Come What May
Chapter 28
Kelly sat at a desk in the corner of her room and pulled out a piece of paper and pencil from inside a drawer. She began to write:
Dear Mother,
I'm writing to let you know that I had a daughter last week. Her name is Evelyn Dorothy and she is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I see so much of Jim, that officer I met on the Titanic, in her face. We're all very happy. I just thought you deserved to know that your 'daughter' had a child. I know you're not proud of me at all, but that doesn't bother me. Enjoy your life.
Sincerely, Kelly.
She sealed it in an envelope and wrote the address to Michael's home in Virginia, since George said that's who had been taking care of her. She left out the return address, and then went to go mail it.
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It was now mid-march. Kelly lifted two-month-old Evelyn out of the crib in the corner of the nursery. She carried her down stairs into the dining room and set her in a wooden highchair.
Rebecca entered the room from the kitchen, holding a plate of pancakes. "Oh well look who's up." She smiled at Evelyn.
"She's been up almost all night. So have I. Do we have any coffee?" Kelly sat and placed her head down on the table, exhausted.
"Yes, we do. I'll get some." She placed the plate down and disappeared behind the kitchen door again, and then she reappeared a moment later, placing a mug in front of her sister.
"Thank you." Kelly took a sip, "I swear that child never sleeps. She keeps me up all night with her crying and such."
"Well that is what babies do. They cry."
"I understand that, but I didn't know it would be a constant thing."
"She seems pretty content now."
Kelly cut up a pancake and fed a very little piece to the baby. Then she put her head down again.
Harold came down the stairs and joined them. "Good morning."
"Good morning, dear." Rebecca kissed his cheek.
He looked at Kelly. "I heard her crying last night. You must be exhausted."
Kelly only replied by picking her head off the table slightly and then dropping it down again."
"Rebecca, we're still going out later, right?" Harold asked.
"Of course." She turned to Kelly, "we're going out to dinner tonight. Trying to have a nice evening out, alone together, before the baby comes."
Kelly looked at Rebecca. "Alright. I was wondering, could I speak to you alone?"
Rebecca nodded and followed Kelly into the living room.
"What's going on?"
Kelly yawned and then spoke, "You're only six months pregnant, right?"
"Yes. The baby is due in early July."
She stared down at her sister's large stomach, "You look like you're about eight or nine months along…"
Rebecca placed a hand over her enlarged middle. "What are you trying to say?"
"All I'm saying is that perhaps you need to go see that doctor again. You might be eating for more than just two…."
"You mean twins?"
"It seems possible."
Rebecca smiled. "That would be wonderful. Two little miracles."
Kelly smiled too. "Yes, miracles they may be, but just wait until you spend all night awake trying to keep them pacified."
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That afternoon taking Kelly's words to heart, Rebecca went to the doctor's.
"Mrs. Lowe, you didn't have a scheduled visit. Is everything alright?" He asked her once they were sitting in his office.
"Everything is fine… It's just… Well… My sister pointed out that she noticed I've been eating a lot. Of course that is to be expected when I'm pregnant, it's just... A bit more then usual. And she thought... that… well… maybe I am to have more than one baby?"
The doctor thought about it a moment, "Well, you are a bit bigger then you should be for someone who is only to have one baby. I'd like to examine you."
Rebecca nodded. For the next few minutes he checked her over and finally nodded, "Mrs. Lowe, I believe your sister's assumption is right. You are to have twins."
She smiled, "Oh, how wonderful! Thank you so much!"
"You're very welcome, Mrs. Lowe."
Rebecca stood up and left the office.
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Kelly walked into Danny's office.
"Hey, Kel." he smiled. "Where's Evvie?"
"My sister is watching her. And guess what."
"What?"
"Rebecca just saw the doctor. She's having twins. Isn't that exciting?"
"That's great. I'm happy for her. I'll have to share my congratulations next time I see her. Harold must be ecstatic."
"She hasn't told him yet. She's waiting til they go out to dinner tonight."
"They'll be out tonight? So you'll be home all alone?" he smiled mischievously.
She laughed, "Yes, I will be home alone. Watching my child. I'll probably do some reading."
"Would you like somebody to come over and read with you?"
"That all depends. Who would be coming over?" she smiled flirtatiously at him.
"A very sweet, charming, handsome man."
"Oh, damn. For a second I thought you would be coming over. But I suppose you meant someone else." She teased.
"Fine, maybe now I won't come keep you company."
"No!" she grabbed onto his arm and grinned at him, "Please do."
"I'll come over whenever I finish my work."
