Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart." Any real people or places noted in the chapter are just there for storyline purposes.
Chapter 1- Coast to Coast
Boston, Massachusetts…
Although Elizabeth Thatcher and Rosemary Leveaux grew up in the same city, they never met until each attended Boston University where they were assigned as roommates. They became fast friends, a relationship which developed and grew stronger during their four years in college. However, as with all things, change occurred; Rosemary fell in love with her college sweetheart, and Elizabeth found an undeniable yearning for all things literary and they went their separate ways. Elizabeth entered Columbia University Graduate School in New York, and Rosemary stayed in Boston to continue her relationship with Lee Coulter.
Lee was a business major from Seattle, Washington, who moved across country to live with his favorite aunt and uncle while pursuing his degree. The plan was for him to eventually take over his uncle's very lucrative hardware store.
Upon graduation, Lee moved up from salesman, to assistant manager, and by the time he and Rosemary married, four years later, he was Revere Hardware's store manager and the "go to" guy for all home repair needs.
The distance between New York and Boston was a four and a half hour train ride, but if she was in a hurry and didn't mind driving herself, Elizabeth could cut an hour off of her travel time. As a result, she did her best to come home once a month to visit, alternating between the train and the car. Sadly, due to her studies, she missed many of her trips home.
Upon graduation with a Master's Degree in Journalism, Elizabeth worked as a freelance writer until securing a position with the New York Daily News. Her dreams of writing serious, heart stopping, mind blowing stories were replaced with being happy to report about "Your garden and what grows best, what the color you paint your room says about your personality, and how the new cardiac surgeon will improve the lives of our children."
Although she took pride in all of her work, the last story, she felt was one of her best. Not only did she introduce several children who were now on the road to recovery, but she had also met the world renowned pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Hayden Andrews.
Not that she was aware of him beforehand, but she certainly was impressed enough upon their first meeting to accept a dinner invitation. They continued to see each other when possible, with occasional dinners at the hospital when he was unable to leave due to a critically ill patient.
Elizabeth loved Rosemary and they generally kept no secrets from each other. That is until Elizabeth began dating and fear of jinxing the relationship kept her quiet. Now, as Elizabeth stepped off the Amtrak train in Boston, she knew that she was going to have to come clean with all the new happenings in her life. She just didn't realize how quickly the topic would be raised.
"You know, I don't mind picking you up, but when are you going to have a man that you can bring with you for us to meet?" Rosemary asked as she welcomed Elizabeth back home to Boston for her long awaited weekend visit with her family and friends.
"Well, as a matter of fact, I am dating…"
Rosemary stopped suddenly, took Elizabeth's arm and turned her around to face her, "Do tell…who is he, and why am I just now hearing about him?"
"His name is Hayden Andrews, and he's a pediatric cardiologist."
"How long have you been seeing him? Is he cute? Are you in love? When's the wedding? Why didn't you tell me about him before?"
"Okay, well the answers to your question are three months, very, it's too soon, not for a long time, and you can be a bit pushy."
"Huh?"
"We've been dating for three months; he is very cute, quite gorgeous actually; it's way too soon to say it's love; there is no wedding planned, and well, the last answer is self explanatory…you are a bit pushy."
"You have been dating for three months and I'm just now hearing about him? What happened to the "no secrets" rule between us?" Rosemary asked, seemingly hurt at being left out in the dark. "How did you meet?"
"I was assigned a story on the 'New doctor in town,' and I found him intriguing. So when he asked me out to dinner, I accepted."
"Have you slept with him?"
Although not shocked by Rosemary's forwardness, the question presented in the open as people stood around or passed by caught her off guard. "Rosie…"
"Sorry, but you can't come here and tell me about dating a gorgeous doctor and then leave out details."
Elizabeth looked around and finding themselves somewhat alone she replied, "No, I have not slept with him."
"Yet…" Rosemary finished Elizabeth's sentence.
"Rosemary, you know me and my morals; some things don't change."
"Do you have a picture of him?"
"I have one of us on my phone," Elizabeth replied as she pulled up her photo and showed it to Rosemary.
"He's so good looking. Is he good to you? When am I going to meet him?"
"He's handsome, but he doesn't act like he knows it, which is nice. As far as meeting him, he's very busy with work," she commented.
