Chapter Six: Finding an Unknown Closure
About two months has passed since Jason and Kat reunited with Tommy and Kim in Reefside after moving. One afternoon while Kat was at work, Jason brought the kids to visit Tommy and Kimberly at their place.
"Hey Courtney is your mommy and daddy home?" Jason greeted the little girl.
"Mommy! Daddy! Uncle Jason is here!" Courtney yelled, "You can come in now!"
"Thanks squirt," Jason replied carrying Keira and Darren while Liam and Lulu ran into the house, "Liam, Lulu go play with Courtney!"
"Okay!" Lulu replied, "Do you want to play pirates Courtney?"
"How do you play?" Courtney asked.
"We just imitate what they do in Pirates of the Caribbean," Liam added, "Lulu and I are Jack Sparrow and Will Turner. Do you want to play?"
"Do I have to be the bad guy?"
"No we just pretend that we're on a pirate ship and we loot for treasure," Liam said, "Care to join in as part of our crew?"
"Let's play in the backyard!" Courtney smiled leading the two in the backyard.
"Hey Jas I see Kat left you in charge of the kids today," Tommy replied as him, Jason and Kim sat in the backyard, "How's it going?"
"Kat has a dance competition to prepare for in two weeks so she has the students preparing and practicing," Jason replied, "I'm usually closed on Saturday and Sundays so I can spend time with Kat and the kids. Liam has gotten better at his martial arts. My boy won first place at a tournament over three weeks ago. Lulu has gotten herself involved in taking music lessons. She specializes in piano and we got her enrolled in some of dance classes at Kat's school. Lulu finds it difficult to keep up with the other students."
"Does she like dancing?" Kim asked, "Or is there something else?"
"Actually there is one thing that seemed to spark interest," Jason replied looking at his six year foster daughter do a cartwheel in the backyard, "We know that Liam loves karate and soccer but Lulu is another story. She enjoys taking ballet but Kat worries that she's putting pressure on her to get involved in activities to enhance her social skills. I have this feeling she wants to pursue something besides ballet. I don't know…it's been nine months since Lulu's parents died."
"Jas you and Kat have been doing an amazing job with Lulu," Tommy said, "She's only six years old and trying to find some sense of closure in her life. You two took on a big responsibility of looking after her. I know you two have Lulu's best interest. Just ask her what she wants. The best advice I can give you two is ask what the girl wants to do."
"Hey extra curricular activities can help children develop hobbies and interests," Kim added.
"I know that," Jason replied, "Liam be careful with your brother and sister!"
"Sorry dad I didn't know!" Liam yelled, "Ahoy you bickerer lots! I am Captain Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl and I'm here to commandeer your ship!"
"A last Jack Sparrow you've met your match!" Lulu and Courtney yelled, "You've met the dynamic duo of Will Turner and huh…Bootstrap Bill Turner!"
"Since when did you get our daughter hooked onto playing pirates?" Kim asked Jason.
"Well Rocky got Liam Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl for his birthday this year," Jason said, "Last week was movie night and Lulu wanted to watch it and since then those two have been playing pirates nonstop at home. They decided to go as pirates for Halloween this year. Are you guys planning to take Courtney and Ben trick or treating?"
"Well we were suppose to but…unfortunately there is a dance going on Halloween night at school so we're stuck chaperoning," Tommy sighed, "If you two don't mind…do you think you and Kat can take Ben and Courtney trick or treating?"
"No problem," Jason replied, "Kat and I don't mind bringing Courtney and Ben."
"Thanks a lot big brother," Kim smiled, "I really appreciate it."
Scott Residence (later that night)…
Kat came home later that night after a long at the dance studio. She came over to find Jason preparing dinner and her kids running a muck in the living room. Keira and Darren were playing in the playpen while Liam and Lulu were playing pirates in the living room.
"Hey Kitty Kat how was your day?" Jason smiled giving his wife a kiss.
"Tiring but they're prepared for the competition," Kat replied, "How did your visit with Tommy and Kimberly go?"
"It went fine. They asked if we can take Courtney and Ben trick or treating with us on Halloween. They have to chaperone the dance at school. I told Tommy and Kim we would take the kids trick or treating."
"That's alright Jason I'm fine with it. Louise hasn't…decided whether or not she still wants to continue with the ballet classes," Kat replied.
"Kat don't get mind…but I think there might be something besides ballet she would want to take," Jason said, "There was another reason why…I went to see Kim and Tommy. I talked about our situation with Louise."
"Exactly…what did you talk to them about Louise?" Kat asked suspiciously.
"I…have this feeling that Louise has taken an interest in gymnastic," Jason added, "Kat…don't you see it that she wants to pursue gymnastics? That is why…I asked Kimberly if she can let Louise sit in on one of her practices. She has one coming up Tuesday. Kim agreed to let Louise sit in on one of her practices. She's actually looking forward to going."
