Chapter 81
"Hank," Gwen gripped her husband's shoulder, shaking it gently. "Wake up, Bennett," she hissed into his ear, cinching her robe tighter around her waist. One of Gus's chew toys squeaked beneath her bare feet, and she cursed under her breath when the noise made her jump. "Time's it?" Hank mumbled sleepily, stretching out underneath Emily's pink comforter. His socked feet dangled off the edge of the small twin bed, and Emmy's ancient rag doll served as his pillow. Across from them in Sara's twin bed, Gus snuffled quietly, and Gwen groaned softly. That dog had to be the world's biggest manufacturer of drool. "It's early," she told him, giving his shoulder another less patient shake. "Where's your compassion, Babe?" Hank grumbled, rubbing his eyes with his fists tiredly, "You didn't get kicked out of your own bed at two in the morning." Gwen rolled her brown eyes at him, tugging his forearm forcefully and throwing the covers back, "Don't waste that speech on me, Bennett. You didn't spend the night in bed with three kicking children. It's all your fault for letting Emmy watch the Wizard of Oz again. Those flying monkeys scare the golly out of her every time." "Hey," Hank admonished mockingly, "Watch your language. Young ears, remember?" The infuriating man, Gwen thought, running her fingers through his unruly cap of hair roughly then giving his forehead an affectionate if exasperated shove at the slow-forming grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It's early, Babe. The kids are still asleep.if you catch my drift," Hank wiggled his dark brows at her suggestively as his arms slipped beneath the robe she wore and wound around her waist, pulling her down onto the bed beside him. Gwen dodged his kiss good morning, ignoring the hurt puppy dog face he was giving her, "We don't have time for this, Hank. I need you to wake Joshua and the girls and take them to Sam and Grace's." Hank threw his legs over the edge of the bed, snarling at the still-sleeping, slobbering mutt across from him, "Sure. Fine. Later, Babe." "Not later. NOW," Gwen snapped, softening her tone and expression when she saw the confusion written plainly all over his face, "Luis just called. He said the doctors are trying to stop it, but they're not sure they can. Sheridan's in labor." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Something didn't happen to Ali, did it?" Jake inquired worriedly as Martin led him and a very groggy MJ and Cristian into Uncle Luis's old bedroom. "You'd tell me, wouldn't you?" Martin tucked the covers around his two young grandsons' shoulders, waiting to make sure they were fast asleep before giving Jake an answer. "I'd tell you," Martin whispered, steering Jake back into the hall. "If it's not Ali." Jake began, "Wait a minute.The baby's coming, isn't it? She's too early.that p-word.Is she going to be okay?" "Mijo," Pilar appeared beside them with a sigh on her lips, pulling her winter coat on and slipping her purse over her shoulder, "You mustn't say anything to Cristian to worry him. Do you understand? The baby's going to be fine, and Sheridan's going to be fine." "I want to go with you," Jake said, starting down the hall after his own jacket, "Who'll stay with Ali if everybody's worried about her mom and the baby?" "Papa's going to stay with Ali," Theresa explained, stilling Jake's agitated movements and replacing his jacket in the closet, "and I'm going to stay here with you. At least for a little while." Jake frowned, reaching for his jacket again, "But I want to go. I want to see Ali. I'm not some little kid." "We know you're not," Miguel placated, and Jake bristled at his unintentionally condescending tone of voice. "Ali's too sick right now. The doctors probably won't even let you in to see her, Jake," Theresa said, grimacing as soon as she heard the words coming out of her mouth and realized how they sounded. "Mija," Pilar scolded gently with a shake of her head, "Martin, are you coming?" "Mr. Fitzgerald?" Jake entreated Martin, his brown eyes uncharacteristically serious, "I got to go. I got to. Even if I don't get to see Ali."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Wait a minute.what the hell are you giving her?" Luis demanded as he watched a young nurse empty the syringe in her hands. "You need to relax, Luis," Eve soothed even as the monitors anticipated another contraction and Sheridan cried out softly in pain, "Sheridan's doctor is just trying to stop the contractions." "Luis? Who's with Ali? She's all alone," Sheridan fretted. "She's not alone, Baby. Katie's with her. I called Gwen and Mama and Papa. They're on their way. Ali's in good hands. We have to worry about you and the baby right now. You just had to be stubborn and take those stairs, didn't you? You should have told me you were hurting," Luis chastised her gently, stroking her blond hair back from her forehead. "I'm sorry, Luis," Sheridan apologized, the tears collecting in her blue eyes making Luis's own eyes shine with concern, "I didn't want to worry you when I didn't know for sure." He'd hoped for one of her snappy retorts, and even a little show of the mule-headedness that'd gotten them into this mess in the first place. Her tears made him feel guilty for giving her a reason to climb those stairs all over again. "Shh. Don't cry. I know you didn't mean for this to happen. It's not your fault." "Listen to Luis, Sheridan," Eve murmured, "This isn't your fault. It isn't anybody's really. Your daughter's just anxious to meet you, and we're having a tough time trying to convince her to wait a little longer. That's all. What else do you expect from the daughter of two of the most stubborn people in Harmony? Probably in the world?" Sheridan's tears turned to laughter against Luis's shoulder, and Eve offered them a wavering smile even as her own concern grew. If this baby was anything like either of her parents, they all were fighting a losing battle.
Chapter 82
"Ethan! I'm so glad you're here!" Theresa exclaimed as she opened the front door, flinging her arms around Ethan's neck gratefully. Ethan glanced apprehensively at Beth beside him, and his arms rose to wrap around Theresa's slight waist when he found nothing but understanding in his wife's eyes. "It's so awful. This is the last thing Luis and Sheridan needed to have happen," Theresa sniffled, loosening her stranglehold on Ethan's neck and stepping back from him awkwardly when she saw that he hadn't come alone. "Beth.Ivy.I.I needed.Chad changed his flight. He's coming home tonight instead of tomorrow, but I needed someone.I needed a friend," Theresa finally finished, attempting a smile even as tears started to blur her vision again. "I'm supposed to keep Cristian calm and not let on to him that anything's wrong, but I can't. I can't do that by myself. Not this time when I." Ivy cleared her throat, masking her own worry with a bright smile as she greeted the little boy, still clad in his dark blue pajamas as he twiddled his thumbs nervously directly behind Theresa. "Hi, Cristian," Beth said cheerily, nudging past Theresa and kneeling at Cristian's feet, "Are you hungry?" Cristian's big brown eyes left Theresa's figure to focus on Beth's smiling face and kind eyes, and he nodded slowly, rubbing at his eyes sleepily with his fists. "Uh huh." "Okay then," Beth said, grunting softly as she lifted Cristian up and into her arms, "I think we should surprise MJ with breakfast, don't you? That way he won't be grumpy when we wake him up early." Cristian's arms twined loosely around Beth's neck, and his heels hooked around her waist as he lay his dark head against her shoulder, allowing himself to be held. His big brown eyes were still riddled with unasked questions though as Beth carried him into the kitchen. Ivy was surprised by her sudden clear understanding of Theresa's motivations for making the call that had made all of their hearts beat a little faster, and she felt a little guilty for her nonsensical relapse of suspicion where Theresa was concerned. 'Take her to the hospital, Ethan. Beth and I will stay with the boys." "Mother? Are you sure?" Ethan asked, already helping Theresa don her coat. "Call us with any news," Ivy murmured as she brushed a quick kiss to Ethan's cheek before gently pushing him out the door. "Ivy? Thank you," Theresa called as Ivy acknowledged her with a brief nod. "I've missed spending time with Cristian lately," Ivy revealed. " We'll be okay, Theresa. Give Sheridan and Luis my love, and don't forget to call us with any news." "We won't," Theresa promised as Ethan helped her into the passenger seat of his car. Ivy stood at the door, arms wrapped tightly about her waist to ward off the chill, until the car disappeared down the street out of view. She closed the door and leaned against it with a heavy sigh. She hoped for good news. They'd had too much of the bad variety as of late. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I don't know why I can't just go in," Jake grumbled, swinging his feet back and forth as he perched on the edge of a chair in the waiting room. Miguel shifted beside Jake, uncomfortable in the stiff chair and groggy from his sleepless night with the not-quite lethal trio. He figured Cristian's lack of true deviousness had probably saved his sanity last night. Jake eyed him warily out of the corner of his brown eyes, wishing he'd just go ahead and fall asleep already so he could sneak down the hall and into Ali's hospital room with Mr. Fitzgerald. He watched Miguel's eyelids droop drowsily, and silently counted to ten, ready to execute his escape as soon as they closed completely. His feet stopped their swinging motion, and he leaned forward carefully, praying the chair wouldn't creak. He hit the ground running, not even bothering to chance a glance over his shoulder as he scampered around the hall corner. "Took him longer than I thought," Miguel laughed when his brown eyes snapped open a minute later and encountered Katie's sweet smile and sparkling green eyes, "You sure it's okay for him to just." Katie waved him off as she dropped tiredly into the seat across from him, slipping her shoes from her feet and curling her legs underneath her, "She's always so happy to see him. I won't tell if you don't." "I don't know what you're talking about," Miguel grinned, leaning his head back against the wall and letting his eyes flutter shut. Katie watched his face go slack with sleep, his dark lashes resting prettily against his smooth cheeks, and smiled at him softly, thankful to see that the sharpness of grief was slowly fading from his countenance. "You sleep," she murmured, draping her arm across her chair and propping her chin upon the palm of her hand as she gazed in the opposite direction. "I'll keep watch."
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"Is she sleeping?" Martin's eyes softened at Jake's timidly asked question, and he nodded silently, a slight smile caressing his lips as he watched the young boy's face as he gazed upon the slumbering angel in the bed. He saw so many things in the child's normally lively brown eyes, but shining clear in the midst of the sadness and tenderness and concern was a feeling he was sure the boy didn't know how to name yet. A feeling he wouldn't be able to recognize or aptly name for years to come. Jake's fingers twisted in the blankets at Ali's waist, and his little boy voice cracked slightly as he spoke, his words barely more than a whisper. "It's not fair that she's sick, Mr. Fitzgerald. What'd she ever do to anybody but be nice and sweet? She was just Ali. She's got to get better. She's just got to." Martin watched Jake's small fingers hover over Ali's sweet face uncertainly, and he watched the boy release a shuddering, resolved breath, dropping his hand to gently thread his fingers through Ali's own. Martin stood up, moving behind Jake and grasping his slim shoulders with firm, comforting hands as the two of them watched the reassuring rise and fall of Ali's chest. "Don't you worry, young Bennett. Our Ali's going to win this fight, and she'll grow lovelier each year until just looking at her makes your heart feel like it's going to burst inside your chest. Other pretty girls are going to turn your head, Jake." Jake's utterly Hank-like features scrunched up in disgust at Martin's words, but it was only half-hearted disgust at best. "But none of them will ever mean as much to you as her. Ali's always going to be your special girl," Martin finished with a low whisper, smiling openly when Jake shrugged away from his hold. "Geez, would you stop it with the lovey-dovey crap? It's not like I want to marry her or anything. I just want her to get better so it can be like old times," Jake protested, rolling his brown eyes at Martin even as he carefully crawled into the bed beside Ali and rest his rumpled brown head on the pillow beside hers. Martin's eyes twinkled as he regarded them in silence. That's where you're wrong, young Bennett. That's where you're wrong. You'll love Ali because you already do. You'll love her forever.
