Chapter 14
Liz pushed her tired feet into her sneakers and slipped tied the laces tight so she wouldn't trip while working.
"Come play wif, Mommy." Hannah asked crawling onto the bed.
"No, Hannah bean. I have to go to work." Liz apologized and stroked her three-year-old's hair from her face.
"You just got back, Mommy." Hannah pouted.
"I know, Hannah." Liz said sympathetically. Time Out for Parents had all but gone out. She was now on her own to pay hospital and daycare bills.
"I'm going to Gwama Amy's?" She asked.
Amy Valenti took care of Hannah when Liz worked three days of the week. Hannah attended daycare Wednesdays and Fridays, and on those days, Liz worked evenings, leaving Mrs. Valenti to baby-sit again.
"I always go." She said going to get her pack together.
"I know, but Mommy will be home with you tomorrow night." Liz promised.
"Realdy?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes." Liz said.
"Can we play Clifford?" Hannah asked about her favorite board game.
"We can play what ever you want, Hannah bean." Liz promised with a smile.
Hannah let out an excited whoop and ran to get her things. "Is Kyle gonna be there?" She had long since learned the correct pronunciation of his name.
"Yes." Liz smiled.
On top of paying for daycare and small medical bills, she moved into an apartment across the hall from Maria and Alex to allow more independence.
"Ready, Hannah bean?" Liz asked.
"Yes, Mommy. Is Grandpa Jim gonna be there too?"
"Always." Liz said as she held the door open for her little girl to walk through.
****
"Are you sure you want to do this, Max?" Phillip Evans eyed his son with reluctant pride and admiration.
What it normally took a kid four years to accomplish, Max had done in three.
He knew why Max had wanted to start a branch in Los Angeles.
"Yes, Dad. I'm already not going to make my goal, please don't make it any later."
"What was your goal, son?" He asked curiously.
"November 4." He said quietly.
"You're going to California to find them aren't you?" Phillip asked.
Max sat there staring at his hands, unable to deny the fact.
"Max, do you know what you're doing?" He looked at his son concerned.
"Yes, Dad." He nodded and looked him straight in the eye.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt to start a branch in Orange County." Phillip straightened.
"Why not LA?"
"Because LA is not where Hannah and Elizabeth are. They're in Orange County Max." He said casually.
"And you would know this how?" Max crossed his arms.
"I've always known. I've been keeping tabs on her for a while soon as I figured out what you were planning on doing." He smiled.
"How long?" Max asked.
"A little over six months. Your mother hinted to me and so I found them." He looked pleased with himself. "They're in Yorba Linda, California."
"Thank you, Dad." Max smiled. "Are you going to go with me?"
"Yes." Phillip answered. "All of us. Including your mother and Isabel."
"Are you moving out there permanently?" He asked.
"No, just until we get you on your feet, and by that time Isabel will be done with schooling and she can stay there and help you." He said proudly.
"That's great." Max shrugged. "When do we leave."
"Next week." Phillip said. "Isabel has to transfer and then we'll be on our way."
"Thank you, Dad." Max said once more before standing.
"Sit down, Max." His father directed before he could exit.
Max sat automatically. He had 21 years of training to know not to disappoint his father.
"I know, son, how much these three years have torn at you. You were unable to have a normal college experience or a normal young adulthood. Then again, you weren't going to have a normal life if you had kept your child. I'm sorry, Max, for what you went through, not knowing what kind of life your daughter is going through." He straightened. "I don't know what I would have done if I didn't know where you or Izzy went. Max, I'm proud of you. How you kept your head on straight. I'm proud, Max I am. I hope you find Hannah."
Max nodded at his father and left the room.
It's not finding Hannah that will be the hard thing. Getting Liz to trust him would be unbelievably difficult.
****
"Come to bed now, Hannah." Amy Valenti called.
"I hafta wait for Mommy." Hannah protested.
"Your Mommy will come and get you when she's done with work." She said. "Say goodnight to Grandpa Jim."
"No!" She protested. "I want Mommy!"
"No, Hannah, Mommy will come and pick you up, but only if you go to sleep." Amy coaxed.
