Note: Thank you for supporting the story. I had a lot to wrap up, so this is Part 1 of the conclusion. In a few days, I will post the second and final chapter (which in itself is close to 9,000 words!). I am so thankful for everyone who is reading the story. Special thanks to those who left a review on the last chapter: hbndgirl, Paulina Ann, ChrisCorso, sm2003495, Drumboy100, EvergreenDreamweaver, Hero 76, ErinJordan, max2013, Caranath, BMSH, HighFlyer, and candylou.
Relative Fortune
Chapter 36
Conclusion
Part 1- Five Months Later
"So, we're in agreement then? 7:30?" Joe asked his sister- in-law as they prepared for the huge party that would be taking place in a few hours. He set up yet another batch of balloons as he watched the deejay start to get ready and set out the equipment… and it was only eleven. The party wouldn't start for at least another two hours.
Callie turned to him, her dark eyes twinkling and a huge smile lighting up her whole face. She adjusted her ponytail and grabbed his hand, leaning against him, giggling. "Joey, I am so unreasonably excited. We're so bad."
Joe snickered and hugged her with one arm, kissing the top of her head. When Frank caught sight of them in the distance, he raised his hands in a "what gives" fashion, and Joe just shrugged and blew him a kiss, which was enough for Frank to roll his eyes and turn back to his conversation.
"I swear to god, I think you started already," he told her, still chuckling. "This really is stupid that we have to PLAN this. But you need to defer to me," he reminded her. "I know how it's done. I'm a freaking pro. PACE yourself. I have the schedule down. And have lots of water ready."
Callie started giggling again, and Joe laughed along with her. It was so nice, so … perfect, as it should have been all along… to see her happy.
Her face was flushed and she bit her lip. "It's been such a long time," she said. "We are so old."
"Speak for yourself, woman," he joked with her as he released her to get more balloons.
After a few more minutes of setting up, Joe stood back, crossed his arms, and smiled. "Looks damned good, sis, if I do say so myself."
"It sure does," she acknowledged, and Joe slipped an arm around her shoulders, where they stood in silence for several minutes.
Today was going to be perfect for so many reasons. It was a glorious day towards the end of July, and the weather could not have been more cooperative. Frank and Callie's expansive house and several acre property were decorated to the nines, with balloons and tents and a dance floor set up outside as the caterers arrived. The far corner of the property hosted blow up slides and bounce castles, children's games, even a carousel rented for the day. The huge saltwater pool was filled with blow ups and with lounge chairs all around. It was a stark contrast to the area of the house closest to the dance floor, surrounded by white tents with curtains and what would be up-lighting this evening. It was as if two events were taking place, and, in effect, that's exactly what would be happening. It was the one and only time Joe could remember his brother and sister -in -law, normally so reserved and private, being so lavish. No expense was spared.
"Well, party 1 starts at one," she said, wistful.
"And party 2 starts at seven," he answered.
"You okay?" he asked her, when he saw her wipe a tear from her eye. "A minute ago you were laughing at the silliness that's going to go down."
She rested her head against his shoulder. "I'm so happy," she told him, voice a little shaky. "I have everything I ever wanted in my life," she went on.
He turned her towards him. "You have been through hell," he told her, serious for a minute. "And you deserve every single bit of this joy."
She wiped at her eyes again. "I feel him here," she said. "I feel like he's…"
"Go on," Joe told her, meeting her eyes and taking her seriously.
"I almost feel like he's wrapping his arms around me; around my family. I feel… protected… by my beautiful best friend in heaven, by my amazing husband and soulmate on earth, and by my brother". She reached up and cupped both sides of his face. "I love you, Joey. You mean the world to me and to so many people. My babies adore you; you are Frank's other half. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you've ever done for me, for saving Hope. You enabled my family to be complete. You are one of the best friends I ever had… despite the rocky start," she managed.
Joe embraced her tightly, wiping his own eyes. "Damn, Callie. This was supposed to be a little planning session on how crazy drunk we're all going to get tonight. Why'd you have to get all girly on me?"
Callie laughed against his shoulder before pulling back and swatting his arm. "Sorry, you stupid jerk. Better?"
