Authors Note: This is chapter two, I have no title for it, if you have an idea please suggest it. Thankx to Michelle Drake and KT for editing this, no you can't have chapter three until Monday. Yes I'm the devil's daughter. Also a lot of people have pointed out to me that after quotes I put a comma instead of a period. I.E. "Hi, lets go," Said Me. I know that a comma is correct but on my own planet where I'm the queen my way is right. (It's just my writing style.) Also please read "The Happiest Day Of Her Life" It goes with this story and "Secrets"
Summary Of Secrets: Everyone has secrets, and Tyler is no exception.
Disclaimer: You know the drill.
Chapter Two
"This is my daughter Lindsey. Lindsey, that's Val, Caitie, and Jamie." Tyler said as he pointed out each person. "Why don't you go and watch cartoons on TV, alright?" Said Tyler, he didn't want Lindsey to overhear the conversation. She got up and disappeared into the living room. "Now, what the hell was your whole 'I guess we know what you've been up to since high school' comment supposed to mean?" Demanded Tyler, he was angry. Val was surprised that in a split second his voice could go from kind and caring when talking to Lindsey, to hateful and angry when he was yelling at Jamie.
"Tyler, I think it's obvious what you've done." Said Caitie disgusted with him.
"No, it's not." Replied Brooke. "Let him explain."
"I don't want to. See I was under the impression that we were friends back in high school and if they're gonna jump to conclusions without even bothering to ask me about it, then I'm not gonna bother to correct their way of thinking about whatever the hell they think I did." Said Tyler angrily, speaking more to Caitie and Jamie then to Brooke.
"Isn't it more of a question of who?" Jamie snapped. "Besides, aren't friends supposed to let their friends know where they are and write a letter or an E-mail instead of just disappearing off to another god damn continent?"
"Thanks for dinner, it was great. Lindsey and I had better get going. Bye Brooke, Hank. It was good to see you again Val." Said Tyler as if he hadn't heard Jamie.
"Come by tomorrow at noon and we can start planning."
"Sure, that sounds like a plan." Replied Tyler. "I'll be here by noon."
"I hate to say it Brooke, but I'd better get going too." Agreed Hank
"Okay, I'll walk you out." Said Brooke.
"Why didn't you tell Val that Tyler was back?" Asked Hank.
"She was still so depressed about Kain. I didn't think she would have believed me, I also didn't think she would come if she knew he was here."
"I still think you should have told her." Said Hank.
"And I think we should drop this conversation. We're getting married in less than two weeks and I don't want to fight." Said Brooke realizing that this conversation was going nowhere.
"I don't either. I love you."
"I love you too." Said Brooke. She leaned in and kissed Hank. "Do you really have to leave?"
"Yeah." Replied Hank regretfully.
"Do you really want to leave?" Brooke tried again.
"No." Hank answered truthfully.
"Well why do you have to leave?"
"I promised my Dad we'd do something tonight. I think that he thinks I'm going to forget about him once we get married."
"I highly doubt that will happen anytime soon." Brooke reassured him. This time Hank leaned in and kissed Brooke. The kiss was just getting good when Val walked by.
"Oh, sorry. I just wanted to get my bags. What happened to leaving?" Asked Val
"I was just doing just that." Replied Hank.
"That's okay. You can stay as long as you want. I just wanted to get my bags. Mom told me I'm in your room with you." Said Val directing her statement toward Brooke.
"Yep." Replied Brooke happily.
"Well, I'll talk to you later. I'll let you get back to whatever it was you were doing." Val picked up her three bags and disappeared up the steps to Brooke's room.
"I'm wondering why Tyler didn't want to tell anyone about Lindsey." Said Hank when Val was out of hearing distance.
"I'm not sure why. Maybe it's still too painful."
* * *
"Where to?" Asked Tyler when he, Hank, Val, and Brooke were getting in the car to go shopping.
"First we're ordering the flowers, then the cake, then you're meeting the guys to get fitted for tuxes while we all get fitted for dresses." Explained Brooke.
"What colors?" Asked Val.
"White and burgundy. We're getting white daisies and red roses so they'll match the dresses."
"Three guesses who planned most of everything." Challenged Hank knowing full well that that everyone knew that it was Brooke.
"It shouldn't take that long for flowers." Brooke informed the group as they stepped into the flower shop. In reality it took them almost an hour to find the right flower arrangements that were in their budget.
"Now, the perfect cake." Said Hank.
"As long as it's got a ton of frosting and chocolate I'll be happy." Said Brooke. Before they had left Hank had pulled Val aside and asked her if she still wanted to go with them and that he and Brooke would understand if she didn't. That he admired her for even coming, he knew how much she must be hurting. She responded by saying that she wanted to go. And that was the truth. But that he couldn't know how much it hurt, but she appreciated his concern for her feelings.
"This cake is perfect!" Exclaimed Brooke for the tenth time that afternoon.
"That's what you've said about every cake we've seen Shorty." Said Tyler using his old nickname for her.
"Hey, I'm almost as tall as you are." Said Brooke. "And this cake is perfect." The cake was a three layer cake that had white butter cream frosting and red sugar roses.
"If you want it, it's yours." Said Hank.
"Oh my god, thank you." Said Brooke giving him a hug. "I love you even more now."
"I love you more."
"That's sickening." Muttered Tyler.
"Well I think it's sweet." Countered Val. "Sweet enough to rot your teeth, but it's still sweet."
"Fine, I'll compromise. It's sickeningly sweet."
"Deal." Said Val holding out her hand for Tyler to shake. He shook it. His hand was warm and Val felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her hand. She quickly jerked her hand away.
