Spark in the Dark

Shawn was setting up at shot at work the next day when her phone buzzed. She pulled it out from her pants pocket and saw she had a text message from Juice.

The guys know everything. You were right.

Shawn smiled and let out a sigh of relief before texting him back.

Usually am. So everything's ok?

She looked up from her phone and realized everyone was waiting on her.

"Sorry," she said and took a seat in the director's chair. "And, action!"

It only took a couple of minutes for Juice to text back. When her phone buzzed, Shawn glanced away from the scene she was directing to read his message.

Everything's fine. About to leave for the bike show now. See you in a couple days. I love you.

She sent one more message before turning her full attention back to her work.

I love you, too. xo

* * *

Shawn spent that night at Opie and Lyla's place with her and the kids. The older Ellie, Kenny, and Piper got, the less Shawn got to see them. They were getting to the age where they'd rather hang out with their friends than adults, so she was happy to see all three were home that night. They all ate dinner together, then the kids disappeared into the boys' room to play video games, giving Shawn and Lyla time to hang out.

"So, how's married life?" Shawn asked.

"It's... good."

"Jeez, don't sound so convincing."

"It's only been a little over a week," Lyla pointed out.

"Doesn't that mean you're still in the honeymoon stage?"

"Uh, not really," Lyla admitted. "Ope's not one for lovey dovey, you know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I can see that being true," Shawn said and studied her friend's face. "You want to talk about it?"

"It's just different than how I'd thought it would be. He's been distant, doesn't want to talk much, that sort of thing."

"Maybe Ope just has to remember how to be married?" Shawn suggested. "I'm sure it'll get better."

"You're probably right," Lyla said. "More wine?"

"Just a little. I still have to drive home."

Lyla pour Shawn half a glass of wine and herself a whole glass. "So, is it different with Juice now that everyone knows?"

"Yeah, I guess so," Shawn said and tried to hide a smile. She suddenly felt guilty for being so happy in her relationship when Lyla was at odds with Opie.

"You two are banging like rabbits, aren't you?" Lyla asked and Shawn's face broke into a smile. "Just make sure he wraps it. If you get knocked up, it'll send Opie's baby fever into overdrive."

"Or he can get it out of his system by spoiling the crap out of my kid," Shawn suggested.

"Wait, are you and Juice trying to have a baby?"

"No! God, no. Wait, are you and Opie?"

"Not really," Lyla said awkwardly.

"What aren't you telling me right now?"

"Do you promise not to tell him?" Lyla asked.

"I... I'm not sure. I know you're my friend, but so is he."

"Just forget it," Lyla said and took a large sip of wine. Shawn could tell Lyla was mad, but wasn't sure what to do. This was the first time Lyla had put Shawn in the middle of her and Opie. She didn't want to betray anyone's trust.

"I should probably go," Shawn said and finished her drink. "I have to stop and get some boxes before heading home."

"What are the boxes for?"

"I'm going to be cleaning out some of my shit," Shawn said and paused, wondering if this was a good time to tell Lyla. "I asked Juice to move in with me."

Lyla smiled. "Good for you, sweetheart."

Lyla walked Shawn to the door as she left. Shawn stopped at a hardware store and decided to get plastic totes to store some of her old clothing in. She knew it would make more sense to donate things instead of packing it away, but she hated to give away clothing that still fit.

Once she was home, Shawn packed away all of the dresses she had once worn to Cara Cara, along with the countless pairs of high heels that went with them. That took care of the closet. The dresser was easier. Shawn had used a separate drawer for her jeans, dress pants, sweats, and pajamas. Once the jeans and dress pants were in once drawer and the sweats and pjs in another, half the dresser was empty for Juice. The last thing was the nightstand on the side of the bed Juice had claimed every night he stayed over. The drawer had been used as a junk drawer, so almost everything in it got tossed, including her laptop's user manual. Shawn figured Juice was better than some stupid manual.

She tried to carry the boxes down to the garage to be stored there, but found they were a little too heavy for her. She pushed them over to the side of the room. Shawn figured they could wait to be moved once Juice got home.

She smiled at the thought of this being his home with her. After all this time, they could have a home together. Then she thought of something Lyla said and her heart quickened. Shawn glanced across the hall into the extra bedroom. Maybe one day there could even be three of them together there.

* * *

While out to get herself lunch, Shawn saw Gemma in the center of Charming. They started walking together as they talked and Shawn ended up following Gemma into a small gardening shop.

"Well, this is cute," Shawn said as she looked around.

A women came out from the back of the store and approached the counter. Gemma began to ask her about lilies as Shawn continued to look around. Gemma introduced herself to the woman and she told them her name was Rita.

"Tiny brunette back there is Shawn," Gemma said.

"Hi," Shawn called as she found a bush with flowers on it she liked the looks of.

"Do you like gardening as well, Shawn?"

"Oh, no. My thumb is about as brown as it gets."

"You're dating Juice now. He can take care of it," Gemma told her.

"Gem, not all Latinos are good at gardening," Shawn said matter of factly.

Rita smirked and tried to hide it. Gemma asked about the community garden in Charming. It was at risk of being demolished to make room for more store fronts and Rita admitted to starting a committee to save it. As Gemma asked about making donations, she and Rita's conversation began to sound passive aggressive to Shawn, who was listening now in amusement. Gemma was trying to be intimidating, but Rita didn't seemed fazed. They stepped out of the shop a few moments later and Shawn couldn't contain her smiled anymore.

"What are you so goddamn giddy about?" Gemma asked.

"Never thought I'd find someone who could take you," Shawn told her.

"Who? Rita? You're joking."

"Oh, no. I bet she could whoop you."

"She's the sheriff's wife," Gemma informed her.

"Even better. She could whoop you then her husband can say it was self defense," Shawn laughed.

"Get your scrawny ass back to work," Gemma said, not seeing Shawn's humor, and walked back to her car.

"Yes, Gemma," Shawn said sweetly.

"Hey," Gemma called after her. Shawn turned to her. "What are you doing for dinner tonight?"

Shawn shrugged. "I have no plans."

"Come by my house. Tara and the boys will be there."

"You got it."