Saving Me
Black-Angel-001: oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! it's the last chapter! -running around excitedly but then stops and blushes- sorry, but while i am a little (make that a teensy weensy bit) sad to see this story end (what author isn't?) i am SO FRIGGIN' HAPPY THAT IT'S ALMOST OVER! bwuahahaha, no more endless nights-mornings!-researching drugs, AA/NA sayings, rehab, and no more agonizing over what in the world is gonna happen! ... i am WAY too happy about this aren't i? -evil/sheepish grin-
Saving Me
"And life is a road that I want to keep going, love is a river I wanna keep flowing, life is a road, now and forever wonderful journey. I'll be there when the world stops turning, I'll be there when the storm is through. In the end I wanna be standing at the beginning with you." -Richard Marx/Donna Lewis, 'At the beginning'
It would take about a month for Karen to move in; her lease was month by month, and as soon as it was up she would move in to the DeSoto residence. Until then, they would go through both their things to throw out, keep, or otherwise move to storage so the moving process was easier. It also gave Roy time to finalize on certain payments he was making.
He'd found it a few months ago and before he knew it he was making arrangments on a payment plan. He was able to finally get it two weeks after the training exercise, and ever since it felt like it had been burning a hole in his pocket. Roy constantly took it out, checked his pockets to make sure it was still there, and kept wondering if maybe he shouldn't have picked something different. His friends and shiftmates were, frankly, a little tired of hearing about it. They all encouraged Roy to handle it as soon as possible.
Roy took their advice to heart.
Roy took Karen out in the early wee hours to a Bellingrath Gardens*, just before sunrise, with two blankets and a thermos of coffee. He spread one blanket out on the great lawn in the direction where the sun would rise, wrapped them both in the other, and poured a cup of the steaming coffee for both of them to help ward off the chill. Even at that time of morning, the air was filled with the smell of the flowers surrounding the edge of the lawn: golden rods, chrysanthemum, camellia's, oleaster, wintersweet, and more mixing and gentle. Somewhere nearby was the sound of a fountain and flowing water, and the edge of the rose garden could be made out. Birds began chirping in preperation of the day and slowly, ever so slowly it seemed, the sky began to change color and the stars faded in the morning light.
"Roy, what are we doing here," Karen whispered, feeling that was appropriate somehow.
Roy tightened his arm around her briefly. "Watching the sunrise," he whispered back. They sat there together for some time, sipping coffee and holding each other. When the sun was starting to peek through the moss covered oak trees, Roy shifted away so he was kneeling on both knees in front of Karen, who was watching him carefully. Reaching in his pocket, he clutched at the small velvet box there and cleared his throat.
"Karen, we've known each other for a little more than a year now, and we met through circumstances that...weren't really the best." He cleared his throat again. "But the times since then, those were the best, despite the occassional fight and misunderstanding. You've been a great help to me and the kids, and it's been...," he trailed off and looked away.
For Karen, his words were sweet but also brought dread. Was he saying he wanted to end their relationship? Had he changed his mind about her moving in?
Roy pulled the box out of his pocket, kept it hidden in his fist. He shifted nervously, looking for the right words to say. " You're this...incredible bright spot in my life. Somehow when I wasn't looking, you wormed your way in my life, in the lives of my kids, and honestly, I don't think I could go back to a time where you weren't there. It's been amazing getting to know you. I still don't know everything about you, but...Karen, I could probably live for a hundred years and not know everything about you, but I'd like to try anyway."
Tears gathered in Karen's eyes as Roy spoke, from happiness. She gasped when Roy opened his hand between them and a small jewlers box was revealed. Carefully, Roy opened the lid.
"Karen, please let me try for those hundred years. Let me wake up and see you every morning, let me hear about your day, let me raise our children with you. I want more dances on the beach, more trips to the aquarium, more of just loving you and everything you'll give me. Please, marry me?"
All she could do was stare at the ring inside. The oval diamond glintted with beautiful effect in the morning sunrise, and the two round cut garnets added a little color to the diamond and the white gold setting. Karen could hardly believe the beauty of the ring, the beauty of the words. She looked up at Roy, crying happily, and threw her arms around his neck, laughing and crying at the same time.
