Golly gee! I can't believe it – I'm on a roll. I'd like to say I'm royally pissed over the comment my sister said last night. We were watching A Walk To Remember for the zillionth time for me when she said that Landon was an 'irresponsible bastard' for not getting a job during the wedding scene. She was like, 'he gets married but doesn't get a job?'.
Naturally, I defended my heartthrob Landon. I was like 'I'm sure he got a job a few weeks or so before the wedding'. But my sister was like 'they never show him getting a job, not like an Amélie'. Hate to break it to you sweetheart, but half of the setting takes place during work. And two of the people she helps go to The Two Windmills. Well anyway- a question arises. Did Landon actually get a job? LoL… I'm crazy…
Now don't interrupt me now… I'm a true Gryffindor now, I'm happy to say. I found out that no matter what, in almost every test I took (with the sole exception of one really crappy one in which I got Hufflepuff- my second choice) I got Gryffindor. So now, I am proud to say that I am a full blown Gryffindor. ::Bows as the audience claps politely:: And now, for your featured presentation… ::Hand is outstretched, slowly going away into the curtains:: Papa Don't Preach, chapter 2!!
Dedications: I would like to dedicate this story to my friend Joyce. You most likely aren't reading this, but if you are, talking to you makes me feel better! Thank you very much! To everyone who is reading this and not reviewing- at least people are reading ::shrug::. And I write for myself anyway, so why should it matter?
Disclaimer- ::Sighs dramatically:: Y'know what? Screw this- I'm putting the disclaimer in my bio so I can make an EFFORT at being and fun yet to the point ^_~. But ASMR doesn't belong to me… really.
Title- Papa Don't Preach
Author- Jade
Rating- R (A very low R, though)
Teaser- When Jamie and Landon are 16, they get into trouble that is totally unexpected. This scenario proves that Jamie and Landon belong together, no matter what the circumstances…
Chapter 2- … Arises a Man…
Chapters- 2/??
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Quote of the Day:
'If every fool wore a crown, we'd all be kings.' Welsh Proverb
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"Landon? How are you?" Cynthia inquired softly, looking up from her accounting work. A messy haired Landon sat across from his mother, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl in the middle of the kitchen table. Landon smiled weakly at her, taking a bite of the apple with a loud 'crunch'.
"I'm fine Momma. But I didn't mean to do it- I really didn't. Now Jamie's pregnant with a baby that she or it or both have a serious problem… I don't know how I can tell Reverend Sullivan. It'll be so bad to try and tell him that I got her pregnant, but that she probably contracted STDs from me… I-I always figured that Jamie and I would get together because of the baby and get married and all. That's what I figured… Mom, am I a total idiot for doing this to her?" He asked quietly. Looking up from his barely bitten apple, she realized he had his eyes were tearing up. Cynthia covered his hand with her own.
"Of course not sweetie. We all make mistakes." She comforted. But she took the role of mother once more and her tone and face turned serious. "However, you have made a life altering mistake that'll affect everyone. If you and Jamie do decide to keep the baby-" Cynthia began, but Landon cut her off.
"We are." He interjected. Cynthia raised a skeptically eyebrow as Landon explained, "I-I don't think an abortion is right." Cynthia sighed.
"Are you sure you don't want to give it up for adoption? There are mature, ready couples out there that would be willing to take care of your child for you." Cynthia insisted. Landon shook his head stubbornly, withdrawing his hand.
"Mom, this is my child we're talking about. I'm trying to be responsible for once in my life." Landon pleaded with her. Cynthia just shook her head in disbelief, closing her eyes.
I can't believe he's actually doing this, she thought to herself. And she had every right to think that. Not many boys Landon's age would take care of a baby with a girl who he had rarely talked to. Not many men in their early twenties would take on such responsibility.
Especially with a reputation like Landon's. But here he was, convincing her that he was ready for this step in his life and that he would take care of Jamie and the baby. Maybe he's growing up after all, she mused in satisfaction.
"What will you do about money?" She inquired, reluctantly diverting the subject to what he would do afterwards. Landon leaned back into the chair, taking a big bite of the apple.
"Jamie has an appointment at 8 o'clock AM, and I'll go job searching after we go and I drop her off here. I'll be home around six o'clock, Jamie already invited Reverend Sullivan over. I'll tell him about Jamie and my proposition of marriage-" He unfolded his plan, but was cut off by the sharp intake of breath from his mother.
