Dislcaimer: I don't own any of the characters on Once & Again
Spoilers: None
Rating: PG - 13
Feedback: Please send me feedback at philosophy897@aol.com
A/N: I just heard this song today and thought it would be a good touch to add it. The song is, Don't Take The Girl, by Tim McGraw.
Johnny's daddy was taking him fishin'
When he was eight years old
A little girl came through the front gate holdin' a fishing pole
His dad looked down and smiled, said we can't leave her behind
Son I know you don't want her to go but someday you'll change your mind
And Johnny said
"Take Jimmy Johnson, take Tommy Thompson, take my best friend Bo
Take anybody that you want as long as she don't go
Take any boy in the world
Daddy please don't take the girl
Same old boy
Same sweet girl
Ten years down the road
He held her tight and kissed her lips
In front of the picture show
Stranger came and pulled a gun
Grabbed her by the arm said
"If you do what I tell you to, there won't be any harm"
And Johnny said
"Take my money, take my wallet, take my credit cards
Here's the watch that my grandpa gave me
Here's the key to my car
Mister give it a whirl
But please don't take the girl
Same old boy
Same sweet girl
Five years down the road
There's going to be a little one and she says it's time to go
Doctor says the baby's fine but you'll have to leave
'Cause his momma's fading fast and Johnny hit his knees and there he prayed
Take the very breath you gave me
Take the heart from my chest
I'll gladly take her place if you'll let me
Make this my last request
Take me out of this world God, please don't take the girl
Johnny's daddy
Was taking him fishin'
When he was eight years old
***
Week Later, Cemetary
Hillcrest Cemetary had an odd feeling of depression shrouding it. Katie walked up to the polished wooden coffin, her eyes immediately watering as she looked down at her late wife. Jessie's face was pale and cold as Katie touched her cheek softly. She looked down at Jessie a moment before turning and running out of the cemetary. She couldn't take it. Lily had been taking care of the baby for the past couple days and she was taking care of it then too. The baby cried as Katie left. Lily quickly hushed it.
Then Grace walked over to her step-sisters grave. She tried hard to swallow down the lump that was forming in her throat but she couldn't. She laid the rose she held in her hand down on the coffin and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Jessie's face. She whispered something to Jess quietly, "I don't think I told you this enough but, I love you, I always have, and I'm going to miss you more than you'll ever know Jess." Then her tears gently tumbled down her face. She slowly made her way back to her seat, then Eli went up.
Eli gritted his teeth as he looked down at his baby sister. His little sister... I was supposed to die before her, he thought. He pulled a very creased letter out from his pocker and lay it down beside Grace's rose and he touched Jessie's cheek once. It was so cold and pale he thought. Then he turned away, tears stinging his eyes as he sat back down and watched Rick go up to the coffin.
Rick fell to his knees in front of the coffin and leaned over whispering softly to Jessie's emotionless face, "Jess, honey, please come back....you can't go...I need you...we all need you...," then he broke down in tears and buried his face in his hands. Lily came up beside him, the baby in her hands as she looked down at Jessie. She silently said to Jessie, "I miss you Jess...I miss you real bad...and I know Katie misses you more than anyone....please tell God to take it easy on her...this is going to be hard on all of us...especially her." Then she took Rick's hand and the two walked back to their seats.
Karen's turn was up. Her knees felt like jello as she made her way up to the polished wooden coffin. Her baby was in there. Dead. Lifeless. Gone... Her little angel. Tears blurred her vision and dribbled down her throat as she slowly ran a fingertip along the side of the coffin. Then she leaned over and gently kissed Jessie's forehead before placing a picture of the two of them ontop of the coffin. It was of them in the kitchen. Jessie had been smiling that perfect little smile of hers and Karen had been grinning. Katie had taken the picture. Slowly she made it back to her seat.
Then Zoe walked up. She and Jessie had become really good friends over the years. They'd whispered secrets to each other in the night. She's always looked up to Jessie. Like a mentor, like a big sister. Tears crept slowly down her face, streaking lines in her face. She whispered to Jessie, "this is the last time I'll see you for awhile, I'm going to miss you...so much Jess...I didn't say this to you but you were always like my big sister, I'm going to miss you Jess...bye," finnished Zoe as her voice caught in her throat.
