Laughter is the Best Medicine ~ JR & Kathy

[Kathy Martin]

Kathy had waved goodbye to her dad as he dropped her off at the Chandler Mansion for a play date with her big brother. As she knocked on the front door she was let in by one of the maids who worked there, smiling and thanking her politely. She watched the woman walk off, before glancing around the front entrance and then noticing a door that lead to the next main living room.

“JR?” she called into the room softly as she turned the knob, and peeked inside. Noticing there was no one about she went over to the couch and took a seat down, getting comfortable as she waited anxiously for her older brother to arrive. Though after a few minutes she pulled her backpack off and brought out a book they’d assigned her to do for a book report at school and started flipping through the pages quietly. Hearing the sound of footsteps she looked up and started to put the book away...

[JR Chandler]

JR had just changed out of his suit, having gone in for a quick meeting at the office before his sister was due over. He changed into a much more relaxed pair of jeans and a polo shirt. He didn't need his little sister remembering him as a stuffy businessman. JR gave a sigh as he looked in the mirror, knowing he hadn't been the brother to her that he should have. He was always wrapped up in his own things that he hadn't spent as much time with her as he should have. Sure he saw her frequently when Kathy and AJ would have playdates, but he knew they needed more sibling bonding, time for just the two of them. He wasn't sure how many more times like this he'd have. He hoped it wasn't too late to give her some positive memories of her brother. He ran a hand over his still bald head, just another reminder he was still sick.

The maid knocked at his door. "Mr. Chandler, your sister is downstairs"

"Thanks...I'll be right there" He called out, taking another deep breath before heading downstairs. He smiled as he walked in and saw her sitting on the couch with a book. "Hey Kathy! I'm glad you were free today to come hang out! Whatcha reading?"

[Kathy Martin]

“JR!” Kathy exclaimed the moment her big brother appeared in the doorway, her smile of excitement showing in her eyes as well. She jumped off the couch and carried her book as she came to give him a tight but gentle hug. When she pulled back she smiled and then looked down at her book.

“It’s a Ramona book by Beverly Cleary,” she informed with a small nod, blonde pigtails bouncing, before slumping a little. “I have to write up a book report on it. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’ll do it. Oh! Oh! I have something for you!” She ran back over to her backpack and set the book aside, rummaging around until she found a picture she’d drawn at school and carefully unfolded it. She was at his side in a second and holding it up for him to see.

“That’s you and me,” she pointed out proudly at the stick figures on the page. “And then that’s mommy and daddy over there and Marissa and AJ beside you there. It’s a get well picture, I know you aren’t feeling very good, so I wanted to make it to help you feel better.” She smiled at him and then looked around the room for a minute, before back at him to see how he liked it.

[JR Chandler]

JR took his sister into his arms giving her a hug as she ran over to him. She seemed like she was getting bigger everytime he saw her. He briefly wondered if he'd get a chance to see what a beautiful young woman she'd become. He tried to quickly push that thought from his mind, knowing he needed to be positive around his sister.

"I'm sure you'll do a great job on the report, you're a smart kid, just like your big brother" JR said with a smile. He took the paper she and brought from and looked down as she explained who the people in the picture were. "Its a very nice picture, you're becoming quite the artist" He complimented her, feeling a bit choked up for a moment as she explained to him how she made it to try to help him feel better. "It's perfect, just the thing to help me feel better. I'm gonna keep it in my room so if I'm not feeling well I can just look at it and see all the people I have who love me and are waiting for me to get better" He told her, bending down and giving Kathy another hug. "Thank you Kathy"

[Kathy Martin]

“Just like you,” Kathy said with an agreeing nod and a smile at her big brother. She knew he was right and that she’d do a good job on the report, but it was the whole summer break part that put a halt on it. Why be inside doing homework when you could be outside playing? Or on a day like today being with her big brother? She didn’t see the point, though she’d promised both parents she’d get it done.

“Thank you,” she blushed at his compliment and put her hands behind her back as she continued to look up and see how he liked it. “I’ve been practicing.” Her smile grew as he explained how much he liked it and where he’d hang it.

