Author's Note: Sorry it has been so long since I updated, but the end of the school year is chaotic. Here is the next chapter, and now that summer is finally here, I hope I can update more frequently. Please, please, if you are reading this, let me know what you think. Thanks.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
The country club ballroom is filled to maximum capacity, the Children's Hospital Gala in full swing. In just two hours nearly ten million dollars has been raised with donations continuing to roll in. Evelyn, feeling worse than she did the night before, sits at a table watching couples dance and James mingle.
She spent most of the day in bed, arguing with Adrian and James when she announced, that despite her current misery, she would be attending the event. Both men tried to convince her to stay home but she refused. Not only is this event crucial to the everyday operations of the hospital, it is something very dear to James' and she. She will not allow nausea and vomiting to keep her from attending. However, her stomach is churning, and a dull throb has formed behind her eyes, as she sits watching the crowd. Maybe she should have listened to the two and stayed home.
"I'll take you home if you'd like," Adrian offers, standing beside her.
She slowly lifts her gaze to meet his, momentarily considering the offer. She didn't sleep much the night before due to the frequent trips to the bathroom. When she wasn't in the bathroom, she was thinking of Adrian's threat of sole custody, comparing that man to the kind man he was earlier, taking care of her when she was feeling so poorly. He is the concerned father once again, but Evelyn still finds the hovering annoying.
"No thank you, James is dropping me off on his way to the church," Evelyn tells him simply, too exhausted to elaborate.
"So, you're not accompanying him on the relief trip?" Adrian's ears perk up at this. Earlier in the day he overheard the two discussing the trip, and at the time she was still planning on going.
"I'm sure that makes you happy." There is a bitter twinge to Evelyn's tone. She is obviously unhappy with this change in plans, but as pale as she looks she needs to be home resting.
Adrian is relieved she will be at home resting instead of visiting a disaster stricken area like Chino, the earth quake making it even less inhabitable in his mind. He doesn't express his thoughts on the matter, aware it will just further anger her. Instead, he takes a seat beside her, his eyes finding James in the distance. The man is talking to a group of people, preoccupied with whatever they are discussing. Adrian hopes to have a moment alone with Evelyn as her boyfriend chats away.
"Are you feeling any better?" he asks, concerned by her pallor. She is so exhausted her make up doesn't conceal the dark circle under her eyes.
"Not really," she sighs, massaging her temples. She is beginning to feel worse.
Adrian reaches over and pats her hand, not sure what her response will be. She doesn't pull away or send him a deathly glare, leading him to believe now is the best time to apologize for his earlier comment.
"Evelyn," he begins, his hand resting on hers. She looks at him questioningly but doesn't have the energy to respond. "Evelyn, please believe me when I say I am truly sorry for bringing up custody. I woul…." Adrian's eyes are filled with sincerity as he speaks, but Evelyn can't, won't, listen to this. Not here, not now.
"We are not discussing this now," she hisses, yanking her hand from his.
"We need to discuss this. I want to discuss this!" Adrian's tone is pleading. He has to make this right.
Evelyn studies him for a brief moment, recognizing the guilt he feels about the comment. Part of her says to let him suffer, but she doesn't want to be that person anymore. Their child deserves better parents than that. Barrett had better parents than that and so will this child.
"We will, but for now we are postponing it. Now, if you'll excuse me," she doesn't give him a chance to respond, standing from the table. She is unsteady on her feet, but she currently is need of the bathroom.
Genvieve stands in front of the mirror reapplying her lipstick when the door to the bathroom opens, a redheaded blur rushing past her into a stall. The door doesn't fully close before the sound of retching fills the bathroom. She grimaces, but she recognized that blur so she should probably make sure Evelyn is all right. Sighing heavily, she places the lipstick back in her clutch then goes to the stall. She pushes open the door, grimacing again when Evelyn makes a guttural sound then gags. Genevie swallows, forcing herself not to be sick alongside the woman.
"Evelyn?" Genvieve asks, her tone a bit shaky. She focuses on a spot on the wall, hoping she doesn't see anything that might cause her to be sick as well.
"Go away," Evelyn croaks between gags.
Genvieve is tempted to do just that, but Evelyn doesn't appear to be in any condition to be left by herself. She stands there as Evelyn is sick one more time, then sits in the floor, leaning her back against the wall of the stall. She is absolutely spent.
