Enlightening Reunion

[Panda Bear]

Chapter 1

Edna Garrett Gaines had been waiting for hours upon hours for her surprise. It was her birthday and her husband Bruce had told her that he was going to give her the world's best present, but it was a surprise so he wouldn't say exactly what the world's best present was.

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Bruce Gaines had taken forever to set up this present for his beloved wife. She had gone five years without seeing her girls and today she would, he had gotten all of them to agree to a weeklong reunion. He had immediately gotten three of the girls and their families to agree the fourth worried him. Blair was coming, but it had been very difficult to get her there. Bruce had yet to even talk to her. He had spent two hours talking to her husband Don. Don Westland was not an easy man to talk to; Bruce wondered how Blair put up with having to live with him.

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Tootie Ramsey Williams was getting her family ready to meet the once four most important women in her life. The last time she had seen them had been at Natalie's wedding to Snake Jennings, five years earlier. The same day that she met Blair's husband, Tootie couldn't stand him. He had spent the entire night making snide comments about the fact that it was Natalie's wedding day and she already had two children. Tootie knew that Blair adored Natalie's two children three year old Samantha and three week old Nathan, but she had said nothing to her husband. As a matter-of-fact, she had spent the whole night hanging on every single word that came out of Don's mouth. It worried Tootie that Blair didn't light up the room anymore, but she attributed it to the fact that Blair had just found out that she was pregnant, and didn't feel well. Oh well, she had to get seven year old Jessica and six year old Dennis ready to meet their Grandma Garrett, Aunt Natalie, Aunt Jo, and hopefully Aunt Blair. Unfortunately, during the wedding they were staying with their Grandma Williams due to a nasty bout of chickenpox.

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Natalie Jennings was starting to get very, very impatient. She was ready to get going she wanted to see her family already. Natalie wanted to see Bruce and Mrs. Garrett-they all knew that it was Gaines but couldn't stop the habit; Jeff, Tootie, Jessica, and Dennis; Rick, Jo, Rikki, and Joey; and of course Blair, Kalle, and Jayden. The only person that she didn't want to see was Don, but seeing as Blair didn't go anywhere without him, she decided that she should just be grateful that Don was going to let her come and bring the children. Natalie didn't even know what Blair's children looked like, Don wouldn't let her, or any other member of Blair's Eastland family near them. Natalie didn't push it, she knew better. She knew that Blair had sent everybody, pictures of Kalle right after her birth, she also remembered the next days headline:
MANHATTAN SOCIALITE HEIRESS IS HOSPITAL
AFTER UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT OCCURS IN HOME.
She never said it out loud, but Natalie always suspected that the “accident” had a name Donald Oliver Westland. Blair had in a lot of ways been Natalie's big sister, then Don should up and Blair isolated herself from everyone it was disconcerting. The only had three things left of Blair: memories, a picture of a newborn Kalle, and a picture of a newborn Jayden. Natalie also knew that Blair was pregnant again, she only hoped that Don would allow them to be there for Blair with this baby. The one thing that made Natalie proud, was that as much control as Don had, Blair had still managed to send them another picture this time of her son Jayden as a newborn.

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Jo Polniaczeck-Bonner couldn't believe what he was hearing; Blair Warner was actually going to show up. Jo knew that Blair went by Blair Westland now, but she also knew that Don was a creep so unless it was absolutely necessary Jo was going to call her by Warner. She still couldn't believe what Blair had gone and married, okay she was going to stop thinking about Don and focus on the fact that she was going to get to see her best friend again. Now all she had to do was survive the car ride with her nine-year-old daughter Erica, and eight-year-old son Joseph. Luckily, her third child aka her husband Rick was sick and had taken some Nyquil. Rick had thought Dayquil was better, but she had reminded him that he had been up all night coughing, and Nyquil always knocked him out so this way he could catch up on that night of lost sleep. Plus, Rick was by nature a hyper person so he couldn't stand being cooped up in the car, this way he didn't have to put up with the small space and she didn't have to put up with him climbing the walls. Now all she had to do was conduct the inspection and confiscate all fake vomit, whoopee cushions, and other contraband that Rick and Joey may have decided to try and bring, and they'd be off.

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

Blair Westland couldn't wait; Don was going to allow her to go home. She would finally be able to show off her two treasures her four year old daughter Kalle and her two year old son Jayden. Blair was even happier because she was due any day now so they may even get to meet Olivia. Now all she had two do was finish getting ready. She quickly put on her turtleneck and took out her concealer so that she could start covering up the bruise on her face; the turtleneck would cover up the rest. She still couldn't believe what had happened. She had gone to the doctor for her sonogram, the doctor had told her congratulations you're having a girl, she had come home, told Don, and gotten beaten up for the baby not being a boy. Oh well, at least she would be able to see her family and they would meet Kalle, Jayden, and possibly Olivia. She was just glad that she had finally earned Don's forgiveness, for this meant that they wouldn't meet her charming, kind, and loving husband. She knew that she got hit because he loved her and just wanted to protect her, but she also knew that the rest wouldn't understand that she always deserved everything that he did to her.



