Reconnections - Chapter Three - ...Home Sweet Home - Pt. 2
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"Married?" Looking between her son and the dark-haired woman beside him, Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald wasn't sure whether to be happy or dismayed by what she had just learned. Sheridan, who sat beside her at the kitchen table, had not spoken a word as Antonio had told the story of his and Beth's finding each other, falling in love, and getting married. To say she was shocked would be putting it mildly. This was as unexpected as Antonio's return to Harmony days ago had been.
Pilar shifted her eyes to the woman sitting beside her son. His wife. Beth. She had known the girl since she was a child, from her days of running around and playing with Luis and Hank. And after all she had been through with her other son, Pilar didn't know why the woman would turn around and marry his brother. "Well...I...I don't know what to say," she sputtered, her eyes moving back to Antonio's. "This is such a surprise."
Sighing, Antonio shifted in the wooden chair. "I know mama. But you could act a little more happy for me. For us," he finished only to have Beth pinch him under the table. "What?" he asked his wife, rubbing the spot on his thigh she had attacked.
"Your mother has a right to be surprised. This is something huge that you're springing on her as if its common news." Beth turned her eyes to Pilar, noting the uncomfortable stance of the older woman. "And its okay if you're upset too. I would understand that completely." She gave a nervous glance in Sheridan's direction before returning her eyes to Pilar.
"I'm not upset. No. Why would you think that Beth?"
Looking at Sheridan and then back to Pilar, Beth shrugged. Didn't everyone know? "Well, I hardly think you would expect me to be married to Antonio."
"Well, no," Pilar conceded. "But I always thought you would become a daughter to me when you married Luis."
Beth inwardly cringed.
"But now, I find out you've married my Antonio." Pilar smiled then, her warmth suffusing through the act. "It doesn't matter though, mija. You are my son's wife, so that makes you my daughter. A part of this family." Pilar stood then, walking around the table to pull Beth into a warm hug.
"Excuse me, I have to freshen up," Sheridan spoke softly before getting up and leaving the room.
Beth watched as the other woman left, a small part of her happy, the other part of her not knowing how to feel. Things were getting stranger and stranger by the minute it seemed. "Thank you, Pilar," Beth spoke, returning the other woman's embrace. "That means a lot to me." And it did, Beth thought. She had always wanted to be a part of this family. Had always loved partaking in the traditions of the mixed Irish and Spanish heritage. Maybe that was what had driven her to do the things she had all those years ago. Her one chance to become a member of this family had been threatened, and more than anything, Beth had wanted what she felt she so rightly belonged to her. Sighing, she broke away from Pilar's embrace to watch the woman take her son into the same, warm, loving hug. She smiled then, putting all thoughts of Sheridan out of her mind. It was good to see them together considering it had taken Antonio a lot of soul-searching before trying to accept his family back into his life. Seeing the two together like this brought thoughts of her own boys to mind, which only returned her to the reason for being in Harmony to begin with.
"I'm just glad that you are happy, mijo. And that you're back," Pilar said, stepping out of her son's arms. "Now we can be a family. Together."
"Mama," Antonio spoke with warning. "You know I'm only here to help Luis out. I...We have to go back home."
"Oh Antonio, don't say such things. You are where you belong. With your family."
"Mama," Antonio began.
Quietly, Beth left the room and the heated discussion that began within. It was weird that Pilar was so accepting of her place in Antonio's life, considering her history with Luis, her history with Sheridan. But Beth already knew that the other woman had kept the things she had found out to herself. The why still remained a mystery to her. She walked through the hallway into the living room, a place she had spent many days and nights laughing, playing, and generally being a part of this loving family. She stopped beside a long, aged Oak table filled with picture frames that held memories from so long ago. As she perused each one, she thought of all the great times she'd had here growing up. The solace from her own turbulent world.
"I'm sure you're just thrilled."
Stiffening at the sound, Beth turned to meet Sheridan's eyes as she stood on the other side of the room, her hands clasped over the back of an arm chair. "Pardon?"
Sheridan laughed. "Oh, come off it Beth. With your pithy little comments and your fake, cheery smile. Maybe Pilar can't see through you. Obviously Antonio couldn't. But I know better. Or have you forgotten that I know every wrong, evil thing about you. All that you're capable of doing?"