***
Month Later, Singer Condo
Katie looked at the blank wall in front of her. Silent tears trembled down her cheek betraying her calm face. Then her eyes looked up at the door as Lily walked in. Katie managed a fake, half-smile. Lily returned with another false smile. Katie's eyes then flickered down to the floor in front of her.
"Katie, honey, we were wondering," started Lily, unsure of how to continue.
"Yes," encouraged Katie.
"Do you think you'll be able to take care of the child," said Lily quickly.
Katie swallowed down the lump forming in her throat as she tried to think about it logically, then she broke down in tears, "no...," she whispered out, defeated.
"Honey, we'll take her and you can come pick her up when you're ready...ok?"
"Yes," said Katie softly, then Lily headed for the door, "and Lily."
"Yes?"
"Thank you," finnished Katie.
***
Two Years Later, Singer Condo
Katie woke with a start. She looked over at the digital clock that rested comfortably on her bedside table. 2:33a.m. exactly. She always woke up then. But she'd been able to get to sleep again after a month or two of it happening. She'd been dreaming again. In her dream Jessie was standing there watching her but then Jessie had turned into a little child walking around. That's when Katie had woken up.
Sighing she got up, out of her bed and walked into the kitchen. She got down a glass and filled it with water then she took out a bottle of pills. She swallowed a few of the anti-depressants. They made her numb, well not her body, but her feelings. She needed that every now and then.
Knowning she wouldn't be able to get any more sleep Katie pulled on some sweat pants and a grey t-shirt then she left the building and jogged around. But as always her jog took her to the Hillcrest Cemetary. She hadn't gone in since the ceremony. But tonight she did. She walked in slowly, tentatively, as though something might pop out around any corner.
It was dark outside but the sun would rise in a few hours. Then she saw it. The tombstone that had burned itself into her memory. It was a tall one with angels decorating it and a few cherubs. Those cherubs reminded Katie of the one on the cover of a certain book that lay underneath her pillow every night. She hadn't been able to throw it away, or to pack it in some corner like she had with all the rest of Jessie's stuff. Katie's fingers traced over the inscription on the tombstone.
~
To an angel, a loving wife, a perfect daughter, an amazing sister, and a remarkable person. You'll be missed forever and always Jessie.
~
Tears trickled down her face as she knelt beside Jessie's grave. This place had haunted even her best dreams. Katie's eyes slowly swept across the patch of bright green grass in front of the tombstone. There were fresh flower resting against the tombstone. She'd managed to keep her job, and she was one of the highests paid women in the country now. She paid a gardener to take fresh flowers to Jessie's grave every other day.
***
Hours Later
Katie slowly rose and looked one last time at Jessie's grave. The sun rose and left a small mist covering the graveyard. As the mist sunk to only veiling the ground in a light grey cloud Katie turned and walked out of the cemetary.
***
Another Two Years Later, Manning Manor
Knock! Knock!
Lily tiptoed around the baby toys on the floor and opened the door to reveal Katie. Katie hadn't talked to Lily or Rick that often though she and Grace had become good friends and she still occasionally had dinner with Karen and Henry. Lily had been waiting for this day, but she was still suprised. It took her a moment to find the words.
"Uh...Katie come on in, I was just about to feed the kids," said Lily, the kids being her son and Katie's daughter.
"Thanks Lily," said Katie as she stepped into the house.
"So what brings you to town," asked Lily as she walked into the kitchen.
"My daughter," said Katie confidently.
Lily nodded smiling, "you sure you're ready though Katie?"
"I've been ready for two years now Lily, I've just been a little scared."
"Do you want to see her, she's been walking for awhile now."
"Yes please," said Katie.
"Ok then, Jessie, honey! Could you come in here a minute," called out Lily.
Katie winced slightly at hearing Jessie. Then the girl walked into the kitchen. Katie's breath caught in her throat and her heart stopped. The girl looked just like Jessie had. Blonde hair that curled slight and big deep blue eyes. Katie looked at her a moment before walking over to her and kneeling in front of her.
"Hey there," she said in a soft voice.
"Hello ma'am," said the girl in a child's voice.
