Mickey, Jonathan and Jennifer ran down to the stables, got into Mickey’s truck and followed Nancy to Jamie. Before Mickey stopped the truck Jonathan jumped out and ran to Jamie’s side.
"Nancy what happened?" Jennifer asked looking at Jamie’s motionless body.
"We came riding up here and something spooked Rocket and the next thing I knew Jamie was lying on the ground motionless."
Jonathan quickly picked Jamie up and put her in the truck and they rushed her to the hospital. Jonathan explained to the doctor what had happened. The doctors and nurses rushed Jamie in and x-rayed her from head to toe. The doctor finally came out and spoke to the Harts.
"Mr. & Mrs. Hart. Your daughter is one lucky lady. The only thing that is wrong with her is that she has a slight concussion and bruised ribs. Other then that she seems to be fine. I want to keep her over night for observations just in case something else comes up." He said looking at them.
"Oh thank god that’s all that’s wrong with her. Can we see her?" Jennifer asked.
"Sure. She’s awake." He smiled at them.
They walked into her room and sat next to her in a chair.
"Jamie. Your parents are here." The doctor said.
"Hi." They said.
The doctor then left them alone.
"Hi." She smiled at them.
She tried to sit up but she couldn’t. Jonathan found the button to make the head of the bed to go up.
"Is that better?" He asked.
"Much better. The doctor thinks I’m your daughter." She smiled at them.
Jonathan and Jennifer looked at each other. Then Jonathan said, "Jennifer and I were thinking of adopting you."
"Really? You really, honestly and truly mean it?" She asked getting excited.
"Yes. We honestly and truly mean it." Jennifer said with a smile.
"Oh how cool is that!" She said as she hugged them and that’s went she felt the pain in her ribs.
"Ouch!"
"Easy does it." Jonathan said helping her lean back.
Jamie looked at them with a smile and then she started to cry.
"Are you in a lot of pain Jamie?" Jennifer asked.
"No. I’m fine. I’m just so happy that my prayers have finally been answered." She said wiping the tears away.
"I’m going to call Sister Mary when we get back to your dad’s house." Jonathan said.
"How long will the adoption take?" Jamie asked wiping her eyes again.
"I don’t know. Hopefully not long. You just lie here and get some rest. Jennifer and I will be back later to see you. Ok?" He said kissing her on the head.
"Ok." She said with a big smile.
As they left Jamie’s room they headed out to Mickey’s truck and drove home. When they pulled up, they got out and headed inside.
"Darling. Wait."
"What’s wrong?" He asked looking at her.
"Have I told you how much I love you lately?"
"Um, not recently." He said pulling her close to him.
"Well I do love you very much." She said with a smile. Then she kissed him.
When they got into the house Jonathan called Sister Mary and told her his plans. She told him that she would have the paper work drawn up and sent out to him as soon as possible.
"Thanks Sister Mary." He said hanging up the phone.
"Darling. Sister Mary said she’s going to have the paper work drawn up and sent here to us to fill out.
"That’s wonderful Jonathan." She said hugging him.
After dinner Jonathan and Jennifer went back to the hospital to check on Jamie. They ran into Jamie’s doctor and he advised them that Jamie would be able to go home in the morning.
"Thank you so much Dr. Brown." Jonathan said shaking his hand.
"Dr. Brown when will Jamie be able to ride again?" Jennifer asked.
"In about a couple of weeks." He said.
"Thanks." She said.
They walked into Jamie’s room and found her fast asleep.
"Jamie. Sweetie. We are here." Jennifer said gently waking her.
"Hi." She said rubbing her eyes.
"The doctor said we can take you home tomorrow." Jonathan said smiling at her.
"That’s great." Then she fell back to sleep.
Jennifer left Jamie a note telling her what time they will be picking her up and they will be bringing her clothes. They then left. Jamie woke up and realized that she was all alone and started to panic. She picked up the phone and called Jennifer and Jonathan. She looked at her watch and it said 1am.
"Hello." Jonathan said half awake.
"Jonathan I’m sorry to wake you but I’m…I’m scared." She said.
"It’s ok Jamie. Try and go back to sleep. We’ll be there in the morning. Ok?"
