This is a continuation of Family of Four Part 1, which you should read first in order to fully understand this story. I do not own any of the characters and make no money from their use. I would like to thank Lori and Jo for their editing and beta reading. Please e-mail me with any questions or comments that you may have.
Note: For those unfamiliar with the term, West Point is the home of the United States Military Academy (USMA). It is located in the Hudson River in New York between Albany and New York City. Congressman McElroy and Vice President John Stewart are characters I made up to be an Illinois Congressman and United States Vice President, respectively.
Also, Mark's father did not die in Season 6, although his mother did. David moved to Chicago sometime after his wife's death but lives in a retirement community not far from Mark, Elizabeth and the children and sees them once a week or so. In addition, both of Elizabeth's parents are alive. They have met David but there was never anything romantic between David and Isabelle such as that which occurred in Season 6.
Summary: It is March of 2018 and Mark and Elizabeth are living in Chicago, raising Josh and Rebecca who are 17 and 13, respectively.
"What news is that?" Elizabeth asked, taking a sip from her juice.
"Remember we found out that it is necessary to have a nomination from a Congressman and the Vice President in order to apply to West Point?"
"Yes," Mark said, remembering the day they had spent with a recruiter over Christmas break and the subsequent information packets that Josh had received.
"I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get the nomination so I didn't say anything." Josh paused before adding, "I got a letter in the mail today from Congressman McElroy. He has nominated me and indicated that he will encourage the Vice President to do so as well."
"Congratulations," Mark said.
"I'm so proud of you," Elizabeth said. "I think this calls for a toast," she added with a smile.
As Mark, Elizabeth, and Josh raised their glasses, Rebecca took a bite out of her toast. Looking up innocently she asked, "What? You said it called for toast."
"Knucklehead," Josh said with a smile.
"What did you think when you saw the letter?" Elizabeth asked.
"I wasn't sure what to think," Josh commented. "I was somewhat afraid to open it because I wasn't sure if it would be good."
"Why did you think that it wouldn't be good?"
"I don't know. West Point only takes the best of the best and I'm sure the Congressman gets many requests for nominations so"
"You've worked hard for this, you deserve it."
"Thanks."
They finished eating dinner a short time later and Mark asked, "Does anyone want dessert?"
"No, thanks," said Rebecca.
"I think I'm going to check out the ice cream," Josh said, putting his bowl in the sink on the way to the freezer. "Great, mint chocolate chip and chocolate peanut butter." Stopping to get bowls from the cupboard, he asked, "Mom, Dad, are you having any?"
"Definitely."
"I think I'm going to pass," Elizabeth said. "I need to lie down for a little while," she added, slowly standing.
As Mark rose to walk her into the den, Josh asked, "Are you OK?"
"Yes, I'm just getting tired."
Rebecca asked, "Did you wash my blanket yet?"
"I'll do that now."
As Mark and Elizabeth walked slowly into the den, Mark slipped his arm around her waist and said, "I'll take care of Rebecca's blanket. Do you want me to get you one from our room?"
"No, thanks. I just had terrible chills this afternoon. I should be OK now."
"OK," he said, giving her a kiss. "I'll be back after we finish dessert. Maybe we can watch a movie or something."
"If I can stay awake."
As Mark returned to the kitchen after putting Rebecca's blanket in the laundry, Josh asked, "Does Mom need a blanket? I have some extras in my room."
"She's OK for now, but thanks. Rebecca, please try to ease up on mom a little; she's sick."
"Sor-ry," Rebecca replied sarcastically, in a typical teenage fashion. "But I don't want to get sick."
"No one wants to get sick," Mark commented. "But if it's going to happen, it will. Sharing a blanket won't make it any more likely."
The phone rang and Rebecca dove for it. After talking for a few minutes she covered the mouthpiece and asked, "Can I go to Josie's?"
"Are her parents home?"
"Yes, Dad," Rebecca said in an exasperated tone.
"Just be back by 10."
Rebecca rolled her eyes and turned back to her conversation. When she hung up, Mark said, "Help us clean the kitchen before you go."
"I just told her I'd be right over."
"This won't take five minutes and then you can go," Mark said. "Just bring over your dishes."
