A melancholy mood has settled on Eyal, the brooding warrior and only going through daily routines of work and home life. Gone was the smile he would flash at his staff although he tried his sense of joy fading fast. His office became his hiding place, to engulf himself in his work and try to keep Annie out of his mind but that was so difficult to do. Why had he allowed himself get so mad at her? She had a right to know but they had many times talked about timing and building a solid foundation. He was being logical but Annie never function on logic only impulse and raw emotions. That is what he loves about her... Okay so he finally admitted it, he loves her but was it too late. After work this evening he would stop by the apartment to see her, to try to reason with her. No, reasoning with her wasn't going to work, take Annie in his arms and tell her how much he did love her. His thoughts were interrupted with a phone call about nothing important but he had to take care of the problem.
Returning to his office, Eyal checking the daily passports travel documents of persons traveling in and out of Israel and saw where Annie had flown out of Tel Aviv, destination Paris France. A little more snooping and found she had connecting flight to Le Havre – Octeville Airport where she had reserved a rental car. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, so she really is going to check out moving to France, back to where she possibly spent the best years of her life with her French grandparents in Le Havre. Why did he allow the simple question Annie had to escalate into a full-blown battle? He only wished to rewind the clock, turn it back to that night on the beach and maybe just go ahead and answer her question, simple yes - we have a future mixed with tender words could have gone a long way with Annie and they would have been spoken with truth and conviction. Nothing he could do now, it was Annie's choice to leave, to move to France.
"We have trouble brewing on the horizon." Eliam Chodorow entering Eyal's office with Jewel Bayla, Eliam's trusted assistant. "May I?" Eliam pointing to Eyal's computer.
"Go ahead." Eyal welcome the interruption from his private thoughts.
"Five Israeli nationals are believed to be taken hostage in a bitter standoff French police between a group of French-born jihadists returning after fighting in the civil war in Syria. France is a growing hot bed for anti-Semitism in Europe."
"What details to you have?"
"Very little is coming through the pipe line. We may have a location but nothing firm."
Eyal reaching of his phone. "Need you in my office now Adam. We have a problem in France."
Adam Balkan an operation strategist for Western Europe was quick to arrive at his boss' office with another strategist for northern Europe. "What's going on?"
"Hostages of Israeli nationals in France. Little details but on the out skirt of Paris near a Jewish school." Eliam answered.
"Let's go with what we know and make our plans..." Eyal gathering his team around a conference table. Another day in the life of Mossad. It turned out to be a long day and with more intel, one of the hostages was Markham Reznik, Assistant Deputy Minister of Education. Now it has become critical to get the five Israeli out before the terrorist find out just who they were holding. By the time they have gather all the information they could and placed into action a plan to rescue the hostage, it was late night and Eyal drained. Whoever said working in headquarter was a piece of cake was pure nuts.
Reaching home, Avi was studying in the great room when Eyal arrived. Looking up at this father, "You are late, hard day."
"That is an understatement. Have you had your meal yet?"
"Yeah some broccoli kugel and baked chicken breast. I have your plate ready in a jiffy. Sit down and relax and let me do the serving tonight."
"Thanks son, did you do the cooking?"
"Shoot no, Grand-mere came by with it. She thinks two guys can't feed themselves and I'm not going to tell her any different."
"Good thinking." Eyal pouring himself a glass of wine and taking his place at the dining table. Proud of Avi and how things were working out with him living with Eyal.
"Grand-mere was asking about Annie. Said she has missed a couple of the cooking classes at the community center."
Eyal only shook his head. That was truly his mother's way in finding answers to questions, food. Well she did have right to know as Annie and her have become very closed. He would call her in the morning to thank her for the great meal and also answer her questions. May even tell her they were no longer a couple but he would cross that bridge later, still having a hard time himself with that idea.
"Annie is out of the country on a trip to France." Eyal looking over at Avi busy in the kitchen reheating his meal.
"Little sudden isn't it... I mean she didn't say anything about going the last time she was here at Christmas."
"Think it was. She spent much of her childhood in La Have with grandparents and that is where she has gone."
"A little French blood in all of us." Avi is working on cutting tomatoes, cucumbers and bell pepper with a lemon and olive dressing. The salad they dearly love and fixed often. "Bet fresh Mozzarella would go great with this." Avi placing a plate of salad in front of Eyal.