"Come on, Hannah." Kyle said hearing the commotion. It was the same argument every night. Hannah didn't want to sleep until Liz came to get her.
"Kyle, I hafta wait for Mommy." She pleaded.
"Alright, we'll wait for Mommy in my room, ok?" He asked.
She nodded. "Night Gwampa Jim and Gwama Amy." She waved back.
"Why do you always fight, papillon?" Kyle asked while laying her down in his bed.
"I hafta wait for Mommy." She said as if it were obvious.
"You'll wait for Mommy here. Now, would you like to read a book?" He asked.
"Yes, ask Gwama Amy." Hannah said sitting up again.
Kyle returned quickly holding the book in his hands. She clapped her hands and snuggled into his side as he opened the book.
Five minutes later she was sleeping.
Liz walked into the room quietly, not wanting to disturb the sleeping Kyle and Hannah.
Liz loved watching Hanna sleep. In sleep, it was easy to see Max in Hannah. Liz had finally cut the girl's hair when Hannah refused to let her brush it. As she had suspected it fell straight now. Almost exactly the same as hers only with Max's dark hue.
Liz reached out a gentle hand and brushed Hannah's hair out of her face. Even though it was October, in California, it meant hotter than summer when the Santa Ana Winds rolled around. The hair stuck to her face unexpectedly. Hannah shifted and Liz stood back making sure she wouldn't wake her.
Kyle came in behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "She wants you to wake her up, she thinks she has to wait for you before she can sleep."
"I know, Amy was telling me that." Liz smiled and leaned her head back on him. "I have to take her home."
"I'll follow you in my car." He said quickly.
"No, Kyle, you have your final test tomorrow, you need to sleep as well. I'll remove her so you can go to bed. Thanks for sharing." She said in a voice she used only for Hannah when reprimanding her.
"Alright." He gave in knowing there would be no arguing with her. She had picked that up from Amy and Maria who had in turn given the same spark to Hannah. Luckily, Hannah was still young enough where you could be reasonable with her but she was learning quickly not to give in.
"Can I carry her to the car for you?" He asked looking very much like a little boy.
"Yes." She nodded and walked behind him as he carefully set her in the car.
"Call me when you get home, alright?" He ordered.
"I will. Goodnight, Kyle." Liz said before starting the car and heading home.
****
Max stepped into the townhouse his parents were renting while they set up the business.
"Must you always stand in doorways, Max?" Isabel pushed through.
"Only because it bugs you." He shrugged and moved from the doorway so his parents could enter.
"Max, take your dog." Isabel comes back into the room. "It's in my room, again."
"She is not an it, her name is Ella after you, and she obviously loves her namesake." He said quiet offended by her rejection.
"Thrilled as I am about having a dog named after me, Max, keep IT out of my room. Thank you." She turned and returned to her room.
"Gosh, I still like you, Ella." He comforted the dog that was anxious to get out of his arms and explore her new surroundings.
It had been a spur of a moment purpose. He had gone to pound, for what he would never know. He saw the two-year old puppy sitting quietly in the back of the cage, and he had to have her. She was a mix of everything. There was no telling what she was.
Isabel shut the door firmly to her room and answered her cell
Isabel?" Liz's voice came across the line.
"Hey, Liz." Isabel said quietly into the phone incase her brother decided to follow her.
"How are you doing?" Liz asked quietly. "Hannah's asleep."
"Good, Liz, I'm glad you called. I got the new right after I hung up with you last Tuesday."
"What's wrong, Isabel?" Liz asked her voice sounding worried.
"Liz, we're in California."
"We, meaning." She hinted.
"My parents, me, and Max."
"Where?" Liz closes her eyes and leaned her head on her table.
"Anaheim Hills."
There was nothing but silence on the other side of the line.
"Liz?" Isabel called softly.
"My God, Isabel. I don't even know what to say." Liz took a deep breathe.
"I know, where are you at?"
"Yorba Linda, just a freeway overpass away from Anaheim Hills."
Anaheim Hills was the rich part of Anaheim. Orange stood as a divider between the two but are considered the same city.
"Does he know that?" Liz asked.
