At the hospital Allison met them and agreed to Maria's wishes that she make
all medical decisions for her treatment. Allison introduced them to the
neurologist that was in charge of her case. He suggested that Maria get
some sleep and they would start running more test later that morning.
"Elaina. I know you trust Allison and I know she'll make the right decisions for me. I also know she'll talk to you before she makes them," Maria told her.
"I do trust her. You couldn't be in any better hands. I love you, Maria and I want what's best for you." Elaina hugged her. A nurse came to take her to her room. "I'll see you sometime tomorrow."
"I'll take good care of her, Elaina," Allison assured her.
"I know and I want to thank you for what you're about to do and all that you have done so far for her."
"You're very welcome." Allison left to go be with Maria.
"Frank and I are going to spend sometime at the apartment instead of going home. Are you going to stick around?" Elaina asked Jake.
"I want to see Maria before I go and talk to Mom about visiting her during the treatments," he answered.
"Ok if Maria needs me you know where we are. Thanks for being here for her," Elaina said.
"No problem, I really like her, Elaina," Jake said. "If you don't mind me asking. What else is bothering you? You still like pretty upset about something."
"Oh, we just found out something about Derek, we have to deal with that when we get home."
"Sounds serious."
"Very," Elaina answered.
"Lady, are you ready to go?" Frank asked coming up to them with Andy.
"Sure, if our driver is ready, I'm ready," Elaina said.
"Off we go then, see you tomorrow, Jake," Frank said then they left.
********
Sab sat in the game room with Sarah playing Barbie's as she heard the front door unlock. She walked towards it to see Elaina and Frank walk in. "I didn't think to expect you so soon."
"I wanted to see my little girl. Elaina wants to yell at Derek before school," Frank said as he put the suitcases down.
"He's kidding. We both want to yell at Derek," Elaina joked.
"Well, I'm sure he's waiting for you guys too. He hasn't come out of his room since I told him you were coming home," Sab replied.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Sarah yells as she runs for them.
"Hey there Princess. How's my girl?" Frank picked her up and Sarah hugged his neck, tightly.
"Hey, where is my hug, Little One?" Elaina asked, Sarah leaned over to her.
Sab stood smiling at them. "She really missed you two."
"Hope she didn't give you any trouble. Elaina said.
"My daughter would never give anyone trouble. She's perfect like me," Frank said, laughing.
"Besides from throwing food on the floor, she was a perfect angel." Sab giggled.
"Sounds like typical Sarah, to me," Frank said.
"We better go get the talk with Derek over with," Elaina suggested.
"I'll wait with Sarah in the game room," Sab replied as she took Sarah. "Let's go finish our game, shall we?"
Frank and Elaina walked upstairs and enter Derek's room. The minute Derek saw them he became very defensive. "Before you start I want to say something," Derek requested.
"Fair enough, what?" Elaina sat on the bed next to him.
"I love Becky and I want to be able to see her again. I know what we did was wrong. We just love each other, so much," Derek explained.
"Derek, please explain your definition of love to me," Elaina suggested, looking him directly in the eyes.
"What do you mean, love is love."
"No, there are many types of love. I want to hear from you, how you feel about Becky. There's puppy love that you out grow. There's your first love that some say they can't live without. There's love at first sight, when you know the person you're looking at is the one you hope to marry. And there's the love for your sister. And the love you have for your father and me. And then there is the type of love he and I share very deep, caring and true to one another. So what kind of love do you and Becky have?"
"I can tell you what he feels," Frank said, sarcastically.
"Frank, don't go there," Elaina warned him.
"I constantly think about her. When I hear a song, I think of her. I like being with her and holding her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her," Derek declared.
"Wait a minute! Being with her how?" Frank asked, angrily.
"If you really want to know how far we have gone. We made love."
"Please tell me you used a condom," Elaina blurted out.
"Yes mother I did. The first time."
"The first time?" Elaina was shocked and angry.
"She didn't want me to use one the other time, so I didn't."
"I don't care what she wants, if you're going to have sex, you are going to use one," Elaina insisted.
"Elaina, why don't I take over? You're getting way too upset," Frank suggested, wanting to talk to Derek alone.
"I'm not going anywhere, until I know he's understanding me."
