Hi everyone. Now I know this isn't Chapter 2 of RW3 but it was something that came to me and I wanted
to write. I guess this is one of those "I'm Writing It For Me Stories". So if you read it, okay,
I hope you liked it. And if you don't like than I'm sorry, but I like it so that means a little
bit more to me. I think it's nice to like what you're posting on the site. If you don't like, no
amount of reviews are gonna change how you feel about it. But that's just my opinion. I don't own
the show, if I did, I'd have alot more money than I have right now.
Lost Love
By: Strawberry Angel
He couldn't believe he was doing this. It was crazy. Eight years was a long time to wait, to put
this off. But his curiousity was killing him. So, what could he do?
"I have to let it all go," Jamie whispered, "Fear, doubt and disbelief." (a/n: there's a little
Matrix for ya) Jamie picked up the Sprint Yellow Pages carefully and set it on his lap. But there
was still a little doubt creeping around. Some worry too. He picked up the phone and dialed Val.
It rang three times before the message clicked on: "Hi, you've reached the Connell's. We're unable to get to the phone but please leave a message and we'll get back to you soon."
Jamie sighed and waited for the beep.
BEEP.
"Val, it's Jamie. I need to know something about C-" The phone made an abrupt click and a voice came across the line.
"Jamie? Are ya still there?" Tyler asked.
Jamie rolled his eyes. Tyler sounded groggy. He'd probably been asleep."Yeah. Is Val there?"
"No. She works, remember. Unlike some people." Tyler smiled.
"Shut up. I work. Alot more than you I bet."
"You work for your grandfather's company. You couldn't earn that job on your own."
"Enough with the insults. I have a question. Maybe, by some miracle, you know the answer." Jamie
said. Tyler turned serious.
"Yeah?"
"Do you know if Caitie Roth stills live around here?"
"Around here, no. She's moved upstate. About fifty miles from here. I don't know her address. Val
might have it but her address book is a disaster." said Tyler.
"Oh okay. Well I can find out her address.." His voice trailed off.
"Jamie," Tyler, concerned, said, "Do you know what you're doing?"
"No." He said, almost smiling and hung up the phone.
He returned his gaze back to the phone book. It looked intimidating. He was nervous. And had no
clue what he was doing. It wasn't too late to turn back, but he didn't want to. He had to know
if there was a way to make up for the lost eight years. Jamie also wanted to know why Caitie had
broken it off...on her graduation night.
Flipping back to the R's, Jamie skimmed the page. Risard, Roan, Rolem, Rose, Rota, and then there
it was C Roth. The address and phone number was printed next to it. Should I call? He asked himself.
No, I want to see her.
Waterside Apartments was a nice little building. A small lake, which could be described as a large pond, was a few yards away from the back of the white complex with blue trim. Light spilled into a courtyard between the two seperate wings of Waterside Apartments. The place was two stories tall, with a open stairway leading to the exposed walkway of the second story. A catwalk connecting the two builings. Each door to each of the 20 apartments was visible and a screened in porch could be seen from the front sidewalk. Jamie scanned the place for a front office. There it was, looking like a garage with french doors. He needed to check in there for her apartment number and such. The phone book didn't give her exact address, which was strange. All it said was the address to the Waterside.
No apartment number or anything. With that kind of information, Jamie had been expecting a house.
Ignoring his second thoughts and taking a deep breath, Jamie shut the door of his Explorer and made his way across the asphalt to the sidewalk leading to the
stairs or the walk to the lower apartments under the concete overhang of the top floor or to the little office right off the second builing labeled West Waterside.
The other unit was named East Waterside.
Jamie knocked lightly on the glass door. A crash was heard from inside and then footsteps. A fifty-ish looking women with salt and pepper hair and a round figure flung the door back. She looked a little surprised at the dark stranger in the slacks and shirt. Dotty had been figuring it was Mr. Patrillia unable to find his key. She had to use her key to let him in six times in the past month and each time his silver key had been found hidden underneath his car seat. Dotty smiled and held the door open a little wider and the stranger stepped through. He surveyed the little office, no bigger than a large walk in closet. His eyes swept over the desk near the back wall, covered in papers and a white computer. Two chairs were placed in front of it and potted plants were on either side of the front door. The overhead lighting was bright and welcoming. Cozy was Dotty's word the place.
