Chapter 2
Ivy slipped her cell phone back into her purse, covering up her calculating expression with one of concern as she watched Beth yank the yellow police tape down from the front door and flip the OPEN sign over, announcing the Book Café was back in business. "Don't you think you should wait a few days before you start taking customers again, Dear?" Ivy asked, unable to keep her blue-green eyes from straying to the gaping hole left in the large front window by the so-called burglar. "It'd only be a day or two. It's not like you NEED the money," Ivy stated the obvious.
"It's not the money," Beth declared adamantly. "This place hasn't been closed a day since it opened, and it's not going to be closed now. It's a nice day outside. I think the…new addition…will be a hit. People will be able to enjoy the fresh air."
"Good morning, Pollyanna," Hank greeted with a grin, prodding his twin daughters through the door gently.
Emily's arm dropped limply to her side as her little mouth opened wide in amazement, her dolly hanging upside down with its skirt over its head.
Sara shrugged her dad's hand off her shoulder, scampering over to Beth's side to better marvel over the fact that she could now literally reach out and touch the little old lady walking carefully down the sidewalk. She jumped when the driver of a car passing leisurely by tapped his horn in greeting and offered her a quick wave of his hand. "Cool! I think you should keep the hole, Beth," Sara chirped. "Dad," she turned back to Hank with an overly eager expression on her young face. "I want to sit here so I can throw stuff at the birds."
"Don't you mean feed the birds, Darling?" Ivy asked distractedly, digging through her purse to retrieve her ringing cell phone. Covering the receiver with her hand, she pointed toward the back of the Book Café. "I have to take this call."
Beth glanced down at Sara, noting the wicked, anticipatory gleam in her brown eyes. "You don't want to feed the birds, do you?"
Hank wore a proud smirk when Sara set the record straight once and for all.
"No. I have a game today. I need to work out my arm. Right, Dad?"
"No, Mother. You can't rent out the concession stand. You'll have to sit on the bleachers with the rest of us," Gwen sighed, tapping her pen against the edge of her desk impatiently while she listened to her mother prattle on about the injustice of being made to sit with the rest of the 'common' folk of Harmony. A red light flashed on the phone, announcing an incoming call, and Gwen wanted to burst into a chorus of Hallelujah's. "See you later, Mother. Goodbye." Gwen huffed at the errant strand of golden hair freed from her elegant French twist during her animated discussion with her mother and pressed the flashing button. "Gwen Hotchkiss speaking…Ethan…Lunch at the Seascape?" Gwen's golden brown eyes widened in surprise. "You want me to bring Daddy along? Ethan, at least tell me what this is about…You'll tell me at lunch. I'll be there. Bye."
"Lunch date?" Jonathan Hotchkiss questioned as he bent forward to kiss his daughter's cheek.
Something in her father's blue eyes raised Gwen's suspicions, and she leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her middle and giving him a knowing look. "You're keeping me in the dark about something, Daddy. What is it? What does Ethan want to discuss over lunch?"
"You'll find out at lunch," Jonathan replied, giving her a non-answer. "Now, how's that little granddaughter of mine? Is she excited about her first game?"
Gwen sighed, scribbling down a reminder about the 12 o'clock appointment before looking back up to her expectant father. His grandchildren were Jonathan Hotchkiss's favorite subject. She wasn't going to know the truth behind Ethan's invitation until Daddy WANTED her to know.
"Looks good on paper," Shane said, sliding the information-packed manila folder back to Ethan. "Do you think she'll agree to it?"
"I don't see why not," Ethan answered, thumping the folder against his knee in thought. "Hotchkiss approached me about the merger. Not the other way around," Ethan reminded Shane. "Mother's already on board. Chad's interests lie elsewhere…"
"How are things going with getting his recording studio off the ground?" Shane asked, his interest piqued. He'd only had limited interaction with Chad Harris, but he respected his drive immensely.
"Well," Ethan admitted, the admiration noticeable in his voice and manner. "Theresa's helping him scout for talent," Ethan revealed, letting a wide smile take over his entire face, "She's planning this big event for the grand opening of her new boutique this weekend. I hear it's going to be quite a show." he chuckled, the pictures of the spectacle all-too vivid in his head.