Tyler did the same. "Brooke, it's almost two. What time do we have to be at the bridal shop?" Said Val, turning her attention to Brooke and away from Tyler.
"Not until two fifteen, we've still got twenty minutes." Said Brooke checking her watch.
"It's always good to be early though. Besides isn't dress shopping the best part?" Asked Val grinning.
"Yeah. Lets go. We're meeting Jen, Amy, Nicole, Ryan, Jeff, and Nick."
"I know who Nick is, but who are Ryan and Jeff?"
"They're friends of Hank's from college. They're both really nice. I think you'll like them."
When they got the bridal shop they saw Jen, Nick, and a guy that Val didn't recognize standing outside.
"Brooke!" Screeched Jen. Val winced and groaned, she knew how Brooke and her friends could get when they were together and excited. This was one of those times.
"Val, you know Jen and Nick. This is Ryan." Brooke gestured to the guy standing there, he had bleached blonde spiked hair and blue eyes. 'Cute.' Thought Val. She immediately felt disloyal to Kain.
"Hi, I'm Val, Brooke's sister." Val shook Ryan's hand, which he held out to her. The effect of touching his hand was nothing like she had felt when she's shook Tyler's.
Amy and Nicole got there five minutes later followed quickly by Jeff. Val was introduced to him. He too had spiked bleached blonde hair, but he had brown eyes instead of blue.
"Brooke, have you got any special dresses picked out yet? Or were you waiting for your older, more experienced sister's advice?"
"I've got three dresses in mind but I'll need your help in making a final decision." Replied Brooke. "I'll need all your help, you know I can't make a decision this important by myself."
"You got engaged by yourself." Pointed out Jen.
"That wasn't a difficult decision to make." Said Brooke putting her arm around Hank's shoulder.
"It also helped that I proposed in a room with almost a hundred people in it. That way I was sure you'd say yes." Hank said with a laugh.
"You never told me how he proposed to you. I think you told me just about everything else about how you two got together, but I believe you forgot this little detail." Said Tyler sounding amused. Brooke and Hank both shot discreet looks at Val who shook her head no. Signaling that she hadn't told Tyler about Kain yet.
"Oh, it's not that big a deal. I asked, she said yes. We were in a restaurant, nothing big or fancy." Said Hank, brushing off the whole thing.
"It shouldn't take you very long to get fitted for tuxes, we've already picked out the style we want. We'll be looking for dresses. When you're done send Tyler to let us know." Said Brooke.
"Why do I have to go?" Protested Tyler. "Why can't we all just meet them there?"
"Because It's bad luck for the groom to see his bride in her wedding dress before the wedding." Said Val, she whacked Tyler over the head lightly with her hand. "I thought everyone knew that."
"No fighting, lets go or we're gonna be late." Said Brooke entering the store. The store was huge. There were two floors, the first floor had suits and tuxes. The second floor had colorful dresses hanging on the wall, Bridesmaids dresses, Prom dresses, and dresses for every other fancy occasion that could be thought of. The main part of the floor was filled with wedding dresses of all designs on mannequins.
"You must be Hank Beecham and Brooke Lanier. I'm Lillie Caldwell, I believe I spoke to you on the phone last week." She said with a strained grin on her face, almost as if she'd had one too many picky customers that day. Brooke made a mental note not to be overly critical of anything that day.
"Yes, we've decided on the tuxes we want, but we're still deciding on dresses." Said Brooke, ever the organized one.
"This is Mike Worthington, he'll take you down to get fitted for everything while you girls follow me." Lillie Caldwell gestured to a man that seemed to materialize at her side. Hank, Tyler, Nick, Jeff, and Ryan followed Mike to the elevator and disappeared behind the doors.
Brooke browsed through the dresses and found one of the ones that she'd had in mind. The dresses on display were for just that, display only. Brooke asked Lillie to bring the first dress out in her size. She showed Brooke to a dressing room the size of a small bathroom. Brooke quickly changed out of her clothes and into the dress. It took her ten minutes to get the dress on. She spun around in the dressing room, which had mirrors on three of the four sides. She admired the dress for ten minutes and she suddenly realized that she didn't like it as much as she had when she first saw it.
"Brooke, come on out and let us see." Called Nicole. Brooke opened the door and stepped out. The dress was floor length with a full skirt and silk white long sleeves.
"It's beautiful." Breathed Amy.
"I'm not sure." Replied Brooke carefully. "I don't think it's really me. It just doesn't seem right. It has to be perfect."
"That's completely understandable. Why don't you go out and look around. Take as long as you need." Suggested Lillie. Brooke disappeared into the dressing room and ten minutes later appeared in street clothes. Brooke and her friends looked around the store and found a few more dresses.
"What about this one?" Suggested Jen.
"Sure, why not?" Said Brooke, not really looking it over. Lillie went to where the dresses were stored and came back out with an armful of dresses. She hung them up on posts in front of the dressing rooms.
"I'll let you try these on. I'll be by the front desk, come find me when you're finished." Brooke disappeared into the dressing room again and Val handed her a dress over the top of the door. Brooke came out again and rejected this dress too. She did the same for all of the dresses. Val slumped down in the chair she had been sitting on.
"Hey, why don't you three go and return these and look for a few more dresses you think I'll like." When her friends were out of hearing range she turned to Val. "I'm sorry this is taking forever. Thank you."
"For what?"
"For everything. I know I don't know exactly how hard this is for you, but I loved Kain too. He was my brother in law. I know this took incredible strength for you to come here and help me plan this whole thing."
"Brooke, it doesn't matter. I wanted to be here. You'll know when I start to break down again. Sure, I'm remembering things, but they're good memories right now. And you're entitled to take as long as you want, you're the bride, it's your wedding. It should be perfect. Mine was."