"Too busy to meet your best friend?"
Elizabeth did her best to explain, "I'm sure he will come with me some time if he's not busy. Right now, when he has time from the hospital, he travels with "Operation Heart;" they travel to Third World countries and perform surgeries on children who can't get help elsewhere."
Elizabeth felt the need to make excuses, "So it seems like he's either busy at the hospital or preparing for a trip. Either way, I can't very well complain when he's trying to mend children's hearts."
She took a breath and continued, "You know, even I don't see him as much as I'd like."
"Hmm, it sounds like you're more attached than you led on."
"I enjoy his company; he's ambitious, intelligent, and certainly not hard to look at," Elizabeth giggled and blushed. "Sometimes I wonder what he sees in me."
"You've never given yourself enough credit. You're gorgeous inside and out, and heaven knows, you're smart. If anything, I think a man would be intimidated by you," Rosemary admitted. "So, how serious are you?"
"Look Rosemary, my relationship with Hayden is new, very new in fact; I don't really know how I feel, so I'm not rushing anything, okay?"
"So, your ovaries aren't doing the teaberry shuffle yet?"
"Ex…cuse me?"
"Elizabeth, don't you remember in college when we'd go out with a group of girls and the height of gorgeousness was a guy who made your ovaries do the teaberry shuffle."
"Rosemary, who did you hang out with in college, because it certainly wasn't me. I don't remember anything about ovaries and shuffling."
"Okay, so you're saying that your ovaries aren't excited yet?"
"WOW, Rosemary, you know me; I don't let my ovaries have a say at this point, so no, there is no shuffling going on here," Elizabeth commented as her hands motioned around her pelvis. "Please, can we change the subject and just enjoy the weekend?"
"Okay, I'll try to back off," Rosemary hesitantly replied.
"Besides, weren't you the one in college who always said that when it's right, I'll know it?" Elizabeth asked as the two women continued walking to Rosemary's car.
"I did say that, but Elizabeth that seems like a lifetime ago. I want you to find someone who makes you as happy as Lee makes me. So, is Hayden that person?"
"Gosh Rosemary, so much for backing off…" Elizabeth closed her eyes momentarily before releasing a harsh breath. "Right now, I just want to make my way in the literary world; then I'll concentrate on a relationship."
"Speaking of work; how is that going?"
"I'm writing, but I haven't broken into anything hardcore yet. It's mostly prestigious weddings, what your smile reveals to your man, and what is the most popular dating flower?"
"Excuse me…"
"Rosemary, it takes a while to prove your ability; plus you have to wait until there is an opening."
"So what do you want to write about?"
"You're going to laugh."
"Have I ever laughed at you?" Rosemary asked before realizing that she had in fact teased Elizabeth about various things during the time they'd known each other. "Okay, maybe I have before, but I'm more mature now, so what is it?"
Although skeptical, Elizabeth responded, "Well actually, I want to do detective work, you know dig deep, interview whistleblowers, and report on companies that violate EPA regulations, or maybe criminal analysis, or some political comparisons. Really, I want to be a part of stories that truly impact people, you know, make them think."
Feeling somewhat frustrated in her career, she took a deep breath before quickly continuing, "Somehow I don't think how you cross pollinate roses to get different colors will make a big difference in the world."
"Maybe not in everyone's world, but in someone's world I'm sure it's important," Rosemary did her best to encourage her. "I think as long as you write with the hope that you impact just one person, you've done something."
"I guess we'll see. I do have some news in that regard…"
"Why are you holding out on me?" Rosemary was anxious, refusing to open the car door until Elizabeth spilled her news.
"Well, I'm moving to Pittsburgh…"
"Pittsburgh…why?"
"Hayden's family runs the 'Pittsburgh Press' and it's my opportunity to expand my writing into grittier topics."
"I don't like this, Elizabeth. You're moving away to be with someone I've never even met."
"I'm moving for a job."
"Elizabeth that may be why you're moving, but what about Hayden; what's his plan?"
"Rosemary, we're just dating and besides, he lives in New York, so I'm not moving to be with him."
"Lee and I need to meet him."
"He's just very busy and it's hard for him to get away."
"When are you moving?"
"The first of next month."