The young man turned toward Dotty Benson's favorite wall, which was decorated with pictures of her family and children and friends. He studied the faces, as if looking for someone particular. It appeared he didn't see anyone he recognized.
Dotty flopped down into her leather desk chair and motioned to the seat in front of her desk. The young man sat and looked up at Dotty. Neither had spoken through the whole exchange. Dotty shifted and smiled.
"I'm Dotty Benson. My husband and I manage this place." Dotty introduced herself with a distinct Texas accent.
"I'm Jamie Waite." Jamie stated. The name sounded so immature to him, but he just couldn't stomach James.
"Well, Jamie," She said to the young man in his late twenties, "What can I do for you?" Jamie settled back in his overstuffed chair.
"I'm looking for an old friend of mine."
"Uh-huh. He lives here?" Dotty's curiosity was getting the best of her. Old friend? Hmm. Jamie let it slide without acknowledging the gender reference.
"Yes. I looked them up and it gave me this address but no apartment number." He explained. Dotty nodded.
"Some of the residents are very private." She said knowingly.
"I figured. I was hoping I would be able to visit."
"You need my permission or something?" Dotty asked, not at all uncomfortable with being herself. Jamie let a smile cross his lips before shaking his head.
"No, like I said, the number wasn't listed."
"So what is his name?" Dotty asked, knowing it was the moment of truth. She'd find out just what this man was up to.
"Caitie Roth." Jamie said, pretending not to notice the smirk Ms. Benson donned.
"Ahh. Caitie. A very nice girl." Dotty said. She made no move to give Jamie his information.
"Yes. It's been years." Jamie gave her a look.
"Oh oh yes. Um. Caitie's at East Waterside, 206. That's the second floor on the east side, if you didn't pick all that up. I'm guessing she's home from work about now. Go on up." Dotty rose, as did Jamie. She smiled.
"Old friend, eh? Or old girlfriend?"
Jamie just smiled and stepped out the door. Dotty shook her head. Maybe that was the one Caitie talked about. The one that broke her heart.
Jamie gripped the rail as he took the stairs two at a time. He was nervous. His heart threatened to jump out of his chest. He felt like a teenager. Jamie turned to look at the row of blue doors on his left. 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 and then 206. His palms were sweating. His breathing was coming in short little gasps. What was he so afraid of? It was no big deal. He was just stopping by at an old friends. He sighed. Jamie couldn't believe how dishonest he was--with himself.
"Stop pretending." He whispered. "She broke your heart and you won't even admit it." In disgust, Jamie fought the flashback, but it still came to him, as clear as
the night it happened.
~Flashback~
There he had been standing, all dressed up in a suit, waiting at the stage door for Caitie, his
girlfriend. She had been running a little late. Val rushed past and smiled. Her and Jamie hugged,
then she disappeared through the door. Caitie came jogging down the hall. Her black gown was
billowing behind her and she was holding her cap in her hand.
"Jamie!" She called. He grinned and slipped his arms around her waist. She smiled back and gave
him a light kiss. "Shouldn't you be inside?"
Jamie shook his head and reached in his pocket. Caitie craned her neck to see but he playfully turned
away. "What are you doing?" She asked. Caitie snuck a glance at her watch.
"I wanted to give you something." Jamie said. Caitie's eyes widened in surprised then...
"Jamie." Caitie gasped. Jamie snapped his head up, still feeling the tiny velvet box in his hand.
Caitie was standing at the door, an expression on her face that was between amused and terrified.
Jamie took a step for the door. Caitie backed inside an inch. It was obvious she was scared too.
"Hi." He whispered.