"Yes." Isabel said. "Liz, he's going to try to find you. I've been pushing him to do his best in law school and he finished in three years, Liz. I know it might be hard to forgive him, and I'm not asking you to, I just want you to know, Liz, he worked himself hard to make a good life."
"Isabel, don't." Liz asked quietly. She glanced over at Hannah who was now awake. She was staring straight at Liz. Not moving, just staring into space with a thumb in her mouth. "She's awake."
"Liz, I know it's a lot, but, can I meet her? It would meet a lot to me, if I could just meet her once, she doesn't even have to know who I am." Isabel pleaded.
"Of course, Isabel." Liz said without hesitation. "I wanted you to come out after she was born, but I didn't want you to know where we were in case he asked." Liz said, never using his name.
"I know." Isabel acknowledged. "When can I meet her?"
"Um."
"Wait just a sec, Liz, the dog is at the door."
"Dog?" She asked curiously. "When did you get a dog."
"We didn't, my stupid brother did. Two days ago. Her name is Ella, after me, isn't that sweet of him." Isabel said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"What kind?" She asked.
"No one knows." Isabel said as she let the dog in her bedroom door. She really had a soft spot for her but she didn't want Max to know.
"How cute. But I think tomorrow will be good, I don't have to work tomorrow evening. Hannah will be thrilled to go out." Liz smiled.
"I talk, Mommy?" Isabel heard Hannah ask.
"Can she say hi?" Liz asked, not wanting to deny Hannah.
"Of course." Isabel said excitedly. Usually Liz only called if she was asleep or with someone.
"Hedo?" Hannah asked into the phone.
"Hello, Hannah?" Isabel said softly back. Her voice was so high and sweet.
"Who dis?" She asked.
"I'm Isabel."
"Mommy, who's Isabel?" She asked looking at Liz.
"She's your aunt."
"Like Aunt Mwia?"
"Almost." Liz wasn't going to tell her Isabel was her real aunt.
"Hi, Aunt Isabel." She said into the phone. Now that she 'knew' who she was speaking to she would speak freely. "I'm Hannah. Mommy said I go to park tomorrow."
"Yes, we're going to the park tomorrow." Isabel affirmed. "Are you excited?"
"Les." All her Y's sounded like L's "Wait, Mommy's sayin' somefing. Wha?" She turned to Liz. "Mommy says I hafta go now, we goin' to Gwama Amy's, so Mommy can work. We gonna see Kyle." She said excitedly.
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow." Isabel said before she heard them shifting the phone.
"We gotta run, Isabel. I'll talk to you tomorrow at the Yorba Linda park, yes?"
"Alright, see you tomorrow." Isabel snapped off the phone and picked the dog up onto her bed. [/I]
"What are we going to do, Ella?" ****
Isabel sat nervously in the park not sure where to find Liz. She arrived early hoping Liz would find her. She had brought Ella along just because.
"Hey." She heard from behind her.
"Liz!" Isabel stood up quickly. She hadn't seen her best friend in three years. Isabel studied her, she was still the same, except her eyes looked older.
"This is Hannah." Liz introduced.
The girl was a small version of Liz except anyone who knew Max, knew this was his child. Isabel gasped.
"I know, she looks like him." Liz said quietly.
"Yes, she does." Isabel squatted down in front of her. "But she's beautiful, Liz."
"Thank you." Liz said and rubbed her hair. Hannah was leaning completely on her.
Hannah stared. "We have de same eyes."
Isabel looked up at Liz. "Yes, we do." She said through a constricted throat. "I'm your Aunt Isabel."
"I talked lesterday." Hannah said.
"Yes. Can I hug you?" Isabel asked.
"Les, Aunt Mwia don't ask." Hannah said and threw her arms around Isabel.
Isabel hugged her small body to her. She held on for a while but Hannah seemed to sense something was different. She let her hold on for as long as she needed and rested her head on her shoulder.
"Who dat?" Hannah asked when she let go.
"That's our dog, her name is Ella." Isabel pulled the dog over.
"Elda, come here." She said and gently petted the dog. "I like her."
"She likes you too."
Isabel smiled and relaxed. She was more comfortable around the small girl. Maybe she could get to know her niece better over the many years to come.
