Murder She Wrote

Listen To Your Heart

Part Three

Scratching his chin Seth stood there deep in thought when is shiver rose up from his hand through his whole body. He looked down at his hand and rubbed it gently. It was as if someone or thing tired to reach out and touch them. Could it be...no shaking his head a flash of Jessica entered his mind. Yes, they are the best of friends but that line seems blurry nowadays.

Soon Seth's eyes fell upon a young man with brown hair, green eyes and wearing an expensive black suit. This man was from some upscale state for sure.

"Hi I am Jeremy Miller, I am Mrs. Fletcher's editor." the young man said introducing himself.

"Ayuh, so what pray tell are you doing here in Cabot Cove?" Seth asked.

"I am trying to speak with Mrs. Fletcher when I heard she was here I came right over," Jeremy replied.

"To see how she's doing or about her new book?" Seth inquired.

The moment Jeremy's eyes lit up when Seth said book only made him put his guard up.

"Well her health is more important but if you happen to know if her manual scrip is ready then..."

Those words cause Seth patience to dissolve as his temper flare up like a bad rash. Were all these writing people like this more worried about books instead of the person?

"I don't know if her manual script is ready and frankly that not important now. So I suggested you leave and let her get well." Seth said sternly.

"But it's due soon surely you must understand," Jeremy said.

Seth was tittering on wither to punch this young man in the face, yell or do both. Ugh, how could someone be so cold?

"What I understand is a cold heart publish editors care more about pieces of paper then there well being of the person who jolted down the words," Seth said as he raised his voice.

This made Jeremy back off a bit but he soon took a step forward which prompted Seth to do the same. Both men were only an inch from each other. Young and old fighting for what they believe was right.

"It's merely business old man if she's not well she can complete her story at her bedside. She is still obligated to make two more books." Jeremy said in a snarky tone.

Business huh sounds more like a guard tending to a prisoner forcing them to work in horrid conditions." Now she here you will not see Jessica until she is well enough to decide for her self...now please leave!" Seth shouted.

"Oh yeah?" Jeremy enticed.

"Yeah," Seth yelled.

Jeremy moved first shoving Seth back into one of the chairs, but the moment he rose to his feet Sheriff Metzger had Jeremy's hands behind his back in cuffs.

"Looks like you need to head down to the station to cool off. "Metzger said

Handing Jeremy off to Andy he struggled against the deputy Jeremy turned around to face Seth one last time.

"What are you to Mrs. Fletcher? Her boyfriend?" he asked.

"Yes! which means she protected now go." Seth said voice boomed.

Relenting Jeremy let Andy drag him away. Mort merely gave Seth a pat on the back.

Newly fresh tears stream down Jessica's cheeks to see her best friend do such a thing warmed her heart. Whatever issue she had he would always tell Seth and he would make it better with one of his snarky comments.

"Boyfriend….I think I like the sound of that." Jessica mused.

The stigma of enduring her pain alone vanish the moment Seth said he was her boyfriend. She found her reason for living again. Gone were thoughts of her book they didn't seem so important now for she finally found when she had been looking for all along and he has right under her nose the whole time. For once her mind and heart agreed Seth meant more to her than just a friend...she loved him. That's what flashes meant. Taking a deep breath Jessica looked up to Seth and Mort once more before she spoke.

"Frank….I'm ready," Jessica said aloud.

Within seconds her husband appeared by her side. Jessica took a hold of his hand and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Ah, there's my radiant Jessica without a stressful through in her mind. Frank said followed with a smile.

"Yes, I m truly at peace," Jessica said.

"So tell me how do you feel about Seth Hazlitt?" Frank asked again.

"I love him, his grumpy nature makes me smile and laugh he is also so very protective of me," Jessica replied.

"Good…. you finally see it," Fred said.

Turning to him Jessica raised her hand caressing his cheek.

"I am glad too, while I will always love Frank it's finally time for me to move on," Jessica said.

Laying his hand over hers Frank sighed contently as the image around them changed once more. Now they were standing by a hospital bed where Jessica's physical body laid with her eyes closed resting.

"I take it's time for me to go," Jessica predicted.

"Yes, I wish you stay longer but our time is over I wish the best for you and Seth," Frank said sadly.