"Would you do this again if you knew that this was how it would turn out?"
Val thought quietly for a minute. "Yeah, I would. Besides, I haven't completely lost Kain, you know. And I've got three years of memories with him. Almost all of them good. And we'll have a baby soon, even if he never got to know."
"Brooke, we've got three dresses you have got to like." Said Nicole breezing back to the dressing rooms, interrupting their conversation.
"Great, we've still got to find bridesmaids dresses too." Then Brooke got an idea. "Hey Val, you wanna try on one of the dresses? We're the same size still."
"No, I don't have to." Protested Val.
"Do it as a wedding gift for me. I won't take no for an answer. Back me up here guys."
"Yeah Val you should do it."
"It would make a great picture, the two of you."
"Saying no to Brooke is never an option." Said all of Brooke's friends at once.
"Alright, I'll do it." Said Val reluctantly.
* * *
It had taken longer to get fitted the they had originally thought. Tyler slowly took the stairs up to the second floor where the girls were. He wasn't sure why he chose the stairs, maybe force of habit, or maybe he just needed to stretch his legs. He'd been sitting for over an hour. He checked his watch- four thirty. He'd promised Lindsey he'd take her to the park today.
He felt bad, he'd had to leave her at Brooke's house with her parents. His parents would have baby-sat her for the day, but they had gotten tickets for a play that had been sold out for months. He'd told them to go and have a good time, that they didn't have to sacrifice their social lives for his daughter. Then Brooke's parents had offered to take her for the day. He'd accepted, knowing that she would have hated to come with them to all the places. He reached the dressing rooms. He instinctively knew which part of the store to go to because he'd heard the high pitched voices all screaming a variation of 'That's perfect!'
He followed their voices until he found them. What he saw shocked him. He saw not only Brooke in her dress, but Val in one too. Val was the only thing he could see, it was as if a spotlight was shining over her, drawing all of his attention to her. She turned around and caught him staring at her.
"What do you think? Brooke insisted that I try it on. I don't like it very much." Said Val, blushing a little bit.
"I think you look beautiful." Said Tyler.
"You always did know how to flatter someone." Val choked back a few tears. Val went into the dressing room and changed out of the dress before her tears would wreck it. Tyler had just unknowingly said the exact same thing Kain first had said to her when she'd reached him at the alter. She left the dressing room quickly and picked up her purse.
"Brooke, I'm sorry. I've got to go. That dress was perfect for you." Val managed to say. She felt hot tears form and threaten to fall. She blinked rapidly trying to keep them from falling. She wasn't sure she could stop them if she let them fall.
"I'll see you at home." Said Brooke, she sounded a little worried about Val.
"I told you you'd find the perfect dress after enough time." Said Val as if Brooke hadn't said anything.
"Are you okay?" Asked Brooke going with her instincts.
"I told you you'd know when I broke down again. I'm breaking down again." Val replied blinking back more tears.
"Here, take my car." Brooke tosses her the keys. Val tossed them back.
"I'd rather walk. Just pick out a dress style. You know my size. It's a beautiful day so far."
"Tyler, drive her home." Ordered Brooke.
"No!" Said Val forcefully. Brooke was being dense. Tyler looked a bit hurt. "I mean I'd just rather walk. I need to think about a few things. You know, clear my mind." Before anyone could say anything else Val had left the store.
* * *
Tyler wasted no time chasing after her. "Val wait!" Val pretended she didn't hear, if anything she quickened her pace. "Val, I know you can hear me. You were never very good at ignoring me." Val slowed down and waited for Tyler to catch up.
"What do you want?" She snapped.
"I want you to tell me what's wrong. Everyone else seems to know."
"Maybe if you'd have stayed around or at least kept in touch with anyone you would know, or maybe it never would have happened." Val knew the last part wasn't fair, that it wasn't right to blame Tyler for something he had no control over.
"I guess I deserved that." Said Tyler, wincing. "But you told me to go."
"No, I told you to do what made you happy. I didn't want you to ever regret not doing anything you wanted to. And mostly I didn't want you to resent me."
"I'll never resent you. And I never have. But right now I'm worried about you."
"Don't be. I'm fine." Protested Val.
"No. No you're not. The last time I saw you, you were happy. You may be pretending to be happy for Brooke's sake but I can still see it in your eyes how you really feel. I want to know why what I said upset you."
"Maybe if you'd have kept in touch with anyone you'd know. Everyone else has been there for me since day one."
"I guess I deserved that too. Can I give you a ride home. It's only a couple of miles."
"It's out of the way." Protested Val.
"No, I've got to go pick up Lindsey. Your parents offered to baby-sit her for today."
"If you don't mind me asking. What's the story with Lindsey, I've got a feeling there's more than meets the eye." Asked Val subtly shifting the subject off of her.
"If you tell me what's got you so upset, then I'll tell you about Lindsey." Promised Tyler.
"That's not fair." Said Val.
"It's life." Replied Tyler. "When you talk, I'll talk." His words would have been harsh if he hadn't of said them the way he did. Normally Val would have interpreted his words as insensitive, but the way Tyler said them was just the opposite.
"I don't think I'm ready to talk just yet. When I am, I'll let you know."
"Okay. Take your time."
"And please don't go to anyone else about this. They all know that if I want anyone to know I'll tell them." Requested Val.
"Okay, my car's this way." Answered Tyler, ending their conversation.
* * *
"Daddy!" Said Lindsey when Val and Tyler stepped into the kitchen. "I drew lots of pretty pictures." The table looked like it was covered with a colorful new tablecloth.
