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 looked at Laura with a mixture of shock and sympathy. "Good Lord Laura, that's extraordinary!"
Laura nodded and smiled sadly. She'd recounted the story for Remington almost verbatim and she was wiped out from telling it and hearing it twice in one night. She wondered if her father had been drained too, talking about it again after the long stretch of time must have been difficult for him.
"Remington, I'm not got at this. I'm confused, about what I should do, what I should feel." Laura admitted.
"Well, what does your heart tell you?"
"I dunno, that I shouldn't discount what he's said but..."
"It's hard not to after all these years?" Remington finished.
"Sort of." Laura replied. "What...how did you deal with finding out the truth about Daniel? Was it hard? Forgiving him?"
Remington was thoughtful for a moment as he pondered Laura's question. "You weren't there when I found out, I didn't take it that well at all. In fact I throw the watch he'd gave me at his feet and stormed out. Mildred found me some time later and gave me one of those Krebbs pep talks. She helped me see things in a different perspective. Finding out the truth about Daniel was like a solid knock in the middle. It took the wind out of me and left me bewildered and in pain, but eventually I got offer my feelings of hurt and disbelief and I forgave him. It wasn't easy Laura, there was still some residual animosity left over, that's never fully receded but I knew in my heart I had to accept the truth, accept him."
"It hurts." Laura said hugging her middle. "I'm so confused and I don't like the feeling of utter desolation I feel. It's like I'm living it all over again. Like when he'd first left."
Remington reached out and touched her cheek. "Laura I wish I could take the hurt away for you but I can't. It's something you'll work through eventually. Of that I have no doubt. You will come out of this like you always do; on top." Remington smiled.
Laura was thoughtful for awhile and then she leaned forward and into Remington's arms. He encircled her in a warm embrace and kissed her hair. She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent. Remington rubbed her back softly and Laura sighed heavily as she felt the tension she'd been holding dissapate.
"You'll forgive him, I know you will." Remington said quietly.
"I know, but it isn't an easy thing to do. I've hated him for so long and now he's here, extending the olive branch and..."
"And you'd love to throw it back in his face," Remington surmised.
"Part of me really does." Laura said ruefully.
"I felt that too Laura, believe me it goes away. You realize that no matter what happened, you can't live in the past. True that it adds to you're foundation, but it doesn't completely define who you are."
Remington wiped the tear pooling at Laura's right eye with his thumb. He kissed the bridge of her nose and then her lips. Laura wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
"You are incredible," Laura sniffed.
"I suppose I'd have to be for you to love me wouldn't I?" Remington chuckled.
"I guess it does take a lot to get under the Holt defenses doesn't it?" Laura smiled.
"Does it? Hmm. Haven't noticed." Remington said seriously and then laughed when Laura poked him in the ribs.
###
Francis was hovering over her cream sauce when she heard the doorbell. She called out for Donald or one of the kids to answer it without breaking a stride in rotating her wooden spoon. She only looked up when she heard a familar voice from the door.
"Hello Francis,"
"Laura! Goodness it's great to see you, I'm glad you came! I wasn't sure you would but I made enough food anyway. I was hoping you'd change your mind. Is Remington with you?" Francis threw over her shoulder while eyeing her sauce.
"Yes, Danny's already snagged him and is showing him the new tires he put on the rabbit." Laura said smiling.
"Oh that boy and his car.
I tell you Laura he's still singing your praises about giving him your old car.
I swear he is almost proud of how many times it's been wrecked, mangled..."
"Shot at." Laura finished.
"Please don't remind me." Francis said shuddering.
"Uh Francis, has...has Richard arrived yet?" Laura uneasily.
"Yes dear, he's out in the back yard. Why don't you go out and tell him dinner will be ready in ten minutes." Francis said finally lowering her spoon and looking at her sister.
"Sure." Laura said and walked past Francis and out the side door.
Richard sat on the wrought iron bench staring at his shoes. He had been overcome with emotion at finally meeting his grandchildren and though he'd spent the last three days getting to know them, it still made his heart constrict everytime he saw them or they smiled at him.
###
Abby, you must have loved them to rotten. They remind me of how Francis and Laura were when they were little. So full of energy and love. I can't believe how much I've missed being a grandfather. I know you sent me pictures of them through the years but still...nothing can compare to being with them face to face.
"Hello Richard." Laura said hesitantly.
"Laura," Richard breathed and stood up. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you walk up. Must've been daydreaming." Richard said looking at his daughter with partially disguised delight.
"It's ok. Can we sit a moment?" Laura said quickly.
"Sure, sure Laura." Richard said and motioned for her to sit first.
Laura said and put her hands under her knees. Richard noted the movement and revelled at how much she had, but hadn't changed over the years. Some things she did still reminded him of the sixteen year old Laura.
"Francis said dinner will be ready in ten minutes." Laura repeated.
"Ok. I'm...I'm really glad you came Laura. I didn't think you would." he admitted.
"I know. I didn't think I would either but in the end, I had to." Laura confessed. "Look Richard, I can't say that I fully understand what happened all those years ago or that I agree with you and mother's course of action. But I'm...after a great deal of thought I've decided that I can't dismiss it or you out of hand. You were right, I may not like it but it's the truth and I've accepted it."
Richard had been holding his breath and slowly released it when Laura finished her sentence. "Thank you Laura." Richard said shakily.
"I should be thanking you. For the sacrifice you made leaving and for the risk you took coming back."
"I just wish it could've been sooner." Richard said sadly.
"You're talking about mother aren't you?"
"Yes, I just wish I could've been here before she died. Vestry took everything from us, didn't he, and he got away scott free! The thought of him escaping accountability for all the things he's done, hardens me." Richard said, bitingly.
"I know, but if we don't repair the past, all the damage he's done, he'll win. I for one don't like to lose." Laura replied, smiling slowly.
"A trait you got from your mother, no doubt." Richard returned her smile.
"I don't know about that. From the way mother told it, it's a trait I got from my father." Laura smiled, standing and extending her hand.
Richard rose and slowly put his hand in hers. The contact, the first since he'd arrived, almost brought him low. He felt his eyes mist up. Inwardly, he rejoiced that his heart could finally release its long contained emotion.
"Shall we go in to dinner?" Laura said, with feeling.
"Yes, I think we should," Richard replied, squeezing her hand.
As they walked back toward the house, Richard turned to his daughter. "Remarkable man, your Mr. Steele. Seems like a competent fellow, and a hell of a detective. Wherever did you find him?"
Laura couldn't suppress her laugh, or the feeling of budding happiness. "It's a long story Dad. A real, long story."
The End