Jessica nodded wrapping her arms Frank's waist she gave him a big hug before pulling away.

She watched as he slowly fades away from view. Taking a deep breath Jessica blinked a few times to clear the haze from her view. Her body felt heavy as streaks of pain flowed through her. This was an indicator that she was alive which caused her to check a small smile. As tears trickled down her cheeks.

"Seth….." Jessica whispered.

A nurse walking by stepped in to check on Jessica. As she moved closer to the bed she noticed the tear stains on her cheeks. She was about to switch her IV bag with a fresh one when she through she heard Mrs. Fletcher say something.

"What was that ma'am." The nurse asked leaning closer.

"S….Seth." Jessica whispered once more.

The nurse nodded followed with a smile. After setting the new IV bag up she looked back down at Mrs. Fletcher.

"Don't you worry ma'am I'll go get Dr. Hazlitt for you." the nurse replied before leaving.

In the waiting room, Seth and Metzger stared at the door. Noticing the doc had finally calmed down Mort decided to say something.

"Now about being Mrs. F's boyfriend…" Metzger finally said

"I meant it… our friendship has grown so much over the years. But I can see we have push passed that into a new territory one that of she'll have me I will do my best to make her happy." Seth said seriously.

"What if Mrs. F doesn't see it that way?" Metzger asked.

"Then I'll wait….sure it'll hurt but I will always do my best to protect the woman I love."

Mort smiled at first he through Mr. F and the doc was already together with how close they were he was glad to see it finally come full circle.

The door to the waiting room opened Seth and Metzger stood up at the same time. They were surprised to see a nurse instead of a doctor.

"Dr. Hazelitt, Mrs. Fletcher is asking for you." The nurse said.

Seth looked to Mort who merely nodded to him.

"Go on I'll have back to the station," Metzger said.

Seth merely nodded as he followed the nurse down the hall. Seth cleared his throat which causes Jessica to turn in his direction.

As Jessica slowly opened her eyes a smile crept across her lips as she reached out in Seth's direction. Moving closer to her bed Seth took a hold of her hand and squeezed it gently.

"Seth…." Jessica said hoarsely.

"I'm here," Seth said calmly.

"I…." Jessica tried to say.

"Shh, you need to rest..." Seth said in his doctor tone.

"No…. I need to say this our friendship is so strong that it has blossomed into something much more," Jessica said.

"Jess…." Seth said hoping what this meant.

Sitting up some more Jessica gave Seth and a light squeeze.

"I always thought I was happy with the way my life turned out, a widower who happens to be an Infamous novelist. But it wasn't until recently that I realized something was missing in my life." Jessica said.

"What are you going on about woman?" Seth tried to ask in his normal grumpy tone but failed.

"I left my mind think I was happy but deep down it was your grumpiness that filled my void of loneliness with joy. What I'm saying is that I love you, Seth Hazlitt, I always have and if you take me I promise to do my best to make you happy." Jessica confessed.

Seth couldn't believe it patience have been kind to him after all. You wanted to hear those words for such a long time you only wish it was under better circumstances.

"Well, it's about time women for I love you too Jessica Fletcher. I don't know how you put up with me, but I am glad that it's finally out in the open". Seth confessed.

Silence edge its way through as the two of them stared at each other longing. For them to have such a powerful friendship their love would be off the charts.

Seth closed his eyes as he leaned in pressing his lips to Jessica's. The feeling of sheer pleasure tickled up and down their bodies. A wince from Jessica caused Seth to back off pulling a chair over he sat right beside the bed holding her hand.

"Ah to much strain you need to rest," Seth instructed.

"I know, but I have to ask how did you know I was hurt?" Jessica asked.

"Well I don't know how to explain it, but I felt something deep in the pit of my stomach. That set my whole body on edge and that when one thing came to mind you. Now lay back down and do as your told woman." Seth said.

"Yes, Doctor Grumpy." Jessica teased.

Seth gave her a wink which prompted Jessica to chuckle. Soon the two of them were laughing as Seth caught Jessica up on the latest gossip. Once they left there they had no doubt they would be the talk of the town but neither one of cared one bit. For they listened to their hearts and for once in a long time enjoy true peace and happiness.