"I can see that sweetie." Tyler scooped her up and put her on his shoulders. "Why don't you show me all of them." Tyler lowered Lindsey to the ground and she scrambled over to where the pictures were sitting. Some were drawn with marker, some with crayon. Most of her pictures were of a tree with a sun shining down on top of it. In some pictures that grass was blue and the sky was yellow, while the sun was purple. Others were natural colors.
One drawing in particular stood out.
It had three stick people standing in front of a house. "What's this picture?" Asked Tyler.
"That's one of me, and you and mommy when we move to Min, Minnie, Minnie soda." Said Lindsey, stumbling over the word.
"Lindsey. Honey. You know it's just me and you going to Minnesota. Mommy would come with us if she could, but you need to remember that she can't." Said Tyler softy, obviously hurt.
"But I want her to be with us." Said Lindsey, her lower lip trembling.
"I want her with us too, and I know she wants to come with us." Lindsey was crying now.
"I want her."
"Honey, why don't you get your drawings together and then we can go and get dinner." Said Tyler after she had dried her eyes on his shirt sleeve.
"I want to go to the park." Lindsey said, stomping her foot on the ground.
"We can go tomorrow. It would be more fun. We can spend the whole day there. Me and you can pack a picnic lunch and eat it there." Suggested Tyler. Lindsey's face spread into a big grin.
"Promise?" She asked.
"Promise." Said Tyler, he held up his pinky finger and linked it with Lindsey's. They shook on it.
"Can Val come with us? She's pretty, I like her."
"What do you say? You can't argue with her. Believe me I've tried. Besides, this time she's right." Replied Tyler, extending the invitation to Val.
"I'd love to come. It is hard to argue with her. What's she right about?"
"That you're pretty." Said Tyler, hoping she wouldn't start to cry again.
"That's why I like her. Plus she's nice." Said Lindsey.
"That's one of the reason's I like her too." Whispered Tyler when he thought Val couldn't overhear. "I'll call you tomorrow morning." Said Tyler before he closed the door. Later that night Val was thinking about the afternoon. Brooke had picked out velvet burgundy bridesmaids dresses with spaghetti strap sleeves. They had bought the dresses that day. Brooke was getting a few things on her dress altered. And she was picking it up in a few days. There was a knock on her door just as she was about to get in bed.
"Come on in." Called Val as Caitie poked her head in the half open door.
"Hey. I wanted to see the dress." Said Caitie eagerly.
"It's on the closet door. Feel free to take a look." Caitie unzipped the bag it was hanging in to protect it from getting wrecked. "Where were you and Jamie today?"
"We went to a few clubs in a different town. It was fun. Did you have fun today?" Ah ha. That was what Caitie wanted.
"Yeah. It was okay. I held up better than I thought. Brooke convinced me to try on a few of the dresses she didn't like."
"Just like her to pass off her rejects to you. You don't seem happy about it."
"Too many memories for me I guess. Tyler saw me in the dress." Said Val.
"Is that supposed to be a problem?" Asked Caitie.
"He said I looked beautiful." Replied Val.
"Still not seeing the problem. If a guy said I was beautiful I'd be thrilled."
"He uses the exact same words Kain whispered to me right before he said his vows." Said Val quietly. "I couldn't hold it any longer. I almost broke down there." Caitie inhaled sharply at this.
"This is getting way to complicated." Commented Caitie.
"You're telling me. You're just a bystander." Countered Val.
"I've got to go, Jamie's attempting to cook right now. I'd better go help him if you like this house."
"Go on. It's late and I'm tired." Said Val emphasizing her statement with a yawn.
* * *
The next morning Val got up and staggered down to the kitchen at ten 0-clock the next morning.
"Sleep well?" Asked Her dad. He handed her a cup of coffee and the phone. "Tyler called for you three times this morning. I eventually had to tell him you'd call him."
"I slept fine." Lied Val. She picked up the cordless phone and went up to her room, taking the coffee with her. She quickly dialed the seven numbers that she knew so well. Seven numbers she knew she'd never forget.
"Hello."
"Hi, Mrs. Jenks. It's Val. Is Tyler there?" Said Val timidly.
"Hi Val. We've been over this, call me Daphne. Yes Tyler's here. How are you? I haven't talked to you for the longest time."
"I'm sure you've heard about everything from my parents." Said Val. "I'm about as good as I can be."
"It's understandable. Have you told Tyler yet?"
"No I haven't. It's hard enough telling someone you loved that you've moved on. Can I talk to him?"
"Oh, of course. I'm sorry, that's why you called. Just please consider telling him. It's hurting him, I can tell. He might understand on some level." Val heard Daphne Connell-Jenks calling for Tyler that he had a phone call, and a muffled quick conversation about who it was.
"Hey Val." Said Tyler picking up the phone.
"You called?"
"Yeah, you could say that. I was thinking we could go to the park around noon. I'll make lunch and you could bring dessert. I'll pick you up."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Agreed Val. "I'll be ready." They hung up and Val went back down to the kitchen to see if she could get part of the paper away from her dad.
* * *
By eleven thirty Val was ready. She had decided on bringing a half dozen store bought cupcakes and a can of frosting. It was all they had in their house that she'd had time to cook. And she didn't really cook it to begin with. Tyler pulled into her driveway ten minutes late.
"Sorry, Lindsey was helping me pack lunch today." Said Tyler as soon as she opened the door.
"I made a peanut butter and jelly picture on the floor." Said Lindsey proudly. Val had to laugh, she was picturing Tyler down on his hands and knees washing the floor. "Then I played slip-slide on the floor." Added Lindsey proudly, causing Val and Tyler to laugh.