"What about some more streamers…right there," Grace Bennett stretched her arm out, pointing out a relatively unadorned corner of the brimming shop.
Sam offered Theresa an apologetic smile and shrug of his shoulders before mounting the ladder and climbing to the top to hang yet more streamers.
Theresa whirled around to face Chad with enormous brown eyes, trying desperately not to burst into a fit of girlish laughter.
"It could be worse. There could be Tomato Soup Cakes at every entrance," Chad grinned, sweeping his hands down Theresa's back and pulling her close for a lingering kiss.
"My brother's got a point, Theresa," Simone agreed with a smirk. "Chief Bennett, the crew needs some help outside setting up the stage."
Theresa had to fight back the giggles again at the look of utter relief that flashed across Sam's face as he practically leaped from the last few rungs of the ladder and hustled toward the building's exit.
"Helpful husbands are a dying breed," Grace commented, sticking the vibrantly colored streamer between her teeth and climbing the ladder herself. "If you want something done, you have to do it yourself."
Theresa and Simone took one look at each other and erupted into helpless laughter, completely surprised by Grace's uncharacteristic mutterings.
"T-girl," Chad shook his head as he grabbed his giddy fiancee by the arm and pulled her toward the exit. "What do you say we do a little sound check?"
"There's still some balloons that need blowing up, Simone," Grace suggested, all business.
Simone sighed, grabbing the bag of balloons from the cluttered check-out counter as she made a bee-line for the door and the helium that would save her a never-ending headache.
"…somebody needs to make sure the venders know to be here at 7," Grace said, content that she had the streamers JUST RIGHT. She frowned when she found herself alone. "That's funny. Where did everybody go?"
"Going to the chapel, and I'm…going to get married…" Theresa crooned into the microphone, winning over every unattached man within a mile radius despite the autobiographical nature of the song.
She was every bit the attention-seeker Martin remembered from her long-ago days in the cradle, and he couldn't help but chuckle. His eyes started twinkling even more when he looked up to see Hank making his approach on the sidewalk with his energetic twin daughters.
"Mr. Fitz!" Emily cried, breaking away from Hank and racing toward Martin with arms outstretched.
Martin lifted her up in his arms with a slight grunt and accepted her exuberant hug and kiss on the cheek. "Good morning, lass. You're not looking your usual cheerful self. Did something happen?"
Emily shot Sara an accusing glare, turning back to face Martin with an exaggerated pout. "Sara killed Mr. Flutters."
"Mr. Flutters?" Martin looked to Hank in confusion.
"It was a stupid pigeon Emmy never even met, and I didn't kill him," Sara told him with a roll of her brown eyes. "Dad took him to the vet, and he said his broken wing would heal just fine. And he told me I have one helluva aim," Sara declared proudly.
"And she's using bad words, too, Mr. Fitz," Emmy tattled with wide eyes.
"Sar," Hank chided. "If Aunt Grace hears you, she'll make you eat TSC. It's the new soap," Hank grinned at Martin, laughing when comprehension started to dawn on him. "What about that new granddaughter? I hear she's a real looker."
"Here's your beautiful girl, Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald," Penny announced, handing her precious cargo over to Sheridan very, very carefully. "She's getting big. Aren't you?" the kindly nurse cooed to her favorite little patient.
Ali's blue eyes twinkled, and Sheridan smiled back at her brightly as she cradled Hope in her arms. With minimal coaxing, Hope latched onto her mother's breast and suckled greedily, her long dark lashes fluttering against her cheeks.
"She's a hungry little thing, isn't she?" Penny observed. "No wonder she's getting so big. Those doctors don't believe me when I tell them she's ready to go home, but we know better don't we, Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald? She's having no problem eating, she's gaining weight every day, and we haven't had anymore major setbacks since that pesky infection last month."
Sheridan stroked a finger across her daughter's silky smooth cheek as she nursed, Ali standing behind her and gazing down in awe at her baby sister. "She's not the only one ready," Sheridan sighed.
Ali reached a tentative hand out but thought better of stroking Hope's soft, curling dark hair and dropped her hands back to her sides.
Sheridan smiled. Even now, Ali treated Hope like a priceless treasure that might disappear upon first touch.
