Chapter 25

December 5, 1941

Nathan was in the kitchen making food since he had wanted to surprise Kristin with breakfast in bed. She was still sleeping, and considering the night she'd had, Nathan wanted to let her sleep as long as he could.

They'd gone to the café, but Nathan knew she was still upset about the ring and about Knox. He still kept his conversation with Knox and Beatty a secret because he knew it would only get her more worked up than she already was. And because of all the worry, she didn't eat much. He noticed that she had probably lost about five pounds since they'd been on Oahu. Normally, that wouldn't be much, but Nathan couldn't help but notice her clothing fitting looser than it had been on their first day in Pearl.

That's why he'd made waffles and sausage. He knew she loved waffles, and he hoped she'd at least eat a full meal, something he hadn't seen her do much of lately. He piled everything on a tray and cups of coffee besides; then he carried it into the bedroom. When he entered bedroom, he saw she was still sleeping soundly. He set the tray down and sat down next to her, just watching her for a few minutes.

He lovingly brushed the hair off her face ever so gently so he didn't wake her. He noticed she looked a little pale, and she had dark circles under her eyes. He sighed knowingly. They'd passed a sad night. After dinner, they had gone for that walk along the beach; Nathan had hoped it would calm her…and it did for the most part. But naturally, the conversation went from speaking about the water and the moonlight to more ominous things. And poor Kristin expressed even more worries about Knox to Nathan.

Nathan felt he couldn't confirm or deny anything and simply listened and did his best to comfort her. After a while, they decided they ought to go back to the apartment and try to rest. Nathan held her until she fell asleep, and when she did, he joined her. But then the nightmares began.

She would only tell him that they involved Knox, but she wouldn't tell him what they were about. Although he wanted to, he didn't want to press the issue. He just allowed her to cry on his shoulder and he tried to comfort her. He'd finally got her back to sleep around four in the morning. He sighed again because he couldn't let her sleep any longer because it was now after six, and Katie was supposed to be showing up shortly.

He gently shook her shoulder. "Good morning."

Her eyes fluttered open. She looked a little startled, but she offered him a small smile. "Hi."

"I'm sorry I had to wake you."

"Oh, don't worry about it." She stretched and let out a yawn. "I feel fine," she assured him.

Nathan doubted her sincerity, but he didn't push it. "I made you breakfast. I wanted to eat with you before I left."

She pushed herself out of bed and started towards the bathroom. "I'll just be a minute, then."

When she came out, Nathan had set the tray in the middle of the bed. He patted the open spot next to him so that she'd sit.

"This looks lovely," she said quietly. "Thank you." She picked up a cup of coffee and took a sip.

Nathan watched her for a moment. At least the coffee was something, but he handed her a piece of sausage. "Go on, eat," he urged.

She hesitated. Food wasn't the first thing on her mind.

"Please?" Nathan pressed.

She took it from him and took a bite.

"Thank you," Nathan said, looking relieved.

"I'm just not very hungry lately," she replied, but she ate the whole piece of sausage and even started on a waffle, so Nathan stopped complaining.

"Uh, so, you and Katie will be back before lunch, right?"

She smiled softly. "Yes…are you worrying already?"

"No…yes…" He sighed. "I'm always worrying about you lately," he admitted. "I just don't like not being able to be with you."

Kristin placed a hand to his cheek. "And I appreciate that, more than you know. I promise everything will be fine."

Nathan nodded, and the two finished their meal. He then brought the tray into the kitchen. "Don't worry about these dishes now."

She laughed softly. "I won't have the time, admittedly."

"Good," Nathan replied upon entering the bedroom once again. He wrapped her in his arms and held her for several minutes. "Just be careful."

She nodded. "Of course. Don't worry."

He kissed her cheek. "See you at lunch."

"At lunch," she promised.

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Kristin quickly showered and dressed, and by the time she was finished, Katie was knocking on the door.

Kristin grabbed her purse and opened the door since she noticed Katie had the cab driver waiting.

Once in the cab, Katie turned to her. "So how are you?"