Rebecca grudgingly did as she was asked and then left.
As they finished cleaning up the kitchen, Mark asked, "So what is the next step for West Point?"
"Hopefully I will hear from the Vice President within the next week or so. After that I just need to work on essays and conditioning. I can turn in the application after August 1."
"Did you find out any more about the summer session?"
"It runs for a week in June. I sent for an application and when I get it I just need to fill it in and mail it back."
"Does it cost anything?"
"The website said approximately $200 which includes room and board, and other fees. I have enough saved from work."
"Mom and I will pay for it if you get in."
"Thanks." Since they were finished Josh asked, "I wanted to print some information from my teacher's website but I'm having trouble with my laptop's modem. Can I use your computer?"
"Sure. Do we need to take your computer to be serviced?"
"No, it's just something with the settings. I can fix it, I just can't be bothered with it right now."
Mark washed his hands and went into the den. Seeing that Elizabeth was asleep and not wanting to wake her, he sat in the chair next to her and began to read the day's copy of the Tribune.
About a half hour later Josh came into the den but noticed that his mother was still sleeping. He motioned for Mark to follow him into the other room and asked, "Charlie just called about going to see the new movie, American Tragedy. Four or five of my friends are going and he wanted to know if I would join them. The problem is Steven doesn't get out of work until 9:30 so we'd be going to a 10:00 show. The movie is two and a half hours long so by the time I got to my car and got home it might be a little after 1. Could I still go?"
"Do you have to work early tomorrow?"
"No, not until 2:00."
"Then it's fine. Just please call if you're going to be later than 1:30, OK?"
"Sure, thanks Dad."
Around 9:15, Mark noticed Elizabeth beginning to stir. As her eyes slowly opened, she saw him sitting there and reached for his hand. "Feeling any better?" he asked softly.
"Not really," she said, interlacing her fingers with his. Starting to cough she asked, "Would you get me a glass of water or juice?"
Mark came back into the room holding a glass of water and a bowl. Elizabeth sat up long enough for Mark to sit behind her and then she leaned back against his chest and took the glass from him. After taking a few sips she asked, "What's in the bowl?"
"Jello. You should eat and I thought that might be OK for your throat."
"Thanks," she said softly, accepting the first spoonful. "I just noticed how quiet it is. Are Josh and Rebecca both out?"
"Rebecca is at Josie's but she should be back in about a half hour. And Josh is meeting some friends for a 10 PM showing of American Tragedy."
Elizabeth was quiet for a few minutes before asking, "Do you have any plans for tonight?"
"This," Mark said with a smile, brushing Elizabeth's hair back from her face.
"What about a slight change?"
"I can handle that. What did you have in mind?"
"Move upstairs to our bed and watch a film, assuming I can stay awake," Elizabeth said. "That would probably be more comfortable for both of us."
"That works for me," Mark smiled, as he gently lifted Elizabeth into his arms.
"Mark! Put me down!" she laughed.
"For the first time in quite a while, we have the house all to ourselves. I plan to make the most of that," he informed her as he moved towards the stairs.
"Too bad I'm too sick to enjoy it," she said apologetically.
"Don't worry about that," he assured her. "I'll just take what I can get."
"Thanks," she said kissing him on the cheek before resting her head on his shoulder and allowing him to carry her to their bedroom.
He laid her down on the bed and pulled the sheet and blanket up around her. "I love the feeling of fresh sheets," she said softly.
"I know you do," Mark said with a smile. As he changed he asked, "So what are we watching?"
"Let's see what's on HBO," Elizabeth offered.
Mark turned the TV to HBO and then brought the remote with him as he climbed into bed behind Elizabeth. Reaching his hands under the t-shirt that she wore, he began to massage her neck and shoulders.
She sighed contentedly as his strong hands kneaded her aching muscles. "Thank you," she murmured. "I really appreciate this."
Mark responded by dropping a series of feathery kisses on Elizabeth's neck and collarbone. Relaxing under Mark's caring touches, Elizabeth began to doze off a little only to be woken up ten minutes later by the vibrations of base music coming from downstairs.
"I'll take care of it," Mark said, starting to climb out of bed.
