Peace Valley is the creative property of Spetcer14. I've assisted in expanding her original cast for the counterpart world of Danny's. For more insight, read Worlds Collide and If Vlad wasn't a Fruit Loop.
Specter14 and I are co-writing World Collide. She's got it posted on her fanfic account. I post it on A03 and Deviantart. IVWAFL is her personal story found on her account.
Therefore enjoy the following story!
It was late fall in the rural community of Peace Valley, Wisconsin. People hadn't yet taken down their Halloween decorations. However, the stores were already exploding with items for Christmas.
Which is such a disfavor for those of other theologies like Judaism. They couldn't go to their regional Walmart to obtain items for Hanukkah. Nor are there any genuine films regarding various holidays. Either way, one Jewish woman remained determined not to let it bother her. Jezebel Ramsey was on her way to meet her friend Kate Duquesne for coffee at the local cafe "Brook's Brew."
Brook's Brew was a locally owned establishment. It wasn't part of a franchise chain. The proprietor was a young woman named Brooke Brewster. Her family had moved from Canada roughly six years ago. The coffeehouse had an incredibly cozy atmosphere, excellent services, and exceptional food and drinks. Overall, a rather enjoyable location to chitchat over coffee.
Jezebel parked her silver sedan outside before heading in. She quickly detected her companion, Kate Duquesne. Like the Jewish woman, the African-American woman had forgone her regular makeup for a more natural look today. Also, her long silky hair was loose instead of in a braid today.
The ER physician had chosen to wear a maroon long-sleeved shirt with gray fleece pants. The only difference between the stunning short-haired brunette's outfit and her friend was her top was salmon pink.
"Hello, Jezebel! How are you doing this nippy afternoon?" called out her friend. Jezebel calmly sat in the corner booth. Before she could speak, a restaurant attendant questioned what beverage they desired. So the ladies requested the month's special of pumpkin spice lattes. Plus, a platter of blueberry muffins. The dining-room attendant nodded and went to fill their order.
"Well, you cannot deny "Brook's Brew" certainly has excellent customer service. However, I wish they weren't already playing Christmas carols on the radio," the brunette remarked, annoyed.
Kate sighed heavily before replying. "I know it's a struggle for you to enjoy the holidays because Christmas overshadows everything, Jez. I sympathize with you. Society shouldn't blanket things at all. This year at the medical institution, we're having a multi-cultural extravaganza for the staff. That way, everyone is represented,"
Before Jezebel could reply, the restaurant attendant returned with their order. She asked if they needed anything else. They said they didn't. Then, nodding, the college-age waitress departed. The women took a few moments to savor their coffee. Then, after a few sips and having one muffin, Jezebel spoke up.
"Holidays around our house aren't ever painless. Depending on whom we're fostering? We've to make sure they're not overlooked, either. We also have to ensure we're not overwhelmed with the kids we're looking after. My husband and I may own an enormous house. Yet, everyone still requires space. We had issues in the past with people respecting others' space.
For example, one foster child went into another room that was off-limit due to that child being autistic. However, the older teen didn't care about the rules. They 'borrowed" earbuds, and well? My husband and I had quite a mess to deal with. After that, we've tried not to have more then four foster kids at once."
"How has your son Jamie dealt with having so many foster siblings over the years?" Kate inquired as she sipped her latte. Jezebel practically glowed with pride as she answered her best friend's question.
"Jamie has been a fabulous big brother figure to all of them. We're delighted that we'll have adopted Ruben in a few short months. Then ultimately, Jamie will have a genuine little brother," she replied cheerfully.
"I'm sure he'll be thrilled," Kate nodded in agreement. She passed the plate of muffins before resuming, "Seeing how they already get along. I remember perfectly how euphoric Denise was when we brought Danika home from Africa," she sighed happily from memory.
"Yes, foster or adopted children are your true children either way. Plus, all deserve the same amount of love and care. But, again, blood doesn't make a family. Love does," the CPS worker stated firmly.
After they finished their second muffin, Kate asked, "So, is Ruben looking forward to the holiday? I do know some Latinos do follow Judaism." She hoped she didn't sound racist. She'd merely investigated other cultures when they'd considered adopting a younger sibling for Denise.
"Yes, he's quite looking forward to it. He's an extraordinary child and one of the few lucky ones. But, after all, working for CPS isn't uncomplicated, and knowing how numerous children fall through the cracks," Jezebel looked exceedingly gloomy as she said that.
Kate nodded and replied sympathetically, "My colleagues have told me multiple stories about the patients who see them for their specialty. I'm confident you remember that problematic case we both had a part in last month."
"If you're referring to the young woman starving her unborn child due to her paranoia concerning food? Yes, that was incredibly tragic. Given that an eight-month-old baby was only the size of a five-month-old."
The doctor fought back the tears, recalling the tragic circumstances. "It wasn't painless for anyone at the healthcare facility to force the woman to get IV nourishment. However, she was deemed mentally incompetent. It's only more tragic due to her starving her baby. She was forced to get a C-section."
"Then I had to step in and take the child away due to child endangerment and neglect. I hope putting the woman into a psychiatric hospital was the correct choice," the Jewish woman pondered aloud.
"I'm not confident it was, Jez," Kate replied uncertainly. "However, we can only hope that mother recovers. As for the newborn? You've already told me he was taken to a separate hospital and will be placed in a closed adoption if he lives."
"Yes, that's the heartbreaking truth. But, unfortunately, for now, I've no information. So I cannot update you on the case," Jezebel replied sadly.
"Hmm, well, sorry to hear that. I remember Ruben's thirteenth birthday later this month, right?" Kate asked to which her friend nodded.
"Yes, and of course, your and Ceci's family are invited to the bar mitzvah. But, of course, Jamie wouldn't want any of his friends to miss his little brother's big day."
"Well, I hope the Masters dress appropriately, given they're ghost hunters." Kate was cringing, knowing Ceci's mother, Maddie, periodically dressed oddly.
"Well, for the most part, they do dress normally. It's only when we've got a multitude of phantoms and that Ghost Girl, Spirit, isn't around when they dress up like Ghostbusters," Jezebel replied while biting her nails.
Kate noticed, "You shouldn't bite nails, Jez. It's not a good habit," to which her friend didn't look happy.
"I only do it when I'm anxious," she shot back, "Besides, hasn't your husband expressed he doesn't like you chewing gum for your nerves?"
Kate nodded, "Okay, you win. Sorry for upsetting you."
"You didn't. Well, not really, anyway. So what would you like to do next? After all, it's our day off," Jezebel reminded her.
Kate gave it some thought before replying. "Well, I'd like to pick up some yarn. I'm teaching Danika to crochet."
"Well, perhaps I could take up crocheting myself. Something to calm my nerves that aren't biting my nails."
"Then its settled. Let's pay our tab and get some nice yarn," The two ladies paid for their coffee and left to get some yarn.
Dr. Kathrine Duquesne: Kimberly Brooks: Kathy Duquesne AKA Batwoman: Mystery of the Batwoman.
Mrs. Jezebel Ramsey: Kyra Sedgwick: Batwoman: The mystery of Batwoman.
The family is one of nature's masterpieces.
The family is the first essential cell of human society.
You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.
Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.
