Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 16
August 31, 2005
Trauma Center – Surgical Floor
Room 310
5:50 p.m.
"Plan B, huh?" Nick waited impatiently. "Which is? Come on, Andy…I'm not half exasperated, I'm fully exasperated. Let's have it."
"Shit, Nicky…you know how hard it is to follow Dad? I had everything planned that I wanted to say, but that speech he made…anything I say after that will sound pathetic."
"Truly, it must suck to be you right now." Nick narrowed his gaze. "Would you do me a favor while you're feeling sorry for yourself…could you hand me my cup of ice chips because this huge incision I have in my gut prevents me from doing it on my own…thanks."
"That was good." Grinning he reached for the Styrofoam cup and handed it to his brother. "It's not that I'm feeling sorry for myself…it's…you deserved to hear something good from me and when I listened to Dad I realized that what I had planned to say sounded ridiculous."
After chomping a few frozen chips Nick said, "Here's a hint…start with I'm sorry."
"I'm really sorry."
"I like how you came up with that 'really' part on your own."
"Okay…straight up." Rubbing his palms together Andy said, "I won't say if I could do it all over again I wouldn't have followed Dad's orders, because you know if the man had told me to drown you in the lake I would have been gathering up rocks and a burlap sack to stuff you in. He said jump, I screamed how high and that's just the way things were back then. If you had ever let on that there were extenuating circumstances I know I would have brought them to Dad's attention, but you didn't and I never saw anything but you being a wimpy kid brother who was an embarrassment to me and my family's name."
"Fair enough." Nick folded his arms across his chest.
"But if I could go back, I would adjust my approach." Andy pushed out a breath. "Although Dad gave me specific expectations for you, he never suggested I be a maniacal asshole at times to achieve the desired result. That I'm afraid was my own choice, and for that I am partially remorseful. I say partially because I'm conflicted."
"How so?"
"Because look at you…" Drew broke into a grin. "…you turned out a hell of a lot better than me. Maybe if I had me busting my ass I'd be a better person because I would have worked damned hard, like you, not to be like me."
After a slight processing delay, Nick returned the smile. "Did you just admit you are the inferior of the two of us?"
"I believe I did." Andy laughed, "Does that make my speech better than Dad's?"
"No." Nick joined in the laughter. "Sucks to come in second, doesn't it? It's about time you experienced that feeling."
"Hell, Nicky I've screwed up my life so bad that second's a dream spot…" The laughter abruptly ended. "…right now I'm in last and still falling."
The somber mood returning Nick said, "I heard about the public humiliation in the visitor's lounge. While you definitely deserved all of it and more, I'm really sorry about the divorce because, it's gonna hurt the kids."
"Well…the good news is…Lissa called me a few hours ago and said that we have to put the bullshit aside and figure out how to protect our kids in all this."
"You think you can work things out and stay married?" Nick said optimistically. "I've heard of couples who even after infidelity…"
"No…I'm talking about coming up with an arrangement that impacts the children least." Andy shook his head. "I don't think Lissa's ever gonna get over me screwing other women while married to her, even though she told me to go out and find someone else when she froze me out."
"I can't understand why she would tell you that."
"Well…"
Chasing his wife into the bedroom Drew yelled, "God dammit, Lissa! I'm at the end of my rope here. I just finished a shitty week in Bangkok trying to close a deal and I want to come home to a wife who is dressed like a woman and anxious to fall into bed with me. Is that so wrong! Instead, I walk through the door and find you wearing that god awful baggy sweatshirt with no make up, still smelling like baby drool, and all you want to do is finish watching American Idol when it's on TiVo. What the hell!"
"I'm a mother of three, not your prom date," she snapped while taking her book from the nightstand.
Grabbing her arm he heatedly replied, "And I'm a grown man, not a fifteen year old who's content with jacking off in the shower! I want my wife back. This was not the deal we made before I slipped that diamond on your finger, Ms. Lexington. I promised to give you the life you dreamed of…the million dollar home, the country club membership, the fancy car, the designer clothes, the jewels and me as a devoted husband. I think we both know I've busted my ass to give all of those things to you. You agreed to be a devoted wife who wanted to have my children. Now call me insane but, my definition of devotion includes you touching me!"
"Are you going to force yourself on me?" she screamed while shaking loose of his grip.
"No…" Holding up his hands he backed away. "You know I'd never do that because if I had it in me I would have done it six months ago. But I'm really tired of living like this, Lissa. Come on…for the hundredth time, I'm sorry about getting on you about your weight. If you're happy looking like this then I…"
"Get out!" She threw the book at his chest. "Go find someone else to screw!"
"What?"
"You heard me!"
"Fine…I'm done." On a dime he headed for the door. "You won't have to ask me twice."
"That's messed up." Nick stared at his brother. "I can't imagine letting something get that far gone with Carrie. We've only been together a short while but we've worked real hard to get close and keep things honest, even when it's difficult. And if we ever started having that kind of problem in the bedroom, I'd make damn sure we got some help because I'd rather cut it off than cheat on her."
