Dear readers, shamefully I recently came to realise that I had left this story hanging for almost a year. I'm so sorry, honestly I don't know where the time went. Sometimes I have no control of my writing block and finding time to sit and write is also a major factor that contributes to delays. But finally, the spark has returned and I'm hoping it will last long enough to allow me to finish this story off. We shall see.
Part 12
Liv can barely look at him and in response, dismissively, she turns away from him and addresses Franklin solely. She gives him the look, the same look her mum used to give her as a small child, the one that spells... leave it alone, this is not the time or place.. And just in case he doesn't read the message loud and clear, she reinforces it verbally... "I'm fine Franklin- I need to get back to my shift". And without further explanation to either man; Fitz especially, she gets up and quickly walks away; away from the train crash her life had become
Fitz had been expecting a frosty reception, of which he had been fully prepared for, but what he had not anticipated was coming face-to-face with a man that was clearly carrying a torch for the very same woman he was. She's moved on fast, he thinks savagely, unjustly too... because at the end of the day, what did he expect her to do... sit and pine away for him?
Focusing on his new competition, although doing his best to ignore his rival's winning attributes, such as- his youth, his well defined physique, his boyish good looks, and the fact that he appears to be a trainee doctor, plus- he's black (yes, he would literally be Eli's ideal son-in-law), he decides to question him on Liv's disheveled appearance instead... "Is she really okay?"
Pulled from his own troubled thoughts, Franklin eyes this stranger up and down. Granted, it appears that he knows Olivia, however, he has never clapped eyes on him... "Excuse me, but you are?"
"Oh, of course, I'm Professor Fitzgerald Grant- I used to work here and I'm a close friend of Liv's father..."
Realisation suddenly dawns on him; he does recall his name; he had heard talk of the famous Professor, apparently World Renown for his work in Anesthesiology and Critical care. Choosing to loose his defensive stance, he shakes his offered hand... "Nice to meet you Professor, I've heard great things..."
"And you are?"
"Sorry, I'm Franklin Russell- SHO".
Just as he thought- trainee doctor.
"And Liv?" Fitz presses- he's had enough of formalities; at the minute he's far more concerned about what is going on with Liv, than anything else to do with this man...
"What's wrong with her?"
xXx
"What the hell was he doing here? Why now? Why did this baby have to be his? Had she not suffered enough? I hate him! I love him... Why is he back? How could he do this to her... how could he send her away...
Her resolve is unravelling fast, and she is struggling to breath; just like her thoughts, it's completely erratic. Realising she on the verge of a panic attack- there's no way she can return straight to the ward; not in this state, so she slips into the staff room instead. Grateful to find it empty, she quickly locks the door behind her and rest her back against it, as she attempts to take a deep breath, before exhaling slowly... She repeats this a few more times, until gradually, she begins to calm down and regather herself.
"What was she supposed to do now?
In the space of 9 weeks, she has endured a tirade of emotions and turmoil. She had gone from experiencing love in its truest and purest form, to then being subjected to the worse rejection she had ever faced in her life; followed closely by feelings of inconsolable loss, turbulent anger and suffocating loneliness, and then almost thoughtlessly, she allowed herself to get lost in the solace of another man's bed... But if that wasn't enough, fate had to go and serve up the Mother of all life changing events... this baby.
Subconsciously, her hand runs over her belly. She feels so stupid, because for the second time in her life she finds herself pregnant, and for a man that no longer wants her in his life. The last time she was presented with this scenario, she had felt backed into a corner, with no other choice but to have an abortion. This time however, she honestly doesn't know what to do for the best.
If she revealed the truth to Fitz- would he pressure her to get rid it, like Edison did? Maybe Fitz would deny the baby was even his? Or, if she did choose to have it, would he force her to keep the paternity of the baby secret, hidden from her father, her mother, from everyone, including the child itself. Just as long as no judgement was placed upon his squeaky clean reputation, right? God forbid, because it's been hard enough keeping their affair a secret- let alone something as big as this.
The man she fell in love with, she had believed to be honourable... but the man that sent her packing, after taking what he wanted from her... that man was unpredictable, a coward, selfish and cruel. She could never trust him again.
If only it was Franklin's baby, this would be easier
Poor guy; he didn't deserve to be dragged into all of this mess. He was a good man, a man that would not hesitate to step up to his responsibilities and offer his support both freely and willingly. Franklin could be relied upon- he would never leave her to raise their child on her own...
Can she honestly say the same for Fitz?
Sadly, with so little faith in him- she can't. So, consequently she is left with some serious thinking to do and a massive decision to make on her own. And it's a decision that she has to make pretty soon, before Fitz, or anyone else finds out. Because this time round she refuses to be coerced into something she will live to regret. This was her body, her choice.
xXx
Much to his chagrin, he gets very little information from Franklin. Although, fundamentally, the only person he should be speaking to is Liv... that's if she's even willing to hear him out. He doesn't know how to feel- after seeing Franklin with her... he was shocked to say the least, jealous too- but he's trying not to allow those feelings to overshadow his reasons for coming back. He needs to remember that be came back to atone for his behaviour and make sure she's alright, nothing more, nothing less. He must hold firm to that.
Deciding that maybe the hospital is probably not the best place to have this conversation with Liv, he navigates his way back to the car park, with ease... Enjoying the familiarity of his old stomping ground, it's apparent that he misses the place, but he really can't afford to be sentimental about it- because once he's spoken with her, he has every intention of going back to Vermont. How can he stay? How can be bring himself to watch her move on with someone else- he just can't. In his lifetime he's had a number of crosses to bare, this is one he can do without.
He gets into his Jag and heads home. Having left his house empty for the past two months, there's a fair bit he needs to sort out; the mail for one. Plenty to keep himself busy until her shift ends and they can talk properly.
xXx
After what feels like the longest shift of her life- wearily, Liv makes her way home. She hasn't seen Fitz since abruptly walking away- and luckily Franklin has had the grace to leave her alone too, although she's suspects he been looking out for her from a distance, either way she was grateful for the short reprieve. She wasn't quite ready to bring his world to his knees, she was feeling terrible enough.
She gets back to find the flat empty, which she is thankful for... Quinn, was bound to ask her for the results of the scan- and for now, she wanted to keep the news to herself. She needed some time and space to get her head around it all. So, after a quick soak in the bath, she puts on her pyjamas and curls up into bed. Considering how busy her head is, to her surprise, she doses off almost immediately... Only to be awaken a few hours later, by a persistent knocking at the door.