"Ok." She sniffed.
Jennifer then said, "Don’t hang up. Let me talk to her."
Jonathan handed Jennifer the phone and she told Jamie that she loved her and then said goodnight.
Jonathan hung up the phone. He then realized how attached Jennifer and Jamie were to each other. He then fell back to sleep.
Morning finally arrived. Jennifer got up, took a shower and went into Jamie’s room to gather her clothes together. Then she headed back to the bedroom to get ready. She headed downstairs for a cup of coffee and some breakfast. Jonathan reached out for her and that’s when he noticed she wasn’t there. He then got up, threw on his bathrobe and went downstairs to look for her.
"Morning darling." He said kissing her.
"Morning darling." She said kissing him back.
"I see you have Jamie’s things packed."
"Yes I do." She said pouring herself another cup of coffee.
"Well let me get ready and then we both can go and get her."
Jonathan left the kitchen and headed back upstairs. While he was getting ready the doorbell rang. George went and opened it and the messenger handed George an envelope addressed to Jonathan and Jennifer. He took the envelope to Jennifer.
"Ms. Jennifer this just came." George said handing her the envelope.
"Thanks George." She said opening the envelope.
She read the first page and quickly left the kitchen. She passed her dad in the hallway and said, "The papers are here."
"Jonathan! Jonathan! The papers are here!" She yelled out.
"That was fast." He said with a smile.
Jonathan picked up the phone and called McCain and Associates in DC to make an appointment with Charlie McCain who is an adoption lawyer. His brother Randal who is a lawyer for the DC branch of Hart Industries recommended him to the Harts. After he hung up the phone with Charlie he told Jennifer that they have an appointment with him this afternoon at 4pm.
"Darling that is great news." She said hugging him.
"Yes it is. Now let’s go and get Jamie." He said kissing her.
They arrived at the hospital and found Jamie walking around the hall with a nurse. As Jamie was coming down the hallway she saw them standing by her room waiting for her. Her eyes got really wide and she had the biggest smile on her face.
"Hi Jennifer. Hi Jonathan." She said, as she got closer.
"Hi sweetie. We brought your clothes." Jennifer said taking her from the nurse.
Jennifer carefully walked her into her room while Jonathan signed her out. As Jennifer helped her onto her bed, Jamie hugged Jennifer tightly. Then she got dressed.
"Ok Jamie you’re all signed out." Jonathan said as he walked over to help her into the wheelchair.
Before she got into the wheelchair she hugged him tightly. They then wheeled her out of the hospital and into their car.
"Jamie we got the adoption papers already." Jennifer said looking at her.
"Really?"
"Yes and we have an appointment with the lawyer this afternoon." Jonathan said as he pulled away from the hospital.
"Do I get to go with you or do I have to stay home?" She asked.
"We would like you to come with us." Jonathan said looking at her through the rearview mirror.
"YES!"
When Jamie got out of the car Jennifer helped her inside and sat her on the couch.
"Welcome home Jamie." Stephen said with a smile.
"Hi Stephen. Thanks." She smiled back at him.
Jamie fell asleep on the couch. Jennifer woke her up and told her that it was time to go to the lawyer’s office. She got up with the help from Jennifer and asked her if she can have her painkillers.
"Jonathan! Can you get Jamie a glass of water?"
"Sure."
He came out with some water and Jennifer gave her her medication. After she took her medication they drove to the lawyer’s office to go over the adoption papers.
"Jonathan. Jennifer. It’s so great to see you two." Charlie said as they walked in.
"Charlie this is Jamie." Jonathan said.
"Hello Jamie. So you’re the lucky little lady." Charlie said with a smile.
"Yes." She smiled back.
Charlie looked at Jamie and asked, "Are you ok? You seem to have a problem walking?"
"I was thrown from a horse the other day." She said trying to sit down.
"You have to be careful." Charlie said.
While they all got settled, Charlie read over the adoption papers.
"Well this seems to be all in order. Now let’s get down to business." He said looking at them.
Charlie read over the papers with them and then asked them if they had any questions. When they told him no, they signed in the designated areas.
"Well, everything is all set here. I’ll file these with the courts and someone from Child Services will be contacting you when you get home to LA." Charlie said.
