"Ghosts of the Past"

Chapter Eighteen – "Epilogue by Annie"

By: purpleu

Hello, everyone! This is Mrs. James Wilson… otherwise known as Annie. Sorry for being a little silly, but I just love my new name! James and I are so happy… and so busy. I was hoping that everything would quiet down a bit now that the wedding is over, but I was wrong. I'm getting ready for the Holiday Concert with the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra, and the concert that the college is presenting. And then there are finals to worry about… well, giving them not taking them. I'm long past that… and no, I'm not going to say by how much. Geez, you guys are sounding like Greg! Oh, and of course the baby! I'm due May 17th, but with my health issues, he or she will probably make their grand entrance somewhere in April. As long as everything goes well, anytime is fine with me. By the way, we have picked names… and they're a secret!

The wedding was just so perfect, even if the bad weather did keep Rabbi Freidman away; I think Reverend Bell did a beautiful job. I have to admit, one of the things I loved the most was seeing Ben, Elise, Lydia, and Greg all dressed up. The kids… they looked adorable as always. But Lydia and Greg… boy did they make a gorgeous couple! We have some beautiful pictures of everyone, but the ones of them… oh, I wish you could see them! And the ones Thomas took of them dancing to that Billy Joel song? I think they looked even more in love than James and I did in some of the pics! *Sigh* I'm so glad they're back together. I know deep in my heart, that they should one day follow James and me down the aisle… but that's not up to me. That's not even up to Lydia and Greg. You see, controlling all of our destinies is purpleu.

Now, she's an OK person, but sometimes, the stuff she puts us through… ARG! There are some lovely moments like James and I falling in love, and me finding out I was pregnant when I was told I couldn't have children. I like it when she writes things like that. But tell me the truth… did she really have to have James get shot and scare everyone half-to-death back in "Life and Limb?" And Lydia and Greg separating? Seriously? Well, I guess I can forgive her this time… everything did work out for the best. Now, though this story is over, and soon another will begin, purpleu has been kind enough to give me a sneak peek, which she said I could pass on to you. But I warn you… hold on to your hats! She's at it again!

The name of the next story is "To Have and Have Not." That's the name of an Ernest Hemingway novel that was turned into a great movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. As you may recall, Bogie and Bacall were Blythe's favorite movie couple; in fact, Greg read a passage from Miss Bacall's autobiography at Blythe's funeral. But what does all of this have to do with us? It's not so much the story behind the book and the movie, as it is the nature of the relationships we who inhabit purpleu's world have with each other. As the last story finished, we were all very happy. Scotty and Misty are helping to plan and design Greg and Lydia's new house; Scotty's uncle, Slick is working on opening up his jazz club, and Tom's doing a great job of helping prepare Greg for his operation. Everything seems good; we're all having a great life… but how long until it's not so great? What's going on with the Household, as I like to call Greg, Lydia, and the kids?

The story begins with a slow, relaxing weekend in New York City; the weekend and tickets to jazz concert were part of Lydia's Christmas present to Greg. But then surprising, happy events turn tragic, leaving Greg to once again question if he was ever really meant to be happy. Whether fueled by his instinct to protect his department and the people who work for him, or his misplaced anger at what life is dishing out to him, he lashes out at the wrong person in the wrong manner… endangering his status, and possibly his employment, at the hospital. The only way to protect both his personal and professional lives, is to engage some legal counsel. Gee, I wonder who that could be…

While purpleu can really put us through the ringer, in the end, things will be OK; or so she says. I just hope we have a happy ending to things. I told her if she needs any thoughts on the subject of how to make us happy, I have a really good suggestion… oh, well, we'll see what she does to us this time.

Purpleu is going to take a little break for the holidays, but she'll be bringing you the first chapter of "To Have and Have Not" around January 12th. I hope you're looking forward to it as much as I am. In the meantime, enjoy all of the holidays, and have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Love,

Annie (aka Mrs. James Wilson!)