Caitie shook her head. "What are you doing? Why are you here? You could've called. You could've
warned me that you were stopping by; the place is a mess---" She droned on and on about what a
surprise it was. But Jamie wasn't hearing her. He was seeing her, watching her, looking at her
move and breath. It was a dream. Just like he had imagined it. But in a way it was different, Caitie
was different. Her hair was shorter, brushing lightly on her shoulders. Her make-up was lighter, her clothes
were more comfortable and relaxed. Blue jeans and a blue tank top was something he'd never
pictured her in. She looked beautiful.
"So, why? Why are you here?" Caitie had finished saying.
"I wanted to see you. Eight years is a long time."
"I know." Caitie said softly, regret lining her voice and darkening her face. She suddenly brightened.
Smiling she said, "You look different. You've changed. You're hair. I've never seen it so short.
It's nice. And the outfit. I had trouble picturing you in anything but your black shirts and jeans."
Jamie nodded and smiled. So she had thought about him.
"What have you been doing? Dotty tells me you work alot." Jamie said, trying for light conversation.
Caitie nodded. "Yes I do. Alot more than I'd like. I'm working two jobs. I'm a clerk at the Department of Motor Vehicles
and a bartender a few days a week. Not exactly the greatest job for me, but it pays the bills."
Caitie stopped to stare at Jamie. It was like her dream had always been. But better. Because now
it was coming true. She wrinkled her forehead at the thought. 'No it isn't. He came to visit as
friends. It's too late. You ruined everything.'
Jamie nodded, still trying to catch a glimpse of her ring finger. But it was behind her back. Jamie
forced a smile, a tight with tension smile, and answered.
"Oh that's good. So you never went on to college? That seemed pretty important at your graduation."
He said. He didn't mean to sound bitter but he did. Caitie's expression changed and she looked
like she was upset and ready to cry. She kept her eyes on the floor. "I've been working with my
grandfather's computer company. It's not me but my parents refused to let me to what I wanted. So
8 years later, I'm with the same job they made me go to, but with an executive position." Jamie stated. Caitie
nodded.
"Must be nice. Val told me about that, your job I mean. That's awesome. I'm proud. I'd never thought
you'd make it off your paper route from sixth grade." Caitie smiled sarcastically and Jamie fought
the impulse to grab her in his arms.
"I was always wondering about graduation night. What happened to--" Jamie was beginning to say. But
Caitie must have heard where that was going.
"We don't have to stand outside. It's a disaster in there but come on." She said quickly and
disappear through the front door. Jamie followed into the dark. The blinds were shut and no lights
were on. Caitie picked her way through the foyer and motioned Jamie into the kitchen.
"Why is it so dark?" He asked, looking around.
"Shhh." Caitie smiled with a finger to her lips. Jamie shrugged and surveyed the kitchen. It was
the only bright enough room to really see. Pictures drawn by kids were on the cabinets and dishes
were in the sink, nice woodwork. Suddenly, Jamie's brain stopped. 'Pictures drawn by kids?' What
was wrong with that? Had Jamie's fears been confirmed? Had is only true love been lost, forever?
Caitie followed his shock gaze to the cabinet where a picture of a primitive stick figure dinosaur
was taped up. She swallowed slowly.
"Devin drew that." She whispered. Jamie snapped his head away from it to stare at her now. He must
have looked confused. "Follow me." Caitie said softly and tip toed into the living room. She came
to a stop at a little hallway. A door was on the left and a door was on the right. First, Caitie
turned to the right. She opened the door very slowly, checked to make sure Jamie hadn't bolted,
and stepped in. The room was lit only by a little nightlight but Jamie could make out the figure
of a dark haired little boy in a race car bed. He gulped. His throat was getting tight. It was
his worst nightmare.
Caitie seemed to be oblivious to her friend gasping and fighting for control of himself. She turned
on her heels and pulled Jamie towards the next door. Opening it, Jamie could see a white crib. He
stepped up to it and peered in. A beautiful, plump black haired baby was laying on pale yellow
sheets. A baby and a little boy. It was too much. He sank onto the nearest horizontal surface. It
took a moment before he realized it was a queen sized bed. So this was Caitie and her husband's
room too. Caitie motioned for him to follow her out.
