CHAPTER 16

'Heart transplant survivor in custody battle' that was the headline of page four that T.C. read when he picked up the newspaper the next morning. He skimmed through the article as he made his way upstairs, with Destiny in hand.

"Chris, sweetheart," he began as he walked into the room, "I'm about to leave for work so you need to take Destiny."

"I- I –I can't take her," she began from under a pillow, "I'm sorry but I can't. Take her to a day-care or something I just really can't take care of her today."

She hadn't taken care of Destiny last night either. She had slept through all her crying and it was T.C. who had stayed up with her every time she had cried out.

"Are you okay?" he asked genuinely concerned.

"Yes," she lied, "I just need some time alone."

And T.C. gave her what she wanted.

For the next two and a half weeks that's how things went. Chris had become almost non-existent. She stayed in bed, hardly spoke, had lost a considerable amount of weight and looked ethereal pale.

While T.C. was busy trying to keep everything together, both on the job and at home. He had called Christy once a week like the judge said they could and made excuses for Chris' absence. He hadn't gone to visit her though. He couldn't bring himself to do it.

One morning while he was getting ready for work and getting Destiny ready for day-care, everything decided to go wrong. Destiny would not stop crying, and he was desperately trying to get her bottle at the right temperature when Chris quietly walked into the kitchen, went to the refrigerator, poured herself some orange juice and sat down at the table like she was the only one there.

"Do you mind helping me out a bit here?" T.C. asked a bit exasperated.

"I can't…" she began

"Dammit Chris!" he shouted enraged. "I have had it up to here with you and this crap. You walk in here and act like no one else exists in your little world!"

"T.C. you don't understand…" she began again

"What Chris? What is it that I don't understand!" he hissed vehemently, taking a still crying Destiny up.

"You miss Christy, I understand that. I miss her too Chris. She was my daughter too and Destiny's sister. But she isn't dead so you should stop acting like she and everyone else is. I lost a daughter and I feel like I've lost my wife too, I bet Christy feels like she's lost you too and Destiny probably feels the same. It isn't all about you Chris. There are people who love you and miss you," he stated walking to the door, his voice growing soft, "And it's about time you started acting like it," he finished before slamming the door behind him.

Chris was left sitting there, stunned. It had been awhile since she and T.C. had had a fight like that. Well she didn't consider it a fight because T.C. had not given her a chance to voice her opinions. He was right, she finally concluded. Maybe her actions really were self-centered and all she had needed was a good wake up call. She just never thought T.C. would be the one to give it to her.

So she ate…….really ate, cleaned up the place and then made her way to the day-care to pick up Destiny. It had been so long since she'd been outside that she had to shield her eyes from the dazzling brilliance of the sun. She planned on spending the day with Destiny at the beach and then in the evening, she'd call Christy because she knew she would be at school.

She didn't realize how much she had missed Destiny until she'd had her in her arms again. They had fun on the beach and before she knew it, it was almost four o'clock; Christy would be home by now. She gathered their things quickly and began the short walk back home. She was both anxious and a tad bit afraid to call Christy.

"Hello?" Chris recognized her voice immediately; it was Shannon who answered the phone. Her first thought was to hang up, but went against it.

"Hello?" Shannon said again.

"Hi Shannon. It's uh…it's Chris. Chris Callaway." Chris began a bit hesitant, for some reason.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Mrs. High and Mighty. If I didn't know any better I'd say you'd fallen off the earth or something," Shannon replied.

"Look can I just talk to my daugh-- Can I just talk to Christy please," Chris said becoming bit irritated.

It was quiet on Shannon's end for a moment and Chris said "The judge said that we're allowed a phone call in the week…"

"Look I know okay. Just make it quick she has home work to do," Shannon snapped

"I will," she answered quickly. Chris found it infuriating to know that Shannon was telling her how long she had with Christy when only last month she was the one doing all the telling.

A short time later Christy was on the phone.

"Hello?" her voice sounded like magic to Chris' ears. It was subdued but it was still Christy's and she had to fight back the tears that threatened to engulf her.

"Hello?" she said once again.

"Hey sweetheart," Chris said smiling through tears that she could no longer suppress.

"Mommy!" she shouted. There was the real Christy.

Shannon stood watching from the doorway, totally dismayed by Christy's reaction to hearing Chris' voice. She had tried everything to make Christy happy, or even to see her smile. Shannon could come in doing cart-wheels and she would not even budge. But now all Chris had to do was call and she'd be smiling from ear to ear.

"Yes baby it's me. It's so good to hear voice. I'm sorry for not calling before," Chris began

"It's okay. Daddy told me you were sick. Are you better now mommy?"

"Yes I'm great Christy and so happy to hear voice," she said again "I've missed you so very much," she admitted.

"I miss you too. When can I see you and Daddy? Can you come get me now?" she asked all in one breath.

"Soon and no," Chris answered. "We'll come see you soon Christy but I can't come get you now, but you know I would if I could."

"Yea I know," she said softly.

"So how's soccer been?" Chris asked changing the subject.