"In two weeks? Do you realize how far away you'll be from home?"
"I'll still get home to visit; it just may not be as often," Elizabeth promised.
Attempting to change the subject, Elizabeth continued, "Where's Lee?"
Rosemary took hold of Elizabeth's rolling bag and placed it in the trunk, "He's working, but we're cooking out tonight and he'll make his famous Hawaiian Pork Chops, so you'll see him then.
During the short weekend visit, Elizabeth had to split her time between Rosemary and Lee and her parents, who were preparing to leave the country on a much desired vacation the following week.
Much to her dismay, the weekend flew by and before Elizabeth knew it, she was back at the Amtrak train station on her way home, and on to what she hoped would be bigger and better things.
Elizabeth moved as expected to Pennsylvania and began working at the Andrews' family managed newspaper, Pittsburgh Press. She accepted the fluff assignments initially without complaint as she needed to prove herself worthy of more responsibility, and didn't want the opportunity simply because she was dating their son.
Elizabeth had never dated anyone who was as attentive to her as Hayden. He called her at least twice a day; first thing in the morning to wish her a good day, and before bed, his voice was the last one that filled her head.
Situations often arose where his position required him to cancel weekend trips home. When that occurred, the following Monday, Elizabeth was inundated with floral bouquet deliveries, each card professing his sincerest apologies.
After six months of dating, but against her protestations, Hayden gave up his prestigious position as head of the pediatric cardiology department at New York- Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital to move home and take a job at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital in order to be closer to Elizabeth.
As the cycle of seasons passed, their relationship progressed. Hayden continued to encourage Elizabeth to give up her apartment, and move into his condo, but she held firm to wanting separate residences. Although he initially pushed for their relationship to be more physical in nature, he seemed to understand her desire to remaining a virgin until marriage. However, that simply turned the direction of their relationship and he proposed marriage on several occasions.
She cared about him, admired him, maybe even loved him, but somehow she didn't think she was in love with him. As a result, his proposals were always met with a "Hayden, please put the ring away" response.
Elizabeth was proud of the work Hayden was doing, and greatly admired his dedication, realizing that maybe there was more to marriage than love. Much to Hayden's surprise, his next attempt at proposing was met with a "Yes."
Although engaged, she still refused to be intimate with him, asking for understanding and acceptance of her morals and values. Her request was met with resistance and a moderate amount of pushing for more each time they were together. When that didn't provide the reaction he was seeking, he began pushing for her to set a wedding date.
Rosemary still had not, as yet, met Hayden, but in her conversations with Elizabeth, she was more concerned about why Elizabeth was hesitant to tie the knot. She recalled being over the moon excited to marry Lee, and remembered thinking that the wedding day couldn't arrive fast enough for her. Therefore, when Elizabeth would mention taking her time, and that there was no rush, she knew that this was not the lifelong relationship for her best friend.
Telephone conversation after telephone conversation between Rosemary and Elizabeth generally ended with one or both women upset. Rosemary felt that Elizabeth needed a break from Hayden to determine what she really wanted. Elizabeth, on the other hand felt that a break would signify that she had failed in this relationship, so she actually set a wedding date to prove that she and Hayden were perfect for each other.
At work, once the ring was on her finger, she somehow trumped other reporters, finding herself assigned to the best stories, and now the archenemy of everyone in the office. Elizabeth knew she was talented, and she assumed that her move up the ladder at the newspaper was due to her experience, education and abilities. However, she heard other reporters grumble about how she'd "Slept her way to the top."
Across the United States, on the opposite coast, Jack Thornton sat at a community desk at the Seattle Police Department contemplating his own life's plan. He'd grown up in Seattle, was a much sought after high school football quarterback, who eventually signed with Clemson. Injuries sidelined him early in his freshman year and he made the decision to change his goal, truly seeking a degree instead of simply playing football.
Sadly, Jack's father, Thomas Thornton, a well respected Seattle State Police Officer was killed in the line of duty in the early part of Jack's senior year where he was pursuing a BS degree in Police Science.
Dropping out of school, he returned home, and much to his mother's dismay, joined the Seattle Police Department as a patrolman. Having been told that moving up in the ranks would be a difficult process without a college degree, he went back to school taking a class when possible, hoping to eventually complete the remaining fifteen credits for his degree.
