Chapter 17: The Wizard of Oz Part 3
THREE DAYS LATER
SCENE: IZZIES BATHROOM
(Amber is sitting on the counter on the phone with Levi while the shower is running so no one hears what she says to Levi)
Amber: Are they done yet?
Levi: (Inside the genetics clinic at Kansas City) Not yet they said it could be two hours before the labs come back and they print it out apparently their understaffed and over booked.
Amber: Huh I guess I'm not the only one doing a genetics test to find out if my former sister-in-law is a pathological liar. Look just take the letter and drive here as fast as you can I want to be done with this as soon as possible.
Levi: You mean before the guilt sets in?
Amber: (Notices his tone) Is that judgement I hear in your voice?
Levi: (Smacks lips) Maybe and if it is what would you say?
Amber: I would say that you're an only child so you don't understand the things people would do for their siblings to make sure they don't ruin their lives because of sociopathic bottle blondes who have an extensive history of poor decision making. Does that make my intentions clear?
Levi: (Sighs) Yes.
Amber: Good, now just wait a little longer, get the letter and drive here as fast as you possibly can I don't care how many traffic laws you break. Bye.
(Amber hangs up and turns off the shower)
CUT TO THE KITCHEN
(Amber enters the kitchen in her robe to find Eli and Alexis eating pancakes and eggs with Alex while Izzie is by the oven putting scrambled eggs into a plate)
Izzie: Good morning, I thought you might be hungry so I made you some eggs. I would have made pancakes but I used all the batter.
Amber: (Takes the plate) It's fine I need to cut down on bread anyway, those Waffle House waffles are very filling.
(Amber takes a bite of her eggs and pauses as she tastes it. She then spits out the eggs on her plate)
Amber: Question, why do my eggs taste like they were fried with Alex's socks?
Izzie: Oh, their plant-based eggs.
Amber: (Confused) What?
Alex: Their eggs made from plant instead of chicken don't question it, it's just gonna drive you nuts.
Izzie: Their healthy and they don't raise your cholesterol.
Amber: Well, I am sorry to disappoint you but I like my eggs from chickens and I will welcome the heart attack they give me. I'm just gonna eat fruit instead.
(Amber grabs a bowl of fruit from the counter and ruffles Alexis's hair as she leaves to go to the patio. Izzie approaches her)
Izzie: Hey so um…look I don't know you and you don't know me and I feel like that is my fault.
Amber: (Sarcastically) Why? Is it because you didn't stick around long enough to know more about Alex's family let alone meet them?
Izzie: (Saw the insult coming) And there it is. Amber, I don't want to fight with you, I appreciate how you've been with the kids I really am. And I am so happy they get to have an aunt in their lives as well as a dad but…we need to figure out a way to get along for the twins' sake and you making jabs is-
Amber: Izzie my way of doing this is being polite and cordial towards you in front of the kids and Alex who for some reason still cares about your feelings. In private I can make jabs because I know that the kids won't listen in and be confused by their aunt and mother fighting. This way the kids can grown up with their mental stability intact and I get to express my true feelings toward you, do you disagree with that?
Izzie: …I suppose it is better than fake being nice in front of the kids who will notice so…yes.
Amber: Good I'm glad we can agree on something, now if you'll excuse me, I am going to eat my breakfast.
(Amber turns to go to the patio leaving Izzie behind sighing)
CUT TO THE PATIO
(Amber is sitting at the table eating her fruit when Alex comes in and sits with her)
Amber: (Knows he wants to defend Izzie) Don't even Alex.
Alex: She's gonna be in my life from now on because she is the mother of my kids. And you're my sister which means she's gonna be in your life too. You don't have to like her or love her-
Amber: Oh, good I'm glad that those are options.
Alex: But you do have to get along with her not for her sake but for the twins.
Amber: I am getting along with her I'm making insults at her in private so the kids won't need therapy later. I wish we had stability like that from our family at that age.
Alex: Amber, I was the one who got burned and I'm not being awful to her maybe you could use me for inspiration.
Amber: Inspiration for letting people walk all over you after they humiliated you and left you without so much as a goodbye? Your right Alex you are a national icon for change.
Alex: (Sighs) It's obvious I'm not gonna convince you on account that your more stubborn than either of my wives-
Amber: Ex-wife. Wife and ex-wife.