"Marriage? Landon, you're much too young!" She cried out. Landon smiled sheepishly.
"Well, as soon as we're old enough, we're gonna get married. Hopefully, we'll be uh, in y'know." He paused embarrassingly. Cynthia tilted her head in mock confusion. She rarely got a situation to embarrass her son, but when she did, she took full advantage of it.
"No dear, I didn't quite catch that." She innocently replied. Landon sighed.
"We'll y'know, love each other or something." He muttered out. "Anyway," He hastily began once more. "we'll get married and yadda yadda ya. I figured it would be OK but now…" He sighed.
"Am I invited?" Teased a voice from the doorway. Cynthia and Landon whipped their heads toward the door, not accustomed to having another person in the house, were startled. "And the thought of marriage was sweet, Landon really." She said to him, a quirky smile displaying on her lips.
Jamie couldn't sleep. She rolled over in Landon's bed, an arm cast astride a stray pillow. Sighing, she turned to where she assumed Landon was. She turned a bit too far, carelessly assuming that Landon would be there to stop her and fell to the floor with a 'plop!'.
Enraged, she got up, sheets covering her body, looking frantically for her bed partner. He was no where in sight, thankfully for him. Jamie groaned, realizing she had been alone in bed for what could have been hours.
"I can't believe him." She muttered to herself, walking down the staircase, the blue sheets still wrapped around her figure. "Of all the stupid things… I could of thought he was kidnapped!" She stated to herself angrily. When she reached the threshold of the kitchen, she heard the faint noise of a conversation.
"… No dear, I didn't quite catch that." A now audible voice came from in the direction of the kitchen, obviously Cynthia. Jamie creeped slowly to the door, hiding by the open paneled doorway, back flat against the white walls.
"We'll y'know, love each other or something." Was the voice of Landon, although she had to crane her neck quite a distance to hear it. "Anyway, we'll get married and yadda yadda ya. I figured it would be OK, but now…" He trailed off. Jamie figured it was her cue to step in, and she did not live to disappoint.
She stepped into the kitchen, hair a mess, a sheet covering her body and a smile on her lips.
"Am I invited?" She joked, walking toward the table. The pair looked over at her, and Jamie supposed that they hadn't realized she was still here.
"Of course you are dear." Cynthia, the first to get over the shock, hastily replied, pulling up a seat between she and her son. Jamie sat down, a smile still on her lips.
"Thank you." She replied meekly.
"Would you like something to eat? It'll be breakfast time in an hour or two and you are eating for two now…" She reminded her. Jamie flashed her a huge grin.
"That would be nice, thank you very much." Jamie politely answered. Cynthia got up from her chair, walking toward the stove to make some breakfast. Landon instinctively scooted closer.
"So… sleep well?" Landon asked her, taking a bite of his apple again. Jamie bobbed her head enthusiastically, her eyes roaming the walls of the kitchen.
"Uh-huh." She said. A thought had occurred to her, and she smiled at what was pictured in her mind fondly.
"Landon… do you want to pick out… baby names for the child?" She inquired, embarrassed at asking such a question. But not nearly as flustered as Landon was, but he tilted his head in agreement nonetheless.
"Sure… Girl names or boy names?" Landon interrogated. Jamie shrugged. "OK then… how about we go with girl names first?" He suggested, Jamie nodding in agreement.
"OK… Amanda Marie Carter?" Jamie asked. Landon's nose wrinkled up in disgust.
"Ugh, no. That's horrible." He stated.
"Really? I thought it was cute… How about Janis Rebecca Carter?"
"Closer, but not quite there…"
"Hm, OK I think the name Stephanie Caroline Carter would be nice."
"Ugh, I hate the name Caroline and Stephanie, even more when they're together."
"Sally Olivia Carter would be fitting."
"After that friend of yours who despises me? No thanks."
"Was worth a shot. Chastity Ella Carter would be unique."
"A little too unique, and what happens if Chastity's a whore? Then what?" Teased Landon, who promptly got a not-so gentle swat on the shoulder and a grunt of disapproval from his mother from the stove.
"You're horrible."
"Thank you."
"Infuriating little-"
"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that."
