A/N: I want to thank Majora's Mask Freak184 for betaing this, as always. She's great, and her Home Alone stories are totally awesome.
I just want to warn you that I suck at writing romance.
This story is set two months and ten days after the end of Two Against Two, and nine months and twelve days before the start of Three Against Three.
Finding Something True
Chapter 1
Christine's Apartment-Lincoln Park, Chicago
Wednesday, March 6, 1991-1:00 P.M.
(Christine's PoV:)
"Oh, what a beautiful day to be off work," I peek out the window, seeing all that bright sunshine. I gather up my dirty laundry to take over to Mom and Dad's. Mom offered to do my laundry, to help me save money, and to have a reason to see me once or twice a week. "Well, I think that's all of it." I mumble to myself.
I tie up the laundry sack and hover it over my shoulder. I head downstairs to my car, but not before locking up my apartment and grabbing my mail from the mailbox located downstairs, before heading out the door. Spring feels like it's coming early, as I step outside into the warm air. The winds are calm. The Winter chill of the past several weeks is finally gone.
After climbing into my car, I sort through the mail. I sigh, placing my mail on top of the sun visor, since there's nothing interesting. I pull out of the parking lot, onto the main road, heading for my parents' house…
Time Skip…
McCallister House-Winnetka, Illinois
Wednesday, March 6, 1991-1:35 P.M.
(Christine's PoV:)
I see Mom outside, having a little trouble with Fred. She's tugging him by the leash to move, but Fred refuses to budge. I pull into the driveway of my parents' home. Mom smiles and waves, once she sees it's me pulling in.
"What's wrong with Fred, Mom?" I ask, smiling. I get out of my car and kneel down to affectionately rub the aforementioned dog on the head.
Mom just sighs. "Fred here has an appointment with the vet today for a checkup, and he's acting all stubborn about going," she explains, as she tugs on his leash again. "We're going to be late, Fred, if you don't get moving. Come on!" Mom snaps at him, obviously fed up.
Fred gives me a look. His look is telling me, "You would be stubborn, too, if someone stuck a cold thermometer up your rump for fun,"
I have to stifle a giggle, before I speak, "If you want me to, Mom, I could pick up Fred and carry him to the car, if he's giving you that much trouble,"
Fred just gives me a look, daring me. "I'd like to see you try and pick me up, Christine,"
Mom looks unsure, "If you think you can lift him, without hurting yourself, go right ahead. I have to warn you, though: Fred is kind of heavy for a Border Collie,"
"It's no trouble, at all, Mom. I lift heavier things all the time at my job," I grin, as I squat and place one arm around Fred's chest and the other arm near his waist. I lift the massive dog into the backseat of Mom's station wagon with ease.
Mom is stunned, while Fred, on the other hand, is pissed. "I'm going to get you for this, you dirty rotten traitor," He snarls at me, looking out the back window.
"Would you like to ride to the vet with me, Christine? I thought it would be nice to use this moment for the two of us to spend some time together," Mom smiles, climbing into the station wagon.
"Sure. Spending time with you has become one of my favorite things to do, since our reunion last Christmas,"
"I feel the same way, too, Christine. Well, hop on in, sweetheart," She laughs.
I climb in on the passenger side and buckle up. Mom and I share a quick smile, as she backs the car out onto the street. The entire trip consists of Mom and I having an awesome conversation, while listening to The Beatles' song, Obladi Oblada…
Time skip…
Glade Veterinary Hospital
Small Town of Rock Creek-Rural Cook County, Illinois
Wednesday, March 6, 1991-2:35 P.M.
(Christine's PoV:)
"This is an odd place for a vet's office to be located, Mom," I notice the area seems to be too remote for a veterinary clinic to be located. I was expecting it to be surrounded by office buildings, not a bunch of hills and farmland. "Are we lost?" I ask.
"No, we're not lost, Christine. The vet I take Fred to operates their office out of their home. Speaking of the vet's office, we're here," Mom smiles, pulling into the small gravel parking lot. Upon hearing the words "vet's office", Fred quickly jumps into the back of the station wagon, and cowers under a blanket, to my amusement and Mom's frustration. "Fred, I don't have time for your antics today," Mom huffs.
She climbs out of the car, popping open the hatch in the back, where Fred is hiding. She pulls the blanket off him. Fred is glaring at the both of us, but doesn't put up a fight, when Mom gently guides Fred out from the back of the car, and onto the ground.
Fred must've sensed Mom is getting close to being pissed off, and wisely obeys, to avoid dealing with her wrath, for now. However, Fred looks like he's secretly plotting something for later.
"So, where's the office located at exactly, Mom?" I ask her. "All I see, is a nice two-story brown brick home,"
"It's in the back, behind the tall fence that separates the house and clinic. Just follow me and watch your step," Mom advises, guiding Fred down the hilly gravel path. She's holding his leash tightly, as I follow from behind.
