Daddy Nick & Mommy Lulu?

[cecilia]

....and by the way, since this is virtual and fictional...couldn´t we have Hugh Jackman being the new attorney at LSP?....let´s say he happened to be in the set because he showed up to say "hi" to his "mate"
...... I mean, just to make the aussie girls a little happier....and me too! ;D

[cassidy]

Sarah, this is really great. I'm grinning ;D while typing this post.

Please continue writing . I can really picture B and C saying all those words.

[Sarah]

(Louisa's house, that same evening. Caroline is getting ready to leave, and sees Louisa on the couch, working out her bills -- she thinks of her earlier discussion with Burton)

C: (grabs her purse from the coat rack, and walks back into the living room) I should probably be heading home...
L: (feeling guilty) Mom, about what I said earlier...
C: (moves in a few steps closer, interrupting) no, Louisa, I asked for an honest answer... and you know what they say, sometimes the truth hurts.
L: (can see that her mother was offended) its not that I don't...
C: Louisa, please (shakes her head, looks down at her little girl, hesitates a moment) can I ask you something?
L: I guess (thinking its the least she can do, after having launched into a very personal attack earlier)
C: Promise me you won't get angry (forces a partial smile) that's not good for the baby, you know?
L: (wondering what she has gotten herself into) what do you want to know?
C: (trying to watch as Lulu writes the checks, without being too obvious) are doing all right, I mean, financially?
L: (more conscious of her actions, closes the ledger book) why do you ask?
C: (shrugs) well, I was just wondering...after all that has happened recently...
L: (answers without hesitation) things could be better, I'm not going to lie, but...
C: Would you ask me, if you needed help?
L: (gets up from the couch) why don't you tell me what this is really about...
C: (moves to cut Lulu off before she can get far) I worry about you...
L: I'm fine, Mom, really (nervously runs her fingers through her short hair, hating when her mother puts her on the spot like this)
C: Louisa, listen (places her hand affectionately on her daughter's arm) -- you're almost 30 years old, you're just getting divorced, you were in a terrible accident and have countless medical bills, you're still paying off your loans from law school, you have a new car payment, you haven't yet sold the house...(shakes her head)
L: (already able to predict where her mother is going, knowing that she will suggest marriage as the solution) Mom, no...
C: You're grossly underpaid at Legal Services, and now you're planning to have a child? (moves her hand to touch Lulu's cheek) There's just no way you can make this work on your own...
L: (clenching her jaw, takes a deep breath) I can do this, Mom, I have to...
C: (looks heavenward for guidance and then back at her daughter) if you're adament about not marrying him, Louisa, the very least you can do is let him help you support this child -- you don't have to claim full responsibility, he was there too.


(F&F, two days later. Burton and Nick are lingering in the conference room after a meeting)

B: (awkwardly looks around the room, almost hesitant to break the silence) so...Son, how is Louisa?
N: (curious as to why Burton would be asking, wonders if he maybe knows something) good, I guess, I haven't gotten much chance to check in at the clinic lately.
B: (shakes his head) Nicholas, I am not talking about her professionally...
N: (nods, a little ashamed) I know...
B: (thinks a moment, trying to assess the situation) the situation between you two, its not the best right now, but...
N: I... I don't want to talk about this...
B: (rubs his mustache, pensive) are you saying that you don't even see her outside of work anymore?
N: (rolls the chair back, ready to leave) Dad, no...
B: Son (gets up as well) how do you ever expect this to work if you're not even making an effort to spend time with her, get to know her...
N: (stammering) I know her... and I care about her, very much...
B: (standing in front of the door, anticipating a Nick Walk Out) maybe you and I are looking at this the wrong way, well, mainly myself...
N: (caught off guard, scoffs) what?
B: (clearing his throat) I was talking with Caroline, and uh... I just don't want you to think that I am pressuring you, forcing...
N: (laughs out, but is angry at how his father can honestly believe he isn't pressuring him) how can you say that? Louisa and I are both adults, we don't need any more help screwing up our lives...
B: (visibly frustrated) Nicholas... I didn't mean...
N: Its a little late to be getting involved now... (shakes his head and reaches for the door)


(that same afternoon, Caroline happens to be in the neighborhood of LSP)