"You weren't meant to. Cecilia Lavender Carter would be a lovely name."
"What are you saying? It's too long."
"Then the name Sarah Amy Carter would be cute…"
"… If you want to have the name of five million other girls."
"Are you ever satisfied?"
"Of course not, it's my only flaw."
"Are you sure about that?"
"As sure as the sun sets in the west."
"Landon… the sun sets in the east."
"Oh… that's what I meant."
"Naturally."
"A'course… Anyway, I like the name Jade. Jade Veronica."
"Hmmm… Jade Veronica Carter… Jade Carter… Miss Carter, Jade… That surprisingly fits." Jamie concluded. Landon leaned back in his chair, a smile of satisfaction displaying on his face.
"You're welcome." Landon answered back. Jamie rolled her eyes.
"Now onto boy names…" Jamie trailed off, a slender finger on her chin, contemplating a name for the child.
"And how about Landon Jr?" Landon suggested, the classic name used for a boy. Jamie rose an eyebrow at him and Landon nodded. "Yep, don't want another me running around… How about Robert Benjamin?" He inquired. The corner of Jamie's lip rose in disgust, and Landon sighed. "Alright… James Vincent West." He said. Jamie giggled. "What?" He inquired in confusion.
"A nickname for James is Jamie, dear." She informed him. They vaguely heard Cynthia's overly dramatic, exasperated sigh in the background of frying eggs.
"Ohhhh... well, what do you think?" He inquired.
"It's cute. I love it." She answered back, a genuine smile displaying her features. "So, aren't you going job searching today?" She inquired. Landon groaned.
"Must you remind me?" He asked in annoyance. "I'm trying to forget that little detail." The lingering aroma of frying eggs and bacon wafted in the air.
"What time is your dad coming?" Landon interrogated, trying to hide the timidness he felt around her father in his voice. Jamie, however, caught it but said nothing about it.
"I'm not sure. Around six or seven… he knows something's up and he gave me a lecture on the phone." She smiled sheepishly. Landon just nodded understandably.
"That sounds like your dad… Speaking of which, are you going to tell your father?" She asked. They both heard the faint 'clank!' of Cynthia dropping her spatula, quickly picking it up.
"Jamie dear, Landon doesn't… talk to his father." Cynthia informed her, hoping that Landon wouldn't blow up about it. Landon was slumped in his chair, his arms crossed, a dangerous frown on his face.
"And for a good reason." He muttered out. Cynthia sighed, piling the eggs onto three plates.
"Landon, let's not get into this again…" She trailed off, putting the last of the bacon on the plates. The familiar 'ding!' the toaster rung, and Cynthia hastily grabbed the toast, piling it on the plates.
"Dad left us. There's nothing more then I can say." Landon said, annoyed at the mention of his father. She then put the plates in front of the couple along with glasses of orange juice to accompany them.
"Thank you." Jamie meekly thanked.
"Yeah, thanks mom." Landon followed, digging into his food. He was surprised to see that Jamie was eating at a rapidly fast rate. As Cynthia sat down to eat, he leaned toward his mother and asked, "Mom? I thought pregnant women were, y'know, sensitive to the smell of food." He mumbled toward her, watching Jamie eat or, as Landon would say, inhale her food.
"Well, I guess she's too early in her pregnancy. She'll most likely will get it sooner or later, trust me." Cynthia assured him, eating her food at a much slower pace. Landon did the same, taking long glances at Jamie however. Clearing her throat, placing the fork by her plate gently, she looked to a still scarfing down Jamie. "Jamie dear? Perhaps you should eat slower, its not good for you to eat that much that quickly." She warned. But it fell on deaf ears, Jamie had never felt so hungry in her life.
"I… don't think she heard you Mom." Stated a dumbfounded Landon, as he watched in amazement at Jamie's ready pace. Finally the clanking of the fork hitting the plate was rung, signaling the end of Jamie's meal. Normally, Jamie would of stopped. But she was still hungry, oh so hungry…
"Are you going to finish that?" She gestured to the half-eaten meal. Landon's eyes widened, and in shock shook his head, scooting it closer to her. Jamie grabbed it quickly, digging in.
"Do you, uh, normally eat this much at such a rapid rate?" Landon chuckled, voice still strained as he watched her finish half of what was left on the plate.