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"Sheridan, you know I hate to do this," Eve said apologetically as her eyes flitted over Luis, Gwen, and Pilar, "but this room is only big enough for so many people. I'm sorry." "It's all right, Eve," Gwen flashed the older woman a brief smile as she grasped Luis's fingers with her own and gave them an insistent tug, "Treat me to a cup of coffee? I left my purse in the car with Bennett." "Gwen, I don't want to.," Luis started to object. "Just down the hall, Luis. Just a short break. Pilar will be with Sheridan," Gwen reassured him. "Go, Mijo," Pilar urged him, taking his vacated seat at Sheridan's bedside, "Sheridan and I will be fine." Gwen leaned over Luis's shoulder, whispering into his ear, "We need to talk." "Gwen, what is this about?" Luis demanded, his stride long and impatient as he followed her down the hall and stepped into the lounge area. Gwen filled a styrofoam cup with coffee and offered it to Luis. When he declined, she lifted the cup to her lips, grimacing at its tepid temperature. She tossed the cup and its contents into the trash and turned to him, arms crossed across her middle and brown eyes shining. "This is about that baby in there. And what she could do for Ali." "Gwen." Luis faltered, shaking his head. "No, Luis. Listen to me," Gwen pleaded softly, grabbing Luis's forearm when he started to back away from her, "I've never had a strong belief in fate, but I DO think some things happen for a reason. I think that baby is the best chance Ali has. Cristian's not a perfect match. She MAY be." "What are you saying, Gwen?" Luis asked slowly, wrapping his brain around her words. "I'm saying I don't think you should fight so hard against this. I'm saying you should let what happens happen and run its course. Within reason," she hastily added. "She's saying trust Fate," a voice spoke softly behind them, and Gwen smiled slightly at Theresa and the irony of the situation, her brown eyes bright as she corrected Theresa's statement. "I was going to say God, but Theresa's Fate may have just as big a hand in this."
Chapter 83 "Cristian," Ivy beckoned the little boy from his stance, staring outside the window expectantly, "Come sit by me, Darling, and help MJ tell me who the people in the pictures are." Ivy patted the empty space to her left with a bright smile. On her right, MJ sat, a fairly worn-looking photo album in his lap and a beseeching expression on his young face. Always reluctant to accept any woman's attentions-except maybe Abby's-MJ begged Cristian with his brown eyes to bail him out or at least be 'tortured' along with him. "Okay," Cristian relented softly, crossing the room and climbing into place beside her. No protests left his mouth as Ivy gently pulled him into her lap and stroked her fingers through his dark hair as they watched MJ slowly open the album. "Look Cristian," Ivy smiled at the picture of youth and happiness Pilar and Martin made, "there's your grandpa and nana on their wedding day." MJ looked up at Ivy and rolled his dark eyes dramatically. "You don't need our help," he huffed, "You already know everybody." "Not everybody," Ivy smiled down at him, laughing at his scowl when she reached down to ruffle his cap of dark hair playfully. "Oh that's right," MJ grinned wickedly, his dark eyes twinkling wildly with mischief, "You're getting old, and old people don't always remember too good. My dad told me." I'm sure your dad's told you lots of things," Ivy shot back, "but you seemed to have forgotten the MOST important thing. NEVER discuss a lady's age in front of her." "You're not a lady," MJ snickered, "You're just Cristian's aunt Ivy." Beth stepped back into the kitchen, a slight smile gracing her lips at the scene she'd just left. "They're in the living room looking at pictures with your mother.MJ's trading insults with Ivy.No. They're having fun.I think so. He seems.The poor little guy.He just really misses them.It's so unfair.I know Sheridan and Luis are doing the best they can in a terrible, complicated situation, Ethan, but he's just a little boy. A sweet little boy who has every reason to complain, but he doesn't." Beth took a seat at the kitchen table, releasing a sigh as she listened to Ethan defend his aunt on the other end. "Ethan, I'm not attacking Sheridan.Good. It's good to know you know that.I'll tell Cristian.I won't forget.How IS Sheridan?.They decided not to.Luis agreed?.At least 85%.Did Sheridan's doctor tell you that or did Eve?.She's not an OB-GYN, Ethan.What if she's not a match? Will all this be worth it?.Dr. Taylor seems to think so.Did he say where the hell he's been?.Luis is NOT going to be happy to see him.No, he'll just wait and kill him AFTER he's saved Ali's life.Bye, Ethan.Call us with any news." Beth removed the phone from her ear and punched the off button, rising from her chair and walking back into the living room. "Beth," Ivy looked up from a childhood photo of Sheridan she'd found tucked away in the album's overflowing pages, "Was that Ethan on the phone? What did he say?" Beth crouched down in front of the sofa and looked into Cristian's trusting dark eyes for several seconds, searching for the right words to let him know what was going on with his mother and his sisters without scaring him. The picture in Cristian's little hands caught her eye, and she held her hand out to him. "May I?" Cristian handed the photo to her without hesitation. "That's your mommy, isn't it?" Beth asked, tracing the image of the tearful little blond, maybe three years old, sitting on some steps with the skirt of her soft pink summer dress pulled up to reveal a skinned knee. Cristian nodded affirmatively and pointed to the dark-haired little boy holding Sheridan's hand tightly, "That's Daddy." "He's always taken care of her, hasn't he?" Beth breathed. "And he always will, Darling," Ivy added, giving her little nephew a smile of reassurance. "We know something's wrong," MJ blurted suddenly, "Just because I'm in the first grade doesn't mean I'm stupid. Neither is he. Tell them, Cristian." "Nothing's wrong," Beth spoke up, giving MJ a look of warning when he started to interrupt her, "MJ, let me finish, okay?" MJ crossed his arms over his chest and complied reluctantly. "Cristian, there's no reason to worry about your mommy. Your daddy's with her, and he's taking the best care of her." "But she missed it," Cristian frowned. "She promised to always call me when I wake up, and she didn't today. She promised, and she forgot." "She didn't forget, Cristian," Beth told him, "She gave Ethan a message for you, and Ethan told it to me just a few minutes ago. She said she loves you, and she's so sorry she missed your date, but she's been very busy. How do you feel about becoming a big brother today, Cristian?" "The baby? Mommy's having our baby?" Cristian asked, big brown eyes wide with surprise. Beth smiled at his expression and his use of 'our' and nodded. "Yes, Cristian. Your little sister's on her way." "But we're not ready yet," Cristian worried, "Me and Aunt Theresa don't have her nursery finished, and Ali's not home. Ali was supposed to be home before the baby came." "We'll all help finish the nursery, and Ali.Ali will be home, Kiddo," Beth said, taking a leap of faith. "Your baby sister's early, Cristian, and she's going to be very small," Ivy interjected, "Much smaller than you or Ali or MJ were when you were babies. She's going to have to stay in the hospital for a while so the doctors and nurses can watch over her and take care of her." "Is she even going to look like a baby?" MJ muttered, fidgeting uncomfortably at Ivy's side. "Of course she is," Beth answered him, "She'll be beautiful if she looks anything like you, Cristian, or Ali." The compliment made Cristian blush, and MJ scoffed. "I'm not chopped liver. I'm the cousin, and if she looks anything like ME, she's going to be the most beautifulest baby in the world." Both women laughed, and Ivy shook her head as she cast another glance down at MJ. "Such modesty.you're going to be a real lady killer when you grow up." MJ frowned. He wasn't sure what Mrs. Crane meant, but it sure didn't sound good. And those blue eyes of hers were laughing at him. "I'm going to tell my dad what you said." "Go ahead, Dear," Ivy smirked, "I don't mind." MJ glared back at her in response. "Beth," Cristian questioned in soft uncertainty, "Will you take me to the hospital so I can see Mommy? Please." Beth cupped her palm against Cristian's silky cheek before speaking, "You can't visit her yet, Sweetie, but Ethan's going to call us when you can. In the meantime I want you to go help MJ pack up his stuff. His grandma's coming by to pick him up for Joshua's therapy session." MJ slid off the sofa and tugged Cristian along with him before Beth had a chance to say anything else, but not before one last parting shot at Ivy. "It's not polite to stick your tongue out at ladies, MJ!" Ivy called after him, "Especially OLD ladies like me!" Beth stood up and dropped gracelessly onto the sofa beside Ivy. "That went better than expected. At least he's not in tears." "Nonsense," Ivy gave Beth's knee a friendly pat, "You're good with children, Beth. You and Ethan should consider having one of your own." Beth plucked the forgotten photograph of Sheridan and Luis as children from Ivy's hands and studied it intently, avoiding her mother-in-law's inquisitive blue green gaze. "If only I'd seen this years ago.I spent years pining after Luis, when his heart was probably hers all along. If they knew each other as children, why didn't they recognize each other when Sheridan returned to Harmony?" Ivy contemplated Beth's question. "Sheridan only has vague memories of her childhood before Alistair sent her to Paris. The majority of it was so unhappy. The other boy in the picture," Ivy changed the subject with a soft sigh, "The older one, kneeling in front of Sheridan." "That's Antonio. You remember him, don't you? There should be some more pictures in here somewhere.some you'll recognize." Beth murmured, flipping through the album to look for more pictures of Antonio. A horn sounded outside, and she transferred the album to Ivy and got up. "MJ! Your grandma's outside! You better hurry!" Beth said as she shooed him out the front door, chafing her hands over the legs of her jeans before she walked back to the sofa and peered over Ivy's shoulder. "That one," Beth pointed to a photo in the top right corner, "That picture was taken the day before Antonio disappeared. He always looked so serious in pictures. I don't think he ever smiled for the camera." Beth's voice, and then Cristian's, faded to the background as the sound of Ivy's accelerated heartbeat filled her ears, and her mind raced with questions. The pair of piercing dark eyes, now achingly familiar, stared at her unblinkingly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "I want someone on standby to collect the blood as soon as that baby's born.There's a nurse.Katie.Yes, that's her.Tell her to prepare Ali for the procedure, answer any questions she has and reassure her that this procedure is nothing to be scared about.Are there anymore signs of infection?.Run some more tests. Double check. Triple check.I want you to make damned sure her body's not going to.Yes, Matthews.I trust your capabilities as a physician.Maybe I AM a little too personally involved, but I don't give a damn. That little girl deserves every chance to live a long, happy life, and my desire to give her that life has nothing to do with whatever feelings, as you say, I may have for her mother. It has EVERYTHING to do with Ali herself. She's a very special little girl.We're about 45 minutes out of Harmony. Another 5 or 10 minutes to stop for gasoline.I'm there now.I'm trusting you, Matthews. Don't let me down," Nick's last words to his colleague held a bit of warning as he ended their conversation. He cursed under his breath as his cell phone slipped from his fingers, sliding back and forth across the floorboard as he swerved into the turning lane that led to the gas station at the last minute. He pulled the SUV up to the nearest available pump and parked it. "Abby? We're at the gas station, Abby, do you need anything?" Nick asked as he cracked open the driver's side door and prepared to get out. "Abby?" he repeated, reaching a hand out to gently cup her jaw. Abby didn't stir, the smallest whimper, barely audible, escaping her lips at the tender brush of his knuckles across her cheek. Nick smiled and leaned across the distance separating them to press his lips against her smooth temple. "Has anybody ever told you you're beautiful when you're sleeping?" The words slipped out before he could stop them, but he didn't negate them. He was surprised to find he didn't want to do anything of the sort. "Don't go anywhere.I'll be right back," he promised, opening and closing his door quietly. "Once," Abby whispered softly into the silence created by his exit. Her hazel eyes fluttered open as she shifted in the passenger seat, and one look into the rear-view mirror confirmed what she already knew. They were brimming with unshed tears, put there by a dream, a nightmare, that had been visiting her dreams with increasing frequency the past few weeks. It'd been ten years, and she could still see the rage in his eyes and the hard clench of jaw as he confronted her that fateful night. She closed her eyes, and a single crystal tear tracked down her cheek as she remembered. His breath smelled like whiskey when he grabbed her and kissed her, forcefully and hard. ~@~@~@~@~@~@~