"Nice segue into the next apology I owe you." Andy cleared his throat and said, "I'm very sorry for the things I said about Carrie. I had no right to speak of her based on what I saw in a few photographs. Now that I have seen her in action, I can understand why you're head over heels and believe your marriage will be much more successful than mine. She's quite special and you're a lucky man."
"Thank you," Carrie replied while pushing the half-open door and walking through. "I wasn't eavesdropping the whole time…" Returning to Nick's side she said, "I came to the door right before you said you'd cut it off rather than cheat on me."
Andy patted his brother's knee. "That's gonna score you some big time points, Bro."
"Okay, Mr. Stokes," Hal greeted as he walked into the room. "It's time."
"Oh shit." Nick covered his face with his hands.
"No, you have seventy-two hours more hours to do that." Grabbing the IV pole Hal chuckled, "I only need you to urinate."
"Hey!" Nick suddenly had a brainstorm. "My brother is as strong as you, Hal. He can take me."
Hal considered the option. "You're not planning on getting him to pee in the output bowl on your behalf, are you? Because, I'm not doing this to annoy you, we need to make sure the plumbing's working and if you fake this and your bladder doesn't void, there are serious health risks you..."
"I swear I won't pee for him." Andy held up the Boy Scout pledge sign. "On my honor. Since you don't know me, that's probably still worth somethin' to you."
"My honor is still pristine." Nick held up the same Boy Scout sign. "I'll never do anything to jeopardize my health again because..." He winked at Carrie. "…I absolutely understand that the consequences are too great."
The Sanders Home
6:00 p.m.
Returning with a cool washcloth, Greg gently placed it on Tawny's forehead. "After she's back on her feet, I'll tell you everything, Dad. I already told Mom…an hour ago."
Thanks to a pair of low-rise capris and a billowy cami that had been pushed up when she was placed on the bed, Tawny's midriff was exposed. Scott, who had been an OB/GYN med student for three years before abruptly switching to Dental school, placed his open palm over Tawny's womb and checked his suspicions. "I'd guess almost three months."
"Eleven weeks," Greg admitted while helping a groggy Tawny sit up. "You fainted, Sweetie."
"Wh…" Holding her head she relaxed against Greg's chest. A few deep breaths later she said, "Oh…I fainted did you say? I um…forgot to eat today. I've put on a few pounds and have been trying to lose weight…"
"Honey…" Greg gave her shoulders a squeeze. "The jig is up. My dad figured it out."
Standing up Scott said, "The morning sickness, infant clothes, baby magazine, fainting and Greg's frantic expression were my first clues. I figured the rest out on my own."
"Sorry, Greg." Tawny lowered her head. "I know you wanted to tell him like you planned."
The musical chimes of the doorbell halted Greg's words.
"Oh boy." Bev's palm slapped her head. "That would be Robbie, Joyce and their…" Shaking her head she finished, "…new baby. Uh…I'll make excuses for the three of you to be delayed, get them drinks and serve appetizers." On the way past her husband she took his hand. "Scott, promise me you'll really listen to him and not lose it during the first part of the story…which I'll warn you…really stinks. Hell, I almost wanted to kill him, so you know it has to be bad."
"Thanks for setting things up for me, Mom." He waved her out.
"Here, Tawny…" Scott handed over the can of Sprite his wife had rushed to retrieve when the girl fainted. "Get some sugar in your system."
"Thank you." Without looking at him she took the can and sipped.
"None of this is Tawny's fault," Greg firmly announced, immediately taking accountability like Mrs. Stokes had suggested when she helped him develop his speech on Saturday. "I mean other than providing the means for it to occur. I don't want you getting any crazy ideas that she trapped me or tricked me. She didn't. I planned on having protected sex but forgot my condoms. When I told her I didn't have anything, Tawny was adamant that she never has unprotected sex. Although she eventually gave in, she absolutely expected me not to um…" Try as he might to maintain eye contact as Mrs. Stokes had urged, he glanced away. "She expected me not to finish and I didn't plan to finish but…in the heat of the moment, and never having had sex without a condom before, I forgot to put the brakes on. Since you were a med student, I'm sure you can figure the rest out from there."
Scott looked at Tawny. "He said you eventually gave in. Did he force…"
"No." Tawny vehemently shook her head. "No, god no. He asked me twice and the second time I said yes and actually initiated the action. Honestly, Mr. Sanders…Greg is trying to make me sound as innocent as possible when really I'm equally guilty except for the not finishing part because I couldn't do anything about that since I was um…underneath…and Greg was too focused to hear me reminding him."
"I see." Rubbing his temples Scott asked, "How long were you together before this happened?"
"Ninety minutes," Tawny honestly answered.
"No, I think it was upwards of two hours," Greg countered.
"Are you including the sex? I was only talking about the time leading up to the…"
"Kids…" Scott grabbed their attention. "I meant how long were you dating before the unprotected sex occurred?"
