"Mrs. Winchester, the car's ready outside."
Jessie tried to grab her shawl while she put on her earrings, tripping over her heels in the process. "Thanks, Dorothy. Tell Ivan I'll be right down."
"Yes, ma'am. Do you need any help?"
"No, no. I'm fine."
Dorothy smiled to herself as she softly shut the door. Jessie's last-minute preparations to go anywhere were legendary in Dr. Winchester's household.
Finally settled in the plush limo, Jessie watched the now-familiar Boston scenery zip by. Charles was working late. Again. She understood. She really did. Being chief of thoracic surgery came with its own set of problems and issues. It was rare for Charles to be home on time, and when he did, he often seemed so weary that he would go straight to bed. Especially lately. There had been a shake-up in the upper echelons of Boston Mercy staff and from what Jessie could gather, the new chief was a demanding sort.
Ivan stopped in front of the church and ran around to open the door for Jessie. She climbed from the vehicle, immediately spotting her sister-in-law, husband and baby in tow.
"We d-d-didn't think you'd m-make it!" Honoria said, a little breathless. She looked behind Jessie, looking disappointed. "W-where's Charles?"
"He had some work to catch up on at the hospital. Guess it took a little longer than he thought." Jessie hated making excuses. They even sounded worn and tired to her ears. "He'll make it. He promised me he would. After all, he is the god father."
The church was filling with friends and family for the christening of Honoria and David's first child, Joseph. They married almost six months after them, and Honoria had turned up pregnant almost immediately. Joseph had been born a couple of months early, and Charles commented he was the fattest premature baby he had ever seen.
Jessie knew her sister-in-law suspected she was pregnant before the wedding, but had been sworn to secrecy.
Fidgeting with the fringe on her shawl as they waited for the ceremony to begin, Jessie tried to push away the sneaking suspicion that Charles was having difficulty with the fact that his younger sister could have children, yet they couldn't. Jessie even made sure it wasn't a problem on her part, seeing a doctor on the sly while she was visiting her family in Texas. However, he saw no problem with having as many babies as she wanted. In a way, she had hoped it was her, so she wouldn't have to see the disappointment on Charles's face each month. She even hinted on seeing a specialist, but Charles declined, claiming he was too busy at work, stress, blah, blah. Their friends and family had even begun to comment about their lack of children, as tactfully as they could, of course. Jessie chose to ignore the comments or laugh them off, but she could tell it bothered Charles, and he would often come home in a dark mood.
Not that she wasn't happy. The past year and a half had been wonderful. Jessie found that Boston wasn't as bad as she thought it would be and became deeply involved with fundraising and hosting banquets and teas. She was readily accepted into the Winchester family, although the atmosphere around their dinner table was much more refined than around her own family's table. At least until just recently, she and Charles had enjoyed each other's company immensely, escaping whenever they could for short trips and evenings alone. If no children came along, that was fine with her. However, for Charles's peace of mind, Jessie prayed for at least one.
Honoria glanced at her, looking at her watch. Jessie shrugged, shaking her head.
Where is he? I honestly can't believe he'd miss this, as important as it is to his sister.
Miffed, Honoria whispered something to the minister, and the ceremony began.
Jessie jumped when a hand touched her back. Relieved to see Charles, but having no time to speak, all she could do was smile at him as he took his place across from her at the altar for the christening. He managed a small smile in return before returning his attention to the preacher.
He looks tired. Jessie tried to focus on the ceremony, but her eyes kept drifting to her husband. His tie was a little crooked, probably from dressing himself on the ride to the church. His eyes, cloudy with fatigue and worry, softened only when he caught her watching him. Hoping to reassure her, he reached over and took her hand.
It made her feel a little better.
After the ceremony, Charles pulled her aside.
"I've got to go back to the hospital."
"But . . . you've just got here! And it's your day off."
"I know, I know. But, there's some sort of virus going around and half the staff is down with it. They need all the help they can get."