"Vincent!" Abby's palms, pushing against his lean, muscled chest, were as ineffectual as an ant trying to push a boulder up a hill. Vincent's hands gripped and pawed at the heavy winter jacket she'd worn for her walk, and his mouth was hard, bruising, on her lips as he crushed it to hers repeatedly, cutting off her protests. "Vin.Vincent, stop." Abby cried, tears of pain springing to her hazel eyes as she felt Vincent's long fingers clench in her long tawny hair and yank her head back. His eyes were wild and crazed, but it wasn't just the effects of the drugs and alcohol she knew to be in his system driving his madness. He knew. She could see it in his eyes, and the lecherous expression twisting his lips into ugliness made her heart sink. "You mean you're not happy to see me, Sweetheart? Come on, now. I'm your husband. You haven't seen me for months, and this is the welcome I get." Abby winced as his fingers tightened in her hair, and he shoved her body harder against the wall, pinning her there and not allowing her to move. "Vincent, I'm tired. I don't feel like making love. Please, let go of me. You're hurting me." "I'm hurting you? I'm sorry, Sweetheart. A husband should never lay a hand on his wife," Vincent said, as his fingers slipped from her hair, and he trailed his lips down her jawline, his fingers slipping the buttons of her black winter jacket free. "Vincent, no," Abby sobbed as he jerked the material from her shoulders, and his wild eyes grew even wilder as they gave her body a brief once-over, his fingers digging painfully into the tender skin of her upper arm. "But he can do whatever the hell he wants to a cheating whore like you," he growled, his eyes going cold and dead as he raised his fist in the air. She felt the metal tang of blood on her tongue as the world shifted on its axis, and she fell to the floor, Vincent's heavy body straddling her waist as he raised his fists again and again until she felt consciousness begin to slip away from her. His breath reeked of whiskey as he pressed his cheek against hers and whispered into her ear. "You've always been so beautiful when you sleep, Sweetheart." ~@~@~@~@~@~@~
"Abby? Abby, are you okay?" Nick's voice was filled with concern as he took her in his arms and gently stroked her tawny hair. "Abby, talk to me," Nick pleaded, burying his nose into her sweet-smelling hair and wrapping his arms around her protectively as she sobbed against his shoulder. "You were fine when I left. You were sleeping. What happened? If you're upset about Ali, don't be. I'm going to do everything within my power to make her better. There's an excellent chance that the baby's a perfect match. It's all coming together, Abby. I can feel it. This isn't going to be Josh all over again. I'm going to save her, Abby, and Sheridan and Luis are going to have two of the most beautiful little girls to hold and love for the rest of their lives.Do you believe me, Abby?" Abby pulled back slowly, her hazel eyes glittering as her fingers lovingly traced his handsome features, and she nodded her tawny head. "I believe you, Gray Eyes." She poured her whole heart into the kiss she bestowed upon his lips, lingering and sweet, so much different than any kiss she'd ever given or received before. And her words were spoken with raw honesty because her heart loved him, even if the crazy little voice inside her head pleaded with her not to make the frightening leap again. But it was different this time. Different than Vincent. Different than anybody else. "You have all my trust and my faith." "Why?" Nick asked simply, his gray eyes clouding with confusion, "Abby, I don't think." Abby hushed him with a finger to his lips and answered him with a tearful smile. "I love you, Gray Eyes. It's as simple as that."
Chapter 84
"If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask," Katie smiled as she bent to kiss Ali's cheek. Ali's blue eyes sparkled as she slid her arms around Katie's neck and offered her a sweet smile. "Thank you, Katie." Katie cradled Ali close, and she pressed her lips against Ali's forehead. "No 'thank you's' necessary, Sweetie. I love you. Like you were my own little girl. Do you think your mommy and daddy would let me adopt you?" she teased. "No," Ali giggled as Katie carefully lay her back against the pillows and tapped the tip of her nose with her index finger. "But they'd let me adopt you. 'Cause I love you bunches." Katie laughed softly and laced her fingers through Ali's, resting their hands on her lap. "Are you excited about the new baby?" Katie asked, watching Ali's pretty little features blossom into a beautiful smile. "Uh huh. I had a dream about her last night." Katie's green eyes widened in surprise, "You did? What happened in your dream, Sweetie?" Ali's voice was soft and wistful as she described her dream to the last detail. Martin gently eased the door shut on his young granddaughter and Katie and looked down at the young boy shuffling his sneakered feet anxiously beside him. "I think we should come back later." "But Mr. Fitzgerald," Jake protested. "Ali's not going anywhere, Young Bennett," Martin gave the boy a twinkling smile. "Join me for a cup of hot cocoa. I think Miguel needs a break from those sisters of yours anyway." "Okay," Jake muttered, "but I'm going in and seeing her as soon as we get back." Martin chuckled at Jake's single-mindedness as he placed a firm, guiding hand on his shoulder. "I think it's about time for us to have a little talk about your intentions toward my granddaughter, don't you?" Jake's brown eyes grew round, and he gulped hard before shooting Martin an annoyed glare and shrugging away from his touch. Miguel's expression of ultimate relief when Jake told Emily and Sara about his invitation only made Martin laugh harder. Emmy slid her little hand in Martin's, her favorite doll tucked beneath her other arm, and gazed up at him with curious brown eyes as they trekked down the hall toward the elevators, "What does Miguel mean, Mr. Fitz? Does he owe you money?" Jake snickered at his sister's innocent question, and Sara echoed his naughty laughter even though she was just as confused as Emily. Martin sidestepped the child's question with a question of his own, "How many marshmallows do you want in your cocoa, Miss Emily?" "The whole bag!" Emmy exclaimed with a giggle as Martin swept her up in his arms and stepped inside the open elevator. "I get to push the buttons!" Sara cried triumphantly, hurriedly pushing the buttons to various floors before Jake could stop her. "Great, Sara," Jake grumbled, crossing his arms and rolling his brown eyes at her childishness, "We'll make it to the moon before we ever get to the cafeteria. You're such a baby sometimes." "Take it back," Sara demanded with an angry pout. "No way," Jake shot back stubbornly. Emmy patted Martin's cheek, anxiety making her brown eyes well, "Mr. Fitz? Are we really going to the moon?" Martin sighed when the elevator doors opened at the first of the many floors they would be visiting before hot cocoa ever became a reality and wondered for the first time if this had been such a great idea after all.
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"Here, Babe," Hank said softly as he handed Gwen one of the steaming cups of coffee he'd picked up from the Book Café on his way over, "I figured you needed the real stuff." Gwen smiled up at him as she wrapped her hands around the cup, absorbing the warmth it emitted. "Bennett? Where are the girls?" A slow grin tugged at the corners of Hank's mouth, "Oh, they're around." "Oh God," Gwen groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. "You brought them with you, didn't you? And you actually let them out of your sight? Hank, do you have any idea how much trouble Sara can get herself into inside this hospital? She'll probably beg an orderly to re-enact that commercial. You know.the old one with the York peppermint patties." Hank chuckled, "You know that does look like fun. They're downstairs harassing Miguel. Does that make you feel better?" "No," Gwen said, unable to resist returning his smile. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his gently. "Thanks, Bennett." "For the coffee? Sure, Babe," Hank said, sliding his fingers through hers and giving her hand a small squeeze. "For impregnating me with the world's first clone, and doing it a second and.and doing it a second time," she laughed as she twined her arms around his neck. "They're really happy," Ethan murmured, and Theresa slowly turned back to look at him. "Yes, they are," she agreed. "I think it's great that they found each other. Fate couldn't have brought two more different people together, but they're perfect for each other." Ethan's blue eyes danced as he studied her face, and he smiled. "I thought you didn't believe in Fate anymore, Theresa. What changed your mind?" Theresa wore a thoughtful expression as she pondered his question. "I don't know really. I just feel I'm where I'm supposed to be in my life now, with the person I'm supposed to be with. Does that make sense?" "Perfect Theresa sense," Ethan teased, watching her brown eyes and face light up with happiness as she looked ahead of her, and the sound of steady, approaching footsteps reached his consciousness at the exact moment that he realized there was only one person who could make her smile like that. Theresa was out of her chair and wrapped around Chad in the blink of an eye. "Chad! I'm so glad you're here!" Chad let his suitcase slip to the floor and wrapped his arms more firmly around her, nuzzling her dark hair. "You know I'd do anything for my girls, T-girl. And you and Auntie and Squirt are my girls. How is she, Girl?" Theresa reached down for Chad's hand and waited for him to retrieve his suitcase before she led him toward the stretch of vacant chairs to Ethan's right. "She's good. She seems a little scared, but she's got Mama and Luis in there with her talking her through it." "What about Squirt?" Theresa smiled at the old nickname. "Papa said Katie talked to Ali and told her how the baby's cord blood was going to give her the same cells she would have gotten from Cristian's bone marrow, and she was fine with it as soon as Katie assured her it wouldn't scare or hurt the baby." 'That's my girl," Chad grinned proudly, "So Auntie's been at this how long?" "Since last night," Theresa told him, "but she only told Luis about it this morning." "Stubborn," Chad shook his head. "I'm surrounded by stubborn women."
