This story is intended for amusement purposes only. This story is not meant to infringe on the names of Remington Steele, Laura Holt or anything that would cause MTM productions or anybody else to sue me. This story is the property of Lisa Watson ã 2001.
Remington rolled over in his sleep and extended his arm. He encountered space; no waist, no thigh, no material, just space. His brain registered the oddity and abruptly brought him out of his sleep induced stupor. He sat up and blinked his eyes as he looked at the void that once held Laura's body. Scanning the room and finding it empty he swung his long legs over the side of the bed and stood. He heard a faint sound coming from the bathroom and padded toward it. He slowly opened the door and looked around. When he saw Laura lying on the floor in a fetal position his heart stopped.
"Laura?" he said in alarm and immediately dipped to the floor beside her.
Her body was shivering and cold. Smoothing her hair back he saw that her eyes were closed but wet. Two things were obvious to Remington; Laura had cried herself to sleep some time ago and though unconscious, was still battling her grief. He gently carried her back to the bed and pulled the covers around her. When Remington laid down and pulled Laura close his body immediately protested the reduction in heat and his arms got goose bumps.
Ignoring his body he continued holding her and stroking her back. After a few minutes the shivering stopped and the soft whimpers ceased. Remington's jaw clenched as he struggled to keep his own emotions at bay. In some ways he couldn't imagine what Laura and her sister were going through. Though he'd lost his parents at birth and become an orphan it wasn't the same. He felt the loss but it was for people that he never knew, figures that represented his parents but to him not living and breathing people that he'd known all his life and had grown to love.
He corrected himself when he thought about Daniel, the father he'd hadn't known about till he was a grown man. If Daniel suddenly died without warning he knew he'd grief for him and deeply, just as Laura did her mother. That Laura and Abigail weren't close was irrelevant. Abigail was still Laura's mother and she would still feel the pain at losing her. Remington silenced his thoughts and drifted into a troubled sleep.
The following morning Laura was the first to awaken. Extricating herself from Remington's arms she headed into the bathroom. She cringed when she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her red, swollen eyes were a tell-tale sign of last nights bout of crying. Laura couldn't remember getting up and returning to bed so she assumed Remington had discovered her in the bathroom and carried her back. "Great." Laura said softly as she turned the faucet on and waited for the water to get ice cold.
Dipping a washcloth in the frigid stream she drenched it and laid it on her face. The temperature snapped her fully awake and did the best it could to reduce her puffy eyes.
"Morning," A quiet voice said behind her.
Laura looked in the mirror and saw Remington standing behind her leaning on the bathroom door.
"Morning to you too. It appears I've woken you up twice this morning," Laura said to his reflection.
Remington came off the door and walked up behind her. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. He looked at the glass and answered her.
"I guess it's the price you pay for sleeping with someone eh? You can't sneak out of bed without them noticing," Remington smiled kissing the top of her head. "How are you feeling Laura? Do you want to talk about it?"
Laura immediately shoved her emotions in a closet and bolted the door. Remington saw the abrupt change in her facial expression and almost sighed aloud.
"No need I'm fine. I suppose I was just overly tired from the trip and the shock of it all." Laura said smiling in the mirror.
Releasing her he moved back and she immediately bolted around him and into the bedroom. He closed his eyes and shook his head. He knew patience and understanding was in order, yet Laura's need to prove that she was in control of her emotions grated on his nerves and it would get worse before it got better.
###
When they arrived at Abigail's house, Francis had indeed cooked enough food to feed a small army. Donald gave him an "I told you so" look. Remington nodded in understanding.
"I hope you two are hungry," Francis replied over a plate piled high with pancakes. "Laura if you'd like something lighter I've got bagels, cream cheese and fresh fruit prepared."
"Thanks Francis, I'm not that hungry so that sounds great," Laura replied.
"Well then let's all get seated and eat," Francis replied sitting down.