"No, I jwusth am weallie hongie." She said through a mouth full of bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and toast. Not an attractive sight, to say the very least. Landon just tilted his head slightly, not saying a thing as Jamie finished the last of her food. Cynthia took the completely cleaned off plates from her. "Thank you." She sweetly said, managing to finish off the last of her food.
"My, you have some appetite on you. But that's perfectly understandable and a good sign. You are, after all, eating for two." She added in, smiling at her.
Try as Cynthia might, she couldn't stay very mad at Jamie Sullivan. It was her fault as much as her son's, but she was just so sweet about it all. And of all the women in the world Landon could of gotten pregnant, she was happy that he got the nicest, politest, most humble girl to be the mother.
Jamie turned from Cynthia's now turned back to Landon. "About what you were talking about earlier, with your mother…" Jamie trailed off, wringing her hands.
Why'd she have to bring that up? Landon thought to himself in despair.
"Yeah, what about it?" He replied back, trying to be as nonchalant as possible. All it did was make him soon aloof and uncaring, however. "I mean, do you have anything against- Wait, I meant-" This was not going well at all. Not in the slightest.
"Do you really want us to get married?" She inquired, hope shining in her eyes. Landon bit his lower lip, rubbing his left forearm.
"Do you- do you wanna get married?" Good answer Landon, he congratulated himself. Jamie smiled faintly.
"You don't answer a question with a question." She reminded him, smiling (or was it smirking?) at him. Landon felt a lump in his throat and he was grateful that Jamie went on before he could say something. "Well, it all really depends on how we feel about each other." She answered, tracing the brim of her glass of almost empty orange juice. Landon nodded, thinking about her wise answer.
"I see…" Was the only intelligent thing that came to mind at the time. "So what happens if we never feel that was for each other?" Landon inquired. Jamie smiled, looking up from her glass.
"Fate brought us together, didn't it? There has to be a reason for it all."
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"… Sullivan, Jamie." The receptionist's clear voice rang out. Jamie and Landon stood up, Landon still clutching Jamie's slender hand.
They were surrounded by couples of all ages, but none as young as they were. Many of the middle-aged women were casting Jamie a dirty look, but Landon always squeezed her hand reassuringly, reminding her that she wasn't alone, much like half of the women there were. The walked up to the desk, where the receptionist was who was about a few years older then them. When she looked up, her eyes widening.
"Uhhhhm, go through the door, first door on your right." She instructed them, her eyes still widening in shock. Those two were younger then she was, and she was only 19 years old!
Lucky girl, the receptionist mused to herself. I can barely get a date on Friday, more or less find a guy who'd knock me up, and stay with me. But this was no ordinary relationship and those were no ordinary people.
Jamie and Landon nervously walked toward the double doors, pushing against them. The walked at what seemed to be an agonizingly slow pace as they reached the oak door. When they finally arrived, surprisingly a doctor was already there, setting things up. He turned around, surprised by the arrival of the two.
He had thin, graying hair, a friendly smile and looked like he was in his late 40's. He was wearing a dark green tie over a typical long-sleeved, collar white shirt with cuffs at the end of the sleeves. Naturally, he wore black slacks with the outfit.
"Hello there Miss Sullivan, and you must be the father, Mr. Carter, correct?" The man greeted. They both nodded. "I'm Doctor Roberts, and I'll be your physician for when you'll have that baby o'yours. I remember when you're mother was here, having you Jamie." He sighed, shaking his head. Jamie's ears perked up at this- she rarely ever heard about her mother's life. "Excited she was, first child. She always wanted a big family, but she couldn't because of her weak heart. We didn't know if she would make it through her first child…" He trailed off, looking away. He smiled faintly at them. "Well, you know what happened. Lie down there, dear."
"I never knew she died because she had a weak heart." Jamie blurted out, once she was lying down. Dr. Roberts bobbed his head somewhat, putting on some gloves. Landon moved toward where Jamie was, clutching her hand once again.
"Oh yes, it was quite the news back then. My, that Belle Sullivan was quite the sweetheart. I was in your father and mother's class. It isn't well-known now, but you're father was quite the rebel, m'dear." Dr. Roberts chuckled at that. Landon raised a skeptical eyebrow at that. Reverend Sullivan? A rebel?