Jack had been dating Sophie Galloway, a police dispatcher, for three years. They both enjoyed nature walks, the beach, spending time with family, and with both of them employed by the police department, they had that in common as well. Their relationship seemed comfortable and although Jack was certain that he loved her, being in love with her wasn't a concept that seemed as clear. At twenty eight years of age, Sophie was ready to get married but Jack didn't share her enthusiasm, feeling strongly that something was holding him back.
He wasn't certain what that "Thing" was until he stopped off at Sophie's apartment on a Thursday evening. Initially scheduled to work, he found someone looking for additional shifts, so he took the night off to surprise her with take-out Chinese food and her favorite movie on DVD.
He rang the doorbell, stepped back and waited. Several more attempts were needed before Sophie opened the door, wearing a t-shirt and a pair of men's sweatpants.
Jack stood in the doorway initially unfazed until a man's voice called out from the bedroom, "Send them away and come back to bed."
Sadly, Jack may not have recognized her clothing, but the man's voice was one he was very familiar with. Apparently, the code of honor escaped Jack's brother in blue, Joshua Allen. You know; that code which says that you don't date another man's girl. But then again, they may not have been technically dating, as he quickly learned that their relationship seemed to consist of simply hopping into bed on the occasions when Jack was scheduled to work nights.
Jack dropped the bag of Chinese food and the DVD on the hallway floor and left. He made no attempts to see Sophie, and on the many occasions when she called him, he pushed the "Decline" button, eventually resorting to blocking her number.
It was a bit more difficult to avoid Joshua as they worked at the same precinct. Though he apologized over and over, Jack made it clear that they were no longer friends, buddies, or associates, breaking him to the core when he said that although he would always protect him in work related situations, they were no longer brothers.
Days passed into weeks and then into months with nothing changing. Jack had no desire to date and he was quickly realizing that living and working in his home town was not providing him what he needed in his life. Unfortunately, he wasn't even certain what that was, but he was positive that it wouldn't be found in Seattle.
He sat at the desk finishing up paperwork before starting his next shift. Contemplating his life's path, it became abundantly clear that he was in need of a change. Looking online at available openings, one ad in particular caught his eye…
"The City of Boston is looking for a few good men and women to add to its nationally ranked police force. Do you have what it takes to make this city proud? If so, the time is right; the time is now. Make the change and come on board."
Constantly feeling the sad eyes of everyone upon him, if he wasn't certain before, it was now crystal clear, he needed to leave and make his way in a new city. He thought about it for a few days, not wanting to make a rash decision. He pulled out a piece of paper and did the "Pros and Cons" list, with the only pro being that his mother and brother lived within five miles of him. The right side of the page, labeled "cons," far outweighed the left "pro" side, and his decision was made.
Jack put in for a job with the Boston Police Department, figuring that the farther he distanced himself from Seattle, the better. He then sat back and waited, thinking that when the time is right, it will happen.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania…
Surprisingly, with the wedding date set, Hayden no longer pushed for intimacy. He seemed content to cuddle with Elizabeth on the couch while watching a movie, holding her hand at social events, and kissing her good night all without the usual comment about spending the night.
Elizabeth never asked if there was a problem between them, simply thankful that he was giving her space. In fact, if she'd given it serious thought, she'd have realized that along with backing away from her, he was also spending more time at the hospital, and volunteering for more frequent mission trips.
Everything became very clear when Hayden cancelled dinner with Elizabeth advising that he had a patient that needed monitoring and he wouldn't be home before 10pm, much too late for them to see each other. With Hayden "working" late at the hospital, and his next trip out of the country fast approaching, Elizabeth made dinner and carried it to his place, telling herself that they needed some time alone before he left.
Using her key, she entered his spacious condo and immediately headed for the kitchen to get everything ready. Reaching into the wine cooler on the counter, she held a bottle in her hand. Startled by a noise, she dropped the bottle shattering it on the ceramic floor when she spun around, observing Hayden in a pair of boxer shorts standing just outside the kitchen.
"Elizabeth, what are you doing here?" he snapped at her, certainly sounding annoyed as opposed to appreciative for her attempt at doing something nice.
