Whenever I think of writing about a new show, I usually find it easiest to start with one-shots or drabbles to get familiar with writing different characters. So that's what this is. A series of (likely!) not connected one-shots set in the Murder She Wrote universe. While most are likely to have a Jessica/Seth slant to them, this might not always be the case.
I expect most of these to be inspired by writing prompts and fairly short. If you have a prompt, feel free to drop it in a review. Until I can come up with a multi-chapter idea, I'll be playing around with a few one shots and drabbles.
Writing prompt via tumblr: "I got you a little gift." "Awww! Thank you, this is sweet. What's the occasion?" "Nothing. I just saw it and I thought of you."
Just Because – Jessica/Seth
The emerald caught his eye first.
Then the intricacy of the setting.
The way the prongs held the stone at just the right angle to catch the light.
It gleamed the same way her eyes did when she had an idea.
Before he knew it, he was haggling the store owner over the price of the brooch.
It weighed heavily in his pocket as he strolled through Cabot Cove. Heavier than any stone should weigh. The store owner had placed the brooch into a velvet box, tying it up with a silk ribbon and finishing it off in a bow.
He doesn't know why he bought her the brooch. Her birthday was three months ago, Christmas was another six weeks away. Yet here he was – an extravagant gift tucked away in his inside pocket.
It had cost him a pretty penny. But a bachelor's lifestyle was a relatively inexpensive one.
Who was better to treat to an unexpected gift than Jessica? She was his best friend, after all.
Walking up the familiar path to Jessica's house, Seth found himself humming under his breath. He could smell the tell-tale scent of Jessica's homemade apple pie from here. If he was to find himself on Death Row and choosing his last meal, this delicacy would be at the top of his list.
"Good morning, Jessica," He greeted, opening the back door that his friend never seemed to lock. Seth had debated on more than one occasion about giving her an earful for that. The woman seemed so caught up in the hustle and bustle of Cabot Cove life – and its many whirlwinds – that her own safety was often the least of her priorities.
Jessica was plating up two slices of the apple pie, as though she knew her friend was about to appear.
"I got you a little gift," Seth said, shifting nervously from one foot to the other as he looked down at the velvet box in his hands.
Jessica turned around; her morning coffee having smudged her lipstick against the porcelain cup. "Morning Seth," She smiled, setting down her cup as she turned to look at the man.
She reached out to take the box, feeling the softness of the velvet against her fingertips. "Aww! Thank you, this is sweet. What's the occasion?" Jessica asked, carrying the velvet box over to the table where their coffee and pie were waiting on them.
"Nothing, I just saw it and thought of you," Seth confessed, shrugging his shoulders as he reached out for his coffee. If only caffeine could give him the same Dutch courage as a bottle of scotch.
Jessica turned the box in her hand, as though looking for a clue amongst the silk and velvet. This felt different – whatever this was.
"Well, open it, woman," Seth said impatiently, fidgeting with his hands as he anxiously waited for her to open the box. He wrapped his hand around the coffee cup, too nervous to even think about digging into the apple pie.
Sitting down at the table, Jessica gave the silk ribbon a gentle tug before opening the velvet box. Even from his spot across the table, Seth could see how the emerald brooch caught the light.
"Oh, Seth," Jessica said, finding herself – for once – at a loss for words.
When they were first married, Frank used to surprise her with trinkets like this. If you could call it a trinket. The brooch reminded her of Ireland – her home away from home. The more she looked at it, the more it stirred a sense of longing in her.
It was perhaps one of the most thoughtful gifts anyone had given her.
"Like I said, I just saw it and thought of you," Seth said, feeling the weight lift off his shoulders as Jessica reached across the table to hug him, pressing her soft lips as his cheek as she did.
The emerald brooch would go on to become one of her most prized possessions – and Seth would always see a twinkle in her eye when she wore it.