Enlightening Reunion

[Panda Bear]

Chapter 4

Jo Polniaczeck-Bonner was starting to think that the drive was never going to end. She adored her kids, and knew that the drive had only been two hours; but even half an hour in the car with them was an eternity. Joey wouldn’t stop bugging Rikki, who was trying very hard to write in the journal. At the exact moment that Jo thought she’d lose it, she saw the promised land Mrs. Garrett’s house, a place with a big yard where everybody could do their own thing without crowding anybody else.

Jo: Okay, kids. We’re at grandma’s.

*********************************************

At 7:30, Edna once again heard the doorbell. Natalie and Tootie both saw how eager she was to open the door, and it warmed their hearts. Edna definitely was not expecting what happened when she opened the door. She opened the door and the next thing she knew, she had two children in her arms yelling, “Grandma, Grandma!” She had instantly recognized them as Rikki and Joey, Jo and Rick’s kids so she just held them. Edna suddenly looked up, and there leaning against the doorframe was Jo.

*********************************************

Jo had never seen anything more beautiful than her children in the arms of the woman that she considered her surrogate mother.

*********************************************

The moment that passed between Mrs. Garrett and Jo left both Natalie and Tootie speechless. At first neither Mrs. Garrett nor Jo moved, and then in a perfectly synchronized movement they walked into each other’s arms and just held in an embrace.

Edna: Come and sit down Jo.

Natalie and Tootie hug Jo.

Jo: Hi, guys.

Natalie and Tootie: Hey, Jo.

Edna: Jo, we’ve established a routine; it’s called update Mrs. Garrett on her grandchildren.

Jo: Will do. Guys come here. Well, Mrs. Garrett this here as you know is Erica Rose Polniaczeck-Bonner. She is now nine years old and loves to write, and I mean that this kid can spend hours in a corner writing in her journal.
Rikki: Grandma, I spent the whole drive writing on my story. Do you want to read it when I’m finished?

Edna: Of course, I do sweetie.

Natalie: Hi, Rikki.

Rikki: Hi, Aunt Nat. Is Samantha here?

Tootie: Rikki, Samantha is upstairs with Nathan, and my two. Why don’t you go up there Samantha can introduce you to Jessica and Dennis.

Rikki hugs Tootie and goes upstairs.

Joey: Wait for me!

Jo: Freeze. Come back here, you can go upstairs in a second.

Joey comes back.

Jo: This here is Joseph Charles Polniaczeck-Bonner. He is eight years old and loves to play baseball. He recently pitched a no hitter; he’s great at it.

Joey: Hi, everybody.

Natalie and Tootie: Hi, Joey.

Joey: Okay, Mom. Now can I go upstairs with the rest?

Jo: Yes, sir you may.

Edna: Jo, they’ve gotten so big.

Jo: I know, I can’t believe it myself. The only thing I know is that they can be quite a handful.

Natalie: Jo, where’s Rick?

Jo: He’s outside, I saw the other men out there and decided that, that was probably the perfect place to leave him. This way we can catch up all of the children under eighteen are upstairs, and all of the ones over eighteen are outside.

Tootie: I’m just so glad that Bruce got us all together.

This statement quiets the room, everyone gets very pensive. Jo starts to say something very softly.

Jo: We aren’t all together.

Edna: I wish Blair were here.

Natalie: I miss her.

Tootie: So do I.

.








[This message has been edited by Panda Bear (edited 08-08-2001).]

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

YOu can't stop there~!I'm gonna DIE, WHER'S BLAIR?????I'm so gonna die waiting for the rest!!!!!!

[Panda Bear]

Thanks, Charlotte Rae Fan, I'll have some more up soon. Blair's chapter is next.

~ Panda Bear

[Panda Bear]

Chapter 5

Bruce was starting to get worried it was already 7:45, Blair should be arriving soon; but she was no where in sight. If Don ruined this night for Edna, Bruce was going to teach Don what pain was.

*********************************************

Blair was leaning against the window crying, Don had hit her again. He was furious because she had forgotten to pack his cigarettes.

