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Date Posted: 21:59:19 08/17/01 Fri
Author: Lacy
Subject: A Far Greater Treasure--Part 04

A Far Greater Treasure—Part 04

By Lacy

I know, I take too long with these chapters, but what can I say? Real life interferes. Hope y’all enjoy this!

Carrie dried her hands on the dishtowel and sank into the nearby chair, relieved at last to have the dishes done. Sami and Brandon had left only a few minutes ago and now that the kitchen was clean, all she wanted was to fall into bed and sleep until noon tomorrow. She reached up and rubbed the back of her neck.

“Hey gorgeous…tired?” came Mike’s voice. A smile crossed her lips. Even after all these years, he could make her feel better with just a few words.

“Yeah, a little. I didn’t feel very good all day today.”

“You going to be ok, babe?”

“I’ll be fine…I’m told this goes with the whole pregnancy thing.”

Mike walked to kneel in front of her, looking her in the eye and holding her face. “Princess, I’m sure everything’s fine, but don’t ever hesitate to call your obstetrician…or me. You know I’m never too busy for you.”

“I know, Mike. It’s just morning sickness that lasts a little too long. It will pass.” They sat in silence for a moment and Carrie leaned forward, letting her head rest on his shoulder, relaxing as his arms slipped around her. “How was your day? I didn’t get to ask with Sami and Brandon here.”

“My day was good; I see you managed to make it through another day of decorating without going crazy.”

Carrie smiled. “Sami’s good…I’ll give her that. But the sooner she’s done and this can just be our house with no decorator’s here at seven in the morning the better.”

“Mmmm…I can’t wait. You know I think I’ve finally got everything I want in life. You complete me and I can’t imagine living without you, Carrie. But now that we are living in Salem with our family and friends everything is ten times as special…and the baby…” Mike placed his hand on her still-flat stomach. “I feel so blessed that God has given us the chance to be parents; you, Caroline Brady Horton, are going to be a spectacular mother.”

Carrie lifted her head to look at him. “And you, Michael Horton, are going to be a great dad.” She pulled him to her and their lips met in a tender kiss. “I love you, Mike.”

“And I love you, Carrie.” They smiled; they didn’t move for what seemed like forever—neither wanted to break the magic this moment held. But Mike couldn’t help smiling when Carrie at last yawned. “Come on, hon…let’s get you to bed.” He picked her up and despite her protests carried her up the stairs and to their room. He crawled in bed beside her and held her close until at last her breathing became deep and regular and her eyes closed. Leaning forward he kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, Carrie,” he whispered.

~*~*~*~

Jeremy scanned the crowd at the bowling alley until he at last caught sight of Belle waving to him; cracking a relieved smile he waved back and hurried to join the group of young people. The round of introductions began: Belle, Shawn, Phillip, Chloe, and Brady. Belle, glancing at her watch, said that one person still wasn’t here but they were starting the game anyway since she was notoriously late. Jeremy didn’t say much at first; he was the type who would just watch people when he first met them—he liked it that way. He learned a lot by just watching; for instance, it was obvious that Belle and Shawn were head-over-heels for each other. He couldn’t help but be reminded of the classic high-school-sweethearts-get-married scenario; those two were obviously made for each other. Now Phillip and Chloe, he noticed when returning to his seat after picking up a spare, were obviously together; he was all over her. But something wasn’t quite right with the picture. She seemed uneasy with his constant attention and something between them just didn’t click. Brushing the thoughts aside, Jeremy reminded himself that it was none of his business.

“Nice shot, there, Jeremy,” Brady said as he sat down.

“Well, you’re talking to a pro,” he replied haughtily. The group burst into laughter and he grinned. For a moment bowling was forgotten as laughter and jokes flew back and forth.

“Sorry I’m late guys,” came a voice from behind them. Everyone turned to see Mimi carrying her bowling shoes with an apologetic smile on her face.

“It’s ok, Meems,” Belle replied. “We didn’t plan on you being on time. Come here, there’s somebody I want you to meet. Mimi, this is Jeremy Horton. He’s Dr. Michael Horton’s son. Jeremy this is my best friend Miriam, whom we affectionately call Mimi.”

All Jeremy could do was stare; the most intense pair of brown eyes he had ever seen held his gaze. It was like in one of those movies when the hero and the princess meet and they can’t hear anybody or anything else. The hum of conversation, the sound of crashing pins, the noise of automated scoreboards…all of it dimmed into near silence. After what seemed like an eternity he managed to hold out his hand and stammer a hello. She smiled shyly back.

“Nice to meet you, Jeremy.”

*~*~*~*
Nicole took a drag on her cigarette, exhaling the smoke out into the crisp night air; letting the butt drop, she ground it out with her worn-out house shoes. She reached for her half-empty bottle of Corona that was sitting on the porch rail and gazed out into the night sky. How had she sunk so low? Only a few years ago she had been on top of the world…and then, one bad decision…one moment of pride…and she’d ended up here…almost thirty, living with her mother and son…and still all alone. All that kept her going some days was her pack of Marlboro’s and the promise of alcohol to wipe out everything after a hard day’s work. God…she hated herself. She hated that she was working for Sami Brady…she hated that Brandon was so happy with her…she hated the fact that Taylor was living good in Houston with a job as a physical therapist and a rich doctor boyfriend. She hated everyone…she was bitter. What had she done to deserve this? Letting a hot tear slide down one cheek she finished the bottle in one swallow. It felt good going down…her head sank back and she tried not to cry

*~*~*~*

“So you had to work as a janitor your entire senior year of high school?” Jeremy asked.

“Yep…taught me a lesson. Believe me, Chloe and I have been great friends ever since then. You don’t mess with her. She’s a tough girl. And I deserved it,” Mimi replied. She smiled at Jeremy.

“I just don’t believe you could be involved in something like that. You’re way too sweet.”

“Thanks, Jeremy, but I was a whiny brat back in the day. Now I keep it at a minimum—I only let you see that side after I really get to be good friends with you. Ask Belle.” She joked.

“Well, since everybody else left a long time ago that’s not possible at the moment. Let me drive you home; this place is closing down and I think they want us to leave.”

“That’s nice of you, really, but I drove here. Thanks for the offer though.”

Jeremy hesitated for a moment; deciding to go for it he blurted out, “Well, can I call you sometime?” His fingers tapped the tabletop nervously as he spoke.

She smiled; “I’d like that.”

*~*~*~*

TBC

Coming soon:

Nicole shares a secret with Carrie
A girl’s night out brings Carrie closer to family and friends
There’s trouble with one of Salem’s couples
Sami’s engagement party
Mike reveals his secret project

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