C: (knocking on the glass door, she can see that Louisa is at her desk)
L: Its open (looks up as her mother walks in)
C: (looks around the cramped space) I guess Nicholas must be tied up at Fallin, I didn't see him when I came through...
L: Hi to you too, Mom (goes back to her paperwork)
C: (dismissing Lulu's sarcasm, already willing to chalk it up to hormones) I was wondering if you might have time to go to lunch, so you know, we can talk...
L: (glances quickly at her planner) I'm pretty busy today, I'll probably grab something on my way to the court house.
C: (in a very motherly tone) you need to eat, you know? you're not just taking care of yourself any more...
L: (smiles, surprised that her mother can even remember the do's and don'ts of pregnancy) yes, Mom, I know... and I plan to get something to eat as soon as I get the chance.
C: (nods, and sits down in the chair in front of Lulu's desk) well, have you spoken with him lately?
L: (playing naive) who?
C: Who? (shakes her head) Who else, Louisa?
L: (sets her pen down, and looks at her mother for a moment) you mean Nick.
C: (exasperated by her daughter's stubbornness) yes, of course I mean Nick...
L: (turns to look out the window, much to Caroline's chagrin) he hasn't been in much lately...
C: (surprised, implores) is he avoiding you?
L: No, of course not (looks to Caroline, knowing that will simply not suffice)
C: (trying to remain calm) Then what's the problem? I just spoke with Burton...
L: (exhausted, and not much in the mood to deal with her mother's interrogation, as well-intended as it may be) Mom, since when has this become your problem?
C: Louisa, dear, I worry about you... (looks at her daughter sympathetically and) I know how you feel about marriage, but I don't...
L: (gets up from her desk,firing back) do you?
C: (gets up from her chair, setting her hand bag on Lulu's desk) Please, calm down... all I am saying is that...
L: (stammering) this is between Nick and I, not you and his father...
C: (tense, takes a deep breath) we're just trying to help, we have a mutual interest in our grandchild's future...(pauses just long enough to check Lulu's face for reaction) I just think you should consider your options carefully...
L: I appreciate your help, but I don't know that...
C: (her heart sinks, but she knows she deserves what Lulu would say) that I should be giving you any direction on marriage? (clenches her jaw, trying not to get upset) am I right?
L: (on the verge of tears) where were you with all this advice and wisdom when I was growing up?
C: (bites her lip, reluctant to say any more) you told me yourself that I can not amend the past, but I am trying to be a part of your life now...
L: Yes, but my life is one that you don't approve of, you or Burton Fallin...
C: (closes her eyes a moment, and clenches her jaw) Louisa, its not that Burton or I don't approve... (stops to try a different strategy)... from what little I know of his son, it sounds as if he's had his share of problems too... (very dramatic) God forbid, we are just looking out for the best interests of our children...
L: (wipes her eyes, shaking her head) no, Mom, what you're doing is trying to run our lives...


(That evening, Caroline walks into The Incline, not overly surprised to find Burton sitting alone at the bar, finishing his dinner)

C: (walks up, and grabs the empty stool next to Burton, waving to the bartender)
BT: what can I get you m'am?
C: Vodka, on the rocks, with a twist.
B: (turns his head slowly, nods) are you sure you need that?
C: (smiles) only as much as you need that cigarette you're contemplating.
B: (sets his fork down, and reaches for the pack in his pocket) fair enough...
C: (takes a sip of her freshly poured drink) I've been thinking...
B: (lites up) Nicholas is none too pleased with me right now.
C: (sets her drink back down) or I... (takes a breath) but Louisa feels much the same...
B: (shaking his head) I don't think its wrong to want the best for those two, to see things turn out all right?
C: (reaches for her drink) maybe it would help if they knew what all right meant...
B: (turns to face her) what?
C: (sits up straight, and situates the napkin under her drink, almost procrastinating) did you ever find it ironic, I mean, what they do?
B: (baffled) they're both lawyers...
C: (rolls her eyes) I know that, but I mean, where they work...
B: (rubs the short hair at the back of his neck, nervous, as he doesn't know how much Caroline understands of Nick's time at LSOP) well, Nicholas...
C: He volunteers, I know, and Louisa squanders her time there for a measley paycheck (reaches for her drink, takes another sip) but that's not what I am referring to...
B: (coughs, almost choking on the inhaled smoke, not knowing how on earth she came to the conclusion that Nick volunteers)well, what the hell is it?
C: (very matter-of-fact) two lawyers from broken homes trying to make families, Burton, think about it...
B: (swallows hard, not quite sure what to say)...

too be continued?...