Don: Blair, I’m going to stop at this gas station to buy some cigarettes. It’s in your best interest to clean up.

Blair: Yes, dear.

Don: Now, that’s my girl. You just remember to behave yourself when we get to Edna’s house.

Don goes and gets his cigarettes, while Blair reapplies her make up and dries her tears. They get into the car, and Blair wakes up the kids who were asleep in the back seat. She wants to make sure that they looked absolutely angelic when Mrs. Garrett, Tootie, Natalie, and Jo saw them.

Jayden: Mommy.

Blair: Yes, baby.

Jayden: Are we there yet?

Blair: Not yet, but soon.

Kalle: How soon, Mommy?

Don: We’ll be there in fifteen minutes, princess. Now you two, I want you to let Mommy rest. She hasn’t seen your grandma or aunts in a long time, and her and the baby need to rest before she does.

Kalle and Jayden: Okay, Daddy.

Blair knew fifteen minutes later, that it would be hard to keep her secret. The exact moment was when she saw her home for the first time in five years, and the cars parked outside, and knew that her family was inside. She could never lie to them, but she had to lie, for her own good, she had to lie.

*********************************************

Bruce saw the car pull up and Blair inside of it, he thanked God that for once Don had been a decent human being.

*********************************************

At eight o’clock, Edna heard the doorbell ring once again. She hoped that it was who she thought it was, she knew that the girls did too, she could see it in their faces especially in Jo’s. She opened the door, it was the only way that she’d ever know. The second that she saw her the tears started to flow. Edna’s heart broke at seeing the broken spirit that Blair had hidden in her eyes.

*********************************************

Blair had thought that she could contain herself, but when she saw Mrs. Garrett she knew that it was impossible. Blair flew into Mrs. Garrett’s arms sobbing, she knew that she’d pay later when Don and her were alone, but right now she didn’t care. Blair’s day consisted in kissing boo-boos, and generally making life better for Don, Kalle, and Jayden, now it was her turn to have everything made better by her “Mommy” and she wasn’t giving that chance up.

*********************************************

Edna just held the trembling young woman in her arms and whispered to her.

Edna: It’s going to be okay, sweetie. I’m here now, and everything is going to be okay. I promise.

Edna wanted to kill the person that had done this to her sweet, strong Blair.

*********************************************

Jo, Natalie and Tootie watched the scene with tears in their eyes. They all knew that Blair didn’t have it easy, but they were starting to see that they had no idea just how bad things were for her.

*********************************************

Tootie had been angry at Blair for pulling away, but now she was starting to see that Blair had not voluntarily separated herself from the group.

*********************************************

Natalie had always suspected that things had gone horribly wrong for Blair and that Donald Oliver Westland was the name of all of her problems. She no longer suspected now she knew that he was the scum responsible for the change that had taken place in Blair.

*********************************************

Jo was the only one looking at Mrs. Garrett, she was seething. It looked like she was ready to teach Blair’s tormentor what true torment was. Jo was also the only one to see that Mrs. Garrett wasn’t seething alone, Don’s face was red with fury. Jo bit her tongue until she saw Don move toward Mrs. Garrett and Blair, then she stood up.

Jo: Don, I think it would be best if you went outside with the other men.

Don responded through gritted teeth.

Don: My wife is obviously upset, I think that I should stay and comfort her.

Jo: I think you should go outside. Now!

Jo hit her fist into her palm, to show Don that he should do as he was told. Don picked up the kids and started toward the door.

Jo: Leave the kids here, Don.

Don: I’m their father.

Jo: Put them down.

*********************************************

Don went outside to let his anger fester. Blair was going to pay for this humiliation, she was going to pay dearly; pregnant or not.

*********************************************

The second that Jo got rid of Don, and kept him from taking the kids Edna felt Blair relax in her arms. Edna then heard a little voice.

Kalle: Mommy, don’t cry.

Blair let go of Edna and picked up Kalle.

Blair: Okay, princess.

Kalle: You promise.

Blair: I promise.

Jayden: Mommy, it’s okay I’m a big boy, I’ll protect you if Daddy gets mad.