"I'm sorry; I thought you were still at the hospital. I wanted to have dinner ready for you when you got home," Elizabeth bent down and began picking up the pieces of glass from off the floor.
"Hayden, what was that noise?" a woman's voice was heard getting closer as she approached from the bedroom.
Suddenly, Elizabeth was face to face with "The other woman" and she wasn't even aware that there was another woman. Although the woman was scantily clad, and obviously out of uniform Elizabeth believed her to be one of the nurses who had travelled with Operation Heart on their many mission trips.
The air rushed from her body and instead of being angry, she was more embarrassed; almost like she had no right to be there, or given her moral code, that she had no right to expect him to be faithful.
"Elizabeth…I," it seemed to be the only time since Elizabeth had met Hayden that he was at a loss for words.
Assuming that her tears would be forthcoming she blinked, holding them back, but then realized that there were none. She was angry at being made a fool of, but thankful that for whatever reason, her head had kept her heart from giving in completely to the famous cardiologist.
Elizabeth removed the two carat Emerald cut diamond ring from her left hand and sat it on the counter. She grabbed her jacket and purse and headed for the door.
"Elizabeth, please…"
She turned around, "Don't…don't try to talk your way out of this. Please just don't insult my intelligence."
Hayden stood dumbfounded and certainly not appearing as the well educated, gifted speaker that she'd known until now.
"You know, I'm not even angry; I'm sad that you couldn't have just told me that you didn't love me." She turned back toward the door stopping almost immediately before spinning around, "Actually, maybe I need to thank you, because this…us is not what I want. I want a man who, above all else will be faithful to me just as I will be to him. It can't be a one-way street. Hayden, we're not right for each other…"
"But Elizabeth, I do love you…"
"Now I am angry, because you can't love me and do this."
"Please Elizabeth, let me explain…"
"Your kind of love is not for me. I'm done, so please just leave me alone."
"Elizabeth, please don't…"
Elizabeth felt her body shaking as she opened the door and stepped outside. Although this wasn't how she expected the evening to end, part of her felt relieved. She cared about him, but then again maybe what she felt was more appreciation for his talents than an undying love and desire to be with him.
She slipped into her car, glanced down and feeling a sharp pain, observed a thin shard of glass protruding from her palm. Blood covered her hand and rolled down her fingers. She removed the glass, wiped her hand and wrist and thankful that she had her own place, she headed home.
Elizabeth made her way home without shedding a tear. She walked inside her apartment and the first thing she observed was herself in her entryway mirror. The bright red splotches on her sweater showed her that she may have been disappointed, angry and sad, but she was still very much alive. What he'd done may have left her damaged, but she was certainly not broken.
Although she felt betrayed, something told her that a life with Hayden was not what she'd dreamed of. Sure he was gorgeous, intelligent and until now a great conversationalist, but a relationship to her meant being with someone who had time for her; someone who made time for her. Maybe he didn't feel as strongly about her as he'd implied, or maybe his job was just too demanding to support a real relationship. Either way, the fact that she wasn't devastated by finding him with another woman told her that this was not the man for her.
She took a seat on the sofa in her eerily quiet apartment. Feeling an over abundance of emotions swirling about, she pulled her journal from the shelf of her end table, took a deep breath and opened its cover. Entry after entry seemed to deal with work, family and friends. There were only a few entries which dealt with romantic relationships or more appropriately the lack thereof.
To Elizabeth's credit, she knew what she was looking for in a romantic relationship, and although she'd been blinded by other aspects of Hayden's character, she considered this, if nothing else a learning experience.
She flipped to the next blank page, clicked her pen open and suddenly the tears, which before seemed nonexistent, began to flow. She wiped her eyes, took another deep breath and did her best to make sense of the fragile emotions that were contained inside…
"Life is hard; it is exciting, glorious, bold and thrilling, but it can also be scary, impossible to understand, and difficult to navigate. We soar during the highs, those times when we are unchallenged, but hide during the lows, unwilling or unable to see the blessings that are always provided.
Although my head says that I will be fine, that what was before me was fragile at best and certainly not worth basing a lifetime of emotions upon, my heart still aches somewhat. Even though this relationship was not my destiny, I still want what others have; that heart stopping, can't catch your breath kind of love, and wonder why it escapes me. Am I too picky, or do I not know what I truly want? Either way, love seems to be holding me at bay; keeping me wanting, desiring the feeling, but realizing that it simply may not come my way.
