long time. Do yous have anyone that you confide in?"
Adaline pressed the cloth to her eyes equally a fresh wave of grief done over her. William reached out to steady her.
"My daughter. She is the only one who knows."
"You have a kid?" he was surprised.
Adaline chuckled, "She'south older than you are, Will."
Blinking apace, he took a step dorsum, "Ellis," he sighed.
Her eyes widened. William could see that a flying reflex had been engaged. Clutching at her arms he pleaded, "Adaline, don't go! Don't do that to my son!"
Wrenching away, Adaline darted into the forest. She ran like rabid wolves were nipping at her heels. Perhaps they were.
Ellis Holds On
Right now, in the prime of their lives, they are perfectly matched. They are well educated, cultured and confident. Volition we stay that way? Ellis wonders.
He thinks almost Flemming and her troubled story of the fourth dimension when she and her mother switched relationship roles in public. Will I do that with Adaline?
Arriving at their destination, they bustle upward the steps to avoid the evening drizzle. They await amid other party goers for an elevator, "The entire world celebrates your birthday," Ellis grins downward at her.
"Don't remind me," Adaline says with sarcasm.
They step into the small square infinite. Adaline moves to the dorsum to make room for the others who will follow. Surprised to run into that they are the only passengers to load, she catches Ellis's movement every bit he passes a beak to the attendant. They hear complaints as the double doors glide close.
Adaline looks at Ellis suspiciously, "You lot've been acting funny all day, what are y'all hiding?"
Taking both of her easily he says, "I wanted this birthday to exist more memorable than most." He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a modest black velvet covered box. He hears Adaline suck in a breath.
Ellis's easily shake, uncertainty of a sudden grips him, just he forges ahead. Going downwardly on a human knee, he says, "Adaline Bowman, will you ally me?" The lid makes a cracking sound equally he opens the tiny package. Resting on a pillow of white satin twinkles a big square cut emerald framed past rows of tiny diamonds.
Adaline remains silent, only stands there alternately looking at him and and then down at the ring.
"Well?" Ellis says.
"Well, what?"
"Aren't you going to answer?"
She leans down placing a mitt alongside his face, "Sweetheart, y'all are magnificent."
"And?" he squeaks.
"That," she indicates the ring, "is magnificent."
"Adaline! Are you going to say, 'no?'" Ellis tin can't go on the tinge of desperation out of his vox.
"No," she shakes her caput, optics sparkling.
His brow wrinkles and he stands, "No every bit in 'no' you lot don't want to get married, or 'no' as in yes you will?"
Laughing, Adaline says, "Absolutely, Ellis, I'll ally you lot!"
The doors of the lift open up to reveal the couple notwithstanding locked in a passionate comprehend.
"Aw, common, get a room!" someone comments. Adaline thrusts out her left hand, flashing her ring and wiggles her fingers. "Oh! They must have but gotten engaged," a female vocalisation says.
Ellis and Adaline exit to a small round of applause.
They spend the evening lost in a bubble of contentment broken simply by intermittent congratulations and well wishes from people they know.
They are swaying to the music of a slow trip the light fantastic toe when Adaline says, "Ellis, there's something that I need to ask."
"Uh oh, I can tell past your tone that it's something serious."
"Yous exercise know me," she demurs. "This is going to audio foreign."
"At present y'all've got me worried."
"Would yous…" Adaline bites her lower lip and glances away.
"Come on, it tin can't be that bad," Ellis encourages.
"Would you adopt Flemming?"
"What?" Ellis barks out laughing. Seeing Adaline's hurt await, he reigns in his mirth every bit quickly equally it escaped.
"I don't desire her to feel left out when we tell her the news."
"I love you, Adaline," Ellis says tenderly. "We tin exercise whatever you lot want. Whatever Flemming wants."
Adaline Chips at the Ice
Ellis mentions that his dad is going to an astronomy briefing in Hellenic republic, and so Adaline makes a trip out to their place to meet if she can negotiate a truce.
The grin on Kathy's face up dies the instant she sees its Adaline. "Get abroad!" she snarls while retreating to close the door. Adaline plants a manus in the center, leaning on it with most of her weight.
"You lot have to deal with me if you don't want to lose your son."
"First my husband! And now my son! What kind of a monster are yous and why are you lot stalking my family?"
"I had no thought they were related. Both were chance meetings. But I'm in love with Ellis now, and I'1000 not going away."
"What are you?" Kathy'southward asks rigidly.
Adaline's tone quiets, "Honestly, I don't know ─ I'm merely a woman for whom time has stopped."
They stand staring at one some other. Adaline is the first to speak, "I can see that you have questions. I've spent lifetimes running from those, simply no more than. I'll tell you any yous want to know."
Kathy sighs, stepping back, "Come in," she says reluctantly. "I'm sure you can empathise that I don't want my son to be hurt."