With their eyes focused on the hardwood of the bedroom floor they both shamefully answered, "Ninety minutes."
"You didn't even know each other when you…let me guess…that would be the part of the story that really stinks and almost made your mother want to kill you, right, Greg?"
"Pretty much."
"But Greg has been a stand up guy since the minute he found out I was pregnant!" Tawny added with an overdose of enthusiasm. "Even when I offered to abort the baby for him, Greg saw that I really didn't want to and he refused to take me up on it. Instead, he asked me to move in…platonically…so he could make sure I was eating right and sleeping well." Her voice filling with love she informed the concerned father, "And then…one night, after he got home from working this really horrific case…we realized we had each other and a baby on the way and life seemed full of hope again. We fell in love and we've been falling harder ever since. He's going to make an honest woman of me too…very soon…and we'll live happily ever after, you'll see."
"Oh, Tawny." Scott sank in a chair. "I mean no disrespect by this but, you're a hopelessly romantic twenty-two year old caught up in a fantasy. You sound Disney-esque." Softening his voice he counseled, "Sweetheart…this isn't a fairy tale, the reality is, you have no house, no savings, and you only have a GED. And you should know, the only thing Greg has ever taken care of in his life is a hamster and Bev cleaned the cage and paid for its supplies. Marriage alone is an enormous responsibility but a baby too..."
"Dad…" Greg finally found his voice. "I know all that. I swear I'm working everything out and it's going to be fine. I've got a roof for my family and..."
"A roof given to you by Gil Grissom supposedly for saving his wife's life, but now I know it's because he felt sorry for you for getting a girl pregnant without being able to afford a place with a second bedroom. And we both know the money is not the problem here," Scott snapped. "Your mother would empty her trust fund making sure you and her grandchild want for nothing. The problem is…you and Tawny barely know each other and while you're humming along on this romantic buzz right now, you have no idea how hard things are going to get in the months and years ahead. Greg, I've watched you struggle with some very basic responsibilities over the years, so forgive me if I seem skeptical that you…"
"I know that, Dad. I know!" The conversation was suddenly reminding him of all the other times they butted heads over the years. "And I promise I…"
"You promise?" Scott's anger triggered. "Isn't that what you said when I gave you your first box of condoms…I promise to use them? I'm really pissed off that I educated you repeatedly on the importance of being a responsible sexual partner, but you couldn't halt the action long enough to run to one of the dozens of stores on every street corner in Vegas and buy some protection! In this fairy tale life of yours were you afraid she was going to change into a toad if you said can we wait ten minutes while I run to the store!"
"Dad!"
"It was a selfish act, Greg!" Scott leapt from the chair and paced the room. "You're a spoiled brat and this is the most selfish thing you've ever done. Congratulations! You've replaced stupidly partying yourself into a near-coma at thirteen with this one. Tawny shouldn't be pregnant at twenty-two when she's just starting college. Her whole life should be ahead of her! You're thirty and a genius, not sixteen and stupid. You had no right to be reckless with her future."
"Please stop!" Tawny begged as she jumped up from the bed. "You've got it all wrong. I mean…you're right about a lot of stuff, but not about Greg destroying my future." Wiping her tears she said, "I only have a future now that I'm with Greg. The only started taking college classes because he encouraged me. Your son is the most loving and supportive man I've ever met." Pleading with her eyes she implored the disappointed father, "If you have to be mad at him for all the other stuff, okay…but don't yell at him and blame him for ruining my life. He is my life, and together with our babies, we're going to make it work as a family…no matter how much the odds are stacked against us. I know this because we have the most important value in common…we believe in the value of marriage!" She was certain Mr. Dugan would be proud of her for remembering that fact. "Please..."
"Okay, Honey. I promise I won't be angry at him for that, but the other things are still fair game." Scott smiled at the emotional girl and patted her arm. "From listening to you, it's quite obvious that you love my son and I'm genuinely happy that you've found stability with him, even if it is hard for me to fathom that Greg could provide such a thing."
She breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
"Now tell me why you said babies, not baby."
"Oops." Gnawing at her lip she turned to Greg. "Your turn."
The Melting Pot
6:14 p.m.
After being seated at the intimate curved booth for two in the corner of the dimly lit restaurant, Sara snuggled up to her husband. "Ever since Carrie mentioned having fondue in Flagstaff I've been craving it. I had it once in Boston a lifetime ago."
"On a date?"
Cringing she confessed, "Yes. Wow…talk about a major romance faux-pas…bringing up another date on a date."
"Was it a good date?"
"No." She shrugged. "I mean it wasn't an awful date, but it wasn't memorable." Sara gave a light laugh. "Except for the fondue. It's pretty sad when you remember the food better than the guy."
"Not for me it's not." Gil stole a kiss.
"Good evening," the muscular but lean young man wearing the restaurant uniform enthusiastically greeted. "I'm Dante." He flicked his shiny jet black dyed hair off his face and flashed a movie star smile.
"What an appropriate name," Gil remarked in a wondrous tone. "Because you work around open flames."
