It was almost midnight when Kevin's phone rang, and for a brief moment, he almost didn't answer it. But Eve's shift was almost over at the hospital, and Lucy could need something.
"Hey Kevin, it's Luke."
His voice sounded strange. "Luke? Is something wrong?"
"It's Lucy."
"What? The babies? What's wrong with her? Luke! She can't go through this again. What's wrong?"
"Kevin! Now you need to calm down. You sound just like her. She's fine. Except for the fact that she won't calm down. We're at GH. The doctor thinks she's going to be okay, but she needs to calm down. And, of course, she won't. So I thought you might be able to help."
"I'm on my way." Kevin thought about writing Eve a note, but she should still be at the hospital when he got there, and he needed to get to Lucy.
When he got there, he saw Dr. Newman in the hallway. He forgot all about finding Eve when the doctor started speaking.
"Kevin, the babies are fine. You need to stay calm, because she needs you to calm her down. She's understandably afraid. But the thing to remember here is that everything is fine."
"If everything is fine, why is she here?"
"She's anemic, which is not completely unusual for pregnancy, and more so for twins. We can treat that very easily. What I'm worried about now is her blood pressure. It wouldn't be too high if she'd calm down. I'd really like to give her something to calm her down and send her home. Keeping her here is probably making the problem worse. She's afraid there's something I'm not telling her."
Nodding, Kevin entered her room.
When Lucy saw him, she sat up, despite Luke's protest. "Why are you here?"
Luke waved his hand. "I called him."
"Why?"
"Because I was going to knock you out myself if you didn't calm down. Maybe he can get through to you." He looked at Kevin.
Sitting on the bed next to her, Kevin took her hand. "Luke's right."
That statement alone had the desired effect. Lucy stopped and stared at him.
"That had to hurt." Luke laughed.
"You have no idea." Kevin smiled and squeezed her hand. "There is nothing wrong with the babies. They're fine. You need to watch your diet a little more."
"I've done everything Dr. Newman told me to-"
"It's not anything you did. You're anemic. I'm sure she told you."
Luke watched Kevin touch her face gently, wondering what was going on in his mind.
Lucy started to say something, but Kevin shook his head. "Listen to me, okay? I'm telling you everything. Your blood pressure is high. You have to calm down. That's the way to lower it without drugs. Dr. Newman will release you if your pressure drops a little. So if you calm down, you can go home. Okay?"
Nodding, she looked at both of them. "I was just scared."
"I know. You have every reason to be. But nothing's wrong. Do-" He shook his head. He'd been about to ask her if she trusted him. Until he remembered the tirade the word trust had started with her before. Then another memory hit him. The last time she'd been pregnant, they'd been in GH. Her in the bed, him beside her, holding her hand almost exactly like he was now. He'd asked her if she trusted him right before they'd confirmed Lucy's miscarriage.
"Doc?" Worry crossed her face. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Nothing. Come here." Sliding up the bed, he wrapped his arms around her. "You're fine, the babies are fine."
He sounded almost like he was trying to convince himself. Lucy had no idea where that had come from, but she didn't care. She'd always felt safe in his arms, and that moment was no different.
Luke watched their faces with interest. He'd always known how Lucy felt about Kevin, but he found himself wondering exactly what was happening in Kevin's heart where she was concerned. "Hey, I've got a club to close. You okay with her here?"
Nodding, Kevin pulled away from her and looked at him. "Thanks for calling me."
Luke hugged her. "You need me, call, okay?"
"Thanks, Luke." She squeezed his hand.
After Luke was gone, Kevin held her face in his hand. "You need to stay calm, okay? I'm going to leave you for a minute, but I'll be right back."
She nodded.
He went to look for Eve, but she'd already gone. Taking out his phone to call her, Dr. Newman's voice distracted him. "Kevin, we just checked her pressure again. If you're ready to take her home, I'll sign her out. I gave her a list of instructions, and I gave her a prescription for something to help keep her calm. Nothing that will effect the baby, but it should help."
"Thanks. I'll go get her."
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
When they reached Lucy's house, Kevin got her something to drink while she went upstairs and got into bed.
As he climbed the stairs, he heard her crying. "Lucy?"
She was lying down on her side, her back to the door.
Reaching out to stroke her hair, he sat next to her on the bed. "You're okay. I promise."
"I know. I don't know why I can't stop crying. I'm sorry."
Leaning against the headboard, he put his arm over her shoulder. "You don't have any reason to be sorry."
"If you want to go home, you can."
"I want to help you."
Slowly, with a little help from Kevin, she rolled over and looked at him. "You are. And I do appreciate it. You're putting yourself in a position that-"
"Don't. I understand the position. And you're right. I put myself here. I did it because I want to. Come here." Putting his arms around her, he held her against him. "You're not alone in this, Lucy. I'll do anything I can to help you."
For the first time all night, Lucy relaxed. Knowing she was exhausted, Kevin held her protectively and stroked her hair. It was only a matter of minutes before she fell asleep. Only intending to stay with her for a while, Kevin leaned against the headboard and closed his eyes.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
The sun coming through the bedroom window woke Kevin. Opening his eyes, he squinted for a moment before looking at her. When he tried to move, she looked at him.