"You've had quite a busy day already, are you sure you want to go to the park?"
"Yep." Said Lindsey. "I can do the monkey bars if I sit on Daddy's shoulders."
"Then you'll have to show me." Said Val. The park was a ten minute drive from Val's house. The minute they got there Lindsey ran straight for the swings.
"Push me Daddy." Commanded Lindsey. Tyler obeyed. Val sat on the swing next to Lindsey, rocking slowly back and forth. Before she knew what was happening Tyler had pushed her as high as he could and wasn't letting her go.
"Tyler Connell, let me go!" Shrieked Val.
"If you say so." He said, he ran out from beneath her letting her swing down.
"I'm hungry." Said Lindsey ten minutes later. Val, Tyler, and Lindsey all sat on the grass where Tyler had left his backpack. He pulled out three sandwiches, a few cans of soda, and a bag of tortilla chips. Val pulled out her cupcakes and frosting.
"Those sandwiches don't look like peanut butter and jelly."
"They're not." Said Tyler. "Our young artist here used all of everything to paint with. They're turkey."
"Fine with me. I'm starting with dessert first anyway." Val took a cupcake and spread the frosting on it. They ate quickly until the only thing left was the bag of chips and half the frosting. "You dare me to try it?" Asked Val holding up a chip and the frosting.
"Yep." Said Tyler knowing she would never eat frosting on a tortilla chip. He was wrong.
"Your turn. It's not that bad." Tyler timidly took a bite.
"You're weird. Is it some Minnesota thing, eating weird food combinations or something."
"Probably." Admitted Val. "Watch out then, you're moving there." Lindsey jumped up and ran towards the slide.
"Race you! Bet you can't catch me."
"Bet you I can!" Challenged Tyler. He raced after her. Val too jumped up. She immediately had to lean against the tree they were using for shade against the hot afternoon sun. "Val, are you okay? You look really pale." He said, turning around to see why she wasn't right there with him.
"I think I must have stood up too fast or something, I just got dizzy for a minute that's all. I'll be fine." And she was.
"Tyler, I think you make a really good dad." Said Val when they were waiting for Lindsey to slide down the slide.
"Thanks. That means a lot. You'll make a good mom someday too." Said Tyler, not knowing how close someday actually really was.
"How can you tell?"
"I see the way you act around Lindsey. You're really good with kids. You always have been."
"You know, I want a daughter someday." Said Val after Lindsey had gone back up in line for the slide again.
"I couldn't be happier with Lindsey, she's ninety percent angel, ten percent devil though."
"Aren't all kids?" Countered Val. "How old is Lindsey, I never asked."
"She's three." Lindsey came down the slide again.
* * *
"Honey, I think it's time for us to go." Said Tyler around five o-clock. Lindsey whined and somehow managed to get three more trips down the slide out of Tyler. Val went to go sit by their stuff. She put her hand down to catch her weight as she sat.
"Ouch!" She yelped when a sharp pain shot through her finger. Tyler looked over. "I think I cut my hand on a piece of glass." Said Val when she looked at her hand and saw a small drip of blood coming from her finger.
"Here, I've got something in my bag to stop the bleeding." Tyler was by her side in seconds, Lindsey not far behind. "Lindsey, go swing until I tell you to come back." Lindsey obeyed, thrilled that she got to play longer. Val held out her left hand for Tyler to fix. She hadn't even realized what was on her finger until Tyler saw it.
"That's a pretty ring. Where'd you get it." Tyler seemed more distant than he had a few minutes ago.
Val look down at her finger. "I, um, I found it and liked it. No one claimed it so it's mine." Said Val flustered. Tyler didn't say a word to her on the ride home.
* * *
"Someone's up early." Said Brooke when Val staggered down to the kitchen at eight o-clock a few days later.
"I'd still be in my comfortable bed if someone hadn't been listening to music at full blast this morning." Hinted Val.
"Sorry. I sleep through everything else. I've got a twenty four hour shift at the station today starting at nine. This is my last week working at the station as an EMT."
"Is that a good or bad thing?" Asked Val.
"Both. You should have seen the look on Alex's face when I told him I had to leave the squad a few weeks early. His first reaction was to demand an reason. No, 'it was good having you work for us Brooke.' No 'You've been working here since you were eleven.' No 'I don't know how we'll function without you.' Instead it was 'why do you have to leave early? And this had better be good.'"
"He better have thought your reason was a good one." Said Val.
"At first he didn't believe me when I told him I had to leave the squad because I'd be on my honeymoon. He nearly had a hissy fit."
"Now that would be worth seeing."
"Hey, what are you doing today?" Asked Brooke excitedly. "Because I've got the best idea."
"I originally planned on moping on the couch all day. Why don't you tell me what I'm going to do instead." Suggested Val.
"You're going to go upstairs and get ready quickly and you're coming with me to the station for the day. I think it's time to give Alex a heart attack. You do realize that this is the first time all six of us have been together in the last four years?"
"Brooke. Two words. You. Are. Brilliant."
"Val, that's three words." Pointed out Brooke smartly.
"Well, you're withholding coffee from a very tired woman. Now, give me the decaf." Demanded Val.
"Not until you get ready. Besides, how is decaf gonna help you wake up?"
"The taste of coffee does it. By not letting me have coffee you're making me move twice as slow." Said Val sounding tired.
"Tough."
A half hour later Brooke was pulling into a parking space in front of the station. "I wonder who brought breakfast today."
"Please don't say breakfast or anything related with food right now." Said Val through clenched teeth.
"You look really pale. Do you feel alright?"
"I will soon. Less talking, more walking." Brooke let Val lean against her and helped her the short distance to the station. As soon as Val got to the common room she dropped onto the couch.