"Why should I understand you? You don't understand me," Derek yelled.
"Derek, just calm down. Your Mom and I just don't want you getting Becky pregnant. You both are too young for that. Wait until after college at least before starting a family," Frank reasoned.
"Then you don't mind if Becky and I are together? You just don't want to become grandparents yet?"
"We prefer that you hadn't been together at all, yet. Sex is not the only way you can show your love for someone. You can show a woman you love her in many ways." Frank saw Elaina smile and she got up to leave them alone.
"I know that Dad but we wanted to show our love in all ways," Derek stated.
Frank sighed heavily. "We just want you to stop and think about something. If Becky were to get pregnant what would you do."
"We'd get married, at least, I hope that we would get married."
"Where would you live?" Frank asked.
"Couldn't we live here?" Derek wondered.
"No. If you're old enough to father a child, you're old enough to have a place of your own. Which brings us to how you will pay for your home?"
"My trust fund, I guess. Until I find a job."
"Wrong answer. That trust fund isn't touched, until you're 21."
"But you and Mom could change that, right?" he asked, hopefully.
"No, we won't. I guess you'll have to find a job, plus go to college and raise a family," Frank said.
"I had planned on getting a job while I was in college."
"Really? Do you realize how much money you'll need a week to support your family? At least 300 a week it, could be more? You'll have doctor bills for the pregnancy and rent because you won't be able to buy a house. Then there's your car, you have to keep it maintained."
"Wouldn't you and Mom help us, if we needed it?"
"No! It was your idea to have sex and get her pregnant it's up to you to pay for everything."
"I can't believe Mom wouldn't help us some way," Derek scoffed.
"Believe it Derek. Your Mom and I talked about this and she feels the same way. It would all rest on you and Becky."
"Becky could get a job too, that would help."
"Only for so long and then she'd have to quit or go on maternity leave. And then it would be only you, again, bringing in the money."
"Would I still be able to become an agent, if I wanted to?"
"Depends on a lot of things. Would Becky want to move? Would you be able to afford to move for your training? Would you want to be away from your family for long periods of time? Most of all, does Becky want you to become an agent?"
"She likes the idea of my following in your footsteps. It never seemed to bother you and Mom being away from us," Derek said.
"Yes, it does bother us. Your Mom and I always tried to stay close by on our assignments, if one of us were out of the country, the other would be with you and Sarah."
"That didn't always work either, did it?"
"No, there were times when we both had to be gone but we never forgot about you. You were taken care of and loved when we were away. You were always with family. And you were in our hearts at all times."
"I know but I still missed you two and I know Sarah does too."
"Then you know what you'll be putting your family through, do you want to do that to them?" Frank asked.
"I'll need to do something as a career and I want it to be in law enforcement."
"There's a lot of danger involved. You realize that?"
"Yes Dad, I know the risk. I know that you and Mom both have come close to not being here, but you survived."
"Derek, there may still come a time when it happens that we don't."
"I don't want to hear that. Mom works in an office now, she's fairly safe and you could work in an office too."
"No! I'll never be behind a desk permanently. I'll retire as an active agent. I love my job and I take precautions to make sure I'm safe but sometimes that isn't enough. It's a risk I'm willing to take to help protect others and my family. And as far as your Mom is concerned, she isn't always safe. She could be hurt if anyone from our past should come after us. So we try to prepare, you mostly, each time we're in danger."
"I know we have our 'if something happens speeches' every time you go on a case. I bet that's one thing your team doesn't know about you." Derek smiled.
"No they don't."
"I do have a lot to sort out. I realize that now. Can we continue this later? I'd like to do some thinking right now."
"Just remember, that we both love you and we're just wanting you to understand the consequences before you have to live with them."
"I know that now. I love you both too," Derek said, giving him a hug.
"I'll be around whenever you want to talk more." Frank hugged him again before leaving. As he left the room he saw Elaina sitting on the top step. "Listening in on our conversation?"
"Just wanted to make sure you didn't get in a fist fight," Elaina said getting up.
"I'd never do that. Come on let's go bug Sarah now." Frank laughed.
"Ok she's in the game room with Sab."
"She hasn't left yet?"
