Meg's Letter

Disclaimer: I own nothing. . . Not even my time most days. Too much work to do!!!

A/N: Well, it has taken me ages to update this. I have been working on Bom's letter, which is going to be the last chapter (or two as it seems to be writing itself). So please, don't ask for it now, because you're not going to get it yet!

Horsewhisperer: Thanks Stewart. You made Edgar happy, which made him write Bom's letter

genevra: I'm sorry about your best friend. Was it an accident? And you should know by now, that I LOVE your long reviews. And thanks for the advice, it was much appreciated

meggie-moo-has-fun: Its good that you loved my idea about Rosie and her dad. I was wondering how it would go over.

Charmed-angel4: Well, now you do know what happens next. And again, its GREAT that you love the idea bout Rosie, Stevie and Alex.

ON WITH THE SHOW!!!


Meg walked into her bedroom and sat near the head of her bed, hugging a pillow to her as she opened her letter.

To Dearest Meg,

How long has it been that you were my one companion. Thank-you for everything that you ever did for Jack and me, it meant a lot to both of us... possibly more to him than it did to me. I am so sorry about what I said about you and him. It seems childish now, but at the time I was angry because it meant that I had to share not only Jack, but also you. Yes I realised that I had to share you with Jodi, but that never really worried me, she was always there. But suddenly, I had to share with Jack too. I wasn't impressed.

However, the wisdom that apparently comes with age (and probably, more to the point, motherhood) has now reached me. I realise that I probably hurt you more than I realise even now. I'm also sorry for any wisecracks I made about you and Terry. He's a great man who makes you happy, and that's all that matters. Plus- the two of you have made some good bets in your time. I wish I could have seen his face when you made him walk into town. However, the thought still brings a smile to my face.

What else do I have to say to you, dearest Meg? Thank you for being my mother figure after Ruth left, and for talking me into remembering just how much Tess meant to me. While everyone else saw only that I didn't like her, or want her back, you saw that I had been hurt, and didn't want to get hurt again. You've always known me better than I know myself. Which, I suppose, comes mainly from the fact you've known me my whole life, and you can watch from a semi-detached position.

It might have made my life simpler if you had shared some of what you saw to me, if you had advised me like you would Jodi. Then again, I probably would have laughed the idea of Alex and I off. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I almost wish that you and Jack had stayed together longer, and you had become almost a confidant to me. (A/N: I know this sounds too girly for Claire McLeod, but I suppose that now is the time for revelations.)

I will be eternally grateful that you convinced me to not only let Tess stay, but also that you kept her here when I wasn't as nice as I could have been. I was so bitter at her and Ruth for so many years, that I wasn't able to see what I really felt- that I loved my baby sister so much that it hurt, so it was easier to be angry than to be sad.

Dad was so forlorn after they left. He would walk into her room and just stare at her bed. And that only fuelled my anger. It was a lot for someone my age to take.

I wish that I'd had more time to hear more about my mother. I know that you knew her, and that has made you all the more precious to me over the years.

I will always be glad to have known you,

Claire.

P.S.- Because you were so interested, my first- alongside the dam, under the stars, next to a blazing fire.


Meg was unsure whether to cry or laugh. So, she did both. She laughed through her tears when she read that last sentence, her mind floating back to the night before Jodi's 18th when the three women had discussed life, love and all that is important. It seemed so long ago, what with all the changes that had happened in their lives, but it was, in reality, only just over three years. (A/N: well, not sure with real time-line but in reality it's about three years) Her girls had grown up so much over that time. One had almost gotten married and the other had had a baby of her own.

She knew that in reality Claire had never been her daughter, but it sure had felt like that over the years.

Her mind drifted back to her first day at the Run. She had been kicked out of home for some reason, she didn't even remember these days, and had seen an ad about someone wanting a housekeeper. Meg had been running her home since she was 14 and she enjoyed the satisfaction that overcame her when she looked around the kitchen and it just shone.

So she had appeared on Jack McLeod's doorstep. He was about ten years older than herself, with a pretty young wife. She helped around the house when Claire was born, mourned with Jack when his wife died soon after giving birth to their son, who had died soon after. She was there when he started drinking, and then when one day the cloud disappeared from above his head and he was able to look at his small daughter without crying.

She was there for him, even if she didn't like Ruth, when he had remarried. Her workload had increased when Ruth gave birth to his second daughter. She was the one he ran to when he was told that Ruth couldn't have anymore kids. Meg watched as his slowly broke again under the strain of a bad marriage. She had sheltered both his of daughters when the two had fought, and when they had been scared of the noise made by various slamming doors in arguments.

Meg was the one who looked after Claire when her father, once again, threw himself into his work, and for a few months ignored the daughter that he still had. She was the one who was always on hand when Ruth sent back his birthday cards to his daughter.

And in turn, Jack had been the one she ran to when Kevin left her holding the baby, so to speak.

Meg's reverie was broken by Terry's arrival next to her. She turned to face him, and he wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"I never meant to stay here for so many years." She laid her head on his shoulder. "I was only going to stay until Dad would have me back home."

Terry was somewhat confused as to what had come over his sheila, but he decided it would probably be better to play it by ear- "Why? What made you stay?"

"I'm not sure really." Came the vague response. There was a pause and then she continued. "No, I do know. I fell in love with this place, then Kev, then Jodi was too young, then I fell in and out of love with Jack." She was worried as to how he would respond to the mention of her earlier loves, but decided that tonight was as good a night as any- plus she had to tell him sometime and now was as good as any. "And then I fell in love with you."

Terry held the woman in his arms tighter, enjoying just holding her. It felt nice to be loved, and to hold the woman he loved in his arms.


They were still sitting there half an hour later when Jodi came out to find them. The three of them moved slowly up to the house, and the rest of the group.


A/N: Ok, so, I was going to work in that Jack was actually Jodi's dad rather than Kevin, but someone advised that I probably shouldn't. Please review. If you can tell me some ideas of what to put in Jodi, Nick and Terry's letters, it'll make them appear quicker!