Prologue, September 2006
Reva's house
Jonathan Randall sat in his mom's house that night, gulping down shots of vodka. He felt so helpless. That morning, he'd seen Elizabeth Lillian Spaulding -no, Lizzie Bradshaw now- enter the Beacon with her husband. She looked so beautiful in her red maternity dress, even more than she'd been on the night they'd shared eight months ago…the night they'd created their son or daughter. Ashlee's words from their afternoon meeting kept on repeating in his mind.
"I have what you asked for. According to the results of the second test, you are the father of Lizzie's baby, not Coop. I triple-checked to make sure that there were no mistakes."
"So my feeling was right all along. The previous results had been rigged."
"Yes and I know by whom, Jonathan."
"Who?"
"Tammy."
"What?"
"It's hard to believe but I've got good, solid proof on the security tape."
"I don't understand. Why would she, of all people, do that?"
"If you want my opinion, she probably didn't want to lose you and subsequently break Lizzie and Coop up."
"To think that I had to endure watching the woman I love marry another man when it could, and should, have been me…"
"Woah! Did I hear right? You really love Lizzie?"
"Yeah and as crazy as it sounds, I need her. She makes me feel…so alive."
"When did you realize how deep your feelings ran?"
"As you know, there had always been a twisted kind of attraction between Lizzie and me. You know, our one-night-stand may have been a drunken one, mixed with comfort over seeing our respective loves with others but it created some sort of a bond between us. We became friends and then when I learned she was pregnant, something changed in me. The pull I felt to her became stronger and that's when I figured it out."
"What are you gonna do?"
"I have no idea. To make matters worse, they're back from the honeymoon. I saw them at the Beacon this morning. He was all over her, doting on my baby and all. The sight made me sick, Ashlee. Pure and simple."
"Look, I don't wish any pain and heartache for Coop but I do believe that you should come clean about the real paternity and claim your child. It'll be better for everyone else in the long run. As for Tammy, I can't really care for her after what she did. It has cost you big time and she's to blame."
"I see your point and as much as I don't like Cooper, destroying his universe is not something I want to do."
"Sometimes, you need to be selfish and think about what you want. I know Lizzie and I can assure you she loves her husband. But I have been with her during the 'who's the daddy' process and heard her confidences. The girl obviously cares a great deal about you…"
"She cares, doesn't mean she loves me."
"Trust me, Elizabeth Lillian Spaulding is a master when it comes to hide her emotions in public but I know her better. I remember her saying that she wanted to leave Coop before she learned she was pregnant. And she repeated that she'd leave him for you if you were her baby daddy. Do you think she would've said that if she didn't mean it?"
"No."
"See. More importantly, and that you need to know, she wanted you to be the dad, Jonathan. I saw the disappointed look in her eyes when the results were read."
"That was months ago Ashlee and she looked very happy to me this morning."
"I have no doubts she is happy because in her mind, she did the right thing. She married the father of her child. Her heart, of that I'm sure, must be telling another story." Looking at her watch, the blonde girl smiled sadly. "I have to go back to the lab." she announced, getting up. "Think about what I've just told you. You have the ammunition to ultimately get what you so desperately need. The decision is up to you."
"Jonathan? Don't you think you've had more than enough?" Turning his head right, his eyes fell on the woman he loved -no, used to love-, his fiancée.
"No. I'm just startin'." Tammy Layne Winslow sighed and crossed her arms, puzzled by his behavior.
"What is going on?"
"I've just had one hell of a day. Need to relax, that's all."
"I'm sure telling me will help." she said, plopping down behind him.
"Tam, really…"
"Come on." The mere gesture, although intentionally good, annoyed Jon but it was nothing compared to what she did next. Her hands found his shoulders and started to massage them. Flashing back to a day sometimes in last April during which Lizzie had done the same thing to calm him down –he'd seen Remy and Tammy in an embrace-, he immediately switched position.
"Don't do that."
"What? Why? I just wanted to reduce the tension in your muscles."