Whether we know it or not, we are all truly blessed. From waking each morning, to the people we meet, the work we share, and the adventures we experience, blessings are all around us. Our path, our destiny, our meant to be may not land us where we thought or intended, as the slightest turn or change could send us in a different direction. We must be willing to alter our course, realizing that some things are not what we thought as we willingly accept the outcome.
Thinking back to where I was and how I landed there, I've realized that my road has been a bit rocky. Although thankful for the experiences, I wonder if only a few decisions made in a different direction would have placed me farther down the path to success, personally and professionally. No matter the circumstance, I am where I am and the road less travelled now seems to be the path I desperately need to take."
Rosemary was looking forward to seeing Elizabeth and although their last face to face contact had been months ago, it seemed more like a lifetime had passed. She still had not met Hayden, which she found both surprising and concerning given the fact that Elizabeth was now engaged…or so Rosemary thought.
So many things had changed in Elizabeth's life; her best friend was pregnant, she had just ended a relationship, and although work had finally felt more fulfilling, she anticipated a negative change in that area as well. As a result, she was looking forward to spending time with Rosemary, Lee and her family to celebrate the positive and commiserate over the negatives.
Elizabeth had mixed emotions when the train arrived at the station in Boston. She knew that Rosemary would be excited to see the diamond engagement ring Elizabeth was wearing until last night, and she wasn't sure how to tell her that the relationship was over. Somehow she felt slightly embarrassed by the fact that she was unable to hang on to her man.
"Elizabeth," Rosemary called out as she walked slowly toward the passengers who were exiting the train. "Let me see it…"
"Where's Lee…"
"Where's your ring?" the lost look on Elizabeth's face told Rosemary all she needed to know. "Did he cheat?"
"Damn you're good."
"When, and with whom?"
The two women continued toward the parking lot, "I caught him last night; who knows how long it's been going on. As for with whom, I have no idea, but as far as I'm concerned, she can have him."
Rosemary unlocked the car doors and both women slipped inside. Elizabeth felt more like crying now than she had in the past 24 hours.
She wiped her eyes, "I wasn't worth waiting for, Rosemary. I wanted to wait, to give myself to him on our wedding night, but he didn't want to; he wouldn't do it for me."
"Elizabeth, it's not your fault. Hayden may be a brilliant surgeon, but he's not the man you need in your life."
"I think I'm just destined to be alone."
"No Elizabeth…"
"Rosemary, I want to talk about happy things now. How are you feeling?"
"I'm tired a lot, but that is expected."
"Where's Lee?"
"He's home putting together the crib for this little one," she placed her hand on her abdomen and smiled.
"You are really starting to show. Are you getting excited?"
"Excited, but I'm also terrified."
"I can only imagine the emotions that are flooding you right now. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"You are planning to be here when I pop, right?"
"Pop? Eww, such a gross visual, but yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Elizabeth spent the weekend with Rosemary and Lee, making a quick trip to have dinner on Saturday night with her parents. Unfortunately Sunday arrived all too quickly, and with Rosemary resting on the couch to ease her swollen ankles, Lee drove Elizabeth back to the train station.
Lee stood with Elizabeth inside the train station awaiting the arrival of her ride.
"Train #176 the Northeast Regional to New York is now boarding…"
Lee walked her to the door, gave her a hug and watched as she boarded the train. "Hmm, is that…?"
"Hey Jack…Jack Thornton, is that you?" Lee stepped out onto the walkway and called out to the quarterback on his high school football team.
"Lee, Lee Coulter," Jack approached with his arm extended, as both men shook hands.
"How have you been?" Lee asked.
"I'm doing well; do you live here?" Jack replied.
Lee excitedly responded, "Yep, married, expecting a baby, and a homeowner…would you ever have thought?"
"I guess when you find the one, you know its right."
"So, who corralled you?"
"Not me; I'm still single."
"Oh no, don't let Rosie know or she'll consider it her mission to fix you up."
"Rosie…?"
"Oh sorry, Rosemary is my wife."