Liz pushed her tired feet into her sneakers and slipped tied the laces tight so she wouldn't trip while working.
"Come play wif, Mommy." Hannah asked crawling onto the bed.
"No, Hannah bean. I have to go to work." Liz apologized and stroked her three-year-old's hair from her face.
"You just got back, Mommy." Hannah pouted.
"I know, Hannah." Liz said sympathetically. Time Out for Parents had all but gone out. She was now on her own to pay hospital and daycare bills.
"I'm going to Gwama Amy's?" She asked.
Amy Valenti took care of Hannah when Liz worked three days of the week. Hannah attended daycare Wednesdays and Fridays, and on those days, Liz worked evenings, leaving Mrs. Valenti to baby-sit again.
"I always go." She said going to get her pack together.
"I know, but Mommy will be home with you tomorrow night." Liz promised.
"Realdy?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes." Liz said.
"Can we play Clifford?" Hannah asked about her favorite board game.
"We can play what ever you want, Hannah bean." Liz promised with a smile.
Hannah let out an excited whoop and ran to get her things. "Is Kyle gonna be there?" She had long since learned the correct pronunciation of his name.
"Yes." Liz smiled.
On top of paying for daycare and small medical bills, she moved into an apartment across the hall from Maria and Alex to allow more independence.
"Ready, Hannah bean?" Liz asked.
"Yes, Mommy. Is Grandpa Jim gonna be there too?"
"Always." Liz said as she held the door open for her little girl to walk through.
****
"Are you sure you want to do this, Max?" Phillip Evans eyed his son with reluctant pride and admiration.
What it normally took a kid four years to accomplish, Max had done in three.
He knew why Max had wanted to start a branch in Los Angeles.
"Yes, Dad. I'm already not going to make my goal, please don't make it any later."
"What was your goal, son?" He asked curiously.
"November 4." He said quietly.
"You're going to California to find them aren't you?" Phillip asked.
Max sat there staring at his hands, unable to deny the fact.
"Max, do you know what you're doing?" He looked at his son concerned.
"Yes, Dad." He nodded and looked him straight in the eye.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt to start a branch in Orange County." Phillip straightened.
"Why not LA?"
"Because LA is not where Hannah and Elizabeth are. They're in Orange County Max." He said casually.
"And you would know this how?" Max crossed his arms.
"I've always known. I've been keeping tabs on her for a while soon as I figured out what you were planning on doing." He smiled.
"How long?" Max asked.
"A little over six months. Your mother hinted to me and so I found them." He looked pleased with himself. "They're in Yorba Linda, California."
"Thank you, Dad." Max smiled. "Are you going to go with me?"
"Yes." Phillip answered. "All of us. Including your mother and Isabel."
"Are you moving out there permanently?" He asked.
"No, just until we get you on your feet, and by that time Isabel will be done with schooling and she can stay there and help you." He said proudly.
"That's great." Max shrugged. "When do we leave."
"Next week." Phillip said. "Isabel has to transfer and then we'll be on our way."
"Thank you, Dad." Max said once more before standing.
"Sit down, Max." His father directed before he could exit.
Max sat automatically. He had 21 years of training to know not to disappoint his father.
"I know, son, how much these three years have torn at you. You were unable to have a normal college experience or a normal young adulthood. Then again, you weren't going to have a normal life if you had kept your child. I'm sorry, Max, for what you went through, not knowing what kind of life your daughter is going through." He straightened. "I don't know what I would have done if I didn't know where you or Izzy went. Max, I'm proud of you. How you kept your head on straight. I'm proud, Max I am. I hope you find Hannah."
Max nodded at his father and left the room.
It's not finding Hannah that will be the hard thing. Getting Liz to trust him would be unbelievably difficult.
****
"Come to bed now, Hannah." Amy Valenti called.
"I hafta wait for Mommy." Hannah protested.
"Your Mommy will come and get you when she's done with work." She said. "Say goodnight to Grandpa Jim."
"No!" She protested. "I want Mommy!"
"No, Hannah, Mommy will come and pick you up, but only if you go to sleep." Amy coaxed.
