"Phyllis?" Billy leaned down lightly jostling her and watching as her eyes fluttered open.
She blinked, looking up at him, taking a few minutes to figure out exactly where she was and exactly what was going on. "Oh," she mumbled, clutching at the throw that was draped over her as she sat up. "Sorry. I guess I fell asleep here last night." She looked at the end of the couch, her heart pounding a bit. "Aly," she said, her hand immediately racing. "Where's Aly?"
He reached out, touching her arm gently. "She's fine," he whispered. "She's still sleeping. I just checked in on her. Her fever's still down."
"Oh," she sighed in relief. "I thought she was here with me last night." She shook her head. The craziness of the last few days had clearly given way to delusions now.
"She was," Billy replied. "You were both sacked out here on the couch when I went to bed last night. I picked her up and took her upstairs. You looked like you were comfortable enough. I hated to wake you. I know you're exhausted."
"You too." Her voice was soft as she reached up to touch his face, the gesture so instinctual that she didn't even think about it. Her eyes studied his. "You've got the dark circles under your eyes. You're not getting much sleep either, are you?"
He smiled, bringing his hand up to touch hers, "I'll be fine," he whispered. "Our girl is gonna be back to normal soon and I can catch up on my sleep then."
Phyllis nodded. "Right. Well, I think I can take her off your hands tonight. I definitely need to let you have your guest room…and your couch..back."
"You can stay as long as you like. Heather's fine with it. Aly loves having us all together."
"I know she does, but Billy—it's been three days." She looked up at him, her eyes telling the story. "You know this could confuse her. We don't want that."
Billy sighed. She was right. "At least stay for breakfast," he asked with a smile. "I can go get Aly—Heather's already cooking up a storm in the kitchen."
Phyllis smiled. "Sure. That sounds nice." She moved to stand, her leg giving out beneath her.
Billy's arms were around her quickly, his hands gripping her tiny waist just before she hit the ground.
"You okay?" He stared into her eyes as he pulled her up, his breath quickening as her body slid slowly against his.
"Yeah," she sighed. "Sleeping on the couch should definitely be reserved for college kids—my leg must have been asleep." Her face was still flushed at the feeling of his arms around her.
"Billy, Is Phyllis…" Heather stopped, her eyes staring at the sight of her husband with his arms around his ex-wife.
Phyllis stepped back. "Heather," she said quickly, looking at Billy for an assist. "Billy was just keeping me from being another hospital visit."
"She uh…she…her leg went to sleep and uh..she almost fell over when she stood up." He laughed nervously as he walked over to stand beside his wife. "Phyllis is gonna stay for breakfast."
"That's great," Heather said, forcing a smile. "Why don't you come help me get everything on the table?"
Billy nodded.
"I'll go get Aly," Phyllis offered.
Billy stepped into the kitchen behind Heather, already preparing for, what was sure to be, an uncomfortable conversation.
"Before you even start," Billy began.
"I'm not going to start, Billy," Heather said flatly, "Just tell me she's leaving today."
"She is," he said, trying not to sound as disappointed as he felt.
"Did you talk to her about Mark at all?"
He sighed. "I haven't. I haven't really found the right time yet. I just feel like I need to do it when we're alone. I think she might take it better that way."
Heather nodded. "Well, you're in luck. I don't know if you heard the doorbell or not while you were in the shower this morning, but the lawyer finally messengered over those papers about the title on the house. I need to go file them with the court. If you'll sign them really quick, I'll go do that and leave you here to have your conversation with her over breakfast."
He looked at her, a bit surprised at how easily she was agreeing to leave him here alone with Phyllis. Over the last few days, he knew she'd been uncomfortable with the way they were together, how close they were, the ease in which they still interacted.
"That would be great, really great." Billy kissed her cheek—feeling more than a little guilty for doubting her trust. "Things will calm down soon, I promise. It won't always be like this. Honestly, I think once you get to know Phyllis a little better, the two of you will really hit it off. We just all need to figure out how to be okay with each other. We're all connected because of Aly. She'll always be a part of our life."
"So, she can cook," Phyllis said with a smile, as she loaded dishes into the dishwasher. "Was that the draw?" Her infectious giggle echoed through the room as she watched the shocked look on his face.
"I…" he stuttered.
"I'm kidding, Billy."
"No, I know you are. I just…I don't really know how to answer that." He thought for a moment, realizing he might be being handed the perfect transition to the Mark conversation. "I mean…what drew you to Mark?"
Phyllis stopped, suddenly turning to look at him. "Mark? What brought him up?"