"What time is it?"
Looking over her shoulder, Kevin stared at the clock. "Later than you think."
She smiled at him. "Late enough that you're going to be in trouble, right?"
Wincing, he put his head back. "I never called her!"
Slowly, she sat up and looked at him. "You spent the night with me and you never even called Eve to tell her what was going on? Forget trouble, she's going to kill you!"
"She's not like that, Lucy. I'll explain what happened."
Lucy laughed. "Oh, yeah, falling asleep in my bed will go over real well."
"It's not funny." He almost smiled at her. "I don't think I'll say it like that."
"Smart man." She started to laugh harder, then stopped. Jumping out of bed, Lucy ran into the bathroom.
Kevin sat on the edge of the bed and waited for her to come out. "You all right?"
"It's not a day in my life if I don't throw up. Every day since I got pregnant." She smiled. "I'm fine. Dr. Newman isn't worried about it. As long as I keep a certain amount of food down every day. And whatever it is she gave me, it helps." Turning, she went downstairs.
In the kitchen, she looked at him. "You need to go home and dig yourself out."
"I want to be sure you're-"
"Okay. I know. And I do appreciate, it. Last night really scared me. But I'm calm, and I know what I'm supposed to do. You can go. Really." His expression still showed doubt. "Kevin, I need to do this on my own. I admit I lost it last night. But I'm fine now. I'm not making sense, am I."
"Actually, you are. I guess I can't get used to you being so independent. That's my problem, not yours." He squeezed her hand for a moment. "You're right. I need to go. I have a lot of explaining to do." Kissing her cheek, he left.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
When Kevin opened the door to the lighthouse, Eve was sitting on the sofa, staring at him. The look on her face told him exactly how upset she was. "I'm sorry probably won't cut it, right?"
"If you'd had the common decency to at least call me, I might have not been upset."
"Why didn't you call me?"
"Why should I have, Kevin? I came home. You were my priority. If I can't fit onto your list of things to do, why should I push it?"
He sighed. "I'm sorry. Can you at least let me explain?"
Eve laughed, but it was sarcastic. "You've been hanging out with Lucy way too much. Let me explain is one of her favorite lines when she knows she screwed up. You know you screwed up, so you want to....what, Kevin. Plead your case? What is there to say? I'm assuming Lucy is the reason you stayed out all night."
Kevin explained the situation in ten words or less while Eve glared at him. When he was done, she sighed. "I'm glad she's okay. I really am. I hope she carries them to term, and they're healthy. I would never wish anything that bad on Lucy. But I'm still having a very hard time with this. You spent the night with her, and didn't even think to call me."
"I was worried about her. The babies."
"See?" Eve started to cry. "You keep saying that she's not part of this! But you can't distinguish. Because there is no difference. Lucy and the twins are one and the same."
"You're right! She's pregnant! They are one and the same right now. But hopefully she will carry to term, and then there will be two babies that will call me 'Daddy'. And they will be separate from Lucy. Why can't you understand that?" His anger was getting the better of him.
"Because there's months in between, and I don't trust her! By then, how do I know that you won't feel like you need to be a full time father?" Eve hadn't wanted to say all this. But it was too late. "She's going to get your attention anyway she can, Kevin. She loves you! How am I supposed to feel?" Tears ran down her face. "I didn't want to tell you this. I didn't want things to go like this between us. I understand. Really, I do. You can't let Ryan find out about the babies. And the fact that there are two puts you in a position of claiming them yourself, or letting him figure it out. My head understands this. My heart feels like it's only a matter of time before Lucy gets everything she wants. And I don't like it!"
Before Kevin could answer, she left. Too many things had been said. Too many things could still be said, but none of it could ever be taken back.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Ryan made sure Kevin was still at the lighthouse before he went to Ferncliff. When he saw Eve leave, obviously angry, he smiled. Maybe Lucy would let him come and go from her bed as he pleased, but apparently Evie was not playing. He'd seen Kevin leave Lucy's an hour ago, and wanted to know what he intended to do with his day.
When Ryan went in to see Julie, he looked at her for a long moment.
His stare made Julie nervous. "Why are you staring at me?"
"I want to know...." Ryan stopped. He was surprising himself. "I want to know if you can feel the baby inside you."
"What?"
"There is a baby inside you. We've already established the pillow is fake, but the baby is real, remember? I want to know what it's like."
Julie had no idea where this was going. But she didn't want to play. "Kevin, do you want to tell me what this is about?"
"No. I don't. I asked you a fairly direct question. You're going to have a baby very soon, and I want to know what it feels like." The truth was that he didn't know what it was about. But he could get answers out of Julie. Stepping closer, he was rewarded by her stepping away from him, a look of almost fear crossing her face.
"What's the matter, Julie? Does it bother you that I may have your number? Maybe I know what you're up to, and I could stop you?"
"I'm not up to anything. I just want to know what you want from me."
"Maybe just some answers. If you answer me, maybe I'll leave."
There was nowhere to go. In the corner, she stared at him. "It feels.... like... there's a baby inside me."
