Disclaimer: I am but a fan, and I say this with utter compassion: I own NADA!
Intro: Ah, Jamie lives! She lives! The Leukemia hasn't been completely beaten yet, but it's coming along. They are at least two months married, and finally Hegbert (the father) has "accepted" Landon into the family, even though there are still a few grunts and sighs, the family's getting along.
The newly weds have a house, a pet, and probably something else… ::wink::
Chapter one: The Red Roof
(happens three weeks after Jamie was hospitalized)
"Oh but Jamie, you're not even fully well yet! You shouldn't be carrying stuff around the house! Now I'll take that, and you go and sit down on the couch, okay?" insisted Mrs. Carter as she picked up the big carton box of clothes.
"Oh but Mrs. Carter, that would make you tired! Let me help, please!" persisted Jamie, trying so very hard to make herself useful.
"No Jamie, now you go ahead and rest. You'll need it! You'll have your turn of carrying the little stuff, leave the big stuff to us okay?"
"Alright," with a heavy heart she sat down on the leather, off-white colored couch in the living room. Ever since she was released from the hospital, everybody has been treating her like a princess. She knew that they did this only because she felt sorry for her, but it didn't matter, because she knew that they cared about her; even if they made her feel really bad.
"Knock, knock?" asked a familiar gruff voice.
"Daddy!" a quick smile appeared on Jamie's face. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be working on your sermon, dad? It's Saturday, and mass is tomorrow!"
"Well, I thought I'd bring a house warming gift," he handed Jamie a square shaped box, wrapped in a plain white gift wrapper, with a red bow on top of it. She could tell that he wrapped it on his own, for there was an abundance of tape. "Besides, I wanted to make sure that Landon actually bought a sturdy house for my Jamie. Wouldn't want you living in an old rickety shack, now would I?"
Yes, Landon bought a house. Well Landon wasn't the one who bought it, after all where would he get the money? Right after his father, Mr. Henry Carter Jr., learned that Jamie had recovered from the leukemia, he took out a hefty loan from the bank and bought them a house.
"Call it a 'reconciliation' present Landon," was what he said when he handed Landon the keys to the house. "This should make up for all the years I missed."
"Thanks…Dad." Somehow it was still painful for Landon to say those words, but practice makes perfect. Mr. Carter tried to be a part of his son's life as much as he can, but he knew that material possessions do not exactly bridge a 12 year gap, but it gave them something to talk about at least.
* * *
"Well Daddy? You've searched the house up and down, what do you think about it?" asked Jamie, holding her fathers' old and weathered hand into hers.
Mr. Sullivan hated to admit it, but the house was fine, from top to bottom. Even though he didn't know a thing about carpentry, you can pretty much tell the "feel" of the house simply by walking up and down through it, looking at the walls.
"Yeah Jamie, this house is sturdy enough for you and your husband. But if you two are plannin' on having kids, I suggest you buy a bigger place. I mean, unless you're only planning on having one." He blinked as they began to walk down the stairs, and out to the door. When Landon walked into the door.
"Hello Reverend, good evening. Nice of you to drop by the house!" he took a quick glance over to Jamie and smiled broadly. She knew that he didn't mean the invitation, but still to be gracious he had to.
"No it's okay Landon, I've got work to do at the office anyway. Goodbye Jamie, " he said hugging his daughter, "good day Landon." With that he left curtly, without even shaking Landon's hand or anything. And now the couple was alone, totally and completely alone in their new house.
"Hello Mrs. Carter," he said playfully walking toward Jamie, with a devilish smile on his face.
"Hello Mr. Carter, welcome home!" she said, mischievously juggling Landon's tie, from one hand to another. She giggled then walked up to him, filling the space between them. He kissed her gently, and wrapped his arms around her. The day had been too long, working in the hospital as a doctor-in training. It pretty much has the same jobs and responsibilities that a real doctor has, you just don't get paid as much.
"Come on Mr. Carter, I will make you some dinner and then talk business," she said playfully walking into the kitchen. Landon followed, more eager than ever to have his dinner.