"Daddy was a rebel? Reminds me of Landon." Jamie giggled. Then she stopped laughing, remembering what Dr. Roberts said.
My, that Belle Sullivan was quite the sweetheart… my that Belle Sullivan was quite the sweetheart… quite the sweetheart… sweetheart… sweetheart… sweetheart…
How many times had people called her that? And her father, as odd as it was, going against the law that he had so greatly held esteem toward… Could it be coincidence? Was she to suffer the same fate as her mother did, those 16 years ago, without knowing love? Or perhaps this had happened for a reason, to get closer, perhaps even go as far as fall in love with Landon…
The idea was preposterous, she inwardly shook her head, clearing her head. Landon and her's non-talking record would still be going on, if not for this baby. They weren't meant to be as she had thought, it was all coincidence. Fate had not pushed a gentle hand in this; it was just a mistake.
"… Jamie? Jamie, you all right?" The fogy, hazy voice of Landon inquired worriedly. Jamie hazily tilted her head.
"Yeah, I'm all right. Why do you ask?" She innocently interrogated. Dr. Roberts smiled down kindly at her.
"You spaced out. It was like you weren't there for those five minutes. We nearly thought you went into shock with the very idea of your father not being as you had suspected all these years." He teased lightly, pressing the stethoscope under her T-shirt to check her heart rate. "Anyway, its almost uncanny how much you two are like Hegbert and Belle. It really is- if I didn't know better and wasn't Baptist, I'd go as far as to say you two were the reborn souls. But your father's still alive so that draws out that conclusion…" Dr. Roberts trailed off, removing the stethoscope. (AN: I seriously do not know what goes on during your first appointment with your baby doctor – hell, I'm not sure they're still called physicians. Just bear with me, OK guys? Thanks!!)
"Dr. Roberts? The pregnancy tests said there was something wrong with Jamie. Is it… is it true?" He inquired. Sighing, Dr. Roberts put the stethoscope round his neck.
"I'm not sure, Landon. The test you took is fairly accurate, if a bit on the simple side. But there is a chance it could be wrong," He paused, looking at Jamie's opened mouth as to say something. "Five times or so. Not likely but… the chance is still there." He replied. Landon nodded.
"Now I'm just going to draw some blood and check. You two are very lucky you took the pregnancy test so early, it could help revel early symptoms that could be in the blood of Jamie or the baby. I'm fairly sure you're pregnant, but we can never be too sure…" Dr. Roberts noted. Smiling down at the two, he bent his head over the clipboard in his head, while still looking at them. "We'll tell you results by phone within the next 24 hours. Have a good day you two." He said, showing them to the door.
Jamie got off the table, and still clutching his hand, left the room. "In the past 20 minutes, I learned more about my mother then I knew in my whole life." Jamie sighed, leaving the clinic.
Opening the car door for her as Jamie got in, he answered with, "Really? I thought your Dad would have told you." He stated, puzzled. He got inside and started the engine.
"Seatbelts." Jamie reminded him. Landon shot her a look, but put on the seatbelt without any further complaint. "Yeah, I thought Daddy would eventually tell me, when I got older. But he never did… I think it still hurts, talking about her I mean. I really miss her." Jamie sighed wistfully. She gave him a half-smile, turning toward him. "You're really lucky." She said. Landon raised an eyebrow, but didn't look away from the road.
"Lucky? I haven't seen my dad in over a decade, and all he does is sends child support checks every month. How's that lucky?" Landon bitterly questioned. Jamie sighed, looking out of the window once again.
"It all really depends on how you look at it and who you are in the situation. Now, from you're point of view, it's horrible. You're dads never there, he doesn't love you, he doesn't wanna be a part of your life. From my point of view, I see it as an opportunity. You're dad's alive and you can talk to him and he can there for you and everything. But I can see where you're coming from and I understand. I just want you to at least talk to him before something happens and you just regret it." Jamie told him. Landon tipped his head slightly, contemplating what Jamie had said.
She had a point- a very good point. Perhaps having a grudge against his father that wasn't his fault was kind of unfair… No, it was completely unfair. Jamie's right- you barely remember what happened anyway, Landon reasoned.
Sighing, knowing he was fighting a losing battle, he simply muttered (rather grudgingly), "I'd like you to call him. I'm definitely not callin' him." Jamie smiled at him, but then she remembered something.