Katie smiled.
Spoilers: None
Rating: PG - 13
Feedback: Please send me feedback at philosophy897@aol.com
A/N: I just heard this song today and thought it would be a good touch to add it. The song is, Don't Take The Girl, by Tim McGraw.
Johnny's daddy was taking him fishin'
When he was eight years old
A little girl came through the front gate holdin' a fishing pole
His dad looked down and smiled, said we can't leave her behind
Son I know you don't want her to go but someday you'll change your mind
And Johnny said
"Take Jimmy Johnson, take Tommy Thompson, take my best friend Bo
Take anybody that you want as long as she don't go
Take any boy in the world
Daddy please don't take the girl
Same old boy
Same sweet girl
Ten years down the road
He held her tight and kissed her lips
In front of the picture show
Stranger came and pulled a gun
Grabbed her by the arm said
"If you do what I tell you to, there won't be any harm"
And Johnny said
"Take my money, take my wallet, take my credit cards
Here's the watch that my grandpa gave me
Here's the key to my car
Mister give it a whirl
But please don't take the girl
Same old boy
Same sweet girl
Five years down the road
There's going to be a little one and she says it's time to go
Doctor says the baby's fine but you'll have to leave
'Cause his momma's fading fast and Johnny hit his knees and there he prayed
Take the very breath you gave me
Take the heart from my chest
I'll gladly take her place if you'll let me
Make this my last request
Take me out of this world God, please don't take the girl
Johnny's daddy
Was taking him fishin'
When he was eight years old
***
Week Later, Cemetary
Hillcrest Cemetary had an odd feeling of depression shrouding it. Katie walked up to the polished wooden coffin, her eyes immediately watering as she looked down at her late wife. Jessie's face was pale and cold as Katie touched her cheek softly. She looked down at Jessie a moment before turning and running out of the cemetary. She couldn't take it. Lily had been taking care of the baby for the past couple days and she was taking care of it then too. The baby cried as Katie left. Lily quickly hushed it.
Then Grace walked over to her step-sisters grave. She tried hard to swallow down the lump that was forming in her throat but she couldn't. She laid the rose she held in her hand down on the coffin and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Jessie's face. She whispered something to Jess quietly, "I don't think I told you this enough but, I love you, I always have, and I'm going to miss you more than you'll ever know Jess." Then her tears gently tumbled down her face. She slowly made her way back to her seat, then Eli went up.
Eli gritted his teeth as he looked down at his baby sister. His little sister... I was supposed to die before her, he thought. He pulled a very creased letter out from his pocker and lay it down beside Grace's rose and he touched Jessie's cheek once. It was so cold and pale he thought. Then he turned away, tears stinging his eyes as he sat back down and watched Rick go up to the coffin.
Rick fell to his knees in front of the coffin and leaned over whispering softly to Jessie's emotionless face, "Jess, honey, please come back....you can't go...I need you...we all need you...," then he broke down in tears and buried his face in his hands. Lily came up beside him, the baby in her hands as she looked down at Jessie. She silently said to Jessie, "I miss you Jess...I miss you real bad...and I know Katie misses you more than anyone....please tell God to take it easy on her...this is going to be hard on all of us...especially her." Then she took Rick's hand and the two walked back to their seats.
Karen's turn was up. Her knees felt like jello as she made her way up to the polished wooden coffin. Her baby was in there. Dead. Lifeless. Gone... Her little angel. Tears blurred her vision and dribbled down her throat as she slowly ran a fingertip along the side of the coffin. Then she leaned over and gently kissed Jessie's forehead before placing a picture of the two of them ontop of the coffin. It was of them in the kitchen. Jessie had been smiling that perfect little smile of hers and Karen had been grinning. Katie had taken the picture. Slowly she made it back to her seat.
Then Zoe walked up. She and Jessie had become really good friends over the years. They'd whispered secrets to each other in the night. She's always looked up to Jessie. Like a mentor, like a big sister. Tears crept slowly down her face, streaking lines in her face. She whispered to Jessie, "this is the last time I'll see you for awhile, I'm going to miss you...so much Jess...I didn't say this to you but you were always like my big sister, I'm going to miss you Jess...bye," finnished Zoe as her voice caught in her throat.