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"Dammit, Sheridan," Luis swore softly as he felt her fingers tighten around his hand as another, more intense contraction struck, "You always have to do things the hard way, don't you?" Pilar watched the monitors with a small smile on her lips. "I think this is another.pot.and kettle.moment," Sheridan panted, relaxing her hold on both Luis's and Pilar's hands as the contraction ended. "We have those pretty regular, don't we?" Luis teased, brushing her damp blond hair back from her forehead, and Sheridan's blue eyes sparkled at the knowing smirk Pilar failed to hide. "How much fun would it be if we agreed all the time?" Sheridan leaned into Luis's touch. She winced as she felt the tightening begin again in her abdomen and another contraction started to creep up on her. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she was left gasping at the unexpected intensity of the pain. "Eve?" Pilar looked up when Eve entered the room, along with Sheridan's doctor and a nurse. "Sheridan," Eve spoke soothingly, staring unflinchingly into Sheridan's blue eyes, "before you ask, your baby's doing fine. Her heart rate's normal, and everything we know at this point is encouraging, but." "Sheridan," the woman beside Eve interrupted, "She's coming. We know that. It's too late to stop her now. But she's taking a long time to get here, and." "We want to perform a C-section, Sheridan," Eve jumped in, " Get the baby out, start strengthening her lungs.she's got a long road ahead of her. It's up to you. I can tell you, though, that at the first sign of distress, an emergency C-section will be performed anyway." Sheridan searched Luis's dark eyes and found her answer. "Do it." "Lisa," the OB-GYN turned to the young nurse, "Get Sheridan prepped and ready. Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald.I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Pilar bent at the waist to press cool lips against Sheridan's forehead in a motherly kiss, and gave Luis a reassuring smile as she followed Eve outside. "Mijo.Mija.everything's going to be fine." Sheridan closed her eyes with a tired sigh. All they could do was hope.
Chapter 85 "There," Nick murmured, placing the newly fluffed pillow back behind Ali's head, "that should do it. All comfy now, Ali?" Ali tucked her bunny close to her heart and nodded her head slowly, a bit worn out by the events of the long day. Excitement and hope still shone brightly in her pretty blue eyes though, and those emotions made Nick's heart swell to capacity. He lifted a hand to Ali's smooth cheek, and the corners of Ali's pink mouth curved upward gently with his softly spoken whisper. "You're very important to me, Ali. Do you know that?" Ali's blue eyes sparkled in the dimly lit hospital room as she nuzzled one of her bunny's long pink ears, hiding the flash of her pearly teeth at his comment. "Ali, I'm sorry for not being here. I'm sorry for leaving and." Ali laced her small fingers through Nick's much larger ones. "It's okay, Dr. Nick. I'm not scared. Not anymore. Really," she told him reassuringly as he pressed his lips to the palm of the tiny hand cradled in his and offered her a smile of disbelief as he felt some of the weight of his guilt slowly start to lift off of his shoulders. She was so brave. Much braver than he, Nick ruminated silently, remembering Abby's shocking disclosure more than an hour earlier and his reaction. His lack of reaction really. He'd made a mistake. A really big mistake, and he wasn't sure how to fix it. "Are you sad about Molly, Dr. Nick?" Ali questioned innocently. "She was a very nice lady. She took care of my mommy and loved her when me and Daddy thought she was in Heaven just like you did. And she always hugged me like I was a teddy bear," Ali revealed with twinkling blue eyes. Missing Molly was only partly to blame, Nick answered the little girl in his mind, but he nodded anyway. "I still miss Aunt Kay," Ali whispered softly. "I'm sure you do," Nick sighed, stroking the baby soft skin at Ali's wrists with the pads of his thumbs. "Your aunt Kay was a crazy, wonderful lady," he said with a chuckle. "I wish I'd had the chance to get to know her better." Ali's blue eyes were understanding and full of compassion, and it struck Nick in that precise moment that the little girl in front of him had already lived a more tumultuous life in her short nine years than many people three times her age. "Aunt Kay's my guardian angel," Ali divulged quietly. "I dream about her all the time, and she shows me the most wonderful things." "What are these wonderful things she shows you, Ali?" Nick prodded gently. "Last night she showed me the future," Ali smiled brightly. "Last night she showed me Hope."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Theresa paced the halls restlessly while Chad looked on, his expression a hybrid of an amused smirk and his own worry. "Theresa.Girl, you're makin' my head spin. Come sit down. Talk to me. All that walkin' ain't gonna make that baby come any faster." Theresa plopped heavily down beside him with an exasperated sigh, glowering when his amused laughter rang in her ears a second later. "Don't, Chad. Don't say it. I can't help it. Neither could you. You know you'll be ten times worse when it's me in there!" Theresa blurted, brown eyes going comically wide when she realized exactly what she'd said. Her hands flapped frantically in the air as she tried to form two sensible words, and Chad's dark brow only inched higher on his forehead, his smirk oddly infuriating to her. "I mean.I mean.oh, Chad, you know what I mean," Theresa groaned, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment. Chad gently pried Theresa's hands from her face, forcing her to meet his eyes with a finger to her chin. His dark eyes danced happily as he teasingly asked her, "What DO you mean, T-girl? You sayin' you want to have babies with me?" Theresa huffed in irritation and rolled her big brown eyes at his annoying teasing. "You don't think I've grown up enough to be a mother, do you?" Chad grinned, obviously deciding silence on the matter was his best bet. "If Hank can do it," Theresa began, only to be cut off by Chad's helpless laughter. "If Hank can do it, I KNOW I can," Theresa grumbled as Chad pulled her into his arms and smoothed her hair back from her face. "Yeah, but he's got Gwen to keep him in line," Chad chuckled. "I have you," Theresa retorted, triumph glistening in her brown eyes. "When do we start?" Chad smirked. "Well," Theresa said somewhat shyly, her fingers playing with his collar, "We should get married first."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "What's the matter, Babe?" Hank grinned as he watched his wife shake her golden blond head, first at Theresa and Chad in the far corner then at Beth and Ethan stepping onto the elevator down the hall, "Having another 'Twilight Zone' moment?" Cristian looked up to Hank curiously. "Harmony's not like other towns," Hank said simply, chuckling when he realized the confusion hadn't left the youngster's enormous brown eyes. "You like Beth, don't you?" Hank changed the subject. "Yeah," Cristian answered softly. "She's nice." "Really nice," Hank agreed, "Did you know she's been friends with me and your dad since before we knew how to tie our shoestrings? Well, your dad knew how to, but he always was ahead of the game.guess that's why he always got the girl. What, Babe?" Hank demanded of his wife when she failed to hide the roll of her brown eyes from him. "As I was saying," Hank turned back to Cristian, "I've known Beth a long time. It's not such a big surprise you like her. Now, as for those 'Twilight Zone' moments we were discussing earlier." "Bennett," Gwen interrupted. "You realize we haven't heard from Martin or the kids in over an hour, don't you? I'm worried about Martin." "Don't worry, Babe," Hank quipped. "This place isn't exactly swarming with brown uniforms yet." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You're not going to find her Mr. Fitz," Emmy worried. "Sara always wins Hide and Seek." Martin glanced down at Jake, and the young boy hurriedly wiped the smirk off of his face. "She's telling the truth, Mr. Fitzgerald. Dad had to call Uncle Sam one time because he lost her. She was hiding in the laundry room underneath a pile of Dad's smelly clothes," Jake grinned wickedly. "It was the perfect hiding place. Dad hates to do laundry. Maybe we should call Uncle Sam now," Jake suggested. "I think we can manage fine on our own, Young Bennett," Martin declined, setting Emmy on her feet with a groan. "Don't let go of my hand, Lass. We'll find your sister, and when we do." Jake rolled his brown eyes good- naturedly. Mr. Fitzgerald reminded him an awful lot of Uncle Luis when he refused to call Uncle Sam. What was that word Mom was always calling Ali's mom and dad? The word escaped him at the moment, but Jake was sure his mom would call Mr. Fitzgerald the same thing if she were here right now. Grown- ups were more mixed-up than kids if you asked him. He followed Martin and Emmy, her favorite doll trailing behind her forlornly, to the thousandth nurses' desk they'd visited in the last hour and tried to hold his laughter in when the nurse told them about a doctor's missing lab coat. Wherever Sara was, he bet she was having WAY more fun than he was.
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Sara giggled mischievously as she scampered through the hall, brown eyes darting back and forth and keeping a look-out for the mean-looking man from the picture attached to the long white coat she had borrowed. Her mouth fell open in surprise when she saw Abby standing at the end of the long hallway, looking into some kind of window. Sara frowned when she realized Abby seemed sad, and she started to creep forward in concern when she heard a noise behind her. She gasped and scrambled behind a row of chairs when a woman she recognized as Ivy Crane strode purposefully past her, heading straight for Abby. Thoughts of the trouble she'd be in if Ivy or Abby caught her had Sara fleeing down the hall as soon as she knew neither woman was watching.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Abby lifted a shaky hand to the clear window, pressing her forehead against the glass as her hazel eyes flitted over the row of bassinets holding the tiny, precious lives. The corners of her mouth quirked upward in a wistful smile as she watched one baby in particular. With its head full of dark hair and long black lashes resting against skin of perfect olive tones, the squirming child was a picture of hauntingly familiar beauty. Unshed tears clung to her pale lashes when she whipped her head around at the sound of Ivy's approaching footsteps, and she rubbed at her hazel eyes with the back of her hand in slight embarrassment. Abby laughed awkwardly as Ivy's penetrating stare went on and on, wrapping her arms around her waist protectively. "One of the horrors of PMS. Brings out my inner emotional sap. They're all so beautiful. That one.that one there," she pointed toward the now squalling infant that'd captured her attention earlier. "She's somewhat what I imagine the new baby to look like.Ivy?" Abby's hazel eyes snapped back to Ivy's disconcertingly calm face in astonishment as she took the picture Ivy held out to her. "Where did you.what are you doing with this? It's mine. What are you doing with my picture?" Ivy's blue-green eyes were suddenly cold and the tone of her voice sent chills of apprehension down Abby's spine. "How do you know this man? How long have you known Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald?"