"A little touch of Italian and it would add to it. Next time I'm at the market I pick up Mozzarella." Eyal started eating his salad.
Soon the rest of the dinner was ready and Avi serving his father took a seat beside him at the dining table. "So when are you going to ask her to marry you or are you waiting for lighting to strike your hard skull."
Eyal with his mouth full of food cocking his eyes at his son and with a stern muffled noise, "That is my business."
"Yeah I know but you two were made for each other. I'm Jewish I know these things."
"You are playing the Jewish card a little too much." Eyal was quick with his rebuke.
"Leaned it honestly from Grand-mere."
"Oh how well I know, have heard it all my life." Eyal taking a bite of chicken and hoping the conversation would turn elsewhere. This wasn't the conversation he wished to have while eating his dinner or at any time.
"Okay so what is the hold up with you and Annie?"
"Avi you are headed into an area that is my business alone. None of your concern." He wasn't annoyed at Avi. His son was in his right to ask about Annie but Eyal didn't want to talk about her, not yet for the anguish of their breakup was too great.
"Abba come on now man, you brought her into our family and we have all come to love the woman."
It took quite a while before Eyal would answer. "We are taking a break - conversation closed."
"No it isn't. Your actions also affect me as your son and I have seen you in the past week become gloomy, just downright miserable and brooding. You are not a happy man and that isn't the way to start a new year." Avi had guessed as much and now it was in the open - open for him to say what had been on his mind for days.
"I said that is enough Avi. I don't need a fifteen year old telling me this."
"You need someone to turn a light on for you. Just because your marriage to my mother didn't work doesn't mean you can't go for a second chance and a happy life. Annie has become part of our Lavin family just not in name. Now I'm done. Laila tov Abba." (goodnight Father) Avi standing quickly, picking up his school book and departing to his room leaving Eyal to finish his meal alone.
Eyal took a bite of broccoli kugel but not tasting it, he had lost his appetite. Pushing the plate away from him and burying his head in both hands only to hear Avi voice. One last word as Avi stuck his heard back around the corner, "It would be nice to have a little brother or sister around here."
Snow quietly blanketing the patio of the Georgetown guest house as Annie stood at the window watching the drifting flakes fall gently from the gray sky. Danielle's tenants had move out and Annie returned to America having found moving to France wasn't going to be the answer. Valentine's Day and for Annie a real downer. She had returned only once to Tel Aviv to pack her belongings from the apartment, ship them to Georgetown and mail Eyal the key. So here she was back where she had stared, alone once more and depressed. Even after seven weeks of being separated from Eyal she couldn't let go, still hoping to see the Israeli come walking across the patio but how would he know where she was. Just another school girl's wishful dream, her knight riding a white charger coming to rescue her and they living happily ever after.
Oh damn here we go again as she rushed to the bathroom and her favorite place of late, the toilet. After throwing up she just sat on the floor, her arms wrapped around the bowl of the toilet and cried. That is how Danielle found her.
"Come on sweetheart you need to eat some saltines and a glass of ginger ale." Danielle kneeling beside her and slowly rubbing Annie's back.
Annie reaching to hold Danielle, she needed her sister's love and Danielle quickly engulfed her in a warm embrace, "Let's move to the kitchen, maybe a hot cup of cocoa would be more fitting on such a cold day."
"When does this morning sickness stop?"
"Sometime around thirteen to nineteen weeks. With me it was a little longer and it was morning, noon and night." Danielle handing Annie a package of saltine crackers and start heating milk for the cocoa. "When are you going to tell him?"
"I'm not."
Danielle only hung her head, closed her eyes and knew it was time for her to give Annie the loving lecture she needed. "Annie I going to be your big sister now, your voice of reason and have this overdue talk."
"I know what you are going to say Danielle - he is the father and has a right to know."
"Absolutely. Keeping your pregnancy from Eyal is wrong. Dead wrong."
"He wasn't ready to make a commitment and said I was pushing him. If being pregnant not pushing than I like to know what is."
"And did you know you were pregnant when you had that last walk along the beach?"
"How could I. As I figure it, I had just conceived - Merry Christmas Annie Walker." Annie scoffed as she munched on the second cracker.