"I know…" he began, searching for an excuse "…but I've been carrying boxes all afternoon and my shoulders hurt. It wouldn't be a good idea to have a massage right now." Seeing her puzzled expression change to a happy face relieved him.
"Oh! Okay. Still, I'd like to know what happened to make you drink that much."
"I've had an argument with Bill Lewis. Nothing to worry about." he lied, unwilling to disclose what he'd learned and start a fight with his mom in the house.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." Knowing she still observed him, he got up and took his jacket. Getting out of there was much-needed.
"Where are you going?"
"I need to check out something at Company." Tammy instantly got up and reached for her own coat.
"I'll go with you."
"No." Seeing her hurt look, he forced a smile. "It's a surprise. You wouldn't want to spoil it, right?"
"Yes. You'll be back before 10?"
"I will." Before she could kiss him, he was already out the door.
Royale Suite, The Beacon
Henry Cooper Bradshaw, Coop for short, lied in bed with his wife, a hand on her bare stomach. From time to time, he could feel a pulse against his palm which didn't fail to make his smile grow wider.
"Amazing, isn't it?"
"Yes. I don't get tired of feeling the kicks."
"I do, especially during the night. Somehow, that's when she's the most active." Coop was surprised.
"She? We're having a girl?"
"Yes." Two tears dropped on his cheek as the information sank in. "Hey! What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Lizzie. It's just that I've been praying for a little princess to spoil and it's happening."
"Oh! I'm relieved."
"Why so?"
"I thought you'd be disappointed because it wasn't a boy."
"You could never disappoint me, Honey. You're giving me the most precious gift in the world: a child." Slowly, he descended his lips onto hers. "I love you, Elizabeth."
"I love you too." Glancing at the alarm clock, he sighed.
"We'd better try to sleep. Tomorrow is a huge day." Indeed, they were to move in the Spaulding lake house, newly constructed on Alan's orders. He'd surprised everyone at the wedding reception by announcing that Coop, Lizzie and their baby deserved their own little love nest so he would build them a house not too far away from the Mansion. Keeping in mind that Coop loved to fish once in a while, he'd chosen a site with a lake nearby.
"I can't believe Granddad build us a house."
"Trust me, Lizzie, it may be called so but it's no house. Looks more to me like a manor and the views are to die for."
"You're lucky, you know. You were able to see the place before we move. I didn't."
"Maybe not but you got to know the sex of our baby."
"True." A noise came from her stomach, making Coop laugh.
"Sounds to me that you're hungry."
"I'm always hungry. I'm telling you, baby Bradshaw is determined not to let me sleep tonight."
"What can I get you? Vanilla ice cream with pickles? Strawberries milkshake?"
"Those sound good but what I'm craving for is chocolate."
"That's not healthy."
"Well, your daughter doesn't care. She wants chocolate." Sighing because he knew not to argue with either Lizzie or their baby over cravings, he got up and grabbed his jacket. "What are you doing?" He stopped to look at her.
"I'm going to get you Ferrero Roche. Why?" Chuckling, Lizzie smoothed her hair.
"You're in pajamas. Why don't you put a shirt and pants on?" Noting his lack of descent clothes, he grinned at his stupidity. It had been that way ever since she'd told him about the pregnancy. He was so in love and absorbed with his wife that he often did stupid things. If it was what true love felt like, he didn't care being stupid for the rest of his life. Everything felt good now. His unborn baby girl had strengthened his already deep love for Elizabeth and their bond had multiplied thousandfold. He couldn't see his life without her, no matter what it would throw their way.
"That would probably be a good idea." Smiling like an idiot, he dressed properly and kissed the woman he was crazy of. "I'll be back soon."
Company
Jonathan walked in the busy bar-restaurant, finally relaxing. Making it to the bar, he sat down and noticed Remy Boudreau was one of the two bartenders that night.
"Hey Jonathan. How's it going?"
"Give me a beer." The black man stared at him, unsure if he'd heard correctly.
"What?"
"A beer. You know, B-E-E-R. Beer, now!"
"Are you sure that's you want, man?"