What about your sister? And me? Jessie kept quiet, only nodding in resignation. He kissed her quickly before disappearing.
Sighing, Jessie returned to the party, once again making excuses for Charles's absence, ignoring the voice in her head that told her he wasn't telling her everything.
***********************************
Jessie had been sick for two weeks, catching the virus making its way through the city. Feeling guilty that he had brought it home with him, Charles kept his distance, most of the time sleeping on the couch in his office at the hospital or in another bedroom at home. When she wasn't feeling like crap, Jessie tried not to think about how much his absence affected her. Just as soon as I'm better . . .
But, she didn't get better. If anything, she got worse, the fatigue getting her more than anything. Most days, she felt as if she couldn't make it another minute on her feet and took long naps when she could. However, when she awoke, she felt even worse.
Honoria insisted she see a doctor.
"But, I'm married to one."
"Oh, pul-eeze! He's a s-s-surgeon anyway. That's d-d-different." She jiggled Joseph on her lap when he became fussy. "You should be better by now, and you're n-not. Just go."
Jessie sighed, eyeing the toast she was trying to eat. "Maybe he could give me something to get my appetite back. I miss food!"
"Wh-what does Charles s-s-say?"
"He's never around to say anything." Jessie hadn't meant to blurt it out, but she was tired of keeping her worries to herself.
Honoria studied her sister-in-law. "L-let me take the baby b-b-back upstairs to the nursery, and I'll g-go with you."
"Oh, that's not necessary . . ."
"I want t-t-to. Besides, we h-h-haven't had much t-t-time together."
Jessie fought a wave of dizziness when she rose. "Let's not go to Mercy. I don't want Charles to know if . . . well, I just don't want him to know."
Honoria just gave her a funny look.
*********************************
Jessie sat in the doctor's plush office, eyeing the certificates on the wall. The one with 'Yale University' across it caught her eye, and she couldn't help but smile. Charles would have a fit if he knew . . . Honoria had wanted to wait with her, but Jessie said that wasn't necessary, joking that if she were going to die, she wanted to tell people her own way. Truthfully, she knew Honoria was trying to make up for Charles's absence.
"Mrs. Winchester, sorry to keep you waiting."
"No, that's alright."
He sat down at his desk, studying her file. After a moment, he closed it, setting it aside and clasping his hands in front of him on the desk.
"Well?"
"All of your tests came back negative."
Jessie sighed with relief.
"Except one."
Her head snapped up, and she was surprised to see the doctor smiling.
"Congratulations, you're expecting."
Jessie stared at the doctor with her mouth open. "That's . . . impossible!" She paused. "Well, maybe not. . ." She thought back, mentally counting the days. It made sense. The nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite, everything she had contributed to the stomach virus.
"Well?"
"I think . . . I'm going to be sick." Jessie jumped up and ran from his office, making it to the restroom just in time. She threw water on her face before she returned to his office. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she couldn't help but smile. Charles will be so happy . . .
The doctor looked up when she hesitantly walked back into his office. "It'll pass in time."
"God, I hope so."
"In the meantime, get plenty of rest and eat what you can. Here's a list of obstetricians. Pick one out and make an appointment before you leave."
Dazed, Jessie returned to the front desk where Honoria was thumbing through a magazine. At Jessie's expression, she jumped up, letting the magazine fall to the floor.
"G-good grief, Jess, are y-y-you OK?"
"No. Yes. I don't know."
"It was b-b-bad news, wasn't it?"
Jessie took her sister-in-law's arm to steady herself as they walked to the waiting car. "I'm pregnant."
"Holy shit!"
Jessie laughed aloud, happiness bubbling up inside of her. "Exactly!"
Honoria almost jumped up and down in the parking lot. "Charles is g-going to be s-s-so angry he missed this!"
"I had no idea! None at all! After a year of keeping close tabs, I let it slide the past few weeks!"
"L-let's tell him n-n-now!"
Jessie paused. "I don't know . . ."