"Landon? You know that… that it's Christmas vacation, right? And that-that we'll have to go back to school and… and…" She trailed off, desperately searching for the words. But they were unneeded, being that Landon got the message and groaned.
"Oh shit," He muttered to himself. To a perturbed Jamie he answered back, loudly enough for her to hear, "We'll deal with that when it comes to it." Obviously happy with the answer, Jamie and him said nothing for the rest of the car ride.
"OK, see you later Landon!" Jamie waved as Landon pulled out of the driveway. There were nine, well paying, job offerings in all- a good chance that he would be able to get a job. Unless, of course, they were already taken by other teenagers in desperate need of money…
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A skeptical, red-haired woman looked up doubtfully from her survey. "Excuse me?" Her drawling voice questioned in disbelief. Landon felt himself go deeper and deeper into the red, plush seats with every embarrassing (which was every of the so far 16 questions she had asked) question she had prodded on him.
"I-I said I need the money because… because I'm going to be a father." He repeated out, his face turning a rather interesting tint of pink. He heard the scratching of a fountain pen against typing paper.
"I see…" The green eyed woman licked her lips unconsciously, her pen hand curled up in a fist, holding up her face. Her other hand was rapping the mahogany table annoyingly with those abnormally long red nails of hers. "It says here," She paused, readjusting her horn-rimmed eyeglasses with her pen hand. "That you're 16-years old." She looked up again at him, a dangerous smile on her lips. "Care to explain?"
Gulping at her malicious gaze, he looked down at his fumbling thumbs. "Well, I… I got a 'friend' of mine pregnant. Well, not really friend but-" His eyes looked up to see the harpy's vampire teeth gleaming, the luminous light reflecting off brightly. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he continued. "Yes, the word friend would be accurate. Well, I'm not dumping her with the baby or anything, if that's what you're thinking. Well, if I were, I probably wouldn't be here with you would I." He muttered that last part out, raking a hand through his hair.
"Get on with it, Mr. Carter." Sighed the redhead's exasperated voice.
"Well, I'm beginning to y'know-" He started up again, but was interrupted by the rude redhead.
"No I don't know Mr. Carter, which is why I'm here with you now, trying to actually have you make sense of all this nonsense." She answered back coldly, her hand gesturing to all the paperwork around her.
"Excuse me?" Landon inquired. The redhead's flashing green eyes roamed over him.
"You have never actually worked a day in your life. You're 16, but here you are trying to explain to me you got some random whore knocked up." She answered back icily. Landon got up, hands gripping the table angrily.
"Jamie isn't a whore!" He defended, shouting in her face. The redhead got up, their noses almost touching.
"She'd have to be to sleep with the likes of you." She sneered. That was it, Landon left, brushing past various people and knocking down one or two. Fortunately, or unfortunately, however you looked at it, he had no more interviews for the day.
He went to the head of the company, reporting the redhead to him in smug satisfaction. No one had the right to call Jamie Sullivan a whore- no one.
Landon drove back home in a rage, nearly running over someone and mistakenly running over a defenseless bird who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. When he got home, Jamie was waiting for him, sitting on the porch steps. Beaming, she got up to greet him.
"Landon! How was the- mphff!" She began, but was cut off by a rough kiss by Landon. Landon had gotten from pissed off, to angry, to pissed off, and over again on the ride home. He was actually- surprisingly enough- finding himself attracted to the plain brunette and was thinking of what that redhead had said the whole time. He impulsively kissed her as soon as he saw her- he wasn't thinking he was just doing whatever his raging hormones ordered him to do. And he was happy to comply.
When the broke apart, Jamie's eyes were closed, her mouth slightly parted. Landon took a quick glance to see if there was another car in the driveway. Thankfully her father wasn't there yet and he looked toward the front door, to see if his mother had caught them in the act.
Fortunately, she didn't but had walked out on them right after with a knowing smile on her face. Shaking her head bemusedly, she went inside. Finally he looked to Jamie.
"So I figure the interview went really well or really bad." Jamie smiled softly. Landon said nothing at this, sighing as they walked up to the house.
