The Farm at Willow Run Creek

Part 21

Separate lives.....

Sloan twisted a lock of her mother's hair in her finger, "I'm sorry mom," Sasha stared at the flashing lights on the tiny Christmas tree on the sofa table, "I was brave," She chuckled, "She wanted to stay the night and I let her, but I wouldn't let anything happen," Sasha shyly spoke. "Have you seen her lately?" Sloan asked, "No, Colin took her for a holiday, I don't know where she was so pissed at me for denying her, I can't keep it up, I wanted her, but she wasn't giving up on her husband," Sloan grimaced, "As much as I hate to say it, we need to go to New York and see grandmother," She changed the subject, Sasha rolled her eyes.

The cobbled streets of London, England were covered with a misting of snow, Colin and Jenna walked arm and arm window shopping along kings row. "I love it here," She smiled, "I wouldn't have ever dreamed of seeing this place," She patted Colin's arm, "I told you I'd think of the perfect place for us," He smiled widely. Jenna grinned, "And you have, Christmas in England," She shrieked. They made their way back to the hotel. "I have something I wanted to talk to you about," He started to say.

Jenna warmed her hands by the glowing fireplace in their room, "Ok," She replied. "I've been offered a job at the university of New York," He worded, Jenna turned around to face him, "You have?" She seemed surprised. "I haven't accepted yet, it would be a great opportunity for me, uh for us" He moved closer to her. "You want to leave the farm, Providence?" She asked. "It would benefit us greatly, it's upscale, head of the medical department," He explained, "I see," She sat down on the sofa, "That night I got stuck at the university, that's the conference call I was on," The words he spoke brought Jenna back to that night with Sasha.

"Oh," She suddenly felt sick to her stomach, "Are you alright? You look upset," He grasped her by the shoulders she didn't immediately answer she thought back to that painful night of rejection she tried to put it behind her. "Jenna," Colin lightly shook her getting her attention, "I'm sorry," She murmured, "I just felt a little flushed," She rubbed her forehead, "Did I upset you, I thought with everything you might want to get away from the village," He reminded her in a kind voice. "You try too hard Colin," She stood up from the sofa gazing into the flickering flames. "I just want you to be happy," He quickly replied.

Jenna fought back the tears she shook inside, it was what was necessary to move on with her life, "I support whatever decision you make, I want us to start fresh and if that means leaving the farm, then," She stopped talking turning around to face him, "I will have to give fair notice to the hospital, I mean I just can't quit," She expressed. "I understand, I could find us an apartment while you finish out your time," He agreed with her. "What about the farm?" She asked, "I could lease it, there are always people wanting to try out farming," He responded with reason.

Colin embraced her, "Thank you, I can provide so much better for you, be closer to home, a real husband," He tried to make her see. "You don't need to sell me, I could find work in the ER of any hospital there," She seemed excited to him. "But, this is Christmas, I just want to spend a good time here, I don't want to talk about work or the what ifs, I want to relax and enjoy," He clutched her cheek between his thumb and index finger, "I love you more then you know," They embraced again.

Sasha and Sloan entered Margaret's apartment she was solemn, it had been weeks since she had spoken to her daughter, "I see you've come to your senses," Sloan's cell phone rang interrupting them, "It's Devon, he wants me to meet for drinks," She slipped back into her coat, "I won't be late," Sasha cleared her throat, "How convenient," Further moaning, "You two, work it out," Sloan ordered arching her brow she quickly left them. Sasha stared at her mother, Margaret could see the pain and anguish in her daughter's face. Sasha took her suitcase into the bedroom and fell to the bed.

Sasha fell asleep only to be awakened by her mother, "Are you going to sleep the evening away?" She grunted loudly, Sasha frowned at her, "I have tea made, join me," She offered, Sasha sat up pulling her hair back from her face. "Let me freshen up," She crawled from the bed, washed her face and combed her hair, "Thank you," Her mother handed her a hot cup. "Are you all right?" Margaret began, "I will be," Sasha's voice cracked, "I'm sorry," Margaret cleared her throat in saying. "Thanks mom, you may not believe it, but I'm thankful," She sipped her tea.