They arrived back in the living room and sat down. Caitie took the couch and Jamie made himself
as comfortable as possible, considering the situation, in a recliner.
"You could have told me you're married." He said simply.
"I'm not." Caitie said. She looked like she'd rather be anywhere but on that leather sofa across
from Jamie Waite.
"What?"
"I'm not married. I never was married." Caitie answered and ray of hope burst through Jamie's
heart. Those weren't her kids. They were someone elses.
"So whose kids are those?" He asked excitedly. Jamie winced at his eager voice and leaned back, trying
to appear calm.
"Mine. Devin is the little boy. He's three. And Lydia is the baby. She's 13 months."
"Wait a minute. If you aren't married, how do you have kids?" Jamie challenged. Caitie laughed
and gave him a look.
"I had kids the same way anyone does. I just wasn't married." She said. Jamie nodded. He sighed.
"Who is he? They have the same father?" He sank back forlornly into the recliner. His dream was
collapsing in on itself. He'd worked out hundred's off scenarios and this one hadn't
even crossed his mind. If only she would have had a terminal illness. Then he would know what
to say.
"Yes, it's the same guy. His name was Austin. I met him a year after I graduated. If you must know,
I liked him because he reminded me of you. The way he talked. The way he walked. His sense of
humor. It was all a reminder of you. Which made things painful, but I still was able to fall in
love, at least so I thought. So after dating for a year, I moved in with him. Everything was going
good for a while there. About three years of goodness, until I get pregnant with Devin. Austin
made it pretty clear he wanted me to have an abortion. I said no way. He got angry and left for
a few weeks. But he came crawling back. I had the baby and he promised me we'd get married soon.
Well, a year passed, then two, and then surprise surprise, I still wasn't married but was having
another blessing, a little girl. Austin blew his top. He had a temper that definately wasn't a
reminder of you. He threatened me and hit me and said he'd kill me if I didn't get the abortion.
I said no. And he left again. Austin tried to come back and apologize. I wouldn't let him come
near me or Devin. After a month or so, he gave up and left and last I heard, he has a new girlfriend
that he lives with in California." Caitie leaned back and returned Jamie's stare. After a moment
to gather himself, he contributed to the conversation.
"He reminded you of me?"
Caitie smiled. "Big time. Dark, spiky hair. Dark eyes. He made the same faces, had the same
bone structure as you. He was a little more built but I didn't care. I guess I was looking for you."
She sighed. Jamie raised an eyebrow.
"You knew where to find me."
"No I didn't. Well I did. But it was too late. I could go back. It was over between us."
"Yeah and it was your fault!" Jamie exclaimed, then quickly regretted it. "I didn't mean that."
Caitie shook her head, her black hair shaking wildly. "I deserved that. It was my fault. And you
think I didn't know that? I lived with it everyday. And I wondered what could have been and what
would have been. But I didn't have the guts. I never expected to see again. You showing up here
was a big surprise to me. I asked Val about you but she never really knew what was going on with
you or where you were. All she could say was you traveled." Caitie shrugged.
Jamie let the statement sit for a minute, pondering what had been said. Struggling to make conversation
he asked, "So what ever happened to college?"
"I couldn't go. I never got the scholorship. So I didn't have enough money and..." Caitie let
her voice trail off.
"Wait! Wait! I was told that you had gotten the scholorship for that school in New York. That art school."
"I thought I did. I thought I would have. I thought maybe it was late in the mail." Caitie chuckled
at that, "But it wasn't. So when you gave me that ring. I didn't know what else to say. I was
scared. I..."
Jamie stood and raised his voice. "You didn't think I was scared?! I was terrified. I had rehearsed
what I was going to say for weeks. And then finally, I ask. But what is my answer? You turn and
run. Left me standing there with the ring and I never heard from you again. It was Val who told me
about the whole college excuse." Caite stared, tears brimming her eyes. She reached out and took
Jamie's hand. Gently she pulled him into his seat.
