A/N: Here is the first chapter of Reunited! Hope you all enjoy it! This
takes place about six months after This I Swear ended.
Ashley Spinelli-Detweiler walked over to her mailbox, waving to the
mailman as he drove off. She walked into the house and sorted through the
mail, hoping for a response to a case she was working on. “Bills, bills,
bills, Victoria’s Secret catalog-hmmm maybe order something for after the
baby is born-another bill, wait, what’s this?” Spinelli opened a small
envelope, which revealed an invitation in her old school colors, blue and
white.
Mr. and Mrs. Detweiler:
You are cordially invited to your Washington High Ten Year Reunion,
which will take place June 3-June 7 at the Rainbow Room Inn. Formal Dress
is requested. Please RSVP by May 23rd. A mailing about who will be
speaking on behalf of the class will be sent shortly. We hope to see you
there!
Sincerely,
Mr. Franklin Dudikoff, Washington High School Principal and
Mr. Douglas Menlo, Washington High School Alumni Relations President
“Figures Menlo would end up working at the high school,” Spinelli
looked over the invitation, making a mental note to show it to TJ when he
came home from work. “Please let him say he doesn’t want to travel because
of the baby,” she thought, rubbing her seven – month pregnant stomach. She
was due in early July, and although her doctor said it was safe for her to
travel, she wasn’t quite sure she wanted to take the trip to Arkansas just
for a stupid reunion. “I have no reason to go back there,” she thought,
getting up and taking some juice out of the refrigerator. After pouring
herself a tall glass, she sat back ddown and thought about all the turbulent
events that occurred in high school, the events that she spent years trying
to forget about, yet they still replayed in her mind like an annoying TV
jingle. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t even hear TJ walk in
until he had snuck up behind her and grabbed her into a bear hug.
“How’s my favorite mommy to be?” he said, causing her to drop the mail and
jump in fear.
“TJ! You scared the crap out of me!” she yelled, smacking him with a
nearby newspaper, “What’s with all the sneaking up on me? Are you trying to
scare me into premature labor?” she demanded, protectively covering her
stomach and trying to pick up the scattered mail at the same time.
“Sorry, honey. You were so zoned out that I figured you needed
something to bring you back to earth,” he teased, helping her pick up the
mail. TJ helped her up and put his arms around her and kissed her hello.
“That better?” he asked, gently patting his wife’s stomach.
“Much, just don’t let it happen again,” Spinelli warned smiling. She
sat down again and asked TJ how his job was going. TJ had been a teacher
for almost six years, and loved every minute of it—despite the fact that
he sometimes got students who acted the way he and his friends did back
when they were in elementary school. Spinelli often teased him that it was
payback for all their years of torturing Miss Finster, who now, at seventy-
three had finally retired from her Third Street job and was living in a
retirement home in Miami.
“It was good, the kids are preparing for the Spring Play, which is a
lot of fun.” TJ sat down next to Spinelli and sorted through the mail.
“Bills, bills, sexy stuff you wanna order for after the baby is born,.’ he
muttered, smiling, as Spinelli playfully smacked him on the arm.
“Man, aren’t we a bit of a horndog today?” she teased. “Although I
was thinking the same thing myself—that is if I ever lose this baby fat.”
“You will, and even if you don’t I will love you just as much as I do
now, because you are the best thing that ever happened to me.” TJ leaned
over and kissed her again, still feeling as if they were newlyweds-which
was how they acted 99% of the time.
“I love you too, Teej. By the way, before I forget, this came in the
mail today.” Spinelli handed him the invitation, hoping that he wouldn’t
want to go.
“Hey, cool, a reunion! It will be great to see everyone again. Except
for Lawson and Vicki, we haven’t seen anyone since the wedding. It will be
nice to go back and see what everyone has been up to for the past ten
years.” TJ smiled, not noticing the look of sadness on Spinelli’s face.
“Yeah, great,” Spinelli muttered sarcastically.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” TJ asked, concerned. “Don’t you want to prove
to the Ashleys how successful you have become? I mean, you are the top
lawyer in New York and were chosen to be the prosecutor in the biggest case
of the century. Besides, I hear that the Ashleys are all fat and bitter
now.” TJ hugged her, laughing, but Spinelli pulled away.
“No, it’s not that, I just don’t know if I want to travel when I’m so
close to giving birth. My luck, I will go into labor on the plane and some
scary person will have to deliver it.”
“Spin, the reunion is almost four weeks before the baby is due, and
besides, first babies are always late.” TJ said. (A/N: is true, my friend
was about three weeks overdue with her first child) “Now I have known you
for twenty-two years, so I know when you are lying to me. Now tell me
what’s wrong, Ashley.” TJ said, and Spinelli knew she had to tell the
truth. TJ never called her Ashley unless he was serious about something.
Spinelli sighed. “All right, Theodore,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“I will tell you the truth, but you have to promise me you won’t laugh or
get mad at me.”
“I promise,” TJ said, holding up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“OK,” Spinelli began, “Here goes.”
A/N: hope you all liked this, I know it’s a little slow right now, but the
pace will pick up, I promise. Please R/R, but if you can’t say something
nice, don’t say it at all. Happy reading!
Also, I am still looking for a title for the miniseries. Everyone who
suggests the title gets a walk on role in the next fic of this series, and
the winner will have a bigger role. Please suggest in a review!! Thank
you!!!
Fics in the miniseries:
Admired From Afar
One Last Chance
This I Swear
Reunited
Recess: The Next Generation
Thanks again!!!