"Oh mom it's been soooooo cool………" she began and they went on talking like that for a little longer until Shannon announced that it was time to come off.

"But I'm not done," Christy complained.

"Christy what's wrong?" Chris asked.

"It's Shannon. She says I have to go," Christy told her.

"Listen to her Christy."

"But Mom………" Christy started to whine.

"No Christy, don't start that,"

"Will you call tomorrow?" she asked hopefully.

"No I can't but I will come see you real soon okay?"

"Okay," she said disappointedly

"I love you okay? Don't forget that."

"I won't. I love you too mom. Bye," she said and handed the phone back to Shannon. "See I told you she didn't forget about me!" Christy told her matter-of-factly.

Shannon opened her mouth to say something and then shut it and quietly walked out of the room

"Chris!" T.C. called as he got home that evening. He had gone to the day-care to pick Destiny up and the lady told him that his wife picked her up hours ago. All sorts of thoughts went through his head as he hurriedly made his way home. He wanted so badly to believe that it was true. That Chris was truly back to her old self. But what if she wasn't? What if it wasn't her who had picked Destiny up? What if…? He just didn't know what to think anymore.

He took the stairs two at a time still calling out to her and when he reached the landing he saw Chris coming out of the nursery.

"Will you please be quiet?" she hissed at him.

"Please tell me that's Destiny you have in there," he asked fearfully.

"No T.C. it's not. You did drop her off at the nursery this morning didn't you?"

"Yes," he began apprehensively "But they said that my wife……Oh God this isn't happening," he said the panic clear in his voice. He turned and began to make his way downstairs.

"T.C. will you please tell me what's going on?" she asked in her most worried voice.

"Chris I don't……I think……Destiny……" he began and looked up to see her laughing.

"What the hell are you laughing at?" he thought she had really gone crazy.

"I'm lying T.C.," she said laughing harder now, "Destiny's asleep and if you don't stop all that shouting you're going to wake her up."

It had been so long since he'd heard her laugh. He was momentarily shocked. Then he walked over to her and took her firmly into his arms. "Chris don't you ever do that to me again. I thought……oh God……"

"You thought what T.C.?" she said pulling away and looking him in the eye, laughing.

It looked like Chris. She wasn't deathly pale anymore; her eyes were now dancing with life nothing like the way they had looked the past couple of weeks, she was still thin but he knew she'd be back to her old size soon.

He was speechless and the only thing he could think to do was kiss her. He did just that and she felt so good to him. And Chris' feelings were amply mutual.

"I'm so sorry for being such a bth," she confessed the moment the kiss ended.

"That's okay."

"You didn't say that this morning," she reminded him

"I'm sorry about that it's just that……" she silenced him with a kiss.

"No need to explain. I needed to hear everything you said this morning and I'm glad you did," she admitted truthfully.

"You're welcome baby. So what'd you do today?" he asked as he led her downstairs.

"I took Destiny to the beach and it felt so good to be outside T.C. Then I called Christy……," she paused and looked up at him as they sat on the couch.

"And?"

"It was so so great to hear her voice again. And she doesn't hate me," she said sounding relieved.

"Did you actually think she would?" T.C. asked surprised "That girl worships the ground you walk on."

"I realize that now. And I feel so stupid for being so selfish," she said with her head against his chest.

"I'm kinda glad you did that. It's a side of you I have never seen before so now I know you're not Ms. Bountiful."

"Oh shut up," she said laughing then she grew serious. "I love you T.C," she knew he knew that but felt like it still needed to be said.

"I know baby. I love you too," he said kissing the crown of her head.

"I was thinking about going to visit Christy on Saturday," she said sitting up to face him

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I really need to see her."

"I know. But you have to call Shannon first to make sure it's okay," T.C. said.

"Yea I know," Chris said sighing heavily "I hate that part so much."

"I know. I do too."

"I want her back T.C. I need her here with me," she said with tears in her eyes "I still can't believe Shannon would do something like this. I still can't believe Shannon's Christy's mother. It's all so freakin' unbelievable," she admitted throwing her head back to rest on the couch.

"I know baby. We could call Mrs. Nickie-Diesel in the morning," he said referring to their lawyer "Tell her that we want an appeal," he suggested, gently smoothening her hair. He was so glad she was back.

"Tomorrow?" she asked smiling at him.

"If you're up to it."

"I'm more than up to it," she said hugging and kissing him. "You always say the right things just when I need to hear them. No wonder I love you so much."

They went to see Mrs. Nickie-Diesel the next morning and she said that she'd send in the appeal as soon as possible. T.C. and Chris left feeling optimistic.

Chris called Shannon after T.C. had dropped her off at home. Shannon was hesitant at the beginning; making up all kinds of excuses until Chris got tired and had the cause to threaten her.

She finally agreed.

Chris went to see her alone because T.C. was busy at the firehouse and couldn't get off until later and Chris didn't intend to wait. Monica offered to watch Destiny for her and she agreed. They'd actually become friends; thanks to Christy.

