This story is AU from the "Experience is the Teacher". Basically think of it as an alternative ending if Mr. Zwick and Co. had the allotted 22 instead of 19 eps. Stupid ABC. Everything remains intact from "Experience is the Teacher".
Disclaimer: This fic is designed for non-profit use only. I own nafink. NAAAAFINK. It's all Mr. Zwick and Co. and the good people at ABC who used to and abused the show mercilessly. Good work ABC, you fickle sods
FEEDBACK: Gimme Gimme Gimme! Please? I'll give you a cookie(the tasty internet kind!) Contact me OR post your lovely words (or constructive criticism) in the review section.
My beta, Karen, thank thee muchly!
And finally, sorry, sorry, sorry for the gap in updates- university is finished and my computer and I are spending some quality time!
Chapter Eleven
A loud knock rattled Tiffany's door. "Coming!" she hollered, picking up her wailing daughter.
The knocking persisted. "Coming!" Tiffany repeated. Her daughter wailed louder.
Tiffany stormed to the door and wrenched it open. "What?" she snapped at Jake.
"Jeeze Tiffany," he retorted, breezing past her and plucking Maddie from her arms."Sounds like the Western Front in here."
"Huh?" Tiffany asked, confused. Jake ignored her and gently rocked Maddie until she calmed down.
Tiffany sighed, irritated. "Did you bring diapers like I asked?" she whined.
Jake shot her a sidelong grin. "It's like diaper heaven in my bag!" he bent down and picked up his back pack with his free hand, handing it to her.
"Oh," Tiffany said sheepishly, her annoyance dissipating. "Thank you."
"No problem," Jake jiggled Maddie up and down while she squealed in delight.
Tiffany grinned at Jake with ill-concealed affection. "You're so good with her," she said with wonder.
"Most important girl in my life," Jake cooed. "Well, equal first," he amended, thinking of Grace and Zoe.
Tiffany looked down, feeling irrationally disheartened. "So thank you for bringing emergency supplies," Tiffany rummaged through Jake's back pack. "I would have gone to the store myself but…"
Jake looked over at Tiffany, his eyes anxious. "What?"
"Oh my god," Tiffany breathed. She held up a small box. "What's this?"
Jake grinned. "Isn't Mommy asking a silly question," he joked to Maddie. "Open it and find out."
Tiffany cautiously opened the box, and to her awe, a small sparkling diamond ring was there.
"What?" Tiffany asked, dumbstruck.
Jake gently placed his now silent daughter down. Stepping towards her, he puffed out his chest. "Tiffany?" he breathed. "Will you marry me?"
"I don't," Tiffany gaped at Jake dumbly. "Why are you asking this?"
"Because you're the mother of my child," Jake gently said, smiling winningly at her. "Because you're also the best mother in the universe," Tiffany laughed at this. "Because you see me for whom I am and accept it. Which; and I don't tell you this enough, means so much to me."
Tiffany shook her head, stunned. "I don't know what to say,"
Jake placed his hands over hers. "Just say yes," he breathed. Tiffany looked at him, uncertain, a thousand thoughts running through her mind.
"I don't know about this," Katie said hesitantly. She cast the Manning Manor a suspicious look.
"Katie," Jessie chided. "Are you freaking?"
"What?" Katie grinned nervously. "How could you presume that I would ever freak at the sign of danger?"
'Because you're standing out here procrastinating,' Jessie thought affectionately. She cocked her head towards the house challengingly.
Katie shook her head, goaded by Jessie's mocking eyes. "Ok," she grumbled. She reached out and gingerly held Jessie's hand. "Houston, we're going in."
They entered through the kitchen to find Rick and Lily seated around the kitchen table, flipping through a book.
"Hi guys," Lily greeted warmly.
Rick's eyes shifted from his daughter, to Katie, and then their hands, which were clasped together.
"Hi!" Rick said, far too brightly.
Lily rolled her eyes then thwacked her husband on the arm. He shot her a confused look.
Katie swallowed hard, although she felt a grin emerge after that cute exchange. "Hi. I, uh, have to go to the bathroom," she stammered.
"Do you need me to show you where it is?" Lily asked kindly.
"No, I've got it," Katie replied cheerily. She glanced at Jessie bashfully before leaving.
"I like her," Lily chirped. "What?" she asked defensively when it was Rick's turn to roll his eyes.