“You’re welcome, JR,” she said quietly and hugged him back tightly before finally pulling back. “I’m glad you like it. You are feeling better, right? I hope. I want you to be better so we can play more, like the time you brought over the dollhouse.” That had been her first day moving into her dads home, and she’d been so excited to see him come over with Colby’s old dollhouse.

“What are we going to do today?” she asked him curiously. “This would be a big house to play hide and seek in... or... did you want to go do something? Like go to the park?”

[JR Chandler]

"You're welcome. And I can tell you've been practicing, it shows in your work. I bet you spent a lot of time on this one too" JR said knowing how meticulous his sister could be with her work at times and sure that she put forth the effort when it was something she wanted to give someone.

JR put on his best smile as she asked if he was feeling better. "Yeah kiddo, getting stronger every day." He said, hating to lie to her but also not being able to bear seeing her worry. Would she hate him someday if it turned out to not be true? "I'd really like it if we got to play more too. I promise you I'll make more time to spend with you. We didnt get to grow up in the same house like most brothers and sisters so we've got a bit of catching up to do"

"As for today, I was thinking it should be ladies choice" JR told her. "I cancelled all my appointments for work today so I've got nothing to rush off to. So if you want we can do a bit of everything today, hide and seek, the park, maybe grab some lunch, get some ice cream. Anything you like!"

[Kathy Martin]

“I did spend a long time on it,” Kathy agreed with a nod. “I had to make it the best for my big brother.” She smiled up at him and put her hands together in front of her as she listened attentively to what he said about getting better. “Every day? I hope so! I don’t like seeing you sick, but the doctors can help make it better, right? Then you’ll be better in no time!” She gave a nod as he told her about them having a lot of catching up to do.

“Could you come and live with me at the other house?” she asked him curiously. “Please? Then we wouldn’t have to be part so much, and AJ and Aunty Marissa can come too. We could bake cookies and draw things and I can try and help you feel better.” She fell silent as he spoke of today before her smile grew across her face and she beamed.

“I can choose?” she asked with surprise before looking around and then back to him. “But why did you cancel them all? Were they important? I’d like to do everything! Can we go get ice cream first? And... and.. do you remember when you showed me the magic trick? The one daddy had done for me before? Could you maybe teach me how to do it? I want to show daddy I learned a new a trick.” She paused for a moment, remembering the day she’d found out that Tad had been her dad all along, and the day Aunt Julia had passed away.

“JR?” she whispered quietly, looking down at the floor. “Do you think before we go for ice cream we can go see Aunt Julia’s grave and leave her flowers?” She looked back up at her brother, hoping this would be okay with him.

[JR Chandler]

"Its the doctor's job to make people better, and Ive got the best team possible working to help me" JR said, glad at least this part of what he was saying would be the truth for her. He hated lying, but watching her worry about him and be scared would be even worse.

He smiled as she asked if he could come live with her at her house."That does sound fun, but I think you guys might start running out of room. Besides, I've got a big old house here, and Colby and my Dad would be lonely if I took everyone out of it. But maybe you and I can do some sleepovers once in awhile, sometimes here, and sometimes at your house" He said knowing his mother and Tad wouldn't mind if he crashed on the couch sometime.

"They weren't that important, nothing that can't wait. I'd much rather be spending the day with you." He told her, nodding as she asked about ice cream first. "That sounds good...I think I could go for some hot fudge on top, or maybe sprinkles" He said nodding again as she asked about the magic trick. "Your Dad's better at those tricks than me, but I can do my best to show you"

JR was worried for a moment as he saw her face get more serious. He wondered if something was bothering her but then she spoke up about wanting to go see Aunt Julia's grave and leave flowers. "Yeah, of course we can stop there, I think that would be a nice thing to do for her"

[Kathy Martin]

“We can make room,” Kathy expressed with great interest, really wanting this to happen. “We can make a whole new house in the backyard so everyone can live there too.” As she listened to him explain things, she nodded, realizing it might not be such a good idea and not wanting to take her brother away from his dad and other younger sister. “I don’t want anyone to be lonely, but I like sleepovers! I’d like to do that.” She was excited for that, having JR around so they could play and sleepover, maybe even have tea parties and dress up.