"I think she's waiting to see how it went with Derek," Elaina explained.
"I guess she can know, after all she found them," Frank reasoned.
********
Frank and Elaina went into the game room to find Sarah and Sab dancing. "OK, put your hands up and spin." Sab laughed as she spun around to see Frank and Elaina standing there. "Oh my, didn't know you two were there."
"Don't stop! You two seem to be having fun." Elaina laughed.
"Yeah we could always join you, Frank said.
"It's ok. We were just finishing up," Sab said as she stopped the CD. "You two have a good talk with him?"
"He's scared to death now and thinking about things," Frank replied.
"Well, least he's thinking," Sab considered that an accomplishment.
"Yeah, we gave him the news that if Becky were to get pregnant, we'd more or less disown him. They wouldn't get any help from us." Elaina was serious about it.
"Wow. Don't think I could ever be that strict," Sab said, hoping that when she have a kid she doesn't have to go through this.
"If they are old enough to make the baby, they are old enough to take responsibility," Elaina said.
"There are times when you have to be very strict with children or sometimes they never learn," Frank said.
"I have lots to learn myself," Sab replied looking at Sarah. "I guess I better be heading home."
"So tell us one thing before you go. Did this experience help you decide on wanting children after your married?" Elaina asked.
"Well parts of it did. But then I think, it's life, you'll have to deal with problems as they come," Sab replies. "But I think I wouldn't mind a little girl or boy of my own."
"I think you dealt with Derek very effectively. We really appreciate you looking after them. I know how frustrating it can get at times. I think you'll be a very good mother," Frank said.
"That's high praise coming from him," Elaina said surprised at Frank giving the compliment.
"Thanks," Sab said blushing a bit.
"Well, I hope you have as much joy in your life with your children as we do," Elaina added.
"Thanks. I'll see you two at work," Sab said as she headed for the door.
"Good bye Sab!" Frank said as she left. "I'm glad we didn't scare her out of having children," Frank said turning to Elaina.
"She's definitely thinking about being a mother. She did do a good job handling Derek's situation."
"In a way I'm glad she caught him. If one of us had done it I hate to think of what would've happened," Frank said holding her.
"I'm not sure Sab was too happy to be the one but you're right, it would've been different, if it had been one of us."
"Elaina. I know you trust Allison and I know she'll make the right decisions for me. I also know she'll talk to you before she makes them," Maria told her.
"I do trust her. You couldn't be in any better hands. I love you, Maria and I want what's best for you." Elaina hugged her. A nurse came to take her to her room. "I'll see you sometime tomorrow."
"I'll take good care of her, Elaina," Allison assured her.
"I know and I want to thank you for what you're about to do and all that you have done so far for her."
"You're very welcome." Allison left to go be with Maria.
"Frank and I are going to spend sometime at the apartment instead of going home. Are you going to stick around?" Elaina asked Jake.
"I want to see Maria before I go and talk to Mom about visiting her during the treatments," he answered.
"Ok if Maria needs me you know where we are. Thanks for being here for her," Elaina said.
"No problem, I really like her, Elaina," Jake said. "If you don't mind me asking. What else is bothering you? You still like pretty upset about something."
"Oh, we just found out something about Derek, we have to deal with that when we get home."
"Sounds serious."
"Very," Elaina answered.
"Lady, are you ready to go?" Frank asked coming up to them with Andy.
"Sure, if our driver is ready, I'm ready," Elaina said.
"Off we go then, see you tomorrow, Jake," Frank said then they left.
********
Sab sat in the game room with Sarah playing Barbie's as she heard the front door unlock. She walked towards it to see Elaina and Frank walk in. "I didn't think to expect you so soon."
"I wanted to see my little girl. Elaina wants to yell at Derek before school," Frank said as he put the suitcases down.
"He's kidding. We both want to yell at Derek," Elaina joked.
"Well, I'm sure he's waiting for you guys too. He hasn't come out of his room since I told him you were coming home," Sab replied.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Sarah yells as she runs for them.
"Hey there Princess. How's my girl?" Frank picked her up and Sarah hugged his neck, tightly.
"Hey, where is my hug, Little One?" Elaina asked, Sarah leaned over to her.
Sab stood smiling at them. "She really missed you two."