"What's the book?" Jessie asked, eager for a distraction.
"Recipe's for Zoë's birthday party tomorrow," Rick smiled. "I'm making a mean packaged chocolate cake, Jess, wanna help?"
Jessie looked at her dad, puzzled. "You don't need me for cooking," she said bemusedly.
"Honey, have you seen your dad cook?" Lily joked. "We need all the help we can get!"
"Hey!"
"What help?" Zoe asked, enthusiastically hurrying into the room.
"I used to cook for you all the time when were dating," Rick muttered sullenly.
"Preparations for a certain person's birthday party tomorrow," Lily said brightly, ignoring Rick.
Zoe shot her mother a disdainful look. "Oh, so you're going through with that, are you?"
Lily looked crushed. "Why wouldn't I?"
"Whatever," Zoe snapped dismissively at her mom. She turned her attention to Jessie. "I saw Katie."
"Yeah, she's hanging out here for a while," Jessie said cautiously, deftly glancing at her father.
"Oh, OK, well can she come to my party then?" Zoe asked eagerly.
"Uh," Jessie hesitated.
Rick glanced up, a plan formulating in his mind. "I think it would be a great idea if Katie came," Rick encouraged.
"Oh well that's good since I thought I should invite her and all," Zoe said glibly. She smiled at Jessie.
"So is Katie your girlfriend?"
There was a mortified silence as three sets of stunned eyeballs focused on Zoe. Zoe grinned in response.
"Uh, she is, actually," Jessie stuttered.
"Oh. What present is she going to get me?"
"Zoe!" Lily scolded.
"What?" Zoe protested. "I want Katie to come. But I just wanted to tell her that she can't get me glitter because I already told Judy to get me that."
"Right," Jessie said softly, an affectionate grin spreading across her face. She glanced at her father, and to her surprise, he was grinning also.
"Uh, hi," Katie said uncertainly, walking into the room.
"Katie," Zoe bounded over to her. "You're coming to my party tomorrow! It's at 3. o'clock at Booklovers. Come! They'll be cake and everything."
"Well, I…" Katie struggled to find words. "Sure, that sounds great!" She smiled, albeit very nervously.
"Come on," Jessie ordered. She grabbed Katie by the hand. "We're heading up to my room," she said breezily, dragging a sheepish Katie behind her.
Zoe smiled brightly at Rick and Lily, grabbed a yogurt from the fridge then jauntily left also. Lily watched her leave, a guilty look lingering on her face.
"I think Zoë's mad at me," she fretted.
"Really?" Rick muttered distractedly. "Why's that?"
"I'm not sure, that's the thing!" Lily protested. "I've tried talking to her but she never wants to open up."
"I think that's called impending adolescence. Welcome to the land of teens." Rick commented dryly.
"I don't know what went wrong," Lily worried. She frowned momentarily, but soon brightened. "Hopefully I can make it up to her tomorrow."
"Mmm," Rick's mind wandered again as he sat down pensively.
Lily noticed. "What's wrong?"
"What?" Rick started. He registered Lily's question and sighed. "It's nothing. Just, ah…" Rick glanced down the hall. "Maybe I should go tell Jess to leave the door open when Katie's up there."
"Rick!" Lily chided, shooting Rick a slightly condescending look.
"What?" Rick asked defensively.
"Stop worrying!" Lily paused for a moment then smirked. "At least she can't get pregnant."
"Lily!" Rick gaped at her. "You can't just…stop it!" Rick stuttered his mind reeling over the possibilities. He shot a frantic look up the stairs.
Lily softened. She wandered over and cuddled Rick. "Are you still upset with her?" she asked softly.
"Upset with her? No." Rick said honestly. "Is it still a little weird?" Rick winced. "Yes."
"What's weird? That she's so happy?" Lily asked, playing with his collar.
"I guess that's also a little weird," Rick admitted hoarsely. "But in the most wonderful, fantastic way." Rick gaze lingered on the stairway that his daughter had ascended. Any sliver of pain on that face was a burning poker to his gut. And Jessie felt pain more keenly than most. But…but if Katie was capable of bringing smiles to Jessie's face…
He decided to let his daughter have her privacy.
Rick turned his attention to his wife, who was studying him with an amused look on her face.
"You know, babies in womb are kinda weird," Rick joked, rubbing Lily's stomach.
