Summary: Callie Spengler finds that her father cared for her then she previously realized and for once considers that her mother’s little contact with her father was more than just to check in.
Chapter ½: The Dirt Farmer’s Wife
They’d just bared gotten settled in, the kids had just been dropped off at school, Janine was at the house and Callie had made her way to the town’s only Walmart for some much needed groceries. She focused on what she had to buy, focused on anything not related to her dead father and near emotionally crippled mother.
“Right, milk, eggs,” she listed off going to the refrigerated section.
Meanwhile at the farmhouse, Janine looked at the red chair she’d found her husband in. She saw the track marks on the floor and how the holes in the chair looked like something pushed itself out with incredible force. She’s from Brooklyn, she’s seen rats do a lot of things but this kind of damage is not one of them.
“Zuul…” she murmured remembering the talks they had about the state the boys had found Dana’s apartment in.
There was a tinkering in the back causing her to gasp and turn to find the kitchen radio turn on on its own. The searching stopped when Love of my Life by Queen came from its speakers fuzzily. Janine gasped tears clouding her vision as she realized who was with her.
“Egon?” She called voice thick.
The PKE where Phoebe left it on the table came to life, as if he was confirming her suspicion. She went to pick it up and walked around the room seeing where it is he wanted her to go.
“I’m getting you fridge magnets,” she murmured as she did as he ‘said’. She turned when she heard the sound of something coming from the master bedroom. She walked in and sat on the edge of the bed facing the door and asked, “What now?”
A thump came from the closet.
Janine moved to it and found a shoe box flush against the door of the closet. She ignored the clothes, if she focused on that now she didn’t think she’d have the heart to open the box. She pulled the box out of the closet, sat on the bed and placed the box on her lap.
Janine gasped, hand flew to cover her mouth as tears fell. The first thing to greet her were some polaroids of them. She set them aside to sort through later when she heard a jingling in the box. She pulled out a thick envelope labeled “My Girls” and underneath she found the coin she’d given him. What shocked her wasn’t that he’d kept, it was the chain attached to it.
“You took it from…” she gasped not being able to finish the sentence.
There was a loud bang on the floor making her jump.
“Ok, I’ll take that as a no,” she said clearing her throat.
Seeing that this was all that was in the box, Janine put everything back in, bar the coin which she slipped the chain of onto her neck. Box and PKE in hand, she made her way back to the kitchen. She sat at the table and took out the thick envelope. Egon had called and written to her and Callie over the years. She wanted him to talk to Callie but he’d nipped that idea in the bud stating that if he didn’t stop this second coming, then there would be no world for Callie. So, she collected the letters he sent to their daughter and left them with Winston. He said he’d they were on their way so that in a way is a good thing.
She had no idea She set aside the letter meant for Callie and picked the one with her own name up.
“February ?? 2014:
My Dearest Janine,
Something has changed, I can feel it. The earth is shifting under my feet and that black hole that is that mine keeps driving me even more insane. I don’t think I’m insane but when others think you are I wonder how long it takes before you start believing it yourself. I should have gone home long before this point. Home to you and Callie and let the world burn for all the good it’s done for me…”
Janine noticed the tear stains, ink blots and pen scratches.
“This might be an unnecessary letter to write at this point, but as you well know, I’m not getting any younger. So, maybe it is best if I say this now rather than wait. I know I didn’t say it as often as I should have during my calls. I love you both, so much…both you and Callie. You are my world, and it wears at me a little more each day being away from you. You coming here I know has not been easy on you. I have hurt you, broken up our family, hell I’ve practically abandoned you. And yet you stay, to my great astonishment.
For this my dear I must thank you. Thank you for the love you so selflessly gave, for marrying me and starting a family not knowing this is where it would go, for following me along this potential suicide mission despite everything that has happened and all you have sacrificed because of me.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head, tears falling from her eyes, “I chose to stay because I knew better. I still know better dammit!”
“Should I survive this, should we survive this I swear that I’ll spend the rest of my days fighting to be there for you and them as I should have from the beginning. If anything does happen to me please, I beg you please take as good a care of Phoebe as you did me. She is more like me, from what you’ve told me of her, than Callie would ever accept. She needs to know she’s not crazy, that she is just as special if not more than anyone else out there, and that there is no shame in crying and loving all around you. I wish I could be there Janine, to guide her and who she needs me to be.
And Trevor, my god, that boy will go far I promise you. If he’d apply himself a little more and not focus so much on skirt chasing…”
Janine laughed at that and said, “He’s bored, cut him some slack. The only reason he’s not in summer school right now is because our boy is a year a head of his class.”