Approaching the gate, I stop to read the large sign that's posted on it:
Glade Animal Hospital
Hours: 7 A.M.-5 P.M.-Monday thru Thursday
8 A.M.-3 P.M. on Friday
Closed Saturday and Sunday
In an emergency, please call the following number.
Push button, if you need assistance opening the gate.
Thank You.
"'Glade'… That's an interesting name," I ponder, not realizing Mom has slid open the gate, and is waiting for me.
"Christine, are you coming?" Mom asks, snapping me out of the daze I was in.
"Yeah, sorry," I smile sheepishly, following Mom down the path that leads toward a medium-sized building that bears a resemblance to a log cabin. "Interesting place for an animal hospital." I muse.
"Christine, can you help me with the door please?" Mom asks, while trying to restrain Fred. He's giving her a lot of trouble, trying to get away. I can tell Mom is getting very annoyed with Fred's antics.
"Sure, Mom," I reply, quickly grabbing the door, and holding it open. Mom drags a stubborn Fred against his heels inside the office.
"Christine, you take Fred and find us a place to sit in the waiting room, while I let the receptionist know Fred is here for his appointment," Mom says, as she hands me his leash. She soon turns her focus onto Fred. "Fred, you'd better obey Christine, or else…" Mom warns, looking down at him. Fred just gulps, knowing his antics have pissed off Mom.
I just nod and gently tug on Fred's leash. "Come on, Fred. Let's sit next to the fish aquarium, so you can watch all the pretty fishes," I tell him, taking a seat on the bench in the empty waiting room.
Fred just stares at the fish, swimming around the aquarium, while I flip through a kids' magazine about zoo animals that I found next to me. Some Doo Wop out of the 1950's is playing over the speakers.
The waiting room is a small room, with brown wood-paneled walls, a built-in fish aquarium, four cushioned wall benches, two magazine racks, several fake plants, lots of animal paintings and pictures; a sliding window where the receptionist sits, a door that leads to the examination area, another door that leads to the restroom, and a water fountain. A smiling portrait of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, hangs above the reception window. The office itself smells very clean and hygienic.
"Fred hasn't given you any trouble, has he?" Mom asks, startling me, as she takes a seat next to me.
I look at her. "Umm… No, he hasn't. He's been keeping himself busy looking at all the fish swimming around in the aquarium,"
Mom nods and smiles. "That's good. Fred just enjoys giving me trouble every time I take him to the vet. So, do you want to help me work on this crossword puzzle, while we wait?"
"Sure," I smile, tossing aside the boring magazine, as I help Mom with some of the puzzle clues.
The wait isn't a long one, as I see the door that leads to the examination area swing open. I can hear several dogs barking. Standing at the door, is a girl around my age. She has brownish hair, short, with an average built, and glasses.
"Fred McCallister!" she announces, loudly, holding a folder.
"Well, that's us, Fred," Mom speaks, getting up from her seat, and taking ahold of Fred's leash.
"Good afternoon, Kate and Fred. We're going to be in Room 3 today," the veterinary technician smiles, as she leads the way toward the exam room. Fred is shaking, scared, as Mom walks him to the exam area.
The room is painted green, with a metal exam table, a desk, exam lamp, drawers, and cabinets. The vet tech follows in from behind and closes the door. She places the folder on the little desk and takes a seat. Mom and I take a seat, as well, after I help Mom place a trembling Fred on the exam table.
The vet assistant asks Mom several basic questions about Fred, and checks his vitals. Fred places his paws over his eyes and winces, when the tech checks his temperature. "The doctor will be in shortly," the vet tech tells Mom, before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
A few minutes pass, when a knock is heard, and the door opens. In comes the most handsome man I've ever laid my eyes on. Tall, a finely-built body, wavy brown hair, a cute set of dimples, and hidden behind those glasses, are a pair of gorgeous dark blue eyes that makes my heart jump in excitement.
"Good afternoon, Kate, Fred, and… I don't believe we've met?" The vet glances at me, smiling. I can feel a small blush form on my face.
"Good afternoon, Dr. Glade," Mom chimes in, which I'm thankful for. "The unusually shy, but sweet young lady sitting next to me, is my oldest daughter, Christine." Mom speaks, proudly.
"Mom!" I mentally groan, in embarrassment.
"Christine, this is Dr. William Glade. He and his parents own and operate this vet clinic. She's normally not this shy around strangers, Dr. Glade," Mom doesn't understand why I'm acting shy, or maybe she does, considering the circumstances how she met Dad back in college.
"Nice to meet you, Christine. Cat got your tongue?" he teases, causing me to blush harder.
I try to find the words to reply with. I hope he or Mom don't notice me blushing. That would be so embarrassing, if they did. Fred cowers in fear, when the fine-looking vet gives Fred a friendly pat on the head.
