Silence had never seemed so loud. She sat completely still afraid to move, speak, or even breath-afraid any action on her part might send him heading for the door. It wasn't as if she didn't believe him when he said he loved it, it was simply the magnitude of this new reality. She'd like to run away herself...to a place she could pretend this didn't exist if only for a moment.
She blinked and felt the warmth of a tear escape her eye and trail down her cheek.
He moved then, his hand brushing her cheek and moving to settle around her neck. His eyes stared into hers for a long moment.
These were the same eyes she'd looked into hundreds of times, but tonight she couldn't read the message they conveyed. She moved her face against his hand, desperate to evoke a response. This was not the time for a role reversal. Billy was always the open one, the one who encouraged her to say what she felt. Tonight, when it mattered most, he seemed to be shutting down.
His head felt heavy as he watched her-like he had stood up too quickly only he hadn't moved. His mind raced with thoughts yet he was unable to focus long enough to process any of them. Her words echoed over and over. This was his baby. His baby.
"I'm so sorry, Billy."
His head snapped at attention. Sitting up straight, he blinked, looking at her with confusion, "What?"
She took in a shaky breath, the tears flowing freely now. "I said I'm sorry. I know this isn't what you signed up for."
"No...No..No.." He shook his head furiously as he whispered the word over and over again. Cradling her face in his hands, he gently wiped away the tears. "I don't ever want to make you cry, ok?" He reached over, grabbing a tissue from the bedside table and handing it to her.
He smiled. "I'm not upset. I'm just surprised...you're full of surprises though. I guess I should get used to that."
Phyllis sighed. She couldn't let him pass this off as a blip. This was huge. This would change everything...for both of them...forever.
"Billy," she countered, "What are we going to do? How are we..."
He shook his head, taking her hands in his. "Right now, the only thing we are going to worry about is getting out of here with a clean bill of health." His lips brushed against her cheek softly. "As for everything else, we'll figure it out when the time comes. As long as you and this baby are healthy-the rest will just have to wait."
Jack swiped the keycard and pushed open the hotel room door. The smell of fresh flowers floated in the air and he sighed as he saw the champagne on ice. He'd planned to ask Phyllis to come with him on this trip. Though he had business, his meetings were sporadic and there would have been plenty of time to enjoy some down time.
In the end, he hadn't even asked. His heart couldn't handle another no. He sighed heavily, making quick work of hanging his suits in the closets before reaching into the front pocket of his suitcase and pulling out the framed photo.
He walked over to the bed and sat down, placing the frame on the bedside table. "Where did it go so wrong, Red?"
"And you're sure you're ok?" Billy stood by the bed, pulling the covers up a bit more.
Phyllis smiled. "I'm sure...honestly. I really feel much better. You don't have to stay. I know it's..." She paused. She didn't have the right words to describe what this situation truly was.
"I'm staying. No arguments. I'll sleep downstairs on the couch." He placed her phone on the pillow beside her. "If you need me, just call me. I'll have my phone right beside me."
"Thanks," she said quietly.
"You don't ever have to thank me." He leaned down, his lips gently pressing against her forehead. "In the morning, I'll run out and pick up your prescription and some groceries if you feel up to staying here by yourself for a bit."
"Th.." she began, then stopped herself. "You don't have to do all this." She looked at him, her eyes more serious now. "You don't have to act like this is no big deal. It's a very big deal. We can talk about this. We need to talk about this."
She shifted her legs over slightly as he sat on the bed beside her. "You're right. It is a big deal and we do need to talk about it...but not tonight." He leaned down, kissing her lips. "Tonight you need to get some rest."
Jack stirred as his cellphone vibrated furiously on the bedside table. He glanced at the screen. This was not a number he recognized. Perhaps a business associate from the week's upcoming conference?
"Jack Abbott," he said, holding the phone to his ear and waiting for a response. Nothing. "Hello?"
The automated message played. Jack listened as the chipper woman's voice happily informed him of a problem with his prescription. He shook his head, pressing the callback number.
"Yes, Hello this is Jack Abbott. I received an automated message a few moments ago concerning a problem with a prescription."
He waited for a response.
"Right. Yes I'm afraid there's been some sort of mistake as I haven't filled any prescription lately and..."
He listened as the pharmacist explained.
"No..nothing has been called in for me. Yes. Phyllis Abbott is my wife. Oh..it's her prescription?"
Jack sighed, running his hand over his face. Had Phyllis been driven to antidepressants to deal with their marriage.
"Right..well, what's the problem?"
He listened again as the voice on the other end of the phone droned on about generic equivalents and insurance tiers. One name, however, caught his attention.
Jack stood, suddenly tense, his face flushed, "Dr. O'Brien," he said, quietly, "she called in the prescription, right? And can you give me the name of the medication again, please? I just want to make sure I've got the name right so I can call the office in the morning."
Jack scribbled the name on the pad before thanking the pharmacist and disconnecting the call. His fingertips punched at the touchscreen frantically as he waited for the screen to load. His eyes read the words as reality hit. His next call was to the pilot.