Ryan was getting angry. "That's not an answer, Julie." Grabbing her arm, he leaned closer to her. "There's been a baby inside you for how many months? I want to know WHAT IT'S LIKE."
His voice took on a threatening tone, and Julie didn't like it. She began to feel real fear. But she still wouldn't let him see it. "I don't want to talk to you about it. This baby is mine. I don't have to share her with anyone!"
Her statement confused him. "Yours? Is that how you feel?"
"Of course that's how I feel. What's going on inside my body is no one's business but mine." Julie knew she had thrown him with that.
"What about the father?"
"What about him?"
Her answer infuriated him but he had no idea why. "What does that mean, what about the father?! You don't think he'd want to know everything about her? How she's growing, how her heartbeat sounds, how it feels? That's his baby, too. Who do you think you are shutting the father of the baby out? What if you're wrong, what if the father isn't who you think it is?" Ryan was no longer talking to Julie. Pacing around the room, he continued his monologue, ranting now. "All women lie! It's always possible! What if he's not the father? I want to know everything!"
Suddenly he realized where he was. Smiling, he looked at her. "Can you feel the baby move?"
Julie wanted to scream. Kevin was losing it, she was sure of that. She'd heard about his breakdown, but now she felt as if she were watching him have another one. Having this over his head seemed to have been a ridiculous idea now. Even the thought of making him help her get out wasn't worth what he looked like he was capable of doing.
"Kevin, can you tell me what's wrong?" She tried to keep her voice even and calm.
"No, I can't." His tone was sarcastic. "You're not learning anything in here, are you. You haven't figured anything out, you only think you have. And you are SO wrong! You think Kevin's losing it, don't you? Well, you better hope I don't lose it." Crossing the room, he put his face inches from hers. "When I lose it, people get hurt. Very badly."
Julie couldn't hide her fear any longer, and it made him smile. "Now you're getting the message. I hope you learned something here. Don't cross me. You have no idea what you're inviting if you do." Forcing himself to walk away from her, he pounded on the door. When the guard opened the door, he turned to her and smiled. "Take care of yourself. I'll come see you again"
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Eve still had an hour before she was on duty, but she couldn't think of anywhere else to go. Sitting on the sofa in the On Call Room, she wondered how much longer she would have the room to herself.
As if in answer to her question, Chris opened the door and smiled. "Long time, no see."
"I needed to do some thinking. And I wanted to at least try to be alone."
Sitting beside her, he shrugged. "Oh well. I'm here now. What's up in the world of Eve Lambert?"
"Trust me, you don't want to know."
"Gee.." Chris scratched his head in an exaggerated fashion. "Couldn't have anything to do with Lucy Coe being here last night, and a certain guy named Kevin Collins running to take care of her, would it?" Gently, he pushed her shoulder with his own.
Eve just stared at him.
"You know all about it, don't you." It wasn't a question.
"Chris, I really don't want to talk about it."
"Eve, what the hell is he doing? Why would he show up if...." Chris thought he'd figured it out. "Lucy's babies?"
"Lucy's and..." She couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Kevin's." Chris looked at her, shaking his head. "I can't believe this. What are you going to do?"
"He doesn't want to go back to her, if that's what you're thinking. He loves me, Chris."
"If he loves you so much, why did he-" The look on her face stopped him. "Eve, I can't believe you're just going to accept it. After he came running last night, it's only a matter of time before everyone else figures it out. Then what?"
"Then I deal with it. He's going to raise those babies with her, and I'm not going to tell him he can't."
"What about you? Where do you fit in?" His tone was quiet, knowing how much this was hurting her.
"I'm the one he loves, Chris. I know that."
Chris didn't know if she was trying to convince him or herself. But it didn't matter. She was hurting, and it was time for him to stop making it worse. "I know you love him, and whatever you decide to do, I still love you."
"I know." Forcing a smile, she squeezed his hand. "I'm on duty in less than an hour, you're going home, right?"
"Yes. You want me to come back and grab lunch with you later?"
"I don't know. Call me when you wake up." Standing, she went to her locker. "Thanks, Chris. I know you're only trying to help."
After he was gone, Eve sat back down on the sofa. Chris was right. Now that Kevin had run to Lucy last night, it was only a matter of time before everyone figured out that he was the father. After that, it was only an even shorter matter of time before everyone started staring at her and wondering. And a lot of them wouldn't be as nice as Chris.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Kevin waited in the lobby for Eve to finish her shift. Things had become very strained between them in the last few weeks since the news of Lucy's pregnancy had become common knowledge at GH. He was trying to reassure Eve that he could make this work. So he'd made it a point to spend as much time with her as possible. He'd only seen Lucy when she had appointments with Dr. Newman, and he'd only spoken to her once a day on the phone.
Until now. Laughter that could only be Lucy's carried down the hallway. Between Victor and Mary, Lucy was hanging on to both of their arms. "I can't believe you came up with this," She tugged on Mary's arm. "And that you are going along with this." She kissed Victor's cheek.
"Nonsense. Who else would?" Victor squeezed her arm. "Besides, this is a fascinating experience for me."
"I have to admit, I'm a little confused. When they asked everyone to think of something they could carry with them to make them focus more, most women think of a stuffed animal, a pillow, a blanket." Mary laughed. "Victor said that your first thought for your focus for your Lamaze was a credit card?"