"Huh?" The eighteen year aspiring dancer who just arrived from Utah two weeks previous, stared at the guest. "It's my stage name actually, my real name is Ezekiel…I was raised Mormon. I'm trying to break into show business here. I have an audition tomorrow at The Tempest to be an apple in some show about the Garden of Eden. A friend of mine picked out the name Dante for me…he said it sounded hot."
"And he was right." Sara nodded. "The reference is to Dante's Inferno…a famous novel about a man's journey through the circles of hell. Hell…flames…Dante." She smiled at the confused lad. "Don't be put off, we're excellent tippers."
"In that case," Dante grinned, "What can I get you to drink this evening?"
"Your best bottle of non-alcoholic champagne." Tossing his arm around Sara, Gil proudly said, "My wife's pregnant and we're celebrating."
"No doubt." Dante reached over and lit the fondue pots. "If I was your age and got a girl pregnant I'd be partying too. Of course, since I'm gay, I'd be pretty surprised to find out I got a girl pregnant." He laughed while stepping back. "I'll be right back with that fake stuff."
Sara covered her face with the menu and laughed. "He's so cute and dense I can't be pissed at him for insinuating you're old."
"Is it really an insinuation when I'm forty-nine?" Gil shook his head. "Out of the mouths of babes comes the truth."
"Aww." Gripping his chin she smooched him hard.
"I seem to attract quirky servers when I dine." Reaching for the menu Gil laughed. "After all, Tawny was my server too."
"I hope everything goes well in California for them." Always a skilled multi-tasker, Sara salivated over the different types of cheese fondues on the menu while she worried about her friends. "They've come so far to have it all go to hell."
"Here we are…" Dante showed off the sparkling cider as if it were fine wine. "I've never served this before so, I'm not sure what to do exactly. My friend, the one who got me the job here, said a lot of recovering drunks order it so it's good practice because there are apparently a lot of them in Vegas."
Sara held up the menu as she laughed at the boy's impropriety.
"How long have you been professionally dancing, Dante?" Gil asked, hoping for some more comedic material.
"Two weeks."
"You mean you don't have any formal training?" He saw his wife shaking. "That might prove difficult, because the competition for show spots here is rather fierce."
"Well…where I grew up people would think a guy queer if he took dance so I had to practice in secret with bootleg videotapes." With that he popped the cork. "Check it out…it works just like the real stuff." After filling the glasses he winked. "I'll be back in a few to take your order."
When he was gone Sara lowered the menu. "I really want our ex-Mormon, homosexual waiter/aspiring dancer with no experience, tact or concept of irony, to get that job as a dancing apple tomorrow."
"You're such a softie."
"I'm calling Catherine." She reached for her cell.
"On our date?"
"The Tempest is Sam Braun's hotel. Maybe she can pull a few strings."
"Sara!" Gil raised his glass of virgin bubbly to hide his laughter. "You heard him…he has no training. What if he stinks? And you know I'm not a fan of Braun."
"How good do you think you have to be to play a dancing fruit?" Sara rolled her eyes. "It's an eye candy part and Dante is sweet. He kind of reminds me of Tawny when I first met her and look how far she's come since someone gave her a break."
The Sanders Home
6:30 p.m.
"Robbie!" Greg entered the kitchen with a smile plastered on his face even though he had spent the last half hour being ripped to shreds by his father. "It's been too long! I was so psyched when my mom told me you guys were coming to dinner." He was relieved that his parents were nowhere to be found.
"Hoj!" With open arms he greeted his long-time friend. "I barely recognize you with the calm hair and shirt. You look great, man…almost normal."
"And you're looking a lot less like your old geeky self."
With her makeup freshly applied, Tawny stood quietly behind Greg, still trying to recover from the emotional fallout.
Greg moved over to Joyce and kissed her cheek. "Congratulations on the bambino. You look fantastic."
"Well…" Joyce shyly smoothed her hands over her hips which still bore the aftereffects of pregnancy. "I have a ways to go but thank you for pretending not to notice. It's great to see you again, Greg. Oh, and in case you were wondering, your mom has Emma in the stroller showing her to your neighbors."
"I was wondering. I can't wait to meet her." Greg returned to the doorway and took Tawny's hand. "Speaking of meeting someone…this shy one over here is my girlfriend and love of my life, Tawny Cooper…I met her after rubbing a lamp and wishing for the perfect woman." He burst into a smile when he saw her gush. "Tawny…this is Robbie Schwartz, the one guy who was kind enough to tolerate me in high school and his beautiful, charming and intelligent wife, Joyce who was kind enough to marry him…once his dad paid her."
As they laughed together Tawny held up her hand to wave. "Hi! Sorry if I'm a little out of it. I grew up in a small farm town and have never been to California…it's been an overwhelming afternoon." None of it was a lie.
"Nice to meet you, Tawny." Robbie put his arms around his desperately-dieting wife who he knew would be self conscious around Tawny's perfect figure. "How much did Bev pay you to date Greg and let him call you his girlfriend?" he teased, getting back at his buddy.
