Disclaimer: I do not own anything IaHB related.
Note: Wow, I actually got this out pretty early. I didn't expect it to be out for another couple of days. Anyway, this is the last chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed this fic and the fic before it, 'Second Chances'. Thanks for all the reviews.
I got the idea to write this chapter in a letter format from Mad Cow, who recently did a fic in e-mail format. Thanks for the inspiration, MC.
Dear Caitie,
I just wanted to write and thank you again for inviting us down to the camp. The house is beautiful and I am so glad that you and Jamie are living there together.
It was so great seeing you two and Hank and Melanie again. And it was a lot of fun to sit there and reminisce for a while. Kiandra said she had a good time too (but I think that's more because she met Mike instead of because she liked our stories. She still has not stopped talking about him.)
Speaking of Kiandra, she's moving out of the apartment next weekend. Tyler and I felt kind of bad about this because we didn't want to make her feel like the 'third wheel'. But, she says that she wants to get out and get a place of her own anyway. So, maybe this is for the best. I mean, Kiandra will be happy in her new place and Tyler and I will have a bit more privacy.
Val
P.S.- Tyler no longer has to substitute at the school. Old Mr. Peterson finally retired, so Tyler has been asked to fill the position as 11th grade math teacher. As you can probably imagine, Tyler is thrilled!
Val,
That's so great about Tyler getting the job. So now, when is he going to get around to proposing to you? I know, I know. You guys are taking it slow. Anyway, maybe it is good that Kiandra is moving out. I mean, like you said, now you and Tyler will have more privacy. Oh, and tell Kiandra that Mike hasn't stopped talking about her either.
I'm sorry this is so short, but I only had a few minutes to write. Tonight is campfire night at the camp and I have to get down there before Jamie eats all the smores. Talk to you soon.
Caitie.
..................................................................
Alex,
Thank you so much for the check you sent to the camp. Usually, I send out a formal thank you letter to a donor, but I thought this was more appropriate. Anyway, we have used the money to set up a volleyball court, complete with sand. And, it truly gets a lot of use. In fact, this weekend we are having our first annual volleyball tournament between the cabins. The kids are really looking forward to it.
If you ever get a chance, come visit us. Then you can see the camp yourself.
Thanks again for the donation.
Jamie
P.S.- Enclosed is a picture of all the kids from Session 2 in front of their new volleyball court.
....................................................................
Kiandra,
I hope you don
Mike
P.S.- How is the apartment hunting going?
Dear Mike,
The apartment hunting is going awful! Apparently, every apartment in the city is already taken. And to make it worse, I was laid off from my job the other day. Val and Tyler said that I can stay with them as long as I need to, but I really want to get out and give them their own space.
I've put my application in to a few places, but so far, no one has called back. I don't know. Maybe I am looking in the wrong direction. You know what? Maybe I could do something with art. I mean, I did minor in art in college and I've always been interested in it. I'll let you know how it goes.
And how are you doing?
Kiandra
Kiandra,
I have a great idea. Mrs. Krewson, the art director here at the camp, is going on maternity leave soon. Why don
I already mentioned this to Jamie and he thinks it
Mike
Mike,
Yes, yes, yes! I would love to do that! Just let me know when you guys need me down there and I'll be there. Oh, it's such a relief to know that I have some idea of what I'm going to do now. And Val and Tyler are both very happy for me. They even took me out to dinner to celebrate. Not bad, eh?
Oh, this is going to be so much fun. I have a lot of ideas for what I can do with the kids. I can't wait to show you and Jamie.
And now, you can show me around the camp like you wanted to.
See you soon!
Kiandra
.....................................................................
Tyler,
Hey man! I heard that you got that teaching position! Super cool. Listen, I know things will be busy for you now- what with the job and living with Val. (How is that going, by the way?) But, I was kind of hoping that you wouldn't be busy on April 23rd of this year. See, man, I am marrying the most beautiful girl that day and I was wondering if you would like to be one of my best men. We've known each other for a really long time now, and I think it would be cool if you could be part of our day. So, what do you say?
Of course, you'll be getting a formal invitation and all that. But, I wanted this to be straight from me. Let me know what you think.
Hank
Jamie,
Hey! How is the camp going? I tried to call you yesterday to catch up, but Caitie said you were in the middle of a very important soccer game. So, I chatted with her for a while. I thanked her for inviting Mel and I down to the camp. And I thank you too. It was really cool to see everyone again.
Anyway, the reason I am writing is that Mel and I finally set a date. On April 23rd of this year, I am going to be getting married. Of course, my first thought was whom I was going to pick as my best man. It was a hard decision because it came down between you and Tyler. So, I decided to pick you both. So, will you do it? I really hope that you and Caitie both can be there to celebrate with us.
You and Caitie will be getting a formal invitation as soon as Mel picks out which design she wants on the front of the card. Women! Jeez, if it were up to me, I'd make them all on my computer. Let me know what you decide.
Hank.
Hank,
Of course I will be one of your best men. Why did you even have to ask?
Tyler
Hank,
Caitie and I will be there. And, yes, I will be one of your best men. I have to say, though, there aren't many people who can get me into a tux. But, for your wedding, my friend, I will don one for the day.
Jamie
..........................................................
You are cordially invited to the wedding of Hank Beecham and Melanie Chong.