"Are you ok?" Genevieve is concerned as she studies Evelyn. She is white as a sheet, sweat beading her forehead.
"It's just the pregnancy," Evelyn dismisses with a wave of her hand. It is enough tolerating Adrian's and James' hovering; she refuses to deal with Genvieve's as well.
Evelyn's vomiting disguised the sound of the bathroom door opening, neither woman realizing someone else entered the bathroom. Gail Fleming stood in the bathroom, disgusted by the retching sounds, not at all surprised someone was already drunk enough to wind up in the bathroom sick. Usually, it is her, but tonight someone else has had too much to drink. She listened quietly, considering the candidates. Instead of discovering the identity of the lush, she has stumbled onto a rather tasty bit of gossip. She smiles deviously as the toilet flushes, Genvieve Delatour steps out of the stall, startled to see Gail.
"Gail!" Genvieve squeaks, surprised by her presence.
"Gail!" Evelyn gasps, exiting the stall behind Genvieve.
"I hear congratulations are in order," Gail smiles brightly, her eyes dancing with amusement. Evelyn and Genvieve share a horrified look. "That explains why you've looked so awful recently." Gail is enjoying this more than she should be.
Evelyn closes her eyes in an effort to control her temper. It is apparent Gail is having fun at the current situation. She is the last person Evelyn wants to know, mostly because the woman can't keep her mouth shut. It will only be a matter of minutes before every one in attendance at the gala knows of her pregnancy.
"Gail," Evelyn begins, her word ignored as the other woman turns towards the door. "Where are you going?" She asks, narrowing her eyes.
"Just to prepare for my little speech," Gail smiles sweetly. "Congratulations, by the way." She motions to Evelyn's stomach, her eyes scrutinizing Evelyn's figure. She can see a slight change, but nothing too obvious.
"We're not sharing this news, yet," Evelyn tells her, hoping the woman possesses enough decency to keep quiet.
"Don't worry, I won't tell one person. I swear!" Gail offers Evelyn a kind smile, sincerity lacking greatly.
"I hope you mean that," Genvieve interjects. She has never been a fan of Gail's, but the way she is looking at Evelyn tells Genvieve she is up to something. Evelyn looks terrible and probably feels even worse, unable to be at the top of her game, so Genvieve decides a little assistance is necessary.
"Of course I do, Genvieve," Gail says, narrowing her eyes. "By the way," she turns to Evelyn, "No one would guess you're pregnant. You can't be too far along."
Evelyn might not feel well, but she can spot a socialite's bad attempt at gathering information a mile away. Gail wants all the facts she can get because by morning, Evelyn has no doubt she will have told at least half of Beverly Hills that the Powells are expecting a baby.
"Black is slimming," Evelyn decides to tell her, refusing to provide her with any more information.
Gail nods at the comment, realizing she isn't going to find out anything else about the pregnancy. She congratulates Evelyn again before exiting the bathroom. Evelyn and Genvieve stare after her before Genvieve speaks.
"She's going to tell!"
"I know," Evelyn sighs dejectedly. She so badly wanted to keep this pregnancy quiet for just a while longer. Now that Gail knows, that is no longer a possibility.
Gail loves being the center of attention. Delivering a speech at the annual Children's Hospital Gala has provided her with a way to appear caring and concerned about the children, but also to have the undivided attention of everyone in attendance. She smiles brightly and clears her throat, the room falling silent. She spots Evelyn leaning into James', his arm wrapped around her. Sitting at the bar, she watches Adrian stare at the two. She almost smirks at the thought of Adrian Powell realizing his wife is pregnant with another man's child.
Genvieve has never trusted Gail. Years of navigating the treacherous, socialite waters have left Genvieve with the ability to narrow in on a predator. Gail is a predator. If there is gossip or scandal, Gail will find it, embellish it, then parade it out for all in Beverly Hills. She hopes she is overreacting, being too dramatic, or letting her imagination run wild, but she is convinced Gail is about to let it slip to the entire ballroom that Evelyn is pregnant.
"Zoila," Genvieve hisses, spotting the woman a few feet away talking with Marisol.