"Hank," Gwen gripped her husband's shoulder, shaking it gently. "Wake up, Bennett," she hissed into his ear, cinching her robe tighter around her waist. One of Gus's chew toys squeaked beneath her bare feet, and she cursed under her breath when the noise made her jump. "Time's it?" Hank mumbled sleepily, stretching out underneath Emily's pink comforter. His socked feet dangled off the edge of the small twin bed, and Emmy's ancient rag doll served as his pillow. Across from them in Sara's twin bed, Gus snuffled quietly, and Gwen groaned softly. That dog had to be the world's biggest manufacturer of drool. "It's early," she told him, giving his shoulder another less patient shake. "Where's your compassion, Babe?" Hank grumbled, rubbing his eyes with his fists tiredly, "You didn't get kicked out of your own bed at two in the morning." Gwen rolled her brown eyes at him, tugging his forearm forcefully and throwing the covers back, "Don't waste that speech on me, Bennett. You didn't spend the night in bed with three kicking children. It's all your fault for letting Emmy watch the Wizard of Oz again. Those flying monkeys scare the golly out of her every time." "Hey," Hank admonished mockingly, "Watch your language. Young ears, remember?" The infuriating man, Gwen thought, running her fingers through his unruly cap of hair roughly then giving his forehead an affectionate if exasperated shove at the slow-forming grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It's early, Babe. The kids are still asleep.if you catch my drift," Hank wiggled his dark brows at her suggestively as his arms slipped beneath the robe she wore and wound around her waist, pulling her down onto the bed beside him. Gwen dodged his kiss good morning, ignoring the hurt puppy dog face he was giving her, "We don't have time for this, Hank. I need you to wake Joshua and the girls and take them to Sam and Grace's." Hank threw his legs over the edge of the bed, snarling at the still-sleeping, slobbering mutt across from him, "Sure. Fine. Later, Babe." "Not later. NOW," Gwen snapped, softening her tone and expression when she saw the confusion written plainly all over his face, "Luis just called. He said the doctors are trying to stop it, but they're not sure they can. Sheridan's in labor." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Something didn't happen to Ali, did it?" Jake inquired worriedly as Martin led him and a very groggy MJ and Cristian into Uncle Luis's old bedroom. "You'd tell me, wouldn't you?" Martin tucked the covers around his two young grandsons' shoulders, waiting to make sure they were fast asleep before giving Jake an answer. "I'd tell you," Martin whispered, steering Jake back into the hall. "If it's not Ali." Jake began, "Wait a minute.The baby's coming, isn't it? She's too early.that p-word.Is she going to be okay?" "Mijo," Pilar appeared beside them with a sigh on her lips, pulling her winter coat on and slipping her purse over her shoulder, "You mustn't say anything to Cristian to worry him. Do you understand? The baby's going to be fine, and Sheridan's going to be fine." "I want to go with you," Jake said, starting down the hall after his own jacket, "Who'll stay with Ali if everybody's worried about her mom and the baby?" "Papa's going to stay with Ali," Theresa explained, stilling Jake's agitated movements and replacing his jacket in the closet, "and I'm going to stay here with you. At least for a little while." Jake frowned, reaching for his jacket again, "But I want to go. I want to see Ali. I'm not some little kid." "We know you're not," Miguel placated, and Jake bristled at his unintentionally condescending tone of voice. "Ali's too sick right now. The doctors probably won't even let you in to see her, Jake," Theresa said, grimacing as soon as she heard the words coming out of her mouth and realized how they sounded. "Mija," Pilar scolded gently with a shake of her head, "Martin, are you coming?" "Mr. Fitzgerald?" Jake entreated Martin, his brown eyes uncharacteristically serious, "I got to go. I got to. Even if I don't get to see Ali."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Wait a minute.what the hell are you giving her?" Luis demanded as he watched a young nurse empty the syringe in her hands. "You need to relax, Luis," Eve soothed even as the monitors anticipated another contraction and Sheridan cried out softly in pain, "Sheridan's doctor is just trying to stop the contractions." "Luis? Who's with Ali? She's all alone," Sheridan fretted. "She's not alone, Baby. Katie's with her. I called Gwen and Mama and Papa. They're on their way. Ali's in good hands. We have to worry about you and the baby right now. You just had to be stubborn and take those stairs, didn't you? You should have told me you were hurting," Luis chastised her gently, stroking her blond hair back from her forehead. "I'm sorry, Luis," Sheridan apologized, the tears collecting in her blue eyes making Luis's own eyes shine with concern, "I didn't want to worry you when I didn't know for sure." He'd hoped for one of her snappy retorts, and even a little show of the mule-headedness that'd gotten them into this mess in the first place. Her tears made him feel guilty for giving her a reason to climb those stairs all over again. "Shh. Don't cry. I know you didn't mean for this to happen. It's not your fault." "Listen to Luis, Sheridan," Eve murmured, "This isn't your fault. It isn't anybody's really. Your daughter's just anxious to meet you, and we're having a tough time trying to convince her to wait a little longer. That's all. What else do you expect from the daughter of two of the most stubborn people in Harmony? Probably in the world?" Sheridan's tears turned to laughter against Luis's shoulder, and Eve offered them a wavering smile even as her own concern grew. If this baby was anything like either of her parents, they all were fighting a losing battle.
Chapter 82
"Ethan! I'm so glad you're here!" Theresa exclaimed as she opened the front door, flinging her arms around Ethan's neck gratefully. Ethan glanced apprehensively at Beth beside him, and his arms rose to wrap around Theresa's slight waist when he found nothing but understanding in his wife's eyes. "It's so awful. This is the last thing Luis and Sheridan needed to have happen," Theresa sniffled, loosening her stranglehold on Ethan's neck and stepping back from him awkwardly when she saw that he hadn't come alone. "Beth.Ivy.I.I needed.Chad changed his flight. He's coming home tonight instead of tomorrow, but I needed someone.I needed a friend," Theresa finally finished, attempting a smile even as tears started to blur her vision again. "I'm supposed to keep Cristian calm and not let on to him that anything's wrong, but I can't. I can't do that by myself. Not this time when I." Ivy cleared her throat, masking her own worry with a bright smile as she greeted the little boy, still clad in his dark blue pajamas as he twiddled his thumbs nervously directly behind Theresa. "Hi, Cristian," Beth said cheerily, nudging past Theresa and kneeling at Cristian's feet, "Are you hungry?" Cristian's big brown eyes left Theresa's figure to focus on Beth's smiling face and kind eyes, and he nodded slowly, rubbing at his eyes sleepily with his fists. "Uh huh." "Okay then," Beth said, grunting softly as she lifted Cristian up and into her arms, "I think we should surprise MJ with breakfast, don't you? That way he won't be grumpy when we wake him up early." Cristian's arms twined loosely around Beth's neck, and his heels hooked around her waist as he lay his dark head against her shoulder, allowing himself to be held. His big brown eyes were still riddled with unasked questions though as Beth carried him into the kitchen. Ivy was surprised by her sudden clear understanding of Theresa's motivations for making the call that had made all of their hearts beat a little faster, and she felt a little guilty for her nonsensical relapse of suspicion where Theresa was concerned. 'Take her to the hospital, Ethan. Beth and I will stay with the boys." "Mother? Are you sure?" Ethan asked, already helping Theresa don her coat. "Call us with any news," Ivy murmured as she brushed a quick kiss to Ethan's cheek before gently pushing him out the door. "Ivy? Thank you," Theresa called as Ivy acknowledged her with a brief nod. "I've missed spending time with Cristian lately," Ivy revealed. " We'll be okay, Theresa. Give Sheridan and Luis my love, and don't forget to call us with any news." "We won't," Theresa promised as Ethan helped her into the passenger seat of his car. Ivy stood at the door, arms wrapped tightly about her waist to ward off the chill, until the car disappeared down the street out of view. She closed the door and leaned against it with a heavy sigh. She hoped for good news. They'd had too much of the bad variety as of late. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I don't know why I can't just go in," Jake grumbled, swinging his feet back and forth as he perched on the edge of a chair in the waiting room. Miguel shifted beside Jake, uncomfortable in the stiff chair and groggy from his sleepless night with the not-quite lethal trio. He figured Cristian's lack of true deviousness had probably saved his sanity last night. Jake eyed him warily out of the corner of his brown eyes, wishing he'd just go ahead and fall asleep already so he could sneak down the hall and into Ali's hospital room with Mr. Fitzgerald. He watched Miguel's eyelids droop drowsily, and silently counted to ten, ready to execute his escape as soon as they closed completely. His feet stopped their swinging motion, and he leaned forward carefully, praying the chair wouldn't creak. He hit the ground running, not even bothering to chance a glance over his shoulder as he scampered around the hall corner. "Took him longer than I thought," Miguel laughed when his brown eyes snapped open a minute later and encountered Katie's sweet smile and sparkling green eyes, "You sure it's okay for him to just." Katie waved him off as she dropped tiredly into the seat across from him, slipping her shoes from her feet and curling her legs underneath her, "She's always so happy to see him. I won't tell if you don't." "I don't know what you're talking about," Miguel grinned, leaning his head back against the wall and letting his eyes flutter shut. Katie watched his face go slack with sleep, his dark lashes resting prettily against his smooth cheeks, and smiled at him softly, thankful to see that the sharpness of grief was slowly fading from his countenance. "You sleep," she murmured, draping her arm across her chair and propping her chin upon the palm of her hand as she gazed in the opposite direction. "I'll keep watch."
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"Is she sleeping?" Martin's eyes softened at Jake's timidly asked question, and he nodded silently, a slight smile caressing his lips as he watched the young boy's face as he gazed upon the slumbering angel in the bed. He saw so many things in the child's normally lively brown eyes, but shining clear in the midst of the sadness and tenderness and concern was a feeling he was sure the boy didn't know how to name yet. A feeling he wouldn't be able to recognize or aptly name for years to come. Jake's fingers twisted in the blankets at Ali's waist, and his little boy voice cracked slightly as he spoke, his words barely more than a whisper. "It's not fair that she's sick, Mr. Fitzgerald. What'd she ever do to anybody but be nice and sweet? She was just Ali. She's got to get better. She's just got to." Martin watched Jake's small fingers hover over Ali's sweet face uncertainly, and he watched the boy release a shuddering, resolved breath, dropping his hand to gently thread his fingers through Ali's own. Martin stood up, moving behind Jake and grasping his slim shoulders with firm, comforting hands as the two of them watched the reassuring rise and fall of Ali's chest. "Don't you worry, young Bennett. Our Ali's going to win this fight, and she'll grow lovelier each year until just looking at her makes your heart feel like it's going to burst inside your chest. Other pretty girls are going to turn your head, Jake." Jake's utterly Hank-like features scrunched up in disgust at Martin's words, but it was only half-hearted disgust at best. "But none of them will ever mean as much to you as her. Ali's always going to be your special girl," Martin finished with a low whisper, smiling openly when Jake shrugged away from his hold. "Geez, would you stop it with the lovey-dovey crap? It's not like I want to marry her or anything. I just want her to get better so it can be like old times," Jake protested, rolling his brown eyes at Martin even as he carefully crawled into the bed beside Ali and rest his rumpled brown head on the pillow beside hers. Martin's eyes twinkled as he regarded them in silence. That's where you're wrong, young Bennett. That's where you're wrong. You'll love Ali because you already do. You'll love her forever.