"And you're expecting a baby?"
"I know; who would have thought when we were teenagers cruising the hot spots that I'd be somebody's dad."
"That's great news. Congratulations."
"Thanks, so what are you up to? Did you end up playing ball at Clemson?" Lee asked, doing his best to quickly catch up with his best high school friend.
"Only one season. I tore my ACL, and I decided that it wasn't worth it, so I changed my plan."
"To what?"
"I'm a detective…"
"WOW, talk about things we don't expect…"
"What are you talking about? I was always a good kid."
"Yes, you were except that time we rolled Arlo Patterson's house."
"Lee, he deserved it. He stole our play book and sold it to the Titan's team captain."
Lee began to laugh, "But your conscience was bothering you so much that you went by and cleaned it up and apologized."
Jack shook his head as he thought back about that moment, "Well, two wrongs don't make a right."
"So, what police force are you on?" Lee asked.
"Boston PD; I just transferred from Seattle; I needed a change."
"Girl trouble?"
"Isn't it always?" Jack replied.
"I thought you said you were single."
"I am; I had been dating someone, and let's just say she wasn't as content in our relationship as I thought she was."
"Oh man, I'm sorry…"
"That's okay; I'm looking forward to this new challenge; no women, and work, work, work…"
Lee pulled out his phone, "Let me have your contact info; we have to stay in touch. As a matter of fact, after Rosemary has the baby and is settled and ready to go out again, we'll have dinner together."
"That sounds great, Lee. I'll look forward to it."
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania…
To say that Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were livid with Elizabeth's decision to end the engagement would be an understatement. The prominent Andrews family was well respected in Pittsburgh and having an engagement scandal darken their socialite status was difficult for them. However, it was beyond Elizabeth's understanding that they would expect her to remain with Hayden after he began an affair with a nurse, who she found out he'd met while on a medical mission to Somalia. Although she had no proof, Elizabeth felt certain that this wasn't the first affair he'd had, and if given the opportunity to dig a bit deeper she was certain that she'd find other skeletons lurking in his closet. Thankfully, it would not be a closet that he shared with her.
As a result, Elizabeth didn't lose her job, although she might as well have. She was relegated back down to the society page and as soon as she was able to make arrangements, she left the Pittsburgh Press, and returned to Boston, the City she loved and her friends and family who always had her back.
Elizabeth temporarily moved into Lee and Rosemary's guest bedroom. She initially fought the offer, but down deep inside having her best friend so close brought a sense of comfort into her tumultuous life.
Much to Elizabeth's surprise, she landed a job with the Boston Herald, one of the oldest newspapers in the United States. She was disappointed to have to return to society page reporting, but felt as though this setback would simply make her a more determined writer in the future.
As it turned out, when Rosemary went into labor, Elizabeth was in Los Angeles at a journalism conference, but left early, flew all night and arrived just as Elliott Leland Coulter made his entrance into the world.
Immediately the medical personnel knew that something wasn't quite right. Elliott's color suggested a heart condition; a swishing sound was heard, indicating a heart murmur, along with other suspected complications.
Seeing the fear in Lee's eyes and hearing the anxiety in Rosemary's voice, Elizabeth excused herself and made a phone call…
"Hayden, I need your help," she cried out on the phone. After explaining the situation, Hayden advised her that he was back in New York and promised to make a few phone calls and would be in Boston the following morning.
Walking back into Room #218, Elizabeth passed Lee who walked out when she arrived, mentioning something about needing to go down to the chapel. She knew that both of them were worried and scared, as well they should be.
With all of the medical personnel moving in, out and about the room, she didn't think that Rosemary had even thought about Elizabeth's connection to the well respected Dr. Hayden Andrews, head of the pediatric cardiology department at New York- Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.
Wanting to make certain that Rosemary was never alone; Elizabeth sat by her bed waiting for her to waken from the sedative she'd been given. As her eyes opened, the tears immediately began. Doing her best to remain strong for her newborn son, Rosemary found herself caving in unable to stop the tears or contain her fears.
The following morning, Dr. Jordan Paxton, Elliott's pediatrician, stepped into Rosemary's room.
Elizabeth smiled as Hayden stood beside him.
