Month Eight Continued:
Liza groans as she drops the bags next to the couch. Adam closes the door with his foot. "All we bought was boy stuff." She says reaching into the fridge for a water.
"We only know about a boy. If the other is a girl, we will just do this again." She smiles and hands him a water.
"I
think that woman will quit if we go back actually."
"Well, I
am not going to buy substandard products for my baby. They should
check the toys before putting them out."
"It was a small
string. We could have cut it." She can't help but laugh at him. He is so protective of his children.
"You
were the one wanting every stuffed animal in the place."
"They
are so soft now and cute."
"So, I should have bought one just
for you." He rubs her belly.
"Yep. I can name it Adam." She can't help but kiss him gently.
"As long as you sleep with it every night." She scoffs.
"I would rather cuddle with you every night, you cuddle back." She suddenly feels embarrassed and unsure. He watches her for a minute before moving on.
"So, let's put together the stroller while we watch a movie. Something not Mel Gibson this time." She rolls her eyes.
Liza is lying on her side laughing at Adam, who is putting the finishing touches on the stroller. He worked on it all through Braveahart. When he is done, he leans back against the chair. She continues to laugh. "I'm getting to old for this." He says relaxing.
"But not too old to make this." She points to her belly. She crooks her finger. He crawls over to her. "You are as old as you act." She leans in lightly kissing his lips slowly applying pressure. He opens his mouth to accept her tongue and lets her taste and explore until she starts to pull away. He follows her back onto the couch and lies on his side.
"So,
are you tired?"
"A little but watching you was entertaining."
"Good.
Liza, you are beautiful. I have made you promises. I have broken most
of them. I will not sue you for custody of these two. I don't want
you to be scared or stressed about me."
"Ok, I don't want
you to fear me disappearing on you. As long as we are doing well, I
don't…" She smiles. "I don't want to lose you or your…all
of a sudden I can't find the words. I want them to have both of
us. And maybe someday, Colby."
"Tad." Dixie stands up. "Don't get mad at me." She says trying to stay calm.
"Sorry. I just don't like Kate being around him."
"He is not here
and she is asleep. He is good with her when he is here. Adam leaves
us alone usually. He has been very considerate."
"That is
when you should worry. Why are you still here? I can help you with
a new place."
"Tad, thank you but as soon as I get my teaching
license back I will find a new apartment. I promise I don't plan
to live with Adam indefinitely." He relaxes and looks her over for
the thousandth time, not truly believing she is there. His marriage
was strained before she returned but now it is almost unbearable. Kate no longer goes to Krystal for anything. Even little A talks
about Dixie all the time. He sits back down on the couch and she
retakes her seat in the chair. Adam comes in from the kitchen but
stops when he hears Tad's voice.
"You
must have really worn her out. She hasn't taken a nap in a
while."
"Yes, we had a busy day. We went to the mall, had a
big lunch, and then swam for a couple of hours. She told me she
wants to be a ballerina." He laughs.
"Yes,
but I was waiting to see if the fascination ends."
"She might
be wonderful. She would be so adorable." Adam clears his throat
before walking in the room.
"Tad,
how are you? Where's Krystal?" He smiles as he drops his bag
next to the desk.
"She is with Babe and Jenny. Kate is
upstairs."
"Thanks for the update. It's good that she gets
to spend so much time with her mother."
"Well, unlike you, I
don't keep my children away from their mothers." Adam chuckles.
"If you only knew…" He whispers under his breath. "I will be in my study, Dixie." She nods and he leaves with a smile. Tad goes up and wakes Kate. After they leave, Dixie slips into Adam's study closing the door behind her.
"So?" She drops into the seat across from him.
"Come
on in." He sits back.
"How is your secret love?" She
smiles big.
"She's
fine." He can't help but sit up and smile. "She's having
twins."
"What!" Dixie almost stands up in shock.
"Yes
and at least one is a boy. She wanted a boy."
"Adam,
congratulations. Tell her that for me next time." He nods and
sits back.
"Dixie,
I was thinking on my way back. I want Liza to come back to Pine
Valley and Colby. I need to find the best way to do it."
"You
are not seriously asking me?"
"You are a woman. You know
me."
"I…Talk to Stuart, not me." She starts to leave.
"So,
you and Tad alone in my house. Krystal nowhere around. What is
going on there?"
"Nothing." Adam holds her stare. "Nothing. Nothing is going on." She quickly leaves slamming the
door over his laughter.
"Stuart, no this is great. How are you? How is Mom and everyone?" She cuddles with a pillow on the couch.
"Marian is fine. She is thinking of giving up real estate." He pauses. "Colby came to tell her about your husband. I'm so sorry, Liza."
"Thank you, Stuart. I don't really want to talk about it though. I've kind of been reliving it lately."
"I
understand."
"I know you do. It is so good to still be able
to talk with you. How is Scott?" She can hear the joy in his
voice.
"He
is producing now. He seems so happy. His wife may be pregnant
again."
"Their daughter is almost three now, right?"
"Yes,
little Cindy is a bundle of energy." Liza thinks she hears
something in the background when he pauses.
"Stuart,
is everything ok?"
"Yes. Oh yes, of course. I…Liza, have
you spoken with Colby. I think you should. Marian is really worried
about her."
"I haven't talked to her but she did call a
while ago then she had someone pick up her stuff in the storage
building but that is the most contact I've had. Why?"
"I think she would like to know how he died." She starts feeling suspicious of him. It is not like Stuart to push.
"Stuart, is there something you are not telling me? You can talk to me." He stutters a bit and then she knows that something is wrong.
"Colby
knows that I talk to you. She said she wouldn't tell Marian or
Adam that I've been keeping you informed."
"Oh Stuart! I
can't believe she would do that to you. How dare she blackmail
you. I'm so sorry. How did she find out?"
"Something in
her things, a tape that caught you on the phone with me."
"There
was a time she always had a camera in hand. Stuart, tell her whatever
she wants. You can even tell my mother and Adam yourself. I'm
ashamed that she would do that to you. If you want to end our
conversations, I'll understand. I never wanted you to feel trapped
or disloyal."
"No, I think Colby just has too much pride to ask you herself about her stepfather." Liza is silent for a few minutes. She looks down and rubs her kicking belly.
"He was hit by a car. There was a blind curve the truck couldn't stop in time and he couldn't get out of the way. He died almost instantly, no suffering really. He got to say his goodbyes to his brother who was only a few feet away when it happened. That is all she really needs to know. It happened almost two years ago." They say their goodbyes and hang up. Stuart looks over at Colby, who hangs up her phone with tears running down her cheeks.