Beth wanted to laugh. "I already said this one Sheridan, but in case you didn't here me then, I don't want to start anything with you. In fact, the very last thing I wanted was to be here and upset your perfect existence. But I had to be. For my husband," she couldn't help but add, the words only partly true. "So if we can, let's just put aside our total and complete hate for each other and try to exist in a semi-state of tranquillity and peace."
"Don't you dare tell me what to do Beth." Sheridan backed away from the chair, walking around to take a seat in it instead. "You've managed to nearly destroy my life and now here you are, taunting me with the fact that you are now a part of this family."
Beth tilted her head to the side before replying. "Well, I am Sheridan. I think that's something that you're just going to have to get used to."
"Never." She stared back at the woman, not know how Antonio could fall in love with anyone so cold and pitiful. It was a true testament to what her actions had done to Antonio for him to have turned around and married Beth. "Pilar may accept you. Antonio may accept. But I never will Beth. You are not a part of my family. You never will be."
"Go to hell Sheridan," Beth hissed before making her way towards the front door. Her hand was on the doorknob before she turned back to face the other woman, the words she had kept locked in her mouth needing to spill out. "How dare you sit there and act as if you're God over this family. Let me remind you that I was here long before your dainty little ass ever showed up. I'm the one who grew up spending every free moment I had here with Luis and his family. I'm the one who was his girlfriend for more years than I would like to recount. I'm the first girl he ever loved and the first woman he ever made love to. How dare you sit there and tell me that I have no place in a family that was my own for most of my young adult life. If anyone doesn't belong here, it would be you Sheridan.
With your glittery smile and your diamond rings and all the money in the world, you don't belong here. And yet," she spoke, her arm raised in the air, "you deem yourself in high enough respect to tell someone else that they're the interloper? Get real honey. If you would open your eyes to reality then you would see that between you and me, it is you that doesn't fit in with this family. You're the one that doesn't belong here Sheridan. But you are here. You're Luis' wife, mother to his children, the perfect little addition to the Lopez-Fitzgerald family. And that is fine with me. I accepted that years ago. But I swear to God, if you ever come at me like that again, if you ever question my place here, I will make sure that everyone sees you for what you really are, which is nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing."
Sheridan stood, her eyes dancing with anger. "And what was that, Beth? A threat?"
"It was a promise Sheridan. You said it yourself, you know exactly what I'm capable of. Don't push me."
Startled, Sheridan returned quickly, "I could have you thrown in jail within the hour for everything that you did."
"Oh, I don't doubt that for a second, Sher. But you won't. For whatever reason, you've kept everything you know about me a secret. From Pilar. Probably from Luis. And after such a long time, who the hell would believe you anyway? Who would sound like they're trying to cause trouble for this family, huh? Me or you? So I am warning you, one last time, stay the hell out of my way." Beth took a deep breath, feeling unsettled by the person she had become with so little provocation. "And while we're at it, stay the hell away from my husband too. You have your own so there is no need to try and coddle up to mine." And with that, Beth turned and stormed out of the room into the cool September evening.
Shaken, Sheridan could do nothing more than stare at the door Beth had just walked out of. She turned and was startled to meet the eyes of Antonio as he stood within the doorway. "How could you marry her?" was all she could manage to say, the thickness in her words heavy in the room. She looked to him, waiting for an answer, any reason for the sanity that was there marriage. But he said nothing to her, only looked at her as if she was the one who was out of line. Which only brought her back to Beth's words. The had rung true upon being spoken, but she would never let the other woman know that. She was a part of this family. She had bled to become a part of this family and no one, not Beth, would take that away from her.
Antonio blinked, unsure of what to say. Though he had only heard the end of the conversation, it had been enough to stir his curiosity. There was some major animosity floating between Sheridan and Beth, but why? Not saying a word in response to the question posed to him, Antonio made his way through the living room and out the door in search of his wife.
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"You know, you don't have to stay here," Beth spoke softly as she pulled the cotton nightshirt over her head. She looked behind her to where Antonio sat on the bed, taking his shoes and shocks off before standing to work at his belt. "I'm perfectly fine with you staying at your mother's. I can meet you at the hospital tomorrow morning if you want," she told him, but to no response. Heaving a heavy sigh, Beth moved to the bed, pulling down the intricate quilt that covered it before slipping onto the cool sheets.