"So, is your Father off today?" Mom asks.
The cute doctor just nods. "Yes, he's home sick with the flu. So, I'm filling in for him today. I normally don't work on Wednesdays," he explains, while examining Fred's ears, throat, nose, and heart.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that about Ross. Tell him I hope he gets better soon and he's in my prayers," Mom sympathizes.
"I will," he replies, while looking over Fred's chart, which, for some reason, I find to be cute. "I noticed Fred has gained a bit of weight, since his last checkup. Has he been eating the diet dog food that Dad prescribed him on his last visit?" Dr. Glade glances at Mom.
"He has," That's when the realization hits Mom. "Those kids…" I hear her mutter.
I just stare at Dr. Glade, while I observe him giving Fred several different kinds of shots, with the dog wincing. I tune out the conversation going on between him and Mom, and more focused on what I'm thinking.
My mind is telling me I shouldn't get my hopes up. His heart might already be claimed by someone, or that he wouldn't be interested in a tomboy like me. My heart, on the other hand, is saying that I've found my soulmate—that what I'm feeling right now, is real love, and not infatuation.
Have I found my soulmate, or am I just getting my hopes up over nothing? Would he mind me asking him out on a date? Would it be appropriate for me to ask him out at his job? Those and other questions run through my mind about Dr. William Glade.
A sudden snap of fingers jolts me out of the wonderful thoughts I was having about Dr. Glade, much to my displeasure. "Come on, Christine. It's time to go home. Fred's exam is over," I hear Mom speak to me. She's holding Fred by the leash, who looks very eager to leave. Dr. Glade is washing his hands.
"Already?" I blurt out, to my embarrassment. I blush, while earning myself an inquiring look from Mom, a nasty glare from Fred, and a look of amusement from Dr. Glade that makes my heart flutter.
"Yes, Christine," Mom replies. Her eyes narrow in suspicion, as I slowly get up from the chair I was sitting in.
"Kate, I want to see Fred back in three months about his weight. Please emphasize to the rest of your family: no table scraps for Fred. Allison will make sure you're taken care of out front," Dr Glade explains to Mom.
"I will be sure they get the message, Dr. Glade," Mom replies, before heading out the door with Fred. My mind is debating if I should ask him out or just leave. I don't have much time to decide. I'm just standing here, my feet don't want to move, and I'm panicking about what to do.
"Christine, are you OK?" I hear Dr. Glade ask. "I can tell something is bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?"
"I'm fine, Dr. Glade, but thank you for your concern. I'm sure you have other patients to see. I guess I'd better go find my Mother. It was nice meeting you," I stutter, while slowly heading for the door, feeling embarrassed he noticed.
"Are you sure?" he asks, sounding skeptical. I'm not aware he's now on his lunch break.
"Yes," I reply. I'm trying to suppress the tears that want to come out, knowing I missed my chance with this handsome man. My shaky hand grabs the door handle.
"Christine, wait…" Dr. Glade speaks again. His body is leaning over the exam table. Why is he tormenting me like this? I almost made it out the door, before he spoke my name again. You don't have to rub it in that I failed to ask you out.
"Yes?" I reply, my voice sounding even more shaky this time.
"Umm… I was wondering, if you would like to join me for dinner, sometime. Maybe go see a movie, too, perhaps?"
"Excuse me?"
I'm hoping I heard him correctly. Did he read my mind? Did he see me blush? Did he know the whole time about how I felt? Was he just asking me out of pity, or what? My heart is working overtime. Not to mention my cheeks are feeling very flushed.
"I said, would you be interested in having dinner and maybe watching a movie with me, sometime?" Dr. Glade asks again, sounding more determined.
"Yes, I would love to, Dr. Glade," I reply instantly, thanking God for this unexpected miracle.
"Please, call me William. Here's my number. Call me, when you get the chance," William smiles, as he hands me a piece of paper, with his home and work numbers written down.
"I certainly will call you. You be sure to do the same, big boy," I reply, quickly blushing after realizing what I just said. I scribble down my home number, work number, and my parents' number.
"You can count on it, red," He takes the paper from my hand. I feel weak and blush, when his skin brushes against mine. "You should be going. Your Mother is most-likely done up front." I just shiver, when his eyes lock with mine.
"Bye, William," I wave, not taking my eyes off him, as I slowly leave the exam room.
"Bye, Christine. I'm glad I got to meet you today," He tidies up the exam room, but not before giving me a quick wink, causing me to giggle.
I skip down the hall towards the waiting room to find Mom, feeling all giddy and wearing a big grin. Mom doesn't mention a word about why I was lingering behind in the exam room or about why I'm so cheerful. Though, I have a feeling she's going to be asking questions and wanting some answers about everything, judging from her expression. We then leave Dr. Glade's office…
END
PS: Rock Creek isn't a real town. It's a fictional place that I made up for this story.