Blair’s heart broke at hearing the oath of her two year old son, to protect her. She knew that she had to get out for them, but Don was her life. Don loved her, the beatings were his way of showing it; and she loved him. She took his little chin in her hand.

Blair: I love you, baby.

Jayden: I love you, too.

Edna: Blair come and sit down your back must be killing you. I know that mine did, in the last stages of both of my pregnancies.

Blair: Thank-you, Mrs. Garrett.

Blair sat down and within seconds Kalle and Jayden had made themselves comfortable on her lap.

Edna: Blair, these two obviously adore you.

Blair: I’m very lucky, them and their soon to be born little sister are the most important people in my life.

Jo: So introduce us to them.

Blair: Mrs. Garrett, Tootie, Natalie and Joanna Marie, this is Kalle Marie Westland my little princess. She turned four month and started ballet, she loves it. Most parents can’t get their kids to practice, I can’t get her to stop. Kalle, this is your Grandma Garrett, Aunt Tootie, Aunt Natalie, and Aunt Jo. Can you say hi?

Kalle buries her head into Blair’s chest.

Kalle: Hi.

Jo comes over and squats down by Kalle.

Jo: Hi, Kalle. I’m your Aunt Jo. Did you know that you have cousins?

Kalle: Yes, m’am. My mommy told me that I had cousins.

Jo: Would you like to meet them?

Kalle: Yes, m’am.

Jo goes to the foot of the stairs.

Jo: Rikki.

Rikki comes down the stairs.

Rikki: Yes, m’am.

Jo: Could you and the rest of the kids come downstairs, Aunt Blair and your little cousins are down here.

Rikki: Aunt Blair is here! We’ll be right down.

Rikki, Joey, and Samantha come running down stairs and hug Blair. Jessica, Dennis, and Nathan just watch.

Jo: You three, come here.

All three come and sit on their moms laps.

Jo: Blair, you remember Rikki and Joey.

Blair: Of course, I do.

Natalie: And of course you remember Samantha, and this here is Nathan.

Blair: Nat, I can’t believe how big they are.

Tootie: And these are my two, Jessica Anne and Dennis Jefferson.

Blair: Tootie, they’re beautiful.

Jayden: Mommy, what about me?

Blair laughs.

Blair: Tootie, Natalie, Jo and Edna Ann this is my two year old son Jayden Andrew Westland. He has my love of painting, and is quite good with his finger paints, if I do say so myself. Jayden, this is your Grandma Garrett, Aunt Tootie, Aunt Natalie, and ...

Kalle: Aunt Jo

Kalle gets off of Blair’s lap, and goes to sit in Jo’s arms.

Jo: So, you do like me?

Kalle just hugs Jo, everyone knows that a special bond has just been formed. Jayden follows suit by jumping into Edna’s lap.

Jayden: Hi, Grandma.

Edna: Hi, baby.

Jo: And what about the one in the oven?

Blair: Well, Jo the one in the oven as you so eloquently put it is a little girl. She’s due any day now, her name is going to be Olivia Michelle Westland.

Edna: I hope that she comes in time for us to meet her.

Natalie: So do I.

Blair: I really hope so, I would feel so much better having her here in Peekskill, and recovering here at home.

Tootie: You know what it’s going to happen, I just know it.

Blair looks like she wants to cry again, but she stops herself. The others are worried. Blair realizes this and speaks up.

Blair: Okay, lets finish introductions. Kalle, Jayden these are your Aunt Tootie and Uncle Jeff’s kids, Jessica Anne and Dennis Jefferson Ramsey Williams.

Jessica and Dennis: Hi, Kalle. Hi, Jayden.

Blair: And these are your Aunt Natalie and Uncle Snake’s kids, Samantha Natalie and Nathaniel Samuel Jennings.

Samantha: Hi.

Nathan: Hi, you can call me Nathan.

Kalle gets a good look at Nathan.

Kalle: Hello, Nathaniel.

Blair: And last, but not least these are your Aunt Jo and Uncle Rick’s kids, Erica Rose...

Rikki: Rikki.