“I’m sure he’ll be an amazing tech some day. And our dear Callie…what can I say. She’s raising our grandkids, she’s got her hands full with our gene pool as it is. She’s a great mom Janine…
And I am so proud of all of you, so very proud.
Love, Egon
P.S Tell Elon…thanks.
Janine slumped over the table in a shaking heap. Sobs wracked her body at the realization that her husband was very aware that something was going to happen, it was only a matter of time.
“Granny J?” She looked up to find Phoebe looking at her from around the corner, “You ok?”
Janine wiped her tears away and smiled sadly at her youngest grandchild.
“Come here baby,” she called instead of answering.
Phoebe sat down knowing full well when grandma had that tone it meant secret club meeting.
Janine without a word, put the coin turned necklace on Phoebe.
“I gave that to your grandfather just before he was going to face Gozer…” Janine started the story of when she gave the coin to Egon and saw Phoebe’s eyes light up.
‘They would have been two peas in a pod,’ she thought sadly.
Janine felt a hand on her shoulder, and a gentle squeeze. She gasped at the sudden touch but relaxed, she knew that hand, and she was grateful that he was still here.
Summary: Janine and Egon have been married since 1985, this is their story…from dealing with Walter Peck, the Staypuft Marshmallow man and Gozer to pink mood slime and the march of Lady Liberty in the first years of their marriage. To the clues that there might be a second Gozer resurgance.
The Morning after Gozer’s Vanquishment 1984
Janine waited a little ways away from the bulk of the crowd. She hoped her premonition wouldn’t come true and that her boys would come back to her safely. She fingered the ring under her glove and prayed that they would walk out at any moment. She heard the crowd go wild and looked up relieved tears falling from her eyes. They’re alive! And relatively unscathed, at least she thought so from what little she could see of them through the horde of people. She saw Ray walkout followed by Peter who was helping Dana Barrett then Winston and finally Egon. They were are covered in fluff but she wasn’t thinking of that, or cared, as she made a dash for him.
“Egon!” She called out over the cheering crowd.
He smiled widely and hugged her close.
“Thank God,” she breathed into the collar of his suit.
Egon crowded them into the back of Ecto-1 where she, like Dana, ended up on the lap of her respective ghostbuster after Louis Tully practically jumped in behind them.
Janine felt Egon’s tight grip on her as they made it to what remained of their headquarters.
“Let’s be real here,” Peter said, “There’s nothing.”
“There won’t be anything for a while,” Winston said honestly.
“We’ll need to store Ecto-1 somewhere before anything can really be done,” Ray said looking forlornly at the rubble they called home.
“I can help with that,” said Janine, “My roommate just moved in with her fiance, garage is free for storage if you need it.”
The boys sighed in relief and nodded at this.
“Also, it might be a bit cramped but I can make some room too,” Janine added finally feeling like herself after the rollercoaster that was the last couple of days.
Ray, Egon, Peter, Dana and Louis breath a sigh at that, they had a place to go.
The group piled back into Ecto-1 slimer hanging on to the lights as they drove to Brooklyn.
“Head warning, there is only one bathroom, so for the sake of us girls. And I cannot stress this enough, boys please flush and at least put the seat down after using. I’m your secretary not your mother,” Janine said already sounding tired.
“Well you’re gonna be babying one of us at least,” Peter said with a smirk.
Janine glared at him before snuggling into Egon’s neck. In her mind, now all that took presence was if her boys had any bruises they need looked at, she is no nurse but she can defend herself pretty well.
Once they arrived, Janine breathed a sigh of relief, she’s home.
“Home sweet home,” Peter said helping Dana out.
Janine opened the door making way for her boys, Louis and Dana.
“Dana I’ve some pajamas you can wear till I’ve the time to go and pick more things up. Ray, I think my brother left some things here you can borrow, should fit you ok. Peter, Ray, Mr. Tully you’ll have to leave me your measurements so I can pick things up later,” Janine started off, “Bathroom’s through there, the couch pulls out and the spare bed has clean sheets, we’ll just have to figure out what the sleeping arrangements will be.”
Egon not so subtly pulled Janine to him making it clear where he’d be.
Ray and Peter gave each other a look.
“Take turns?” Ray asked nodding to the guest bedroom.
Peter nodded and no sooner he agreed, Ray ran off calling dibs on the bed for the first couple of nights. Peter rolled his eyes at his friend’s antics but said nothing as he stayed, respectfully, close to Dana.
“The packs can go in the corner,” Janine pointed to an empty corner of the living room, “For the love of God don’t try charging them here please.”
Egon nodded respectfully and left her side to shed his proton pack before making his way back to her.
Peter and Winston did the same the latter going to the bathroom to shed their respective overalls.
“Don’t worry about Louis,” Winston said, “I’ve a pull out for him to crash on.”
