|
Post by suzanne on Sept 2, 2008 19:15:36 GMT 10
Love it!! Glad Abby and Ruthie talked! Cant wait to see what happens next, update soon!!
|
|
|
Post by larue on Sept 3, 2008 13:13:33 GMT 10
Maggie chuckled as she took the melting ice cream cone from Joe and he raced across the sand toward the play structure in the park as fast as his short little legs could carry him. She watched as he carefully climbed the ladder and stood at the top of the slide waiting for his turn. She pitched the cone into a trash bin and then sat on the bench near Abby. She looked up at the cloudy blue sky and then back at the group of children on the play structure.
“This is a beautiful city, Abby” she said, not taking her eyes off her grandson. “I can see why you chose to move here.” Abby nodded, her eyes crinkling as she smiled at Joe. He was waving and then tumbled down the wide yellow slide that ended flush with the ground. He stood up at the bottom, brushed the sand from his hands and started up the ladder again. Maggie shifted in her seat.
“Although part of me wondered at first if you moved here because it was even farther away from me….” Abby looked back at her in confusion and Maggie shrugged. “Well, there are hospitals in Minnesota too, you know.” She glanced back at Maggie and grinned. Maggie rolled her eyes and chuckled.
“It’s just so far away.”
“Faster if you’d fly.” Maggie sighed.
“Maybe one of these days I’ll figure out how to do that again.” Maggie chuckled as Joe tumbled down the slide again, brushed himself off and headed for the ladder. Abby leaned forward to rest her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands.
“I don’t know what to do,” she sighed forlornly. Maggie frowned sympathetically and reached out to rub her back sympathetically.
“Aw honey,” she said quietly. “I think you do. Luka just wants his family back. He deserves that much and so do you. You went through so much and worked so very hard to get here.” Abby nodded.
“And what do I do about Ruthie?” She sat back against the park bench and frowned. Maggie studied her for a long moment and then forced a bright smile.
“You could give her to me.” Abby’s eyes widened a bit and she swallowed before turning to look back at her mother. Maggie smiled sheepishly.
“Maybe the two of us need each other……or something.” Maggie looked away as her voice trailed off. “You could keep that legal custody but just let her live with me. I wouldn’t let her do anything without discussing it with you first.”
“You want to go through all of that again? She’s a….teenager,” Abby said as she studied her increduously.
“I know that, Abby,” her mother replied quickly. “And I know you don’t think that I did such a good job with you and Eric but maybe this time I can get it right. I have been taking my medication for five whole years now. Anyway, Ruthie’s a smart girl and she usually makes good choices for herself. There’s driver’s ed to think about. Oh and there’s a very good Catholic school not far from my apartment and there’s a girl about Ruthie’s age in my complex who goes there and…..”
“Mom!” Abby said sharply and shook her head slowly. Maggie stopped. Her face fell in disappointment.
“No Catholic school…..” Abby said firmly.
“Honey, I know you didn’t like the uniforms and god knows you didn’t like the nuns but you were a thorn in their side as well and you have to admit that you got a good, solid education…..” Maggie stopped as a realization flooded her. Her eyes flew back to her daughter’s face.
“You’re going to let me have her?” A slow smile made its way across Abby’s face and she nodded.
“It’s up to Ruthie, of course,” she said as Maggie inched toward her. “And we want her back in the summer….if she wants to come.”
“I promise,” Maggie nodded emphatically.
“And we’ll get her a phone so she can call us whenever she wants.” Maggie grimaced and shook her head.
“I would never stop her from doing that.” Abby’s brow crinkled worriedly and her eyes grew sad.
“If she goes,” Abby said quietly. “It’s just going to be one more reason for me to miss you.” Maggie sighed slowly and pulled Abby into her embrace.
“Thank you, Abby,” she said as she pressed a kiss to her daughter’s cheek and held her close. “Thank you for that.” Abby nodded and returned her mother’s hug.
It was a week later when they stood in the bus terminal. Ruthie watched as her new, huge duffle bag was stowed in the luggage compartment and looked up as Luka made his way toward her. He grinned and held up some magazines.
“Reading material for your trip,” he said. He handed her a magazine.
“Newsweek…” Ruthie stared at the magazine he handed her. Her eyes widened as each one was stacked in her hands.
“Time…News World and Report…..National Geographic….’
“How did you know?” the girl asked incredulously.
“Whenever I went looking for mine, I would find them with your things….” Luka grinned. “And this too.” He handed her an entertainment news magazine. Ruthie closed her eyes in embarrassment.
“My secret shame…..” she sighed softly. “So frivolous.” Luka laughed and took her water bottle so she could tuck the magazines into her back pack. Ruthie looked up at him and slowly took her water bottle again.
“Thank you,” she said with a serious frown. Luka grinned slowly and then reached out to draw the girl into a hug. Ruthie slowly relaxed and hugged him back.
“Do you have your cell phone?” Ruthie nodded her head against his chest. “We’ll see you again at Christmas, eh?” Ruthie nodded again.
“I need to go rescue Joe from his Grandmother,” he said with a smile as they parted. Ruthie nodded again and watched him head toward Maggie and Joe near the doors. The girl’s eyes shifted to Abby, who stood nearby watching her.
“Are you sure that you’re okay with this?” Abby asked suddenly as she folded her arms across her chest. “I mean if you’re not you can just….”
“She needs me,” Ruthie said quietly. “I’ll be okay.” Abby nodded slightly. Ruthie looked down at her feet and then tipped her head up with a small smile.
“Besides, if I’m living with Maggie that sort of makes us like sisters, right?” Abby’s shoulders sagged and her smile widened. She reached out and waited as Ruthie moved into a hug.
