Johnny hung the phone up and sat there dumbfounded. Was Baby really ready to give up? He hated that thought. He was trying to do what he thought was right. He wanted a life with Baby and their unborn child but he knew he had to keep in mind his mother's future. Keeping the business running in his eyes would be worthwhile. The profit he thought he could bring out of the business would be unreal. He just needed time.
Yeah, the thought of not teaching dancing bothered him some but he knew in time he could be back in Philly teaching. The only problem is getting Baby to understand that. He knew she was having a hard time with it. After all he was.
"She didn't take the news very well did she?" Johnny's mother appeared in the living room doorway.
Johnny shook his head no. "I don't know how much more she can take."
Joyce walked over and joined her son on the couch. "Johnny you listen to me now. Baby doesn't understand the way you are thinking. Son, all she wants is you."
"I know and that is what kills me." Johnny leaned back on the couch. "It kills me every time I hear the disappointment in her voice when I say I can't be there for a doctors visit or I tell her that there hasn't been any bites on the business. Its like her world fell out from under her when I told her I wasn't going to sell. I just don't know what to do."
"Just understand she is a fragile state right now. She has so many things on her plate right now with all of this." Joyce explained to Johnny. "I mean you missed out on your first child growing up I don't want you to do that with this one."
"I don't want to ma but, things just don't seem so easy for us right now." He said in his frustration.
"Are you going up there tomorrow?" She asked him.
"She doesn't want me to."
"Son, you need to go. Spend a couple of days with her." She told him. "You need to be there for her."
"Ma I am trying." Johnny defended himself.
"How son? You spend all your time here worrying about the business and I am tried of you doing that so I have made a decision." She told him sternly.
Johnny looked at his mother questionably. "What are you talking about?"
"This is killing your future Johnny. I am not going to sit back and let you sacrifice everything you have for me anymore. This is not what you are destined to do son, you are meant to teach dancing and that is the way it is going to be." Joyce laid it out for him.
"I am not sacrificing anything." Johnny said trying to defend himself again.
"Are you prepared to lose Baby?" She asked him quickly.
"That would kill me." He told her as he let his feelings out. "I never want to lose her again. I love her more than life itself."
"Then listen to yourself. Your judgment was clouded. You know where you need to be." She told him.
"It's hard."
Joyce produced a smile as she remembered. "You know Johnny, dancing has always been in you heart. From the time you could walk anytime you heard a song you couldn't help but dance to it. I mean watching you and Penny grow up lit up my life. You and her both have an amazing gift. You don't want to let that go son. So many people can benefit from you knowledge of dancing."
"Thank you, but I am worried about you." Johnny tried to make her understand.
"You want to make me happy? Well, keep dancing." Joyce looked at her son with tears in her eyes. "That is what I want."
"What about the business?" Johnny hated to ask.
"You Uncle Jack is coming and taking it over. He will buy it from me in installments." She told him with a smile.
"What? I thought he didn't want anything to do with it?" Johnny asked confused.
"He has had a change of heart and it couldn't have come at a better time. Johnny I am letting him take the business for you." She told him reaching for his hand. "Your life is with Baby and my future grandchild."
"Ma I wanted to run it." Johnny said back.
"I know son but it is my decision. Please stand behind me on this. I have thought about this and it is the only way." Joyce returned.
"I don't know what to say." Johnny admitted as he looked at his mother. "This is really what you want? You want Uncle Jack to take over Castle Construction?"
"I am doing this for you." Joyce smiled at her son. "You should know all to well what a parent would do for their child."
Johnny nodded as visions of Josie popped into his head. "I do."
"You better get yourself packed."
Johnny rose to his feet and started out of the living room only to turn back and face his mother. "Mama you are a angel."
Joyce just smiled at her son as she watched him disappear into the doorway.
Johnny was still so unsure of what he just heard but he trusted his mother. No matter what Johnny wanted the fate of the business would always be in her hands.
"Johnny." Johnny stopped in the hallway as she heard his mother call for him.
Johnny rounded the corner back into the living room. He looked around but his mother was nowhere in sight. "Momma?"
"In here Johnny." He heard her calling from the back of the house.
Johnny met his mother as she was exiting her bedroom. She held a small green velvet box in her hand. "Come into the light."
Johnny followed her into the kitchen as he watched his mother slowly opened the tiny box. "What is it?"
"Your father gave this to me on our 35th wedding anniversary." His mother opened the box completely as the view of a diamond and emerald ring. "I thought you might like to give to Baby as an engagement ring. Maybe start an heirloom in this family."
Johnny was shocked as he took another look at the breathtaking ring his mother has offered. "Momma I couldn't take it."
"Sure you can. Baby needs a ring and nothing could be better than a ring having your birthstone and Josie's birthstone in it. Then when the new baby is born add some stones for him or her." Joyce said smiling so proudly now.
"I can't Momma." Johnny said again.
"Well, I insist. I would be honored if you pass this down to Baby." Joyce said holding the ring out to Johnny, "I think it will suit Baby."
"But, Daddy gave you that ring."
"I know son, and I know your father would agree with me on this one. Baby is going to become a part of this family. Now, get your butt to New York." Joyce said placing the ring back in the box and handing it to Johnny. "I love you son."
Johnny pulled his mother into his arms and held her tightly. "You are an amazing woman Mrs. Castle and I love you so much."