Lucy started laughing so hard she had to stop walking. Putting her hand over her tummy, she whined. "It actually hurts to laugh that hard." To get out of the other couple's way, she leaned against the wall. "It makes sense if you think about it. I'm very familiar with it, and it comforts me. It has never judged me, it has always given me everything I need, from gasoline to food, to bail." She smiled at Victor. "It never lied to me, never cheated on me, never walked out on me. Find me a man with all that going for him? I don't think so. At least not one I've met."
"She's got a point." Another very pregnant Lamaze student had stopped to listen to Lucy and laughed. Her husband was not AS amused, but he laughed.
All of them stood there, laughing, until Lucy saw Kevin staring at her. He definitely was NOT amused. She tried to stop smiling, but did not succeed. "No offense."
"Oh, none taken." If he'd been anymore sarcastic, it would have physically dripped from his body.
"Oh, Monk, what's happened to your sense of humor?" Victor tried to smooth his son's feathers.
"Nothing. I love being the butt of Lucy's jokes."
"Since when do you take everything I say that personally anymore?" Walking to him, she stared him in the eyes. "I don't remember the last time I said anything you really cared to hear."
"Maybe I feel like you don't want to tell me anything. And I don't know why. Dammit, Lucy, they're my children." Turning from her, he walked away.
Shaking her head slowly, Lucy looked at Victor and Mary. "Would someone please tell me what that was all about? I thought I was the one who was supposed to get all hormonal and act all weird."
"Did Kevin know Mary had signed you up for Lamaze?"
"No. He only calls me once a day. He wants to know when all my doctor's appointments are, but that's pretty much been the end of it since he spent the night with me a few weeks ago."
Victor took her hand. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe he wanted to do this with you?"
"No. Why would it? He told me that he has to show Eve that she is important to him, and that these children won't be the end of them. So why would I expect him to want to waste precious time away from her to come to all these stupid classes with me?" Tears came and she walked away.
Mary stared at Victor. "Let me guess. He feels shut out, and she wants him there?"
"I knew I married a smart woman. I'll go get his side, you get hers."
Victor chased Kevin to the waiting room. "Would you like to explain that?"
"What's there to explain? Lucy is in Lamaze class with HER babies, and my father, right?"
"What you need to explain is the mixed messages you keep sending her." Dragging Kevin to the far corner of the room, he stared at him. "You told her you wanted to spend more time with Eve, right?"
"Yes. I need to make sure Eve knows how I feel."
"How do you feel? I mean, Lucy has left you alone, right?"
"Yes."
"That's what you wanted, right? You didn't want her to come between you and Eve, right?"
"She wasn't coming between me and Eve. I... I.." He sighed. "I want her to know I'm here. That I when I said I was the father, I meant it. I want to be there for everything."
"You need to tell her that. If you want to go to Lamaze with her, tell her! Don't expect her to read your mind. You can't tell her one thing, then get mad at her for not guessing what you're thinking."
Staring at his father, Kevin knew he was right. Before he could say anything, he saw Lucy approaching them. Her eyes were red, she'd been crying. Taking her hand, he led her to the sofa. "I guess we need to talk."
She shrugged.
"Can we please talk?"
"What do you want me to talk about? My next appointment isn't until Tuesday. I'm on a few different vitamins, and you know all this. What else?" She wanted him to be the one to say it.
"What about Lamaze?"
"What about it? Mary signed me up, and told Victor to take me. Two nights a week until about the time I'm due." She stared at him, almost shocked. "Don't tell me this is about the credit card comment. You are not that petty." Pausing, she leaned back. "Maybe it has been a while. Are you?"
"No. That's not what I'm..." He sighed. Taking her hand, he squeezed it. "I just wanted to..." Staring at the wall behind her, he searched for the words. "I want to be more involved, Lucy." His eyes finally met hers.
"Since when? You said you didn't want to spend so much time with me that it upset Eve. How much time is that, Kevin? I can't judge that. I've only gone by what you've told me! And how YOU'VE acted!" With a little help from him, she stood, shaking his hand off her back. "I'm having a hard enough time these days knowing what's going on in my own mind, I couldn't begin to figure out what's going on in yours! You can't imagine what I'm thinking, feeling... No, that's not it. You've made it clear you can't care! It interferes with your life." Tears came to her eyes, and she desperately needed to escape his stare. Wiping her face, she headed toward the elevator.
Eve came down the hall and stopped when she saw Kevin chase Lucy into the elevator. The doors shut behind them, and she shook her head. After ten minutes, she finally made a decision. So much for dinner with Kevin. Picking up the phone on the counter, she dialed Chris's number.
"Kevin, what do you want? Do you want to go to the classes with me? Fine. But you have to tell me. Do you think it's Victor's idea of a good time?" She couldn't help herself, she started to laugh. "Oh, yeah, I can see Victor's goal in life was always to be a Lamaze coach for his grandchildren. Can you see it?" Leaning against the wall to the elevator, she laughed harder. "Maybe you can coach one, and he can coach the other. I'm sorry. Things that aren't funny just seem hilarious to me lately."
