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.
The funeral of Abigail Elizabeth Holt was a touching, memorable occasion. Laura hadn't doubted for a second that friends and family would come out in record numbers to pay their final respects to Abigail. Laura and Francis each quoted scripture from the bible, and said loving words to honor their mother. Lois tearfully recited a poem she'd written about her best friend and when she'd finished there wasn't a dry eye in the large church.
After the service the funeral procession left and slowly made its way to the cemetery. Laura remained admirably calm until the last prayer was said and it was time to leave. With tears threatening to choke her Laura took a rose from an arrangement and placed it on Abigail's coffin. She stood staring motionless at the coffin so long that Francis came up behind her and lightly touched her arm.
"Laura?"
"I know. It's just...hard saying goodbye Francis, and leaving her like this.
"I know." she sniffed as she lovingly placed a rose next to Laura's and stepped back.
Running her hand a final time over the top of the coffin Laura closed her eyes and said a final goodbye to her mother. She felt a familiar presence behind her and instinctively knew who stood there.
"It's...it's the hardest thing I've ever done," she croaked.
"I know it is Laura," Remington said softly.
Turning around she blinked tears from her eyes until she could see his face clearly. The sadness she saw there spoke volumes. Remington reached out his hand and she immediately grasped it. Pulling Laura gently against him he escorted her back to the waiting limousine.
Ten minutes had passed before the cemetary was free of traffic and mourners. From the safety of an enormous tree a man cautiously emerged. He steps were slow and steady as they propelled him to the canopied coffin. When he'd reached it he laid a bouquet of Violets on the top, they were her favorite. He stroked his hand up and down the cold lid as Laura had. After a few moments he reached into his pocket and withdrew a small card and carefully tucked it into the bouquet. With one final glance he turned and left the way he'd come. It was sometime later before a crew came to lower the casket into it's final resting place. A burly old man went over and secured the rigging around Abigail's coffin. As he tightened the straps he was careful not to disturb the flowers laying on the coffin. The small card caught his eye and he couldn't resist the urge to pull it from it's snug resting place. He opened the tiny envelope and read the card aloud.
"To my wife Abigail, eternal peace."
**********************
"Ok that's the last of it Laura," Mildred said as the movers loaded the final box on the truck.
"Thanks Mildred." Laura said as she walked around the now empty living room.
"Did Donald and Remington remember to take that blue box to the hotel?" Laura inquired.
"Yep they sure did and the Boss said for you to take all the time you needed, he'd pack for you.
"Oh he did?" Laura said astonished.
Mildred stood a few seconds longer watching Laura. "Are you ok honey?" Mildred asked warmly.
"Yes Mildred." Laura replied and headed toward the door.
Laura closed it behind her with a firm click. "When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window right?" Laura said softly.
"That's right honey," Mildred said and hugged Laura tightly.
Laura returned the hug and smiled at the woman she's always thought of as her second mother.
Together they stepped off the porch and past the "For Sale" sign firmly planted in the front yard.
"I hope a couple with children moves in. Mother would like that," Laura told Francis when she reached her.
"I'm sure she would," Francis agreed.
Both of them turned toward Lois and took turns hugging them elderly woman.
"How can we thank you for all you've done for us Lois?" Francis said tearfully.
"Oh posh, it was my pleasure and I wouldn't have it any other way." she croaked.
"Lois, we'll be sure to keep in touch and if you ever want to visit California..." Laura began.
"You bet I'll call you! I hear they have lots of good looking older men out there," Lois winked.
The women laughed and embraced a final time before the group departed.
***************
Laura opened her eyes when the flight attendant's bubbly voice told them to fasten seat belts, return the chairs and tables to the upright positions and prepare for landing at LAX.
"Welcome back beautiful." Remington said in a deeply accentuated voice.
"I thought you only used that tone of voice on me when you wanted something?" Laura yawned and stretched.
"Do I?" Remington said in mock surprise before he kissed her soundly.
"Spare me the James Bond routine will you?" Laura laughed and poked him in the arm.
"Well if I am copying 007 I must be missing something wrong. I don't think James Bond had to wait for any woman as long as I've had to wait for you." Remington concluded.
"Point taken, but it was worth it wasn't it?" Laura said giving him her best sensual smile.
"Careful darling, we are on a plane and I don't think the bathroom's big enough for a romantic escapade." he warned.
"What happened to "Where there's a will, there's a way?" Laura mocked.
"The will is here, but the way is less than accomodating." Remington said eyeing the bathroom.
"I guess that's why people have private jets eh Mr. Steele?" Laura smiled.
"Need I remind you I suggested the agency purchase one and it's owner told me I had taken leave of my senses,"
"She did? Remind me to have a talk with her," Laura said earnestly.
****************
Laura and Remington bid Francis and her family and Mildred goodbye and headed to Remington's apartment. Later that evening after they'd eaten dinner they sat on the couch looking at a roaring fire.
"Dinner was delicious," Laura said rubbing her stomach.
"Laura if anyone had told me I'd ever eat breakfast for dinner I'd have called them out," Remington said seriously.
"I've always loved eating breakfast at dinnertime. We used to do that when we were kids all the time. Mother would fix a whole platter full of pancakes and we'd eat till we were stuffed." Laura smiled in rememberance.
After a few silent moments Remington leaned down to look at Laura closely. "Are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Just remember the good times, there were so many of them," Laura replied.
"I'm sure of that,"
Laura turned to him and sat up. "I don't think I've told you how much your support and love have meant to me these past few weeks. They were stronger than any lifeline I could've had. Thanks for being here for me and my family."
"Laura where else would I be, except by your side eh? I'm touched you feel that way but truthfully I don't think I did much,"
"You did more then you know," Laura said and leaned up and kissed him.
"Well you're more than welcome," Remington said returning her kiss.
The doorbell intruded on their intimate moment and Remington sat up and looked at Laura with amusement.
"You think when we're old and gray we'll still get interrupted everytime we start to neck?" he said dryly.
"Of course," Laura laughed as Remington headed for the door.
He opened it and stared with growing surprise at a man he didn't recognize.
"May I help you?" Remington said politely.
"Yes. I was wondering if Laura Holt was here?" the man inquired.
"Uh yes, one moment." Remington said turning to Laura.
"It's for you." Remington said as Laura walked closer to the door.
"Well don't be rude..." Laura said and then gasped.
Remington had let the man in and was closing the door when he heard Laura's gasp.
"Laura?" Remington said in alarm.
"Hello, Laura," the man spoke, hesitantly.
"Oh my God! What...what are YOU doing here?" Laura whispered stepping back as though she'd seen a ghost.
When a few seconds ticked by and neither one had spoken again Remington walked around the man to stand near Laura. The resolute expression the man wore, combined with the deadly ashen expression on Laura's worried him.
"Laura, who is this man?" Remington asked, pointedly.
Laura looked at the man with growing hostility before turning back to Remington. "He's my father."
To be continued...