"Well—I was just thinking about your question. I chose Heather for a lot of different reasons. We could talk, she got along with Aly…" He stopped, hesitating, not wanting to continue talking about Heather with her. "I was just wondering what made you choose Mark. Based on what I've seen, he's not very…"
"Very what?" Phyllis snapped, suddenly feeling rather defensive.
"Look, don't act like it didn't happen, Phyllis. The way he acted at the hospital the other night. He hasn't stopped by to check on Aly…has he even called?"
"That's none of your business," she snapped.
"Like hell it isn't. He's in your life which means he's in Aly's life and anything that involves her is most certainly my business."
"That's not what this is about and you can stop pretending it is." Phyllis shut the dishwasher hard. He followed her as she stormed out of the kitchen. "Aly," she called, gently touching her daughter's soft hair as she sat on the couch. "We're gonna have to finish the movie at our house. It's time to go. I'm gonna go grab your bag. Why don't you put on your shoes, okay?"
She headed up the stairs, hearing Billy's footsteps fast behind her. "You can stop now, Billy. I'm not interested in hearing anymore of this."
"Phyllis—I didn't mean to upset you. I just..I just don't want you to settle for someone that…"
"Settle?! Is that what you think? You think because I'm not with you that anything else is just settling?" She laughed a bit manically. "That's some ego you've got there. You listen to me. I chose Mark because Mark was what I wanted. You have your opinions of him and that's fine but what you think of him means nothing to me."
She headed down the stairs to find Aly standing with shoes on and her DVD in hand. "Tell Daddy goodbye, sweetie."
Billy leaned down to kiss his daughter, standing to flash concerned eyes at Phyllis as she turned towards the door. "Call me later?"
"Don't wait up," she snapped.
He sighed as he watched the door close.
"You didn't have to do this," Phyllis said as she held her wine glass out for him to pour.
"Yes, I did," Mark said quietly, glancing over at Aly who lay on the couch watching her movie. "I feel terrible about how I acted the other day. I was totally stressed out over work and I completely took it out on you."
"It's okay," she sighed. "Emotions were running high for everyone."
"No, it's not okay. That's why I wanted to do this—the wine, the flowers, the takeout, and even more importantly, what's not here—no phone, no laptop." He pulled her hand to his lips, kissing it gently. "Just us."
Phyllis smiled, wishing these moments were more frequent. No one saw this Mark—the one that doted on her and made her feel so special.
The sound of the knock on the door interrupted the moment. She grinned at him. "What did you do?"
Mark held his hands up in innocence. "I didn't do anything, I swear." He walked to the door, opening it, quickly signing the papers, and closing it before walking back into the room.
"Who was it?" Phyllis asked.
"Messenger service," Mark said, holding out an envelope. "Papers for you—were you expecting anything?"
Phyllis shook her head as she reached for the papers and carefully began to read. Her eyes widened, tears building as her cheeks flushed with rage.
She flipped the pages quickly, her voice shaking as she finally looked up. "Can you watch Aly for me please? I won't be long."
"Hey," Billy stood, walking over to the door. "Where have you been? I was beginning to get a little worried. I know you said you were dropping off those papers, but I didn't realize you'd be gone all day."
Heather hesitated before walking into the room any further. "Sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I was just trying to get a few things taken care of." It was done now. There was nothing left to consider—nothing left to worry about. She just needed to tell him.
Billy watched her face, the myriad of expressions confusing him. "Heather," he began, "Is something wrong?"
"Why don't you sit down? We need to talk."
Billy nodded, sitting back down on the couch and waiting for Heather to sit down next to him.
"Before I tell you this," she started, "I want you to know that I only did this to make things better…to make our life better. I'm not trying to hurt anybody."
"What are you talking about?"
She shook her head, trying to determine how to even begin. "These few days, watching you with Aly, and with…with Phyllis, I realized that our family would never live up to the same standard as you had with her."
"That's not true, Heather. Phyllis and I are just friends and we…"
"You're Aly's parents. You said it yourself this morning. As long as Phyllis is Aly's mother, she'll always be a part of our lives."
Billy nodded slowly. "Right…and Phyllis will always be Aly's mother."
Heather looked at him for a long moment. "Maybe not."
Billy jumped, the sound of frantic knocking startling them both. "What in the world?" He stood, moving towards the door. Heather jumped up quickly, grabbing his arm. "Wait, Billy—Let me tell you this first. I need to be the one to tell you."
"Billy! You better open this damn door or I swear to God I will break it down!"