"No," Elizabeth said, reaching for his hand.
"Are you sure?" he asked carefully, studying the frustration in her eyes.
"Maybe she'll turn it down," Elizabeth said hopefully. However about 15 minutes later, it wasn't any quieter and Elizabeth softly asked, "Would you mind?"
"Of course not," Mark said, standing.
"My headache is just so bad."
"You don't have to explain," Mark said. "I'll be right back."
Mark walked into the den and without a word, turned the music way down. Rebecca looked at him incredulously and Mark said, "Mom was sleeping."
"How was I supposed to know?" Rebecca said, without much sympathy in her voice.
"Maybe you should go apologize for waking her."
"But" Rebecca started, but then saw the look on Mark's face and knew better than to argue. As she stomped upstairs she complained, "There is nothing to do."
"You can listen to music, just turn it down."
"But then I can't hear it."
"If it has to be loud enough to vibrate the floor for you to hear, then you need your hearing checked," Mark commented.
They walked into Mark and Elizabeth's bedroom to see the bed empty. Mark was confused for a second before they heard retching sounds from the bathroom. "I can't go in there," Rebecca said quickly. "I'll be sick."
"Just wait right here," Mark said, crossing the room quickly. Within seconds, he was crouched behind Elizabeth, gently rubbing her back. As she finished, he handed her a cup of water. Gratefully accepting it, she said, "I don't think it's possible to feel any worse than I do right now."
"I'm sorry," Mark said, helping her to stand. He kissed her forehead as she leaned against him for support. 'Rebecca is out there,' he added softly.
As they walked back into the bedroom, Mark noticed that Rebecca had not moved from her position in the doorway. "Sorry for waking you up, Mom" she said, not sounding very sorry at all.
"It's OK. Please just try to keep the music down. I really don't feel well," Elizabeth said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"OK, I'll try. See ya tomorrow," Rebecca said, heading back to the stairs.
"What are you doing tonight?" Elizabeth called after her.
"Nothing, I'm bored."
"I taped the film that you asked for."
"Where is the tape?"
"Still in the VCR, I think. It should be marked."
"Cool. Night"
"Love you," Elizabeth called after her, but was not surprised when she didn't receive an answer. Elizabeth sank back against the pillows and it took all her resolve not to start crying instantly.
As Mark sat on the edge of the bed, preparing to tuck Elizabeth in, he could see the tears forming in her eyes. He also knew her well enough to know that she was trying to hide them. He kissed her gently as he pulled up the covers, "Let's try to get some rest so you feel better, OK?"
"Can you turn off the TV? I'm not up to watching the film anymore, I want to try and sleep."
"Of course," Mark said.
After turning off the TV and lights, Mark climbed into bed. He was not entirely surprised when Elizabeth moved into his arms. He put his arms around her and rubbed her back until he could tell from her even breaths that she had fallen asleep.
The next morning, Elizabeth woke up around 9:30. She felt slightly better, something she was grateful for. On her nightstand she found a note from Mark that said:
I'm downstairs making breakfast.
Come down if you are up to it or else I will be up to check on
you.
Love,
Me
She stood carefully as she felt a little light headed and wrapped Mark's robe around her as it was warmer. She slowly made her way down the stairs into the kitchen. Mark was facing the stove so she was able to sneak up behind him and kiss his cheek before he saw her. "Morning," he said, returning her kiss. "How do you feel?"
"A little better."
"Good. Is my robe to thank for that?" Mark teased.
"Why, yes it is," Elizabeth said with a laugh. "So what inspired you to make pancakes?"
"Josh's request."
"You mean one of our children is willingly up before 12 on the weekend?"
"Yep. He was in here studying when I came down."
"Where is he now?"
"Right here," Josh said, coming into the kitchen behind them. "How do you feel, Mom?"
"Better, thanks. How was the film?"
"It was sold out so we just went for coffee instead."
"Sounds fun. How come you are up so early today?"
"Study session before work. Midterms are next week."
"Are you ready for them?"
"I think so. Do you think you'll feel up to helping me with some chemistry tomorrow?"
"Certainly. When is that midterm?"
"Not until Tuesday afternoon, but I want to have time to go over the chapters."