"Come on, Hannah." Kyle said hearing the commotion. It was the same argument every night. Hannah didn't want to sleep until Liz came to get her.
"Kyle, I hafta wait for Mommy." She pleaded.
"Alright, we'll wait for Mommy in my room, ok?" He asked.
She nodded. "Night Gwampa Jim and Gwama Amy." She waved back.
"Why do you always fight, papillon?" Kyle asked while laying her down in his bed.
"I hafta wait for Mommy." She said as if it were obvious.
"You'll wait for Mommy here. Now, would you like to read a book?" He asked.
"Yes, ask Gwama Amy." Hannah said sitting up again.
Kyle returned quickly holding the book in his hands. She clapped her hands and snuggled into his side as he opened the book.
Five minutes later she was sleeping.
Liz walked into the room quietly, not wanting to disturb the sleeping Kyle and Hannah.
Liz loved watching Hanna sleep. In sleep, it was easy to see Max in Hannah. Liz had finally cut the girl's hair when Hannah refused to let her brush it. As she had suspected it fell straight now. Almost exactly the same as hers only with Max's dark hue.
Liz reached out a gentle hand and brushed Hannah's hair out of her face. Even though it was October, in California, it meant hotter than summer when the Santa Ana Winds rolled around. The hair stuck to her face unexpectedly. Hannah shifted and Liz stood back making sure she wouldn't wake her.
Kyle came in behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "She wants you to wake her up, she thinks she has to wait for you before she can sleep."
"I know, Amy was telling me that." Liz smiled and leaned her head back on him. "I have to take her home."
"I'll follow you in my car." He said quickly.
"No, Kyle, you have your final test tomorrow, you need to sleep as well. I'll remove her so you can go to bed. Thanks for sharing." She said in a voice she used only for Hannah when reprimanding her.
"Alright." He gave in knowing there would be no arguing with her. She had picked that up from Amy and Maria who had in turn given the same spark to Hannah. Luckily, Hannah was still young enough where you could be reasonable with her but she was learning quickly not to give in.
"Can I carry her to the car for you?" He asked looking very much like a little boy.
"Yes." She nodded and walked behind him as he carefully set her in the car.
"Call me when you get home, alright?" He ordered.
"I will. Goodnight, Kyle." Liz said before starting the car and heading home.
****
Max stepped into the townhouse his parents were renting while they set up the business.
"Must you always stand in doorways, Max?" Isabel pushed through.
"Only because it bugs you." He shrugged and moved from the doorway so his parents could enter.
"Max, take your dog." Isabel comes back into the room. "It's in my room, again."
"She is not an it, her name is Ella after you, and she obviously loves her namesake." He said quiet offended by her rejection.
"Thrilled as I am about having a dog named after me, Max, keep IT out of my room. Thank you." She turned and returned to her room.
"Gosh, I still like you, Ella." He comforted the dog that was anxious to get out of his arms and explore her new surroundings.
It had been a spur of a moment purpose. He had gone to pound, for what he would never know. He saw the two-year old puppy sitting quietly in the back of the cage, and he had to have her. She was a mix of everything. There was no telling what she was.
Isabel shut the door firmly to her room and answered her cell
Isabel?" Liz's voice came across the line.
"Hey, Liz." Isabel said quietly into the phone incase her brother decided to follow her.
"How are you doing?" Liz asked quietly. "Hannah's asleep."
"Good, Liz, I'm glad you called. I got the new right after I hung up with you last Tuesday."
"What's wrong, Isabel?" Liz asked her voice sounding worried.
"Liz, we're in California."
"We, meaning." She hinted.
"My parents, me, and Max."
"Where?" Liz closes her eyes and leaned her head on her table.
"Anaheim Hills."
There was nothing but silence on the other side of the line.
"Liz?" Isabel called softly.
"My God, Isabel. I don't even know what to say." Liz took a deep breathe.
"I know, where are you at?"
"Yorba Linda, just a freeway overpass away from Anaheim Hills."
Anaheim Hills was the rich part of Anaheim. Orange stood as a divider between the two but are considered the same city.
"Does he know that?" Liz asked.