"Hey!" Protested some guy who was just about to sit down.
"I get seniority." Replied Val weakly. "Live with it."
"Brooke, where does she get away with talking to me like that?" Demanded the guy. He was at least six feet tall with short light brown hair and hazel eyes.
"Oh shut up David." Said Brooke throwing a pillow at him. "She's my sister."
"Hi. I'm David." He said holding his hand out.
"For an EMT you're not very observant." Muttered Val. She didn't move. "Get him some coffee, he's either still too much asleep or been on duty for too long."
"Brooke, Alex won't like you bringing a guest to the station." Said another guy, this time he was about five seven and blonde haired, blue eyed. Val jumped up and quickly ran to the bathroom.
"Devin, That was Val. You'll like her. She knew David for ten seconds before she managed to get in about three insults."
"Alright!" David was known around the station for his insults. Never really mean, just funny.
"Who got David?" Asked a female version of Devin. The only difference was that contacts made her eyes purple.
"My sister Val." Explained Brooke.
"And can other people see this sister of yours?" Countered Jessica.
"I should hope so. Otherwise I went a little overboard on the vanishing cream this morning." Val grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator, took a sip and spit out the water into the sink. She then flopped back down on the couch.
"Val, you don't use vanishing cream." Pointed out Brooke.
"Then I'd be scared if I started to disappear. I'm Val. Who are you?" She asked bluntly.
"You met David, that's Devin and his twin sister Jessica." Explained Brooke.
"No, I thought she was his brother." Said Val sarcastically. She slumped down on the couch. "I still feel like shit." Muttered Val.
"If you're sick why are you here?" Asked Jessica. "Alex has rules about coming in when we're sick."
"Rules were meant to be broken." Grumbled Val, quoting Jamie. "I'm very familiar with the rules here. Alex won't kick me out. What's the gossip with him, Hank mentioned something about Jennifer Perino."
"Yeah, she and Alex both run the station now." Said Devin. "I think they've just recently started dating."
"Finally." Exclaimed Val. "Took them a few years now didn't it?" Her sarcastic manner was back.
"How do you know about Alex and Jennifer?" Asked David.
"Brooke really doesn't talk about me much does she?" Said Val. "I was on the squad when he first met her. Though I'm not exactly sure about who first thought she was his girlfriend."
"You were an EMT? Cool." Said David.
"Hey Brooke, is Tyler working today? He's hot." This was from Jessica of course. Val was surprised that she felt a little jealous.
"He'll be here later this afternoon. But he's way too old for you." Said Brooke.
"Val, you have to meet Tyler. He is the hottest guy I've ever seen."
"I've already met him, he, Hank, and I were on the same squad in high school. There was another one of us too. Haven't seen much of him or Caitie this past week, they've been going out a lot." Commented Val. She jumped up again and clapped a hand over her mouth. "Be right back." She disappeared into the bathroom again.
"Is she okay?" Whispered Devin.
"Yes, she's fine. Or she will be soon." Hissed Brooke. "Don't ask her if she's okay. She'll bite your head off." Val dropped back onto the couch, grabbed a pillow and stuffed it behind her head and neck.
"I'm gonna take a nap. It's murder sharing a room with Brooke again." Val quickly dropped of to sleep while everyone else did their own thing.
* * *
"Val, wake up." Whispered a voice. She opened her eyes and saw Alex standing over her.
"Hey." She said weakly. "What time is it?"
"It's ten thirty. I didn't want to wake you up but you were yelling something."
"I can't believe I slept this long. I just didn't feel so great and Brooke got me up too early. Where is everyone?"
"They're on a call. I'm surprised you didn't hear the alarm, you can usually hear that thing half way down the block. You want some coffee?"
"Yeah, that'd be great. Decaf please." Alex was about to say something else when Val suddenly felt a wave of dizziness sweep over her. Her arm reached out and grabbed the nearest available surface, it happened to be the counter.
"Val?"
"I must have stood up too fast. Hold that thought." She ran to the bathroom yet again.
"Maybe you should go home." Suggested Alex.
"You're just trying to get rid of me." Said Val, faking hurt.
"I'm just worried about you." Said Alex. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah. Throwing up every five seconds is just one of the perks of being pregnant."
"I don't think I properly congratulated you yet."
"It went without saying. But thank you anyway." Alex handed Val her cup of coffee, which she immediately took a sip of.
"When's the due date?"
"Not until April. I wish Kain was here though." Tears immediately filled Val's eyes. She blinked them away. "The part that's killing me the most is that I never got to tell Kain." Alex wrapped Val in a hug.
"I think he knows."
"Thanks. For everything. I think I'm going to go and watch TV for a while." Val got up and went into the station common room. Soon the squad came back and they just hung out at the station, mostly talking about Brooke's wedding. The entire squad was invited and was looking forward to it.
"Brooke, you are so lucky. I don't even have a boyfriend and you're already getting married." Said Jessica.
"I know. I can't believe it either. I'm only eighteen, honestly, I never though I'd be this much in love so young. I'm lucky the college I chose is near where Hank is going to med school. I'd hate to live so far away from the guy I'm married to."
"Honestly I never really though of you and Hank as a couple until he asked you out." Admitted Val. All the talking had almost made Val forget what day it was.
Almost.
"Well I never thought of you and Kain as a couple either." Countered Brooke. She immediately clapped a hand over her mouth and started hitting herself in the forehead with the heal of her palm. "I'm such an idiot."
"What?" Asked David.
"Nothing." Said Val, tears already streaming down her cheeks. "I. . . I have to go." She ran out of the station as fast as she could. Her tears were pouring down her cheeks so fast that she couldn't see where she was going.