Grace Bennett had given her the biggest room at The Bed and Breakfast when she had come in earlier. The woman, whom she had known fondly through her friendship with Hank, had been surprised and happy to see Beth when she had walked through the front doors. And being in between seasons as it was, every room in the inn had been available for occupancy as the older woman had told her. "Are you going to do that all night?" Beth asked, turning her attention back to the matter at hand. "Because if you are, then I'm going to get another room."
Antonio snorted but said nothing more. With deft fingers, he unbuttoned his black slacks, pulling them down to his feet before kicking the material away. Only out of the corner of his eye did he see Beth give a small grimace. For that alone, he didn't pick up the pants and instead, turned to settle into the bed beside his wife. He could feel her eyes on him, but didn't turn to look at her. She knew what was up and until she had something to say for the way she had been acting since he had seen her earlier today, he wasn't going to play these games with her. Turning, he snapped off the lamp on the night stand, the only remaining light in the room the one next to Beth. He settled deeper into the sheets, turning his back to her as he closed his eye to the day. He waited, counted until ten, before she began to speak.
"It isn't as if you don't know that I dislike Sheridan Crane," Beth said.
"First of all, I would hardly call what you've been exhibiting for half the day 'dislike.' And second of all, her name is Lopez-Fitzgerald, something I know you are very well aware of." Having said enough, Antonio closed his eyes again. One, two, three, four, five...
"You are just full of total and complete..." Beth growled, before getting out the bed, stomping across the thick carpet of the room. "She baited me, Antonio. First on the wharf, and then at your mother's house. Both times, I told her I didn't want to get into it. Both times! But she just couldn't help herself. She thinks just because her name is Sheridan Crane...Lopez- Fitzgerald, she can command people at her will. Well, to hell with that! She doesn't command me. I am a grown woman and I make decisions on my own. I don't need some blonde, homemaker wannabe to act as if she controls me or something." Fuming, Beth got back in the bed, turning out her light before turning her own back on Antonio. Let them go to sleep angry at each other; she didn't care. "And may I remind you that you had your arms all over her earlier at the wharf. I guess it didn't take long at all for old flames to heat up."
"What kind of crap is that?" Antonio said, turning around only to face her back. "And since you must have not been paying close attention, she came into my arms, not the other way around. What was I supposed to do? Shake her off?" Listening to the silence that stretched between them made him even more angry. He turned on his light with his left hand, waiting for her to react. "Many things you are Beth, but jealous I would never equate with you."
"Oh yeah, that's right. I'm jealous. I'm jealous because my husband comforts a woman who betrayed him so easily years ago. I'm jealous because my husband believes the worst of me and sides with a woman who told him lies for nearly a year. I'm just so fucking jealous its eating away at my sanity," Beth finished, though barely. She turned her mouth into the pillow to blanket the sob that escaped. She would not be weak, she told herself. She would not let him see what this was costing her. She closed her eyes to the pain, to the hurt that had grown inside of her since first seeing Sheridan earlier today. But damned if she would let this deter her in what she had to do. If nothing else, she would protect her son from Sheridan and Luis.
He watched as her shoulders shook silently. Tears. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. One day back and she was already at it with the crying and the shouting... He reached his hand forward but thought better of it. She would only shrug out of his grasp, turn away from him, the distance between already great even though she lay within reach. He lay back on the bed in defeat, his mind going over all the events of today. Finding out about Sheridan and Luis' loss, then seeing his wife and his ex-wife in a heated confrontation. He still didn't know what that was about but would make damn sure he found out.
Turning his head, he watched Beth as she continued to cry. No longer caring if she drew away from him, he reached out to her, wrapping his arm around her body and pulling her closer. She struggled, but was no match for his strength. He held her pressed against his body, loving the feel of this woman in his arms. Burying his nose in her slightly damp hair, he breathed in the smell of strawberries, so sweet, so innocent. All the things that she wasn't. All the things that she tried so hard to be. "Beth," he murmured into her hair, bringing his face out to kiss the shell of her ear. "There is only one woman that I love and its not her." He felt her tremble but nothing more. They fell asleep like that, wrapped together close, the distance between them still great.
- - - - - - - - - -
Preview:
The surgery begins (I promise),
something goes awry,
and people start to heal in
"Reconnections - Chapter Four - Its Easy to Hate..."