Janine sighed in relief at the knowledge she’d not have to shoulder everything. Granted this did not mean that her home wouldn’t be cramped for the next while with all of them going in and out.
A game plan set, Janine made her way to her bedroom Egon in toe.
Egon shed his on overalls on the way tossing them in the laundry hamper as he followed her. He found her shedding her own coat and outerwear, her back to the door. He saw her tense shoulders drop as she removed her coat and realized how tense he himself had been before now. He walked up to her and put his hands on her shoulders before pulling her back to his front in a tight intimate hug.
Janine felt his arms around her and she felt the last of her walls drop. In the blink of an eye, she turned in his arms, buried her face in his shirt-covered chest, and sobbed holding onto him for dear life.
Egon pressed his lips to the crown of her head and closed his eyes. All those times he’d snubbed her advances crossed his mind. All the resistance and denial and for what? Granted he’d proposed not too long ago, but the lost time on what he thought he needed had him stumped. Why had he resisted living so much before realizing there was no shame in having something outside of academia? He realized just how pivotal having her in his life had become even before they’d made it official. He vowed to himself he’d never let anyone hurt her…even himself.
“I’m right here,” he softly said into her pixy hair, “And I’m not going anywhere.”
Janine nodded her sobs slowly subsiding.
The pair stayed like that for a bit longer, Egon making sure his little love is alright and Janine taking a moment to make herself presentable. If only to make a quick dinner for them all before crashing.
Janine felt a warm hand on her cheek and she looked up to Egon’s soft brown eyes and tender smile.
“We’re alive,” she said as laughter bubbled up.
Egon pulled her into a tender kiss filled with promise…and more.
“Knock it off! Brooklyn, we’re hungry what do you have that’s edible in this place?” Peter called out from the kitchen.
Janine rolled her eyes and Egon chuckled.
“Better go out there before he destroys the fridge,” Egon said half serious.
Janine ran out at that knowing very well how bachelors work, especially these ones.
“Rule number one, hands-off until things have been check-over,” Janine said pushing Peter away from the refrigerator.
“What’s rule number two then?” Peter asked cockily.
“Follow my rules till a routine is set or sleep outside with the strays,” Janine said pointing to her back door.
Peter took a seat on the sofa for once listening and sitting quietly.
Meanwhile, Janine looked through her fridge to see what it was she had on hand to feed the people in her home.
“I have a leftover roast, green salad and matzo ball soup from Passover,” she said as she took out the food and called out, “Ray! Come and get food before it’s gone!”
Egon floated in behind her eying the soup like a starving man. If there was anything food-related he’d call his guilty pleasure it would be matzo ball soup. Janine had sung her praises of her grandmother’s recipe and was curious to see how it stood to the praise. Though not attached to his Jewish roots, his grandmother made sure to at least instill in him and his brother the respect held for the varying traditions of each religion…and because her matzo ball soup is unbeatable.
“I don’t think anyone’s gonna get the soup,” Winston said with a chuckle.
“If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll leave enough for at least Dana and Mr. Tully,” Janine said firmly, “It could be the one thing she can eat and actually keep down after such an ordeal.”
Egon pouted, though he’d never admit it, but gave in and let Janine dish out the food and put the soup on the stove to reheat. He looked on in awe at how fluffy the matzo looked, how rich the broth looked and it did not lean on the light side where meat content was concerned.
Janine spared “subtle” glances at him and grinned. Her bubbe always said a way to a man’s heart was with food.
Once the soup was done heating, she gave a good portion each to Dana and Louis before serving the others. Egon sat at the kitchen island and stared at his plate of steaming soup and dug in without much prompting.
Janine looked on in satisfaction as Egon’s face morphed into bliss at the first mouthful of soup. She settled for some broth, not being too hungry herself, and settled for feeling proud that she’d rendered her boys, and guests, speechless.
“You learned with your grandmother right?” Winston asked between mouthfuls of soup.
“Bubbe wanted to make sure at least one of her granddaughters learned to cook before she kicked the bucket,” Janine said with a small smile and nod.
“Oh I’m sorry,” he said sympathetically.
“Oh she’s not dead, believe me, old Bubbe Melnitz will live on outta spite,” Janine said with a laugh, “If only to prove my mom right.”
“Sounds about right,” Dana said a fond smile on her face, “My mom can be a force of nature, got that from my grandmother.”
Janine nodded with a smile and went back to eating her broth.
“I may move in with your grandmother after eating this roast,” Ray said between bites of food.
“She’s planning a move out here believe it or not,” Janine said with a roll of her eyes, “Something about needing a break from my sister, her husband I don’t know.”
“I’m moving,” Ray said boyishly causing the group to laugh.