Blair: and Joseph Charles Polniaczeck-Bonner.

Joey: Joey.

Rikki decides that the adults look like they want to talk, without the kids.

Rikki: Hey, guys let’s go back upstairs. Kalle, Jayden do you want to come too.

Jayden: Yeah.

He gets off of Edna’s lap and takes Rikki’s hand.

Kalle: I want to stay with my Mommy.

Nathan: Come on, Kalle.

Nathan holds his hand out to her.

Kalle: I’d love to Nathaniel. We can play tea party with my new tea set, it’s in my back pack.

Kalle goes and gets her back pack.

Nathan: Let me get that for you.

Kalle: Thank-you.

They go upstairs hand in hand.

Rikki looks at her mother and laughs.

Jo: Rikki, you and the others better get up there, before those to elope.

Rikki and the other kids go upstairs.

Tootie: That’s so cute, they like each other.

Blair: Excuse me, but my baby’s only four years old.

Jo: I’m more worried about him.

Edna: I just hope that they wait many, many years to make you two in-laws.

Natalie: Let’s get of this subject of Nathan and Kalle years down the road...

Jo: Do you mean Nathaniel?

Tootie laughs.

Natalie: and on to the real subject.

Jo and Tootie quiet down.

Edna: Blair, what’s going on with you?

Blair: Mrs. Garrett, there are a lot of things that you wouldn’t understand.

Edna: Try me.

Blair: Well...


[This message has been edited by Panda Bear (edited 08-07-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Panda Bear (edited 08-08-2001).]

[Divisionbabe05]

You're leavin me there???? O no u cant do that! U HAVE to add more! PLEASE?!?!?!?!?

------------------
I am a Jineddy! A Jineddy is a person who wants Jinny and Teddy to be together! Morganne is a Jinanybody and a Carby, but thats ER...Dana just happens to be a JinMag, which is a lil strange, but o well...its interesting!

*People* Isnt that the craziest word u ever done heard? *LOL*

*Me, Morganne, and Dana are self appointed message board bad girls...we rebel against self appointed moderators...You know who you are!*

[ssgoalie8]

this is good nah this is great nope that's not it either it's awesome that's better. i can't wait for more

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-colleen-
**************
jinny: who in the hell are you?
***************
JO rocks!!!!!!!!
***************
J: i'm gonna loosen some teeth!
***************
AIM ssgoalie8 or nmkjo

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

NO!!!! You can't stop mid sentence!!!Isn't there like a law aginst that or something?!!I'm gonna DIE!!!!O my GOSH!!! This is sooooooooo good!!I can't wait for more!!It made me cry, well, kinda...

[This message has been edited by Charlotte Rae Fan (edited 08-07-2001).]

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

BTW I like the Blair chapters, cause they're dramatic.WAY TO GO!!

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*Blair:I just had another one of my brilliant ideas!
*************************
my e-mail is charlotte_rae_fan@yahoo.com e-mail me!!
*************************
I think that CHARLOTTE RAE is the BEST ACTRESS that EVER lived!!She is incredible!!SOMEDAY...I *WILL* meet HER!!
*************************
Roll out the red carpet...here comes the princess!
*************************
I hate long quotes so I'll stop after my next one!(my favorite is next!)
*************************
Tootie:WE ARE IN TROUBLLEEEEE!!!!
*************************

[Panda Bear]

Chapter 6

Edna: Well?

Blair: Look, Mrs. Garrett we’re married we have good times and bad times. Okay.

Jo: No, it isn’t.

Natalie: Just how bad is bad?

Blair starts to whisper.

Blair: Really bad, but I can’t tell you what’s wrong, I just can’t. Please don’t make me.

Tootie: Whatever’s wrong Blair you can tell us.

Blair voice starts to crack.

Blair: Everything’s fine, it's no big deal. You all know how I exagerate.

Natalie: Blair, don’t lie. If everything was fine and it were no big dea, you wouldn’t have flown into Mrs. Garrett’s arms sobbing uncontrollably.