Zoila and Marisol turn to look at Genvieve, Zoila less than pleased that her ex-employer thinks she can just interrupt her. Genvieve ignores the glower, motioning Zoila over to her.
"Damn," Zoila groans, dropping her head.
"Go see what she wants," Marisol laughs, finding this reaction amusing. If the two would just talk, they could work out whatever issues there are between them.
Zoila sighs heavily, makes a face, then nods. She walks over to Genvieve, Marisol trailing behind her. "What?" she demands once she is standing in front of Genvieve.
"Why is she up there?" Genvieve asks, not the least bit deterred by Zoila's tone. Zoila rolls her eyes.
"She's giving a speech on behalf of the Children's hospital," Marisol tells her, surprised Genvieve hasn't deduced this from Gail as she rambles on about how precious children are.
"How much have you had to drink?" Zoila asks with an arched brow.
"I'm not drunk!" Genvieve insists. "I think Gail is about to reveal a secret!"
It sounds like something from a soap opera, but Genvieve knows Gail. The woman will do anything for attention, and she would throw her own mother under a bus. Marisol and Zoila exchange a look then turn their gaze back to Genvieve.
"What secret?" Zoila asks, silently praying Genvieve hasn't made another sex tape that is about to be displayed on a huge screen in front of a large portion of the Beverly Hills' population.
Genvieve purses her lips. She looks between the two women, conflicted whether to tell them or not. She promised Evelyn she wouldn't say a word, but if she doesn't, Gail is going to tell everyone as opposed to just the two she will be telling. She doesn't want to break Evelyn's confidence, but Gail is about to render that request moot.
"A secret about Evelyn," she says, congratulating herself on not breaking her promise.
Marisol's and Zoila's eyes widen in horror. They do not look at each other, but look at Genvieve in shock.
"You know?" They ask in unison. Genvieve is surprised they know, but they are also shocked the other knows.
"How do you know?" Zoila asks Marisol, recovering first from the shock.
"Evelyn told me at work," Marisol explains, then narrows her eyes. "How do you know?"
"Adrian told me," Zoila shrugs.
"Adrian?" Genvieve and Marisol say at the same time, both curious as to why Adrian would tell Zoila this news.
"How'd you find out?" Zoila asks Genvieve, turning the attention away from herself.
"I'm the one that suggested she was pregnant," Genvieve giggles at the memory.
"Why do you think Gail knows?" Marisol asks, unable to follow Genvieve's train of thought.
"She overheard us in the bathroom," Genvieve says, scowling when neither woman seems convinced by this. "And she's a gossiping bitch!"
Marisol and Zoila nod, not at all surprised Gail would do something like this. They aren't sure how much each other knows about the pregnancy and the fears the expecting parents harbor, but all three are in agreement that Gail has no right to share this news. Marisol promises Genevieve they will handle it, then sets off in search of Rosie and Carmen.
Adrian is almost positive Gail is drunk or that the woman has absolutely no idea how to give a speech. He decides it's probably a combination. His eyes roam around the room as Gail stumbles over Dr. Illyzok's name for the fourth time in three minutes. His gaze lands on Evelyn and James. She is tucked into his side, his arm draped around her as she rests her head on his chest. Adrian groans and takes a large gulp of his drink.
Unable to watch anymore of those two, his gaze flitters around the room, watching as people give Gail quizzical looks or try to hide their laughter. She is making a fool of herself, but he doesn't dwell on Gail and her nonsensical speech. He has spotted Carmen, Rosie, Zoila, and Marisol huddled together in deep conversation. It piques his curiosity, reminding him of the night Pierre committed 'suicide'. The four women had done just that on that night. He watches as Carmen picks up a tray of champagne flutes and nears the stage. Rosie and Zoila exit the ballroom while Marisol follows a few feet behind Carmen.
"On behalf of the Children's Hospital and all the children they help every year," Gail is saying, unaware of the Powell's maid nearing the stage. "I'd just like to say thank you for all the generous donations. All the money raised here tonight will help so many children, who, without your charity and kindness, wouldn't be able to receive the high-quality care they need."
"She sounds like a St. Jude's commercial," James chuckles to Evelyn.
"Where do you think she came up with the idea?" Evelyn asks dryly, this speech, if one can call it that, making her head throb.