"I know. I knew. And I wanted to marry you. I wanted to say yes. But I couldn't. I knew what
happened to everyone else who got married too early."
"We weren't everyone else. Why didn't you tell me then you thought all this?"
"It was instinct Jamie. I couldn't stand around and talk about it." Caitie's back straightened. "But
it's over. So let bygones be bygones." (a/n: again i wonder if that is supposed to be spelt different.)
Jamie was about to shake his head when a piercing cry of a baby washed over the house. Caitie
walked to the bedroom and came back with Lydia. The baby looked at Jamie for a minute. He smiled.
She was awfully cute. Lydia looked just like her mother.
Caitie set Lydia on the floor and looked up at Jamie. Her face showed hurt and regret. Jamie looked
away. Caitie stared for a minute. What did he want from her? She had to know.
"What do you want me to say Jamie? That I'm sorry? I am sorry. That I made the biggest mistake of
my life? Okay, one of the biggest mistakes I ever made was letting you go. That I wish I could
go back and do things different? Of course I do! I'm 26 years old and a single mother with two
kids out of wedlock! I regret it Jamie. I really do. I don't know how else to make you feel better."
Caitie offered and sighed. She scooped Lydia back up and bounced her on her knee.
"I know. I understand. It's just..."
"You wish it wasn't like this? So do I." Caitie mumbled. Devin appeared in the living room, eyeing
Jamie suspiciously.
"Mommy, "He whispered, "Who's that?" Devin ran to his mother and pulled himself up on the couch
next to her.
"This is my friend Mr. James Waite. We went to school together." She answered, smiling. Jamie
shook Devin's hand politely.
"Nice to meet you, Devin."
Devin buried his head in Caitie's chest. Caitie shrugged. Devin didn't like strangers too much.
"So who's last name did they take?" Jamie asked, leaning forward. Devin handed him a fake rubber
bug. Jamie took it and set it next to him on the recliner.
"Mine of course. I'm raising them. Austin's never around so they don't need any reminders of him."
"I see." Jamie said, not knowing how else to answer.
"So here we have Lydia Nicolette Roth." She said holding up the baby. "And," Caitie said, blushing
a little, "Devin Jamie Roth."
"Devin Jamie?" Jamie asked, surprised and pleased.
"Uh-huh. I thought 'Hey, it's only right'."
"Why?"
"What do you mean 'Why'? I wanted to pay tribute to my best friend." Caitie answered. Jamie smiled.
A thought passed through his mind. 'Best friend? Isn't that leaving something out?'
"Do you want to go out to dinner tonight?" Jamie asked Caitie, who was flying around in a black
and white blur, getting ready to go to work.
"I have to work till midnight, but if you want you can come pick me up at work. Then we can go
where ever." Caitie said, then seemed to think for a minute. She bit her bottom lip. "No wait. I
promised Tony I'd work double shifts. How about tomorrow night? I don't have to work double shifts
tomorrow night. And you could watch the kids. I can tell the love you." She smiled and motioned
to Devin, who was clinging to Jamie's knee. He seemed to have gotten over his shyness. Lydia, who
was resting comfortably in his arms and pulling at his lip.
"Okay sure. Tomorrow." He sounded disappointed. Caitie smiled.
"All right. Have fun! Lydia goes to bed at 7:30 and Devin goes to bed at 8:30, right?" Devin shook
his head. Caitie sighed and shrugged. "Oh and they need baths. But Devin should be okay, just run
the water for him in the tub. Lydia likes the sink so that should work. And if you want to crash
here tonight go ahead. The couch is all yours." Caitie planted a kiss on each kid and was out the
door.
*Later*
Jamie clenched his fists and forced a cheerful voice. "Devin, we aren't playing hide and seek anymore.
It's time for a bath. Lydia, no don't touch that." Jamie heard Devin giggle gleefully as Lydia
toddled over to the T.V. She pulled out a video tape and began banging it on the floor. Jamie
ran a hand through his now short spikes. It was too much.