She went up to the house and knocked hesitantly. A moment later it opened and Christy in a pink dress answered it.

"Christy?" Chris asked totally shocked. She never could have gotten Christy in a dress, no matter what she threatened her with. And now she stood before her in a pink one, Christy's most hated color.

"No. I'm Ashlee. Christy's twin," the girl announced holding out her hand.

Chris shook it, still fascinated. They looked exactly the same. "You can come in if you like," Ashlee said when she noticed that Chris was just standing out there.

"Th-thank you. Sorry for staring I just had no idea Christy was a twin."

"Don't worry. I didn't know either," Ashlee said smiling.

Chris laughed nervously; the shock was still wearing off.

"Christy really likes yall. She doesn't really talk but when she does it's always about the Callaways," Ashlee informed her.

Chris only smiled.

"Anyways she's upstairs if you want to see her. Follow me."

And Chris did. When Ashlee was about to open the door Shannon yanked it open first and quickly closed it behind her. The two adults stood staring at each other silently. Chris spoke first, "Is Christy in there?" she asked.

"Yes. She doesn't want to take a bath. So I told her not to come out until she was ready too," Shannon informed her furiously. That sounded just like her. Christy always ran and hid when it was time for her bath or to brush her teeth but Shannon always got her to do it. It amazed Chris how much the tables had turned.

"I still want to see her." Chris told her.

"Fine," Shannon said moving aside. Chris opened the door quietly and stepped inside.

"If it's you Ashlee, leave me alone!" she yelled. She was sitting on a bed, her back turned to Chris. She couldn't do anything else but stand there and smile. It was Christy.

She took a couple of steps towards the bed when Christy said again, "And Shannon if it's you I am still not ready!"

"Hey Callaway," Chris called out softly.

Christy spun around so fast Chris thought her neck would come off.
"Mommy!" she yelled as they met each other in a bone crushing hug. "You came!" Christy said happily. "I knew you'd come!" she said proudly against Chris' neck.

"I'm here baby. Mommy's here," she whispered in her ear as she stroked her hair. "Mommy's……" she stopped when she caught sight of Shannon watching the scene from the doorway, "I'm here baby and I've missed you so so so so much!" Chris said too happy even to cry.

"I missed you too mommy," she said as they sat down on the edge of the bed facing each other.

"And you feel so good," she hugging her again, "And you smell great too," Chris commented.

"Shannon doesn't think so. She says I have to stay in here until I'm ready to take a bath," Christy told her, "But now that you're here you can take me home can't you mommy?" she practically begged.

"I'm sorry sweetness but I can't," Chris replied regretfully and the look Christy gave her broke her heart into countless pieces.

"Why not?"

"That's just how it is baby. That's what the judge said," Chris said trying her best to explain. She knew Christy would never understand or want to understand. "I can help you with your bath though," Chris suggested.

"You will?" she asked excitedly

"Sure will. That's if you want me to."

"I do! I do! Come on!" she yelled as she pulled Chris towards the bathroom.

Shannon stood there shocked beyond words. Sometimes she just wanted to take Christy and gave her back to T.C. and Chris, but she would never let herself do it.

Chris came out awhile later with a bathed Christy at her side. Shannon stood at the door and watched as she and Chris giggled while she got dressed.

"Can we go see Daddy and Destiny," she asked hopefully when she had finished.

"I'm not too sure. You have to ask Shannon."

"Can I Shannon? Please?" Shannon was taken aback. Christy never asked for anything but to be left alone.

This could be my big break, Shannon thought. If I let her go she might not hate me so much.

"I……well……Fine. Just be back by seven." Kerry cried out just then and Shannon mumbled something about Kerry and left.

"Who's Kerry?" Chris asked.

"She's Shannon's daughter," Christy informed her as they made their way downstairs.

"She's your sister then?"

"Nope. She's Shannon's daughter," Christy told her once again.

Chris shook her head and laughed. She had missed Christy so much.

"I'm going to see my Daddy and my sister," Christy told Ashlee when they'd reached downstairs.

"Cool. Are you coming back?" she asked.

"Yea. Shannon says I have to come back by seven. Wanna come with us?" she asked Ashlee.

"Really? Can I?" she asked Chris hopefully.

"If it's okay with Shannon," Chris told her.

"I'll go ask," she said making her way upstairs.

She came down a moment later, "She says it's okay."

"Let's go then," Chris told her, holding out a hand.

Chris stopped at Monica's first, took Destiny from a relieved Monica and then drove the walking distance home. Christy happily gave Ashlee a tour of the house while Chris made them something to eat. She then took them over to the firehouse where everyone was so shocked at their striking resemblance. T.C. was entirely happy to see her and Christy felt the same. When T.C. finished working they left for the beach and Chris complained about becoming too tanned. But all in all it was a great day and they had a good time. And when they drove over to Shannon's, Christy and Ashlee were already asleep. Chris was thankful for that. It would make saying goodbye much easier.

Well that's all I have right now. I'll be back in June/July/August- - some time around there.

Read and Review…………thanks.