Alex: Lets talk about something else because this is going nowhere.
Amber: (Chuckles) What else is there to say that's gonna match the magnitude of your current predicament?
Alex: Challenge accepted, Webber texted me two days ago and told me that Pac-North was purchased by the Fox Foundation.
(Amber looks at Alex and laughs assuming he's kidding but stops when she sees he's not laughing)
Amber: (Shocked) Wait a minute, seriously?
Alex: I know I can't believe it either.
Amber: Why on earth would Catherine Fox want her multi-million-dollar foundation anywhere near that place?
Alex: Webber said he and Catherine had a fight and she purchased his hospital to punish him or something. Honestly, I didn't know how to respond so I texted a laugh until you cry emoji with a party hat. So yeah, I am officially out of job because Webber's marriage crumbled and his wife has more money than sense.
(Amber's face goes blank for a moment as she processes this information and suddenly, she laughs loudly and Alex looks at worriedly)
Amber: (Catches her breath) Catherine Fox bought a freaking hospital because she had a fight with her husband!
(Alex snorts as Amber continues laughing. Alex laughs along with her)
Alex: Well at least now we know how the one percent react after a fight with their spouses.
Amber: (Laughs harder) I mean when our parents fought, they landed each other in the hospital they didn't purchase an entire hospital.
(Alex and Amber continue to laugh and eventually they calm down and catch their breath)
Amber: Whew I don't think I've laughed like that in the past few weeks.
Alex: (Exhales) Well people laugh at funerals and they also laugh when they get fired. Again.
(Amber looks at Alex as he shakes his head and looks at the farm in thought. Amber puts her hand on top of his to comfort him)
Amber: It's gonna be okay, Alex.
Alex: Yeah? You got enough money to outbid Catherine?
Amber: (Chuckles lightly) I'm afraid not.
(Alex grins and they both look out to the farm)
TWO HOURS LATER AT THE GENETICS CLINIC
(Levi sits in the waiting room waiting for his name to come up)
Secretary: Levi Schmitt!
(Levi immediately stands up and goes to the front desk)
Levi: Yeah?
Secretary: (Hands a letter) Here are your results have a nice day.
Levi: (Chuckles darkly) You obviously don't know how my day will go when my friend reads these results. She'll be mad if their negative because she was right about a woman lying to her brother. On the other hand, she'll be mad if their positive because that would mean she was wrong about the woman she hates more than anyone in the world and if you knew her-
Secretary: Sir I don't want to know you story I'm just here to hand results so goodbye.
Levi: Yeah, thanks and um sorry for that.
(Levi leaves the clinic with the letter and feels his moral compass compromised helping Amber with this scheme)
LATER AT THE FARM
(Amber walks around unsettled by the chickens holding a bucket of chicken feed. Alexis and Eli laugh as she jumps back when a chicken jumps up)
Amber: (Mocking their laughter) Give me a break you guys the only animals I've been exposed to as a kid are rats and cockroaches.
Alexis: Eww!
Amber: Yeah, what exactly do you guys' um do with these chickens?
Eli: We feed them and play with them.
Amber: Really? Do you play fetch or…?
Eli: No we do this!
(Eli runs toward a chicken and it flees away from him causing Amber to laugh)
Amber: So, you basically do a Rocky training montage then?
Alexis: What's a Rocky?
Amber: (Sighs) So much to teach and so little time. I would love to play chase the chicken with you guys but I gotta get ready to pack up so I can leave tonight.
Eli: (Sad) No!
Alexis: (Sad) Stay auntie Amber!
(Amber looks at both of them and feels her heart touched by their innocent faces and eagerness for her to stay causing her to kneel down to their face level)
Amber: I'm so sorry guys I wish I could stay longer I really do but…I have to go back to Seattle soon I have friends there, work, a boyfriend.
Eli: (Makes a face) Eww gross!
Amber: (Mimics his face and ruffles his hair) Oh gross! I won't be gone guys I'll just be away for a while but I'll see you guys again and I can even take you to a movie your parents won't let you watch.
Eli: (Excitement in his eyes) Can we watch Game of Thrones?
Amber: When you start growing armpit hair, we'll talk. I'll see you guys again it's gonna be a little while but hopefully your dad can take you to the city and we get to have the bestest most awesomest time ever!