"Okay Devin! Come on out. Come find me." Jamie ducked behind the couch, making sure half of his body
could be seen. Devin ran and tag him, letting out a triumphant scream. Jamie grabbed him and with
a lot of force and maneuvering, got Devin into the tub. "Here just
wash yourself off and pull the plug when you're done. Call me before you get out, okay?"
Devin nodded. "Okay." Jamie ran to grab Lydia, who was still hammering with the tape. She was
much easier to get into the kitchen sink. She glared at Jamie as he scrubbed her off. Lydia made
the same faces as Caitie.
"You look just like your mommy!" He said along with the usual coochie coos. He was just putting
Lydia into her pajamas when he heard little footsteps running behind him. Jamie turned in time to
see the soaking wet behind of Devin and the drips and footprints in the green carpet.
"Devin!" He shouted. After a half hour of yelling and wrestling and coaxing, Dvin was sleeping
in his bed and Lydia was in her crib.
Jamie collapsed onto the sofa and was out before his head his the pillow.
Caitie was at the bar in the popular restaurant, Briginds. Karissa, Caitie's friend, smiled
and studied her friend.
"What do you look so happy about?" Karissa asked as she wiped down the bar. It was closing time
and not a moment too soon. Karissa's feet hurt, she had a killer headache, and was tired enough
to sleep for a year. Caitie turned to her short, blonde friend.
"Guess who's here?"
"Jamie?" Karissa gasped. Jamie was common knowledge around the resturant. Everyone knew about him,
the one who got away. As the story was retold and retold it got different, but people knew the
main plot. Sometimes Jamie was dismissed as legend, as wishful thinking, as the embodiment of the
perfect guy. It was the first time Karissa had heard of him actually being around.
"Yep." Caitie said, not bothering to fight back the grin spreading from ear to ear.
"Wow. That's incredible. Why is he here?"
Caitie shrugged. "He just showed up at my front door today. Total shock. Now he's watching Devin
and Lydia and staying with me for a few. We're going out tomorrow night. Well tonight actually."
She motioned to her watch, which read four o'clock in the morning. Karissa clapped her hands.
"You're so lucky. I wish I could find that perfect guy."
"It's like a second chance or something. A dream come true." Caitie murmured dreamily.
"But come on Caitie. You make it sound like it was his fault you broke up and never heard from
each other."
"It was! He could have still been my boyfriend and we could have pretended he never purposed. I
wrote him letters. He never wrote back, though. I wonder why." Caitie snapped out of her trance.
"It doesn't matter why. The point is he's here and maybe we could start over. Who knows. I just
wonder if he's ready. Or if I'm ready. I am in theory but it's happening for real now. Can I really
pick up where we left off?" Karissa lay her hand on Caitie's shoulder.
"Calm down. You'll be fine. Just stop thinking. Don't think, just let it happen naturally. Stop
planning. Go with the flow." Karissa wisely advised. Caitie nodded dumbly and went to count the
cash register. But she wondered how smart it was to take advice from her 25 year old friend who
was single and didn't really have any serious boyfriends in her past.
Cory, their 30 year old manager, stuck his head in from the dining room. "What's all the noise?"
"Guess who's here!" Karissa cried.
"Jamie?!" Cory asked in disbelief.
"Uh-huh. Showed up at Caitie's this afternoon. As we speak he's sleeping on her couch, watching
the kids." Karissa said. Cory shook his head.
"Wow. I can't believe it. What took him so long?" Caitie only laughed and grabbed her purse.
"I don't know. I'm gonna go home and find out." Caitie fought the urge to skip as she went to the
car and eagerly drove home.
*****Hi everyone! It's me, S.A. that seems to be my nickname or something. I know Strawberry Angel is long to type so I don't blame you. Well anyways, I'm well aware that this ends a little abruptly but I'll continue it soon. As soon as I can. I just wanted to break it up a little. Because it's very long. 12 pages with this font! 12 PAGES!! I couldn't believe it. I wonder how many words. Well please review and I'd like to thank Arcadia for reading it before I posted so I'd know it was post worthy. Okay thanks a bunch. Love ya guys!*****