Remington surveyed the pancakes, scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, toast and fresh fruit and didn't know where to start. Mildred didn't have that problem. After they'd blessed the food she started at one side and worked her way around. Remington followed her lead and soon had a plate loaded with food. Francis was indeed a good cook and Remington's appetite informed him it would have no trouble keeping up.
"You sure you're ok Laura? Wouldn't you like some eggs or something?" Francis asked.
"No I'm fine with my bagel," Laura answered between bites.
"So what's the plan for today," Mildred inquired.
Everyone looked around and all eyes rested on Francis.
"Well I thought after we went to the reading of Mother's will we could go the the funeral home. We've got alot to do, picking out the coffin, flowers and things like that. Laura what do you think?"
"That sounds like a plan Francis," Laura said helping herself to some eggs.
"Francis I'm sure Lois would like to be a part of the planning or maybe the coordinating." Donald suggested.
"As Abigail's closest friend I'm sure she'd be honored to assist." Remington chimed in.
"I agree," Laura said spooning potatoes on her plate.
"Why don't I call Lois after you all leave for Mr. Grayson's office. She and I could start on the guest list and gather up information on placing the obituary." Mildred offered.
"What about the programmes? Laura I think we'd best do those. I started calling family last night to let them know...about mother. I'm sure I could call Great Aunt Elenore to help with some of the background we'll need for them." Francis concluded.
"We could do that," Laura said biting into a piece of turkey bacon.
Remington noticed the sudden accumulation of food on Laura's plate and eyed her suspicously. Nobody noticed or found it odd that Laura's appetite had suddenly increased but he did! She was wolfing down her breakfast like she'd never see food again.
"Hungry Laura?" Remington said for her ears only.
Laura stopped chewing faster than a deer caught in headlights. She looked at her plate and then at him.
"Uh...ravenous actually. I suppose not eating last night caught up with me," Laura replied putting down her fork.
"Evidently,"
"Shouldn't we get going?" Laura said glancing at her watch.
"We've got some time yet Laura," Donald said checking his watch.
"Oh. Well I'll start clearing these dishes," Laura said quickly.
"I'll help," Remington said standing.
"That isn't necessary Remington, I can manage,"
"I insist Laura." Remington said grabbing his plate and taking hers to the kitchen.
Laura looked at Francis, Donald and Mildred and smiled. "I'll just grab a few of these," she said and hurried to the kitchen.
When she'd left, the two women exchanged glances.
"What was that about?" Francis asked.
"With those two? It could be anything," Mildred said, knowingly.
###
By the time Laura entered the kitchen, Remington had already started rinsing the dishes and loading them into the dishwasher. She grabbed containers out of the cabinet near the refrigerator and started filling them with leftover food.
When Remington's hands suddenly covered hers she dropped the container lid.
"Laura, you don't have to keep up this facade." Remington said without preamble.
"I don't know what you mean," Laura replied looking at the food in front of her.
Remington turned her around and tilted her face up to look at him.
"You don't? Well would you mind telling me why you said you weren't hungry and suddenly began shoveling food like you were in a famine?"
"I told you I suddenly became hungry,"
"Laura, it's me. I know when you're lying. I know you better than anyone remember?"
"Yeah, anyone except my mother," Laura's voice broke.
Remington hugged her to him. "Darling I know you're hurting, I can see it and I feel it as sure as if it were my own. Don't deny your emotions and don't keep the pain locked deep inside, it will only get worse."
"What do you suggest I do? Roll around on the floor and cry?" Laura said angrily.
"If need be yes. You need to acknowledge your grief, not suppress it."
"Why? That won't bring her back to me."
"No it won't, but it would help you accept that Abigail has gone."
"I can't. I've never been good at...look I'm stronger than you think. There's no need to worry about me. Please, just let me handle this in my own way," Laura said, breaking away from his embrace. Turning, she strode purposefully out the room.
He watched her leave and knew it best not to follow her. "I hope you're right."
To be continued...