"Your sense of humour is also weird," Lily countered, throwing her arms around him. She nuzzled his face. "I love you," she whispered. "I love that there is a person growing inside of me that you created."
"I seem to remember you playing a part," Rick smirked. "You're really happy about this baby?" he asked earnestly.
"I am" Lily pulled back and looked at Rick suspiciously. "Are you?"
"100 per cent." Rick beamed.
Lily looked at Rick solemnly, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Tonight. Maybe we'll play 'the King and I'" Lily whispered seductively.
"Oh," Rick murmured. He smiled coyly. "Can I wear the crown again?"
They both grinned as their lips met softly in an unspoken promise.
"Oh gross," Grace's exasperated voice interrupted. "There should be warnings about you two; beware falling saccharine."
Lily sighed wearily and hopped off Rick reluctantly. "Hello Grace."
Grace opened the fridge then poured herself some orange juice. "I'm going out with some friends."
"You are?" Lily asked, surprised.
Grace rolled her eyes. "Yes, I do have some friends, Mom," she said snidely. "And after this year, at least now I know which my real ones are." She finished her juice with an audible gulp. "Bye," she called out. She almost ran into Eli on her way out. They looked at each other a little coldly.
"I gotta go," Eli said to Rick. "I've got, uh, band practice today."
"Really," Rick said skeptically. "E, Judy told me you're only working part time at 'Booklovers'. Why?"
"Oh it's nothing," Eli lied. "I'm just looking for a break for a while." Eli paused and looked uncomfortable, aware of his father's dismayed expression. "Bye." Eli said awkwardly, heading out.
Rick rolled his eyes at Eli's retreating figure. "I think I prefer them when they're in the womb." He joked.
Katie sat on Jessie's bed as the latter closed the door, looking pensive.
"You OK?" Katie asked softly.
"Hmm? Yeah," Jessie was broken from her reverie. With a self-conscious grin she padded over and sat next to Katie, leaning into her shoulder as Katie wrapped her arms around her.
Jessie smiled gratefully at her, leaning up and planting a soft kiss on Katie's lips. She then retreated to the warmth of Katie's shoulder, both girls staying silent and still.
"Katie?" Jessie asked meditatively. Jessie sensed Katie looking at her. "Do you think…ugh, nothing."
"No what?" Katie asked curiously.
"Don't worry I'm an idiot," Jessie demurred.
"You are not an idiot," Katie sighed. "If anything, I've been the idiot the last few weeks," she momentarily looked repentant but that faded as she grinned mischievously, surprising Jessie by vigorously tickling her sides. Jessie squealed and grabbed Katie's hand, shielding herself from Katie's wiggling fingers.
"Stop!" They both giggled and Jessie let go of Katie's hand. The last of the laughter faded and the room grew silent again.
"Are you sure you're ok?" Katie asked worriedly.
"Yeah, it's just…" Jessie seemed embarrassed. After a reflective pause Jessie looked at Katie seriously. "Do you think we'll ever be the same again?" she asked quietly.
"I don't…" Katie shook her head, her features puzzled. After a moment, she sighed in realization.
"Are we going to be all innocent, sunshine and roses again?"
Jessie stiffened in her arms, so Katie surmised she had guessed correctly. Jessie drew away from Katie and looked at her intently. "Well?"
Katie sighed heavily. She reached over and lightly dragged a finger through Jessie's hair. Her eyes bore into Katie's, a child-like trust nakedly presented to her. Katie swallowed.
"I don't think so," she admittedly a little hoarsely.
"Oh," Jessie sighed.
Jessie looked up, slowly searched Katie's eyes and found they reflected her own; the same, raw, terrifying and electric emotion that was too profound to name.
. It was as if Jessie's heart just peeled open; she felt she had shed frivolous youth and in this moment she was stronger and taller than she had been before. Jessie felt pleasant warmth through her body as she wrapped her arms around Katie, bringing them together, connected; one.
It made sense.
Jessie smiled.
"Good."
Karen's breath came out in sharp, short wheezes as she clutched her cane, painfully attempting to navigate the hallway.
"Keep going Karen," Henry's polite voice continued.
"It's ju-it's just, one moment," Karen panted. She painfully slouched down in one of the chairs. Karen squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed the sweat soaking her forehead.
"You'd think this would be getting easier," she complained sullenly.