“You bet it does. Exactly like sisters.” They stood together for a long moment with their arms around one another. Abby sighed heavily as she pressed a kiss to the girl’s cheek.
“Will you call me and talk to me…..if you need to?” Ruthie asked. Abby grinned and tightened her hold on the girl.
“I will,” she said quietly. “I promise I will. And you need to promise me the same. Sometimes Maggie can be….well….call me for anything.” Ruthie nodded and eased back. She wiped the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.
“And can I come back next summer and take care of Joe again?”
“That’s part of the deal,” Abby said firmly. “It’s the only way I would let you go.” She slipped an arm across Ruthie’s shoulder and they made their way toward the small group in the corner of the bus terminal. Ruthie took Joe from Luka and hugged him playfully.
“I left Seymour Bear on your bed,” she said as she hitched his legs around her. “Take care of him for me until I come back, okay?” Joe nodded and squeezed his arms around her neck tightly. Abby glanced from them toward her mother. Maggie watched them sadly and then caught Abby’s gaze.
“‘Christmas, Mom,” Abby said adamantly. “Promise me…..Christmas.” Maggie nodded and hugged Abby.
“I promise, sweetheart,” Maggie chuckled. “Maybe we’ll even fly.” She kissed Abby and then took Joe from Ruthie.
“One more hug for Grandma, my big handsome boy…” Maggie held the little boy close for a moment and then handed him to Abby,
“Ready to go, kiddo?” Ruthie nodded and shifted her back pack on her shoulder again. Joe squirmed down from his mother’s grasp and ran to the window as Ruthie and Maggie made their way through the sliding doors toward the idling bus. Abby and Luka followed him, watching until they saw their faces in a window on the tall bus. Joe laughed and waved as Ruthie blew him a kiss. Maggie nodded with a chagrined smile as Abby sternly mouthed the word ‘Christmas’ again. Then she pressed a kiss to her fingers and waved. Abby blinked back tears and did the same. Luka wrapped his arms around her and tucked his chin to the top of her head.
“It’s the right thing, Abby,” he said softly. “They’ll be happy together….and be good for each other too.”
“I know,” she said as she leaned her head against him, watching the bus pull out. “But, I think I’m just a little jealous of Ruthie. I think, maybe, this time Maggie is going to get it right.” They watched until the bus was gone and then each took one of their son’s hands. Joe laughed as they counted to three and then swung him into the air. Abby looked up at Luka when the little boy landed on his feet and hopped trying to keep up with them. Luka grinned and winked at her. Abby chuckled. Yep. They were all going to get it right…...this time.
I am always kind of sad when a story comes to it's end....especially if I have enjoyed the characters. Although I knew how I wanted it to end, I never expected Maggie to take such a strong part in the counseling and caring that threads through the story of Abby and Ruthie Pooler. I thought it would be Luka that set things right and yet he stands in the background. The nice thing is that it's given me yet another 'family' to play around with. Ruthie and Maggie. What an interesting dynamic. The mother that Abby never had. The 'daughter' that gives Maggie a second chance. Hmmmm. Maybe their story is brewing?
|
|
smkbrad
Marquise of Luby
%%TDWD leaves%%
Posts: 294
|
Post by smkbrad on Sept 3, 2008 13:27:52 GMT 10
aaaaaaaaawwwwwww please dont tell me that this story is over, this has to be one of the best stories i have read.
|
|
|
Post by Maryesa on Sept 3, 2008 19:50:29 GMT 10
I think it was a great story. it's interesting to imagine what could be Luka and Abby's life in Boston . the hole thing seems realistic when you know everything they've been throught. And I love Maggie's appareance, the fact that she loves taking care of Joe and her discussion with Abby, how she sees Luka and Abby relationship. the end of the story is at the same time realistic and very optimistic for everyone and we need that !
|
|
|
Post by suzanne on Sept 4, 2008 9:22:55 GMT 10
I'm so sad this story is over, but it was a great ending!! I loved thw whole story, where it was set and how it was written!! Great job!! xxxx
|
|
cloudy
Duchess of Luby
Posts: 337
|
Post by cloudy on Sept 4, 2008 9:45:26 GMT 10
This story was really great, I enjoyed reading it. However, I don't know if it's just me or maybe I missed it, but I was hoping that Abby could have actually talked to Luka about him thinking she had a secret daughter, instead of her just thinking about why he would keep his feelings from her. I think that would have been nice considering we don't get to see them discuss their feelings a lot anyways.
|
|
|
Post by shelby on Sept 4, 2008 10:10:46 GMT 10
Awesome story!! The ending was great, sad though I hope you write a second part! One of the best stories I've ever read!
|
|
|
Post by Izzy on Sept 4, 2008 17:30:42 GMT 10
Wow!! What a nice ending... you totally made it clear why Maggie was included in your story! Very good job!!
|
|
|
Post by larue on Sept 4, 2008 19:29:49 GMT 10
,... but I was hoping that Abby could have actually talked to Luka about him thinking she had a secret daughter..... I had intended to do more. Really. But they don't talk about the important stuff and I wanted to show that ultimately that hasn't changed. Any relationship is a work in progress. I kind of wanted them to still be rowing that boat......
|
|
|
Post by sissa on Sept 11, 2008 5:07:10 GMT 10
Blame yourself, Larue. Now I´m waiting for a new fic from you: Maggie and Ruthie - the duo. The Maggie that was talking with Ruthie (in their bedroom) reminded me of her speech in that scene with Carter in his car (he SO needed to hear about relationships/ marriage/ expectations/ Abby). And her observation about Abby was so right- she would sufer withou Luka, but Abby would go on, she´s a survivor. Loved! Edit: Just to say that I found the Ruthie/sequel story
|
|