Rosemary…Lee, this is Dr. Hayden Andrews. He is a well respected pediatric cardiac surgeon, and he's agreed to come in and consult on this case.
With everything going through her mind, Rosemary didn't realize his connection until he reached out and took Elizabeth's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. She glanced up at Elizabeth who nodded, and smiled and she walked up to the bed with Hayden.
"Mr. and Mrs. Coulter, I'm actually from New York Presbyterian Hospital, but Elizabeth called me and well, she is very persuasive, so if you are willing, I'd be glad to take a look at your son."
"We'd appreciate your help," Lee commented as his left hand held tightly to Rosemary's right.
Dr. Paxton advised that he would take Hayden to the ICU nursery and as soon as they had any news they would be back.
"You called him," Rosemary asked as tears filled her eyes. "Thank you…"
"Rosemary, Hayden is not the man I want to spend my life with, but as far as his medical abilities; there's no one more talented than him. Elliott needs the best," Elizabeth squeezed Rosemary's hand. Her voice was soft and soothing, and that alone seemed to somehow calm her.
Several hours later, Hayden walked back into the room, "What's wrong with him?" Rosemary's ragged breath barely allowed the words to pass her lips.
"Your son has what we call Truncus Arteriosus."
"What's that?" Lee nervously asked as he held Rosemary's right hand and Elizabeth held her left.
"It's a defect in the heart that occurs when a baby is born with one large artery carrying blood to the lungs and body instead of two separate ones," seeing their confusion, he continued. "During normal fetal development, this large vessel splits to form two separate arteries. If that split doesn't occur, then the baby is born needing surgery to repair the condition."
Dr. Andrews advised that Elliott would be in need of open heart surgery, "The sooner the better."
With so much information provided, the main thing Rosemary, Lee and Elizabeth heard was "We need to correct this immediately before it leads to heart failure and other life threatening complications."
He added, "The only problem is that I practice in New York. There are very qualified doctors her in Boston, but if you want me to do the procedure, he will need to be transferred to my hospital."
"Can his little body handle a transfer?" Elizabeth asked.
"I believe so, but I can't over emphasize that surgery is needed now, so in my opinion we don't have a lot of time to delay," Dr. Andrews replied.
Within hours, Elliott was in a special ambulance secured by Elizabeth's parents and they were on their way to New York.
Several days following their arrival, Hayden performed the surgery on Elliott, separating the aorta and pulmonary artery and creating a pathway for blood to travel from the right ventricle out to the lungs.
Considered to be the best of the best, Rosemary, Lee and Elizabeth were grateful to have Andrew's expertise, realizing as they were informed that additional surgeries may be required.
Much to the appreciation of his parents, the surgery was considered successful and Elliott was cleared for discharge at three weeks of age, with the understanding that regular checkups would be necessary as he grew.
Elizabeth stood at the entrance of the hospital with Rosemary waiting on Lee to retrieve the car. As Rosemary's attention never drifted from her young son, Elizabeth's thoughts were diverted by a tap on her shoulder.
"Oh hi Hayden; is something wrong?" Elizabeth asked.
He gently took her arm and pulled her to the side, "I can't stop thinking about you, Elizabeth. Will you have dinner with me so we can talk?"
Elizabeth glanced over at Rosemary and Elliott sitting in a wheelchair, "I appreciate everything you've done for Elliott, but…"
"No buts, Elizabeth. Don't I deserve at least one dinner?"
"I'm sorry, Hayden but what happened is way too fresh."
"So you can't forgive me?"
"Hayden, I can forgive; forgetting, now that's a harder concept for me. We're just at different places in our lives, and what you need and want is something I can't give right now, so I think we're better off leaving it at that," Elizabeth quietly explained.
"Will you let me know if you change your mind?" he asked.
"You'll be the first person I contact," she stated as he leaned in, and kissed her on the cheek before walking back inside the hospital. When pigs fly…
"Are you going out with him again?" Rosemary asked.
"No, that ship has sailed…" Elizabeth replied.
"I'd say, it more like sank. Elizabeth, I am so appreciative of what you did, but you deserve so much better, and when the time is right, you'll know. Oh, now that I think about it, Lee has a friend…"
"No friends, Rosemary. I am not looking for a relationship right now…"
"We'll see…"
To be continued…