"Jason…she has classes on Tuesday," Kat argued, "Since when did Louise started taking an interest in gymnastics? I thought the ballet classes would help! So I suppose you decided to talk about Louise's interests with someone else besides me? C'mon I would have seen it if I knew! Do I get a say on this?"
"Kat don't overreact please," Jason replied, "Just think what's best for Louise please? If she wants we can talk to her okay? Instead of us deciding…we'll ask Louise together okay?"
"Okay…fine we'll ask her," Kat said as Lulu came into the kitchen, "Louise! Louise can you come here for a minute!"
"Yes are you calling me?" Lulu came in, "Is something wrong mommy Katherine?"
"Huh actually…did you just call me mommy Katherine?" Kat asked curiously.
"Is something wrong with calling you guys mommy Kat and daddy Jason?" Lulu smiled, "I am part of your family right?"
"Of course you are," Jason replied, "Actually anything is fine with us. We were actually talking about our visit to Aunt Kim's place. Was there anything you wanted to tell mommy Kat and I?"
"If it is okay…do you mind if I can take gymnastic class with Aunt Kimberly?" Lulu asked, "I'll still do ballet if you want me to mommy Kat but I really, really, really want to do gymnastic! Can I please? Do you mind if I can go to one of Aunt Kim's practices on Tuesday?"
"You know you have ballet on Tuesday Lulu and competition is coming up," Kat argued, "And also your daddy Jason has karate classes and Liam has lessons on Tuesdays too."
"I know but Aunt Kim promised that she'll drive me home," Lulu begged, "Please mommy Kat can I go? Can I take gymnastics lessons?"
"Well Kim did mention that her and Tommy will drop Lulu home," Jason added, "C'mon Kat what do you say? Besides you have Keira and Darren at the studio with you during the day."
"Alright…fine you take gymnastic lessons if it makes you happy," Kat agreed, "You can go with Aunt Kim on Tuesday."
"Oh thank you so much!" Lulu smiled giving them a hug, "You two are the best!"
Reefside High School…
A few days later, Kimberly was in the gymnasium demonstrating some new moves to girls' gymnastics team. Tommy was there watching his wife demonstrate some new tricks. He was surprised when he found Lulu walking into the gym as Kimberly was showing a few new routines to Kira and the girls.
"Am I late?" Lulu smiled coming in, "Hi Uncle Tommy!"
"Huh Lulu what are you doing here?" Tommy replied surprised, "Does Kat and Jason know you are here?"
"Of course remember we talked about me coming to one of Aunt Kim's practices?"
"I must have forgotten then," Tommy smiled at his niece, "So…you decided to take up gymnastics I assume?"
"Yeah and Aunt Kim is going to help me," Lulu smiled, "Mommy Kat and daddy Jason said it would be alright. Aunt Kim!"
"Hey squirt I see you finally made it," Kim greeted the little girl, "So do you want to watch from the bleachers with Uncle Tommy or do you want to be on the floor?"
"I just came to drop by and see you Beautiful," Tommy smiled giving his wife a kiss, "We're dropping her home later when we pick up the kids right?"
"Of course we're dropping her off," Kim replied, "Do you still have a lot of work left?"
"Yeah I got to grade a few papers. I'll catch you two later."
Lulu watched as Kimberly was showing a couple of routines from the balance beam, uneven bars, and on the floor to the girls' gymnastics team. Kimberly was more than welcomed to let the girl sit in on one of her practices. These days Kim and Tommy would occupied themselves on work and raising a family. Sometimes the heartache of their failed searched for their first born daughter would come back to haunt them. While Kira was demonstrating a floor routine, Kim saw Lulu mimicking what Kira was doing. The child was pretty good and her presence would sometimes ease the pain of the memory of the daughter she gave up for some reason.
"How was that Mrs. Oliver?" Kira asked, "Did I hit it well?"
"It was fine Kira pretty good," Kim complemented, "Hey Kira why don't spot for Rachel on the balance beam?"
"I can do that," Kira replied, "Hey Mrs. Oliver, Lulu there is pretty good. I know she was following what I was doing but with a little practice, proper training and the right coach she can become a good gymnast. There's a lot of potential in that girl."
"You see potential what I see is a promising gymnast," Kim smiled watching Lulu practice.
"She should come here more often," Kira commented as she went to help Rachel spot.
"One, two, three, and strike!" Lulu kept chanting while she was practicing the routine, "I think I got it now! Aunt Kimberly did you see me practice?"
"Of course squirt I saw you copying Kira's routine," Kim replied, "She and I were impressed with your skills. For someone who know plays a lot of piano and dances ballet, I see that there is a little gymnast inside of you. So I take it you want to take up gymnastics then?"