[This message has been edited by Panda Bear (edited 08-01-2001).]

[Ryanmo97]

This is Great! When it's finished I Would like to put it on my website.

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Check out the Internet's Number 1 Web Site dedicated to Fan Fiction for the TV Series "The Facts of Life"@
http://www.geocities.com/ryanmo97/FOLFF/FOLFF.html

[Panda Bear]

Thank-you very much for the words of encouragement, this is my first fan fiction so I was very nervous about what kind of reception it would get. I have visited your site many times and am flattered that you would want to post my story on your site. I just hope that the rest is well received. Once more Thank-you.

~Panda Bear

[ZeldaGilroy]

Excellent!!! Keep going. I can't wait to read more!

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

ditto facts fan!!

[Panda Bear]

Thank-you, all for the encouragement. I should have Chapter 2 up and running tonight.

~Panda Bear

[Panda Bear]

Chapter 2

Edna was starting to get anxious she wanted to know what was going on immediately. Bruce had started making phone calls about two hours before, four phone calls to be exact. Edna’s curiosity had been going wild ever since. The fourth call had especially piqued her interest; Bruce had risen his voice more than once at whom ever was on the other line, although he quickly quieted it to avoid her hearing him.

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Bruce was livid. He had noticed that Edna was getting antsy about two hours earlier, so he had started calling the girls to check arrival times. Everything was going perfectly until, he called Don who started to suggest that Blair may not be there; Bruce could hear Blair begging in the background, after half an hour Don relented and said that they would be there by eight o’clock. The man was quite simply the most infuriating human being on the face of this Earth. Suddenly, Bruce realized that it was already 6:45, and the girls would be arriving any minute now.

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At 6:55 PM, Tootie Ramsey Williams saw the most beautiful thing that she had ever seen. She just couldn’t help but cry as they drove up, to the house where she had grown up, to the house where her second mother lived. Jeff didn’t realize just how home sick she had been, until she ran out of the car full speed ahead before he had even had a chance to fully stop the car. Both Jessica and Dennis, looked up at their father at the exact same time astonished, never in their lives had they seen their normally very grown up mom be as happy as they got on Christmas. Whatever was inside that house must be the world’s most fantastic gift.

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At seven o’clock on the dot, Edna heard the doorbell ring. She looked back at Bruce.

Edna: Bruce, who could that, is?

He simply smiled.

Bruce: Edna, darling open the door. A part of your present has just arrived.

Edna opened the door and looked, there looking back at her with tears in her eyes was Tootie, and standing behind her were Jeff with Jessica and Dennis. Edna felt glued in place, and when she woke from the daze she took Tootie into a hug and stayed there for a moment. Finally, a fully functional Tootie came in and so did her family.

Edna: Tootie, I can’t believe that you’re actually here.
Tootie: Well, Mrs. Garrett I had to be here for your birthday. We’ve let ourselves get to separate by distance; it’s time that stopped. I want my kids to know the woman that I consider a mother and therefore their grandmother.

Edna: Speaking of kids, isn’t time that I got introduced.

Tootie: Of course, what was I thinking? This is my daughter Jessica Anne Williams; she’s seven years old and quite the little actress.

Edna: Hi Jessica, do you know that you look just like your mommy?

Jessica: Yes m’am, I do.

Tootie: This young man here is my son Dennis Jefferson Williams; he’s six years old and he loves to roller skate.

Edna: So Dennis, do you have your own roller-skates?

Dennis: Yes m’am, but they’re baby skates. My mom says that I’m too young, for anything other than my Fisher Price Skates. They’re no fun, you can’t really do anything with them, and I want real skates.

Edna: Tootie you know, I remember your mother telling me that she got you your first pair of real skates on your sixth birthday. Dennis is already six so don’t you think that he might be old enough for real roller-skates. I just thought that I’d mention it.

Dennis: Yeah, mom. When can I get my skates?

Tootie: Thanks, Mrs. Garrett.

Edna: Hey, I’m just being a grandmother.

[Joanna Marie_1]

AWESOME post more!

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"As any of the local bartenders can tell ya, I'm a sympathetic ear" ~ Jinny Exstead

"Your born and you die pretty much the same person, all the rest is just window dressing" ~ Jinny Exstead

"People...isnt that just the craziest word u ever done heard?" ~ me *LOL*

[Ryanmo97]

Originally posted by Joanna Marie_1:
AWESOME post more!

I Second!



