Hi. Thanks for giving me some time to deal with things. I think I'm ready to move forward with this.


New York

They return to their hotel after visiting the Statue of Liberty. Linka finds it odd that they have checked into a hotel when Wheeler has family so close. They stayed with her family in Russia, why not stay with Wheeler's while they are in New York? She wonders if perhaps he is ashamed of her. Would his parents not like that he was friends with a Russian? She knew his father was rough around the edges, or at least he had been in the past.

"So what did you think? Was she what you expected?"

"Huh?" She asks, being pulled out of her reverie.

"Lady Liberty. Did you enjoy the tour?"

"Oh, da! That was impressive. So much bigger in person than what I imagined based on what I have seen on TV," she replies.

"Yeah…I kinda took it for granted all those years I was in Brooklyn. Seeing her was no big deal. Coming back now though, seeing her with you and your reaction to her…gives me a better appreciation for her and what she means to Americans."

"I am glad we did this then."

"Me too…anything else you want to do while we're here?" He asks.

"Well, it is almost Christmas and I have always been impressed by the scene of the tree and skating rink at Rockefeller Center. Seeing it in person would be something to check off my list."

As a native New Yorker, Wheeler hated the "touristy" stuff. Tourists meant crowds, none of whom knew where they were going, always in the way, going slow, stopping suddenly to take pictures…but it's different with Linka. He'll gladly suffer through the crowds. The more people, the more excuses he has to get close to her.

"Ok, we can definitely check that out this afternoon. How about after lunch?"

"Sounds good. While we are in New York, do you not want to visit your parents?"

"Nah."

"Why not? It is not like we get much time to see our families...and we saw mine on this world tour of ours."

"See? We've already done the family thing."

"Come on Wheeler, I thought things were ok with you and your parents," she presses.

"They are...I just don't wanna have to explain to them why we're here. They don't need to know your personal business."

"Then make something up!"

"I can't. I could never get away with lying to my Ma...she always had a way of knowing," he replies.

"Hmm, now I REALLY want to visit your parents...I need to learn her secret!"

"You don't need to know it...I've never lied to you...and I never will," he says as he tucks a piece of hair behind her ear.

"I know," she smiles at him but still wants to offer a solution. "Your mom told me the last time she called that she had put together a binder of some recipes for me. I can pick it up from her and maybe if you are lucky, I will make you some of your favorite meals. As for what to tell them, you could tell your parents the truth. We are just two people taking a mini vacation and seeing the world."

"I guess…I'd really rather not though. She can mail the recipes."

Once again, Linka has thought the worst, but in reality, he is embarrassed of the home he grew up in. Whereas Linka's family owned their own house and had land, Wheeler grew up in a small apartment with no yard to play in like a normal kid. His playground was the streets of Brooklyn and there aren't many good things that came of that.

"But there is one thing I'd like to do while we're here," he adds.

"Oh? What is that?"

"Let's grab a bite to eat before we go to Rockefeller Center, and we'll talk about it."


"It is even bigger than I imagined!" Linka marvels.

"That's what she said," Wheeler mumbles from behind her, drawing a laugh from the male half of the couple standing next to them.

"Good one, dude," the stranger says, offering a fist bump.

"Durak," Linka says as she elbows Wheeler.

"I swear, I can't take him anywhere," the female half of the couple says to Linka. "Our family keeps asking when we're going to have kids. I keep telling them, as soon as this one grows up!"

"So never?" Her husband says.

Before the conversation can continue, the current skating session has come to an end, and the other couple steps onto the ice for their turn.

"Sorry we couldn't get a reservation for today. I should've known it would've been booked," Wheeler apologizes.

"That is ok. It was last minute. It is still cool to see the tree. I have not been much into the Christmas spirit until now."

"Yeah, something about New York City in December really makes it feel like Christmas. I guess because Hope Island isn't very Christmassy, no matter how much we try to decorate it."

"Nyet, it is not. It is kind of sad though, seeing this big, beautiful tree and knowing it died for our amusement. It must be so old."

"Yeah, although I've heard that the lumber from it is turned over to Habitat for Humanity to be used in the construction of a house for someone in need, so at least it's not tossed aside to rot. I hope they also replant a tree when they take one down."

"Sounds like something the Planeteers should look into and suggest if it is not being done."