"Yeah… that last interview was such a bitch." Landon noticed Jamie's wince at that. "I mean… she questioned why I was asking to work there and when I mentioned you, she called you a whore and…" He heard Jamie's gasp at that, as he clenched his fist. Smiling fondly at the memory of the CEO's enraged face as he reported her, he continued with, "Well, it doesn't matter. I probably got her fired anyway." Jamie was staring at him at shock.
"Landon!" She gasped. Landon shrugged.
"I had to do what to do." Landon answered back simply. Jamie smiled at him faintly after some thought.
"You… fought for me?" She prodded, a pleased smile displaying her features. As they arrived to the door, Landon opened it as in opportunity to hide his flushed face. "You do the sweetest things sometimes." Jamie smiled, entering the house. Landon followed, wondering why he did take revenge on that annoying redhead…
That was the unofficial moment that one Jamie Sullivan became the girl friend of one Landon Carter.
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"Mom, is everything ready?" Landon inquired restlessly. Cynthia rolled her eyes as Landon unconsciously fixed his collar for what seemed to be the thirty-sixth time.
"Yes Landon, now will you stop being so nervous! It's almost as if you've never seen the man." She teased.
"I wish." Landon muttered to himself, smoothing an invisible crease in the lace tablecloth. Cynthia grabbed his wrists, enabling him to 'fix' the tablecloth again.
"Stop it. I bet you wouldn't be acting this way if you knew your father would be here, honestly…" Cynthia mumbled to herself, shaking her head. Landon's eyes widened, counting the places at the table and realizing that there was, indeed, an extra plate.
"MOM! What do you mean by 'father would be here'?!" He cried out incredulously. Cynthia sighed, looking up from lighting the candles.
"I thought you knew already. You did, afterall, give Jamie the OK to invite him." Cynthia reminded him. Looking away from him to fulfill her task, she said to her quietly, "How she did it, I don't know. It took me a year to convince you to accept his 'blood money' as you call it."
"But I didn't know she meant tonight!" He cried out in despair. Cynthia just shrugged, blowing out the match.
"He was happy to cancel all his plans just so he could see you again. He hasn't seen you in years. I can't blame the man." Cynthia noted. Landon raised an eyebrow, sitting in the closest available seat.
"You sent pictures." Landon reminded. Cynthia's shoulders sagged slightly in exasperation.
"Pictures are never good enough unless they hold meaning or something." Cynthia told him softly. Just then, the doorbell rung. "That must be one of them now." Cynthia said, mostly to herself. Jamie came in, a great big smile on her face.
"Why don't I get the door?" Jamie offered, Cynthia nodding, following after her.
"C'mon." She gestured. Letting out a sigh of exasperation, he followed. Before Jamie answered the door, she looked to him, pointing a finger at him. "Be nice." She ordered. Looking from the halfway opened door. "To both of them."
The door revealed a sheepish looking Worth Carter by a solemn looking Hegbert Sullivan.
"Hi Daddy!" Jamie greeted. The reverend sent her a weary smile. To Worth Carter she said, "It's nice to meet you sir. I'm Jamie Sullivan." She outstretched her hand as a form of greeting.
Taking it, Worth replied with, "It's very nice to meet you Miss Sullivan. I'm Dr. Carter, Landon's father." Worth looked from Jamie to take a quick glance at an angry looking Landon, who wasn't even looking at the guests.
Nudging him, Cynthia hissed out, "Say hello."
"Hello Dad, hello Reverend Sullivan." He greeted out, the corner of his eyes looking toward a not very satisfied Cynthia.
"Good evening Worth, it's been a long time. It's always a pleasure to see you Reverend." Cynthia said, a cheesy smile pasted onto her face. She was, afterall, an accountant and was well used to things like this.
"Come in." Jamie urged, moving out of the way so the two men could come inside. As Hegbert passed him, he could help but feel that feeling of dread in the bottom of his stomach start to feel bigger.
Well you should be feeling queasy Landon. He has God on his side, while you… well, all you have is Jamie, he realized. But somehow, that seemed enough.
"So, I'm not quite sure what this family meeting is all about." Chuckled out Worth, after they had all eaten. Landon felt that horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach, and he knew that Hegbert was looking at him again. In indeed, his intimidating eyes were staring at him over the candles. Hegbert knew something had happened- something so large that it had to concern Landon's rarely mentioned father.