"Fine."

"That's it?" Katie pressed. She looked her up and down, trying to wage if she was being honest. "Are you sure?"

Kristin sighed. "Well, physically, I'm fine. Mentally? Well, perhaps not so well," she admitted. "It's Sylvia's ring. I lost it…and I'm just feeling…strange without it. And of course, with tomorrow just hours away now…"

Katie put an arm around her shoulders. "It's going to be okay. I know everyone's worried, but I have a good feeling. I'm certain you'll be fine."

"I do hope so," Kristin replied. But she quickly changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on tomorrow's possible events. "So what does Ben want you to get?"

Katie took out her list. "Just a list of party decorations and things. It shouldn't take long to get. Then I was thinking we could pick up some new outfits. What do you say?"

"I'm not sure…"

Katie gave her arm a push. "Oh, come on, Doc. I definitely think you should have a new dress."

Before Kristin could answer, the cab came to a halt. Kristin looked out the window and realized they were on Main Street. Katie paid the driver and the two ladies got out of the cab.

"There's a party shop down this way," Katie told her, and the two started walking.

On the way, they passed a clothing store with a large display window. In the window were several dresses on display.

Katie stopped in her tracks. "Oh, those look darling, don't they?"

Kristin turned and looked in the window as well. Some of the dresses were every day dresses, much like the ones she and Katie were wearing, only in different shades. But then there were cocktail dresses and fancier dresses that captured the Polynesian style, having themes of flowers.

Katie grabbed her arm. "Let's go inside."

But Kristin hesitated. "I don't need-"

"Oh, come on, Doc. Don't you want something new? Something that will capture the captain's attention?" She pointed to the one with the flower pattern. "I'll bet he won't be able to take his eyes off of you in that one."

Kristin felt her face go warm with embarrassment. She lowered her voice as if someone might hear. "I have no idea what you are insinuating, Katie dear, but Nathan and I are just friends. I…I am not trying to turn his head."

Katie smiled. "Okay…sorry, I wasn't trying to make you flustered. Well, I'm going inside because I want something new myself. I'm on a shopping trip, and I want to do some shopping. And you know how long it's been since we've gotten to do that."

Kristin had little choice but to follow her inside. Once inside, however, Kristin did see there was more of a selection. And she did see something out of the corner of her eye that she liked. Maybe this dress idea wasn't such a bad one after all.

They were approached by a dark-haired sales woman immediately. "Can I help you, ladies?"

"Yes, my friend and I are looking for party dresses," Katie quickly answered.

Kristin gave her a look, but Katie ignored her.

"Oh, well, we have a wonderful selection. Um, why don't you browse and tell me if you see anything you like?"

Katie nodded as the saleswoman turned to approach another new customer.

"I told you I wasn't interested," Kristin whispered.

"That's what you said, but that's not what your eyes said when you spotted that blue one over there," Katie countered, an amused smile on her face.

Kristin blushed. "I didn't think you'd notice."

"Well, I did," Katie confirmed. She pulled on Kristin's arm. "Come on, let's get a closer look."

Kristin obediently followed Katie over to the other side of the store where different clothing racks stood. Katie selected one of the blue dresses that had caught Kristin's eye and held it up in front of her. It was nothing terribly fancy: short capped sleeves, a slight V-neck collar, and a straight skirt that was gathered together by a matching belt.

"Oh," Katie breathed. "It really brings out your eyes…and your hair. It's perfect."

"You really think so?"

"I certainly do," an unfamiliar voice said.

Kristin and Katie turned to see a woman who was around Kristin's age or perhaps even a bit older. She had blonde hair gathered in a bun on her head and was wearing a green skirt with a white blouse.

The woman held out her hand in greeting. "I'm sorry if you thought I was rude. My name's Margot. Pleased to meet you. Anyway, I agree with your friend here. That dress is perfect. You should buy it," she stated, a friendly smile on her face.

"Thank you," Kristin said, blushing again. "Perhaps I'll take that advice. By the way, this is Rose, and I'm Sylvia."