Billy looked back at Heather, hearing Phyllis' voice through the still-closed front door. "What the hell did you do, Heather?"
She said nothing, simply watching as he opened the door, her eyes falling on Phyllis' face.
Phyllis took a step inside, her hands trembling as she gripped the papers. She could feel the tears streaming down her face, but she no longer cared to wipe them away. A part of her was so hurt she could barely look at him. Never in a million years did she imagine he would stoop to this level. The other part of her was consumed with a rage she couldn't quantify. The idea that anyone, especially someone that knew her as well as Billy did, would question her in this way made her furious.
"Phyllis…what's the matter?" He reached out his hand to her, his instinct to comfort her impossible to quell. The thought entered his mind. "Aly? Is it Aly?"
She shoved him hard and, were it not for the sofa behind him, he might have ended up on the floor. "How the hell can you even look at me in the eyes and ask me about her?"
He could see the fury in her eyes and he glanced back at Heather, fearful her behavior was somehow connected to Phyllis' mood.
"I don't understand," he said, righting himself. "Please, just tell me what's going on. Tell me why you're so upset."
"Damn it, Billy! Don't act like this is some joke! Do you have any idea what this is going to do to her? To me? Do you even care?" She thrust the papers at him and he took them, his eyes quickly searching the pages.
His eyes met hers. "I don't know what this is…I don't know where this came from…" He reached out again. "Phyllis, You know me. I'd never…"
"Save it, Billy. So what? I didn't jump when you said jump this morning. I didn't agree to get rid of Mark to satisfy your whim and you decide to try and take my daughter away from me?" The tears fell faster now and her breathing became more erratic. "Sole custody? I just never thought you would do this…I never thought you would…" Her voice broke.
Billy grabbed her shoulders, looking deep into her eyes, his own eyes now wet with tears. "I wouldn't. I wouldn't. I swear. I know how much you love Aly..how much she loves you..I'd never do anything to get in the way of that." He shook his head, his mind racing, trying to decide how this could happen.
"Your signature is on the papers, Billy. You signed them. How do you explain that?" She wanted to believe him, need to, desperately. His eyes started into hers, their desperation and sincerity so real and poignant she almost couldn't stand it.
She watched in silence as realization settled in his eyes. He turned, his movements slow but deliberate. He stopped in front of Heather, his shoulders rising and falling with a deep breath. "You did this, didn't you?"
Phyllis stepped up beside him, Heather's silence and horrified expression providing all the answer she needed.
"Heather," Billy repeated, "Tell me what you did."
"I wanted it to be our family. She's such a beautiful little girl, but the two of you together." She looked at them—even now they seemed inseparable. "I can't compete with that."
"So you thought you could just do what? Cut me out? Take my daughter?" Phyllis trembled at the absurdity of the situation. "What the hell is the matter with you?" She raised her hand to grab her and Billy quickly stepped in front.
"Hold on," he whispered.
He turned back to look at his wife. "Why? Why would you do this? You know how much Aly loves her. Forget about me and Phyllis. Did you even think about what this might do to Aly? Losing her mother like this?"
"Aly would be fine. I'd be a great mother to her."
"You are not her mother!" Phyllis screamed. "You will never be her mother and let me tell you something—if you ever use my daughter to try and solidify whatever the hell this is again…I swear…"
"Phylllis..Phyllis…" She kept her eyes on Heather as she felt Billy's hands on her shoulders, gently pushing her out the room. She still trembled in anger as she felt his arms wrap around the back of her neck, the gentle kneading of his fingertips bringing a bit of relief to her.
"Listen to me," he whispered, "I promise you….I promise you, I'll fix this. First thing in the morning, I'll call the lawyer and I'll explain what happened. I'll get this whole mess thrown out, okay? I swear. I would never do that to you." He pulled her into his arms, holding her for a moment as he felt her sobbing subside.
"You okay?" he asked as she pulled away.
She nodded. "I'm gonna go. You probably need some time."
"Yeah," he sighed. "I've got to handle this." He shook his head. This was far worse than any scenario he ever could have imagined. A betrayal like this was beyond forgiveness. Messing with his life was one thing, interfering with his daughter's potential happiness was another thing entirely.
"You gonna be okay to drive?"
"Yeah," she said quietly, "I'll be fine."
He walked her to the door, watching from the window as she drove away. Slowly he turned around to face Heather.
"I don't know what to say," she whispered, starting to walk towards him.
"That's because there's nothing to say," he said, his face devoid of emotion. "You've got nothing left to say that I want to hear."