Honoria shoved her in the car, giving their destination to Ivan. "He n-n-needs to know about this. N-now!"
********************************************
He was going to die buried in mounds of paperwork.
Charles eyed the pile with disgust. He had been so busy dealing with the new management staff that he let his paperwork slide, another no-no to the new big-wigs. He found that whenever he turned around, it was something else to change, renew, alter or fix. It was absolutely frustrating.
Not only that, but someone from his past had reintroduced himself into his life. Sidney Freeman of all people. He had called earlier in the week to ask how things were. After Sidney hinting around for a moment, Charles had demanded the psychiatrist speak what was on his mind. Reluctantly, Freeman had told him that Col. Flagg had disappeared.
Charles struggled to place a face with the name. "So?"
"Well, the Army kept a close eye on him after they decommissioned him during Korea. He had been suggesting for awhile now that he wanted revenge. On the people who lost him his commission with the Army."
Charles could hear the page in the hallway. 'Ye Ol' Lord' Jenkins, as they called the new head of the hospital, did not like to be kept waiting. "And that concerns me how?"
"He blames you. And Pierce and Hunnicutt. Maybe McIntyre."
Charles dismissed him. "Look, if he stops by, I'll let you know. But, I've really got to go. Good-bye, Doctor." He liked Sidney, but disdained psychologists.
He hadn't thought about that conversation again until now. I should call home -
He shook his pen, which had suddenly decided to run out of ink and cursed
"If I wanted this aggravation, I could have stayed in the Army."
"You'd have hated it."
His head snapped up. He recognized that voice, that accent. He dropped his pen on his desk. "Probably so. But, at least I could have blamed the lieutenants and corporals for any misappropriation."
Martene sauntered into his office, pulling off her gloves. She laughed merrily at his comment. "You haven't changed a bit, my dear."
Charles jumped up, meeting her halfway. "Neither have you. You're just as lovely as ever."
"Oh, stop." Martene patted her hair. "Middle age is creeping up on me."
"Then, let it creep. You really do look fabulous."
She took his hands in hers. "Charles, you were always such a flatterer."
"So I've been told." He maneuvered out of her familiar grasp, suddenly uncomfortable. "Would you like a drink?" He retreated towards a small bar he kept for guests.
"No, I won't be long. I just found myself in the states and thought I would stop by. Has it really been almost three years?" She shut the door with a click and moved closer.
He gulped. "Uh . . . yes. Three years." He searched for a way to change the subject. "What brings you to Boston?"
"My father's best friend has just taken over the hospital. He'd been after me for years to come for a visit."
"You mean, Herman Jenkins . . . you know him?" Charles stuttered
"Why, of course. He and my father are old school chums. Am I making you nervous, Charles?"
Damn, he always loved the way she said his name with that accent of hers. "Uh . . .no. No. It's just that . . ."
He didn't have time to formulate the words, backing up until he was against his desk. Martene closed the distance between them. "Why, Charles, I think you are afraid of me." She pressed against him.
"M-Martene? You don't understand . . ."
She kissed him.
For just a moment, he wanted her. But, only a moment.
Jessamyn. God, how he loved her! Knowing she was there for him did wonders for him. He didn't want to tell her why he had been working so hard for so long, didn't want her to know that he really was as much a failure as he thought he was . . .
Charles pulled back, trying to maneuver out of her grasp. He reached behind him, fumbling until he found the photo. He thrust it between them. "I'm married!"
Martene took the photo, taken on their wedding day. "Well, it looks like you two were more than friends after all."
He sighed in relief. "Yes. We were. Are." His eyes lit on the door, partially opened.
Wait.
Didn't Martene shut it when she came in?
Please, don't let it be McIntyre.
He brushed past Martene, yanking open the door to see who had been on the other end.
His heart plummeted.
He called out her name. Her devastated eyes met his before the elevator doors shut, but she didn't make a move to answer him.
Panicked, Charles ran to the elevator doors, pressing the button repeatedly to hurry it up.