She ran directly into Tyler as he was walking into the station. "Val, hold on a minute. Come here." Tyler tugged on her arm and she let herself fold into his arms. He let her cry on his shoulder without asking questions. He took her hand and led her to a bench that was outside the station.
"Something's wrong." Observed Tyler.
"I wonder what clued you in." Laughed Val sadly.
"Does this have anything to do with what was upsetting you before?"
"Yes. Brooke just said something that upset me." Explained Val.
"I can't see Brooke doing something to set you off that bad." Commented Tyler.
"She didn't do anything to set me off. At least intentionally, we were talking and it just slipped out and I couldn't deal with it. Especially today."
"Do you want to talk yet?" Asked Tyler. He rested his hand on her shoulder. Val was quite for a few minutes, as if debating whether or not she wanted to tell Tyler anything. Val didn't seem to notice his hand on her shoulder. When she did she shrugged it off.
"No, I don't think I can talk about it yet. Can I call you sometime if I need to talk?"
"Course you can. Call anytime you want. If you need to talk I'll listen for as long as you need me to." Tyler vowed to keep that promise to her for as long as she needed him to. Someone, somewhere decided that the weather needed to match Val's mood. A clap of thunder and a bright flash of lightning lit up the sky, which had opened up and released a downpour of freezing rain. Val and Tyler were instantly soaked.
"Perfect." Groaned Val.
"I'll drive you home." Said Tyler.
"Thanks." Said Val. She gave Tyler a quick hug and made a run for it to his car. "Alex will be mad that you're late."
"Screw Alex. He'll understand. You're more important than filing a few papers."
* * *
When Val got home she found a note from her parents.
Val-
Went to a friends house. Won't be back till late. Jamie and Caitie went to visit Jamie's parents.
Mom & Dad.
Jamie's parents lived about an hour from Val's parents. Jamie's little sister Kelsey lived at home still and she completely adored Jamie. She was sixteen and she and Jamie were best friends. Val suspected that she was the reason that he and Caitie even agreed to visit, Jamie didn't really get along with his dad and his mom had left when he was young. Val checked her watch. It was four o-clock. She decided to call Kendra, it wouldn't be that much later in New York. Kendra was Kain's twin sister and she and Val were good friends.
The phone rang three times before Kendra picked up. "Hello."
"Hey Kendra, it's me. Val."
"Hey, how you holding up? Can't be much better than me."
"Not really all that well. It's so hard to believe it's been only a month. It feels like so much longer."
"I know. Where are you right now? The caller ID didn't say your usual number."
"I'm at my parents house in Kingsport. It's good to be home but in a way I'd rather be back in Minnesota."
"Why?" Asked Kendra, sensing that Val needed to talk.
"Because I'm here for Brooke's wedding. It's next week and I'm Maid of Honor. I'm happy for her, really I am. But I can't help being depressed."
"Brooke understands though, right?"
"She's trying, and she's been forgiving me for being a grouch. It's confusing though."
"What's so confusing?"
"My ex-boyfriend is the best man. I haven't seen him in four years. Everyone's gonna expect us to dance at the reception. Don't think I'm forgetting about Kain. I'm not. You don't forget anyone you're in love with."
"I know. I'm never gonna forget Kain. He was my brother. And Val, have some fun, dance a little. I know you still love Kain. And you're not going to lose him completely, he'll be in your memories, and you'll see him every time you look at your son or daughter. At least that's what mom tells me about Dad. She sees him in both me and Kain." Kain's and Kendra's dad had had a heart attack and died when they were five.
"What should I tell Tyler? He doesn't even know I was married let alone that I'm pregnant. Everyone else knows and they're not telling him anything."
"Tell him the truth. Even if he is an ex-boyfriend, he deserves to know the truth."
"Thanks. I'll think about it. I've got to go. I've got to order a pizza, no one else is home. And this is costing my parents a lot. I'll call you soon okay?"
"Yeah. You can't get rid of me very easily. You know I always though of you as more of a sister than a sister-in-law. You'll always be my sister, no matter what."
"Thanks." Choked out Val before she hung up. She had stopped crying for the fifteen minutes she was on the phone with Kendra. Honestly she felt better but in her own world crying more would help her feel even better. He stomach growled and she remembered that she was hungry. She called and ordered a pizza with everything. If she remembered right it would take almost an hour and a half to get the pizza delivered, but it was worth it. This was the best pizza in town.
She quickly went upstairs and grabbed a tape out of her suitcase. When ever she needed to feel closer to Kain she'd watch the movie.
It was the tape of her wedding.
She popped the tape into the VCR and pressed play. Caitie appeared.
"Kain, Val! Congratulations. You two are the perfect couple. Val, I can't believe you got married before me. It's not fair, maybe I should drop a few hints to Jamie huh."
"That is so last millennium Caitie. You should just ask him." Said Brooke. Kain's uncle had filmed the actual wedding ceremony, but Brooke had taken over the job as camera person, getting everyone's comments for a video guest book.
"Ask who what?" Asked Jamie, suddenly materializing behind Caitie. Jamie wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her head and rocked her back and forth.
"Nothing." Said Caitie. "It's just girl talk."
"Jamie, say something to Val and Kain." Ordered Brooke. Jamie was dressed in a black tux. His hair was spiked as always. It was obvious how much he and Caitie loved each other. Their eyes lit up just thinking about each other. "Did Kain and I look that goofy when we looked at each other?" Thought Val. In her heart she knew she did.