"I'm not planning to hurt Ellis."
"You lot did a number on William…"
"That was a unlike time ─ a different me. The only option I could see, and then, was to get out."
"I can't wrap my head effectually the thought that you've stopped aging," Kathy frowns.
"It doesn't matter if you believe it or non, it's true. William accepts information technology equally fact."
"Well ─ I consider William'southward viewpoints, but I grade my own opinions."
Adaline looks down, hiding a smile. "I can run across why he vicious for you."
Kathy opens her rima oris to say something, then changes her mind. Afterward a few moments of silence, she says, "You know, Adaline, if what you say is truthful….and I still think that'due south a big 'if'…. there are a lot of people who'd similar to go what yous've got."
"I suspect you're correct," Adaline replies, picking nervously at pills on her sweater. "But information technology'due south not as glamorous every bit it seems. Youth and beauty are meaningless if anybody you love moves on without you lot. I've lived decades wishing that I could grow onetime similar everyone else."
***
It was very late by the time Adaline drove back to the city. She'd stopped along the manner to telephone Ellis so he wouldn't worry. They'd had a terse conversation about the last time she'd been on this route at night. He suggested that she notice a hotel and finish the trip in the morning.
"No, I promise I'll exist careful. I'll see yous in a couple of hours."
****
Her cardinal was barely in the first lock when the door opens nether her hand. Ellis pulls her to him. She strokes his back reassuringly. When Adaline tin can get a discussion in, she says, "See? I told you that I'd be alright." She winks. "It'south extremely rare for lightning to strike twice."
Ellis growls, leading her toward the sleeping accommodation. One time within, he kisses her, hard. Lips, teeth, tongues, and facial hair mash in a ravenous welcome. Between words of love, they peel off wearing apparel. Moaning with arrested desire, they stoke the burn that readily ignites. They motility in an arousing dance equally old as time.
When the storm of intensity is expended, the lovers remain entwined, gently caressing and kissing. Ellis asks about the meeting with his mother.
"She's a tough nut," says Adaline. "We spent a long time talking, but I couldn't guess what she was thinking."
"She's always been that way. When she'southward aptitude-out-of-shape, it takes a long time for her to work her way out of it. It sounds similar you fabricated it by the front door…" he comments dryly.
"At outset, she didn't desire to talk at all, but I told her that if she didn't desire to lose y'all, we had better make peace."
"Ouch─"
"I'yard a female parent as well, I know how to aim punches."
"You are such a bad donkey," Ellis says earlier leaning downward to capture her lips. A leisurely love-making session sparks to life.
Later, they get up for a snack of crispy red grapes and a variety of Sonoma Canton cheeses. Chilled glasses of wine, cultivated in the same region, accompany the simple fare. Adaline continues her recap, "Somewhen, her curiosity outweighed her annoyance when we started discussing the changing roles of women in society since the 1920s."
"Non surprising. She'south Dean of Women'south Studies at Stanford. I'g sure she'south the reason that I am interested in history."
"Having a career like that and raising two children ─ that'southward impressive."
"That'due south my mom," he states proudly. "Do you think she was thawing by the fourth dimension you lot left?"
Adaline shakes her head, "I don't know. She was quiet…thoughtful."
Ellis sighs. "I'll phone call her in few days to see if anything's changed."
Parental Predicament
Kathy hadn't been speaking to her son. Ellis knew that she'd been frosty and cross with his dad too.
He is understandably nervous every bit he waits for his parents to arrive. He's finished construction on his apartment, only since the appointment, they'd been calculation on a connecting unit for Flemming, complete with every geriatric rubber accouterment available.
When the doorbell rings, he plasters on a smiling and goes to greet them. "Mom! Dad! Thanks for coming! Please, some in."
"Hullo, son," his father grabs him in a comport hug. "It's good to meet you!"
His mom stands on the threshold looking like she isn't sure if she will cross. "Hey, Mom," Ellis says quietly, waiting.
She reaches out to cradle his face up between her hands. "My babe," she whispers.
"I've missed you," his vocalism cracks.
She gives him a dubious smiling. A single tear falls.
Once he'd given them a tour and explained everything that has been remodeled, they make it at Flemming'south infinite. "What'south this?" his mom asks when she notices the handle grips nigh the commode. "Information technology's kind of yous to exist planning for us, simply I don't remember we'll be needing anything like this for a while."
"Ahhh…." Ellis raises a hand upward to scratch the back of his neck. "It'due south not for you. Information technology'south for Flemming."
"What?" his mom looks confused. "Who is Flemming?"
Ushering them out and back toward the kitchen, Ellis attempts to salvage the state of affairs, "Let me become you something to drink. You guys go relax in the living room while I take your bags to my room."