"Good idea, Babe…always thinkin' and workin'…even when you're on vacation."

"You do not have to have a ring to summon Captain Planet in order to be a Planeteer and do your part," she reminds him.

"Sounds like you're practicing for a public service announcement," he teases. "Hold on, I'll take a cellphone video and you can post it on our website."

"Stop it!" She says, covering the camera lens and pushing it down, away from her.

When their laughter subsides, a man and his young daughter approach them.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you, but my daughter is a big fan of the Planeteers. Would you mind if she got a picture with you?"

They look down at the shy girl who is half hidden behind her dad's legs.

"Of course not! We would love to," Linka says.

Wheeler kneels down to talk to her.

"Hey there, Tiny 'Teer. How about you sit up here on the boards around the rink, and we get a shot with the tree in the background?"

She nods and Wheeler picks her up and sets her on the dasher while he and Linka take their place on either side of her.

"Smile!" The father instructs.

"Thank you for doing this," the mother says.

"Sure thing! Would you like us to take a photo of your family? Maybe you can use it for next year's Christmas card?" Wheeler suggests.

"That would be great," the mother says as she and her husband trade places with Wheeler and Linka.

When they're done, the father offers,

"What about you two? Would you like us to get a photo of the two of you?"

"That is very kind of you to offer. Think you can take a serious picture, Yankee? No goofing off and giving bunny ears?"

"I would never!"

He hands his phone over to the other man and returns to Linka's side, putting his arm around her as they both smile for the camera. She puts her hand over his where it's resting on her arm, just to be sure he doesn't raise it at the last second to give her the aforementioned bunny ears.

"How does that look?" The man says as he returns Wheeler's phone to him.

"Looks great. Thanks again."

"It's the least we could do for interrupting your date. Thanks for taking the time to make our little Planeteer's day."

"Happy to do it," Wheeler says.

"It was nice meeting you. Have a nice Christmas," Linka says with a wave.

"What happened to your Planeteer ring?" The little girl asks, noticing that the rings they are wearing are not their power rings. "Did you quit the Planeteers?!"

"No," Wheeler reassures her. "We're just on vacation. We had to leave them behind with our back-ups in case they needed them on a mission."

"Oh. Ok. Just as long as you are still Planeteers. You two are my favorite."

They both smile and thank her for the compliment.

"You don't have to wear a ring to be a Planeteer," Wheeler says. "That's my motto!"

"You mean I can be a Planeteer too?!" The young girl asks excitedly.

"You sure can! As a matter of fact, I hereby declare that…what's your name?"

"Brooke."

"I hereby declare that Brooke is officially an honorary Planeteer." Wheeler holds out his hand for her to give him a high five and once her tiny hand smacks against his, he says, "The power is yours!"

She beams proudly, her previous shyness gone.

"Did you hear that, Mommy? I'm a Planeteer! Isn't that cool, Daddy?"

"Very cool! Better say goodbye and thank you to your teammates."

"Bye Wheeler, bye Linka. Thank you!"

"You're welcome. Be good for Santa…and don't forget to tag us if you post that picture online!" Wheeler says.

Once alone, Linka crosses her arms and glares at him. "You totally stole what I JUST said and claimed it as your motto."

"I said 'our' motto," he defends.

"You did not!"

"Sorry, I was too distracted by her adorableness."

"I noticed. You have a way with women of all ages," she teases.

Linka won't say it to him, but she did enjoy watching his interaction with the young fan. The way he put her at ease and made her smile. He's a natural. As much as it hurts, it strengthens her resolve to not be the reason he gives up on being a father.


The next day, they arrive at a nice little house on the outskirts of the city.

Wheeler rings the doorbell and waits for someone to answer.

When the door opens, he beams at the older woman.

"Hey Gram! Miss me?!"

"Jason! What a nice surprise. And you brought Trisha along with you!"

"Uh no Gram, this is Linka...I've mentioned her before...remember?"

"Oh Sweetie, I can never keep track of all your girlfriends."

"Uh no! No Gram, she's not my...and I don't have a lot of girlfriends! I haven't had one for yeeeeears!"

"Oh, ok Sweetie...I get it," she says with a wink.

Wheeler laughs nervously.

"No Gram, seriously...we're just friends. We work together."