“I’d rather be spending today with you then anybody else in the whole wide world,” she told him with a nod before she licked her lips and laughed. “Hot fudge, sprinkles and strawberries! That sounds really good.” She shrugged a little as he mentioned her dad being better at the tricks then him and then shook her head. “But you know the magic too, like daddy does, right? You showed me the coin one once and... and it was just as good as daddy did it.” Despite how much time had passed since Julia had died, the memory itself was still painful and sad, and it showed as she as she remembered it.

“I think she’d like that,” she said quietly, looking up at JR now. “She’s up in Heaven, making rainbows you know.” She smiled sadly before walking over and collecting her backpack and going back over to JR, reaching up and taking his hand. “Can we pick the flowers at the park to give her? I think she’d like them. I used to pick some for her all the time.” She looked towards the door before back at him and grinned. “Ready, big brother?”

[JR Chandler]

JR gave a light smile as Kathy excitedly spoke about the ways that it could work if he moved in with them. He was glad however that she seemed to understand that leaving here wasnt the best idea, but liked his idea instead of sleepovers. "I like sleepovers too. You know what my favorite parts are? Staying up late and pigging out on junk food all night"

"Yeah, I know some of the magic too, just like your dad ,and I bet we can impress him with something today" JR told her, knowing that Tad would probably see through any trick JR tried to teach Kathy, but also knowing that his stepfather would act amazed for the sake of his children.

JR gently set his hand on Kathy's shoulder comfortingly as she spoke about Julia. "She's up there with all the angels now" He told her, feeling a lump in his chest as he thought about Babe being up in heaven too. Even with his feelings for Marissa, he still grieved Babe, and was angry at her for leaving all at the same time. "Yeah, we can pick them along the way, maybe see if we can find some of her favorite colors to pick too" He then nodded as she asked if he was ready. "Ready, little sis!"

[Kathy Martin]

“Pigging out with lots of candy!” Kathy giggled over the idea of sleepovers and fun. “And watching movies too. I think we should do this all time!” She paused for a second and shook her head. “So long as it’s okay and you have time.” She nodded when JR said he knew some magic and that they could learn something to impress her dad, that had her excited.

“Aunt Julia probably has a lot of angel friends now,” she nodded a little sadly. “And she watches over all of us.” Noticing and sensing her brothers sadness she reached out and took his hand carefully, giving it a small squeeze. “I’m sorry JR, I didn’t mean to make you sad.” When he mentioned the flowers she grinned and remembered what kind she liked.

“Aunt Julia liked purple and pink flowers, and lots of pretty coloured ones too, like yellow,” she told him. “We used to pick them with Jamie at the park, maybe there’s where we can find some now.” When he agreed that he was ready to go she reached out and took his hand in hers again and headed for the door and out onto the front porch of the Chandler Mansion.

“JR?” she asked as they walked along, her eyes looking for the best flowers to pick. “What’s your favourite thing in allllll the world?” She glanced up at him curiously before she spotted a flower and went over to pick it, holding it up for him to see.

[JR Chandler]

"Definitely watching movies too, with a big bowl of popcorn" JR told her. He felt guilty for a moment as she second guessed whether they should do this all the time, worried if it was okay and he'd have the time. He didn't want her to think he didn't have time for her, even though he'd failed in the brother department to show her just how much she could depend on him. "You know what, i think we should do this all the time too, we should make a regular thing of it. I'm sure mom and Tad would be okay with it and I will always have time for you"
JR shook his head lightly as Kathy apologized for making him sad after talking about her Aunt Julia. "It's okay, its just sad cause we miss those people, but its good to think about them" He said walking her out of the house and nodding as she suggested going to pick them at the park. "I'm sure we can find some there"

JR thought a moment about her next question, his favorite thing in all the world. "I think my favorite thing would have to be my family. We're pretty lucky with the ones we've got. What about you? What's your favorite thing in the whole wide world?"