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"Sheridan, you know I hate to do this," Eve said apologetically as her eyes flitted over Luis, Gwen, and Pilar, "but this room is only big enough for so many people. I'm sorry." "It's all right, Eve," Gwen flashed the older woman a brief smile as she grasped Luis's fingers with her own and gave them an insistent tug, "Treat me to a cup of coffee? I left my purse in the car with Bennett." "Gwen, I don't want to.," Luis started to object. "Just down the hall, Luis. Just a short break. Pilar will be with Sheridan," Gwen reassured him. "Go, Mijo," Pilar urged him, taking his vacated seat at Sheridan's bedside, "Sheridan and I will be fine." Gwen leaned over Luis's shoulder, whispering into his ear, "We need to talk." "Gwen, what is this about?" Luis demanded, his stride long and impatient as he followed her down the hall and stepped into the lounge area. Gwen filled a styrofoam cup with coffee and offered it to Luis. When he declined, she lifted the cup to her lips, grimacing at its tepid temperature. She tossed the cup and its contents into the trash and turned to him, arms crossed across her middle and brown eyes shining. "This is about that baby in there. And what she could do for Ali." "Gwen." Luis faltered, shaking his head. "No, Luis. Listen to me," Gwen pleaded softly, grabbing Luis's forearm when he started to back away from her, "I've never had a strong belief in fate, but I DO think some things happen for a reason. I think that baby is the best chance Ali has. Cristian's not a perfect match. She MAY be." "What are you saying, Gwen?" Luis asked slowly, wrapping his brain around her words. "I'm saying I don't think you should fight so hard against this. I'm saying you should let what happens happen and run its course. Within reason," she hastily added. "She's saying trust Fate," a voice spoke softly behind them, and Gwen smiled slightly at Theresa and the irony of the situation, her brown eyes bright as she corrected Theresa's statement. "I was going to say God, but Theresa's Fate may have just as big a hand in this."
Chapter 83 "Cristian," Ivy beckoned the little boy from his stance, staring outside the window expectantly, "Come sit by me, Darling, and help MJ tell me who the people in the pictures are." Ivy patted the empty space to her left with a bright smile. On her right, MJ sat, a fairly worn-looking photo album in his lap and a beseeching expression on his young face. Always reluctant to accept any woman's attentions-except maybe Abby's-MJ begged Cristian with his brown eyes to bail him out or at least be 'tortured' along with him. "Okay," Cristian relented softly, crossing the room and climbing into place beside her. No protests left his mouth as Ivy gently pulled him into her lap and stroked her fingers through his dark hair as they watched MJ slowly open the album. "Look Cristian," Ivy smiled at the picture of youth and happiness Pilar and Martin made, "there's your grandpa and nana on their wedding day." MJ looked up at Ivy and rolled his dark eyes dramatically. "You don't need our help," he huffed, "You already know everybody." "Not everybody," Ivy smiled down at him, laughing at his scowl when she reached down to ruffle his cap of dark hair playfully. "Oh that's right," MJ grinned wickedly, his dark eyes twinkling wildly with mischief, "You're getting old, and old people don't always remember too good. My dad told me." I'm sure your dad's told you lots of things," Ivy shot back, "but you seemed to have forgotten the MOST important thing. NEVER discuss a lady's age in front of her." "You're not a lady," MJ snickered, "You're just Cristian's aunt Ivy." Beth stepped back into the kitchen, a slight smile gracing her lips at the scene she'd just left. "They're in the living room looking at pictures with your mother.MJ's trading insults with Ivy.No. They're having fun.I think so. He seems.The poor little guy.He just really misses them.It's so unfair.I know Sheridan and Luis are doing the best they can in a terrible, complicated situation, Ethan, but he's just a little boy. A sweet little boy who has every reason to complain, but he doesn't." Beth took a seat at the kitchen table, releasing a sigh as she listened to Ethan defend his aunt on the other end. "Ethan, I'm not attacking Sheridan.Good. It's good to know you know that.I'll tell Cristian.I won't forget.How IS Sheridan?.They decided not to.Luis agreed?.At least 85%.Did Sheridan's doctor tell you that or did Eve?.She's not an OB-GYN, Ethan.What if she's not a match? Will all this be worth it?.Dr. Taylor seems to think so.Did he say where the hell he's been?.Luis is NOT going to be happy to see him.No, he'll just wait and kill him AFTER he's saved Ali's life.Bye, Ethan.Call us with any news." Beth removed the phone from her ear and punched the off button, rising from her chair and walking back into the living room. "Beth," Ivy looked up from a childhood photo of Sheridan she'd found tucked away in the album's overflowing pages, "Was that Ethan on the phone? What did he say?" Beth crouched down in front of the sofa and looked into Cristian's trusting dark eyes for several seconds, searching for the right words to let him know what was going on with his mother and his sisters without scaring him. The picture in Cristian's little hands caught her eye, and she held her hand out to him. "May I?" Cristian handed the photo to her without hesitation. "That's your mommy, isn't it?" Beth asked, tracing the image of the tearful little blond, maybe three years old, sitting on some steps with the skirt of her soft pink summer dress pulled up to reveal a skinned knee. Cristian nodded affirmatively and pointed to the dark-haired little boy holding Sheridan's hand tightly, "That's Daddy." "He's always taken care of her, hasn't he?" Beth breathed. "And he always will, Darling," Ivy added, giving her little nephew a smile of reassurance. "We know something's wrong," MJ blurted suddenly, "Just because I'm in the first grade doesn't mean I'm stupid. Neither is he. Tell them, Cristian." "Nothing's wrong," Beth spoke up, giving MJ a look of warning when he started to interrupt her, "MJ, let me finish, okay?" MJ crossed his arms over his chest and complied reluctantly. "Cristian, there's no reason to worry about your mommy. Your daddy's with her, and he's taking the best care of her." "But she missed it," Cristian frowned. "She promised to always call me when I wake up, and she didn't today. She promised, and she forgot." "She didn't forget, Cristian," Beth told him, "She gave Ethan a message for you, and Ethan told it to me just a few minutes ago. She said she loves you, and she's so sorry she missed your date, but she's been very busy. How do you feel about becoming a big brother today, Cristian?" "The baby? Mommy's having our baby?" Cristian asked, big brown eyes wide with surprise. Beth smiled at his expression and his use of 'our' and nodded. "Yes, Cristian. Your little sister's on her way." "But we're not ready yet," Cristian worried, "Me and Aunt Theresa don't have her nursery finished, and Ali's not home. Ali was supposed to be home before the baby came." "We'll all help finish the nursery, and Ali.Ali will be home, Kiddo," Beth said, taking a leap of faith. "Your baby sister's early, Cristian, and she's going to be very small," Ivy interjected, "Much smaller than you or Ali or MJ were when you were babies. She's going to have to stay in the hospital for a while so the doctors and nurses can watch over her and take care of her." "Is she even going to look like a baby?" MJ muttered, fidgeting uncomfortably at Ivy's side. "Of course she is," Beth answered him, "She'll be beautiful if she looks anything like you, Cristian, or Ali." The compliment made Cristian blush, and MJ scoffed. "I'm not chopped liver. I'm the cousin, and if she looks anything like ME, she's going to be the most beautifulest baby in the world." Both women laughed, and Ivy shook her head as she cast another glance down at MJ. "Such modesty.you're going to be a real lady killer when you grow up." MJ frowned. He wasn't sure what Mrs. Crane meant, but it sure didn't sound good. And those blue eyes of hers were laughing at him. "I'm going to tell my dad what you said." "Go ahead, Dear," Ivy smirked, "I don't mind." MJ glared back at her in response. "Beth," Cristian questioned in soft uncertainty, "Will you take me to the hospital so I can see Mommy? Please." Beth cupped her palm against Cristian's silky cheek before speaking, "You can't visit her yet, Sweetie, but Ethan's going to call us when you can. In the meantime I want you to go help MJ pack up his stuff. His grandma's coming by to pick him up for Joshua's therapy session." MJ slid off the sofa and tugged Cristian along with him before Beth had a chance to say anything else, but not before one last parting shot at Ivy. "It's not polite to stick your tongue out at ladies, MJ!" Ivy called after him, "Especially OLD ladies like me!" Beth stood up and dropped gracelessly onto the sofa beside Ivy. "That went better than expected. At least he's not in tears." "Nonsense," Ivy gave Beth's knee a friendly pat, "You're good with children, Beth. You and Ethan should consider having one of your own." Beth plucked the forgotten photograph of Sheridan and Luis as children from Ivy's hands and studied it intently, avoiding her mother-in-law's inquisitive blue green gaze. "If only I'd seen this years ago.I spent years pining after Luis, when his heart was probably hers all along. If they knew each other as children, why didn't they recognize each other when Sheridan returned to Harmony?" Ivy contemplated Beth's question. "Sheridan only has vague memories of her childhood before Alistair sent her to Paris. The majority of it was so unhappy. The other boy in the picture," Ivy changed the subject with a soft sigh, "The older one, kneeling in front of Sheridan." "That's Antonio. You remember him, don't you? There should be some more pictures in here somewhere.some you'll recognize." Beth murmured, flipping through the album to look for more pictures of Antonio. A horn sounded outside, and she transferred the album to Ivy and got up. "MJ! Your grandma's outside! You better hurry!" Beth said as she shooed him out the front door, chafing her hands over the legs of her jeans before she walked back to the sofa and peered over Ivy's shoulder. "That one," Beth pointed to a photo in the top right corner, "That picture was taken the day before Antonio disappeared. He always looked so serious in pictures. I don't think he ever smiled for the camera." Beth's voice, and then Cristian's, faded to the background as the sound of Ivy's accelerated heartbeat filled her ears, and her mind raced with questions. The pair of piercing dark eyes, now achingly familiar, stared at her unblinkingly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "I want someone on standby to collect the blood as soon as that baby's born.There's a nurse.Katie.Yes, that's her.Tell her to prepare Ali for the procedure, answer any questions she has and reassure her that this procedure is nothing to be scared about.Are there anymore signs of infection?.Run some more tests. Double check. Triple check.I want you to make damned sure her body's not going to.Yes, Matthews.I trust your capabilities as a physician.Maybe I AM a little too personally involved, but I don't give a damn. That little girl deserves every chance to live a long, happy life, and my desire to give her that life has nothing to do with whatever feelings, as you say, I may have for her mother. It has EVERYTHING to do with Ali herself. She's a very special little girl.We're about 45 minutes out of Harmony. Another 5 or 10 minutes to stop for gasoline.I'm there now.I'm trusting you, Matthews. Don't let me down," Nick's last words to his colleague held a bit of warning as he ended their conversation. He cursed under his breath as his cell phone slipped from his fingers, sliding back and forth across the floorboard as he swerved into the turning lane that led to the gas station at the last minute. He pulled the SUV up to the nearest available pump and parked it. "Abby? We're at the gas station, Abby, do you need anything?" Nick asked as he cracked open the driver's side door and prepared to get out. "Abby?" he repeated, reaching a hand out to gently cup her jaw. Abby didn't stir, the smallest whimper, barely audible, escaping her lips at the tender brush of his knuckles across her cheek. Nick smiled and leaned across the distance separating them to press his lips against her smooth temple. "Has anybody ever told you you're beautiful when you're sleeping?" The words slipped out before he could stop them, but he didn't negate them. He was surprised to find he didn't want to do anything of the sort. "Don't go anywhere.I'll be right back," he promised, opening and closing his door quietly. "Once," Abby whispered softly into the silence created by his exit. Her hazel eyes fluttered open as she shifted in the passenger seat, and one look into the rear-view mirror confirmed what she already knew. They were brimming with unshed tears, put there by a dream, a nightmare, that had been visiting her dreams with increasing frequency the past few weeks. It'd been ten years, and she could still see the rage in his eyes and the hard clench of jaw as he confronted her that fateful night. She closed her eyes, and a single crystal tear tracked down her cheek as she remembered. His breath smelled like whiskey when he grabbed her and kissed her, forcefully and hard. ~@~@~@~@~@~@~
