Chapter 15

For the next five days, William spent almost all his time at the hospital. All his meeting had been transferred to another representative, or postponed to a later day. The few meeting that didn't get moved, he had a hard time concentrating on, so he always brought one of the high ranking members of the appropriate team with him.

Lizzie was growing closer and closer to Jane. They were both so similar, it was almost unnerving. They were stubborn, and lively, and brilliant, and so far out of William's league it scared him.

Lizzie on the other hand kept telling him that he was overreacting to the similarities. They were supposed to be similar, they were mother and daughter, after all.

Lizzie also was growing closer to the nurse that came in to help her. Mary was always kind and helpful. She took Charlie out with Jane sometimes, and others she would bring some of the kids down from the pediatric ward to play with Charlie. Lizzie loved it so much, she kept saying that she would be sad to go.
But she was going home today, and William was pacing his office because he had one of the meetings that he couldn't miss. Lizzie had promised to call him when she left with Charlotte and Jane, and when she got home, and if anything so much as a bug flew onto their windshield.

His phone beeped: Hit bug 1- Lizzie

He smiled and his phone beeped again: Now up to 5 We're passing a farm. Do I have to do every bug? (8)- Lizzie

He typed quickly.: Yes. I want to know you're safe.- William

Beep. Up to 10 bugs and we just went around a dead racoon. - Lizzie
He laughed. Another beep. Now 14 bugs, a dead racoon, and a TV on the side of the road. - Liz

He replied: What happened to Lizzie?- William

Beep.: It got too hard to type 18 bugs, a dead racoon, a TV on the side of the road, and a pile of cow dung.- L

He winced.: Need to know Lizzie. Need to know. - Will

Beep: 22 bugs, a dead racoon, a TV on the side of the road, a pile of cow dung, and 6 branches. What happened to 'I want to know your safe'? And can I call you 'Will' in real life?- L

She was always better at turning his words on him, than he was turning her words on her. It took him awhile to respond: Fair point. Sorry. And yes you can call me 'Will' in real life.- Will

Beep: I love you.- L

He smiled: I love you too.- Will

A little while passed until the next beep: I made it home. Can't wait to see you.- L
He had to silence his phone and went into the meeting: Can't wait to see you, too. Glad to know you're safe. Going into a meeting. Be home soon.- Will.

He barely focused on the meeting. All he could think about was that Lizzie was at home, waiting for him. She was safe. Charlotte had promised to stay with her until he got home, and the little he knew of Jane, she would force Lizzie to spend at least an hour showing her everything, and another two playing with Charlie. Finally the meeting ended, an extremely dull two and a half hours. He could go home now. He packed up his stuff and hurried out the door.
When he got to the car, he sent a quick message to Lizzie. Leaving work now, meeting over- Will
It didn't take long for the beep: 37 bugs, a dead racoon, a TV on the side of the road, a pile of cow dung, 19 branches, and half of a street sign.- L

He laughed: Half a sign?- Will

Sometimes he didn't understand Lizzie. Two beeps.: Half of a 'Do Not Enter' sign. It just said 'Do No'.- L

Did you have something to do with Jane and Charlotte staying?- L

His plan was discovered. Maybe?- Will

He held his breath before he started the car.

Beep: Thank you. Come home safe.- L

He let the breath go: Love you. On my way.- Will

He got home faster than usual, and found he wasn't missed. At least, not on the surface. Lizzie and Jane were heard in the backyard, laughing as he saw Charlie run passed one of the windows. Charlotte was sitting on the couch, typing away on a laptop.

"Hello Charlotte." He put his stuff down. "How have you been?"

"Well, thank you." She closed the lid. "Lizzie and Jane are outback."

Things were still awkward between the two of them. William didn't know what it was. Maybe, it was knowing that she knew what Lizzie was going to be going through. Being a mother. Having another child. Maybe, it was that he felt inferior and scared all at the same time, and she would be better as the support system for Lizzie when the time came then he would be. He didn't show it or act like it in any way, but it was still a feeling he had, and it made him uncomfortable.

"Thank you. I think I'll join them, if you don't mind." He headed to the french doors.

"If you don't mind, I would like a word." She said more to the wall in front of her, causing him to turn.

"About what?" He moved back to the sofa.

She turned. "I get a vibe off of you." He shifted. "An uncomfortable vibe." She moved the laptop to the coffee table and patted next to her on the sofa. "Come on. Let me hear it."

He sighed and sat down on the sofa. They sat there in silence, Charlie ran in and sat next to Charlotte, and for a few seconds longer, they remained sitting in silence. Finally William found the words. "I don't know how to feel." He saw a confused look on her face. "I feel inferior, because you know how to get Lizzie through this and I don't. You know what to say to her to calm her down, and I don't. You've been there for her once before, and I guess..." He took a deep breath and thought about what I was feeling. "I guess I'm afraid that when the time comes, she'll choose you over me."

"William, are you talking about when Lizzie goes into labor?" He turned pink. She laughed lightly "I can assure you, she will choose you." She put a hand on his arm. "And I will help you, if you want." He looked at the sincerity in her face. "But in reality, when the time comes, you'll know what to do. You'll feel it. I can promise you though, Lizzie will want you there more than me. I was rubbish at it." She laughed again

"Thank you, Charlotte." He gave her a smile. "Now, if you don't mind. I am going to see Lizzie."