"Much," he replied, finishing wiping the wetness from his face. " Eye sweat," he pointed out.
She rolled her eyes and turned to go into the house. She had a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time, and phase two would not be easy.
She heard him come up behind her; he always made enough noise now to let her know he was there. He leaned in close and kissed her cheek, whispering softly in her ear, "I love you a lot, too."
In the next instant, he was gone, on his own mission, as she well knew.
She turned, contented.
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Callie passed Frank and Vanessa, who were seated together on a lounge chair, talking, and she paused for a moment and watched them as she entered the house. Vanessa was due to give birth any minute- well, next week, actually- and she was all belly. She was also glowing and perfect and beautiful, and Callie knew how excited she was to announce the baby's name formally before the birth next week. Frank was cuddling Hope in one arm and Laurie in another, and the sight was almost too beautiful for words.
Any doubt that she had ever had about Frank having enough love in his heart for another baby had been diminished immediately. He had fallen in love with Hope as he had with Laurissa, made even more of an effort to spend as much time as he could with her, to show her what a real father was; that she was special and worthy and perfect in his eyes. He treated her the same way he treated JJ and Laurie, and, though one day Hope would know her true parents, right now she would be her daughter alone; the thought warmed her through her whole being, and she swore she felt Johnny around her.
She had watched with greatest joy when Joe and Vanessa put the pain of her father's past behind her. Though Joe and Van would be moving into their own house within the next month and Joe, Frank, Biff, and their friends were preparing the home each day, Callie knew she would miss them terribly when they left. Though they were only moving a few streets away, there was nothing like sharing their lives together, watching all four babies learn and grow and play and love together. Soon, baby five, probably the last, would complete that next generation.
She loved watching Frank and Vanessa talk and laugh and bond with each other. It had taken them years to open up to each other, but they finally had, and they were really good friends now, which delighted both her and Joe.
Their family and their friends were their everything; their relative fortune in the world; the only fortune that mattered.
She took a moment to reflect on the cases that had transpired in February, when they'd almost lost Pat and Frank and Hope, when Joe's heroism and Nancy's bravery and Biff's loyalty had been the glue for all of them to find their way to what was important in life. How rich they were; what a beautiful life they had.
Those cases had shown the very worst and the very best in people; in families and friends. Maura Griffin had ordered her own daughter to be killed when Tanya had proven not to be so perfect; Amanda Madison hadn't cared about Hope; had wanted to use her for money. Callie's eyes stung at the thought; her precious daughter, Johnny and now Frank's baby girl… thrown aside for a perceived fortune as well. Stella Santitori abused by relatives who didn't think her own mother was good enough for her, used to teach her a lesson. Tommy Rydell, whose ordeal would forever scar his parents' hearts, another innocent victim of the sickest in society.
Conversely, Griffin's brother was a good, decent person who assisted the cops in any way possible. Johnny would have given his life for his daughter, would have been so proud to be a father and would have been one of the greatest. She did feel his love around her, now more than ever, as his daughter became her own. Jessica Santitori would make it, loved Stella, was earnestly trying to turn her life around, and Callie knew that Frank had formed a bond with her; would help her financially to get her life on track, and she was fine with that. In fact... Callie smiled, thinking about it.
Life was funny that way. Family and friends were the flip sides to the coin of enemies and evil. Frank and Joe were the best of friends, blood brothers and soul mates in their own right, but Frank had had Johnny; had Phil, had so many people who loved him. And Joe was the epitome of fun and goodness, was as tight as could be with Biff, closely followed by Pat. They both had throngs of friends from childhood, school, work… life. Their circle of love kept expanding, and she was grateful beyond words to be a part of it. The past and the present and the future spun people out and reeled them back in and, in the end, the people who mattered remained.
That's what tonight would be about.
That's what today was about.
That's what she had to do now; acknowledge who mattered.
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She had invited Nancy and Ned Nickerson to visit for a few days, and, to her astonishment, they'd accepted the invitation. Nancy had proven invaluable in the investigation to get back Hope, and, for that, she would always be grateful. Besides, today was about life and fortune and all that was good, and, to that end, she had a loose end to tie up.
It was time.
She had asked Nancy to come about fifteen minutes early, and Callie knew she was inside, chatting with Fenton. Ned, handsome and laid back, was joking with Chet about something.