"Why will Child Services be contacting Jennifer and Jonathan?" Jamie asked.
"Well they will want to check on the living conditions and talk to you Jamie."
"Oh. So does this mean now that I’m adopted?" She asked.
"As far as I can see here you are. I know Jonathan’s and Jennifer’s back ground from my brother and everything seems ‘ok’ with me." He smiled at Jamie.
"Cool!" She said.
They said their good-byes and headed back to Stephen’s house. They pulled up and got out.
"Jonathan. Jennifer."
"Yes Jamie."
"Thank you so much. You don’t know how much this means to me. I’ve waited forever for this to happen to me. Thanks. I love you guys!" She said as she gave them a big hug.
"You are so welcome. We love you too." They both said hugging her back.
Jamie walked inside calling Stephen, Max and George.
"Darling. Is everything alright?" Jonathan asked looking at her.
"Yes. Everything is wonderful. We finally have a child." She said looking at him.
Jonathan and Jennifer entered the house they were greeted by Stephen, Max and George.
"Congratulations." They said.
"Thanks." They said.
"Dad. Where did Jamie go?" Jennifer asked him as they walked into the living room.
"She went down to tell Mickey and Nancy the good news." He said.
"Oh. Ok." She said helping her dad to the couch.
"I can’t wait to get these ‘blasted’ casts off." He said angrily.
"When do you go back to the doctors’ Stephen?" Jonathan asked as he poured them drinks.
"Not soon enough. Actually I go back on Thursday." He said taking his drink from Jonathan.
"Dad. Are you ready to be an instant ‘grandfather’?
"Sure am. Now I have someone to spoil." He chuckled.
"How do you two feel about being parents?"
"I’m scared." Jennifer said looking at them both.
"Me too. I hope we do a good job." Jonathan said.
"You two will do a great job. She is a very lucky little girl. Having found two wonderful people who will give her unconditional love and always be there for her." He said to them.
"Thanks dad." Jennifer got up and hugged him and then went outside to look for Jamie.
Jennifer walked down to the stables looking for Jamie.
"Jamie." She called.
"Over here!" She called from Rocket’s stall.
She walked over to Rocket’s stall and found Jamie brushing the horse with Nancy.
"Congratulations Mrs. Hart." Nancy said.
"Thanks Nancy." She said as she watched Jamie brush Rocket.
"Mommy can I go riding after I finish here?" Jamie asked looking at her with a big smile.
Jennifer was quiet for a moment and then asked, "Do you feel up to it?"
"I’m still a little sore but can I at least walk Rocket around the ring. Please."
"Sure why not." She smiled at her.
"Thanks!" She said with a big smile.
After Jamie finished brushing Rocket, Nancy saddled him up and Jaime climb up and walked Rocket out to the ring.
"Nancy. Did you or Mickey ever find out what spooked Rocket?" Jennifer asked.
"Not a clue Mrs. Hart. Mickey went up there to look around and found nothing. I’m having the vet come in and look at him tomorrow." Nancy said as she and Jennifer watched Jaime walk Rocket around.
Jamie then came back in right away.
"Is everything alright Jamie?" Jennifer asked.
"I’m starting to feel tired and sore." She said trying to get off of the horse.
"Then let’s go in and lie down." She said helping her down carefully.
They headed back to the house. By the time they reached the house Jennifer carried Jamie to her room.
"Is everything alright?" Jonathan asked.
"She started to get tired and she felt sore. I’m going to put her in her room." Jennifer said.
"Oh ok." He said.
Jennifer sat with Jamie for a while until she fell asleep. Then she left to join her dad and Jonathan in the den. Jamie came out of her room holding her side. Jennifer looked up and noticed that she was in pain.
"Sweetie come here." Jennifer said looking at her.
"I…I can’t. It hurts too much." She said crying.
"Jonathan can you get her her pain killers."
"He quickly went and got her pain killers and a glass of water."
"I think I blew it today." Jamie said looking at them.
"What do you mean?" Jonathan asked.
"I shouldn’t have brushed and walked Rocket around today."
"You’ll be fine once you take your medication." Jennifer said.