"A million five," she replied without hesitation. "But now that I've seen the house, I think I should have held out for more."
Rob looked to his pal. "She has your sense of humor, Hoj."
"Her sense of humor is what immediately attracted me to her."
"Yes, indeed." Scott breezed into the kitchen with two bottles of wine. "Greg and Tawny really hit it off on their first date."
"Oh, where did you go on your first date?" Joyce asked making small talk. "I bet Vegas has a million interesting places."
Greg shot his father a look while answering, "The Bellagio. One day, when we get married, we're going to have our wedding there to commemorate it."
"The Bellagio…" Joyce smiled at her husband. "The neat hotel in Ocean's Eleven with the fountains." She turned back to the group. "We love that movie."
"That was a fantastic movie." Scott filled Rob and Joyce's wine glasses with the Merlot they had requested. "Those guys really knew how to pull the wool over someone's eyes and not get caught."
"We're back!" Bev cheerily announced as she entered the kitchen cuddling four month old Emma. "I think she's hungry because she keeps pawing my chest."
"Oh…" Tawny gravitated to the baby like a magnet to metal. "She's soooo precious. Look at those tiny pink fingers and those big blue eyes. Do you mind if I hold her, Joyce?"
"Not at all. You can even feed her dinner if you'd like."
"Uh…"
"I pumped into bottles before coming," Joyce said through a smile.
"Oh…okay." With nervous excitement Tawny accepted the adorable infant into her arms from Bev. "Wow…this feels so weird."
"Imagine if you had to hold two," Scott interjected, still reeling from the news and furious with his son. "Yeah…a woman who has twins better have a responsible husband who pitches in with all aspects of childcare."
"Twins…" Joyce shivered. "We can barely handle one, I can't imagine having two."
Anxious to get away from her smart ass husband Bev directed the ladies, "Let's feed Emma in the sitting room. I'll play the piano for her."
After sipping his wine Robbie said to Greg, "After you, I was the smartest guy in school but…I had no idea having a baby would be so hard. As much as we thought we prepared, we didn't know what hit us."
"Is that so, Robert?" Scott smiled behind his glass. "And refresh my memory…how long were you and Joyce together before deciding to start a family?"
Greg grabbed the bottle of wine from the counter and filled a glass to the rim.
"Let's see." Robbie leaned against the fridge. "We met sophomore year of college and dated until we finished grad school…so six years there. Then we were engaged a year and were probably married for about two before giving it a go. Luckily it only took six months because we have friends who have been trying for over a year with no luck."
"So nine years roughly." Scott placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Greg and Tawny have only been together a couple of months, so they have a lot of catching up to do, but you know my boy…he's an overachiever, I bet he'll have two kids before you do."
Setting down his empty wine glass Greg stepped away from his dad.
"Where are you living now, Robert?" Scott refilled his son's glass and moved to open the next bottle.
"We sold our townhome in Philly and bought this great house last year in the burbs…you know, we wanted to be settled before the baby arrived. Joyce went nuts decorating the nursery."
Taking a seat at the counter Greg snatched his filled glass and remained silent. He knew he shouldn't be drinking on an empty stomach when he was already so emotional, not to mention it was against his therapist's orders.
"Buying a house and decorating it must have set you back," Scott commented while taking a seat next to his impetuous boy.
"Yeah, but we saved up and we were so excited about starting a family that we didn't mind indulging in anything." He laughed at the memory. "We were so giddy one night we even bought this two-hundred dollar lamp from Pottery Barn Kids. We still can't believe we did that!"
"I can't blame you. It's exciting to be able to provide for your offspring…it makes a man proud." Scott slapped his fuming son on the back. "I think it's tied to our prehistoric hunting roots."
"So, Hoj." Robbie leaned over the counter. "I was a little hurt to hear you mention future wedding plans with Tawny when you've never talked with me about her, but now that your dad said you've only been together a couple of months, I don't feel so bad. It must have been love at first sight for you two."
With the second glass of wine gone Greg stared at his friend. "After just ninety minutes we were destined to be together forever, man…and I couldn't be happier."
"She's only twenty-two," Scott blurted as he filled Greg's glass a third time; he knew if he got him tipsy he'd get the whole the truth. "That's a little young for marriage, don't you think?"
"Definitely." Robbie nodded. "Go for a long engagement, Buddy."
"Actually, she just turned twenty-two in June," Greg corrected his father. "So it's even worse than you think, Dad. But she's very mature for her age because she's been on her own since she was seventeen."
"Wow." Robbie was shocked. "At seventeen our moms were still making us after school snacks. What happened? Or if it's too personal…"
"You're my best friend, Roberto." Greg lifted his already half-empty third glass. "There's nothing I can't say in front of you. Tawny had a perfectly normal Midwestern life, her father was everybody's favorite math teacher at the local high school, her mom was a Sunday school instructor and Tawny was a straight-A student who won the title of Miss Cavanaugh County, which would have sent her to the Miss Kansas Teen pageant. Unfortunately, her dad suddenly died when Tawny was sixteen and her mother had a mental snap. About a year later, Tawny had to leave home because she was being sexually assaulted by her mom's scuzbag boyfriend."