"Yes, God, yes!" She leaned away and kissed him, hugged him again. "Roy, yes!"
Roy hugged her tighter laughing with her and trying to ignore the sting in his own eyes. When he put the ring on her finger, it was like a missing part was replaced. They held onto each other, kissing, crying, laughing, smiling, and watched the rest of the sunrise, ignoring the blanket and coffee. They were both content to stay in the warmth of each other and the smell of the flowers as the sun made the day brighter.
The picnic with all the different stations was full of fun, food, and good company. The women fawned over Karen's engagment ring, the men clapped Roy's back and kissed Karen's cheek, and everyone patiently let the couple indulge in their happiness. The DeSoto children were incredibly happy as well, if the way they kept smiling and proudly announcing that their dad and Miss Karen were getting married was any indication. The date hadn't been set yet, but it was only a matter of time. For the moment, though, the entire family was happy to just be.
It was when lunch was being served that Johnny looked at his friends from 51 and his best friend and cleared his throat, gaining their attention.
"Uh, I wanted you guys to know. I've decided to go into the arson investigation squad*," he said like he doubted the news would be recieved well. "It's just, I can't get my paramedic certification again, the hospital wouldn't allow me to do anything without constant supervision, and I just don't want the temptation to be there," he rambled.
"So, why not stick with an engine," asked Chet, not unkindly. He was honestly curious.
"Because some of the guys don't trust me. I mean, I can understand why and all, and I don't want to cause problems," Johnny explained. He glanced nervously between his friends. "It's not like I'll be leaving the department or anything, and I'll still see you guys...right?"
Roy shook his head. "Johnny, of course you're still gonna see us. When's the transfer?"
"Not for another couple of weeks. Paper work, y'know?"
Roy shook Johnny's hand. "Congratualtions, partner." He meant every word, and so did the rest of 51. "Well, I've got more news too. I'm going to take the engineers exam again."
"What? Why?"
"It's just time to move on, I think." He wouldn't tell them that while Bobby was a good partner, he just didn't want to go through the job without his best friend there. He might tell Johnny though.
When the day was over, after everyone had gone home Roy and his family, including Johnny, were sitting and enjoying each other's company. Roy went to the kitchen to get more drinks and paused at the white envelope sitting on the table with rest of the mail, innocently addressed to Joanne. Frowning, Roy picked it up, opened it, and read it. As he did, his frown got deeper and deeper. Chris laughed in the living room and Roy's eyes shot to the doorway. He put the lette back in the envelope, but it in a drawer of junk, and went back to his family, trying to ignore the unsettling feeling he got over getting a letter from Chris's biological father.
END
Black-Angel-001: that's it! it's done! that's all there is there is no more! thanks to everyone who stuck with this story, even though they didn't like some of the content. thankies thanks to everyone who reviewed! special thanks especially to hotflash, my very good friend who has been a constant encouragment and support when this story almost got the best of me and was great inspiration! another special thanks to crockettsgirl, who has given me help and direction so i could have realism! her knowledge of drug abuse and treatment has been a lifesaver, along with her kind and encouraging words! THANK YOU BOTH!
*Bellingrath Gardens and Home is located in Moblie, Alabama and is a popular place at any time of year. They have flowers in bloom every season, and Christmas lights during the Christmas season. It's divided into different areas and has been through many years of rebuilding from time and hurricanes. Some of the flowers mentioned bloom there at the Great Lawn (which is a large grassy area surrounded by flowers and a stone walkway) and is popular for picnics. Bellingrath is also a popular place for weddings, receptions, and other social events. if you are ever in the area, i highly recomend it.
*Randolph Mantooth had a role in MacGyver in which he played a lead arson investigator (sadly the character dies); my mom actually suggested this to me, so thanks to her!
Black-Angel-001: i am currently researching for another e! fic, which will be tied to this, but not quite a sequal. i don't know when i'll write it, much less publish it, but i hope to see you all there when that adventure begins! peace out and love forever!