Before dinner Jamie went and took a nice hot bath.
"Sweetie is everything ok? You’ve been in there a long time." Jennifer said knocking on the bathroom door.
"Yes mommy I’m fine. Just playing with the bubbles. You can come in." She said.
Jennifer entered the bathroom and found Jamie with a soap bubble hat and beard. They both looked at each other and started to laugh.
"Ok missy it’s time to get out. Dinner is almost ready."
"Jennifer I know I should have checked with you about calling you ‘mommy.’ It just came out." She said looking at Jennifer.
"It’s ok. I like it." She said helping Jamie dry off.
"Good." She smiled.
The girls finally arrived at the dinner table.
"Is everything ok? It seemed like you two were gone forever." Jonathan said.
"Everything is fine. We were just talking. Jamie and I decided that she can call me ‘mommy’ from now on." Jennifer said looking at her.
"Well in that case she can call me ‘daddy’. Jonathan smiled at her.
"Cool!" She smiled at them.
Stephen looked over at her and said, "I guess that makes me ‘Grandpa.’ He said.
"Excuse me. I would like to make a toast. Thank you all for welcoming me into your home and now adopting me." Jamie said as she raised her water glass.
They all cheered and continued with dinner.
"Jonathan. Jennifer. When do you go home?" Stephen asked.
"Tuesday." Jennifer said.
"Oh." Stephen said.
After dinner they all went into the living room to talk while Jamie went into the den to watch TV.
"Jonathan. Jennifer. I want to give Jamie Rocket. So she has a horse to ride when she visits. Is that ok?" He asked looking at them.
"That’s a great idea." Jonathan said.
Jennifer shook her head yes and then she hugged her dad.
Jonathan went to check on Jaime and found her asleep in the chair. He turned off the TV and gently picked her up and brought her up to her room.
"Jonathan you need any help?" Jennifer whispered.
"No. I got her." He said walking up the stairs.
He gently laid her on the bed and covered her with the blankets. She opened her eyes, gave him a sleepy smile and went back to sleep.
"Good night ‘my sweet’." He whispered kissing her on the head.
He left the room. He went back downstairs and told them she’s out.
"Darling I think we both better turn in." Jennifer said yawning.
"You’re right. See you in the morning Stephen."
"Night." He said.
When they got up to their room Jonathan asked, "So how do you like being an instant mom?"
"I love it. How do you like being an instant dad?" She asked as she wrapped her arms around him.
"I love it too." He then kissed her.
The next day Jonathan and Jennifer took Jamie to town to get her a riding outfit.
"Wow! This is a cool store!" Jamie said looking around.
"Let’s find you a nice outfit." Jennifer said looking through the clothes.
"Oh! Mommy this is beautiful." Jamie said holding up a fringed jacket.
"That’s not a riding outfit sweetie." Jennifer said looking at her.
"Yes mommy." She said putting it away.
"Here sweetie try this on." Jennifer said handing her the outfit.
"Ok." She said taking it to the dressing room.
"Darling. Let’s get the jacket for her." Jonathan said taking the jacket off the rack.
"Don’t forget the hat." Jennifer said handing it to him.
Jonathan quickly took the hat and jacket to the register and paid for them before she came back out. They bought it for her to put it away until Christmas.
"Mommy."
"Yes sweetie."
"What do you think?" She asked coming out of the changing room.
"Looks great. Here comes dad. Show him."
"Daddy what do you think?"
"Perfect!" He said with a smile hiding the package behind him.
She went back into the changing room to take off the outfit. They purchased the outfit for her while she looked at the fringed jackets. She looked at the price tag and noticed the jacket cost $300. Then she walked over to the boots to look at them. The boots that she really liked was $85. She pulled out her wallet and counted her money and she was short $25.
"Do you like those?" Jonathan asked.
"They’re ok." She said putting her money back.
He picked them up looked at them. "Jamie let’s measure your foot."
"That’s ok daddy. I don’t need them. I got the riding outfit. That’s enough for me." She said looking at him.
"I’ll get them for you if you really want them." He said.
"I do want them, but they cost $85 and that’s way too much money." She said.
"Jamie sit. Let me measure your foot." He said.