"Sounds good. I guess I'll see you later."
"See you later." He watched her leave and then returned to his work.
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That night Rebecca and Harold went out for dinner. She was practically beaming the entire meal until finally Harold had to ask, "Becca, did something happen today? You've been radiating with happiness since this afternoon."
She grinned, "I have something to tell you."
"Well what is it?"
"I went to the doctor today... It's twins."
Harold nearly choked on his water, "I beg your pardon?"
"We are having twins."
"Oh my-" He laughed, "Rebecca, that's amazing!"
She grinned.
Harold went around the table to her and kissed her.
When they pulled apart Rebecca laughed, "Finish eating... The others are staring at us."
Harold returned to his seat. They finished the meal, discussing the possibilities.
On the way home they stopped in at a respectable pub, just for a brief moment.
The bartender was cleaning a glass and talking to the customer right next to them. "This man was just in here, drunk as a skunk. He was going on and on about how he wants to go after his ex-fiancé because she lied about a baby or something of that sort. I was thinking about calling the police, but the bloke left. He also claims he survived the sinking of the Titanic. How crazy is that?"
Harold leaned over towards them, "Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear, you say that man was just in here?" he gulped after he asked.
"Yes. He just left about five minutes ago. Stumbling like an infant and slurring his words. Hopefully the bugger will go sleep it off instead of doing something rash."
Rebecca looked to Harold, "We have to get home now... I'm worried about Kelly."
He nodded, "Let's go."
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There was an obnoxiously loud banging at the front door. Picking up Evelyn, Kelly went to answer it.
Gasping at the man standing on her front porch, she stepped back and then tried to shut the door.
"I don't think so, darling." George slurred, forcing his way in.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"I came to see for myself if your mother was right." He stared at Evelyn. "I see she was."
"George, I-"
"You heartless, lying witch!" he stormed towards her, and in return she backed up until she hit the living room wall.
"George please allow me to explain. I lied because I was sick of the situation. I couldn't stand you having this power over Harold, Rebecca, and I in our own home. I figured if I told you the baby was gone, you would have no reason to stay."
"I would have stayed because of my feelings for you. But then I was sick of trying over and over again to make you love me."
"I would never be able to love you."
"I realized, all too late." He placed a fingertip on Evelyn's cheek. The baby just stared at him. "Cute girl."
"Don't touch her." Kelly turned towards the wall and placed her hand on Evelyn's head protectively.
"Why not? Don't want her to take after her mother, letting men put their hands all over her?"
"That isn't true." She stated angrily.
"You have no idea how much I hate you, and love you at the same time, Kel… I don't even know where to begin."
"George, I'm sorry…"
"Yes, well I'm pretty damn sorry too. Sorry about this." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pistol.
Kelly backed herself up against the wall and kept Evelyn as close to her as possible. "What are you doing?" she stammered, "Why do you have a gun?"
He smirked at her reaction.
"Please, George… This is idiotic. Please. You don't want to hurt anybody."
"Yes, I do!" he barked, "I want to hurt you because you hurt me!"
"Please don't hurt my child. Please, George!" She begged as she shook. "She is innocent. If you have to hurt anybody, then hurt me. Could I put my daughter in her crib? Please…"
"No. I think you should stay exactly where you are."
"George!" she begged, "Please!"
"Fine." He pointed the gun at her as she walked over to the bassinet in the corner.
She kissed Evelyn's forehead and whispered "I love you so much," before placing her down.
Kelly came towards George again. "George… I love you…" she looked into his eyes.
He put the gun down a bit. "You do?"
"Yes…" she placed her hand on his cheek. "Very much."
He moved forward to hug her, but she kneed him in the groin as hard as possible.
"You lied to me!" he yelled angrily, he grabbed her roughly by the arm and threw her into the wall. "Again! You are a lying bitch and I hope you rot in Hell forever for the way you've betrayed me."
"I didn't mean to lie to you… I never meant to do you any harm."
"Don't lie! Yes, you did!" He pointed the gun at her head.
The doorbell rang.
"Be quiet." George warned threateningly.
"Kelly?" Danny's voice called from outside.
"Danny, help!" she shrieked loudly.
George clamped a hand over her mouth and placed the gun to her temple. Evelyn began to cry loudly.
Danny threw the front door open and ran inside. "Kelly?!" he screamed. He entered the living room and saw the scene. "What is going on here?!"
"Don't come any closer." George warned. He pointed the gun at Danny.
Placing his hands in front of himself, he tried to talk to him, "You don't want to hurt anybody. Put the gun down, sir."
