Hi everyone. I really wanted to work on this and hopefully finish before I'd did anything else. Which means I'll probably do something with Real World 3. And I'm already writing a new Real World-ish story. It won't be a Real World but I'll write something in the summary to let you know. It's a nice idea I guess. Well anyways, I don't own In A Heartbeat or any of the characters. Alright here goes.



Lost Love

Soul Mate



The door clicked open, swinging aside to display the domestic scene. Jamie was sleeping on the couch, snoring ever so softly. The house was a wreck to say the least. Toys were covering every inch of the floor and the furniture was buried under soaking wet towels and about five pairs of pajamas per child. Caitie sighed. So maybe she wouldn't get to bed right away. Somehow, it was difficult to feel angry when she had been waiting for this moment for eight years. She made her way around the living room and picked up the disaster little by little. Caitie sank down into the recliner, lifting up her feet and pulling the lever for the footrest. Her eyes fell on Jamie. His eyes were closed and his mouth was slightly open. He looked peaceful and relaxed. Caitie felt her feet pick them selves up and move toward the couch. What are you doing? She thought. Don't you dare walk over there. I'm warning you, Caitie. This is not funny. Why are leaning over? What? Don't do it. Don't even think about. No stop! But it was too late. Her lips connected with his forehead. It was like kissing an iron. Caitie ripped back. Her face was heating up and color was rushing toward her face. Racked with humiliation, Caitie stumbled backward to her bedroom.

She glared at her reflection in the mirror. Caitie raked through her ebony hair with trembling fingers. Blinking a couple times to clear her mind, she returned her gaze at the young women standing before her.

"What was that?" She whispered fiercely. Caitie shook her head and sighed. "You've kissed him before. Remember high school? You did a lot more than kiss." Caitie flung a hand over her mouth and fell back on her bed. What was wrong with her? Was she back in fifth grade where you avoided your crush at all costs? It wasn't like Jamie was a stranger. He was far from a stranger. He was her...soul mate...? It seemed to fit. From the moment she met Jamie back in sixth grade, she was drawn to him. It wasn't till seventh that she knew they had something special. And it wasn't till high school that she knew that she and Jamie were meant for each other. Now look. So much for dreams. It was obvious they weren't coming true. He probably had a girlfriend. She hadn't really asked him. Hmm. Jamie had a girlfriend! He was avoiding the question! He didn't want to break her heart! That jerk! So Caitie fell asleep angry and wondering how she could have been so stupid.

Jamie stirred and tried to roll onto his back. But instead, he fell to the carpet and let out a little groan. Devin appeared beside Jamie, grinning.

"You're up!" He cried gleefully. Jamie only mumbled a response before disappearing into the bathroom. Devin shrugged and toddled into the kitchen. Caitie smiled as she bounced Lydia on her hip. The dark eyed baby giggled at the sight of Jamie. He looked incredibly tired. Caitie let a small smirk fall on her face for a moment. Jamie caught it.

"Something funny?" He hissed in mock anger.

"Not really. Just wondering if you got the licence plate number for the dump truck that hit you. You look...tired." Caitie handed him a pop tart and sent Devin to get dressed.

"Your kids don't like to sleep." Jamie stated. "They didn't settled down till midnight and even then they were hyper. I didn't get to sleep till three something."

Caitie's heart stopped. Had he been awake when she embarrassed herself? No. He would have said something, wouldn't he? Maybe not.

"Oh really. Sorry, they usually behave themselves." Caitie eyed Jamie carefully. He stared back. She broke away from his deep dark eyes and tried to look busy.

"I had the weirdest dream." He said, smiling.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I had a dream that you came home from somewhere and were hovering over me. Then you kissed me." Jamie was grinning madly and Caitie couldn't really read into it. She put on her best surprised face.

"Imagine that."



"Rosa, do you have any idea how complicated my life just got?" Caitie said. Rosa raised an eyebrow. The younger girl was smiling despite what she just said. Rosa shrugged.

"Besides having two little kids and no husband with rent and electric bills, I can't imagine." Rosa said sarcastically. Caitie shook her head.

"Jamie's here!" That stopped Rosa's tapping on the keyboard. She stared at Caitie for a moment. Then she wiggled her eyebrows up and down. Caitie laughed.

"Well well well. This is a shock. What's he doin' here?"

"I have no idea. He came knocking on my door yesterday and he's staying at house. I dropped the kids off at daycare today and he was still at my apartment. We're going out to dinner after I get off work."

"You have all the luck with men!" Rosa complained.

"Rosa! You've been married for ten years!"