"Work?! Oh Jason! You are such a joker. Come in, come in! I'll let your grandfather know that you're here...DON! JASON AND TRISH STOPPED BY FOR A VISIT."

"No Gram, this isn't Trish. This is Linka...from the Planeteers?"

"Is that a band?"

"No, it's..."

"I don't know what's keeping your grandfather. He says he can't hear a thing when he doesn't have his hearing aids in...but most of the time, I just think he's ignoring me. So what brings you here? Why aren't you in school today? Are you skipping?"

"No! Gram, I...I'm not in school anymore."

"What?! Why not?! Oh my God, did you drop out?! Is she...Jason Joseph Wheeler, did you get this girl pregnant?!"

"What?! Gram, no...I think you need to go sit down. Are you feeling ok?"

"My 16 year old grandson dropped out of school and got his girlfriend...oh wait, sorry, FRIEND pregnant! Of course I'm NOT OK!"

"Gram, I'm in my 20s…I don't go to school...I'm a Planeteer...remember?"

"Betty? Are you almost ready? Don't forget, you have a doctor's appointment today," an older man says as he comes down the stairs and notices they have company. "Who are you talking...Jason?!"

"Hiya Pap."

His grandfather hurries, as quickly as his old bones would allow, to greet him.

"What a nice surprise! It's been so long! Look at you! You're a man now!"

"Yeah, I guess. Oh, uh, Pap, this is..."

"Linka, I presume!"

"Da, very nice to meet you."

"We've heard so much about you...haven't we Betty?"

The older woman looks confused and doesn't answer.

"You have?" Linka asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes...every now and then, this boy here manages to remember his grandparents and send a note letting us know he's still alive. He may have mentioned you...and our daughter has mentioned you a few times...you're every bit as beautiful as she described."

"Thank you," she blushes.

"I uh, tell them about the other Planeteers too," Wheeler clarifies, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Betty, you should finish getting ready, dear. Your appointment is in an hour and traffic will be bad this time of day."

"Yes, ok."

Wheeler watches his grandmother go up the steps.

"Is she like this often?" He asks.

"Some days are fine, some a little bit harder."

"How long has this been going on?"

"About a year," Don says.

"And no one bothered to tell me?!"

"We didn't want to worry you...you're busy."

"Not too busy that I don't care about what's going on back home," Wheeler replies dejectedly.

"There's nothing you can do anyway. We're going to see the doctor today about changing her medication to something a little stronger."

"So she's getting worse?"

"There is no 'getting better,'" he says sadly.

"I'm so sorry Pap...I wish I'd known."

"Seeing you will do wonders for her...once she settles down from all the excitement. How long are you in town?"

"Just a day or so."

"Are you here for work?"

"No, we're sort of on vacation...we travel the world, but never really SEE it...we're seeing all those things now. Linka wanted to spend some time in New York and do all the usual touristy things."

"Are you staying with your parents?"

"Uh no...they don't even know we're here...we weren't going to stay long, so it seemed pointless...it's always hard on Ma to say goodbye so I didn't want to bother her with that."

"So you're staying in a hotel?"

"Yeah."

"Stay here! I know it's not as exciting as being in the city and it will take you a while to get into town to see all the 'touristy things' but it would really be great if you stayed."

Wheeler sensed that his grandfather wasn't just happy to see him, he was happy to have some help.

"Please think about it, Jason. Stay a little longer. The next time you come home, it may not just be your age that she forgets...it might be YOU."

That hit Wheeler like a ton of bricks.

"Ok. We'll stick around."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Great!" his grandfather says as he clasps his grandson's shoulder. "I better go check on her and make sure she's getting ready. You two make yourselves at home. You know where the guest room is so go get your things from the hotel and you can put your bags there. Do you remember the garage door code in case you get back before we do?"

"Is it still your favorite grandkid's birthday?"

"Yes," Don chuckles.

"Ok, thanks Pap."

Wheeler watches the old man ascend the stairs and then plops down on the couch, closing his eyes and squeezing the bridge of his nose to help ease the tension of his newly developing headache. Linka sits down next to him and puts one arm around him while the other takes his free hand in hers.

"Wheeler..."

"Oh crap!" He exclaims as he drops his hand from his face and turns to look at her. "I didn't even bother to ask if you were ok with this! I'm sorry. We don't have to stay..."