Callie walked into the kitchen and greeted them all warmly. After a few minutes of catching up, Callie asked Nancy if she could speak with her privately, and Nancy readily agreed. Callie led her to the front porch, where the two women now stood.
"Thank you for coming," Callie began. "It's… it's nice to see you. And thank you again for everything you did to help get Hope to me and Frank. I had to tell you in person."
"I'm glad it worked out," Nancy replied, smiling. "You have a beautiful house and an absolutely perfect family," she went on. "I mean that. You should be so proud."
'I am," Callie replied. "Thank you." Here goes, she thought, and took a deep breath. "I owe you an apology," Callie told her. "And I wanted to tell you that in person as well."
Nancy looked confused. "Me? Why? I don't understand."
Callie looked down for a moment before responding. Finally, she met her eyes. "I don't like people who are inauthentic and jealous. I was one of them. I didn't trust you, even when you came through for me and Frank."
Nancy looked taken aback, unsure of how to respond, but Callie forced herself to continue. "You see, Nancy," she said quietly, "on the case with Hope, I knew you researched just the tiniest bit about John and made a lot of assumptions about his character: he left a woman after he got her pregnant, after all. At least that's what it looked like. But it wasn't true. And I know you didn't really understand my relationship with him; a lot of people don't, and I'm okay with that. I'm going to tell you a little secret. For a long time, Frank didn't, either. I think he thought I could have been in love with John, but I wasn't. That was wrong, too. And it made me think."
Nancy looked completely shocked, and Callie swallowed hard. These truths were painful to acknowledge to herself, much less to her 'enemy', but she needed to. "It made me realize that, deep down, I never really acknowledged and confronted your past with Frank. Believe me, I don't doubt his love for me, and I'm sure you and Ned are very happy as well."
"We are," Nancy replied, blushing. "We don't have to rehash this. We were kids."
"You were," Callie answered. "Frank was. You were both kids in the sense that you were immature and apparently didn't know what you wanted. I wasn't immature. I knew I loved him. And, if I am being totally honest, I think immaturity is a cop out. You made a choice and so did Frank. You chose to cheat on Ned and Frank chose to cheat on me. You're both culpable. And you can both never undo the damage that resulted from your choices." She met Nancy's eyes directly. "You can choose to dislike me, and I'm really okay with that. I can do the same to you. Who wouldn't be a little jealous of you? You're gorgeous and smart and adventurous and, if I were less of a woman, I would want you the hell away from my husband."
"You're being pretty rude for someone who asked me to fly across the country to be a part of this day." Nancy looked hurt. "I'll leave."
"Yes, I am," Callie agreed, yet she reached out and gently touched Nancy's arm. "But I need to be true to myself. I forgave Frank, and we have built a beautiful life together. And I'm here to tell you that I forgive you, too, because my instinct tells me that you're a good person. So I am asking you NOT to leave; to forgive me for my rudeness. But I would rather be your friend completely and honestly and openly rather than to note, as Shakespeare once did, 'there's daggers in men's smiles.'* I'm not a phony."
"Thank you, Holden Caulfield,"** Nancy replied.
Callie managed a smile. "A person who gets literature references is a person I like," she replied. "So, Nancy, please accept my apology for being a phony for a little bit. I'd like to start over, because if you're my friend, you're my friend. Period."
Nancy paused for a long moment, and Callie stood stoically. She'd said her peace, felt more assured that, despite her harsh facade, she spoke truth. She always did.
"Well then," Nancy said at last, "I would ask you to accept my apology as well. Ned and I worked through this; you and Frank seem to have done so. It happened a long time ago. And you're right- saying it was a mistake was a cop out. I really did think for a bit that Frank and I may have had something special." She paused again, and Callie tried not to flinch. It still hurt, stupidly, all these years later. But Nancy was being honest, and that's what she had wanted.
"Okay," Callie managed.