"Good idea."
"Breakfast is served," Mark said putting the plate of pancakes on the table. He went to put a pancake in Elizabeth's plate but she shook her head. "What do you want instead?"
"Nothing, right now. Thanks."
"Are you sure? I can make toast."
"I'll take you up on that later," Elizabeth said. "I just don't feel like eating right now."
After they finished breakfast, Josh went to meet his friends for the study group, Elizabeth went to lay on the couch and Mark said, "I had planned to do some work in the attic, are you going to be OK?"
"Yes," Elizabeth said. "I'm just really tired. I wanted to stay awake, but..."
"Try to sleep. I have my pager if you need anything."
"OK"
Around 11:30, Elizabeth awakened to a kiss on her forehead. As she opened her eyes she laughed and said, "You look like an Eskimo."
"Thanks. It's starting to snow again. I need to run to the store. Do you need anything?"
"What store?"
"Home Depot, but I can stop wherever."
"No, thanks. Just be careful."
"I will," Mark said. "I should be back in a half hour or so. Love you."
"Love you too."
About two hours later Elizabeth woke up and saw Mark sitting on the floor in front of her, his back to her, watching a basketball game with the volume turned all the way down. "Wouldn't you be able to follow the game better if you had the sound on?" Elizabeth teased.
"Ahh good afternoon, sleepyhead," Mark said, turning around.
"You should have woken me when you got home."
"You need your sleep. Are you feeling any better?"
"A little." Rubbing the last bit of sleep from her eyes, Elizabeth noticed a small stuffed penguin on the snack table. What intrigued her more was the picture that the penguin had tied around its neck. Elizabeth brought it close enough so that she could see it without her glasses and after reading it, looked to Mark, bewildered. "Ice-lollies?"
"Hmm. You've been here for nearly twenty years and still don't call them by the right name," Mark said with a laugh. "Maybe I should take away your present."
"I know, I'm sorry old habits die hardPopsicles, there, is that better," Elizabeth said, smiling.
"Yes. I couldn't leave one out on the table for you so I figured this was the next best idea. Plus, check out his name."
"Ice pop, cute. Thanks."
"You're welcome. Do you want one now?"
"Please."
"Any particular flavor?"
"Grape."
Mark returned with the Popsicle a few moments later and Elizabeth sat up long enough for him to sit behind her. Taking the Popsicle, she leaned back against Mark's chest and teased; "Since when do they sell 'popsicles'," she emphasized the word with a little grin, "with stuffed penguins at Home Depot?"
"I told you I could stop anywhere. I ran into the grocery store to get a few things because I'm not sure about this storm and saw the penguin and couldn't resist."
"How bad is the snow?"
"The roads are getting pretty bad. We have 6" now and could get up to another 8" before this is all over."
Elizabeth groaned, "Remind me again why we stay here?"
"Umm because deep down we both love it here and we'd miss it."
"I hate it when you're right," Elizabeth said with a laugh. "Do you think we'll get called in?"
"I called to check in earlier and they said it wasn't any worse than normal. I did tell them that I was home if they needed me to come in."
"I don't think I could pull a shift if my life depended on it, I'm so tired."
"You need your rest," Mark agreed.
As she finished the Popsicle, Elizabeth turned on her side slightly so she could face Mark. "You look like an alien with your purple lips," Mark teased.
"You're lucky I have no strength or else I'd have to hurt you for that," Elizabeth teased, playfully punching Mark's side.
"Your hands are ice cold," Mark said, taking Elizabeth's hands in one of his and feeling her forehead with the other.
"I know, I have the chills again," Elizabeth said, snuggling closer to Mark.
Mark reached for a blanket that was on the back of the couch. "Don't," Elizabeth said. Mark gave her a puzzled look and she explained, "If you put on enough blankets to keep me warm, you'll roast, so don't worry about me."
"I'll live. Getting you healthy is the most important thing," Mark said, gently rubbing Elizabeth's back.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said. "I feel better than I did yesterday but I still feel pretty lousy."
"We both know that happens with the flu, and then when you add in strep. You're just a mess," Mark teased.
"I am," Elizabeth agreed, laughing. "What are the letters on the table?" she added, noticing them for the first time.