- - - - - - - - - -
"Married?" Looking between her son and the dark-haired woman beside him, Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald wasn't sure whether to be happy or dismayed by what she had just learned. Sheridan, who sat beside her at the kitchen table, had not spoken a word as Antonio had told the story of his and Beth's finding each other, falling in love, and getting married. To say she was shocked would be putting it mildly. This was as unexpected as Antonio's return to Harmony days ago had been.
Pilar shifted her eyes to the woman sitting beside her son. His wife. Beth. She had known the girl since she was a child, from her days of running around and playing with Luis and Hank. And after all she had been through with her other son, Pilar didn't know why the woman would turn around and marry his brother. "Well...I...I don't know what to say," she sputtered, her eyes moving back to Antonio's. "This is such a surprise."
Sighing, Antonio shifted in the wooden chair. "I know mama. But you could act a little more happy for me. For us," he finished only to have Beth pinch him under the table. "What?" he asked his wife, rubbing the spot on his thigh she had attacked.
"Your mother has a right to be surprised. This is something huge that you're springing on her as if its common news." Beth turned her eyes to Pilar, noting the uncomfortable stance of the older woman. "And its okay if you're upset too. I would understand that completely." She gave a nervous glance in Sheridan's direction before returning her eyes to Pilar.
"I'm not upset. No. Why would you think that Beth?"
Looking at Sheridan and then back to Pilar, Beth shrugged. Didn't everyone know? "Well, I hardly think you would expect me to be married to Antonio."
"Well, no," Pilar conceded. "But I always thought you would become a daughter to me when you married Luis."
Beth inwardly cringed.
"But now, I find out you've married my Antonio." Pilar smiled then, her warmth suffusing through the act. "It doesn't matter though, mija. You are my son's wife, so that makes you my daughter. A part of this family." Pilar stood then, walking around the table to pull Beth into a warm hug.
"Excuse me, I have to freshen up," Sheridan spoke softly before getting up and leaving the room.
Beth watched as the other woman left, a small part of her happy, the other part of her not knowing how to feel. Things were getting stranger and stranger by the minute it seemed. "Thank you, Pilar," Beth spoke, returning the other woman's embrace. "That means a lot to me." And it did, Beth thought. She had always wanted to be a part of this family. Had always loved partaking in the traditions of the mixed Irish and Spanish heritage. Maybe that was what had driven her to do the things she had all those years ago. Her one chance to become a member of this family had been threatened, and more than anything, Beth had wanted what she felt she so rightly belonged to her. Sighing, she broke away from Pilar's embrace to watch the woman take her son into the same, warm, loving hug. She smiled then, putting all thoughts of Sheridan out of her mind. It was good to see them together considering it had taken Antonio a lot of soul-searching before trying to accept his family back into his life. Seeing the two together like this brought thoughts of her own boys to mind, which only returned her to the reason for being in Harmony to begin with.
"I'm just glad that you are happy, mijo. And that you're back," Pilar said, stepping out of her son's arms. "Now we can be a family. Together."
"Mama," Antonio spoke with warning. "You know I'm only here to help Luis out. I...We have to go back home."
"Oh Antonio, don't say such things. You are where you belong. With your family."
"Mama," Antonio began.
Quietly, Beth left the room and the heated discussion that began within. It was weird that Pilar was so accepting of her place in Antonio's life, considering her history with Luis, her history with Sheridan. But Beth already knew that the other woman had kept the things she had found out to herself. The why still remained a mystery to her. She walked through the hallway into the living room, a place she had spent many days and nights laughing, playing, and generally being a part of this loving family. She stopped beside a long, aged Oak table filled with picture frames that held memories from so long ago. As she perused each one, she thought of all the great times she'd had here growing up. The solace from her own turbulent world.
"I'm sure you're just thrilled."
Stiffening at the sound, Beth turned to meet Sheridan's eyes as she stood on the other side of the room, her hands clasped over the back of an arm chair. "Pardon?"
Sheridan laughed. "Oh, come off it Beth. With your pithy little comments and your fake, cheery smile. Maybe Pilar can't see through you. Obviously Antonio couldn't. But I know better. Or have you forgotten that I know every wrong, evil thing about you. All that you're capable of doing?"
