Disclaimer: I do not own MTMS, MTM Enterprises and 20th Television do.
Author's Note: Takes places thirty plus years later. So, this will be the more emotional story, so bear with me.
Beta'd by: themtmshow (on Tumblr)
-July 2019-
It was early in Colorado Springs and both Lou and Rhoda were still fast asleep when the home phone rang. Deciding to let it ring, they tried to sleep through. However, this time Rhoda's phone rang. Rhoda reached for her phone and when she saw who it was and she quickly answered it. "Meredith, what is it?"
When Lou heard his daughter's name, he woke up in an instant. On her end, Meredith tried her best to keep her emotions and composure but couldn't. Tears running down her face, she said shakily, "Mom, something is wrong."
Fearing something bad has happened Rhoda asked nervously, "Baby girl? Are you hurt?"
This was one of the times where Meredith didn't mind being called baby girl. Meredith breathed in and out and said, "I am fine. I'm here with Tessa and Rose. But I don't think they are fine. Mom, Aunt Mary is dead."
Rhoda froze. Mary? Dead? That is the worst news to wake up to.
Rhoda remembered that she had talked with Mary a few days earlier and that she said she was fine. Then again Rhoda knew her friend had been putting up a brave front as she had been mourning the loss of Steven who died several weeks earlier.
~Late May 2019~
Rhoda and Lou stayed an extra two weeks after Steven's funeral to make sure Mary, Tessa, and Rose would be okay. The memorial service celebrated his life and had been sad and moving. Meredith had gone up with her cousins as emotional support for when they delivered the eulogy. While she was with Mary, both Tessa and Rose had called in to see how their mother was doing. Tessa asked, "Aunt Rhoda, is my mom eating like she is supposed to?"
Rhoda shook her head. Tessa really knew how to put on a brave front when thinking of others before herself, even if she was entitled to her feelings with Steven's passing. Steven had been the only father figure that Tessa had ever known. The one person she and Lou were worried about was Mary. She had become withdrawn and sullen. She barely held it together when they had visitors over.
Rhoda said, "Tessa, sweetie, Uncle Lou and I are trying our best but she says she is not hungry at all."
Tessa sighed. She knew this would be difficult. She said, "Okay I will come by later and see if I can talk to my mom."
Meredith's voice pulled Rhoda back into the present. "Mom?"
Rhoda shook head and Meredith continued, "I just happened to be in the building to visit when I heard Tessa screaming. I rushed in. I checked for her pulse and tried CPR but it didn't work. Another doctor who lived in her building confirmed what I suspected: She died of a heart attack sleep overnight brought on by the stresses of a broken heart."
Rhoda felt her heart lurch. She felt bad for both Tessa and Rose. She had seen both girls as her own from when they were both very young. However, her thoughts went quickly to Tessa. Mary had been in most of Tessa's life. She was probably going to hurt the most.
She was lost in thought when she felt Lou gently shake her to bring her back to reality. "Ok Meredith, your dad and I will get there as soon as we can. I will call you when we arrive."
Ending the phone conversation, Rhoda let out a sob. Lou noticed and asked, "What is wrong? Is Meredith, Tessa or Rose hurt?"
Rhoda turned to face her husband and replied, "We need to get to New York now. Mary is dead."
Lou's eyes widened. The Mary he hired all those years ago had died? He couldn't believe it. She was still so young, vibrant, and healthy. Lou breathed in and out to calm down. When he saw Rhoda was moving quickly to get ready despite crying, he moved into action as well. At his age, it was harder, but with the news, the adrenaline helped him get up and ready quickly. Soon they were ready to head to the airport for the long flight to New York.
While on their flight, Lou reminisced about all the time he along with Murray and Ted had shared with Mary at the office as co-workers and at the pub as friends. He also looked to his right and saw his wife stare out the window. He realized that had he not hired Mary Richards, he probably would have remained single for the rest of his life after he and Edie divorced. Then he heard Rhoda sob next to him. He lifted up the armrest, put his arms around her, and gently pulled her in. Rhoda instantly melted into the hug. After all these years she still loved his embraces; it was her one safe place. Their love was as strong as has ever been; plus they had just celebrated forty years together.
When they lived in L.A. they had visited different places such as the Sunken City, Descanso Gardens, and the original Farmer's Market with dinner afterward. They also did family time together with Meredith taking her to Echo Park, Time Travel Mart, and Griffiths Observatory.
Then after Lou's retirement, they sold their house and moved to Colorado Springs. There they kept their romance alive by doing many things like visiting the winery, the botanical gardens, and museums. They had shared common interests like sports games and bowling. They even went for a hike at Garden of Gods located within Pikes Peak and a winery near Colorado Springs and then going to dinner after. They also pursued separate interests, Lou playing poker with friends and watching Westerns while Rhoda had photography and spending time with her friends. Rhoda and Lou also like to spend time with Meredith when she was in New York for undergraduate and medical school. Of course, they had arguments and disagreements, but they tried not to argue in front of Meredith.
After a few minutes, Rhoda spoke up. "I feel so bad for Tessa and Rose. Tessa especially. Mary has been in her life since she was an eighteen-month-old toddler. Gosh, she was a cutie."
Lou replied, "Yeah, I remember. She was adorable and very affectionate once she got to know us."
The two sat there in silence until the plane touched down at La Guardia over five hours later. When they got what they needed after getting off the plane, they hailed a cab and went straight to Mary's place.
When they got to the apartment, they were not prepared at all for what they were about to encounter.
A/N 2: Thanks for reading the first chapter of "Caring Family". Reviews are appreciated!