Once again, putting the gun to Kelly's head, "Yes, I do!"
"Don't hurt a hair on her head! Do you hear me?! I won't let you harm her."
"I'll do whatever I damn well please."
"Let's settle down and discuss this like men." Danny reached for the gun slowly.
George closed his eyes and in one swift motion pointed the gun at Danny and fired.
"Danny!" Kelly jumped from George's grasp to help him.
George just stood there, shocked that he had actually shot someone.
"Here," Kelly ripped off part of the bottom of her dress and pressed the fabric against his wound. Then she looked up at George with tears in her eyes. "He never did anything to you!" she screeched.
"He tried to get in my way."
"He needs a doctor! Now!"
Danny took the fabric from Kelly and held it to his own arm now, "Please, don't hurt her. We can talk this all out." He attempted to find a peaceful solution to this.
"I shot somebody. No doubt I'll end up in jail now. So why shouldn't I just finish what I started?" he pointed the gun at Kelly again. "I loved you, a lot. But that love was not reciprocated. It was betrayed and cast aside. I am so sick of everything, but most of all I'm sick of you and the ways you have tortured my heart. For about fifteen years I've had uncountable feelings for you. You shattered my heart when all I ever wanted was to be close to you. I was just never good enough, was I?!" he shut his eyes and aimed.
"Kelly!" Harold's voice yelled from the front door. He and Rebecca ran in.
"Oh my god." Rebecca covered her mouth in shock and stood behind Harold.
"What are you doing, Morley?!" Harold yelled angrily, "You do not belong here in my home, threatening my family!"
"They should be my family." He turned to Kelly, "we could have been a family. You, the baby, and I. I could have taken good care of you and give you everything you ever wanted in your life."
"George, I never have, nor will I ever love you. Not after the despicable things you've done. Just give up."
"You want me to give up? Fine." He put the gun to his head. "Goodbye, darling." He spoke in a sickening way. They all looked on as he pulled the trigger and fell to the floor. Blood ran out of his mouth and his eyes were still open although it was clear he had died instantly.
Evelyn's cries were the only sound in the room. Kelly fell from her kneeling position and silently sobbed.
Rebecca grabbed Harold and fell into his arms.
Danny placed his good arm around Kelly for a moment, but then went back to applying pressure to his arm with the strip of bloody fabric.
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In a long white hallway in the hospital, Kelly walked up and down the corridor, worrying about Danny.
"Kelly?" Rebecca said as she stood a few feet away holding Evelyn, who was fussing a bit, but not too much to be bothersome. "He is going to be fine."
"I won't stop worrying until I see his face."
"Then go to him." Rebecca smiled. "The doctor just came out and told us that you may go see him. Go."
Kelly picked up the bottom of her skirt, a piece of it missing from where she'd torn off a bit, and she ran down the hall to Danny's hospital room.
"Hey." He said quietly as he watched her enter.
"Hi." She replied softly, still standing by the door.
"Well, come over here. I don't bite." He grinned.
She walked over to him slowly. "I was so scared, Danny…"
He grabbed her hand and pulled her down towards him, and put his good arm around her. "I know. Believe me, I know."
"I was so afraid of you dying… I tried my best to stop the bleeding. I did what I could. Oh my God, I was so scared, you have no idea." Her eyes were glistening with fresh tears ready to fall.
"You saved me. If you hadn't helped me, it could have been really bad. But let's not think about that. I'm fine now. My arm will have to go in a sling for a bit and my shoulder is all wrapped up, but I'll be alright soon. Nothing can keep Danny Banner down."
"Right before you showed up, George was about one second away from shooting me in the face. I'd be dead if it wasn't for you."
"I'm glad I got there when I did. I don't know what I would do if something had happened to you."
She was silent for a moment. "Almost two months ago you were at my bedside while I lay in a hospital, and now here we are again, only now it's you in the bed. I'd do anything to take your place right now."
"No. I wouldn't let you be here. I'd jump in front of the bullet for you."
"You would do that?"
"Of course. I'd do anything to keep you safe. I care about you a lot, Kel."
She kissed him sweetly, then pulled back and smiled. He suddenly moved his face up and met her lips with his again eagerly, thirsting for the need of her mouth against his. A minute later, they pulled apart.
He smiled at her. "I love you."
She was speechless for a second. "I…"
"You don't have to say it back. It's alright."
"No. I want to say it. I'm just a bit nervous. I haven't said those words in a long time."
"If you said them to me now, would you mean them?"
"Yes. I'd mean them with my whole heart." She started to cry softly and she smiled at him, "I love you, Danny."