His expression told her he found no humor in what she was saying, but was a little worried that she did find it funny.
"Do you want to come to the classes with me, or not? This is not a hard question." A trace of a smile still on her face, she stared him down.
"Yes. Does that bother you?"
"No." She shook her head and smiled. "All you had to do was say it."
The elevator doors opened, and she stepped out.
"Have you eaten?"
"As a matter of fact, I have. I've eaten, I've gone to my class, I'm going home, and I'm going to get some sleep. Next class is day after tomorrow. Ta, Doc." Kissing his cheek, she went out the door.
As soon as she was outside the hospital, she leaned against the wall and let her tears fall.
Standing here helpless
Where do I go
If you leave me alone
If it don't work out
As far as I can see
This isn't the way
That you said it would be
Kevin went back upstairs, only to find out that Eve had left. The ride in the elevator to the parking garage was long and lonely.
Don't leave me like this
Don't leave me stranded
If you walk away now
You leave me empty handed
Don't leave me like this
Don't leave me stranded
Don't leave me now
Don't leave me....
Eve waited outside the main entrance for Chris. The sight of Kevin chasing Lucy wouldn't leave her mind. Fighting tears, she stared up and down the street looking for his car.
Wasn't it you
Who brought me here
To the place lovers go
Just look at these arms
Reaching out to you
You said that you'd always care
I just turned around
And there's nobody there
Sitting in the driver's seat of his car, Kevin put his head on the steering wheel. Lucy, walking away from him. Eve leaving without a word.
Don't leave me like this
Don't leave me stranded
If you walk away now
And leave me empty handed
Don't leave me like this
Don't leave me stranded
Don't leave me now
Don't leave me...
Driving home, Lucy couldn't stop shaking she was crying so hard. Damn him! Every time she thought she knew what he was thinking, and she had their relationship straight in her head, he pulled a stunt like this.
You said that you'd always care
I just turned around, and there's nobody there
Chris finally pulled up to where Eve was standing. The look on her face when she got int the car told him she was in a lot of pain. Without a word, he drove away.
Don't leave me like this
Don't leave me stranded
If you walk away now
And leave me empty handed
Don't leave me like this
Don't leave me stranded
Don't leave me like this
Don't leave me stranded
Stranded
Song credit "Stranded" by Heart
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
The next day, Lucy answered the door to find Kevin standing outside. Smiling, she opened the door for him to walk inside.
"How are you?"
She laughed. "How am I? You're the one who was so upset last night. What do you want me to say? I'm fine. Are you here to tell me you changed your mind?"
"About?" He returned her smile, but his eyes never left her growing belly.
The smile on her face faltered slightly. "Lamaze?" Suddenly she had a very bad feeling. Something wasn't right, and she was almost afraid.
"No. I haven't changed my mind." Crossing to her, he put his hand on the babies. "I'm the father. We're going to have twins. God, you're glowing."
His eyes finally met hers and Lucy knew. Her heart started to pound, and she could barely breathe. But she couldn't let Ryan know she knew who he was. "I've never been happier."
"Are you sure you're okay on your own? Do you need anything?"
Moving out of his reach, she struggled to keep her composure. "I'm fine. I've told you. I actually like being on my own. I admit, I never thought I would be okay on my own, but I am."
Putting her hands protectively on her babies, she wondered what he was talking about. His tone actually sounded sincere. "Kevin, I'm just tired right now. I need to get some rest, and I have to go to Jax this afternoon."
"You have to go to work? Shouldn't you be resting? Aren't you overdoing it?" His tone started to rise, and it made her nervous.
"I'm fine. The babies are healthy. I see Dr. Newman every two weeks. She told me I can go to work as long as I'm not too tired. And if I lay down now, I'll be okay to go this afternoon."
Her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her body, and she knew it wasn't good for the babies. But neither was Ryan figuring out she knew who he was.
Fortunately, Ryan wasn't in the mood to push his luck. "I'll let you get some sleep. I just needed to see you. I wanted to check up on our babies." Knowing there was nothing going on between her and Kevin, he simply walked out the door.
As soon as he was gone, Lucy allowed her tears to fall while she picked up the phone and dialed. "Luke? It's Lucy. The situation we discussed a while ago? Guess who's back." The rest of what she was going to say was lost in an uncontrollable wave of hysteria.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Unaware of what was going on at Lucy's, Kevin went to Ferncliff. Eve had come home late and gone right to bed. There didn't seem to be anything he could say to her. And it had been almost a week since he'd seen Julie, and he felt guilty about not making the time to see her. When Julie was brought into the room, she stared at Kevin with a look of almost terror on her face. Then it was gone, and she was staring at him.
"Julie? Is something wrong?"
She didn't answer. Her eyes locked with his, and she stared into them, looking for a clue to what his mood was today.
"Are you okay?" The concern on his face eased Julie's mind a bit.
"Just wondering what I'm in store for today."
"What's wrong? Can you tell me what you're thinking?"
"I don't want to tell you anymore. I really don't want to talk to you anymore."
Looking at her, Kevin stepped away from her. "Julie, if you don't tell me what's going on, I can't help you."