Alexis: (Chuckles) Awesomest isn't a word.
Amber: It is in my book now come here and give me a hug I want a hug before I forget you guys.
(Eli and Alexis smile and then hug Amber who holds onto them tightly for once terrified about the results. She pulls back and sees Levi in the patio with a letter in his hands causing her breath to hitch)
CUT TO THE GUESTROOM
(Amber leads Levi inside the room she in staying in and closes the door behind her. Levi holds the letter out and she takes it)
Amber: (Inhales and exhales) This is it; this is actually it. (Gulps) The moment of truth is finally here inside this envelope.
Levi: Look you could just tear it up and be the cool aunt for the rest of your life. I saw you hugging them and if you know that it's negative its…its gonna kill you Amber, you know it is.
Amber: (Thinks it through) …If I tear it up this will be hanging over me and I'll beat myself up for not being brave enough to know for sure. I'll be fine with them not being my niece and nephew because at least then Alex won't continue being oblivious of his first loves lie and Jo won't run the risk of breaking down at this revelation so…I have to know.
(Amber takes a deep breath and opens the envelope taking the letter out and reading it. Her face becomes constricted with unknown emotion as she reads the results)
Levi: (In suspense) What is it?
(Amber takes a shaky breath and her eyes begin to fill with tears. She sits on the bed and drops the letter to the floor. Levi picks it up and reads it)
Levi: (Looks up shocked) It's a match, the DNA matches. Alexis is your niece which means Eli is your nephew which means those kids are your brother's kids. Why are you making that face? Are you upset? Do we need wine?
Amber: (Sniffles and chuckles before smiling) I'm happy, I am happy Levi.
Levi: Oh well that was unexpected.
Amber: (Wipes her tears) Yeah, you're telling me…I'm an auntie, Levi, I never fully grasped it because of this but…I am an actual auntie.
Levi: (Surprised but pleased by her reaction) You're an auntie, auntie Amber.
Amber: Auntie Amber, wow… (Eyes wide) Oh my god!
Levi: What?
Amber: I-I have so many gifts to buy like five birthdays and five Christmases to make up for and there are two of them so that's like twenty gifts. (Grabs her purse) Oof that's a big impact on my wallet but I'm the auntie so it's my job to spoil. Come with me and help me pick?
Levi: Um sure.
Amber: (Smiles) Okay and you can help me gift wrap or just do it because I don't know how to wrap gifts at all.
(Amber and Levi leave the room with Levi putting the letter on top of the bed)
LATER AT THE TOY STORE IN KANSAS CITY
(Amber surveys the girls toy section with Levi beside her with the shopping cart that has 10 action figures)
Levi: Just pick something furry and princessy all little girls like those.
Amber: My niece is determined to become a surgeon at the bright young age of five so I don't think something princessy is going to cut it. (Sighs) You know what lets go to the book store she likes fantasy and all that I'm sure there's at least one book she hasn't read. Oh maybe I can get her the Harry Potter books or just the first three because the four after are kind of…not kid friendly.
(Levi looks at her strangely)
Amber: What?
Levi: Nothing it's just…I never thought I would see this auntie side of you in my life.
Amber: (Grins) Neither did I…okay let's buy these dolls and head to the nearest book store.
Levi: (Offended) They are not dolls they are action figures.
Amber: They are used for playing and pretend by little kids their dolls.
(Levi rolls his eyes and heads to the counter with her)
MEANWHILE AT THE FARM
(Izzie enters the guestroom looking to clean it up and starts at the bed by ripping the sheets off. A piece of paper falls on the floor and she picks it up. Izzie pauses as she sees what it is)
CUT TO THE KITCHEN
(Alex is enjoying a glass of lemonade and is on his phone when Izzie approaches him with a stern face)
Alex: Hey I'm glad we got some time alone; listen I was thinking that its time we talk about a plan. And how we're both gonna spend time with the kids in different states.
Izzie: Right because things are different now that you know their yours, right? It changes everything and you think that you deserve a chance to get to know them even after what you did.
Alex: (Confused) What are you talking about? I mean you told me about the twins and I think that I deserve a chance to be a part of their lives since I already missed five years.
Izzie: Yeah, I thought you deserved a chance too, until I cleaned up your sister's room and found this.