"Who's idea was it to do a video guest book? It was actually a good idea. Congratulations guys. You're perfect for each other. Do you even know Brooke is making this tape? You'd better not forget about me and Caitie. Remember we live in the same city now." Val had no idea Brooke was making this tape for her. Brooke had it airmailed to Val on her honeymoon. The tape had messages from Hank, Val's parents, Kain's Mom, Alex, Kendra, Kain's cousin Jeremy, and Val's and Kain's other friends from school. Brooke was the last one to leave a message.
"Hey big sister. The wedding was beautiful. And so were you. When is Jamie gonna get the hint that he should propose to Caitie. They've been together since Jamie's junior year. I swear they act like a married couple already, why not just finalize it? You know. Hank told me he loves me last week. I'm still amazed he finally got the guts to say it. Who knows maybe in a few years another Lanier sister will be walking down the aisle. You had better get me lots of things on your honeymoon. I can't believe you're married!" Brooke had no idea how soon the other Lanier sister would be walking down the aisle. Val rewound the tape to watch it again. Tears streaming down her cheeks. Suddenly she felt like talking.
She picked up the phone and called Tyler. He picked up on the first ring. She had no idea why she called him anyway. He was supposed to be at the station.
"I think, no, I know I need to talk. The storm's starting to freak me out."
"I'll be there in five minutes. Do you want me to bring any food or something?"
"No, that's okay. I ordered a pizza. It got here a few minutes ago."
"Would it be okay if I brought Lindsey? Storms scare her a lot and I'm the only one who can calm her down."
"Course you can bring her. Does she like pizza?"
"Yep. I'll be there as soon as I can."
* * *
Tyler wasn't lying, he was there within five minutes. He rang the doorbell. Val got up and answered the door, Lindsey was in his arms, her head buried in his shoulder. They were both soaked because of the storm.
"Come in." Val didn't bother to hide her tears, she didn't think she could even if she wanted to. Val got a towel and blanket for both Tyler and Lindsey. Lindsey refused to let go of Tyler's neck.
"Lindsey, honey. It's okay. I'm not going anywhere. I promise." Said Tyler quietly why he tried to pry her hands from around his neck.
"Really?" She whimpered.
"Really." Said Tyler as he managed to loosen her arm. But not by much. "I'm not going anywhere. Why don't you, and me, and Val go into the kitchen and get some pizza. I know you like pizza." Lindsey just nodded.
"Here, you stay out here, I'll go and get plates." Said Val. She had stopped crying, but there were still traces of tears on her cheeks. Val was in the kitchen before Tyler could say anything. She quickly got the plates and silverware. But she didn't go back into the living room.
She sat down at the kitchen table and put her head down and let herself cry again.
"Val?" Tyler walked into the kitchen and saw her crying. He put Lindsey down and sat down next to Val.
"I'm sorry. You must be hungry and I'm taking a long time." Apologized Val weakly to Tyler. Lindsey came over to Val and gave her a hug.
"You're sad." Lindsey climbed onto Val's lap. Val had to smile weakly at the little girl.
"Yeah, I am." Replied Val. "Aren't you hungry?"
"Why?"
"Because I lost someone I loved." Said Val. If Tyler was surprised, he didn't let on.
"Me too." Said Lindsey. Tyler quietly reached over and took Val's hand in his.
"Come here. You don't have to talk if you don't want to. I'll understand." He whispered to her. He brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear that had fallen in front of her eye.
"I think I need to talk. I've never even let Brooke see me break down this much. The only people who have are Caitie and Jamie."
"It's okay. I promise I'll be here. I was there for you after your dad's heart attack."
"What's that got to do with anything?" Laughed Val bitterly. "Then I knew I could possibly save him. Kain's gone." Said Val. "And there's nothing I can do to change it."
"Lindsey, honey. Why don't you go and watch a movie in the other room? I'll come help you with the VCR." Asked Tyler, sensing that Val needed to talk without Lindsey in the room. "The storm's over and I'll be right here."
"I want to watch Snow White." Tyler was grateful for the little girl's short attention span. He quickly set up the VCR and found Val sitting down on the couch in the living room. He sat down next to her.
"You must have really loved him." Said Tyler.
"I still do." Replied Val. "We were happy together and then all of a sudden I'm miserable." Neither had to elaborate on who they were talking about. Tyler picked up her hand and looked at the ring.
"He gave you this didn't he?" Val nodded.
"It was exactly one month ago that Kain was killed. He got hit by a drunk driver and his car got wrapped around a telephone pole. It was raining, if the road hadn't of been so slippery his breaks could have saved him. We were only married for a year. Before I knew what happened I'd moved out of our house and in with Caitie and Jamie." Tyler took the news better than Val had though.
"Val, you'll get through this. You're strong. Brooke, Hank, Jamie, Caitie, and your parents will be here for you. And so will I."
"I might as well tell you everything. I'm two months pregnant. I never even got to tell Kain. I found out the day he died. I honestly have no idea what I'm gonna do and I'm scared."
"You'll make it. Single parenthood isn't easy, but it's not impossible. And you know Jamie and Caitie. They'll baby-sit as much as you need. I'm counting on that when I get out there."
"Tyler."
"Yeah?" He replied.
"Thank you. For everything. Talking to you really made me feel better."
"I understand." Tyler was about to say more when the doorbell rang. "Who would be out in this weather?" Val felt her stomach drop. She went to answer the door.
"Is this the Lanier residence?" Asked the uniformed police officer that stood on the porch.
"Yes, can I help you?" Val's voice was shaking. She instantly flashed back to the rainy night a month ago. Tyler appeared by her side.
"There was an accident." Said The Officer. Val felt her knees buckle and she would have fallen if Tyler hadn't been by her side to catch her.