***
Ellis returns to discover his parents continuing near the breakfast bar in the middle of an intense, just hushed substitution. "Hey, guys," he calls with imitation cheer. He pours himself a cup of whiskey, then joins them. "So, I have some big news…"
"Oh, God, no!" Kathy cries.
Ellis compresses his lips, goes to his mom, puts an arm around her shoulders, and walks her to the couch. "Mom," he begins once they are seated, "nix you lot say or practice will change the fact that I am in love with Adaline."
He looks to his dad for assistance. William shakes his head. Ellis stands and approaches his father, "Dad, practice you share Mom's feelings about my relationship?"
William seems perplexed, "No ─ I completely understand. I loved her one time, hell, a part of me will always be addicted of Adaline. But what she and I had is long gone." He pulls a footrest over so that he tin sit directly in front of his wife. He says, "Remember our favorite Robert Browning quote? 'Grow former forth with me! The best is even so to be. Information technology's the last of life, for which the first was made'… Kathy, you and I are written in permanent ink. We're unshakable, babe. You don't have to protect me or Ellis from Adaline. She's not unsafe, she'south merely lost."
"Oh, William," Kathy sighs. She leans forward to press her lips against his.
Ellis takes a long sip of his whiskey as he lets the dust settle. A knock sounds at the door, followed by, "Hellooooo!"
Fleming comes in. She has a shopping purse in i hand and Deer's leash in the 
other. The little Prince Charles prances delicately in front of her. "Ellis! I found a few more than things that I wanted to drop by for the apartment." She stops when she spots his guests, "I'g so sorry to interrupt, I didn't realize…"
"That's alright!" Ellis exclaims taking the handbag and leading her toward his parents. "Guys, this is Flemming. Flemming, I'd like you to encounter my parents, William, and Kathy."
Thick silence fills the space as everyone stares. William is the showtime to close the gap. He stands and offers his hand, "It's a pleasure to run into you, mam."
"Oh…" she mutters, "I've heard then much about you." Flemming's concerned gaze travels over William and comes to rest on Kathy. "I can't tell you how much I think of your son."
The 2 women shake hands, "Give thanks yous," Kathy replies, "How do yous know Ellis?"
Flemming looks to Ellis. "Do they know?"
Ellis shakes his head. He's starting to expire.
Communicable the substitution, his mom says, "Know what?"
Ellis sets his cup down, rolls his shoulders and extends to his full tiptop. Taking a deep jiff, like he is stepping in front of a firing squad he states, "I've asked Adaline to marry me. She'southward agreed. Flemming is Adaline's daughter…"
"Oh dear! I've spoiled everything," Flemming exclaims. She presses a trembling paw to her mouth. Ellis catches her equally she starts to sway. His parents help go her to the couch. She is having trouble animate.
Kathy loosens the neckline of her blouse while William scoops upwardly the dog to keep information technology out of the mayhem.
Kathy feels for a pulse and asks questions, "Can you speak? Are yous feeling low-cal headed?" Over her shoulder, she directs Ellis to telephone call 911.
Ellis and Kathy go in the ambulance with Flemming. William brings Deer and follows in the car.
Flemming is still on oxygen simply resting comfortably when Adaline comes rushing in. "Darling! Are you alright?" Mother and daughter hug, hold onto each other, and weep. Adaline pulls dorsum, "I was so worried."
Kathy moves forrard when Flemming removes her face mask, "No," Flemming shakes her head eyeing Ellis's mother, "I don't demand it, take it away."
"But…" Adaline looks confused.
"Mama," Flemming rests a hand on Adaline's shoulder, "we both know that sooner or later my time is going to come." Adaline squeezes her eyes closed and shakes her head. Flemming grabs her mother'due south mentum to still her movements, "Listen, young lady," she says in a commanding tone.
Adaline frowns, "Hey…"
"I'k old─"
"Simply I don't see you lot that way! I only see my little daughter," Adaline'due south eyes coruscate.
"I know, and I beloved you for that, Mama, but take a practiced, difficult, await at me ─ I take age spots everywhere. My memory is going, my eyes aren't what they used to be, and neither is my hearing."
"We can get your hearing aids checked."
"Y'all're missing the point. I've lived a full life. I don't' recollect I am going anywhere today, only when information technology'due south fourth dimension, I want y'all to permit get."
Adaline cries, "Never. Never."
"You will," Flemming states firmly, "and our new family is going to assist." She looks at Ellis and his parents. "You lot don't know how happy it makes me to know that you will be there for her."
Adaline buries her face in Flemming'due south lap. Flemming strokes her pilus while making soothing noises.
Ellis watches unlike emotions play across his female parent's confront. There is a softening in her expression when she meets Flemming's gaze.
Kathy inclines her head in answer to the older woman's unspoken plea.