"Let me tell you this," Nancy said, her beautiful blue eyes sincere. "I almost blew it with the man I love, and he forgave me. He loved me so much despite the fact that I screwed up royally. And Frank loved you then, too, Callie. He really did. And when you broke up, he did call me and accepted total responsibility for everything. I have never heard Frank so devastated. Can we really move on as friends now? Truth be told, I miss Frank and Joe a lot, and I've enjoyed getting a glimpse into your life. I'd like you all to visit River Heights, too. You can meet my best friends, Bess and George; Frank and Joe always knew them, too. Plus, Fenton and my dad used to be pretty tight. If today is about family and friends, let's let it be about that. Accept my apology?"
"I do," Callie responded, letting out a breath. "Do you accept mine?"
"Yes," Nancy responded. She held out her hand. "Shake on it?"
Callie laughed in spite of herself. That conversation had been hard and painful, but she'd done it. And she felt good. The best parts of this day were ahead. "No," Callie responded. "I hug my friends."
Nancy finally smiled and, as Callie embraced her, she felt the circle expand just a little more.
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Callie stole away for just a few minutes before she would return to spend the afternoon with her family. Since February, she had been spending the vast majority of her time at home with the children, and she loved every minute of it. It had been difficult to delegate her responsibilities at the JGF, since the cause was so vitally important to her, but her children simply meant more. She now visited the office for half day twice a week, but the people she had hired were excellent, and they consulted her on all of the important matters. And the Foundation was more successful than ever.
As she entered the private living room, she closed the French doors behind her and took a moment to breathe deeply. Her eyes automatically went to the large 16x20 framed family picture they had had professionally taken last month, and she felt tears come to her eyes for a brief moment before she smiled. It was perfect. She and Frank sat together, one arm each wrapped around the other one's waist, and their three perfect babies were snuggled on their laps, surrounded by Frank and her other arms. The love in that picture was palatable. Hope had belonged with them; she completed their family. Sometimes, Callie thought her heart would burst from the abundance of happiness in her life.
Her perfect partner, so handsome and wonderful; her rambunctious and wild Johnathan Joseph, always on the edge of mischief like his Uncle Joe; her gorgeous little Laurissa Viola, shy and sweet and completely her daddy's girl; and Hope Madison, whose unbelievable beauty and personality, like her dad's, drew everyone to her. Hope, who had never been allowed to call anyone Mommy or Daddy before, now had parents and siblings who loved her with their whole hearts. She had made everyone complete.
Callie walked to the mantle and looked at the pictures, and her attention was drawn to one of her favorites. She picked it up, looking at it closely, and traced the outline of Johnny's face. It was her wedding day, and someone had captured, quite informally, the moment, showing her slow dancing with him at some point in the night, she and Johnny smiling at each other as he held her close. As she looked up at him, the gaze they shared spoke volumes to anyone who cared to notice, and it was a magical moment to capture. And now, more than ever, it seemed prolific and divine.
She closed her eyes and remembered.
"I think this has been the best wedding I have ever been to," John told her. "Beautiful. Perfect. Just like you."
Callie laughed. "I'm surprised you remember any of yesterday," she joked, referring to the absolutely insane bachelor and bachelorette party.
John kissed the tip of her nose. "No you're not. I've been known to party a little."
Callie laughed again. "So very true. You did a beautiful job singing our wedding song, by the way. I swear I don't think that John Legend has a better voice than you."
Johnny smiled. "I don't know about that," he responded, a twinkle in his eye. "But it was certainly my pleasure to do it for you. Thank you for asking me, sweetheart. I'm so thrilled for you," he had told her, going on more seriously. "You've found the man of your dreams who loves you about as much as I do." He winked at her. "He's a great man, Callie. He will love you forever; I know it. I hope to find that kind of love one day."
"I love you," she told him, seriously.
"And I, you," he'd told her, "but you know what I mean. The romantic, head over heels, live for the other person, soulmate kind of love. I want to have someone look at me the way that Frank looks at you. One day, right? Maybe?" Noting he was becoming a bit too serious, he suddenly twirled her to the music and dipped her at the end of the song, leaving her in giggles.
"Someday you'll find that love," she told him, seriously, when she caught her breath. "And that person will be the luckiest guy on Earth."
He smiled and pulled her close for another dance, resting his cheek on top of her head. "Hope," he'd told her softly.
"What, honey?" she murmured against his chest.