"Sylvia? Sylvia Mayfield, by chance?"

"Yes…" Kristin replied.

"I thought you looked familiar. I've seen your picture in the papers. I always thought you seemed like a nice person…and so pretty, too."

Kristin blushed and smiled softly. "Well, thank you. I appreciate you saying so. I-"

"Such a shame about you and your husband though."

"Yes, I-"

"Too bad I was wrong about you."

"E-excuse me?" Kristin asked, slightly taken aback.

Margot gave her a disdainful look. "I am a good Christian woman, and I thought you were, too. But divorce is an abomination. Marriage is forever." She handed over a daily newspaper. On the front page was more about the divorce, which wasn't anything new. But it then showed a picture of Kristin and Nathan, claiming that to be the reason for the divorce. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

Katie opened her mouth to speak, but Kristin placed a halting hand on her arm.

"I…I'm sorry I've let you down, ma'am," she said quietly. Then she put the dress back on the rack and gave Katie's arm a tug. "I think we'd better go."

Katie reluctantly followed her, but once they were outside, she protested, "Doc, you know none of that is true. Why did you let that woman walk all over you like that?"

"Katie, it's the time period. Divorce isn't accepted, as you can see." Then she handed her the newspaper. "And look at the things they've written about me."

"But you know none of this is true," Katie said again. "You haven't done anything to be ashamed about."

"Maybe I have," Kristin said with a shrug.

"How can you say that?"

"Why don't we just go down to the party shop, hm?" Kristin said, ignoring Katie's question. She turned to start walking down the street again.

She heard Katie run to catch up to her. "You're wrong," Katie insisted once she'd matched her pace.

"Fine," Kristin answered, too frustrated to argue.

"Why don't we go back to the dress shop? You said it yourself you liked it."

Kristin stopped in her tracks, knowing Katie wasn't going to stop harping on her. "Katie, please…"

Katie put her hands on Kristin's shoulders. "The Kristin I knew would never back down like this."

"I'm not the Kristin you knew," she answered sadly, "not anymore at least. It doesn't even have to do with that woman. I just didn't know the press would bring the captain's name into this mess." She then looked down. "And perhaps you're correct about him…and me…and…and I just…I feel so…helpless with everything. I'm just not in the mood. Honestly, I just want to go to the party shop, get what we need, go see Reggie, and leave. I'm not trying to be rude. I just want to go back to where I feel comfortable."

Katie sighed. "I understand that, and I didn't mean to-"

Kristin waved a hand. "Don't worry about it." She didn't want Katie feeling guilty, but she suspected she already did.

The two then walked to the party shop in silence. Thank goodness it was empty. Katie tried to be as quick as possible since she noticed how much the little incident at the dress shop had affected Kristin. But she had a plan, and she hoped Kristin wouldn't mind when everything was said and done. Katie quickly paid for the decorations and lanterns Ben wanted and the two walked back down the street to Reggie's office.

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"Oh, come on in," Reggie greeted them with a smile. She then noticed the look on Kristin's face. "Is something wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"I…" Kristin began, unsure if she wanted to dump her problems on Reggie.

Katie handed over the newspaper article. "She just got a lecture in the dress shop from someone who disagreed with her decision."

Reggie looked over the article and frowned. "Well, I did warn you that the press would say things."

Kristin nodded. "I know. I'm fine…really."

Reggie gave her arm a tight squeeze. "Well, that's good to hear." She turned to Katie and held out her hand. "I'm Reggie, by the way."

"I'm-"

"No, let me guess," Reggie interrupted. "You must be the friend taking care of Sylvia. She mentioned you."

Katie smiled. "Yes, I'm Rose."

"Well, it's lovely to meet you, darling," Reggie gushed. She motioned to the chairs. "Why don't you two have a seat? Unfortunately, I haven't received the papers just yet, but I expect them any minute. Do you mind waiting?"

Kristin and Katie exchanged a glance.

"I guess we haven't a choice," Kristin said, taking a seat.