"On a lighter note, and while we are talking about children," Gail says from the stage, several people rolling their eyes as the speech is prolonged. "I would like to congratulate," she begins, Evelyn's eyes widening in horror.
She looks across the room, her eyes finding Genvieve's, and the two share a look of fear. At that precise moment Carmen trips, the tray of champagne flutes shattering onto the stage and spraying Gail with glass shards and bubbly.
"What the hell?" Gail demands, forgetting the happy news she is about share. She glares at the Powell's maid. The skirt of her dress is wet and her shoes are ruined. Before she can say anything else, Rosie and Zoila come out onto the stage. They stand on either side of Gail.
"Oh no, Ms. Gail, I don't think your shoes are gonna make it," Rosie says as she takes Gail's right arm.
"Your dress might not either," Zoila says grabbing her left arm.
The crowd watches silently as the two women lead Gail off the stage. Several of the guests fight the urge to applaud her descent. Marisol quickly makes her way to the stage and begins speaking. "Like Gail was saying, thank you all for the generous donations. A lot of children will benefit from your kindness." Marisol smiles at the crowd as they clap, then makes her exit from the stage as the band begins to play an upbeat tune.
"Was she just about to announce my pregnancy to all in attendance?" Evelyn asks a few minutes later, her voice low but her tone deadly.
Genvieve, Zoila and Marisol nod. Carmen smiles triumphantly, and Rosie stands there wide eyed in shock. "Ah-hah, I knew it!" Carmen exclaims. Marisol and Zoila shush her immediately.
"I figured as much," Evelyn responds blandly. It was obvious after the other night's wardrobe crisis Carmen was aware of the pregnancy.
"You're pregnant?" Rosie blinks in disbelief. Marisol and Zoila did not elaborate on the situation they needed her assistance with. Genvieve rolls her eyes at her maid, wishing the girl wasn't quite so dumb.
"Well, now that the maid society knows my secret," Evelyn sighs, receiving a glare from Zoila, Carmen and Marisol. "I just want to thank you. I know people will soon notice," she motions to her stomach.
"Sooner than ya think," Zoila mumbles. Genvieve giggles at the comment then laughs harder at the glare Evelyn sends Zoila.
"But for right now," Evelyn continues through gritted teeth, "most people do not know and I appreciate your help with this matter." Evelyn offers all of them a sincere smile, even Zoila. She might feel like death, but she appreciates their help.
"We're your friends, Evelyn, and even though Zoila is right and you won't be able to hide your pregnancy much longer, it is up to you when you announce your pregnancy." Marisol pats her arm and offers her a smile.
Evelyn is touched by the words, tears stinging her eyes. Her hormones are partly to blame for the emotional response, but the sheer exhaustion she is feeling doesn't help. She excuses herself from the group, allowing Genvieve to guide her back to the table.
"Black may be slimming, but soon a girdle won't be able to hide that bump," Genvieve says as they walk away. No one can hear Evelyn's words but they are spoken in a deathly growl.
"Santo Dios!" Rosie exclaims, the other three turning to look at her. "Mrs. Evelyn is pregnant by a Reverend while she's still married? She needs to start asking for forgiveness right away."
Carmen, Marisol, and Zoila share a look then burst out laughing. Rosie is confused by this reaction, narrowing her eyes at the three as she tries to figure out what is so funny. "Why are you laughing?" She asks, a bit hurt.
"Rosie, she's already showing. She hasn't been dating Reverend Hamilton that long," Carmen tells her between laughs. Rosie doesn't look convinced.
"Adrian is the father," Marisol says, hoping to end this conversation. It isn't any of their business, and if they continue talking about this so freely in the middle of the ballroom, someone is likely to overhear.
"But they've been having problems for such a long time." Rosie just can't get her mind around this.
"You've never had sex with someone you're fighting with?" Zoila asks, a little extra sass in her tone.
"Eww," Carmen groans, making a face. " I do not need that picture in my head."
The women laugh, and once Rosie is convinced Adrian, not James, is the father, they head off in separate directions. Zoila begins clearing away dishes while Carmen places wayward chairs back at their appropriate tables. Rosie offers champagne to the guests as they continue to mingle, and Marisol goes off in search of Gail. Hopefully the woman has left for the night before she can reveal Evelyn's secret.