[Kathy Martin]

“Are you sure it wont take you away from your daddy and sister?” Kathy asked worriedly looking at the floor before up at him once more. “I always have time for you too! Even during Saturday morning cartoons, promise! And daddy and mommy would love to have you over all the time so we can do this.”

She was still a little upset that she’d made JR sad, even though he said it was okay, she knew being sad wasn’t something anybody liked. She got sad a lot when she thought about Julia and her adoptive parents, she missed them and knew they were watching over her and making rainbows. Nodding a little as he told her it was good to think about them she headed into the park and spied some pretty flowers nearby.

“There’s lots of good flowers here,” she told him, picking a few pretty ones. “Do you want to get some flowers too?” When he finally answered her question about what his favourite thing in the whole wide world was she felt a smile grow on her face.

“We’re very, very lucky,” she agreed nodding once more. “We have the best family ever, right? And it’s big too with so many people who love us and look out for us.” As he returned the question to her, she had to think for a minute before agreeing with his answer. “My favourite thing in the whole world is family too. And when we all get together for Thanksgiving and Christmas and all of the holidays. It’s a lot of fun.” She moved through the park and as they finished up gathering the flowers she looked towards the graveyard and headed in, looking through some of the names and searching for Julia’s.

“Is there anyone you want to see?” she asked, looking up at him.

[JR Chandler]

((OOC: since we started this thread before the one where I had JR learning of Babe's being alive, still going with him thinking she's dead here ))

"Well I think my Dad and sister can handle being without me just for the sleepovers, just like when you go to sleepovers Mommy and your Daddy miss you but then they're just happy to see you back" JR said, wondering briefly if his father would even care anymore if he left the mansion. Things hadn't been the greatest between them lately, but he wasn't about to drag his little sister into that. He smiled as she added that even during her cartoons she'd have time for him. "Well that sounds great, and I like cartoons too, so we can still sneak in a few."

"Those are very pretty" He commented watching her pick some. He nodded as she asked him if he wanted to get some flowers too. "Yeah...I'm thinking of putting some on Babe's grave too, its near your Aunt Julia's. " JR told her picking out a few that he thought Babe would like. He wished he had given her more flowers when they were together.

"Of course we have the best family ever! There's tons of people who love us, the holidays are great. I've always thought they were a lot of fun too" JR said as they both began searing through the names. He couldn't remember exactly where Julia's was, and figured they'd stop there first.

[Kathy Martin]

“Thank you,” Kathy said when JR commented on her flowers being pretty. She picked a few more and then decided that was just perfect for her Aunts grave. When her brother answered her that he was going to get some as well, she looked over at him sadly, remembering Babe when she was growing up.

“I miss Babe too, JR,” she said quietly as they made their way through the graveyard. “She was really nice and fun to be around. She used to make popcorn when we all had movie nights together with AJ. But she’s with Aunt Julia and all the other angels now, and I know they’re happy and sending us their good thoughts.” Falling quiet she stopped in front of her Aunt Julia’s gravestone and then looked up at JR.

“We have the best Halloweens and Christmas’s together,” she agreed with a grin as JR mentioned that they had the best times with their family. “We get to see everyone who doesn’t live here come home, and then all the baking and decorating. You’ll have to help us find a tree this year for Christmas, okay?” Glancing away from her brother, she looked down at the grave and came kneel beside it, gently placing the flowers down in front of it.

“I miss you Aunt Julia,” she whispered, hoping her Aunt could hear her. “I’m being good, and I hope you’re still making rainbows.” She studied the grave and then reached out her little hand to touch it. “Love you.” Her voice cracked a bit and tears threatened to fill her eyes but she blinked them back and got up, going over to her brother and Babe’s grave.

“I bet Babe hopes you get better soon too, JR,” Kathy told her brother, reaching up to take his hand. “She’s your angel.” She gave him a tiny smile before looking down at the grave in front of them and sniffling.

OOC: Sounds good to me hun!