Danielle placing the mug of hot cocoa in front of Annie and one for herself, she took a seat across from her sister, "Informing Eyal about him having another child is not pushing. He has responsibility for the welfare of your unborn baby starting now. You don't have any insurance and prenatal care is so important for the health of your baby. Annie stop being the stubborn bullheaded person you are known to be and think about the child."
Annie holding the warm mug in both hands and looking at the mini marshmallow floating on top, adrift in a tiny sea of hot cocoa leaving a thin white trail as it melted. "Pride Danielle. It is pride and being bullheaded."
"Hang pride. This isn't about you anymore but my niece or nephew. A wonderful new creation is growing inside of you and the child is also your responsibility to give it love and a healthy environment to grow and thrive in."
"You are being hard on me Danielle."
"And I'm trying to get through to you Annie. You are my sister and without a doubt I love dearly just as I shall love the new addition to the family. My concern is for both of you. I know you are hurting over the breakup and it will be a long time to recover but ..."
A soft tap came at the door.
"Must be Michael wanting something, I'll get it." Danielle quickly headed to the door and through the sheer curtains and glass she could see it wasn't Michael but a tall man - a tall handsome Israeli with snow covering his black hair. Collecting her rush of a mountain of ecstatic reactions she slowly open the door. "Please come in out of the cold."
"Thank you." Eyal stepped inside and with a tilt of his head a pleasant smile, "We meet again under reminiscent of similar circumstances. Let me properly introduce myself."
"No need as I know who you are and you are very, very welcome here."
Annie looking up from her self-pity stare at the mug of cocoa to see Eyal - she frozen in disbelief. Her first thoughts were how she look, not wanting him to see her in complete disarray. Her hair tousled, uncombed and wearing faded flannel pajamas bottoms with an oversize Ohio University sweatshirt, also faded from repeated washings. She could only look intently at him and from her lips came an ever so soft whisper, "Eyal."
Danielle not wishing for Annie to reject Eyal's visit quickly went into action. "Let me have your coat and scarf. I just made some hot cocoa and it will be just the thing to take the chill off. We have some banana nut bread to feed a weary traveler that passes our way."
Eyal taking off his coat and handing his scarf to Danielle, "Thank you again. Cocoa sounds delightful." Eyal walking to the dining table where Annie sat, not moving but just staring at him. "How are you doing Annie and may I join you to enjoy my cocoa and banana nut bread."
"What are you doing here?"
Eyal taking a seat across for Annie, "Business trip." Glancing up at Danielle as she placed a mug in front of him.
"Oh."
"You see there is the missing person I've been looking for. A very important operative in the ranks of Mossad and we haven't heard from this person in weeks. Fearful something ghastly has happen I took it upon myself to go in search of this person. The trail first went to Le Havre, France and then went cold."
Annie looking at his eyes, the dark haunting yet loving eyes of Eyal. "Le Havre, France?"
"Yes, now this person of interest returned to Tel Aviv for two days but failed to report in and then just vanished." Eyal again nodding to Danielle as she placed a plate of sweet banana nut bread on the table. She gave him a wink and quickly made her exit, leaving the two alone and with a prayer of reconciliation would be at hand.
"You came looking for me?"
"Most certainly Annie. Pride, stubbornness and just being bullheaded on both our parts have kept us separated much too long. Not wanting to give in and say I'm sorry." Eyal reaching across the table to touch the top of Annie's hand, "Annie I am sorry. You had every right to question our future and there is no excuse for me behaving badly."
"My fault too Eyal. My being impatient and pushing. Shoving to hard and I should have known when to ease up. You are not the type to be push and I know that." Squeezing his hand.
"So you will accept my apology?"
"If you will accept mine. Eyal I'm sorry for ever doubting you and your motives." Annie felt a churning in her stomach - was it morning sickness or being with Eyal and hearing him say he was sorry.
"Yes of course Neshema." Eyal being hungry couldn't wait any long for a bite of the great smelling banana nut bread, sank his fork into the moist slice and raised a piece to his mouth.
Well the sight of Eyal and the bread was the crowning touch for Annie as she darted out the room and up the stairs headed to the bathroom.
"Hey what's going on Annie?"