[Sarah]

Hi Cecilia! ~
No, I don't write any Fan Fic that I post under aliases. I post here usually under the name Sarah, or sometimes Juliana106 (hence the omnious "J" reference) and I post on SBOL and WMOL as "NickandLuluFan."

Hope you enjoyed the most recent addition, am off to study right now -- but will try and post some more before the episode tomorrow evening

[cecilia]

.........
Sarah, this is getting better, and better, and better....
I´m just dying to read more!....and what about Nick and LuLu?....aren´t they going to run into each other somewhere?.....Please, don´t let us hanging too long!
..................and you should really try to write more, by yourself.....you and rosiiii are doing great together, but then, we have more ff to enjoy! ;D...
thanks for let me know you are nickandLuLufan...as far as I´m new, sometimes I get lost with all the nick-names you girls use!.....

[Rosiiii1]

"Ominous J," Haha..sounds like your hip-hop name Sarah!

In answer to does Sarah write fic? Boy does she ever! It's ssssssmokin' -- I'm hoping to convince her to post one of her gems one of these ol' days.

That was phenomenal Sarah...and the ending - Caroline's extremely thought provoking observation. Nick&LuLu and their passion and dedication to fixing domestic situations and bringing people together. That almost made me tear up.

Send DH this link!!!! Right now!!

...and how about a N: & LL: dialogue -- at your conveeeenience of course my dear. ;D

[cassidy]

Sarah,
this is getting better and better. I can't wait for the next installment. Rosiiii1 is right you should post this in fanfic or better yet send it to DH people. Who knows they might actually read it and show it to DH.

I hope the next installment is the conversation b/w LL and NIck. :littleangel::rockband::bouncing:

[Sarah]

Requests taken... let's see what I can come up with

[jevees]

Sarah i´m in here waiting for your next post, i hope you can do it before the show tonight!
Of course we are counting on you while we are waiting for the next episode for more of this dialogues!
Pleaseee! ;D

[jevees]

i`m developing my patience in here, waiting for the new episode, I want to know what happens? Hey how can you know what happened in todays episode, how can you see it before it is shown? You have someone at the CBS, or you have a friend in TG production, howwwww?? I want to see the episodes too
Hope the time goes quicker... or i`m going to eat all the cookies that we have in my home... ;D ;D
Sarah, please when you prepare the rest of the story... we are hopping to read it

[cecilia]

...while waiting for something to happen, I´m spending my time playing with the board....did I put the signature in the right place?....o it should´ve been a personal message???.......ooops, hope I did it right!

[cecilia]

I LOVE THIS THING!!!!!!!!!:littleangel:

[jevees]

I want to put a picture too, how the hell you did it???
Now that weare senior associates!!:rockband:

[juliana106]

Sorry for the delay... another dose of "Back in the Ring" was just what I needed to get in the writing mode.

**
(Burton is at The Incline with Caroline, their conversation continues...)

B: (speechless, his hand is over his mouth as he considers what she has just said)
C: (is bothered by the awkward silence between them, takes a sip *for confidence* from her drink) so tell me, Burton, how can we expect them to raise a family when neither one of them knows what that is?
B: I.. uh...(shakes his head, disheartened to think there might be any truth behind her words, watches as Caroline motions to the bartender for another drink)
C: (as she waits, she tries to put her theory into perspective)... they spend their lives helping other people when they cannot even help themselves... (she looks Burton in the eyes, knowing she has his attention)... what good is it to bring a child into that type of situation?
B: (in disbelief of what Caroline has just said, knowing that although he doesn't quite approve of the circumstances -- he's pleased about being a grandfather, speaks up in their defense) there is no standard type of family, who is to say that...
C: (scoffs, put off by his rebuttle)... oh, admit it, you've screwed up just as much as I have...
B: No, I have not... (stammering, angered by her insensitivity toward the delicacy of his family situation with Nick) I gave my son a family, and I fought to keep that family together.
C: (very holier than thou) I'm sure you did...
B: (hates the turn their conversation has taken, is feeling uncomfortable)... sometimes things like this happen, and families fall apart (defending himself) Nicholas knows better than to blame himself for what happened between his mother and I...
C: (looks at him, a bit surprised) did you tell him that?
B: (snappish and clearly upset) He's just, he's just angry...
C: (her eyes narrow, her teeth are clenched)... and why do you think that is? ... (she can tell that she is getting to him)... could it have anything to do with the fact that he's upset with you, and maybe even Anne, for forever altering his views on life...love... family...
B: (shaking his head, certain that he knows Nicholas a hell of a lot better than she knows Louisa) he can't blame everything on the...
C: (interrupting, and clearly speaking from experience) au contraire, you'd be surprised...
B: (waves his hand as he begins to speak, dismissing her comment) no, Nicholas isn't like Louisa...(thinks for a moment about what he has said, realizing how alike the two are, and corrects himself) not in that sense, at least....
C: Well, Burton... (takes another sip of her drink, returns the now empty tumbler to the napkin where it had been sitting) they didn't just seek eachother out of a crowd (turns, avoiding his judgmental gaze) it seems to me as if those two relate to eachother in more ways then one...
B: (ready to leave, he has heard enough) if I know one thing about my son, its that he's gonna do right by his child... (reaches for his glass, but doesn't drink yet, continues) regardless of the past... (looks at Caroline, whose head is tipped forward, her lips are pursed and her eyes narrowed, contemplative) and I'd image that the same is true for your daughter as well...
C: (looks up, questionning how much he knows about Lulu as well as his own son) you have to come to terms with the past before you can get on with the future...
B: (annoyed by the verity of her statement) well, its too late to change those things now -- you can't go back(gets up from the stool, and reaches for his wallet to pay his tab) no one can, there's no point in dwelling...
C: You know, you're right... (gets up from her stool as well, dropping a $20 on the counter to cover both their tabs -- altough agitated by his apparent indifference toward such a sensitive subject, she decides to call him on it)...what might have been years ago certainly won't give them what it takes to make a family now... (glances up a moment to check his reaction, he is momentarily speechless at her response, she shakes her head, grabs her purse and walks toward the door before he can say another word)

**
(Meanwhile, Alvin and Lulu are both working late that evening at LSP. He passes by her office just as she is finishing up, wanting to talk to her before someone else did)

A: (stays in the doorway, but smiles) I was hoping I'd catch you...
L: (eyes the stack of folders on her desk, looks back to Alvin) I had some paperwork I wanted to finish before I left... (pulls her briefcase from the floor, so he can see that she's ready to go)
A: (nods, taking the hint and cuts to the chase)... word is going to get out, Lulu, about the...
L: (interrupting him)

[juliana106]

Sorry, I got cut off the first time...

**
(Alvin and Lulu are both working late that evening at LSP. He passes by her office just as she is finishing up)

A: (stays in the doorway, but smiles) I was hoping I'd catch you...
L: (eyes the stack of folders on her desk, looks back to Alvin) I had some paperwork I wanted to finish before I left... (pulls her briefcase from the floor, so he can see that she's ready to go)
A: (nods, taking the hint and cuts to the chase)... word is going to get out, Lulu, about the...
L: (interrupting him) I know, Alvin...
A: (steps inside her office, a few feet from her desk) I just wanted to prepare you, for how the board might react... (clearly speaking from his own expertise in dealings with the board)
L: (thinking *he's a fine one to talk*, sighs softly) I've already given them my resignation...
A: (surprised) what?
L: (seemingly unaffected) it was a temporary assignment, by default (smiles sympathetically) until you got back on your feet
A: (shaking his head, baffled by her decision) you're not going to wait? for a hearing at least?
L: (shrugs) what's the point? (grabs the papers from her desk, and puts them into her briefcase, looks back at Alvin when he doesn't respond) I knew what I was getting into... with Nick.
A: (temporarily forgetting his bias and any self-serving motives, works to change her mind) technically, he's not an employee...a probationer (thinks over what he just said, knowing it still doesn't look good)... but you are his superior, as far as the board is concerned... and given his past (hems and haws a bit) well... you know ... this probably wasn't your best decision...
L: (closes her briefcase and slides the strap over her shoulder, ready to go, but first answers, defensively) had they known the truth about my marriage, I wouldn't have gotten the postion in the first place...
A: (swallows his pride) you're an excellent lawyer with an otherwise flawless reputation, I don't believe they'd think any less of you (pauses a moment) for what its worth...
L: (walking toward the door, stops in front of Alvin, her heart is in her eyes as she speaks) yeah, well, Nick... he.. .doesn't deserve to be thought any less of either, probationer or not.

**

More to come...