"I don't know why but I really like it," Lulu smiled, "My mommy wasn't really an athlete when she was young. Mommy was always into music as a hobby that's why I learned how to play piano. Mommy Kat tried to get me to dance but…I really don't seem to like it all that much. I only do it because I want mommy Kat and daddy Jason to be happy."
"How does it feel doing ballet and gymnastics?" Kim asked.
"Doing ballet is nice but gymnastics…helps me feel happy and not miss mommy and daddy all that much," Lulu added, "I had to ask mommy Kat if I could miss one class of ballet just to come here. Sometimes whenever I go to a gymnasium and see people performing gymnastics, something makes me happy inside. Aunt Kimberly what does closure mean?"
"Closure is like this condition or feeling of trying to move on from something whether it be based on past experiences or situations," Kim replied, "Sometimes we find ways of dealing with our problems by channeling it into something constructive. It is our sense of saying that we let things be what they are and we move on with life. Just remember everything has a beginning and an end. Once that's settle we can move on with life. Do you understand?"
"I guess so…does that mean my interest in gymnastics now is somewhat of me finding closure to accept not missing mommy and daddy so much?"
"Whatever you want to see it. I see you want to get into this gymnastics seriously?"
"Just say it's my closure to not be sad that my mommy and daddy aren't here. Can you help me Aunt Kimberly? Can you teach me gymnastics? I really, really would like that."
"Of course I will teach you Lulu," Kim smiled giving the girl a hug, "If this is your closure you seek then so be it. I will be gladly to train you."
"Aunt Kimberly, is gymnastics your closure too?" Lulu asked.
"You can say that kiddo. But my greatest closure besides my love for gymnastics is my kids and my White Knight which is your uncle. There are some things you'll understand when you get a bit older why everyone needs closure in life. I have a lot of things to deal with in the past and I know that I don't want to linger onto the feelings of heartache and regret. I know you don't want to be depressed and mourn over your parent's death Lulu. At least you have Jason and Kat who love and care for you. You know something standing here in front of you makes me sure that I know…everything will be alright and that there is closure now."
"I don't know what you mean Aunt Kimberly but I think you're making sense," Lulu smiled.
"So I guess I'm going to wrap it up for today," Kim said as she blew her whistle, "Okay girls hit the showers! We'll call it a day! Remember we got practice on Thursday!"
"Yes Coach Oliver!" the team replied, "We'll see you later!"
After the team cleared the gymnasium, Lulu continued to practice the floor routine she saw Kira practice earlier. Kim and Lulu were practicing together in synch movement. Minutes later Tommy came into the gym and saw Kim showing Lulu the routine. For some reason he found it very touching because Lulu reminded him of a younger version of Kimberly as a child. Watching Lulu practicing with Lulu brought some sense of closure for him not to think about their failed attempts to find their eldest daughter.
"At least Kimberly is finding some closure now," Tommy thought to himself, "At least she has her gymnastics and a new protégé to train."
"Hey Aunt Kim look it's Uncle Tommy!" Lulu smiled, "You should have seen it! I performed Kira's floor routine! Aunt Kim said she'll teach me gymnastics!"
"Lucky girl you are!" Tommy smiled, "You two looked great out there. I saw the two of you practicing a bit before you noticed my presence. Are you two ready to go?"
"I am but if you don't mind I need to go to the washroom," Lulu replied heading to the change room, "Will you wait for me?"
"Sure thing kiddo besides we have to drop you off home," Kim smiled, "She's a pretty fast learner there Tommy. You should have seen her out there. I can see some great potential that needs a lot of work in her. Lulu even caught the eye of the team also. She is really serious of wanting to pursue gymnastics."
"It makes me think of someone that I knew of…you," Tommy replied giving her a kiss, "Lulu reminds me so much of you when you were young. She is a little girl full of ambition and talent. So I guess you found some sense of closure then?"
"You're right…I did in the form of a six year old girl who also found closure too. She told me that gymnastics is her way of not to think how much she misses her parents. This is my way not to think about how much we miss Louise. Being around Lulu fills that void of missing out on the last six years of Louise's life. It's like seeing through that little girl what our daughter might have turned out to be now."
"I could have thought about the same thing too Kim," Tommy added, "We never knew Louise but why do we get the feeling that every time Lulu is around us we get this sense of closure knowing that…"
"Okay I'm back now!" Lulu replied coming towards them, "I'm ready to go home!"
"Alright then let's go," the two replied as they left to drive Lulu home. The two of them drove Lulu home with a sense of closure for both of them. Kim and Lulu discovered that their love for gymnastics was their sense of closure. After they dropped Lulu home, both of them began to wonder…why did their sense of closure come to them through Lulu.
"I wonder what is the secret behind Lulu?" the two of them thought as they drove home.