Who: Lindsey McDonald What: A talk between mother and son Where: His office at Murdock & Byrd When: Evening, the 21st Rating: PG Status: Complete, narrative
Her patience was starting to drive him crazy. The brunette ghost sat in one of the chairs across the desk from him, dressed in a dark blue waitress's uniform and light blue cardigan, dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, soft brown eyes watching him with concern and sadness, even something close to pride. Not once on any of the five nights she'd shown up had she pushed him or demanded his attention. She'd simply watched him silently.
"Lindsey," Rebecca McDonald's voice finally broke the silence between them. She shifted in her chair, playing with the cuff on the cardigan. He remembered that piece of clothing all too well, the last thing she'd ever worn. "Sweetheart, why won't you talk to me?" It was a quiet request, a simple question that needed an answer.
"Because you're not real." Instead of continuing to ignore her as he had been, it seemed like a better idea just to give her the answer and hope that would be that. Instead, Rebecca tilted her head, a sad smile on her lips.
"No, I'm not. Unfortunately, that happens when you're dead."
Lindsey shook his head and rose from his desk. "No, I mean you're not you. No one knows why all of you are suddenly showing up but you can't be real. For all I know, you could be some trick of Wolfram and Hart. Messing with my mind," he snapped, gesturing to his head with a finger and twirling it in the international signal for crazy. "That's why I'm not talking to you." His voice trailed off at the end as he pressed his fingertips to the blotter, staring hard at the desk surface.
There was another long moment of silence before Rebecca sighed and shook her head. "I can see how it would look like that," she replied finally, rising from the chair. "But it's not. I'm not here because of that firm. I'm here because I wanted to see you." Lindsey shut his eyes, hanging his head. She could say that all she wanted. Wouldn't that be the protest anyway if she wanted to catch him off his game?
The brush of fingers against his skin, brushing back the hair from his face, startled him and he pulled back, nearly tripping over the chair behind him. "You - " Rebecca looked surprised as well before she pulled her hand back. "Ghosts can do that. Takes a hell of a lot of concentration but they can."
"Lindsey, I'm not here with an ulterior motive. I promise," Rebecca said softly, crossing her arms over her stomach. "I just wanted to see you." She reached up to tuck some loose hair behind her ear then started to smooth down her skirt. "You've always been your own person, hard headed, stubborn, and prone to getting into trouble. I wish I'd been there to keep you from certain grasps - "
"I would've ended up there anywa -"
Rebecca held up her hand. "Maybe. Humor your mother, sweetheart." Despite his need to protest, Lindsey found himself doing just that. "I've been here the past few days to say a few things to you. Then I'll leave you be." Even convinced that she wasn't real, or maybe part of some bigger plan, he couldn't help but feel disappointed at that. He'd been nine when she died and now he had the chance to talk to her again, but it wouldn't last.
"I'm proud of you, Lindsey. I might not approve of some of the things you've done but you've never given up. Remember that. You might be unsure of where to go but you'll find your way. It's your life. Live it, do what you love, fight for what you believe in." She smiled, resting a hand over his hear. "Treat my daughter-in-law well." When Lindsey didn't pull away, she stood on her tiptoes and put her arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug. His arms went around her, pulling her into the first hug they'd shared in twenty three years. He closed his eyes, holding onto the moment.
"Magic is in your blood. Keep with it." After giving him another squeeze, she let go of him. Lindsey released her much more reluctantly. "I love you. I know telling you to be safe will be a lost cause so I won't waste those words." She laughed, wiping away a tear from her cheek. "Fight, love, laugh, live. All right?" He nodded, not trusting himself to speak. "Good." She gave his hand one last squeeze and released it.
And in a blink, silence fell on the office. Lindsey drew in a breath and glanced around the office, looking for some sign that she was there. Nothing. His gaze returned to the spot where she had been standing only seconds later and he smiled.