"Vincent!" Abby's palms, pushing against his lean, muscled chest, were as ineffectual as an ant trying to push a boulder up a hill. Vincent's hands gripped and pawed at the heavy winter jacket she'd worn for her walk, and his mouth was hard, bruising, on her lips as he crushed it to hers repeatedly, cutting off her protests. "Vin.Vincent, stop." Abby cried, tears of pain springing to her hazel eyes as she felt Vincent's long fingers clench in her long tawny hair and yank her head back. His eyes were wild and crazed, but it wasn't just the effects of the drugs and alcohol she knew to be in his system driving his madness. He knew. She could see it in his eyes, and the lecherous expression twisting his lips into ugliness made her heart sink. "You mean you're not happy to see me, Sweetheart? Come on, now. I'm your husband. You haven't seen me for months, and this is the welcome I get." Abby winced as his fingers tightened in her hair, and he shoved her body harder against the wall, pinning her there and not allowing her to move. "Vincent, I'm tired. I don't feel like making love. Please, let go of me. You're hurting me." "I'm hurting you? I'm sorry, Sweetheart. A husband should never lay a hand on his wife," Vincent said, as his fingers slipped from her hair, and he trailed his lips down her jawline, his fingers slipping the buttons of her black winter jacket free. "Vincent, no," Abby sobbed as he jerked the material from her shoulders, and his wild eyes grew even wilder as they gave her body a brief once-over, his fingers digging painfully into the tender skin of her upper arm. "But he can do whatever the hell he wants to a cheating whore like you," he growled, his eyes going cold and dead as he raised his fist in the air. She felt the metal tang of blood on her tongue as the world shifted on its axis, and she fell to the floor, Vincent's heavy body straddling her waist as he raised his fists again and again until she felt consciousness begin to slip away from her. His breath reeked of whiskey as he pressed his cheek against hers and whispered into her ear. "You've always been so beautiful when you sleep, Sweetheart." ~@~@~@~@~@~@~
"Abby? Abby, are you okay?" Nick's voice was filled with concern as he took her in his arms and gently stroked her tawny hair. "Abby, talk to me," Nick pleaded, burying his nose into her sweet-smelling hair and wrapping his arms around her protectively as she sobbed against his shoulder. "You were fine when I left. You were sleeping. What happened? If you're upset about Ali, don't be. I'm going to do everything within my power to make her better. There's an excellent chance that the baby's a perfect match. It's all coming together, Abby. I can feel it. This isn't going to be Josh all over again. I'm going to save her, Abby, and Sheridan and Luis are going to have two of the most beautiful little girls to hold and love for the rest of their lives.Do you believe me, Abby?" Abby pulled back slowly, her hazel eyes glittering as her fingers lovingly traced his handsome features, and she nodded her tawny head. "I believe you, Gray Eyes." She poured her whole heart into the kiss she bestowed upon his lips, lingering and sweet, so much different than any kiss she'd ever given or received before. And her words were spoken with raw honesty because her heart loved him, even if the crazy little voice inside her head pleaded with her not to make the frightening leap again. But it was different this time. Different than Vincent. Different than anybody else. "You have all my trust and my faith." "Why?" Nick asked simply, his gray eyes clouding with confusion, "Abby, I don't think." Abby hushed him with a finger to his lips and answered him with a tearful smile. "I love you, Gray Eyes. It's as simple as that."
Chapter 84
"If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask," Katie smiled as she bent to kiss Ali's cheek. Ali's blue eyes sparkled as she slid her arms around Katie's neck and offered her a sweet smile. "Thank you, Katie." Katie cradled Ali close, and she pressed her lips against Ali's forehead. "No 'thank you's' necessary, Sweetie. I love you. Like you were my own little girl. Do you think your mommy and daddy would let me adopt you?" she teased. "No," Ali giggled as Katie carefully lay her back against the pillows and tapped the tip of her nose with her index finger. "But they'd let me adopt you. 'Cause I love you bunches." Katie laughed softly and laced her fingers through Ali's, resting their hands on her lap. "Are you excited about the new baby?" Katie asked, watching Ali's pretty little features blossom into a beautiful smile. "Uh huh. I had a dream about her last night." Katie's green eyes widened in surprise, "You did? What happened in your dream, Sweetie?" Ali's voice was soft and wistful as she described her dream to the last detail. Martin gently eased the door shut on his young granddaughter and Katie and looked down at the young boy shuffling his sneakered feet anxiously beside him. "I think we should come back later." "But Mr. Fitzgerald," Jake protested. "Ali's not going anywhere, Young Bennett," Martin gave the boy a twinkling smile. "Join me for a cup of hot cocoa. I think Miguel needs a break from those sisters of yours anyway." "Okay," Jake muttered, "but I'm going in and seeing her as soon as we get back." Martin chuckled at Jake's single-mindedness as he placed a firm, guiding hand on his shoulder. "I think it's about time for us to have a little talk about your intentions toward my granddaughter, don't you?" Jake's brown eyes grew round, and he gulped hard before shooting Martin an annoyed glare and shrugging away from his touch. Miguel's expression of ultimate relief when Jake told Emily and Sara about his invitation only made Martin laugh harder. Emmy slid her little hand in Martin's, her favorite doll tucked beneath her other arm, and gazed up at him with curious brown eyes as they trekked down the hall toward the elevators, "What does Miguel mean, Mr. Fitz? Does he owe you money?" Jake snickered at his sister's innocent question, and Sara echoed his naughty laughter even though she was just as confused as Emily. Martin sidestepped the child's question with a question of his own, "How many marshmallows do you want in your cocoa, Miss Emily?" "The whole bag!" Emmy exclaimed with a giggle as Martin swept her up in his arms and stepped inside the open elevator. "I get to push the buttons!" Sara cried triumphantly, hurriedly pushing the buttons to various floors before Jake could stop her. "Great, Sara," Jake grumbled, crossing his arms and rolling his brown eyes at her childishness, "We'll make it to the moon before we ever get to the cafeteria. You're such a baby sometimes." "Take it back," Sara demanded with an angry pout. "No way," Jake shot back stubbornly. Emmy patted Martin's cheek, anxiety making her brown eyes well, "Mr. Fitz? Are we really going to the moon?" Martin sighed when the elevator doors opened at the first of the many floors they would be visiting before hot cocoa ever became a reality and wondered for the first time if this had been such a great idea after all.
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"Here, Babe," Hank said softly as he handed Gwen one of the steaming cups of coffee he'd picked up from the Book Café on his way over, "I figured you needed the real stuff." Gwen smiled up at him as she wrapped her hands around the cup, absorbing the warmth it emitted. "Bennett? Where are the girls?" A slow grin tugged at the corners of Hank's mouth, "Oh, they're around." "Oh God," Gwen groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. "You brought them with you, didn't you? And you actually let them out of your sight? Hank, do you have any idea how much trouble Sara can get herself into inside this hospital? She'll probably beg an orderly to re-enact that commercial. You know.the old one with the York peppermint patties." Hank chuckled, "You know that does look like fun. They're downstairs harassing Miguel. Does that make you feel better?" "No," Gwen said, unable to resist returning his smile. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his gently. "Thanks, Bennett." "For the coffee? Sure, Babe," Hank said, sliding his fingers through hers and giving her hand a small squeeze. "For impregnating me with the world's first clone, and doing it a second and.and doing it a second time," she laughed as she twined her arms around his neck. "They're really happy," Ethan murmured, and Theresa slowly turned back to look at him. "Yes, they are," she agreed. "I think it's great that they found each other. Fate couldn't have brought two more different people together, but they're perfect for each other." Ethan's blue eyes danced as he studied her face, and he smiled. "I thought you didn't believe in Fate anymore, Theresa. What changed your mind?" Theresa wore a thoughtful expression as she pondered his question. "I don't know really. I just feel I'm where I'm supposed to be in my life now, with the person I'm supposed to be with. Does that make sense?" "Perfect Theresa sense," Ethan teased, watching her brown eyes and face light up with happiness as she looked ahead of her, and the sound of steady, approaching footsteps reached his consciousness at the exact moment that he realized there was only one person who could make her smile like that. Theresa was out of her chair and wrapped around Chad in the blink of an eye. "Chad! I'm so glad you're here!" Chad let his suitcase slip to the floor and wrapped his arms more firmly around her, nuzzling her dark hair. "You know I'd do anything for my girls, T-girl. And you and Auntie and Squirt are my girls. How is she, Girl?" Theresa reached down for Chad's hand and waited for him to retrieve his suitcase before she led him toward the stretch of vacant chairs to Ethan's right. "She's good. She seems a little scared, but she's got Mama and Luis in there with her talking her through it." "What about Squirt?" Theresa smiled at the old nickname. "Papa said Katie talked to Ali and told her how the baby's cord blood was going to give her the same cells she would have gotten from Cristian's bone marrow, and she was fine with it as soon as Katie assured her it wouldn't scare or hurt the baby." 'That's my girl," Chad grinned proudly, "So Auntie's been at this how long?" "Since last night," Theresa told him, "but she only told Luis about it this morning." "Stubborn," Chad shook his head. "I'm surrounded by stubborn women."