"Help me? Help me!?" That was all Julie could take. "What you'd better do is get some help for yourself!" Standing close to the door, she watched him carefully. "I'm tired of this, this... whatever game it is you're playing. With me, with yourself, in your mind. I don't know, I don't care. I'm tired of you threatening me, playing with me, whatever it is you're doing with me. Leave me alone!"
Completely confused, Kevin stared at her. "Julie, can you tell me what you're talking about? I don't know what I've done to upset you."
Her eyes searched his face. Finding no hint that he was lying, she shook her head. "Do you not remember what you say to me when you visit?"
That dark thought in the back of Kevin's mind made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He had to know more. "What did I say? I need your help, Julie. If I'm not remembering, I need to know."
"You really don't remember threatening me? I may be crazy, but I'm not imagining this! One time you're here, you're nice and I believe you want to help me. The next, you act like it's all you can do to not kill me yourself! What's going on here?"
"I threatened you?" Kevin knew, but he didn't want to. "When's the last time I acted like this?"
"A couple days ago! Kevin, are you in trouble?" Julie was catching herself worrying about him. Yes, she wanted to use him, and make him work for her, but he didn't deserve another breakdown.
"No. I'm not in trouble. At least not the way you think I am." Standing, Kevin knew he had to make some arrangements. "It won't happen again. I'm going to make sure of it. When I can, I promise I'll tell you more. But right now, I have to go."
At the guard desk, he left strict instructions that he was not to be allowed to see Julie unless he could provide identification. A quick conference with Julie's attending physician assured him that everyone would be aware that Ryan might come back. If he could not provide proof of identification, he would be held and the PCPD call immediately.
Standing outside Ferncliff, he called Mac. After telling him that Ryan had apparently been there in the last few days, he headed for Lucy's house. She had to know, and he felt it was his place to tell her in person. He did remember to call Eve and tell her. Mac had agreed to send a uniform to GH and keep an eye on her.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Kevin made it to Lucy's in half the normal time. When he knocked on the door, he was startled to see Luke open it. Before he could say a word, Luke had his arms behind his back and his face to the wall. "What the hell do you want?"
Knowing what Luke was thinking, he didn't resist. "I take it you know Ryan's been around." He felt what could only be the muzzle of a gun in the center of his back
"Not a word yet. Don't move." Luke pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and opened it. "Sorry, Kev. No offense."
Turning to look at him, Kevin shrugged. "What could you do? You're protecting her. What happened?"
Dragging him inside, Luke locked the door, both the doorknob, and the new deadbolt. "Come on." Luke led him upstairs. "It's okay, Luce!"
Lucy was sitting on the bed, anxiously watching the steps. Tears were running down her face and she looked to Kevin to be on the verge of total hysteria.
Sitting beside her, Kevin took her in his arms. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I just found out myself."
"He was here! I thought it was you, and I opened the door! Kevin, he touched me! He put his hands on my babies! What if he knows? What if he..." She couldn't finish.
Looking at Luke, Kevin held her tighter. The men's eyes met with the same thought. If Ryan knew for sure, Lucy wouldn't be there with them.
"Lucy, listen to me. Please." Keeping his voice low and calm, Kevin tried to get through to her. "You need to relax. Ryan's gone now. And Luke's here. I'm here. We're not going to let Ryan get to you again, are we?"
Luke shook his head. "No way, darlin'."
"And Luke has a pretty big gun. I met it first hand."
"Actually, you know, Kev, we need to work out a signal. I'd hate like hell to hurt the wrong one."
"Thanks for the concern."
Luke shrugged. "She cares." Sitting on the other side of her, Luke took her hand. "She's been like this ever since she called me. About two hours ago."
Kevin understood what Luke was saying. The state she was in was very bad for the babies. She had to calm down. "Lucy, look at me." Gently, he turned her face to look at him. "You need to stop. I know you're scared. But Ryan is not the main concern at this moment." He put his hand on her. "They are. Please stop. Deep breaths, stop panicking, let Luke and me worry about Ryan. You worry about them." The words coming out of Kevin's mouth about Luke shocked Kevin even as he said them. But looking at Luke, he knew it was right. Luke could, and would, kill Ryan if it came down to protecting Lucy. And that was what might be needed before this was all over.
"Please. You need to lie down. Try to relax." Stroking her hair, Kevin helped her lie down on her side. She was still crying, but now it was a silent shaking. It wasn't better, but at least she could hear him now. He continued to whisper to her, reassuring her gently. Another knock on the door made her jump.
Pulling out his gun, Luke ran downstairs. It was only a few seconds before his voice carried up the stairs. "It's Mac!"
Luke reappeared. "He wants to talk to you."
"Stay with her." Leaving Luke sitting on the bed with her, Kevin went down to see what Mac had found.
Mac sat at the kitchen table while Kevin made tea. "Let me guess. Nothing."
"Not a sign of him. There's a squad at the lighthouse and I sent a man to the hospital to watch Eve. When did he last see Julie?"
Kevin told him everything he knew, which wasn't much. At some point he had to get back to Ferncliff and talk to Julie. But right now, Lucy was his main concern. "Now what?"