He kissed her again and she sat on the side of the bed. They talked for a while, sorting out their feelings and discussing everything and anything.
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Two weeks later, Rebecca, Harold, Danny, and Kelly, who was holding Evelyn, found themselves in a car on their way to George's memorial services.
Once they arrived at the Morley residence, they saw a few men in suits all sitting on the porch, cigars in hand. A few women were walking up the front steps and into the house, all in black gowns, with men on their arms.
They all walked into the Morley's large entrance way and into the extravagant room to the left where usually grand parties would be held, but today the curtains were all shut, there were chairs neatly placed in rows, and everybody was wearing dark clothing. A few sniffles filled the room, but other than that people seemed either bored or content.
They quietly took the seats in the last row, trying to avoid any attention. They felt like they had to be there. After all, the man had died in their home.
A man stood at the front of the room and cleared his throat, then took a sip of water, and announced for everybody to sit down. People proceeded to their seats.
"I am Adam Morley. The late Albert Morley was my brother, and he departed this life last April as he went down with the Titanic with honor like a gentleman. Today we are here to remember his son, my nephew, George Albert Morley. George was born November 24th, 1894 and lived here in Southampton. He attended school at River Hill Academy where he excelled in his studies and made many friends. Last April he joined his parents on a trip to America which ended tragically for the family and altered their lives forever. George lost a loving father whom he looked up to very much. After the disaster, he stayed with his mother in New York and took care of her. He was a caring boy with a lot of love to give. He was engaged to Kelly Ann Hoffman for a while, but that ended due to complications and family issues. The Titanic sinking brought them together and they were able to console each other in their times of need. George, as a boy, was very curious and showed great talents and intelligence. We were all sure he would amount to great things. His life was tragically cut short two weeks ago in an automobile accident. We will always remember him." The man was now in tears. He stepped down. A few other relatives spoke and said basically the same things.
A half hour passed and when the speaking ended people were standing around talking. Refreshments were still being put out by the help.
Kelly stood up and held Evelyn close to her. "Perhaps we should be going now." She said to her sister.
"Kelly?" she turned around and saw Mrs. Morley standing there, clad in all black, with a small dark veil over her tear-stained face.
"Mrs. Morley, how have you been?"
"Not well." She sniffled and brought her handkerchief up to her nose.
"We're all very sorry about George…"
"Why couldn't you have just loved him?" she snapped and burst into tears.
"Excuse me?"
"If you had done as you were told and just married my son as planned, none of this would have happened. How dare you treat my boy the way you did."
"I didn't love your son, Mrs. Morley. Forgive me, but I think he was quite rude, possessive, and he didn't seem to care about my happiness."
"On the contrary, my son cared deeply for you. He loved you ever since he was old enough to speak. When he was four he told us he thought you were beautiful and he wished to marry you. When he was seven he asked your mother for your hand in marriage. When he was twelve and you left to go away to school, he locked himself in his room for a week because he missed you terribly. He wrote you letters every single day for two years, and you never responded. I would lie and say perhaps they were getting lost in the mail, but I could only keep that lie going for so long. You broke his heart over and over again. And now, my poor precious Georgie lies six feet under in a casket because of you." She began sobbing.
"Your son tried to kill me and my daughter. He shot a very good friend of mine and threatened my family. On the Titanic, he displayed despicable behavior of which I will not speak of at this moment. But let me assure you, you wouldn't be thinking so highly of your little boy if you knew of the things he had done."
"As upset as I am with you, I hope you never know the pain of losing a child." She looked at Evelyn. "Keep her safe. Losing your child is the worst pain one can know. It's like I've lost a part of myself. Now I no longer have a husband or a son."
"I am very sorry for your loss, ma'am. I've lost people as well, and I too hope I will never know the pain of losing a child. But I am not to blame for what happened to your son. He killed himself and there was nothing I could have done."
"You could've loved him back." Mrs. Morley wiped her eyes again, stared at Kelly with empty eyes, and walked away.
Danny put his arm around her and brought her close to him. "She is obviously very distraught over her son's death. Don't take it to heart."
"But… she's right." Kelly began to cry softly now and stared down towards her feet.
Well theres a treat for those of you who hated George and wanted him dead. He's gone. I am a bit sad to see him gone, but oh well. Poor Georgie. Anywho, please review. Chapter 29 is already partially written and will be up soon. Please please PLEASE review. We will love you forever and ever and ever! PWETTY PWEASE! lol. Don't make me beg anymore. =P so anyway, thank you for reading. More will be posted soon. Love ya'll! -Kell&Beccs.
