Chapter 26
…
Jack and Sharon walked into her condo; Sharon closed the door as Jack went and sat the crib down on the dining table.
"Thanks for bringing the crib over Jack." She smiled.
"Well we can't have you carrying it now, can we?"
"I hope I don't jinx myself."
"What do you mean?"
"Rusty and Jess already bought some stuff for the baby when they bought this dress and now Ricky's made me this beautiful crib. I can't help thinking it's all too soon to be preparing for this one."
Jack eyes Sharon carefully when her hand came to rest on her small bump.
"Hey, you're okay."
"I'm only 12 weeks Jack."
"Yeah the 3 month mark which means you're safe."
"For many women perhaps but my age is against me and I…"
"Sharon sweetheart listen, you are a healthy woman and you have a great group of people around you who are gonna make sure you're more than very well taken care off, trust me…you and the kid are gonna be just fine."
"Why weren't you like this when we were together?"
"How do you mean."
"When I was pregnant with Jess you were so attentive but after she was born you lost interest, you were more interested in going to bars with your friends and when Ricky came along…I don't think you could have cared less."
"That's not true Shar."
"No, where were you when I went into labour with Ricky huh…."
"Well I…"
"I'll tell you where you were, you were in Vagas gambling away the money we'd started to save for the kids college fund, I was left in that hospital giving birth to your Son with only Gavin by my side."
Jack could hear the anger and hurt that came out when she turned away from him, her hands steadying her on the table. He came up behind her placing a warm hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry Shar, I will never forgive myself for missing the birth of our Son or for wasting the college fund. You're right; I was a shit Father to them."
"I didn't say that you…."
"Not in so many words but it boils down to that and I can't even defend myself because everything you've said is true. I wish I could turn back the clock, I really do. I'm finally getting my relationship with Jess and Ricky back on track sure, but I lost you…the only woman I ever truly loved. I didn't realize until it was too late just how good I had it. You know when I finally made it to the hospital after Ricky was born, I came to your room, Gavin was sitting beside you, he took one look at me and was on his feet and out the door, refusing to let me in. Told me that you deserved so much better than me, he punched me…did he ever tell you that?"
"No, he never mentioned it."
"Well he did, not I blame him. He's always been one of your best friends and let's be honest, he was more of a father to them than I was when they growing up."
"That's why he'll always be their uncle Gavin." She smiled.
"Yeah."
"You've made a start on changing your life; at least you're on the right track."
"Yeah and Shar that's why I want you to know that I'm here now…I may have missed all the baby stuff with our kids but I just want you to know that this kid, if you and Andy need help with anything…I'm here."
Sharon smiled before leaning up and placing a kiss on Jack's cheek.
"Thank you Jack, Andy and I just might take you up on that."
"I should go; you look like you could use a nap."
"I am a little tired, thank you."
"I'll call you."
…
Sharon and Andy were in the kitchen making dinner that evening when Jessica and Rusty arrived home. Jessica came in and kissed her Mom while Rusty dumped his bag.
"Hey you two, did you have a good day."
"Yeah, I caught up with my friend Hannah; I haven't seen her in so long…it was good."
"I'm glad honey…Rusty, how was school."
"It was school, not much happened. Where did this come from?" He asked, looking at the crib.
"That was a gift from Ricky, he made it."
"Seriously, my little Brother made that…wow, he's full of surprises."
"He certainly is, why don't you two go wash up, dinner's about ready."
Sharon waited for Jessica and Rusty to leave before turning her attention back to Andy.
"Well." He asked.
"You're right, something's certainly troubling him. Oh Andy I hope it's nothing serious, we're finally back to normal and we…"
"Hey come on, we'll talk to him after dinner okay. Please don't make yourself sick with worry, think of this little one."
"I love you."
"How could you not."
"Modest too, come on help me get the plates." She smiled.
All through dinner, Sharon couldn't take her eyes of Rusty. He was clearly worried about something and the way he kept watching her and Andy made her heart clench. Jessica and Andy had just finished the dishes when Sharon put the desert on the table.
"Wow, looks good Mom."
"You're favourite, chocolate cake…you've all been so wonderful I thought you deserved to be spoiled. Rusty would you like a piece?"
"Sure."
Once they were all seated, Jessica and Andy began to eat but Sharon could only watch as Rusty picked at the cake.
"Jess honey, would you mind if Andy and I had a moment alone with Rusty please."
"Huh, wait what…what have I done." He asked.
"Nothing honey, it just seems as though something's troubling you and we want to find out what that is."
"Its fine, I'll head out for a bit." Jessica smiled.
"NO, please…look I'll tell you okay but don't make Jess go…I want her to stay."
Sharon moved to the chair closer to Rusty and placed her hand on his, her eyes searching his.
"Alright Rusty she can stay…now what's troubling you, you're worrying me."
"I'm sorry Sharon, I didn't mean too make…"
"Sssh, it's alright. Just tell us what's going on, you were fine this morning."
"Rusty…show Mom the letter."
"What letter?" Sharon asked.
"This one, it came in the mail for me this morning."
He handed Sharon the envelope, watching her closely. "It doesn't mean anything okay Sharon, I swear." She carefully removed the letter and began reading it, Andy came over and sat beside her, a hand around her shoulder as they read it together. Jessica moved to sit on the other side of Rusty as they waited for them to finish reading. Sharon looked up at Andy once she'd finished and folded the letter before handing it back to Rusty.
"Alright…so your Mom wants to see you, well that's alright…we knew it would happen eventually, didn't we."
Rusty could see that Sharon was trying hard not to cry in front of him, he got on his feet and moved to hug her. She wrapped her arms around his waist, the tears forming in her eyes.
"Sharon the letter means nothing okay, she just wants to see me…it's not like I'm going back to her because I'm not….you're my Mom as far as I'm concerned. If you don't want me to go then just say and I won't."
"Oh honey, you have to see her…she's your Mother, you ought to hear what she has to say."
"You can do it here, that way we're all here in case anything happens." Andy said.
"I don't want her to hurt Sharon."
"Rusty, we won't let anything happen to Mom. We'll all be here okay."
"Okay."
"Rusty, why don't you make the call. We'll wait here."
"Sure." He was just about to turn down the hallway before he looked back. "Sharon?"
"Yes honey."
"I love you, you know that right."
"I love you Rusty."
…
To Be Continued…