Beth wanted to laugh. "I already said this one Sheridan, but in case you didn't here me then, I don't want to start anything with you. In fact, the very last thing I wanted was to be here and upset your perfect existence. But I had to be. For my husband," she couldn't help but add, the words only partly true. "So if we can, let's just put aside our total and complete hate for each other and try to exist in a semi-state of tranquillity and peace."
"Don't you dare tell me what to do Beth." Sheridan backed away from the chair, walking around to take a seat in it instead. "You've managed to nearly destroy my life and now here you are, taunting me with the fact that you are now a part of this family."
Beth tilted her head to the side before replying. "Well, I am Sheridan. I think that's something that you're just going to have to get used to."
"Never." She stared back at the woman, not know how Antonio could fall in love with anyone so cold and pitiful. It was a true testament to what her actions had done to Antonio for him to have turned around and married Beth. "Pilar may accept you. Antonio may accept. But I never will Beth. You are not a part of my family. You never will be."
"Go to hell Sheridan," Beth hissed before making her way towards the front door. Her hand was on the doorknob before she turned back to face the other woman, the words she had kept locked in her mouth needing to spill out. "How dare you sit there and act as if you're God over this family. Let me remind you that I was here long before your dainty little ass ever showed up. I'm the one who grew up spending every free moment I had here with Luis and his family. I'm the one who was his girlfriend for more years than I would like to recount. I'm the first girl he ever loved and the first woman he ever made love to. How dare you sit there and tell me that I have no place in a family that was my own for most of my young adult life. If anyone doesn't belong here, it would be you Sheridan.
With your glittery smile and your diamond rings and all the money in the world, you don't belong here. And yet," she spoke, her arm raised in the air, "you deem yourself in high enough respect to tell someone else that they're the interloper? Get real honey. If you would open your eyes to reality then you would see that between you and me, it is you that doesn't fit in with this family. You're the one that doesn't belong here Sheridan. But you are here. You're Luis' wife, mother to his children, the perfect little addition to the Lopez-Fitzgerald family. And that is fine with me. I accepted that years ago. But I swear to God, if you ever come at me like that again, if you ever question my place here, I will make sure that everyone sees you for what you really are, which is nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing."
Sheridan stood, her eyes dancing with anger. "And what was that, Beth? A threat?"
"It was a promise Sheridan. You said it yourself, you know exactly what I'm capable of. Don't push me."
Startled, Sheridan returned quickly, "I could have you thrown in jail within the hour for everything that you did."
"Oh, I don't doubt that for a second, Sher. But you won't. For whatever reason, you've kept everything you know about me a secret. From Pilar. Probably from Luis. And after such a long time, who the hell would believe you anyway? Who would sound like they're trying to cause trouble for this family, huh? Me or you? So I am warning you, one last time, stay the hell out of my way." Beth took a deep breath, feeling unsettled by the person she had become with so little provocation. "And while we're at it, stay the hell away from my husband too. You have your own so there is no need to try and coddle up to mine." And with that, Beth turned and stormed out of the room into the cool September evening.
Shaken, Sheridan could do nothing more than stare at the door Beth had just walked out of. She turned and was startled to meet the eyes of Antonio as he stood within the doorway. "How could you marry her?" was all she could manage to say, the thickness in her words heavy in the room. She looked to him, waiting for an answer, any reason for the sanity that was there marriage. But he said nothing to her, only looked at her as if she was the one who was out of line. Which only brought her back to Beth's words. The had rung true upon being spoken, but she would never let the other woman know that. She was a part of this family. She had bled to become a part of this family and no one, not Beth, would take that away from her.
Antonio blinked, unsure of what to say. Though he had only heard the end of the conversation, it had been enough to stir his curiosity. There was some major animosity floating between Sheridan and Beth, but why? Not saying a word in response to the question posed to him, Antonio made his way through the living room and out the door in search of his wife.
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"You know, you don't have to stay here," Beth spoke softly as she pulled the cotton nightshirt over her head. She looked behind her to where Antonio sat on the bed, taking his shoes and shocks off before standing to work at his belt. "I'm perfectly fine with you staying at your mother's. I can meet you at the hospital tomorrow morning if you want," she told him, but to no response. Heaving a heavy sigh, Beth moved to the bed, pulling down the intricate quilt that covered it before slipping onto the cool sheets.
