 |
Meanings Part 2 by Vickie Jessie pushed open the door of the tiny hideout in the Viridian Forest, made a beeline for the sofa, and collapsed facedown onto it. She was exhausted after another full day of intense self-defense training. Giovanni had deemed the course mandatory for all of Team Rocket, but today's session had been for women only, and with everyone in full uniform. Jessie felt that the skill she was acquiring would certainly come in handy should she ever have to defend herself hand-to-hand against a human foe, but it was not very useful against the shocks of a Pikachu. She closed her eyes and relaxed, feeling her muscles gradually release the tension that had built up throughout the day. She tried to clear her mind, but as always, her thoughts kept returning to the same subject. James. Jessie's face, could it have been seen at that moment, would have given away her feelings entirely. She loved him, pure and simple. She had been in love with him for ... well, for always. She didn't remember ever not loving him. But he didn't know that, and she didn't think she could bear it if he ever found out. Because she knew he didn't feel the same way. Oh, sure, he cared for her as a friend, but nothing more than that. And she didn't want to think about his amusement, or worse, his pity, if he were to discover how she felt. But she couldn't imagine life without him. She still hadn't gotten over her fright from three days ago, when he had saved that baby Kangaskhan and was attacked as a result, first by a Tauros, then by the baby's parent. When he had landed at her feet after the Kangaskhan hit him, she had thought her heart would stop. She had been angry with him for taking such a chance with his life. In fact, she had been so angry, she had almost revealed her feelings for him. Then she'd tried to cover her mistake with that lame excuse about another partner. She had walked away at that point. But he had been so annoying the rest of the way back to the cabin. He'd whistled much of the time, and had a big smirk plastered on his face. Whenever she would ask him what was up, he would say, "Nothing." It had really gotten on her nerves. And once, he had gotten right in front of her and stared at her, almost as if he were searching for something. She was sure if she had gazed into those beautiful emerald eyes for one second longer, she would have bared her soul to him. Instead, she had pushed past him and hurried away. By the time they reached the cabin, she was so overwrought, she had locked herself in the bedroom, fell across the bed, and cried herself to sleep. The whole incident had frazzled Jessie so much, she had hardly been able to look James in the eye since. And if she kept this up much longer, he was certain to get suspicious. Well, she would just have to get over it, rein in her emotions, and go on. As long as she concentrated on something else, she would be fine. So with determination, she shoved her musings aside and focused on the fact that she was hungry. She had hoped to find dinner waiting for her. Where was everybody, anyway? She hadn't heard a sound since she came home. She propped herself up on her forearms and looked around the room. No one. She could see through the open bedroom door, and no one was there, either. She turned her head toward the kitchen. Nothing. Wait, there was something on the table. She couldn't see all of it, but it looked like a bundle of something wrapped in green paper. She arose from the couch and walked into the kitchen. As the rest of the bundle came into view, she realized it was a bouquet of yellow roses. A yellow ribbon was tied around the green paper, exactly matching the color of the roses. She picked up the bouquet, inhaled the lovely fragrance, and counted. Sure enough, there were a dozen. A small yellow card was tucked in among the roses. She pulled it out and turned it over to find a message in James' handwriting. Jessie, The rose is a flower with a language all its own, and each color has a special meaning. Yellow roses represent friendship. You've always been my best friend, through good times and bad. I treasure our friendship, and I know it will last forever. Yellow roses also symbolize joy, the joy I've experienced from spending time with you and just being near you. James Jessie smiled. How sweet! James must be trying to end the tension between them. And what a thoughtful way to make the first move! Just then, she noticed a single yellow rose on the far corner of the table. That was odd. Why was there an extra one? As she picked it up, she saw another one, just like it, on the floor by the kitchen door leading outside. Really puzzled now, she picked it up as well, and opened the door. On the ground at the bottom of the steps was still another yellow rose. She laid the bouquet across one arm and placed the three single roses on top. She looked around and saw the next rose about ten feet away. Yet another one was a similar distance further on at the beginning of the little path leading through the woods to the river. Jessie followed the trail that had been left for her, finding a yellow rose about every ten feet, picking it up, and placing it on top of the growing pile she was holding. As she reached for the twelfth one, she could see another bundle wrapped in green paper ahead. She made her way to this bouquet to find a dozen peach-colored roses. The paper was tied with a matching ribbon, and a small card of the same color lay among the roses. She retrieved the card. Again, it was in James' handwriting. Jessie, Peach roses convey gratitude. I'm so grateful for all the things you've done for me. You've stood by me when no one else would, you've protected me from the world, and you've taken care of me when I needed you. Peach roses are also for sincerity. These are meant to show you how sincere my feelings for you are. James Jessie's breath caught as she read the last line. What feelings did he mean? No! She wouldn't allow herself to indulge in that sort of wishful thinking. It would be too embarrassing later. She perused the card again and decided he just meant he was sincere in his gratitude, and in the sentiments from the yellow card. Carefully placing the new bouquet on top of the yellow roses, she peered ahead down the path and saw just what she expected ... a single peach rose. Although she knew the pattern now, she didn't hurry. She sniffed each rose as she came to it, savoring its fragrance, then laying it with the others. Coming around a bend to find the twelfth peach rose, she searched the path before her, and saw the next green bundle lying on a stump. This time she found white roses, twelve of course, with a white ribbon and a white card completing the tableau. Jessie, White roses symbolize respect. I have the utmost respect for