"Whoa." Robbie poured another glass for himself.
"Yeah…" Greg stared down his father. "She left town with a guy who promised to take her to Hollywood and get her a modeling gig but he turned out to be an abusive asshole too and he left her high and dry in Vegas."
"Greg…." Scott softened his voice for the first time since the news broke. "I'm really stunned and angry, but I shouldn't have goaded you, okay? You don't need to…"
"No…no…I really do. You'll love this." He polished off his latest glass. "She tried a fast food stint but that wasn't paying the bills so, when offered a job as an exotic dancer she took it. One night when I was processing a case at her club, Tweeters, I met Tawny and fell in love with…her body. I lied to her to get a date and when I got one, I didn't take her to the Bellagio …no…I showed up at her place with a box of Krispy Kremes and ninety minutes later, before I even knew her last name, I got her pregnant…with twins. Happy, Dad! That's the brutally honest truth you crave. She was a stripper, I was a liar, and it was a booty call."
"Oh boy." Robbie's fingers raced through his hair and he gulped his wine. This wasn't the first time he'd witnessed Greg losing it in an argument with his father.
"And instead of being just another asshole in Tawny's life who screwed her over and left her high and dry, I stuck around…and when I did, I fell in love with her…" His voice cracking Greg said, "I fell in love with her just like she said…one morning after scraping up some teenage kid's brain matter for hours at the most brutal scene I ever processed, and taking photos of blood spatter left behind after a girl was brutally raped…I came home and curled up in a ball on my apartment floor sucking down beers. I knew I loved Tawny when she got me to stop crying, and managed to make me not want to drink myself into oblivion." Holding up his glass he barked, "Unlike you, who make me want to pour every bottle in the wine rack down my throat! I screwed up! I admit it! As always, you are absolutely right about everything! But would it kill you to notice that I'm doing my best to make things as good as they can be instead of running from my problems?"
"I only found out forty minutes ago, Greg…by accident," Scott snapped back. "How about you cut me some slack? I was in Vegas not too long ago and it's abundantly clear you were lying to my face about the pregnancy…not that I should be surprised because how many times have you done that over the years? Damn right I'm disappointed and pissed off at you."
Robbie attempted to play the peacemaker, as he had a few times in the past. "You both have a right to…"
"I'm working on that too, Dad! Here…would you like to call my therapist and verify? She's on speed dial because I'm so screwed up!" He grabbed his cell from his pocket and slammed it on the counter. "That's right, I'm in heavy-duty therapy. Her name is Dr. Myers and we talk about you a lot. Particularly how you're always riding me…"
"Well, if you were ever up front with me about things maybe I wouldn't be so stunned and pissed off when I find them out!"
"Maybe if you weren't so smug I'd feel comfortable telling you stuff!"
"Time out!" Robbie shouted above the yelling. "How many times have we been down this road? Hoj…you know you compulsively lie to your dad and, Mr. Sanders…no offense…but I know Greg doesn't feel comfortable coming to you because you're intimidating…and Hoj, you're not going to like this but…you find your dad intimidating because he usually is right and really does know what's best." When Greg lowered his head Robbie appealed to his friend's father. "It's hard having a dad who's always logical and responsible when you're a guy who thinks illogically and tries to be responsible but unintentionally messes up all the time. And, Mr. Sanders…again, with all due respect…you have to realize there's some self-fulfilling prophecy at play here. All these years, you've been accusing Greg of being a screw-up because of something he did when he was thirteen. I've known him since he was fourteen and he's not done anything that reckless since…until now."
A logical and reasonable man, Scott nodded. "You make a valid point, Robert."
"Thank you, Sir." Robbie changed to a soothing tone. "Just a suggestion …maybe it's time for both of you to clear the slate and start over…for the future babies, if for no other reason…although it would be nice if you'd do it for each other because frankly, enough is enough. I don't mean to sound preachy but this is what you get from a kid who went to therapy for a decade and had to deal with parents who actively expressed their hated for each other openly in front of him. Now that I'm an adult, I have little tolerance for circular arguments. Most importantly…you're family to me and I hate to see the two of you like this when I know you're both really great guys that are a lot more alike than you care to admit." Reaching over he popped his friend in the shoulder. "So, what do you say, Hoj? Wouldn't life be easier without the lies and cover-ups? And, Mr. Sanders…how about using that logic and wisdom proactively, instead of bashing him over the head with it after the fact?"
Looking up from his empty wine glass Greg said, "Are you sure you're not related to Dr. Myers, Buddy? She's been begging me to get my dad to fly out for a couple of sessions with me. Actually, now that I think about it, if this works out, she'll be pissed that she lost some bucks."