Edna: Don’t think that we missed Jayden’s remark, either. Why does he have to protect you if Daddy gets mad? What exactly happens when Daddy gets mad?

Blair closes her eyes and looks just about ready to confess when Bruce walked in.

*********************************************

Edna saw Blair jump when the door opened. She was getting angrier by the moment, she knew that Blair jumped out of fear that it might be Don and that he might here what she said.

*********************************************

Bruce was sorry when he entered the house. It was obvious that something important had been about to happen, when he showed up. He hoped that the last part of his gift made up for the interruption.

Bruce: Edna, now that you’ve had a little time with your girls; I’m going to give you another part of your gift. Guys come back in, you need to hear this too; it involves you and is impossible without your cooperation.

Rick: What is it, Bruce?

Bruce: Edna, do you remember when I told you that my friend Earl was going out of town for two weeks?

Edna: Yes.

Bruce: Well, before he left I asked him to lend me his apartment for this week. He agreed. If the guys are willing. The five of us will stay over there; you five can stay here with the kids and stay up all night talking if you want. So, what do you say guys.

Jeff and Snake: Sure.

Don: I don’t know, Blair seemed upset earlier. I don’t want to leave her alone here.

Rick: The girls will take care of her don’t worry.

Blair goes and raps her arms around Don, knowing that he wants to tell her something privately.

Blair: Honey, I’m sorry if I worried you. I was just a little overwhelmed. Don, you know how emotional I get when I’m pregnant, and then to see Mrs. Garrett and the others for the first time in a long time, it just kicked my hormones into high gear.

Don: If you’re sure, I don’t want you to over due it.

Edna: Donald we won’t allow anything to happen to Blair.

Jo: That’s right.

Don: Okay.

He holds Blair close and whispers in her ear.

Don: Blair, you’re already in trouble. Don’t make it harder on yourself, and behave. May be, just may be if you keep your mouth shut I’ll go easier on you.

Don lets go, and speaks out loud.

Don: I love you, sweetheart. I’ll see you tomorrow.

While Don was putting on his act, the other men were saying good-bye to their wives.

Bruce: Come on Don, let’s go.

All five men leave, and Blair sighs a sigh of relief.

Edna: Okay, sleeping arrangements. The boys can sleep in my room, the girls can sleep in Tootie and Natalie’s old room, and we can stay up all night in Blair and Jo’s old room.

Blair: It’s a deal, let me just get the kids down for the count.

Once all of the kids were in bed, and the junk food was out. The girls sat down to talk.

Jo: Come on, Blair take off your make-up and put on your pajamas, everyone else has.

Blair hesitates, causing everyone to become suspicious.

*********************************************

Blair immediately notices the other’s suspicions, and knows deep down inside that she has to make some decisions and now. She can either avoid the truth, or she can go change and let them try to understand her reality. Blair decides to go change, and thinks to herself, “ I’ve got some explaining to do, we’ll see just how much they understand when they see without my make-up and long-sleeved turtle neck.”

*********************************************

Blair came out of the bathroom and they all gasped. She had bruises all over.

*********************************************

Tootie didn’t know what to think anymore. She had never in a million years thought that Blair would end up like this, anybody but Blair Nicole Warner. Blair had always been so confident, thought that she was perfect; how did this happen?

*********************************************

Natalie was devastated. This couldn’t happen. She knew one thing for sure, if it was the last thing that she did she would get Blair out. She wouldn’t leave Peekskill, until it was accomplished and Blair was with one of them. Blair had always been there to save her when she was in trouble, now Natalie was going to save Blair; no ands, ifs, or buts about it.

*********************************************

Jo wanted only one thing, she wanted five minutes alone with Don Westland. She was going to kill him for what he’d done to Blair. She’d start by giving him identical bruises to Blair’s, one by one. She would make sure that he paid dearly for what he’d done.

*********************************************

Edna was having trouble keeping the tears in. It just wasn’t right; Blair shouldn’t be living this. This was something that Edna couldn’t make all better, and it angered her.

*********************************************

Blair could taste the anger in the room, and knew that she had to say something and now.

Blair: Guys, he’s a wonderful husband.