"You're doing fine," Henry reassured. He smiled at her momentarily, but before Karen could return it, he had turned to call a doctor over.
"Karen we've come to the end of our time," his voice morphed into a professional, removed tone. "Good work."
Dr. Jenkins had wandered over to ask Karen how her recovery was taking place. Henry gave him his reports while the doctor read over them, obviously pleased.
"Anyway, I have another appointment at twelve," Henry stated. "Bye John. Bye Ms. Sammler."
"Henry…" Karen croaked. It was in vain, Henry had already walked down the hall, not looking back.
Later that night Karen was diligently reading through a prospective case about unfair zoning laws when she heard a knock on the door. Wearily she reached for her cane.
"Who is it?" she called.
"It's just me."
"Oh hi honey," Karen warmly greeted her daughter, who was standing sheepishly on the doorstep. Karen glanced at her watch.
"This is a lovely surprise, but shouldn't you be at your dad's tonight?"
"Yeah, but I forgot my French book," Jessie sighed, rolling her eyes. She gingerly walked through the house.
"Oh, ok. So, how's school?" Karen asked watching Jessie bustle around the living room.
"Fine," Jessie said softly.
"Everything is such a mess," Karen said apologetically as she glanced around her living room. "Since I got back to work it's been so hectic. You'd think they'd be gentle with the disabled lady."
Jessie walked around the room aimlessly, a small frown marring her features. Karen noted her demeanor and felt the familiar icy pit of worry in her stomach.
"Honey?" she asked warily. "Is something wrong?"
Jessie smiled weakly. "I'm fine," she mumbled.
"Jessie," Karen stuttered, adrenalin beginning to stir, "if something is wrong I want you to tell me."
"Mom, it's fine."
"Jess, please!"
After an awkward pause Jessie turned and faced Karen, a baleful look on her face.
"Why did you just drive off when you dropped me at Katie's?" she asked.
"Oh!" Karen. Her mouth dropped slightly. In the gloom Karen could see Jessie calmly stare back at her, a thin shaft of moonlight softly illuminating her, making her look more poised, more mature than Karen had ever seen. But in Karen could see a glimmer of pain in Jessie's eyes. It hurt Karen to realize that she had caused her daughter pain.
"I wanted you to have some privacy with her," Karen admitted quietly. She hobbled over to Jessie and looked at her daughter's contemplative face. It took all Karen's strength not to reach out and touch Jessie's arm, but Karen reframed, knowing it would exasperate her. She decided to joke to ease the tension. So Karen smiled playfully. "If she's going to be your girlfriend then I'm guessing you don't want your mom hanging out with you guys!"
"Stop," Jessie protested in jest, wrinkling her nose. They both laughed at the joke. Jessie looked down at the floor as if mulling over something.
"You mean that?" her voice was fragile and full of aching.
"Oh honey," Karen whispered. Karen reached across and wrapped her arm around Jessie, and pulled her close. Karen wasn't fine. But she vowed she would be.
"Oh, there it is," Jessie spied her French book under one of Karen's massive legal tomes.
Jessie glanced down at the work strewn across Karen's table.
"You work too hard," Jessie said fretfully, wriggling out of her mother's embrace
"Stop worrying about me!" Karen assured her. She sat down by the table. "Now off you go to your Dad who's waiting out there very patiently.
But Jessie lingered. "Mom?" she said warily. Karen glanced up. "I just don't want you to get lonely." Jessie said softly and with difficulty. "Because I know you were lonely…before, you know," Jessie indicated to the cane by Karen's side. "And I just don't want you to ever be that lonely again, ok?" Jessie choked.
Karen reached out to Jessie. "I promise," she said firmly, squeezing Jessie's hand compassionately. She heard the blare of the horn from outside. "It seems even your Dad gets impatient," Karen commented wryly. Jessie smiled and kissed her mother on the cheek and said goodbye before jogging out to meet Rick.
Karen sighed and leaned her head against her palm, sadly contemplating Jessie's words as she sat in her dimly lit living room, alone.
Grace was reading Chekhov when a loud knock rang at the door. Glancing irritably at her bedside clock she was amazed to realize it was midnight. 'Who would be up at this hour?' she wondered. When Zoe poked her head in Grace shook her head in dismay. "Who else?'
"What?" Grace asked peevishly.
"Nothing!" Zoe scowled. "I was just wondering if I could stay here for a while?"
