Disclaim any and all recognizable traits, features, characters, and settings recognizable in any way shape or form. This story and others in my collection are merely a way of showcasing my love for the genre, show, and all that may or may not lay in between those verified lines. Reviews are always appreciated and greatly welcomed in all forms as long as they prove to provide actual assistance in furthering the story's potential in every way possible. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read and, hopefully, review.
Believe in Me
If she had to choose one day out of the week that she loved above all else, it would undoubtedly have to be Sundays spent in the Children's wing at the hospital. Every Sunday for as much time as they can spare, she and Jason spend hours on end bringing smiles to the faces of the little angels residing within that wing. To think of all they must endure in order to obtain the one thing many take for granted, they just want to give back as much as they can to them.
Sides just about aching from laughing so hard, Elizabeth watches as the kids work Jason over with the best tickle fight she has ever witnessed. Seeing him with these kids is forever a sight to behold. The gentleness that he exudes, the kindness, is beyond anything that the hospital can even dare to hope for from their volunteers. He sees the kids for they are and that does wonders for their self-esteem and morale.
"Gram." she voices when she spots her standing in the doorway. "Hey."
"Hello to you, too." Audrey voices standing in the doorway, simply watching the scene playing out before her. "I cannot even begin to explain how humbled I am that you have remained on the volunteer roster. It just warms my heart to know that these kids mean as much to you as they do to me."
"My time with these children is definitely one of the highlights of my week." Elizabeth glances over at the kids as Jason picks one up to fly them like an airplane. "I couldn't imagine giving it up."
"While I have you, I'd like to ask if you'd want to have dinner with me tonight." Audrey voices, successfully gaining her granddaughter's attention. "I'll be leaving town in the morning and I'd like to have one last dinner with you before I take off."
"Wow, its really that time already?" she looks at the elder woman with sadness seeping into her eyes. "I'd love to have dinner with you, Gram."
"Don't be sad." Audrey says softly, wrapping her arms around Elizabeth in a warm embrace. "I'm not leaving for good."
"I know." she sighs, pulling away after a long moment. "I'll see you for dinner tonight."
Watching her grandmother walk out the door, Elizabeth could feel the weight of her absence start to weigh down upon her. Having to say goodbye to her grandmother hurt more than she'd ever willingly admit to the elder woman. Her Gram didn't deserve to hear of all the tears that she would soon shed in her absence. Her Gram is doing great work for people truly in need of it, how can she add guilt upon such beautiful work? Would that not be selfish of her?
Letting out a deep sigh, she takes one last glance back at the kids playing with Jason before making a silent exit. She just needs some time to herself, a little silence to come to terms with having to say goodbye to her Gram once again. Though she has done it more times than she cares to count, it never gets any easier. Stepping out onto the roof of the hospital, she leans against the railing, staring over the edge at the town below. What she wouldn't give to have her Gram return for good.
The tears found their way down her cheeks the more she thought of her grandmother leaving, knowing that one day minus today she will have to say goodbye for good. Her grandmother isn't getting any younger, regardless of what she and the elder woman wish to believe, and the chances of losing her continues to grow with each trip her grandmother takes. As much as she hates thinking of it, the years apart make it impossible not to.
After what felt like hours, Elizabeth feels a pair of strong arms wrap around her from behind, the familiar scent of her best friend washing over her. They don't speak. Simply staying there, staring out at the town, as the tears continue their venture down her cheeks. It may not be goodbye for good this time, but it sure felt like it.
"You okay?"
"I'm okay." she turns in his embrace to stare up at him. "She'll come back. She always does."
"Of course she will." he agrees. "But I know that goodbyes are hardest when it comes to your Gram."
"It really is." she voices as fresh tears sting her eyes. "I just wish she would stay. I wish I was important enough for her to take a vacation from saving the world and just be my Gram."
"You know you're the most important person in her life." Jason points out. "Her absence doesn't change that."
"I know...I just..." she sighs. "I really hate goodbyes."
"I know."
"Thank you." she smiles softly, hugging him tightly before letting out a deep sigh. "Saying goodbye is torture, but it would be much worse if I didn't have you."
"It is what best friends are for, isn't it?"
"That and much more."
Hugging his arm to her chest, she allows Jason to walk her down to parking lot and help her into his mustang. Like every time before, like every goodbye dinner she's ever had with her Gram, Elizabeth will smile through the pain and enjoy every last second she's granted with the beautifully wholehearted woman that she is blessed to call Gram. She will set aside her sadness and give her Gram what she needs, her blessing and acceptance.
Parking outside her house, the two friends simply sit in silence, neither making any move to get out of the car. Sometimes, she believes, that their silence holds more weight than the words they share. To be able to just sit with a friend, allowing each other's presence to comfort in ways that words fail to do so, is a gift that she treasures beyond any measure.
"Do me a favor?" Jason voices once its obvious that she'll be getting down. "Call me after your dinner with your gram."
"Sure." she smiles softly. "But you know I'll be okay, right?"
"I know." he assures. "I just want to talk to you about something."
"Okay." she says with conviction, leaning over to place a soft kiss upon his cheek. "I'll call you."
Getting out of the car, Elizabeth stands on her front porch, watching him take off before making her way inside. Though she's still uncertain about Jason's standing on the changes happening in their friendship, Elizabeth has found a new confidence in the changes happening within herself.
As difficult as it has been to come to terms with the feelings bubbling up within her, Elizabeth has finally accepted what her brother has known for years. She's in love with her best friend. Unequivocally, irrevocably, in love and she doesn't mind it one bit. No matter where her friendship with Jason ends up, if they end up together or not, she's content in her feelings.
"Father?" Elizabeth voices in confusion as she watches him place luggage down by the steps. "What's going on?"
"Your mother is taking Sarah to visit relatives in Boulder." her father explains. "They'll be gone for one month."
"A month without both of them?" Elizabeth repeats in shock. "Have I gone to heaven?"
"Ease up on the enthusiasm." her father shakes his head. "Since you're here, why don't you help me take these out to the car?"
"Definitely." Elizabeth says quickly, taking one handle in each hand to roll out to the car. "I'll even drop them to the airport if you want."
"Elizabeth." her father sighs, knowing that his daughter saw this as a vacation for herself as well. "Just take it out to the car and then meet me in the study. There's something I would like to discuss with you."
"Oh...that doesn't sound good..." Elizabeth's bright smile drops slightly. "What did I do this time?"
"Why does something have to be wrong for me to want to talk to you?"
"Because you only talk to me in the study when something's wrong."
"Fair enough." he accepts. "But there's nothing wrong this time."
"Okay...I'll be right back in then."
"Make it fast." he says simply. "I want everything hashed out before I take your mother and sister to the airport."
"Sure...okay."