"Hope she didn't give you any trouble. Elaina said.
"My daughter would never give anyone trouble. She's perfect like me," Frank said, laughing.
"Besides from throwing food on the floor, she was a perfect angel." Sab giggled.
"Sounds like typical Sarah, to me," Frank said.
"We better go get the talk with Derek over with," Elaina suggested.
"I'll wait with Sarah in the game room," Sab replied as she took Sarah. "Let's go finish our game, shall we?"
Frank and Elaina walked upstairs and enter Derek's room. The minute Derek saw them he became very defensive. "Before you start I want to say something," Derek requested.
"Fair enough, what?" Elaina sat on the bed next to him.
"I love Becky and I want to be able to see her again. I know what we did was wrong. We just love each other, so much," Derek explained.
"Derek, please explain your definition of love to me," Elaina suggested, looking him directly in the eyes.
"What do you mean, love is love."
"No, there are many types of love. I want to hear from you, how you feel about Becky. There's puppy love that you out grow. There's your first love that some say they can't live without. There's love at first sight, when you know the person you're looking at is the one you hope to marry. And there's the love for your sister. And the love you have for your father and me. And then there is the type of love he and I share very deep, caring and true to one another. So what kind of love do you and Becky have?"
"I can tell you what he feels," Frank said, sarcastically.
"Frank, don't go there," Elaina warned him.
"I constantly think about her. When I hear a song, I think of her. I like being with her and holding her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her," Derek declared.
"Wait a minute! Being with her how?" Frank asked, angrily.
"If you really want to know how far we have gone. We made love."
"Please tell me you used a condom," Elaina blurted out.
"Yes mother I did. The first time."
"The first time?" Elaina was shocked and angry.
"She didn't want me to use one the other time, so I didn't."
"I don't care what she wants, if you're going to have sex, you are going to use one," Elaina insisted.
"Elaina, why don't I take over? You're getting way too upset," Frank suggested, wanting to talk to Derek alone.
"I'm not going anywhere, until I know he's understanding me."
"Why should I understand you? You don't understand me," Derek yelled.
"Derek, just calm down. Your Mom and I just don't want you getting Becky pregnant. You both are too young for that. Wait until after college at least before starting a family," Frank reasoned.
"Then you don't mind if Becky and I are together? You just don't want to become grandparents yet?"
"We prefer that you hadn't been together at all, yet. Sex is not the only way you can show your love for someone. You can show a woman you love her in many ways." Frank saw Elaina smile and she got up to leave them alone.
"I know that Dad but we wanted to show our love in all ways," Derek stated.
Frank sighed heavily. "We just want you to stop and think about something. If Becky were to get pregnant what would you do."
"We'd get married, at least, I hope that we would get married."
"Where would you live?" Frank asked.
"Couldn't we live here?" Derek wondered.
"No. If you're old enough to father a child, you're old enough to have a place of your own. Which brings us to how you will pay for your home?"
"My trust fund, I guess. Until I find a job."
"Wrong answer. That trust fund isn't touched, until you're 21."
"But you and Mom could change that, right?" he asked, hopefully.
"No, we won't. I guess you'll have to find a job, plus go to college and raise a family," Frank said.
"I had planned on getting a job while I was in college."
"Really? Do you realize how much money you'll need a week to support your family? At least 300 a week it, could be more? You'll have doctor bills for the pregnancy and rent because you won't be able to buy a house. Then there's your car, you have to keep it maintained."
"Wouldn't you and Mom help us, if we needed it?"
"No! It was your idea to have sex and get her pregnant it's up to you to pay for everything."
"I can't believe Mom wouldn't help us some way," Derek scoffed.
"Believe it Derek. Your Mom and I talked about this and she feels the same way. It would all rest on you and Becky."
"Becky could get a job too, that would help."
"Only for so long and then she'd have to quit or go on maternity leave. And then it would be only you, again, bringing in the money."
"Would I still be able to become an agent, if I wanted to?"
"Depends on a lot of things. Would Becky want to move? Would you be able to afford to move for your training? Would you want to be away from your family for long periods of time? Most of all, does Becky want you to become an agent?"
"She likes the idea of my following in your footsteps. It never seemed to bother you and Mom being away from us," Derek said.