------------------
Check out the Internet's Number 1 Web Site dedicated to Fan Fiction for the TV Series "The Facts of Life"@
http://www.geocities.com/ryanmo97/FOLFF/FOLFF.html

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

This is sooooo Awesome!As I said about another fan fic, I'm dying here post more!!

[This message has been edited by Charlotte Rae Fan (edited 08-03-2001).]

[BlairandJo]

OOOOOOOOO I like.Wait...not like...Love;o)
This is great;o)

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

I can't wait I think I'm die!

[Panda Bear]

I'm sorry, I've been suffering from writer's block on this particular chapter, but it's almost done; I should have it up tonight.

~Panda Bear

[Panda Bear]

Chapter 3

Edna and Tootie couldn’t get over how great it was to be back together. Tootie had also given up all hope that her children would grow up unspoiled; Grandma Garrett was going to make sure that those two children had everything that their little hearts could possibly desire.

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Natalie arrived at 7:05, but waited ten minutes before ringing the doorbell; she had to make sure that her family was presentable before Mrs. Garrett saw them. It was important to Natalie that this woman who had been basically her mother for nine years get the best possible impression of her children.

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At 7:15, Edna heard the doorbell ring. She looked at Tootie. Edna knew full well that Tootie knew what was going on, but Tootie just smiled and feigned innocence. So, Edna opened the door, and there was Natalie with her family. Edna took all four of them into her arms, then she saw Natalie look behind her. Edna cried as she saw Natalie and Tootie finally reunited. She looked to Bruce, and he simply told her that Natalie was part two of her present. Edna thought that she knew, what the rest was, but she dared not hope. She simply ushered everyone in to sit and share.

Edna: Natalie, I want updates. I want them now; I haven’t seen your kids in five years so spill it.

Tootie: Yeah, Natalie. It’s time to spill it.

Natalie: You too, I haven’t even met your kids, but to show just how gracious I am, I’ll go first. Okay, you guys remember Samantha Natalie Jennings. She is now eight years old and absolutely adores horseback riding.

Edna: Hello, Samantha.

Samantha: Hi, Grandma. It’s me, where’s my hug and my kiss and my cookie.

Edna: Oh, honey. Come here right now for your hug and kiss, and then march yourself into the kitchen for a cookie. I didn’t think that you remembered me.

Samantha and Edna hug.

Samantha: Of course, I remember you Grandma. I just wanted to give Mommy her turn for hugs and kisses first.

Edna: Oh, I’ve missed you. Now go eat.

Samantha goes into the kitchen, but first stops and gives her Aunt Tootie a hug and a kiss.

Tootie: Natalie, she is just the sweetest thing. Now, this young man cannot be baby Nathan.

Natalie: Yes, it can and it is. This is my baby Nathaniel Samuel Jennings.

Nathan: Mommy, am I in trouble?

Natalie: No, why sweetheart?

Nathan: Mommy, you only say Nathaniel Samuel Jennings when you’re mad at me, I’m Nathan when you’re happy.

Natalie: Nathan, baby, I was just formally introducing you. Now, why don’t you go give Grandma Garrett and Aunt Tootie a hug and a kiss, and then you can go have a cookie with Samantha.

Nathan goes and hugs and kisses Edna and Tootie, so that he can join his sister.

Snake: Honey, Bruce, Jeff, and I have been just sitting here; would you mind if we went outside to talk while you ladies catch up?

Natalie: No problem here.

Tootie: Or here.

Edna: Or here either.

The men leave.

Tootie: Okay, Nat. Tell us about Nathan.

Natalie: Well, he just turned five, and he absolutely adores soccer, and can’t stand being called Nathaniel as you can see. Now, Tootie your turn introduce me to the two that are hiding, behind you and Mrs. Garrett.

Tootie: Okay, kids. Front and Center.

Jessica and Dennis reluctantly come out of hiding.

Tootie: Natalie, this is Jessica Anne, she’s seven; and this is Dennis Jefferson, he’s six.

Natalie: Hi, guys.

Tootie: Jessica, Dennis this is your Aunt Natalie.

Jessica and Dennis: Hi, Aunt Natalie.

Natalie pulls them both into a hug, and says now can I see smiles; by the time that she’s done with them they can’t stop laughing and feel completely comfortable with her. They can’t get over the fact that they have an Uncle Snake, and two cousins close to their age.

Natalie: Okay, you two time to meet my two. Samantha, Nathan come in here please.

Samantha and Nathan come in from the kitchen.

Natalie: Samantha, Nathan these are your cousins Jessica who’s seven, and Dennis who’s six. Jessica, Dennis these are your cousins Samantha who’s eight, and Nathan who’s five.

All of the kids said hi, and instantly hit it off. They all went upstairs to play with their toys.

[This message has been edited by Panda Bear (edited 08-04-2001).]

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

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

AWESOME!!I can't wait 4 more!