Moving On
A/N 1. This is set after Mary Ellen has met "Jonesy", and he's courting her
A/N 2. In this A/U Dr. Curt Willard was indeed killed at Pearl Harbor
A/N 3. In this A/U Curt is buried on Walton's Mountain
My apologies for any mistakes I have made. I had no beta for this short shot. Also, I don't ever remember Grandma Walton's death ever being mentioned...I just remember she had a stroke, left the show for a bit, came back (which I LOVED) and then left again. Could anyone enlighten me on that one? I mean...what happened to Ester Walton?
John was sitting at the kitchen table just finishing a cup of coffee when Mary Ellen opened the front door and stepped inside. John could see a light in his daughter's eyes that he had not seen in a long time - only he could also see a bit of a troubled look in her eyes as well. He could pretty figure out why that was the case. "Want to talk about it?" He asked as Mary Ellen entered the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee as well.
"No…and yes." Mary Ellen sat down at the table and glanced from the cup in her hand to her father. "It's Jonesy."
"I figured as much." John gave his daughter an understanding smile. "You like him… a lot."
Mary Ellen didn't answer at first then; slowly, she admitted she did. "I haven't felt like this in years. I love it….and I hate it. No, not hate it…just…" she sighed as she thought on Curt's grave; it was next to her grandfather's. "It scares me."
John finished his coffee and sat down his cup. "I can't say I know how you feel, but I do understand. You lost a great man when Curt was killed and it hurt like crazy. You're afraid of getting too close to another man-afraid you'll lose him too. Am I right?" He gave her a look that dared her to say different.
"Yes, I am. I wish I knew how to get past that. I mean, I don't know how to get rid of the fear." Mary Ellen looked towards the door, knowing John Curtis and Jonesy – the pair had been playing ball outside, would be in soon.
"Everyone person is different only," John leaned back in his chair just a little and gave Mary Ellen a loving smile. "I would hope you would take the time to find a way to do just that. You're still young. It would be nice to see you with a husband again, and it would be good for John Curtis to have a father in his life. Of course, I wouldn't want you to remarry just to marry." He stood up and gave his daughter another smile. "Honey, you have to make this decision yourself. Just promise me one thing,"
"What's that, daddy?" Mary Ellen kept her eyes on her father.
"Don't let fear be a force behind your decision. Doing, or not doing, something out of fear never winds up helping anyone." John, who had work to do, headed for the door just as John Curtis and Jonesy entered the house. As John exited the Walton home, he had to chuckle. John Curtis was, in an excited tone of voice, telling Mary Ellen all about the game he and Jonesy had just finished.
"She'll be moving on soon," John smiled as he descended the steps leading up to the porch. "I just know she will."