"Yes, it does bother us. Your Mom and I always tried to stay close by on our assignments, if one of us were out of the country, the other would be with you and Sarah."
"That didn't always work either, did it?"
"No, there were times when we both had to be gone but we never forgot about you. You were taken care of and loved when we were away. You were always with family. And you were in our hearts at all times."
"I know but I still missed you two and I know Sarah does too."
"Then you know what you'll be putting your family through, do you want to do that to them?" Frank asked.
"I'll need to do something as a career and I want it to be in law enforcement."
"There's a lot of danger involved. You realize that?"
"Yes Dad, I know the risk. I know that you and Mom both have come close to not being here, but you survived."
"Derek, there may still come a time when it happens that we don't."
"I don't want to hear that. Mom works in an office now, she's fairly safe and you could work in an office too."
"No! I'll never be behind a desk permanently. I'll retire as an active agent. I love my job and I take precautions to make sure I'm safe but sometimes that isn't enough. It's a risk I'm willing to take to help protect others and my family. And as far as your Mom is concerned, she isn't always safe. She could be hurt if anyone from our past should come after us. So we try to prepare, you mostly, each time we're in danger."
"I know we have our 'if something happens speeches' every time you go on a case. I bet that's one thing your team doesn't know about you." Derek smiled.
"No they don't."
"I do have a lot to sort out. I realize that now. Can we continue this later? I'd like to do some thinking right now."
"Just remember, that we both love you and we're just wanting you to understand the consequences before you have to live with them."
"I know that now. I love you both too," Derek said, giving him a hug.
"I'll be around whenever you want to talk more." Frank hugged him again before leaving. As he left the room he saw Elaina sitting on the top step. "Listening in on our conversation?"
"Just wanted to make sure you didn't get in a fist fight," Elaina said getting up.
"I'd never do that. Come on let's go bug Sarah now." Frank laughed.
"Ok she's in the game room with Sab."
"She hasn't left yet?"
"I think she's waiting to see how it went with Derek," Elaina explained.
"I guess she can know, after all she found them," Frank reasoned.
********
Frank and Elaina went into the game room to find Sarah and Sab dancing. "OK, put your hands up and spin." Sab laughed as she spun around to see Frank and Elaina standing there. "Oh my, didn't know you two were there."
"Don't stop! You two seem to be having fun." Elaina laughed.
"Yeah we could always join you, Frank said.
"It's ok. We were just finishing up," Sab said as she stopped the CD. "You two have a good talk with him?"
"He's scared to death now and thinking about things," Frank replied.
"Well, least he's thinking," Sab considered that an accomplishment.
"Yeah, we gave him the news that if Becky were to get pregnant, we'd more or less disown him. They wouldn't get any help from us." Elaina was serious about it.
"Wow. Don't think I could ever be that strict," Sab said, hoping that when she have a kid she doesn't have to go through this.
"If they are old enough to make the baby, they are old enough to take responsibility," Elaina said.
"There are times when you have to be very strict with children or sometimes they never learn," Frank said.
"I have lots to learn myself," Sab replied looking at Sarah. "I guess I better be heading home."
"So tell us one thing before you go. Did this experience help you decide on wanting children after your married?" Elaina asked.
"Well parts of it did. But then I think, it's life, you'll have to deal with problems as they come," Sab replies. "But I think I wouldn't mind a little girl or boy of my own."
"I think you dealt with Derek very effectively. We really appreciate you looking after them. I know how frustrating it can get at times. I think you'll be a very good mother," Frank said.
"That's high praise coming from him," Elaina said surprised at Frank giving the compliment.
"Thanks," Sab said blushing a bit.
"Well, I hope you have as much joy in your life with your children as we do," Elaina added.
"Thanks. I'll see you two at work," Sab said as she headed for the door.
"Good bye Sab!" Frank said as she left. "I'm glad we didn't scare her out of having children," Frank said turning to Elaina.
"She's definitely thinking about being a mother. She did do a good job handling Derek's situation."
"In a way I'm glad she caught him. If one of us had done it I hate to think of what would've happened," Frank said holding her.
"I'm not sure Sab was too happy to be the one but you're right, it would've been different, if it had been one of us."