"Don't remind me."

Caitie smiled in amazement. If her and Jamie were married then everything would be perfect. If only.

"Rosa?"

"Huh?" Rosa grunted. She brushed back her slick jet black hair. Rosa had always been considered beautiful and stunning, even in her 33 years of age. Being Italian had its perks she had said. Rosa had olive skin, oval shaped eyes and a gorgeous complection. Maybe if she had been more careful about how she looked she wouldn't have had to marry Tony.

"Do you believe in soul mates?"

"Whadda mean 'soul mates'? Like one person being meant for ya no matter what?"

"Yes."

"I guess so. I wonder where my soul mate is." Rosa mumbled.

Caitie sighed. "Like say you knew from the beginning that someone was meant for you and you were always going to be together. If something got in the way, is it still possible?"

"I suppose. If it's fate than nothing can change it."

"You believe in fate too?"

"Yeah. If I didn't, I wouldn't a married Tony. I figured I was stuck with him forever so might as well."

"So is it fate that Jamie is back with me?"

"Maybe. Either that or incredibly annoying luck."

"Rosa! I always thought Jamie and I were soul mates. I just..."

"Just..?"

"Never mind."

"Caitie, you never told me why you and Jamie didn't wind up together."

"It's not something I like to talk about." Caitie replied and stared at her computer screen like it held the mystery of the universe. She should be getting back to work anyway, not just because the conversation was turning where she didn't want it to go.

"And that means what to me?"

"It's a sad story of stupidity and regret.."

"The story of my life?" Rosa smirked.

"No worse." Caitie's voice was dripping with hurt.

"This I've gotta hear."

"I told everyone me and Jamie just casually broke it off, that we weren't ever even that serious. Well, I lied to everyone. Jamie and I were so serious, it was scary. It scared my parents, even though they didn't know half of what was going on. Jamie and I would disappear over the weekends. Some nights I wanted to be with him so bad I'd sneak out and come back in the morning. I'd go to his apartment, he was living on his own at the time. I think his dad kicked him out or something. I forget. Anyway, I'd spend the night there. I thought I was in love. I was in love. Um, that was junior year. That still went on for my senior year but Jamie had dropped out of school. He and I were the same age but he'd been held back in elementary school so he was always trying to catch up so we could be together. It go to be too much so he left. To make a long story a little bit shorter, I was graduating. It was my graduation night in fact. I was running late. Jamie was waiting for me. He gave me a ring and asked me to marry him-"Caitie was gnawing at her bottom lip by this time-"I didn't answer. I ran. I ran clear out of that building and had them send me my diploma. Then I moved. I thought I was going to go to an arts school but I didn't get in. So I moved as far away as I could. I regretted my decision for the rest of my life. Or eight years. Even while I was with Austin I was still in love with Jamie. I've always tried to figure out why I ran but I seriously still have no clue."

Rosa nodded sadly. It was a love story meant for a TV soap opera. Caitie blinked back a tear and turned toward her computer.

"I'm sorry.." Rosa whispered. "I shouldn't have asked."

Caitie tried to look cheerful. In a chocked voice she replied, "Don't be. It's my fault. I shouldn't let it bother me. The past is past. Sure, we aren't in love anymore but it's okay."

"You can honestly tell me you don't love Jamie?" Rosa was incredulous.

Caitie paused for a moment. "No, I guess not."

Jamie looked around the apartment. Caitie was supposed to be coming back from work soon. She was going to pick the kids up from daycare before dropping them off at her sister's to spend the night. Caitie said she didn't know how late they'd be so she didn't want to keep a sitter.

Boy, had Caitie changed. Her life was all together and organized. Then there was Jamie, with a job he hated, a life that was pointless and still madly in love with the girl who had turned him down. What a sad existence.

"You lost her, pal. She's long gone. She's got kids and responsibilities. She doesn't want to come back to you." Jamie informed the man looking at him from the mirror. He slammed his fist down on the counter in frustration just as the door opened. Caitie had a worried expression.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Jamie straightened. "I'll get ready to go."

"Okay me too."

Jamie stepped down the hall with Caitie behind him, both wallowing in self pity and defeat. It was maddening. Caitie looked at Jamie's back as he shut the door behind him. A single tear rolled over her cheek and fell to the carpet. She'd lost him. He was gone forever and there was no way to fix it. This wasn't a movie or a fairytale. This was real life and you couldn't always get what you want.

*****This one wasn't nearly as long. The next chapter will be coming soon. When, I have no idea! HEHE. Well review and tell me what you think but be gentle.*****