Grace Bennett had given her the biggest room at The Bed and Breakfast when she had come in earlier. The woman, whom she had known fondly through her friendship with Hank, had been surprised and happy to see Beth when she had walked through the front doors. And being in between seasons as it was, every room in the inn had been available for occupancy as the older woman had told her. "Are you going to do that all night?" Beth asked, turning her attention back to the matter at hand. "Because if you are, then I'm going to get another room."
Antonio snorted but said nothing more. With deft fingers, he unbuttoned his black slacks, pulling them down to his feet before kicking the material away. Only out of the corner of his eye did he see Beth give a small grimace. For that alone, he didn't pick up the pants and instead, turned to settle into the bed beside his wife. He could feel her eyes on him, but didn't turn to look at her. She knew what was up and until she had something to say for the way she had been acting since he had seen her earlier today, he wasn't going to play these games with her. Turning, he snapped off the lamp on the night stand, the only remaining light in the room the one next to Beth. He settled deeper into the sheets, turning his back to her as he closed his eye to the day. He waited, counted until ten, before she began to speak.
"It isn't as if you don't know that I dislike Sheridan Crane," Beth said.
"First of all, I would hardly call what you've been exhibiting for half the day 'dislike.' And second of all, her name is Lopez-Fitzgerald, something I know you are very well aware of." Having said enough, Antonio closed his eyes again. One, two, three, four, five...
"You are just full of total and complete..." Beth growled, before getting out the bed, stomping across the thick carpet of the room. "She baited me, Antonio. First on the wharf, and then at your mother's house. Both times, I told her I didn't want to get into it. Both times! But she just couldn't help herself. She thinks just because her name is Sheridan Crane...Lopez- Fitzgerald, she can command people at her will. Well, to hell with that! She doesn't command me. I am a grown woman and I make decisions on my own. I don't need some blonde, homemaker wannabe to act as if she controls me or something." Fuming, Beth got back in the bed, turning out her light before turning her own back on Antonio. Let them go to sleep angry at each other; she didn't care. "And may I remind you that you had your arms all over her earlier at the wharf. I guess it didn't take long at all for old flames to heat up."
"What kind of crap is that?" Antonio said, turning around only to face her back. "And since you must have not been paying close attention, she came into my arms, not the other way around. What was I supposed to do? Shake her off?" Listening to the silence that stretched between them made him even more angry. He turned on his light with his left hand, waiting for her to react. "Many things you are Beth, but jealous I would never equate with you."
"Oh yeah, that's right. I'm jealous. I'm jealous because my husband comforts a woman who betrayed him so easily years ago. I'm jealous because my husband believes the worst of me and sides with a woman who told him lies for nearly a year. I'm just so fucking jealous its eating away at my sanity," Beth finished, though barely. She turned her mouth into the pillow to blanket the sob that escaped. She would not be weak, she told herself. She would not let him see what this was costing her. She closed her eyes to the pain, to the hurt that had grown inside of her since first seeing Sheridan earlier today. But damned if she would let this deter her in what she had to do. If nothing else, she would protect her son from Sheridan and Luis.
He watched as her shoulders shook silently. Tears. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. One day back and she was already at it with the crying and the shouting... He reached his hand forward but thought better of it. She would only shrug out of his grasp, turn away from him, the distance between already great even though she lay within reach. He lay back on the bed in defeat, his mind going over all the events of today. Finding out about Sheridan and Luis' loss, then seeing his wife and his ex-wife in a heated confrontation. He still didn't know what that was about but would make damn sure he found out.
Turning his head, he watched Beth as she continued to cry. No longer caring if she drew away from him, he reached out to her, wrapping his arm around her body and pulling her closer. She struggled, but was no match for his strength. He held her pressed against his body, loving the feel of this woman in his arms. Burying his nose in her slightly damp hair, he breathed in the smell of strawberries, so sweet, so innocent. All the things that she wasn't. All the things that she tried so hard to be. "Beth," he murmured into her hair, bringing his face out to kiss the shell of her ear. "There is only one woman that I love and its not her." He felt her tremble but nothing more. They fell asleep like that, wrapped together close, the distance between them still great.
- - - - - - - - - -
Preview:
The surgery begins (I promise),
something goes awry,
and people start to heal in
"Reconnections - Chapter Four - Its Easy to Hate..."