Chapter 109

The holidays came to an end and Marianne went back to Oxford and her night shift. Not too long after, Sara started work at the surgery every afternoon. The schedule worked well because she and Fiona could sleep a bit extra in the morning. The baby recovered from her cold, but gave it to Ted. He tried hard not to complain, but for a few days he was miserable. He suspected it would make its way through the house.

Sara liked that the big kids would be at the babysitters with the baby in the afternoon. She hoped that Fiona wouldn't miss her as much if she was with Bernadette and Patrick. She was probably crazy to think that way, but she did.

Sara loved her hours at the surgery as long as she didn't think of Fiona. By the end of the afternoon it was hard not to, as she was engorged and definitely ready to go pick up her baby. She didn't stay with Ted while he finished up, but rather bolted out the door after her last patient.

Tim teased Teddy, "Looks as if she found someone she loves more than you."

Sara also liked working weekends again. She knew that Fiona was in safe hands with Ted. Sometimes he called in help, but apparently he impressed the ballet mums with his ability to care for the baby on his own. Sara laughed because none of them realized that he handled two small children on his own for years. She knew her husband was the best dad and she loved him more everyday.

Tony and Michael continued to be harassed by their mothers. Michael didn't care, but he felt bad for Tony. The poor kid was in love and shouldn't have to suffer because of it. He assured Michael that he was fine. "The Turner's are my family now," he said.

Michael wondered how long before he made it official...

Tim still hadn't completely accepted Jack. Meanwhile Jack went back to Belfast every other weekend. Evie typically stayed in London. One weekend towards the end of February, Penny was waiting for him when he arrived at his door.

Jack greeted her, "Hi Penny. Is he ready?"

"He doesn't want to go with you. He wants to stay home," she said.

"He always has fun. Let me talk to him," Jack said concerned.

"He's not here. He's out with Keith," she said.

"This is my weekend…" Jack argued.

"The agreement means nothing. He's not your child," she said.

"Legally he is. We were married…"

"Besides I don't need your money anymore. Spend it on your blonde," she said.

"You think I'm going to just walk out of Matty's life without a fight. You don't know me," Jack yelled.

"Jack, Jack. Always so much anger," she said patronizing.

"Of course I'm angry. You trapped me and lied to me. You and my mother," he said calm, but stern.

"We loved you," she said.

"That's not love. I want to see him. I'll be back later," he said and turned and walked away.

He was angry and hurt. That woman was unbelievable. Jack wished that he never had to see her again, but she was his ticket to his son… to Matty. In his heart, he was his son even if the boy's mother didn't agree.

He went back two more times before he saw his son. When he finally did, Matty clung to his mother and cried.

"Hey buddy," he said, "I came to see you. I thought we'd go spend time at my house."

"No. My mummy," he said.

"Yes, your mummy loves you. I love you too. Can I have a hug?" Jack said a calm as he could.

"No. My mummy," he said again.

"What about me? I'm your daddy," he said.

He pointed to Keith and said, "Daddy."

Penny said, "See I told you. You're just upsetting him."

Jack had no choice but to leave after he said, "I love you, Matty."

Matty said, "Matthew."

"I love you, Matthew," he said.

He responded again, "No. My mummy."

He switched his flight and went home that night. He had no reason to stay in Belfast. Luckily Evie wasn't playing and he went straight to her flat. He felt helpless.

"Perhaps you need a solicitor," Evie said.

"I'm afraid that I made it worse by moving. I know she is doing this because I'm happy. When I was miserable, she was content with the way things were. I don't understand it. She should be happy. She has Keith, who really is a nice guy," he said.

"He's the one she cheated with?" Evie asked.

"Yes, but I don't care. I was thrilled," Jack said.

"Maybe she was hoping you would have been jealous. Maybe she did it to get you back, but it didn't work. If she trapped you because she loved you, she wouldn't stop loving you while you were married. Would she?"

"I don't know. She doesn't know how to love… not real love. I think she wants what isn't hers," he deduced and changing the subject he asked, "How was your day?"

"Oh fine. I actually had a nice lunch with Mum and Granny. Dad was at the surgery and got home rather late," she said.

"Well I'm glad. If I couldn't be with Matty, then I'm glad to be with you, my love," Jack said. Suddenly he had an idea that might just help with one if not both of his problems.

Late Sunday morning after they had leisurely read the paper together, Jack told Evie that he was going out. Kissing her, he said, "I'll ring you in a bit."

"Are you alright?" Evie asked and he assured her that he was fine.

He arrived at the surgery just about noon. Tim's car was there which was good. When he went in the receptionist greeted him.

"I wanted to see Dr. Turner…"

Before he could finish, Sara saw him and said, "Jack. Are you sick?"

"No, no. I was hoping to talk to him. When he's done with his patients of course," he said.

"Well we're just about done. I'll let him know you're here."

He waited and she came and ushered him into Tim's office. She said, "I'm leaving. I'll see you at the house. Bye Jack."

He waved to her and turned his attention to Tim who was looking at him rather annoyed. He broke the silence and said, "You told me that I should have come to you for help before, so I'm coming to you now."

"Isn't it too late?" Tim responded and added, "Aren't you supposed to be in Belfast?"

"I came home because Matty wouldn't come stay with me. He was acting weird… almost like I was a stranger. When I went for him the first time, he wasn't there and she told me that he cried and refused to see me. I went back and he clung to his mother like I was a stranger. She told me to stop coming," Jack explained. Pausing he asked, "Can a child of three just forget me in two weeks?"

"I imagine he's been told to not want to go with you for the past two weeks. So you just gave up?" Tim asked.

"He was upset and crying. I didn't want to make it worse. She said some horrible things. She wants me to go away. I'm concerned if I fight her, I'll lose. I don't trust her not to make up lies. I'm sure it looks like I've abandoned him, because I moved to London. I can't leave… I won't leave Evie!" Jack said passionately.

"It sounds like a pickle. You have to stay calm. You can't stoop to her level by getting nasty," Tim said.

Tim had no idea how to help the poor bloke. He was clearly suffering. Still he sounded sincere about not leaving Evie and that was important. He liked his tenacity and that he listened to Tim's criticism and acted on it. He knew he was coming to him, because he hadn't before. He also knew that he had to offer him an olive branch for his daughter's sake.

"If you had to go back to Belfast, I'm sure Evangelina will go with you," Tim said.

"No, I can't ask her to uproot her life for a child that isn't mine," Jack said quite adamantly.

"He's yours just like me and Angela are Mum's and already Bernadette and little Patrick are becoming Sara's. Blood doesn't matter when there is love. My daughter loves you whether or not I like it. She'll follow you to the moon if that's what it takes to be with you," Tim said surprising himself. He paused for a moment and said, "My best advice is to talk to a solicitor. Now if we're done… I'm expected at home."

Without thinking, he squeezed Jack's shoulder on the way out. Jack looked back at him with a weak smile. Bloody hell, Tim thought, now I'm feeling sorry for the poor fella.