The nuptials will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April the 23rd.
Reception will follow immediately afterwards at the Kingsport Banquet Hall.
..............................................................................
Brooke smiled as she gazed out the window. She was at the EMS station, but that didn't really matter. Everything had been filed; all the paperwork was done. Frankly, she really didn't have anything to do at that moment. And so, there she sat, staring out the window, her mind lost in thought.
She knew that they would eventually catch on to what she had done at the reunion. After all, one minute they all had been moping in their soup and the next minute they had been laughing at another memory of days gone by. It would just be natural that they would sometime wonder what had happened to change the mood. And Brooke knew that when they did question the change, they would try to think back to the series of events that had occurred. Inevitably, it seemed, her name would come up.
She could just see the enlightenment on each of their faces when they finally realized how she had tricked them all. Well, Brooke thought, they needed to be tricked.
It had been a close one. If Brooke hadn't known the people involved so well, then things would not have gone the way she had planned. If she hadn't known what they needed to hear, to be reminded of the most......
And she really had not had a lot of time. She hated it when that happened. Sure, Brooke did her best work when under a deadline, but still. Deadlines sucked.
Brooke looked away from the window and glanced down at her lap. Six letters, almost identical in content sat there. She smiled as her eyes alighted on them. Yes, they had caught on to her little scheme.
The letters had come all on the same day, through some miracle of the post office. Brooke thought it was sign that things are as they should be in all her favorite couple's lives.
She placed her fingers on the top letter and opened it slowly. Of course, she had already read all them all. But, it was fun to read them again and see the similarities and yet the differences in each message.
Brooke,
You little Devil! I know what you did at the reunion! There is no use trying to hide it. I was thinking about the reunion the other day with Tyler and we both realized what you did. Well, all I really can say is thank you. Without your help to remember all the good memories, I am not sure that Tyler and I would be together right now. So, thanks Brooke. You are the best little sister.
Val
Brooke folded the letter back up and placed it on the little stand next to her chair. She didn't even glance at the next letter before picking it up. But, her eyes came back to rest on the paper in her hand as she began to read.
Brooke,
Val and I are on to you! We know what you did at the reunion. And all I have to say is..........thanks. Without you, I might not have gone to the city with Val. And since you helped us out, I will be the first to let you in on a little secret. I am going to ask Val to marry me tonight. I have the ring and everything. Wish me luck!
Tyler
"Good luck," Brooke whispered, although she knew that Tyler needed no luck. Val was sure to say yes with no hesitation whatsoever. She couldn't wait to help plan that wedding.
She picked up the next letter and opened it to read.
Dear Brooke,
Mel and I want you to know that we are forever indebted to you for what you did at the reunion. I can't even think of life without Mel, but it might have been a reality if it hadn't been for you and your little trick. You had us all fooled and you led us right into your trap. Great job! And thanks.
Can't wait to see you at the wedding.
Hank
The next letter, Brooke had been a little surprised to see. After all, she had never really known Melanie that well. She had not been at EMT or a good friend of Val's. Therefore, Brooke had not really known her. But, still, it was so nice to see the polite handwriting on the next letter.
Brooke,
I just wanted to thank you for what you did at the reunion. If you had not made me jealous by mentioning Jasmine, I am not sure that I would have realized the true depth of my feelings for Hank. So, thank you.
I know that I don't know you too well, but I think the world of you because of what you did. I was wondering if perhaps you would be my maid of honor. I wanted my maid of honor to be someone very special. I think that you are in a way that no one else could be because of what you did for Hank and I. So, will you do it?
Melanie
"Of course," Brooke said out loud. She was truly honored that Melanie would even suggest such an idea to her. Brooke had never expected it, but it was great to know that she was appreciated for what she had done.
Brooke placed that letter with the other ones on the table and opened the next one.
Brooke,
How sly! How devious! I see you have learned well from your Auntie Caitie. Don't think that I am not on to you. I know exactly what you did at the reunion. And after I explained it to Jamie, he knew too. Men! You have to hold their hand and guide them sometimes.
Anyway, thanks a lot for showing me just how much Jamie has meant to me over the years. I am so glad that I am living here with him at the camp. And I just feel so much more...complete because I am with him now. And it is all because of you. Thanks.
So, the other night, I proposed to Jamie. It was kind of funny because I got the whole camp in on it. Anyway, he was so surprised; he didn't even know what to say! It was great. Of course, he said yes. And although, neither of us are ready for marriage, it is nice to know that we are engaged. I mean, at least marriage will be somewhere down the road, but right now we are happy enough to be engaged.
Thanks again for everything.
Caitie
Brooke smiled and looked at the last letter. She laughed as the few words quickly met her eyes. From Jamie, she would never have expected anything else.
Brooke,
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Jamie
Brooke smiled. Her three favorite couples were doing fine. Everyone was happy. And there were two weddings to plan for. Well, Brooke thought, glancing over Caitie's letter again. There should be three, but......... And then Brooke smiled. There was plenty of time to work on Caitie and Jamie. After all, Brooke still had a couple of tricks up her sleeve.
"Hey Alex," she called out from her seat in the chair. "You have got to see the letters that came in the mail today for me."
And with that, Brooke rose from her seat and walked the short way to Alex's office, intent on showing him the letters and devising a new plan. I rock, she thought.
The End
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