"Why?" Grace grumbled. "Can't you bother someone else?"
"Please?" Zoe wheedled. She opened her eyes wide; silently hoping the puppy dog routine would wear Grace down.
Grace sighed with exaggerated weariness. "Fine," she huffed. Zoe beamed and bounded over and sat next her on the bed.
"What's the book?" Zoe asked, referring to the Chekhov novel by Grace's side.
"Huh, oh," Grace glanced down. "Chekhov. He's a writer."
"Where'd you get it?"
"Where'd you get all these questions?" Grace mocked. She glanced down at the book wistfully. "Mr. Dimitri gave to me."
"Is that the boy you like?" Zoe asked, lolling on Grace's bed.
"He wasn't a boy," Grace smiled. "And yes, I used to like him."
"What happened?"
Grace was confused. "What do you mean?"
"Why'd you stop liking him? Did he not like you back," Zoe asked innocently.
Grace heaved a sigh. It was ludicrous that she should tell Zoe about her love life. But her sister continued to look at her so earnestly with wide and sincere eyes, and Grace was struck with a strange desire to share. She smirked at the ridiculousness of it all.
"He did, like me." Grace continued. She shrugged. "But it didn't work out."
"Oh." Zoe looked down at Grace's bed sheet. "Grace?" she asked hesitantly.
"What?"
"What's it like to like someone?"
"Oh boy," Grace sighed. "Why? Got someone in mind?"
Zoe sat up and looked Grace in the eye intently. "Ok, but you can't tell anyone." She whispered conspiratorially. "There's this boy, and I think he likes me. And I think I might like him as well."
"So," Grace asked. "What's the problem?"
"I don't know if I want him to like me" Zoe said worriedly.
"Why wouldn't you want that?" Grace scoffed.
"What if I end up like you and Jessie?"
"Ah, excuse me?"
"Well, when Mr. Dimitri went away you didn't come out of your room for ages and even when you did you were really sad. And then Jessie got all sad when Katie stopped coming over. So I mean, what if I end up upset too?"
"Oh," Grace momentarily gaped slightly at her sister but recovered. "I'm sure you won't."
"How do you know?" Zoe pouted.
"Because," Grace sighed. "It's not all heartbreak and drama. And besides, what are you going to do if you turn down every boy that likes you? You're going to be old and all alone with nothing but cats to keep you company."
"I hate cats!" Zoe cried, horrified.
"I know, so stop worrying and go for it!" Grace teased.
Zoe considered this seriously. After a moment a wicked grin sprung up on her face. "So I won't act crazy like you then?"
"Hey," Grace tickled Zoe. "Just wait until you're older. Then you WILL act crazy and I will come and mock you for it."
"Stop it," Zoe gasped, batting Grace away. The smile faded of her face. "I am older now."
"What?" Grace asked.
Zoe pointed to Grace's alarm clock. The time was displayed proudly for both girls. 12.01 a.m.
"I guess you are," Grace said. "Twelve years old. I should warn you it's all down hill from here."
"Shut up Grace," Zoe giggled.
Grace smiled, cocking her head and looking at her sister closely. After a moment she pushed herself off her bed and padded over to a box hidden in a desk draw.
"Here," Grace stated, handing the gift to Zoe, "happy birthday."
Zoe gasped and eagerly grabbed the gift from Grace, gleefully ripping the wrapping paper. Once she opened the present her jaw dropped as she gaped at its content.
"The Simpsons on DVD?" she whispered in awe.
"Yeah, I mean you're always getting Mom to borrow it I just thought now you can see it whenever." Grace said easily. She sat down next to her sister. "Maybe one day I'll come watch it too." Grace said slowly.
"I thought you hate the Simpsons?"
"Well I do. I mean I've never watched it but I knew you liked it so it must be bad," Grace teased.
"Can we watch it now?" Zoe asked brightly.
"What? It's midnight!" Grace objected. "And I'm tired and you're bugging me. Now take your present and go to bed."
"But Grace…"
"Go!"
Zoe sighed. She hopped off the bed and headed towards the door. As she reached for the handle, she stopped and turned around to face her sister.
"Thanks," she said sincerely.
"Yeah yeah," Grace sighed affectionately "Now goodnight!"
Zoe grinned toothily and bounded out. Grace bemusedly shook her head, then turned off her light and happily snuggled into bed.