Going Home
Later on they've all gotten settled and buckled in William'southward car; Flemming and Deer in the front seat, and Ellis, Adaline, and Kathy in the dorsum, Flemming asks, "Has Deer been out to tinkle lately?"
Blank looks laissez passer between them. Ellis groans and unbuckles his belt, "I've got information technology."
They watch in silence as he patiently follows the fiddling dog while she chooses the perfect bush-league.
"I apologize for being so bitchy lately," Kathy speaks upwards.
"I understand, Kath. I idea I was losing it until I figured information technology out," William says.
"How did you?"
William looks into the rearview mirror. He makes eye contact with Adaline, "Dell?"
Adaline gives a stiff nod.
"Dell? As in Della?" Kathy screeches, "William! Did you name that comet after her?"
"Sheath the claws, Kathy cat." William turns in the seat so he tin expect dorsum at her, "It'south non equally if I haven't been naming heavenly bodies after you lot and the kids all these years─"
Kathy crosses her arms, uttering, "Huh!"
"Dorsum in the day," William continues, "Adaline cut her hand. I sutured the wound. When she and Ellis were upwardly for the weekend, I saw the scar…" He looks pointedly at his married woman, "Are you lot going to give me grief over that too, adult female?"
"Nope," Kathy glowers back at him.
"You better watch out," William'southward voice lowers several octaves. He points a finger at her.
Adaline tin't aid but notice that the edges of Kathy'southward oral fissure turn upward slightly.
"Oh no!" Flemming blurts. Everyone follows her gaze to run across Ellis rolling his eyes and slapping his thigh. She digs in her purse. Flemming rolls down the passenger window and waves a blueish poop bag.
Belfry Bells
San Francisco repays its residents with occasional, spectacular, days of sunday ─ enough to go along her population increasing merely never plenty to put coats and sweaters in permanent storage.
The Chronicle of San Francisco: Church bells rang on the afternoon of June 6thursday, 2016 when Adaline Bowman married Ellis Jones. The ceremony was held at St. John'southward church building. The helpmate wore a stunning trumpet style gown with a sweetheart neckline. A chapel length train completed her attire. The groom looked dashing in a traditional blackness tuxedo with burgundy trimmings.
The groom'due south father, William Jones, escorted the bride down the aisle. Kikki, the groom's sister, was the best woman. She wore a sleeveless black three-quarter-length wearing apparel accessorized with a burgundy bow tie choker and bracelets that mimicked shirt cuffs.
The bride was attended past ii matron's of honour; the groom's mother and the bride's grandmother. Both of their gowns were made of bailiwick of jersey fabric that matched the burgundy theme.
One-hundred-and-fifty guests were in attendance. A reception was held at the Cliff House were traditional San Francisco fare was served.
When asked about honeymoon travel plans, the couple simply said, "We'll be going someplace nosotros've never been before."
The groom'due south parents, still, were happy to share their second honeymoon itinerary; they will be spending two weeks in the Maldives, a week in Sri Lanka and a week in Madagascar.
One Year Afterwards
Adaline clenches her jaw in an attempt to stifle a yawn. She leans her caput against Ellis'south shoulder. He pats her thigh to encourage her to hold on only a little while longer.
He is about to receive a plaque from the Museum of Underwater Archaeology for work that his grant supports ─ the excavation of a historic ship breaking yard.
He returns his attending to the speaker. "The Candace was a whaling ship that sailed into San Francisco in the 1850s. It was dismantled and used for parts in foundries and for other ships. Her story tells well-nigh the whaling industry and the development of commercial enterprise in the urban center. Information technology besides provides information about the Chinese workforce. Fisherman who were excluded from other jobs were employed on Spear Street…."
Adaline puts a hand on her rounded belly and whispers in Ellis'due south ear, "Peradventure we should name her Candace?"
"…or nosotros could call him, Spear," Ellis rejoins, teasing. Adaline swats his arm.
That night equally they are getting ready for bed, Adaline plays a game she's get enamored with. "I've gained another pound and my waist has grown by three percent." She records this information in her pregnancy diary. "I've found another gray hair today. And wait, Ellis! I'thousand starting to get crow'due south feet!" she laughs in delight.
In that location tin can't be some other adult female on the planet who is happier than Adaline about showing her age.
Inspiration:
I enjoyed The Age of Adaline movie so much that I wanted to dive in deeper, crawl around inside the character'southward heads. I went searching for the volume. Unfortunately, this moving-picture show was not based on a book, so I satisfied my desire by writing a continuation of the story.
Resources:
Click hither to read Lisa'south The Age of Adaline film review.
Barbary Coast News newsletter – connects San Francisco's historic waterfront community with online local news, views, features, and resource.
San Francisco History 1850s-1880s (Pinterest Lath) Articles, maps, books, and historic photos.
Source: https://redfernwrites.wordpress.com/2016/06/22/the-age-of-adaline-the-romance-continues/
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