"Same as before. Road blocks. A car here. I would also recommend security. Private. I can give you a few names."
"I'm sure Luke knows a few."
Mac shook his head. "I can't believe you said that."
"Me either. But I think Luke is better suited to handle the Ryan problem than I am. He has no feeling other then hatred for him. No conflict. He cares about Lucy, and he'll do whatever it takes to protect her."
Whatever they were about to say was interrupted by Luke's voice carrying downstairs. "Kevin! Get up here!"
Before they got to the bottom of the stairs, they heard Lucy scream.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Luke was kneeling beside her. Once again, she was hysterical, but Ryan had nothing to do with it this time. As Kevin leaned beside her, she screamed again. The pain on her face terrified Kevin, but he couldn't let her see it. Her eyes met his. "This isn't happening. Doc, please tell me this isn't happening."
"You need to calm down." Holding her hand, he stroked her hair. "Luke, we're going to have to take her to GH. Can you help me get her down the stairs?"
Responding to the calm, smooth tone of his voice, Luke nodded. "I'll get this side. Come on, Luce. We got you."
Gently, they led her down the stairs. Mac held the door for them, and they put her in his truck. Luke up front with Mac, Kevin in the back, with Lucy lying down, her head in his lap. Kevin was fighting his own panic while trying to keep her from going back into hysteria. His mind wouldn't even form the word contraction. It was way too early. If she went into labor now, she would probably lose both of them. With the siren, they made it to GH fairly quickly.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Dr. Newman was waiting for them when they arrived at ER. Kevin went with her while Mac and Luke stayed in the waiting room.
The look on Lucy's face almost broke Kevin's heart. She was absolutely petrified. "Lucy, please. Listen to me. I know you're scared, I know it hurts, but you need to listen to me." Leaning over her, he held her hand and whispered in her ear.
"I'm scared, Doc. If it's bad, I don't want to know." She cried out again in pain.
Fighting his own tears, he stepped back and held her hand tighter. "Dr. Newman is going to examine you."
"Lucy, you need to calm down." Dr. Newman stood next to the bed and looked at her. "Hold his hand, and look at me. You're going to be okay. You need to calm down. Can you hear that?"
The monitor beside the bed was making a rapid beating noise. When Lucy nodded, Dr. Newman smiled. "That's the heartbeats. As long as we hear that, it's good. Your heart is going almost as fast, and that's not good. You need to calm down. I want you to take a couple deep breaths, okay? I want to run a few more tests. We're going to find out why you're in pain, and we're going to make it stop. Kevin's going to stay with you, and I'm going to be right back."
After nodding at Kevin, she left the room.
Sitting on the bed next to her, Kevin held her shoulders. "You're fine. The babies are fine. Did you hear that?"
Lucy nodded.
Holding her tighter, Kevin listened to the sound of the babies heartbeats. He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath until the monitor had picked up the sound. The sound that told him that his babies were alright. The thought sunk in to his mind. His babies. That was how he thought about them. How he felt.
"It's going to happen this time, isn't it? Tell me I'm going to have two beautiful babies, please? I need to hear it. Even if you don't know for sure, I just need to hear it."
"Lucy, you heard Dr. Newman. As long as we can hear the heartbeat, everything's fine. But your heart racing will make theirs race, too. You need to stop. Listen. Listen to that. That's our babies."
Finally she smiled. "Yeah, Doc. Our babies." Touching his face, she pulled him closer to her, about to kiss him. Then she realized what she was about to do, and leaned back, closing her eyes and smiling to herself. They sat there, holding hands, waiting for the doctor to return.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
It was about two hours later before Kevin went to the waiting room. Luke stood. "Well?"
Kevin shrugged. "Stress. She's under too much of it. Where's Mac? "
"He went to the station. Call him when you get a chance. He sent a few friends over. But she's okay? The kids?"
Nodding, Kevin looked at Luke for a moment. "Fine. But she needs to avoid the stress. I want to thank you for..."
"It's okay. I just want to know she's okay."
"She's fine. They want to keep her here overnight. I don't know what else yet. When Dr. Newman's done, can you stay with her for a little while? They're going to take her up to a room. I have to..." He stopped.
"Go see Eve, Kevin. You don't have to worry about me caring."
When Kevin found Eve, he looked at her for a moment.
"Kevin, I'm fine. I haven't heard from him. Mac's shadow has been about ten feet from me since he got here. I heard Lucy'd been brought in. How is she?"
"Okay. Too much stress. He went to her. Started asking questions about the babies."
Eve shook her head. "He doesn't suspect, does he?"
"Who knows? I gave up trying to figure out how his mind works." He shook his head. "But I guess I'd better start trying. He's too close. He's too close to her." The anger in him startled Eve. He sounded possessive.
"I take it you're going to stay with her?"
"Luke's with her right now. I'm going to go check on her, but I had to see you." Gently, he pulled her into his arms. "I don't want you alone at the lighthouse tonight."
"I don't get off for another hour. I have to admit I don't relish the thought of going there alone right now." She was hoping he'd leave Luke to take care of Lucy and go home with her.
"I can't leave her alone too long."
Eve's voice rose and she glared at Kevin. "She's not alone. You just told me that Luke is with her."