(Izzie hands the letter to him and Alex reads it shocked by what is on it)
Izzie: If you had doubts about my honesty fine, that is completely understandable after what happened but the least you could've done is talk to me. I deserved that much Alex even if you don't think so.
(Izzie turns to leave and Alex stands up in a panic)
Alex: Iz wait please-
Izzie: (Turns to face him) They are my kids Alex and I won't have you tricking them into spitting in a tube to find out if I would stoop so low as to lying about you being the father. God the fact that you had your sister do your dirty work for you so that you could still be the good guy-
Alex: Stop, I had nothing to do with this. You have to believe me, I told her that I didn't want the damn test that she had to trust me but she didn't and that was her fault not mine. Izzie, I may be new to this dad thing but I promise you, I swear I will never hurt Eli and Alexis. Ever.
Izzie: (Inhales and sees that he is telling the truth) You swear you didn't know?
Alex: No, I didn't, Amber did what she did behind my back and I am just finding out about this now. Izzie, please believe me, I deserve that much.
Izzie: …I want my kids to have a big family in their lives but I need to protect them, Alex. Even if it's from their own blood.
(Alex looks at Izzie with uncertainty)
LATER AT 5 PM AT THE FARM
(Amber knocks on the door carrying big pink and blue gift bags in each hand. Izzie opens the door and walks back inside without speaking to her)
Amber: (Comes inside) Hey, I was in the city and I thought I'd get some stuff for the twins. I mean I have like five birthdays and five Christmases to make up for so I decided to get them each ten gifts.
(Amber enters the kitchen and sees Alex standing by the counter with a disappointed look on his face unsettling Amber. She sees her suitcase already packed by the door but she continues)
Amber: Um where are Alexis and Eli? I thought I would give them these bags and be the awesomest aunt before my 8 o'clock flight.
Izzie: (Composed voice) They're at the stable playing with the horses so it's not a good time.
Amber: Oh well uh I can go out and give these bags to them I think the chickens will jump with joy just like them.
Izzie: No, you can't.
Amber: (Confused) What? Alex what's going on?
(Alex says nothing as he looks away in disappointment towards Amber)
Izzie: (Scowling) I let you into my home, I allowed you into my children's lives I even took every insult from you with stride because I was convinced you would be a good aunt to them. But that was until I found out you didn't hesitate to use them for your own agenda.
(Amber looks confused until Alex holds up the genetics test with a disappointed look on his face)
Amber: Where did you get that?
Izzie: I found it when I was cleaning your room. Did you honestly think you were gonna get away with it? T-That you could be in my kids lives and not expect either of us to find out you used playtime with my daughter to grab a piece of hair from her so you can compare it to yours.
Alex: (Angry) What the hell is wrong with you? I told you to trust me Amber, I told you that I know Izzie and that I know those kids are my kids. After everything I have done after I told you I wanted Jo you went behind my back and did the one thing I told you not to do.
Amber: (Shaky breath) One of us had to be the adult here Alex and you couldn't be so I had to. I did it to protect you and I did it to protect Jo.
Izzie: Protect them? From what? Two children who are now excited to go to Seattle and spend time with their favorite aunt?
Amber: (Scoffs) I tried to protect them from you. Did you honestly expect me to take your word alone? The only thing I know about you is that you cheated with your married colleague, cut an LVAD wire to bump your fiancé up the transplant list and let's not forget you leaving my brother over an assumption and not even giving him a face to face like a human being. I don't know you; you were married to my brother and I don't know a single thing about you except for the stories I've heard which raise questions about your character.
Izzie: Your right you don't know me and I have done things that's cause for suspicion from you but I expected you to take your brothers word for it after he raised you and-
Amber: Yes, he raised me and he protected me my whole life and I wanted to do the same from a woman who has hurt him immensely and Jo…Jo Karev has been more of a sister to me that you will ever be and I didn't want to see her uprooting her whole life and possibly go into the deep end again because you lied. I did what I did at the time to protect the people I love and I don't apologize for that. If you want to be a stubborn hag and hold it against me then fine, I don't care.
Izzie: (Inhales and exhales) I do hold it against you but not because I'm a hag but because I am a mother and I have to protect my children. You have no idea what it means to have a life in your hands and your care. It's not about onesies and whose body they come out of. It's about accepting the fact that you don't matter anymore that your feelings and that your life and that your body they all come second to making sure that that child is happy and safe. And that there are no people around them who can use them for their own benefit.