After a deep breath, Scott placed his left hand on Greg's shoulder and extended his right. "I'm willing if you're willing, Son, because Robert is right…we can't be doing this in front of the babies and even though I'm still seething and extremely disappointed that things are happening this way…" He swallowed his anger. "…there are a lot of things you did that I think I'll be very proud of, once I can think straight."
"Excellent," Robbie coached with a thumbs up. "Your turn, Hoj."
"Okay…fine. No matter how bad the news is…I'll tell you straight up." He shook his dad's hand. "And I'll tell you before you find out by accident. I swear, Dad…no more lies."
"Wow!" Joyce bubbled into the room to toss the baby's disposable bottle. "Tawny has been telling me all about her childhood as a member of an Amish farm family. It's fascinating!" After a quick kiss to her husband's cheek she zoomed back out of the room to hear more.
Greg caught his dad's eye. "Yeah…about the Amish farm family thing…"
Trauma Center – Surgical Floor
Room 310
7:00 p.m.
With no limit to the number of visitors in his new room, Nick found himself surrounded by family when all he wanted to do was rest and recover. Thankfully, now that the situation was no longer dire, they were all returning home, except his mother and brother.
After wishing him the best, he watched each of his sisters hug Carrie and say goodbye. Although his ordeal was hell and it wasn't over yet, he enjoyed seeing how close it brought his future wife to the family. It was clear they loved her like a sister and were far more receptive to her than they had been of Melissa in the beginning.
"Take care, Son." Judge Stokes gave a rare hug to his boy. "You need anything, you holler."
"Yes, Sir." Nick accepted the awkward affection. "Thanks for taking care of things for Carrie at work," he stated when the hug broke. His father had taken it upon himself to pay a visit to the DA, who just happened to be a fan of his.
"You know I don't make it a habit to use my position to acquire favors but the girl has been through so much, I didn't want her worrying about her career too." Judge Stokes adjusted his jacket and smiled, "Between you and me, Son…she can have as long of a sabbatical as she needs without concern. And really, it has more to do with her impressive credentials than my string pulling. Thank you for bringing such a wonderful woman into our family."
"My pleasure."
"Come along, Daddy," Kendra prodded. "Our van is waitin' on us."
When the room was empty except for Carrie, his mother and Andy, who had been sitting quietly in the corner the whole time trying desperately not to call attention to himself, Nick rejoiced, "Thank the Lord!" He tossed off the sheet. "I have to pee again and I never thought they'd leave. Move it out again, Bro and you're spending the night in that chair in case I need you."
Carrie plopped down in a chair next to Jillian. "I still can't believe Andy got you to finally pee by making it a pissing contest."
"Oh, I can." Jillian watched her wayward son help her little boy to his feet. "One time they had a contest to see whose fart was smellier. They tossed crickets in jars, filled them up with their gases, closed the lids, and then watched to see which one died first."
"I don't want to know who won."
Jillian laughed, "Sweetie…aren't they both losers for doing that?"
"Mama…" Nick scolded her while hobbling in his brother's arms towards the bathroom. "Are you trying to make her run screaming from the room?"
Andy laughed, "Since she lives with you I'm guessin' she already knows you snore, drool, and have smelly feet…if she's putting up with all that currently, I doubt your gaseous childhood history will turn her off."
Before disappearing behind the door he winked. "Promise me you'll be here when I get back, Darlin'."
The Tempest
7:12 p.m.
"It's about time!" Lindsay greeted her grandfather when he finally waltzed into his office at the hotel.
"I have six hotels and a home I shuffle between young lady…" Sam took a seat behind the impressive oak desk and loosened his tie. "…I was in the middle of something when I got the call saying you were here." Smiling he remarked, "You're looking more like your mother every time I see you."
"Ugh."
"And you have her personality too." Grabbing a cigar he leaned back.
"Do you have any idea what smoking does to your health?"
"It's too late for me, Sweetheart…" Lighting up, he laughed. "…save yourself."
"I am." Reaching out she snatched the stogie and snuffed it out. "Second hand smoke kills kids."
"Good one." He reached for a bottle of Bourbon instead. "This poison doesn't have a second hand. So, why exactly are you here, kid?"
"I've got a beef with you."
He choked on his sip. "You sound like a gangsta."
"Celine Campbell of the Royale Hotel and Casino Campbells just booted me out of her limo when she found out I was related to you. She said her dad hates you and she can't be my friend. She was the only non-geek friend I've made at my new school!"
"That little bitch!" He raised his hand. "Pardon my French. You don't want to be hanging out with trash like her anyway."
"I agree with you there, she's got slut written all over her…but you're missing the point, Grandaddy-O."
"Which is?" He rocked lightly in his well appointed brown leather chair.
"Your competitor's daughter is riding in style, packing credit cards and wanting for nothing, meanwhile…your granddaughter is slumming it without a Kate Spade purse, plastic with her name on it, limo rides, or bling…heck, without even a cell phone of her own." She tapped the desk. "When Celine tells her dad how pathetic I am…you're gonna look like a fool."