Kevin sighed and held Eve's hands. "I don't think you're the one he's after. Lucy and I are the ones he wants to hurt. I could be endangering you by being near you. I'm just not comfortable with you being alone. Just to be safe."
"Then come home with me."
"Let me see how Lucy is. Meet me on 5 when you're done." Kissing her once, he went to Lucy's room.
When Kevin opened the door, Luke looked at him and put his finger to his lips. ''She finally went to sleep.''
''What else did Dr. Newman say?'' He stood close to Luke and whispered.
''She needs to stay calm.'' Glancing at her, he motioned for Kevin to follow him out the door. ''Dr. Newman mentioned keeping her here until she delivers. You can take one guess how well that went over.''
''Lucy in here for another 3 months?'' He shook his head. ''Probably not that long, given her medical history, but I'm sure she didn't take that news too well.''
''How about..... no.'' Luke smiled. ''We're working on a solution that will make everyone happy. Dr. Newman wants her on total bed rest for a while, but she lives alone. That appears to be the problem.''
''She'll have to have someone with her.'' Kevin looked at the door to her room. ''I need to talk to Victor and Mary. They have no idea what's going on.''
''Yes they do. Mary showed up a few minutes ago, and she's calling Victor as we speak. She's not happy with you for not calling them.''
''Gee, thanks. I guess we'll have to figure something out. Lucy won't stay here. She'll be climbing the walls.''
''Climbing over them is more like it.'' Luke actually laughed. ''So what are you going to do?''
''I don't know. I need to call Mac.''
''I have a few things I need to do. I'll be back if she needs me.''
''A few things?''
Luke nodded. ''She'll fill you in. We talked.''
As Kevin walked to the door, Luke grabbed his arm. ''She's going to be safe. I can do that. But I can't help her feelings. You have to do that.''
''What do you mean?''
''Oh, you're a smart man. Or so she's told me. You figure it out.'' With that, Luke was gone.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Victor and Mary entered Lucy's room quietly. Kevin was sitting next to the bed and Lucy was still asleep. Standing, Kevin led them out to the hallway.
When Victor and Mary heard the whole story, they both looked at Kevin.
''What are we going to do about Ryan?'' Victor stared at the door. ''We have to keep him away from her.''
''I know. I'm not sure how to do it. The one thing I don't want him to do is suspect anything.'' Kevin cracked her door and saw that she was awake.
''Why are you still here?''
Her question surprised him, and he walked over to her. ''I had to know you were alright.''
''I'm better now.'' She saw Victor and Mary and smiled. They went to her and hugged her.
Kevin stood back watching the three of them, feeling very left out. Victor's words echoed in his mind. 'You can't say one thing, and get mad when she doesn't read your mind.'
''Kevin said the babies are fine.'' Mary pushed Lucy's hair back off her face gently.
''It was their mother who was a total wreck.'' Lucy shrugged. ''I panicked. Where did Luke go?''
''He said he had some things to take care of and you would explain.'' Kevin looked at her.
''He's going to make a few calls and get me some protection. It will help for a while, but at some point something has to give.'' Her eyes filled with tears again. ''I'm NOT going to live the rest of my life like this.''
''You won't have to. He can't stay loose forever. We'll find him, Lucy.'' Kevin took her hand. ''I'm not going to let him hurt you again.''
Nodding, she looked at Mary. ''Dr. Newman wants me to go on bed rest. I knew this was probably coming, but not this soon. But she's threatening to keep me here because she doesn't want me alone.''
''You don't have to be alone. Victor and I will be there, Luke, and Kevin. We'll all make sure you're not alone. WON'T WE, gentlemen?'' The tone of Mary's voice told both men that it was not a question. ''I'm going to find Dr. Newman and find out exactly what she has in mind, and how we can work this out so you can go home. Okay?''
Crying, Lucy nodded.
''Don't. You need to stay calm, remember?'' Kevin reached to touch her face, and was actually hurt when she pulled her face away and took his hand.
Victor watched the two of them with interest. Kevin was walking a fine line, and suddenly Victor was sure the line was blurring.
Kevin looked at his watch. Eve should be outside waiting for him. ''I'll be right back.''
His eyes avoided Lucy's, and she knew what he was doing. ''You don't have to stay. I know you're worried about Eve.''
''I don't want to leave. I'm worried about you, too. You need to stay calm, and get some rest. And until whatever you and Luke came up with comes through, I'm not leaving.'' He knew she was pushing him away. It hurt, but he understood.
Eve was pacing out in the hallway. Going to him, she kissed him. ''Ready?''
''I have to wait for Luke to get whatever he has in mind together. He's determined to keep Ryan away from her, and I'm glad. But I can't leave her alone.''
''Kevin, she's not alone. You told me she's all right. So what's the problem?''
His answer was to sigh and look at the door. It was all Eve needed. ''Guess what? I don't want to drag you away from this. From her. Do you have a problem if I go to Chris's tonight?''
''Have you already talked to him?'' Kevin stared at her.
''Yes. I knew you wouldn't leave her. Even though I understand, don't expect me to like it.'' Shrugging, she turned and walked away without even saying goodbye.