Jo: No, he isn’t! He beats you that isn’t being a wonderful husband.

Edna: Sweetie, you have to leave him.

Blair: No, I can’t, I won’t.

Tootie: Why not?

Blair: I knew that the four of you would never understand.

Natalie: What is it that we don’t understand?

Blair: He loves me.

Edna: That isn’t love, when someone loves you they don’t beat you.

Blair: It isn’t like that.

Tootie: Then explain it to us.

Blair: He hits me, when I do something bad. He cares what kind of wife, mother, and woman I am. If he didn’t love me, he wouldn’t care what kind of person I was.

Jo: That’s bull, Warner, and you know it.

Blair starts to get really upset and by this time is screaming.

Blair: Westland, Jo! Donald Oliver Westland loves me, me and only me! I thank God for everyday that I’m with him! He loves me!

Natalie stands up and goes over to Blair. She puts her arms around her.

*********************************************

Blair felt Natalie’s arms around her and fought it, but after awhile she couldn't, it just felt so good to be held.

*********************************************

Natalie sat down with her sobbing friend and just held her.

Blair: He loves me, Nat. He really does love me.

Natalie: Shh, Shh. Let it all out, sweetie. It’s going to be okay.

*********************************************

Natalie held Blair until she fell asleep.

Natalie: This stops now.

Tootie: She’s a grown woman, we can’t force her to leave him. We can do our best to open her eyes, but in the end it has to be her decision.

Edna: Tootie, we can’t let her leave with him. Don has to be stopped, before this situation gets any worse.

Jo: Don’t worry, Mrs. G. Blair isn’t leaving with him. I won’t let that happen, and that’s a promise. Don Westland’s reign of terror will be over before the week is out. I don’t care what it takes; Blair will open her eyes and file for divorce. Blair Westland is going to leave soon and we our going to get Blair Warner back. Kalle and Jayden are never going to have to worry about protecting their mommy, from their daddy’s anger again.

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

This is soooooooooooooo awesome!!!!i am not exagerating,it's really awesome!!!!post more asap!!!

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*Blair:I just had another one of my brilliant ideas!
*************************
my e-mail is charlotte_rae_fan@yahoo.com e-mail me!!
*************************
I think that CHARLOTTE RAE is the BEST ACTRESS that EVER lived!!She is incredible!!SOMEDAY...I *WILL* meet HER!!
*************************
Roll out the red carpet...here comes the princess!
*************************
I hate long quotes so I'll stop after my next one!(my favorite is next!)
*************************
Tootie:WE ARE IN TROUBLLEEEEE!!!!
*************************

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

I'm DYING!!POST MORE, I LOVE IT!!

[FOL_lover]

this is awesome!!! i be in need of more!!! Now!!! (or whenever is convenient for you, just as long as i get it)

[Panda Bear]

Charlotte Rae Fan and FOL_lover, thank-you for the replies. I'm working on the next chapter, but I have a little bit of writer's block. This chapter is going to deal with two things Blair's assault, I say assualt because he's going to do more than just beat her. The other thing is the girls guilt when her kids find her, they promised that they'd protect Blair and her kids, but they took the kids to the park. While they were at the park Don had his way with Blair. That is a summary, but I don't know how to start it; right now I only have the outline.
All suggestions are welcome.

~ Panda Bear

[FOL_lover]

ooohhhh, i love your idea! can't wait!!!!

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

Sounds good, but I'm like you, I don't know how to start it!I can't wait for it though!I'm sure you'll find a way to work it out.It sounds so good I can't wait!!

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*Blair:I just had another one of my brilliant ideas!
*************************
my e-mail is charlotte_rae_fan@yahoo.com e-mail me!!
*************************
I think that CHARLOTTE RAE is the BEST ACTRESS that EVER lived!!She is incredible!!SOMEDAY...I *WILL* meet HER!!
*************************
Roll out the red carpet...here comes the princess!
*************************
I hate long quotes so I'll stop after my next one!(my favorite is next!)
*************************
Tootie:WE ARE IN TROUBLLEEEEE!!!!
*************************