"Mail from Rebecca's school."
"Parent-Teacher conferences coming up?"
"I wish it were that simple," Mark said, reaching for the letter. "I opened it when I got home thinking that was what it was."
"Can you tell me what it says? If I try to read a whole letter without my glasses on, my headache will get even worse."
"The gist of it is that Rebecca has missed many classes and is in danger of failing both math and history for the trimester," Mark said grimly.
"She what? How?" Elizabeth said, the shock and disappointment evident on her face and in her voice.
"I don't know," Mark admitted. "What I'd like to know is why it took them this long to notify us."
"When does the trimester end?"
"March 25th. I'm going to call the school Monday morning to set up an appointment with her teachers and the principal."
"Good idea," Elizabeth said, "Where is Rebecca now?"
"She didn't talk to you when she left?"
"No, I must have been asleep. Did she leave a note?"
"Yeah. It said she had gone to the mall with Michelle and Josie. I assumed she'd cleared it with you first."
"No," Elizabeth snapped. "And I wasn't sleeping that soundly so I would have heard her if she had come in the room."
Keeping an arm around Elizabeth, Mark reached for the cordless phone and dialed Rebecca's cell phone number. When he reached her voice mail he said, "Hey Rebecca, it's Dad. I need to speak with you so please call me at home as soon as you get this message."
Fifteen minutes or so had passed before Elizabeth said, "She should have called back by now."
"I know. I'm going to call Michelle's mom to see which mall they went to."
Mark hung up the phone a few minutes later, "They were going to a 1 PM movie at the mall. Josie's mom is picking them up. They should be home by 3:30 as Michelle has to be somewhere else at 4."
"What time is it now?"
"2:15," Mark said, glancing at his watch. "Do you want some lunch?"
"No, thanks."
"You need to eat," Mark said gently.
"I'm a doctor too, I know what I need," Elizabeth snapped.
"I'm sorry," Mark said kissing her forehead.
"I am too. I didn't mean to snap it's just"
"It's OK," Mark reassured Elizabeth. "I'm just going to heat up a bowl of chicken soup, I'll be right back, OK?"
"Please bring me some juice?"
"Sure."
When Mark came back to the den about 5 minutes later, he set the bowl and glass on the table and resumed his position behind Elizabeth.
Elizabeth leaned against Mark's left arm and the back of the couch and sipped her juice quietly. Mark didn't say much either as he ate his soup. A few minutes later, Elizabeth got up and walked out of the room. Mark didn't think much of it until he heard her going up the stairs.
At first, Mark thought Elizabeth may have just been running upstairs for something but when she hadn't returned fifteen minutes later, he grew concerned. Mark walked up the stairs and paused outside their bedroom as he heard Elizabeth crying through the partially closed door.
After pausing for a few moments to consider the fact that Elizabeth had gone up to their room rather than stay with him, Mark entered the room. He crossed the room to the bed and asked, "Do you want to be alone?"
"I" Elizabeth choked out.
"Relax and then tell me," Mark reassured her, gently rubbing her back as he sat down beside her.
A few minutes later as the tears subsided a little Elizabeth said softly, "I'm trying to figure out where I screwed up."
Mark had a puzzled expression on his face and Elizabeth continued. "Mother was never around for me yet I did fairly well in school, learned to be responsible and take care of myself. I was determined to be around more for Josh and Rebecca. To help them in any way that I could. To be the mother that I never had and stillI was no help," Elizabeth said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Don't ever think that," Mark said, holding Elizabeth tight as she cried. "You have always been around for the three of us."
About five minutes later, Elizabeth took a deep shuddering breath and looked up at Mark and asked softly, "Is that what you believe or are you just saying that?"
"I would never lie to you," Mark said. "You know that."
"I justI feel like a total failure. Sometimes it seems like Rebecca wants nothing to do with me."
"I can't imagine how much that hurts, but you can't blame yourself. Mothers and daughters have trouble; it's almost like a rule of teenage years. Look at the problems Carol had with Kate and Tess and Jennifer had with Rachel."
"Part of me knows that, but the other part of me wonders how I'm going to get through until then. I worry that her trouble in school now will hurt her later."