"Ok."
She sat down and Jonathan measured her foot and then asked the sales clerk if he carried the boots in a size 5. The sale clerk went into the back and came out with a size 7. She tried them on and they were big on her. Jonathan told the sales clerk that he’ll buy them.
"Daddy they are too big." Jamie said.
"We’ll get them anyway. Your foot will grow." He said smiling at her.
"Thank you very much." Jamie said hugging him.
"You’re welcome." He said hugging her back.
"What else did you get?" Jennifer asked her.
"Boots." She said hesitantly.
"Oh. Let’s see."
Jamie showed her the boots and Jennifer thought they were lovely. They then headed out to the car and headed back to Stephen’s house. When they got there Jamie took her stuff in to show her grandpa.
"So you got a riding outfit and boots. That’s great." He said smiling at her.
"Yeah it is." She said with a big smile.
She then took her stuff up to her room and packed them away. She took out her diary and wrote in it. There was a knock on her door.
"Come in."
"Hi sweetie. You all packed?" Jennifer asked sitting on her bed.
"Yes I am." She said closing her diary.
"You have a diary?"
"Yes."
"I had one when I was your age. I always wrote in it." She said looking at her.
"Do you want to read it?" Jamie asked her.
"No that’s a private book. Only the writer should read it." Jennifer said getting up and looking out the window.
"Are you ok mommy?" She asked walking over to her.
"I’m fine just tired." She said hugging her. Then she left.
Jamie left her room and went to find Jennifer. She found her sitting in the room staring out the window. She walked up to her wrapped her little arms around her and gave her her biggest hug. Then she left. She ran into Jonathan in the hallway.
"Daddy."
"Hi."
"Mommy doesn’t seem happy. I tried to cheer her up but I don’t know what’s wrong." She said looking at him.
"I’ll find out." He said walking into the room.
"Ok." She said with a smile.
"Jennifer, darling. Is everything ok?" He asked walking over to her.
She looked at him and said, "I’m going to miss my dad."
"Do you want to stay longer?" He asked sitting next to her.
"No. That’s ok. We should head back home. Jamie has to start school soon." She said getting up.
He grabbed her by the arm and gently pulled her close to him and he kissed her passionately and then made love to her.
"Hey grandpa!"
"Yes Jamie."
"I had a great time here. Thanks for letting me stay here and be part of your family." She said hugging him.
"You’re welcome. Anytime." He said with a smile and hugging her back.
"Dinner is ready." George announced.
"I’ll go and get mommy and daddy." She said quickly walking out of the living room.
She knocked on their bedroom door.
"Yes." Jonathan said.
"Dinner is ready." She said.
"We’ll be down soon." He said.
"Ok." Then she left.
"Glad she didn’t come in." Jonathan laughed, as he got dressed.
"Me too." Jennifer laughed.
"Grandpa. Mommy and daddy will be right down." She said walking into the dining room.
"Good." He said sitting down carefully.
"Hi sorry we are late." Jonathan said as they sat down.
"Daddy are we going to the ranch this week?" She asked taking the carrots.
"No. I forgot we have to enroll you in school." He said.
"Oh that place." She said.
They all laughed. Then Jonathan said, "We’ll go up there when you are on Christmas break."
"Ok." She said sadly.
The next day they said their good byes and headed back to Los Angeles. Jamie took out her diary and wrote in it. She was quiet all the way back to Los Angeles. When they got home she brought her stuff to her room. She didn’t realize that she left her diary on the plane. Later that night she looked all over her room for it. Jonathan and Jennifer knocked on her door.
"Come in." She sniffed.
"Jamie are you ok?" Jonathan asked looking at her.
"I lost my diary." She said wiping her eyes.
"Oh no." Jennifer said.
"You had it on the plane. Maybe it’s still there." Jonathan said.
"I hope so." She said.
"I’ll call Pete and have him look for it." Jonathan said leaving the room.
"Thanks." She said looking at him.
"Don’t worry daddy will find it." Jennifer said hugging her.
Five minutes later Jonathan came back to Jamie’s room and told her that Pete found the diary. He’ll drop it off tonight.
"Oh thank you!" She said hugging him.