***
Month Later, Singer Condo
Katie looked at the blank wall in front of her. Silent tears trembled down her cheek betraying her calm face. Then her eyes looked up at the door as Lily walked in. Katie managed a fake, half-smile. Lily returned with another false smile. Katie's eyes then flickered down to the floor in front of her.
"Katie, honey, we were wondering," started Lily, unsure of how to continue.
"Yes," encouraged Katie.
"Do you think you'll be able to take care of the child," said Lily quickly.
Katie swallowed down the lump forming in her throat as she tried to think about it logically, then she broke down in tears, "no...," she whispered out, defeated.
"Honey, we'll take her and you can come pick her up when you're ready...ok?"
"Yes," said Katie softly, then Lily headed for the door, "and Lily."
"Yes?"
"Thank you," finnished Katie.
***
Two Years Later, Singer Condo
Katie woke with a start. She looked over at the digital clock that rested comfortably on her bedside table. 2:33a.m. exactly. She always woke up then. But she'd been able to get to sleep again after a month or two of it happening. She'd been dreaming again. In her dream Jessie was standing there watching her but then Jessie had turned into a little child walking around. That's when Katie had woken up.
Sighing she got up, out of her bed and walked into the kitchen. She got down a glass and filled it with water then she took out a bottle of pills. She swallowed a few of the anti-depressants. They made her numb, well not her body, but her feelings. She needed that every now and then.
Knowning she wouldn't be able to get any more sleep Katie pulled on some sweat pants and a grey t-shirt then she left the building and jogged around. But as always her jog took her to the Hillcrest Cemetary. She hadn't gone in since the ceremony. But tonight she did. She walked in slowly, tentatively, as though something might pop out around any corner.
It was dark outside but the sun would rise in a few hours. Then she saw it. The tombstone that had burned itself into her memory. It was a tall one with angels decorating it and a few cherubs. Those cherubs reminded Katie of the one on the cover of a certain book that lay underneath her pillow every night. She hadn't been able to throw it away, or to pack it in some corner like she had with all the rest of Jessie's stuff. Katie's fingers traced over the inscription on the tombstone.
~
To an angel, a loving wife, a perfect daughter, an amazing sister, and a remarkable person. You'll be missed forever and always Jessie.
~
Tears trickled down her face as she knelt beside Jessie's grave. This place had haunted even her best dreams. Katie's eyes slowly swept across the patch of bright green grass in front of the tombstone. There were fresh flower resting against the tombstone. She'd managed to keep her job, and she was one of the highests paid women in the country now. She paid a gardener to take fresh flowers to Jessie's grave every other day.
***
Hours Later
Katie slowly rose and looked one last time at Jessie's grave. The sun rose and left a small mist covering the graveyard. As the mist sunk to only veiling the ground in a light grey cloud Katie turned and walked out of the cemetary.
***
Another Two Years Later, Manning Manor
Knock! Knock!
Lily tiptoed around the baby toys on the floor and opened the door to reveal Katie. Katie hadn't talked to Lily or Rick that often though she and Grace had become good friends and she still occasionally had dinner with Karen and Henry. Lily had been waiting for this day, but she was still suprised. It took her a moment to find the words.
"Uh...Katie come on in, I was just about to feed the kids," said Lily, the kids being her son and Katie's daughter.
"Thanks Lily," said Katie as she stepped into the house.
"So what brings you to town," asked Lily as she walked into the kitchen.
"My daughter," said Katie confidently.
Lily nodded smiling, "you sure you're ready though Katie?"
"I've been ready for two years now Lily, I've just been a little scared."
"Do you want to see her, she's been walking for awhile now."
"Yes please," said Katie.
"Ok then, Jessie, honey! Could you come in here a minute," called out Lily.
Katie winced slightly at hearing Jessie. Then the girl walked into the kitchen. Katie's breath caught in her throat and her heart stopped. The girl looked just like Jessie had. Blonde hair that curled slight and big deep blue eyes. Katie looked at her a moment before walking over to her and kneeling in front of her.
"Hey there," she said in a soft voice.
"Hello ma'am," said the girl in a child's voice.
Katie smiled.