Note:
Meredith gets let go in this chapter due to living with Hershel and working at a christian school. I dont believe this would happen - but hey, who knows. Just a though on a twist on how to get them closer together in the story
A few weeks later, Meredith was on her way to her classroom and was stopped by the secretary she said pastor and the board were in the office and wanted to speak with her. She walked to the office and say down in a chair.
"We have a complaint against you, Ms Kelley…" Pastor Eric paused and looked at her. "It's about you living with Mr. Greene.. The board of directors and I are going to have to give your position to someone else, due to you both living together and being unmarried.."
Meredith frowned and sat back. "That is ridiculous. We do not share a bed, just a home.. He is being a good Christian and helping me out."
" Maybe so. But it's frowned upon here." the one director cut in. He shook his head " We cannot allow that."
"Can I finish it my week?"
" I'm sorry but no." the director said sighing. "We have your replacing starting with us today." He slid a folder over to her with documents got her to sign.
Eric sighed. "I'm sorry, Meredith."
Meredith looked at the paperwork and filled it out. She was given her final paycheck.
"Your things are all packed and in the secretary's office." Eric frowned and looked down, he wasn't happy with this he wanted to keep her on.
Meredith nodded and walked to the office and grabbed her box. She walked to her car and cried for a bit then started up the car and drove home. Hershel kept the kids home and took the day off to spend time with them. She pulled in and walked into the house carrying the box.
Herschel looked up from the table, the girls were coloring and he was reading something from the paper to them, he stopped hearing the door open. "Otis?"
Meredith came in carrying the box. "Just me." She sighed softly, as she put the box on the table in the living room.
"Why are you home? Preschool starts in a half hour." He said getting up letting the girls continue coloring.
Meredith didn't turn around, she shook her head and sat on the couch. "I got replaced." She put her hands over her eyes and sighed laying her head back.
"What? Why would they replace you." He asked sitting next to her, and frowning slightly.
"It's because of me living here goes against what that church wants." Meredith sighed. "I got complained about living here, and they already had my replacement starting today.." She kept her eyes covered and sighed, she was trying to not cry again she broke down in the car already.
"That's the most stupidest thing they could ever do" Hershel frowned. "That's no reason to fire someone." he shook his head, "We live in separate bedrooms for pete's sake." he grumbled as he got up. He grabbed his keys. "I'll be back." He said leaving.
Meredith watched him unsure what to say. She got up and went into the living room and spent time with the girls.
Hershel came back an hour later and sighed as he sat at the kitchen table. "Old fudie - " He shook his head stopping himself. The girls were in the living room playing with dolls. Meredith was going through her things in her box.
"Didn't go well?" She asked looking up.
"Not at all." He sighed rubbing his face. He kept quiet for a minute. "They are really stuck in thier ways." He put his hands down and sighed ."I'm sorry, about this."
"Do you want me to move out?" She frowned.
"Heavens no." Hershel sighed and smiled slightly. "That would just let them win. Well, we are not doing anything wrong at all."
"That's true." Meredith smiled back slightly.
"Since they don't want to listen, I unenrolled Beth from the school. Do you mind homeschooling her for a while? I know it isn't ideal…" He sighed.
"I'd love to." Meredith smiled slightly. "We will make it work. Maggie still attending regular school?"
He nodded, "For now unless she starts having problems." He smiled slightly. "Can we go for a walk and talk?"
"Sure." She smiled and looked at the girls. "Wanna go play in the snow?"
The girls smiled and got up and got dressed in their fleece clothing, and snow pants, boots, coats, everything to keep them warm. Meredith put on her coat and mittens and hat. While Hershel got his stuff on also. They walked outside, while the girls ran around the yard playing.
"We've known each other for a long time now, Ms Kelley." Hershel said walking with her. She smiled and nodded in agreement. He smiled and continued. "Would you like to….officially court me?"
Meredith smiled stopping in her tracks, looking up at him. "I'd love too." She smiled more and took his hand.
"Good." Hershel smiled more and held her hand. They continued walking. They stopped after a while and leaned against the oak tree.
Meredith put her head on his chest. "I never...said thank you." She paused. "Thank you for saving me that night." She was still healing from that. It had been close to a month since it happened but she still had nightmares about it.
"You're welcome." He wrapped an arm around her and rubbed her arm. "Glad you are doing better." he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Meredith smiled and nodded, she paused feeling him kiss her forehead. "I'm glad I'm here at home instead of at work, it's a beautiful day out."
"Yes it is." he smiled more, holding her close.