Janine noticed her silent partner, taking his sweet time eating his soup and approached him.
“You ok?” She asked quietly.
He nodded and kept eating.
“It’s official J’s broken him!” Peter said boisterously.
Dana nudged him.
“What?” Peter said, “She did!”
“Keep going Doc,” Janine warned.
Ray, Winston and Louis focused on their plates as Peter toyed with his comfort.
Egon looked at Peter brow raised wondering if Peter was really going to play this game. He knew they were all coming down from a rather severe adrenaline high, however Peter being Peter needs to stop before he’s sleeping outside. It surprised him how Peter seems to forget that Janine wrangles them and works the business from top to bottom.
Janine glared at Peter and felt she only needed one more push.
“Pete,” Ray said quietly, “Do you really wanna risk sleeping outside?”
Peter scoffed, “She wouldn’t dare.”
“We’ll see about that,” Janine said having had enough.
The other three ghostbusters shared a look and new that Janine had about had it with Peter. Winston for his part knew coming down from an adrenaline high depends on the person, it doesn’t surprise him one bit that Peter’s would be for him to be his ever joyous self time a hundred. And by the dubious look in Janine’s eye, something is bound to happen.
Peter smirked thinking he’d won one over their spunky secretary. Unbeknownst to him, he’d sealed his fate.
After eating, Ray volunteered to get himself and Peter some clothes while Janine looked and hunted down a pair of sweats for the taller woman to wear. Winston, bless him, volunteered to wash the dishes as Egon dried and set them aside to put away later. Louis bid everyone a farewell as he left with Winston and Ray. Winston opted to run, he has no death wish, he also knows his girl will help get Dana some clothes for the next few days.
With them gone, Janine ignored Peter’s quips and focused on keeping her blood pressure down and not letting him get even more under her skin than he was. She prepped her tub for Dana knowing the woman needed some much needed processing time.
“Bath is filling if you want to go ahead and take a long soak,” Janine said with a sympathetic smile, “There’s two scents to choose from and take as long as you need. I’ll drop off the clothes so don’t worry if you hear the door opening and closing.”
Dana nodded and thanked her grateful to have a moment to herself.
Peter went to the guest room and promptly passed out.
After putting the extra clothes on the counter for Dana, Janine made her way to the master bedroom, closed the door and stripped.
Egon saw her go and trailed after her. He made sure to be quiet when entering the room seeing she’d been changing. He locked the door and approached her from behind making sure to put some force under his feet so as to not startle her.
Janine turned to find Egon walking up to her just as she was about to unhook her bra and said, “Not tonight. Especially not with the others here.”
Egon dropped kisses on her left shoulder and up her neck and said, “I know. You’re mine and I don’t share.”
Janine felt that to her core, this was a first for her. To actually witness him be as possessive as he was currently being.
Egon pulled off the bra and took her in.
“You look as beautiful as the night I asked you to marry me,” he said softly pulling her to him in a hug.
Janine sighed into his chest again and yawned feeling exhaustion take hold.
Egon nudged her to get in bed before stripping to his boxers and joining her. He pulled her to him and held her close.
Janine tangled their legs together needing to feel him close.
“Ya know what I forgot to do?” Janine said just before passing out.
“Hm?”
“I forgot to shove Peter out the back door,” Janine said lightly exhaustion clear in her voice.
Egon chuckled at this and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
The Following Morning
The couple woke up to the smell of smoke and yelling coming from the kitchen.
Egon and Janine made quick work of putting something on before running out to find a green ghost in her kitchen doing a good job of eating the burnt up…whatever it was that’s in the pan. She looked to find Dana in the corner wide eyed as Peter tried to put the fire out.
“Looks like we may have found ourselves a new pet,” Egon said rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“And an over abundance of ghost slime,” Ray said as he went to help Dana up.
Janine rolled her eyes at their antics and figured this is her new family, she might as well get used to it.
“Why are you opening your bottle all weird, Egon?”
“Last time I went on a jog Peter thought it would be funny to replace my regular water with carbonated water. It’s not bubbling, so it would be logical to assume it’s not carbonated. But knowing Peter it doesn’t hurt to be careful…”
“Well if you want some of mine, just ask! You know, Winston was right. Putting it in the freezer before jogging really does the trick!”
= = = = =
I originally sketched this almost two years ago and decided to clean it up and color lol.
If you’re ever wondering how Egon was able to get up the stairs so fast in When Halloween Was Forever it’s because Janine and he jog every other day together.
It was @goldy-shinyson‘s fault XDDD. Based on that one scene from ‘Road to el Dorado’
(I’ve been fighting the block all week and I feel better now that I managed to finish something. Which is fortunate as I have 2 important things to finish ASAP)