"Hey, Roo," Ali greeted, using a nickname that had stuck from the early days of Hope's 'Kangaroo Care.' "It's me. Ali. Your sissy."
Tiny fingers grasped Sheridan's pinkie, and sleepy lids struggled to open, revealing eyes as big and bright and blue as the two pairs staring down at her.
"She knows me," Ali whispered proudly.
"Of course she knows you, Miss Ali," Penny gave Ali an indulgent smile. "You're the only one that calls her that."
"She's so beautiful," Ali breathed, her desire to lavish affection on her baby sister evident in her eyes and restless gestures as she admired the tiny infant dozing off in Sheridan's comforting embrace. "Will she sleep this much when we take her home, Miss Penny?"
"I hope so," Sheridan announced, making the older woman laugh outright.
"Right now this little lady is on her best behavior, but Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald…I've never seen a child with more energy or life in her," Penny told Sheridan softly as she gently gathered Hope in her arms. "Come on, Honey. You rest up so you're awake when that handsome Daddy of yours comes by to see you later. Maybe he can talk the shy little guy into coming inside with him," Penny commented, smiling as she remembered the way Cristian had hid his face against Sheridan's shoulder earlier.
"He's not shy, Miss Penny. Not really," Ali giggled. "He just doesn't like to wash his hands."
"He's a little boy," Penny winked. "The dirtier his hands are the better." She glanced back at Sheridan, shaking her graying head slightly as she noticed the wistful expression in the younger woman's eyes. "It's not goodbye forever, Honey. You'll see her again real soon. And, I have a feeling…you'll have her home with you. It'll be a miracle if this isn't the most spoiled child in the state of Maine within a few more months," she teased, causing Ali and Sheridan both to laugh softly. "I'm going to miss her."
"There's that dashing young gentleman I told you about, Katie," Abby winked, giving Cristian's dark head an affectionate ruffle.
"Abby," Cristian blushed, looking up to Katie out of the corner of his eyes. "What does dashing mean?"
Ali and Sheridan emerged from the nursery, and Cristian's question was forgotten in the excitement as Ali divulged Penny's prediction.
"Mija," Pilar looked to Sheridan hopefully. "Is this true?"
"Penny seems to think so, and she's been working in the NICU for over 15 years," Sheridan said, lifting her hands to her mouth and taking a deep, slightly shaky breath. "Oh my God," she breathed. "We could have our baby home with us in a few days, Pilar. I need to call Luis and tell him…this is…this is wonderful news."
The two women walked further down the hallway, only pausing at its end to share a warm embrace.
"Abby, I thought you wanted to talk to Pilar," Katie commented, standing upright after hugging both Ali and Cristian tightly.
Giving Pilar one last rueful glance, Abby shook her tawny head, letting her hazel eyes drift back to Ali's expectant little face. "It can wait, can't it, Ali? We'll be late for our appointment. Go tell your mom bye," she instructed, giving Cristian a gentle nudge forward as well.
Katie's green eyes studied Abby closely, the tiny lines of fatigue around her eyes, and the unusual downward cast of the corners of her mouth. "Talk to him. Talk to me. Your brother. Talk to Sheridan, Pilar, Hank…anyone that will listen, Abby. Talk to Miguel. Just talk to somebody about whatever or whoever is bothering you."
Abby's lips twitched, and she chose to play off Katie's show of concern with a crooked smile and teasing remark. "You're not charging enough by the hour. Worry about your wedding plans, Katie," she advised, expelling a sigh. "Not whatever perceived problems you think I have. I'll deal. I always have. Okay?"
"No, but I don't have all day," Katie muttered. "You and Nick really ARE perfect for each other," she added under her breath.
"Whatever, Katie," Abby said, picking up Ali's duffel bag and slipping the strap onto her shoulder. Gripping Ali's slim shoulder gently, she steered them both toward the elevators. "See you later, Katie. Tell Sheridan not to worry about picking Ali up. I'll take her home."
Katie watched her friend leave and heaved an exasperated sigh. Getting Abby to open up was worse than having teeth pulled, and, she was beginning to have the nagging feeling, ten times more painful.
Thanks so much for reading!
Mistakes are all mine; characters of Passions are not.