"Yes, I'd like to know as well." Hegbert's clear, perfected Southern accent cut in. He remember wanting to tell Hegbert earlier that day, but for some reason, all the reasons of why had flown out of his mind. He was quite willing to split and let Jamie give the news herself, but he knew that wasn't going to happen.
So he did what was natural. He tried to stab himself with a butter knife. (AN: This is gonna be my favorite line from this story- it is so far. LoL, that is hilarious… I would do that, actually ::sweatdrop::.) When everyone had realized what he was doing, he stopped the butter knife a few inches away from his heart.
Smiling cheekily as if what he was doing wasn't unusual in the slightest, he placed it down quickly. Hegbert looked as if, like Landon, it was normal to try and stab yourself with a butter knife. Worth looked uncomfortable, not knowing how to act like in this situation. Cynthia looked embarrassed, her forehead in between her index finger and them, as if she was trying to hide. Jamie looked as if she was trying to stifle her laughter, her cheeks pinks with amusement.
"Well, Landon and I have an announcement." Jamie said, after everyone got over the initial shock. She got up, gesturing that Landon get up as well. Well, he did, but he wasn't alone.
"I object!" Hegbert cried out, his index finger pointing angrily in Landon's face. Jamie looked shocked, while Landon looked as if he knew this was going to happen.
Why me… oh, why me… he thought to himself, groaning. "Object to what, sir?" He inquired innocently.
"To whatever plan you have that has to do with my baby girl!" He yelled. Landon raised an eyebrow at him, trying to hold back his laughter.
"Too late sir. Unless you have don't have any objections to abortion." Landon smirked. Cynthia was now banging her head on the table, the words 'what did I do to deserve this?' and 'I thought I raised him right' were the only things audible. Worth was now in complete shock, his mouth hanging open. Hegbert, who was wagging his index finger at him at the time, stopped in mid-shout, his finger in Landon's face. Jamie was in the same stance Cynthia was, trying to hide her face.
"I knew I shouldn't have suggest we drink wine." Jamie muttered to herself. Which explained his blunt declaration and what would be later known in the future as the Butter Knife Incident. Landon looked at her lazily, a goofy smile upon his face.
"Then why'd you do it, babe?" Landon probed. Speaking of probing… Landon thought to himself, getting an idea in his head. Now normally Landon wouldn't perform such an act, especially around Jamie's father, but Landon wasn't in a normal state of mind.
Which explains why in the next twenty minutes it literally took a crowbar to pry those two apart from their lip lock and Landon's proclamations of love, loyalty, and eternally assured sex with him. Not in that exact order, mind you.
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::Blinks:: Oh crap, that was pretty funny toward the end don't you think? I know Landon was really OOC toward the end, but he was drunk. That should clear up a lot… and why Landon is attracted to Jamie so early in the story? Well, perhaps he finally realized what a good, wonderful person she is from her reaction in the first chapter of the baby and he decided that 'hey, she wouldn't be too bad of a girl friend'.
I know they are moving kind of fast, but they're moving. Which is very good… very good indeed. It seems unrealistic that they would be willing to get together so quickly but I'm idealistic and optimistic ^_~. Not a good combination- you can never get me on the ground, I swear.
Anyway, I think that its quicker for Landon to realize Jamie's good for him because he's attracted to her inner beauty, which is very important in a relationship. If you spend all that time gazing at a person's outer beauty, it'll take longer to try and focus on their inner beauty. In theory, of course.
Besides, they are soul mates. Doesn't a relationship move quicker when you're meant to be together? ::Grins sheepishly:: That's what I figured… Hey, I've been a day closer to my birthday without knowing it. ::Shakes head amusedly:: That's me all right…
Reviews are appreciated!! And thank you for those of you who are actually reading this crappy story.
Anonymous reviewer- Thank you for your review. It really encouraged me to go on- being that you were the only one who reviewed ::sweatdrop::.
marksgirl (from LJ)- Thank you as well. You're encouragement has truly helped me for this ficcie and I love it!
You guys ROCK!!! Unless, of course, you're the same person… if so, for shame marksgirl! You could of at least told me who you were in the review before I made a blundering arse out of myself! LoL
Sorry it isn't nearly as descriptive as the first chapter, but it's longer, ne? Tee hee… Ta ta till next time!
Chapter 3- … Willing To Do Anything…
3 Jade