Amber: (Spiteful) Is that why you let them grow up without a father for five years?
Alex: Amber-
Amber: (Continues) At least our father left of his own volition you just kept them tucked away in Nowhere, Kansas because you are still the same selfish, stubborn bitch that doesn't care who she hurts as long she gets her way.
(Izzie looks at Amber hurt who keeps a composed face while Alex looks away from the tense scene)
Izzie: I don't feel comfortable with you around Eli and Alexis anymore. (Goes and opens the kitchen door) You should go and catch your flight, head back to Seattle and don't come back.
(Amber looks at Alex who stays silent)
Amber: Alex? Aren't you gonna say something?
(Alex inhales and exhales but doesn't speak making Amber angry)
Amber: Wow, so you're leaving me hanging here huh? I guess I shouldn't be surprised that's always been your specialty hasn't-
Izzie: (Still holding the door open) We're done here. I hope you see this as a wake-up call.
(Amber puts the gift bags on the counter and grabs her suitcase walking out of the house in a huff)
NINE HOURS LATER IN SEATTLE
(Amber paces in front of her car in the airport parking lot raving about what happened to Levi who stands there with their bags)
Amber: I still can't believe it, she just stood there and acted like she did nothing wrong! Like I'm the bad guy, like she didn't abandon my brother and keep him from his kids, God! She is such a self-righteous ass. How did my brother ever marry that woman? A-And the worst part is that she is keeping me from getting to know Alexis and Eli. Who the hell does she think she is?
Levi: Their mother? Izzie is trying to protect them that's what a mother is supposed to do, Amber.
Amber: I did what I did so that I could protect my family and-
Levi: She is your family, and you insulted her when you were caught.
Amber: No! No, she is not my family she is the woman who has hurt my brother the same way our parents did and-
Levi: She is also the mother of your niece and nephew, like it or not that makes her a part of your family and you still betrayed her trust and your brothers.
Amber: (Scoffs) Are you actually taking her side over mine? Levi she is keeping me from getting to know those kids just like she did to Alex!
Levi: He signed a contract that stated she could do what she wanted with the embryos and I think that includes letting the father know if and when his embryos are born. Alex knew that and Izzie knew that and you should too.
Amber: She kicked me out to the curb and told me to stay away from them!
Levi: And she was right to!
(Amber stands there shocked by Levi's statement feeling betrayed by him)
Levi: Amber do you honestly not see what you did wrong here? You took a piece of hair from Alexis and went against Alex's wishes. To me and anyone else what you did was really awful and conniving, you got caught and now you're paying the price for it. If it was my kid that you played with so you could do a science experiment, I would do the same thing she did.
Amber: Are you telling me you are on her side?
Levi: In this case yes, I am on her side.
Amber: (Scoffs) I can't believe this; you think I deserve this?
Levi: No nobody deserves this but what you did was twisted and you can't see that so you have to label Stevens as the villain.
Amber: So, you think I'm the villain? (Scoffs) I thought I could count on you Levi, that at the very least my best friend could stand behind me and support me during the worst time of my life.
Levi: (Fed up) Oh my god! I… (Inhales) All I have done is support you, I have been by your side since day freaking one! And now the one time that I disagree with you, you accuse me of not being a good friend!
Amber: (Sarcastic) Okay well I'm sorry for being such a burden.
Levi: No Amber what you should be sorry for is taking advantage of your ex-sister in laws hospitality so you can prove that she's a sociopath through her children who have grown attached to you so that you can prove you were right to your brother. That is what you should be sorry for but you are so damn stubborn that you can't see your being the kind of person you accused Stevens of being.
Amber: (Sniffles) You know what I don't need to listen to this so you can take a cab home.
Levi: (Scoffs) Fine call me when you finally see the error of your ways.
Amber: Call me when your ready to be my best friend again.
(Amber and Levi both go their separate ways. They each have a pained look as the most important relationship of their lives is now ruined)
AND THAT IS THE END OF THE KANSAS STORY NOW ITS TIME FOR AMBER TO COME BACK TO SEATTLE, I HOPE U GUYS ENJOYED AND I WELCOME REVIEWS AND COMMENTS.