He pulled back and looked at her, those amazing and soulful deep green eyes peering into her soul. "Hope. That's what I have and all I'll ever need. You can't live without it, and it's your greatest ally and most perfect optimist. As long as I have Hope, I'll be okay."
She gazed into his eyes. "Then may you always have Hope. She's your greatest gift now and she'll give you your greatest gift in the future. I love that."
"To Hope," they'd said at the same time, before laughing again. Then he waltzed her over to Frank, hugged him tightly, told him something meant for the two of them, and delivered her into her new husband's arms, where she belonged.
She replaced the frame on the mantle, kissing Johnny's face through the glass as she did so.
Then, contemplative, at peace, she slipped away, back to the party.
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Joe had a lot to do today, and the biggest, most important task was looming. But, before he took care of that, he needed to see Vanessa. He found her, frowning at herself in a mirror in their bedroom.
"Hey gorgeous," he told her, wrapping his arms around her from behind. He kissed her neck and pulled her into him, resting her head on her shoulder.
"Mmmm," Vanessa intoned. "Yeah. Gorgeous. That's me." She sighed.
He turned her in his arms, confused. "Yes, it IS you. You're beautiful and sexy and…"
"And HUGE," Vanessa complained. "Nothing fits. It hurts to stand too long. My back and stomach hurt. I may not even fit into the room anymore."
Joe smiled tenderly at her. "You're beautiful," he repeated, kissing her lips softly. "More beautiful than I could have imagined."
"I gained 50 pounds!" Vanessa lamented, tears in her eyes.
"Okay… so?" he asked her. "I could do double that in half the time if I tried and not have a baby to show by the end of it."
"Joe, it's not funny. I just want him here already," she sniffled. "I want my body back."
"Babe," he told her, stroking her cheek, "you are giving me the greatest gift of my life, for the second time. You're a superstar, the love of my life. I could never thank you enough for giving birth to our babies. OUR babies." He felt his voice get thick with emotion. "I love you more than life."
Vanessa tried to smile. "I just feel so insecure."
"Have I found you one bit less attractive than before you were pregnant?" he asked. "Your body was perfect before and it's even more perfect now. I mean, you have a person inside you, babe. It's so beautiful. The closest I ever got was a food baby when me and Biff entered that pie eating contest after Thanksgiving a few years ago."
"Yes. It's almost the same thing," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Have I not been all over you?" he joked, lightening the mood. "Like ALL OVER. Our sex life is still freaking hot."
She blushed. "I guess."
"I have been sleeping with YOU, right?"
Vanessa finally laughed. "Yes. It's been great."
"That's more like it!" he told her with a smile. "I love your body, but — and you might not believe me— I love YOU— your mind, your spirit, your passion— more than anything." He kissed her tenderly.
"You know what?" Vanessa said after a few minutes. "You're right." She straightened herself up. "And I can eat all the cheesecake I want tonight and not have to give a damn."
"I'll help!" Joe replied, laughing.
"I love you, Joe," she told him. "You're my best friend." She blinked back tears. "I have so much to say to you," she said.
"Wanna just have sex?" he asked her, giving her an exaggerated wink.
She started laughing. "How about AFTER everyone goes home? Crazy idea, I know."
"Deal," he told her.
"But it may not be such a good idea. I'm due any day now." She sighed.
"I'll be happy to help induce labor," he offered, eyes twinkling. When she gave him a look, he chuckled. "I'm always down. But if you'd just like me to hold you, I'll be happy to do that too. Whatever you want and need, babe. It's in your court."
He leaned in and kissed her deeply, met her eyes once more. "You really are the most beautiful woman here," he told her. "In so many ways. And I am honored and proud to have such a perfect woman on my arm this evening."
Vanessa tried not to cry.
"I have to go, babe. You know where." He kissed her, leaned down to kiss her stomach. "Take care of mommy," he said. He looked at her. "Because Mommy takes care of me and I love her with my whole heart."
He turned and left, and Vanessa wiped back the tears and studied her rounded form, finally seeing what Joe did, this great gift of life that so many women could not receive.
Her son kicked her, energetic and eager and anxious to see everything the world had to offer.
Just like his daddy.
She smiled.
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* Shakespeare's Macbeth
** J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye