Once in a Lifetime

The Park, Part 1

We left the apartment building, walking casually down the street. Jimmy was pushing the stroller, me walking beside him. He looked so happy to be walking with me and Winnie.

Surprisingly, we didn't get stopped on our way to the park. I guess no one wanted to bother us, which I was so grateful for! I knew I would be on the news anyway, but I wanted to remain as anonymous as possible.

We entered through the entrance of Central Park, Jimmy smiling so bright as we walked down the well traveled path. We found a spot near the path and Jimmy pulled out a blanket, laying it in the grass. I sat down on the blanket as he unstrapped Winnie and set her down.

Jimmy handed Winnie a toy, her eyes lighting up as she grabbed it and started playing with it. He then sat down next to her, his eyes dancing with joy at watching his daughter.

"Thank you for everything Jimmy. You have done so much for me this past week," I said sincerely, wanting to thank the man who had been really taking care of me for the past week in the hospital, and opening his home to me. His thoughtfulness and graciousness touched me to the heart.

"You are so welcome. I wanted to do it. Not to mention its a little bit selfish on my part. I wanted you to come and stay with me while you recovered."

We both smile, looking down when Winnie scooted closer to us, laying on her back, playing. Jimmy started tickling her, causing her to start giggling. After a few minutes he stopped, handing her her toy.

"I want to ask you something Karen," Jimmy asked, taking my hand. Winnie grinned up at the two of us as she chewed on her toy.

"Sure, anything," I replied, not sure what was on Jimmy's mind.

He took a deep breath before handing Winnie a sippy cup with milk. "I know you had only come to stay two weeks here. And those two weeks are going to end soon. I don't want you to leave Karen. Would you consider staying here in New York, with me?"

I couldn't believe what Jimmy was asking. I was actually taken aback by the question. No one had ever told me that they didn't want me to leave, that they wanted me to stay with them.

Tears formed in the corners of my eyes, wanting to fall. I felt a small hand on my knee and a larger one on my cheek. I looked up to see Jimmy smiling and Winnie leaning against me. He leaned forward, resting his forehead onto mine, looking deep into my eyes.

"Please?" He asked. That got to me. It was like he was looking into my soul. I knew I loved this man.

I smiled, answering him, "Yes, I would love to stay."

Jimmy grinned even wider, leaning in for a kiss. Winnie looked up to us, grinned and climbed into my lap. I held her as best as I could, taking comfort in the love of a child and the love of a talk show host.

He then looked around, channeling his Fever Pitch moment when Ben asked Lindsey to opening day. "She said yes! She's moving here! She said yes!" He exclaimed, excitedly grabbing Winnie, standing up and twirling her. I was laughing as I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture. It looked like he was dancing with her.

Jimmy sat down, setting Winnie between us. "I'll have to go home for a little while though. I have to sell my parents house, give my two week notice and a few other things. But then I'll come back," I said, smiling.

"I understand. But I do have one more thing to talk to you about. I have to say all the social media sites we are on for the show has been blowing up the past week."

"Why's that?" I asked, not sure where this was going.

"All the FalPals want to get to know you. I figured you saw the news, so you saw what the public saw. The Pals have been asking our bloggers how you have been, if you've been released from the hospital and who exactly you are," Jimmy replied, taking a drink from his water bottle.

I smiled, blushing from the apparent interest in me. "Well, they'll know I was sprung from the hospital on the 6 o'clock news."

Jimmy laughed, "That's true! Well, they'll get their answer to that question tonight. But, seriously, they have been very concerned about you. Most of the bloggers say they get many questions everyday about you. So, most of us, including the writers, the Roots, Higgins, me and the producers want to know if you'd feel comfortable coming on the show."

My face must have looked bad because Jimmy added quickly, "But we agreed not for at least a month or so. We want you to recover in private without the media hounding you."

I thought about it for a few moments, weighing in my mind what I wanted to do. Finally I looked over to Jimmy, saying, "Okay. I'll do it."

He hugged me, smiling brightly. "Alright! I let them know at work. I figure that would be the best time to confirm everything and to get it right so the media doesn't distort anything."

I nodded, looking at Winnie who was inching her way off the blanket. "I agree. I just hope the media won't be unkind to me."

Jimmy took my hand, squeezing it. "Even if they are babe, I'll be here for you. Not to mention, you earned the respect of everyone on my crew. The Roots and the Higgins have adopted you, that's for sure. You are loved Karen from Michigan. Don't forget that babe. You. Are. Loved."