"Yes, and pronto. That's what you're paid for."
"Alright!" Turning up to his partner, he ordered loudly. "Hey Jim, one b coming up here!" Refocusing on Tammy's fiancé, Remy shook his head. The guy looked like hell. "What's going on? Did you have a fight with Tam?"
"No. Leave her out of this."
"Then, what is it?"
"Why do you ask?"
"You, my friend, look like you've been ran over by a bunch of trucks."
"It sure does feel like it." Sarcasm was present in his words.
"So?"
"Gee, would you stop? First Tammy, now you. Can't you see I don't want to talk about it? And where's the booze?" As he asked Jim dropped the bottle.
"Incoming."
"Thanks. Was about time." Taking one gulp after the other, Jonathan noticed that Remy was still looking at him expectantly. "What are you still doin' here? Get lost!"
"Does Tam know you're here?"
"Yeah. Told her I had somethin' to check out."
"Surely, that wasn't some booze."
"What? You never had to lie to get some time alone from Leyla before?"
"That's it! I'm calling Tammy so she can pick you up."
"C'mon Boudreau, don't do that. I just need some time to myself. Can you understand that? Besides, I promised her I wouldn't be home too late." Contemplating Randall, Remy pondered if he should make the call or not. Giving in, he put his cellphone back in his pocket.
"Fine but I'm not allowing you more than three beers. You're drunk enough as it is."
"Ok." Taking another gulp of alcohol, Jonathan enjoyed the burning in his throat but not for long.
"Cooper, my man!"
"Hi, Remy."
"When did you get back?"
"This very morning. We cut the last week of the honeymoon to attend Beth's birthday."
"In two days, I know. Alan asked for the party to be held here. Anyway, what can I do for you?"
"Can I have a grape daiquiri, please?"
"Sure. Coming right up. Jim, a GD over here."
"Make it to go. I've got to get these to my wife." Coop said, showing the box of Ferrero Roche chocolates he held. Jonathan, despite his urge to knock the other man off the Earth, quickly left for the bathroom.
"Speaking of, how's the beautiful Elizabeth?"
"Seven months pregnant and even more gorgeous by the day if that's possible. She gets tired more easily of course so I'm doing everything I can to make her comfortable. She's incredible, man. I never thought for one second that anyone could love as much as I do Lizzie. I can't picture my life without her in it."
"Woah! Where is the real Coop Bradshaw? Because, that's not the one I remember."
"What can I say? I changed."
"I see that. Everything is fine with the baby?"
"Yes. We're having a daughter!"
"A girl! Congratulations again! I'm so happy for you two." Jim gave Remy the daiquiri. "Here. I'm looking forward to see you and Lizzie in two days."
"Sure. Goodnight."
"Night." Coop was almost at the door when Jonathan got out of the bathroom and collided with him.
"Hey! Watch where you're… Cooper! Nice to see you back in Springfield." Elizabeth's husband eyed Jonathan warily. He'd never been fond of Reva's son and known that it was reciprocated so to hear such words was, to say the least, very unexpected. He also couldn't shake the memories he had of Jon flirting with and kissing Liz out of his mind, which added to his dislike.
"Thanks but I really have to get back to my wife."
"How is she? Still the little fiery bombshell I remember?" He knew Jonathan was trying to push his buttons but instead of punching him, he just took a step towards the door.
"I advise, for your own sake Randall, that you never talk of her that way again and if you must know, she and our baby are doing wonderfully well. Goodnight" Before he could move, Coop heard something he would have never thought possible.
"Why don't you two come over for dinner soon? Tammy missed Lizzie a lot. I'm sure she'd like to see her." Turning around, he eyed Reva's son.
"I'll see what I can do about it but don't expect a miracle. I don't trust you and I still believe that you should stay the hell away from my wife." Turning around he opened the door. "In the meantime, you should think about sobering up." Nodding, Jonathan looked at the man he'd come to envy with green jealousy walk away. Suddenly, Ashlee's advice to be selfish seemed the right way to go but before he could have his heart's desires, he'd have a couple things to deal with.
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