"Yes." Isabel said. "Liz, he's going to try to find you. I've been pushing him to do his best in law school and he finished in three years, Liz. I know it might be hard to forgive him, and I'm not asking you to, I just want you to know, Liz, he worked himself hard to make a good life."
"Isabel, don't." Liz asked quietly. She glanced over at Hannah who was now awake. She was staring straight at Liz. Not moving, just staring into space with a thumb in her mouth. "She's awake."
"Liz, I know it's a lot, but, can I meet her? It would meet a lot to me, if I could just meet her once, she doesn't even have to know who I am." Isabel pleaded.
"Of course, Isabel." Liz said without hesitation. "I wanted you to come out after she was born, but I didn't want you to know where we were in case he asked." Liz said, never using his name.
"I know." Isabel acknowledged. "When can I meet her?"
"Um."
"Wait just a sec, Liz, the dog is at the door."
"Dog?" She asked curiously. "When did you get a dog."
"We didn't, my stupid brother did. Two days ago. Her name is Ella, after me, isn't that sweet of him." Isabel said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"What kind?" She asked.
"No one knows." Isabel said as she let the dog in her bedroom door. She really had a soft spot for her but she didn't want Max to know.
"How cute. But I think tomorrow will be good, I don't have to work tomorrow evening. Hannah will be thrilled to go out." Liz smiled.
"I talk, Mommy?" Isabel heard Hannah ask.
"Can she say hi?" Liz asked, not wanting to deny Hannah.
"Of course." Isabel said excitedly. Usually Liz only called if she was asleep or with someone.
"Hedo?" Hannah asked into the phone.
"Hello, Hannah?" Isabel said softly back. Her voice was so high and sweet.
"Who dis?" She asked.
"I'm Isabel."
"Mommy, who's Isabel?" She asked looking at Liz.
"She's your aunt."
"Like Aunt Mwia?"
"Almost." Liz wasn't going to tell her Isabel was her real aunt.
"Hi, Aunt Isabel." She said into the phone. Now that she 'knew' who she was speaking to she would speak freely. "I'm Hannah. Mommy said I go to park tomorrow."
"Yes, we're going to the park tomorrow." Isabel affirmed. "Are you excited?"
"Les." All her Y's sounded like L's "Wait, Mommy's sayin' somefing. Wha?" She turned to Liz. "Mommy says I hafta go now, we goin' to Gwama Amy's, so Mommy can work. We gonna see Kyle." She said excitedly.
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow." Isabel said before she heard them shifting the phone.
"We gotta run, Isabel. I'll talk to you tomorrow at the Yorba Linda park, yes?"
"Alright, see you tomorrow." Isabel snapped off the phone and picked the dog up onto her bed. [/I]
"What are we going to do, Ella?" ****
Isabel sat nervously in the park not sure where to find Liz. She arrived early hoping Liz would find her. She had brought Ella along just because.
"Hey." She heard from behind her.
"Liz!" Isabel stood up quickly. She hadn't seen her best friend in three years. Isabel studied her, she was still the same, except her eyes looked older.
"This is Hannah." Liz introduced.
The girl was a small version of Liz except anyone who knew Max, knew this was his child. Isabel gasped.
"I know, she looks like him." Liz said quietly.
"Yes, she does." Isabel squatted down in front of her. "But she's beautiful, Liz."
"Thank you." Liz said and rubbed her hair. Hannah was leaning completely on her.
Hannah stared. "We have de same eyes."
Isabel looked up at Liz. "Yes, we do." She said through a constricted throat. "I'm your Aunt Isabel."
"I talked lesterday." Hannah said.
"Yes. Can I hug you?" Isabel asked.
"Les, Aunt Mwia don't ask." Hannah said and threw her arms around Isabel.
Isabel hugged her small body to her. She held on for a while but Hannah seemed to sense something was different. She let her hold on for as long as she needed and rested her head on her shoulder.
"Who dat?" Hannah asked when she let go.
"That's our dog, her name is Ella." Isabel pulled the dog over.
"Elda, come here." She said and gently petted the dog. "I like her."
"She likes you too."
Isabel smiled and relaxed. She was more comfortable around the small girl. Maybe she could get to know her niece better over the many years to come.