you, because I know what a strong and independent woman you are. I also respect you for the kind and loving heart I know you have, and I understand why you keep it hidden from the world. White roses also mean humility. I feel honored to be your partner and your friend, and very fortunate to be with you and share my life with you. James Jessie brushed a tear away as she finished reading. What had she ever done to deserve this wonderful man? She was the one who felt honored and fortunate to be with him and share ... Did he really say that? About sharing his life with her? She read the card a second time, trying to understand his meaning. Maybe he just meant the part of their lives they had already shared. She still didn't think he could intend anything other than friendship. But a seed of hope had been planted and, try as she might, she couldn't banish it away. She raised her head and saw the single white rose on the trail in front of her. She still didn't hurry. As she added each of the twelve individual white roses to the pile in her arms, she couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. She suspected she was being led to the spot by the river. She knew it was James' favorite, but she didn't know what would be waiting for her. Would James be there? Or just another message? Well, the only way to find out was to keep going. The next bouquet was a dozen pink roses, sporting a pink ribbon and a pink card. Jessie, Pink roses show admiration. I admire so much about you, your confidence and strength, your persistence and determination, and your beauty. Always your beauty. Pink roses also symbolize a sweetheart. Will you be my sweetheart, Jessie? James Jessie's hand started to shake, and her heart started to pound. This had to mean that he loved her. Didn't it? She couldn't imagine any other way to interpret it. But just in case, she wasn't going to do anything as stupid as flinging her arms around his neck and kissing him. No, she had to be sure. She wanted to run down the trail now, but she forced herself to maintain her earlier pace. She gathered the twelve single pink roses one by one, and refused to let herself think about what was to come. When she arrived at the next bouquet, she found twelve of the most beautiful blood-red roses she had ever seen. Now, how had he found a ribbon exactly that color? She looked down into the middle of the roses for the card, but it wasn't there. She scanned the ground all around her, thinking it must have fallen out, but it was nowhere to be found. She checked the bouquet again, more thoroughly this time, but still no luck. What could this mean? Had the card just been lost, or was there a reason it wasn't here? Maybe the card would be waiting for her at the end. Judging by her proximity to the river, the red roses must be the last ones. She found the first single one and proceeded on down the path. Although the suspense was getting to her, she refused to go any faster. If anything, she slowed down a bit, which helped to calm her racing heart a little. She continued to smell each rose as she picked it up, to give each one of them its own recognition and tribute. She counted them as well. She found the eleventh rose at the sharp turn the path made before emerging from the woods. She added it to the ones she already carried, and stepped into the little clearing by the river. There was James, standing by the big willow tree, and holding the last rose. Jessie walked toward him slowly, neither of them saying a word. When she reached him, he held the rose out for her to take. She accepted it and placed it with the others. "Thank you, James. They're all so lovely." He gave her a gentle smile. "You're welcome." She went on, "I can't believe they're all for me." "They were always all for you, Jess. Every rose I ever carried was for you." She looked in his eyes to see his heart there waiting for her. Her own heart did a double flip, and she couldn't seem to think straight. There was something she had wanted to say, but what was it? Oh yes, the card. "There ... there was no card with the red ones." He took a step closer. "That's because red roses represent passion." She felt his hands on her waist. She blushed and found it hard to breathe as his face came nearer and nearer. "And passion needs to be demonstrated," he whispered just before he touched his lips to hers. Jessie felt everything inside of her melt, as she closed her eyes and clung to James with the hand that was free of roses. He pulled her closer, sliding one hand behind her back for support. She returned the kiss, hoping it would never end, because it suddenly seemed as necessary as breathing. At last it did end, however. Their lips parted ever so slowly. Jessie opened her eyes and saw that James had been as affected by the kiss as she had. After a few moments, he broke the silence. "Red roses also mean true love. I'm in love with you, Jessica." "You love me?" She needed to hear it again. He nodded. "I always have. Since the very beginning." Tears sprang to her eyes. "Why'd you wait so long to tell me?" He shrugged a little. "I didn't think you felt the same way." Then the ear-to-ear grin from three days ago was back. "But after I saved the baby Kangaskhan, I figured out that you do." Her brows drew together. "How?" "Because you were so angry with me for risking myself." Now his smile was tender as he held her eyes with his and cupped her cheek with one hand. "Admit it, Jessie. You're in love with me, too." She was lost in an emerald sea. Finally, she found her voice. "I'm in love with you, too. Since the beginning." He kissed her again. "Dat was byootiful." They broke the kiss to see Meowth standing at the edge of the clearing clapping his paws. Jessie blushed again, but James just grinned. "Thank you, Meowth," he said. "I thought so, too." Jessie frowned. "Meowth, how long have you been standing there?" "Don't ya worry, Jess." Meowth laughed." I just got here in time ta see dat little kissy-kissy t'ing ya was just doin'." Jessie growled and started to reach for a paper fan, but James pulled her back into his arms and kissed her again. By the time he released her, she had forgotten what she was going to do. Meowth gave a sigh of relief. "T'anks, Jimmy. Maybe ya can do dat every time she's gonna hit me." James offered Meowth a slight bow. "I'd be more than happy to, Meowth." Jessie bopped him playfully on the shoulder. He turned and gazed into her eyes again. She smiled at him, then said, "I just have one question." "What's that, my love?" "What are we going to do with all these roses?" The End ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author's Note: In my research on the meanings of roses, I found a lot of different opinions, so I simply tried to choose the ones I thought worked best in the story. |
|