Fragments
By Misha
Disclaimer- These characters are the property of NBC, Aaron Sorkin, or whoever. I am not writing this for profit in any way, shape, or form, but because I have a lot of spare time on my hands.
Author's Notes- This one is really angsty. I don't know what inspired me to write it, but I couldn't get it out of my mind. It deals with the ending of a marriage. Everything in italics are memories, things that were said in the past. They're in no particular order, just as they fit. The story doesn't make a lot of sense, but I think it works. Well, that's all for now, enjoy!
Spoilers- Nothing, really. Well, maybe a tiny spoiler for "Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail".
Rating- PG
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain
- Guns N Roses, November Rain
He looks down at the papers in his hands and a million thoughts and images float through his mind. All of them fragments of what had once been a happy picture.
If only love really conquered all, it would have stayed that way. That's the thought that sticks out the most.
But there are others, mostly memories. More fragments of the past.
I love you, Ainsley, will you marry me?
He reads the papers through, thinking that he had never intended for this to happen. He had planned on forever.
I Sam, take thee Ainsley...
She had truly been the most beautiful bride in the world and they had been so in love. But, he reminds himself now, that was a long time ago.
Mr. Seaborn, you have a son.
He could still see her radiant smile as Jed was placed in her arms. That had been such a happy moment. If only there had been more of those.
Politics don't matter; what matters is that we love each other. We will find a way to make it work.
He honestly believed that they could do it, that they could be happy together despite their differences. He should have known better.
But, to be fair, politics hadn't been the only problem. Just the easisest one to blame.
It isn't that I don't love you, I do, I always will, but... We are destroying each other.
She had been right. As much as it had hurt, he knew that she was right.
That was why he was about to sign these papers. He finishes reading them and takes a pen out of his pocket and holds in his hand, poised to sign.
But the memories don't go away.
We promised each other forever, how can you walk away now?
Her smile had been sad, her eyes bright with unshed tears as she answered him. Because I would rather have us part with good memories. If we don't end it now, then we will end up hating each other and I don't want that.
And that had been that. There was nothing he could say; no real argument that he could up with that could change her mind. So after fifteen years of marriage she walked away.
To Sam and Ainsley, may there love last forever.
He wonders if it will ever not hurt. The memories. The thoughts of what might have been.
Yes, I will marry you, I love you so much.
He wonders if love is ever enough. He thinks that his parents must have loved each once, he knows that he and Ainsley did, yet both marriage crumpled.
I was wondering, Ainsley, would you like to go out sometime?
He puts his pen to the paper and signs his name. He straightens and looks at it.
It is over.
I now pronounce you man and wife.
He smiles sadly. They gave it their best shot, but it wasn't enough.
Is it ever?
I love you.
The End