"I know, I worry about that too. That's why I want to talk to her teachers as soon as we can."
"But we need to talk to her too."
"I know, and we will when she gets home."
"I know we can talk to her about her grades, but as far as other things, I don't know if she'll talk to us. Something is going on for her and it worries me that she doesn't talk to us about it."
"I was thinking about that earlier," Mark admitted.
"Any ideas?"
"I was thinking about asking Rachel to talk to her. Someone who is older, but not a parent. Rachel told me that Rebecca has gone to her for advice before so it might work."
"That's a good idea. Wasn't Rachel talking about coming up soon?"
"Yeah, one weekend soon. Steven has a conference so she said they might all come up. I'll talk to her this week about it."
"Let me know how that goes," Elizabeth said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Are you feeling any better?"
"Yes," Elizabeth admitted. "I'm sorry I lost it, I just"
"Ssh, its OK. Its better that you didn't keep it all inside."
"I tried to, but when I realized I couldn't, I came up here."
Mark was quiet for a moment or two before he asked, "Why?"
"I don't know," Elizabeth admitted. "You've been taking care of me all weekend, you didn't need this on top of it. But thank you for coming up, I needed you."
Around 3:30, Mark was in the laundry room and Elizabeth was lying on the couch when she heard the front door open. "Rebecca?"
"Yeah."
"How was the mall?"
"OK," Rebecca said, coming into the den.
"Did you buy anything?"
"No. I saw a shirt I wanted but I didn't have enough money."
"I didn't know you needed new clothes."
"Eh," Rebecca said.
"Did you get the voice mail that dad left for you?"
"Yeah."
"And you didn't call back?"
"Didn't get the chance."
"That's not an excuse. What if we needed to talk to you immediately?"
"Then you would have called back. Besides, I knew it wasn't anything really important."
"Well that's where you were wrong," Mark said, coming into the den behind Rebecca.
"So tell me what's going on. I have stuff to do."
"The only stuff that you have to do is homework," Mark commented.
"It's a Saturday!"
"Exactly, which means you have a full day and a half to sit here and do your homework."
"I'm not doing homework on a Saturday," Rebecca snapped.
"Yes you are," Elizabeth said. "And from now on you will do your homework immediately after school and either dad or I will check it when we get home from work."
"You're treating me like a baby," Rebecca shouted.
"You haven't proven to us that you can be trusted."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Watch your tone of voice," Mark said before continuing. "Not turning in homework and skipping classes does not demonstrate responsibility."
"That's NOT true."
"Then how do you explain this?" Mark asked, handing Rebecca the letter from her school.
Looking over the note Rebecca said, "It's all a lie!"
"SO when I talk to your teachers and principal on Monday, that's what they will tell me?"
"You are NOT talking to my teachers."
"Yes, we are. I've already called," Mark said.
"It will be to your advantage to tell us what we're going to hear," Elizabeth said. "I don't want to be surprised."
"I don't know what you're going to hear because it's all lies." Rebecca snapped crossly.
'Listen, Rebecca, if there are problems with your teachers, I'd really rather you told me about them than bottled them up and let it get into this mess. How are we supposed to help you if you don't tell us what's bothering you?'
"You wouldn't understand."
"We might."
"You could never understand. You aren't even from here, how would you understand?" Rebecca snapped.
Almost instantly she regretted saying that because she knew she had gone too far. She saw the tears spring up in Elizabeth's eyes and Mark said. "That's enough! Rebecca, go to your room and start doing your homework. I will be there in a while to talk to you and don't even THINK of turning on the television or using the phone."
"But"
"GO," Mark ordered. "Unless you want more of a punishment."
As Rebecca stormed off and slammed her bedroom door, Mark turned his attention to Elizabeth who was valiantly fighting to keep her composure. Mark knew this wasn't the time to try and talk so he just wrapped his arms around Elizabeth and held her.
-October 25, 2001
Family of Four Part 3 Sneak preview:
"They called it at 6:08. I arrived around 6:15."
"OK, and don't feel that once you're back to have to handle everything immediately. I can help you for as long as you need. I don't have plans to take any time off anytime soon."
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