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"Dammit, Sheridan," Luis swore softly as he felt her fingers tighten around his hand as another, more intense contraction struck, "You always have to do things the hard way, don't you?" Pilar watched the monitors with a small smile on her lips. "I think this is another.pot.and kettle.moment," Sheridan panted, relaxing her hold on both Luis's and Pilar's hands as the contraction ended. "We have those pretty regular, don't we?" Luis teased, brushing her damp blond hair back from her forehead, and Sheridan's blue eyes sparkled at the knowing smirk Pilar failed to hide. "How much fun would it be if we agreed all the time?" Sheridan leaned into Luis's touch. She winced as she felt the tightening begin again in her abdomen and another contraction started to creep up on her. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she was left gasping at the unexpected intensity of the pain. "Eve?" Pilar looked up when Eve entered the room, along with Sheridan's doctor and a nurse. "Sheridan," Eve spoke soothingly, staring unflinchingly into Sheridan's blue eyes, "before you ask, your baby's doing fine. Her heart rate's normal, and everything we know at this point is encouraging, but." "Sheridan," the woman beside Eve interrupted, "She's coming. We know that. It's too late to stop her now. But she's taking a long time to get here, and." "We want to perform a C-section, Sheridan," Eve jumped in, " Get the baby out, start strengthening her lungs.she's got a long road ahead of her. It's up to you. I can tell you, though, that at the first sign of distress, an emergency C-section will be performed anyway." Sheridan searched Luis's dark eyes and found her answer. "Do it." "Lisa," the OB-GYN turned to the young nurse, "Get Sheridan prepped and ready. Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald.I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Pilar bent at the waist to press cool lips against Sheridan's forehead in a motherly kiss, and gave Luis a reassuring smile as she followed Eve outside. "Mijo.Mija.everything's going to be fine." Sheridan closed her eyes with a tired sigh. All they could do was hope.
Chapter 85 "There," Nick murmured, placing the newly fluffed pillow back behind Ali's head, "that should do it. All comfy now, Ali?" Ali tucked her bunny close to her heart and nodded her head slowly, a bit worn out by the events of the long day. Excitement and hope still shone brightly in her pretty blue eyes though, and those emotions made Nick's heart swell to capacity. He lifted a hand to Ali's smooth cheek, and the corners of Ali's pink mouth curved upward gently with his softly spoken whisper. "You're very important to me, Ali. Do you know that?" Ali's blue eyes sparkled in the dimly lit hospital room as she nuzzled one of her bunny's long pink ears, hiding the flash of her pearly teeth at his comment. "Ali, I'm sorry for not being here. I'm sorry for leaving and." Ali laced her small fingers through Nick's much larger ones. "It's okay, Dr. Nick. I'm not scared. Not anymore. Really," she told him reassuringly as he pressed his lips to the palm of the tiny hand cradled in his and offered her a smile of disbelief as he felt some of the weight of his guilt slowly start to lift off of his shoulders. She was so brave. Much braver than he, Nick ruminated silently, remembering Abby's shocking disclosure more than an hour earlier and his reaction. His lack of reaction really. He'd made a mistake. A really big mistake, and he wasn't sure how to fix it. "Are you sad about Molly, Dr. Nick?" Ali questioned innocently. "She was a very nice lady. She took care of my mommy and loved her when me and Daddy thought she was in Heaven just like you did. And she always hugged me like I was a teddy bear," Ali revealed with twinkling blue eyes. Missing Molly was only partly to blame, Nick answered the little girl in his mind, but he nodded anyway. "I still miss Aunt Kay," Ali whispered softly. "I'm sure you do," Nick sighed, stroking the baby soft skin at Ali's wrists with the pads of his thumbs. "Your aunt Kay was a crazy, wonderful lady," he said with a chuckle. "I wish I'd had the chance to get to know her better." Ali's blue eyes were understanding and full of compassion, and it struck Nick in that precise moment that the little girl in front of him had already lived a more tumultuous life in her short nine years than many people three times her age. "Aunt Kay's my guardian angel," Ali divulged quietly. "I dream about her all the time, and she shows me the most wonderful things." "What are these wonderful things she shows you, Ali?" Nick prodded gently. "Last night she showed me the future," Ali smiled brightly. "Last night she showed me Hope."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Theresa paced the halls restlessly while Chad looked on, his expression a hybrid of an amused smirk and his own worry. "Theresa.Girl, you're makin' my head spin. Come sit down. Talk to me. All that walkin' ain't gonna make that baby come any faster." Theresa plopped heavily down beside him with an exasperated sigh, glowering when his amused laughter rang in her ears a second later. "Don't, Chad. Don't say it. I can't help it. Neither could you. You know you'll be ten times worse when it's me in there!" Theresa blurted, brown eyes going comically wide when she realized exactly what she'd said. Her hands flapped frantically in the air as she tried to form two sensible words, and Chad's dark brow only inched higher on his forehead, his smirk oddly infuriating to her. "I mean.I mean.oh, Chad, you know what I mean," Theresa groaned, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment. Chad gently pried Theresa's hands from her face, forcing her to meet his eyes with a finger to her chin. His dark eyes danced happily as he teasingly asked her, "What DO you mean, T-girl? You sayin' you want to have babies with me?" Theresa huffed in irritation and rolled her big brown eyes at his annoying teasing. "You don't think I've grown up enough to be a mother, do you?" Chad grinned, obviously deciding silence on the matter was his best bet. "If Hank can do it," Theresa began, only to be cut off by Chad's helpless laughter. "If Hank can do it, I KNOW I can," Theresa grumbled as Chad pulled her into his arms and smoothed her hair back from her face. "Yeah, but he's got Gwen to keep him in line," Chad chuckled. "I have you," Theresa retorted, triumph glistening in her brown eyes. "When do we start?" Chad smirked. "Well," Theresa said somewhat shyly, her fingers playing with his collar, "We should get married first."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "What's the matter, Babe?" Hank grinned as he watched his wife shake her golden blond head, first at Theresa and Chad in the far corner then at Beth and Ethan stepping onto the elevator down the hall, "Having another 'Twilight Zone' moment?" Cristian looked up to Hank curiously. "Harmony's not like other towns," Hank said simply, chuckling when he realized the confusion hadn't left the youngster's enormous brown eyes. "You like Beth, don't you?" Hank changed the subject. "Yeah," Cristian answered softly. "She's nice." "Really nice," Hank agreed, "Did you know she's been friends with me and your dad since before we knew how to tie our shoestrings? Well, your dad knew how to, but he always was ahead of the game.guess that's why he always got the girl. What, Babe?" Hank demanded of his wife when she failed to hide the roll of her brown eyes from him. "As I was saying," Hank turned back to Cristian, "I've known Beth a long time. It's not such a big surprise you like her. Now, as for those 'Twilight Zone' moments we were discussing earlier." "Bennett," Gwen interrupted. "You realize we haven't heard from Martin or the kids in over an hour, don't you? I'm worried about Martin." "Don't worry, Babe," Hank quipped. "This place isn't exactly swarming with brown uniforms yet." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You're not going to find her Mr. Fitz," Emmy worried. "Sara always wins Hide and Seek." Martin glanced down at Jake, and the young boy hurriedly wiped the smirk off of his face. "She's telling the truth, Mr. Fitzgerald. Dad had to call Uncle Sam one time because he lost her. She was hiding in the laundry room underneath a pile of Dad's smelly clothes," Jake grinned wickedly. "It was the perfect hiding place. Dad hates to do laundry. Maybe we should call Uncle Sam now," Jake suggested. "I think we can manage fine on our own, Young Bennett," Martin declined, setting Emmy on her feet with a groan. "Don't let go of my hand, Lass. We'll find your sister, and when we do." Jake rolled his brown eyes good- naturedly. Mr. Fitzgerald reminded him an awful lot of Uncle Luis when he refused to call Uncle Sam. What was that word Mom was always calling Ali's mom and dad? The word escaped him at the moment, but Jake was sure his mom would call Mr. Fitzgerald the same thing if she were here right now. Grown- ups were more mixed-up than kids if you asked him. He followed Martin and Emmy, her favorite doll trailing behind her forlornly, to the thousandth nurses' desk they'd visited in the last hour and tried to hold his laughter in when the nurse told them about a doctor's missing lab coat. Wherever Sara was, he bet she was having WAY more fun than he was.
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Sara giggled mischievously as she scampered through the hall, brown eyes darting back and forth and keeping a look-out for the mean-looking man from the picture attached to the long white coat she had borrowed. Her mouth fell open in surprise when she saw Abby standing at the end of the long hallway, looking into some kind of window. Sara frowned when she realized Abby seemed sad, and she started to creep forward in concern when she heard a noise behind her. She gasped and scrambled behind a row of chairs when a woman she recognized as Ivy Crane strode purposefully past her, heading straight for Abby. Thoughts of the trouble she'd be in if Ivy or Abby caught her had Sara fleeing down the hall as soon as she knew neither woman was watching.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Abby lifted a shaky hand to the clear window, pressing her forehead against the glass as her hazel eyes flitted over the row of bassinets holding the tiny, precious lives. The corners of her mouth quirked upward in a wistful smile as she watched one baby in particular. With its head full of dark hair and long black lashes resting against skin of perfect olive tones, the squirming child was a picture of hauntingly familiar beauty. Unshed tears clung to her pale lashes when she whipped her head around at the sound of Ivy's approaching footsteps, and she rubbed at her hazel eyes with the back of her hand in slight embarrassment. Abby laughed awkwardly as Ivy's penetrating stare went on and on, wrapping her arms around her waist protectively. "One of the horrors of PMS. Brings out my inner emotional sap. They're all so beautiful. That one.that one there," she pointed toward the now squalling infant that'd captured her attention earlier. "She's somewhat what I imagine the new baby to look like.Ivy?" Abby's hazel eyes snapped back to Ivy's disconcertingly calm face in astonishment as she took the picture Ivy held out to her. "Where did you.what are you doing with this? It's mine. What are you doing with my picture?" Ivy's blue-green eyes were suddenly cold and the tone of her voice sent chills of apprehension down Abby's spine. "How do you know this man? How long have you known Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald?"