"Oh, no," Katie said, sounding dismayed. "I just remembered I forgot one thing on Teddy's list." She placed a hand on Kristin's shoulder. "I'll be right back, okay?"

Kristin gave her a look. She had a sinking suspicion about what Katie really forgot and that it wasn't at the party shop. "Don't be long then."

Katie smiled. "I won't be; I promise."

"And, Rose?" Kristin called, having an afterthought.

"Yes?"

"I wear a size six."

Katie chuckled softly. "You know me too well." And with that she left.

Reggie turned to Kristin. "What was that all about?"

Kristin waved a hand. "Oh, nothing…Rose is just being…a good friend, I suppose. Um, how long do you think it will be?"

"Let me make a quick phone call and double check," Reggie replied. She then dialed the phone and waited a few moments.

Kristin could only hear Reggie's end of the conversation, however.

"Hello, Randall. This is Reggie; I was wondering if you've sent over those papers for the Mayfield divorce yet? We're waiting on them. In fact, Sylvia…" Reggie paused while Kristin surmised the other person was speaking. "What?" Reggie said in shock. "No, that isn't going to…I see. Well, if that's the way he feels about it then. Uh-huh. I see. Yes, I know. I just… Okay. We'll be in touch then. Goodbye." Reggie then hung up the phone and gave Kristin a sympathetic look. "Well, I'm afraid there's bad news."

Kristin nodded. "Well, I kind of guessed. What is it?"

"Richard's changed his mind."

"But that's not necessarily a bad thing, right? You already told me that a judge might be sympathetic to my case… "

Reggie held up the daily newspaper. "But stories like this could prevent that. It's going to be better for you if we can get him to agree."

"I really thought he would…"

A few minutes later, Katie returned, another shopping bag in her hand. She sat next to Kristin with a satisfied smile upon her face. But then she noticed the look on her face. "What's wrong?"

"It seems that the senator has changed his mind about signing the papers," Kristin told her.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Katie replied, placing a comforting hand on Kristin's shoulder.

"I am too," Reggie stated. "I feel bad for dragging you down here, but I am glad I got to see you."

Kristin smiled. "Well, I appreciate everything you've done." She and Katie stood to leave.

"You don't worry about this now; you let me worry about it, okay? And I promise I'll be in touch," Reggie told her, placing her hand on Kristin's shoulder. "Do you still have my phone number?"

Kristin nodded.

"Well, my offer still stands. If you need anything, please don't hesitate."

"I won't," Kristin promised as she and Katie went on their way.

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Reggie watched them leave and was about to take care of some paperwork when she felt a hand on her shoulder that made her jump. She turned around to see who it was. "Are you crazy?" she chided, trying to keep her voice down. "Someone could have seen you."

"Relax, I came in the back way. No one saw," Richard told her. "Besides, I missed you." He placed a hungry kiss to her lips.

Reggie broke the kiss after a few moments. "Likewise, darling, but we'd already discussed why we need to be discreet. Besides, once you take care of that little thing we discussed, there'll be plenty of time for that."

Richard looked sheepish. "Yeah…about that…"

"What?" Reggie asked angrily. "You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

"N-no…not exactly…I…"

Reggie grabbed him by the tie and pulled hard. "No, you listen to me, you spineless twerp, we'd already promised one another we wouldn't deviate from the plan. I've held up my end of the bargain, and you'd better hold up yours or so help me, I'll ruin you. And you know I can do it."

Richard gasped for air. "Y-yes, dear. Whatever you say, dear."

Reggie released him and smiled, looking rather amused. "I love it when I can make you squirm." She patted his cheek. "As long as we have an understanding. Now, you'd better leave before someone sees you."

A/N: I know I'm not making the 'whodunit' very easy, and that's the point. I want to keep you guessing up until the very end. I know it's kind of mean of me, but I hope you're staying entertained.

You may have noticed I've changed a few chapter titles. Please know nothing else has changed; I just felt the other titles fit better.

And please tell me your thoughts on the story so far. I would appreciate it. As always, I thank you for reading. See you next chapter.