I have to explain . . .
He took the stairs two at a time, bursting out the door on the bottom floor and racing to the elevators. Somehow, he had missed her.
Heart pounding in his chest, he ran out the main doors, finally spotting her sprinting across the parking lot, head down.
He raced to catch up with her, calling out her name. She didn't stop until she got to the car, Ivan catching her before she ran smack into it. Honoria climbed out, gathering her into her arms, giving him a quizzical glance.
Breathless, when he finally reached her, she struggled away from his sister and tried to climb into the car.
"Jess . . . I can explain!" He tried to catch his breath, but realized he didn't have a moment to collect himself when he saw the furious tears on her face. "She just . . ."
She snatched her arm out of his grip. "I don't . . . want to hear it! I knew you were up to something! I can't believe . . . believe you accused me of cheating with Radar when you've been with . . . with her!"
Honoria narrowed her eyes at him, but he ignored her. He had to get Jessamyn to understand! "Baby, I . . ."
"Just . . . just shut up!" She climbed into the backseat of the car. "Are you coming, Honoria?" With one last glare at her brother, Honoria obediently climbed inside.
"Listen . . ."
"I won't listen! And don't even think about coming home tonight. In fact, don't come home ever!" She slammed the door so hard the car rocked slightly.
Befuddled, Ivan looked from the closed door to Charles and back. "Dr. Winchester?"
She wouldn't look at him. Charles banged his fist on the roof in frustration. "Just go."
Relieved, Ivan jumped into the driver's seat and motored away, leaving Charles standing alone in the parking lot.
***********************************
"Wh-what in th-the h-h-h-hell is g-g-going on?"
Jessie fumbled in her bag for a tissue, trying to stop sobbing. When she had opened Charles's office door and seen him with Martene, she had almost lost it. But, she didn't want to make a fool of herself in front of the woman he had been keeping company with.
In her mind, the long hours and distance he had put between them made so much sense now.
So, she had slunk away, wanting to distance herself from what she had just seen. "Oh, Honoria, he was . . . was with . . . her!"
Honoria's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
"Martene!" Jessie sobbed. "They were . . . were . . . In his office!"
She recognized the name from her brother's letters. "I-I'll k-k-k-kill him."
Jessie just sobbed harder. "That's . . . where he's been! With . . . her! I'm such . . . such an idiot!"
Honoria leaned forward. "Ivan, let's go to my house."
Ivan glanced in the rearview mirror, concerned. He never thought in a million years that Dr. Winchester would cheat on his wife. "Yes, ma'am."
Honoria hugged Jessie. "L-l-look. You're g-g-going to have t-t-to calm d-down. Don't forget about th-the baby."
The baby!
That just made her cry even harder.
********************************
He had to get her to understand! Thankfully, Martene was no longer in his office when he stumbled back to it, so he didn't have to kick her out.
You let her kiss you. And you enjoyed it.
Canceling all of his appointments for the day, despite threats from Ye Ol' Lord Jenkins, Charles raced from the hospital. It didn't seem important anymore. Nothing was important now but getting Jessamyn to understand. He raced home, only to learn that Mrs. Winchester had been absent all morning, first to the doctor, then to lunch with Honoria.
The doctor?
Charles didn't have time to think about it. Each moment he couldn't explain to her was another moment he couldn't live with himself. How could he be so stupid?
Charles shook his head in frustration as he impatiently waiting in traffic.
When he got to his sister's house, he was met with a chilly reception by Honoria's imposing housekeeper. "Mrs. Baker is indisposed at the moment and not accepting visitors. No, I don't know if Mrs. Winchester is with her. Yes, I will tell them you stopped by."
She shut the door in his face. He resisted the urge to pound it until someone opened up. He knew she was there! Then, he would ask – no, demand! – to see Jessamyn and make her understand.
Instead, he settled onto the top step and put his head in his hands.
*****************
Uh-oh! Any guesses as to what will happen next? Anybody?
Winchester, what have you done?