"Sweetheart…we don't need a fancy DNA test to prove you've got my blood coursing through your veins." With his index finger he pressed the intercom button. "Sally…get in here. My granddaughter needs a few things."
The Melting Pot
7:17 p.m.
"What should we get Greg and Tawny as an engagement present?" Sara asked her husband while he refilled her glass with faux-bubbly.
"A year's supply of medication to suppress their manic tendencies?" When he saw his wife's scolding expression he added, "…or a toaster."
"I think Tawny will calm down significantly once the ring is on her finger, because being pregnant with twins, without a formal commitment, when you're with someone as erratic as Greg has to be terrifying. Especially when you factor in that she's been abandoned in the past." Her tone shifting towards cool she commented, "But I suppose you'll say that's just me being empathic."
"Sorry for the bad joke." Gil reached out for his wife's hand. "I agree with your assessment and think we'll see a whole new Tawny once she feels her future is secure."
"Much better." Sara clinked her glass to his. "Your old, impersonal ways have been peeking through a little more frequently lately."
"I was waiting for the lecture on how I treated Carrie." Suddenly he wished the champagne wasn't virginal. "If Hodges finds valuable trace evidence on that card you may regret going hard on me…keep that in mind. And Sara…she's a prosecuting attorney for crying out loud, she should know better, regardless of the circumstances. There's a time and place for emotion and when dealing with criminal evidence there's no room for emotion. You've…"
"Say it." She smiled at him brightly.
"You've found that concept challenging under certain circumstances."
"And so have you. We all have our triggers." Slipping closer she whispered, "And while yours is a much shorter list than mine, there have been times when you've gotten emotional about criminal evidence."
"But I never suppressed evidence or obstructed a case," he was quick to clarify. "The few times I've gotten emotional it was me pushing to find evidence and get to the truth. Carrie was hiding evidence and attempting to cover up the truth. If she's willing to do it once, Sara..."
"It was personal."
"It casts a shadow of doubt on her professional credibility because, now we know she believes that covering up evidence is acceptable under certain circumstances…it doesn't matter what the circumstances are. As a prosecutor she should never believe that's acceptable." Tilting his head he remarked, "As a Criminalist you shouldn't either." He left his brow raised.
"That's an interesting statement…" Boring her eyes into his she whispered, "…coming from a Criminalist who illegally taped a prison inmate because he was concerned about his wife."
"Maybe you should work for the DA's office."
"Maybe you should admit that you're not as black and white as you once were." In his ear she whispered, "Love changes even the strongest of men with the greatest resolve."
"And look how many of them fell on their swords because of it…which was ironically the message in the card that Carrie hid." Gil blew a heavy sigh. "Alas, my Dear…you've pointed out a chink in my armor."
"No worries." Nipping at his lobe she lightened her tone. "Those fallen men weren't as smart as you."
"And Sara…" Cupping her cheek with his palm he spoke from the heart. "…no woman in history has been worth a man risking a fall as much as you."
"This coming from the man who turned me down twice because he didn't think it was worth the risk?"
"I'm smart, but I was a slow learner."
Picking up a leftover bread cube, Sara tossed it in the fondue pot. "Oops! You know the house rules…if a piece falls into the pot, the couple has to kiss."
"He said if it fell off the fork."
"You can sue me for my malpractice later," she quipped before stealing a kiss.
Author's Notes:
To those looking forward to the reveal to Greg's dad, I hope you found it satisfying. There's a lot more to come with Greg and his parental relationships. Times…they are a changing! Look for Tawny to be his anchor and really she's got what it takes to be his wife.
In regards toNick and Andy, I want you to know that while I test out a lot of things for the story to see if they really work, I did NOT test out the 'cricket in a jar of farts' one LOL!
Gil and Sara have come a long way from being two people who tiptoe around each other. Gil used to have restaurant meetings like this with Cath to figure out Sara, now he just has them with Sara and speaks what's on his mind and so does she. More fondue and other fun in the next chapter.
Lindsay and her Grandaddy-O make a dangerous pair LOL…Cath is in store for some surprises.
A note on money/financial help/hand outs/Dutch Uncles, since two people have brought it up. Like a lot of other elements in my stories, don't expect all that financial stuff just to play at surface value or be the answer to someone's prayers. There's always a little more to the story and money (how it's handled, what it's used for) is a theme in the story now. It can change people, cause people to disagree, help people, hurt people, etc... And in chapter 19 you'll learn that Greg isn't as rich as you think...remember all those times Grissom chided, "Greg! You're supposed to be saving your money!" Oops.
Please note: I did a little tweaking after KJT left on vacation so if there are typos it's all me, not her. She HATES that! (Not that I blame her! LOL)
Next Chapter: Greg gets some practice being a good husband and father while his dad looks on…On a break from helping his brother to the bathroom, Andy gets a surprise phone call…Mike Rodgers gets some news too…Wendy takes turns counseling her boys…Cath gets a lecture on parenting from an unlikely source …Gil and Sara continue their celebration. Posting: Friday night
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts,
Maggs