"Nyet Wheeler, we do. And you do not need to apologize. This is your family, and you are needed here right now. Nothing else matters."

"But what about our trip?" He asks.

"We will get back to it...it was meant to be spontaneous, remember? No plans...just going wherever life takes us...it brought us here. We are supposed to be seeing the things we do not get to see when we travel with the Planeteers...family is one of those things. I got to see mine...it is only fair that you get to see yours."

He sighs and nods his head, then looks down at the floor.

"I just wanted to stop in and say hello...I wasn't expecting this."

"I know," she says as she presses her lips to his temple, recalling the helpless feeling she had when her grandmother was ill a few years ago and knowing exactly how he feels right now. "I am sorry."

"I'm sorry too...when she thought I was in high school and that I'd 'ruined my life' by getting you pregnant...that was...awkward. And under the circumstances..."

"It is ok."

"Maybe this trip will give us the answers we're looking for...maybe we will find another clinic to try, and you will be able to get pregnant...but my life certainly wouldn't be ruined if that happens," he tells her as sincerely as he can.

"Maybe..." she tries to smile and humor his musings. After London, she was slowly starting to accept that she was running out of options and was ready to stop looking for answers. The more she was told "no," the more it was starting to sink in and hurt. Maybe she would give it one more chance while they were in America. Surly there was a hospital here that specialized in fertility. All the technology and medical advancements, perhaps the Americans with all their universities and government funding had found something the hospital in London had not. This could truly be her last chance. "Should we go get our bags and get settled into the guest room like your grandfather suggested?"

"Uh yeah...just yours. I'll be taking the couch...there's only one spare room and bed."

"Then I will take the couch. I am smaller and will fit."

"No, it's ok...but if you prefer, you could still stay in the hotel room. You can have all the privacy you want...and after the last few weeks, you're probably getting sick of me and need a break."

"Nyet...actually, these last few weeks make me wonder why I have not spent more time with you sooner...and it makes me wonder how I will manage when we go back to Hope Island and things go back to normal."

Linka starts to worry that maybe HE is the one who was getting sick of her and wanted some time apart. His next words alleviate her fears.

"It doesn't have to be that way…maybe spending more time together can be our new normal?"

She smiles at him and is about to respond when his grandparents return to the living room.

"Don! Why didn't you tell me we had visitors?"

"It's Jason and his friend Linka...you knew they were here...remember. They have some time off from work and came for a visit. They're staying with us for a few days."

She stops and thinks for a moment before nodding slowly.

"Ah, yes."

"We'll be back soon. Make yourselves at home."

"Ok Pap...are you sure you don't need us to come with you?" Wheeler asks as he gets up and moves towards them. Linka gets up to join him.

"Nah. I'm used to this...besides, it'll be less confusing for her with less people around."

"Oh...ok."

Wheeler sits back down, dejected. Linka resumes her seat next to him and kisses the side of his head before moving down his jaw, then to his cheek, and then to the corner of his mouth. He turns his head to meet her lips, and she responds briefly before pulling away.

"Sorry," he says, but she can tell by his smile that he doesn't really mean it.

"Liar," she smiles back. "And as for our earlier conversation, I do not want to stay at the hotel by myself. I want to be here with you…if that is ok."

"It's more than ok. It's exactly what I need." He puts his arm around her, and she leans into his side, returning his hug.

She knows she took things too far earlier; she had only intended a comforting kiss on the temple, but then she thought one more on the cheek would be fine…and then one more…She regrets that she's sending him mixed signals. A few days ago, she was telling him to give up any idea of them ever being a couple, and today, she's showing him more affection that she ever would have before their trip. He was just so upset and more vulnerable than she's ever seen him. He needed comfort and it felt so natural to offer it in the form of affection. He just has a way of making her forget herself.


The first night at Wheeler's grandparents didn't go as smoothly as they'd hoped. His grandmother had woken up early and upon seeing Linka, a stranger, on the couch, she had a moment of panic and started screaming. The commotion startled Wheeler and his grandfather as they rushed to the living room where they found Linka doing her best to reassure the older woman that she was not a threat and trying to remind her that she was friends with her grandson.

Don pulls his wife into his arms and calms her, getting her to focus on looking at him and relaxing. He takes her back to their room and tells her he will bring her a glass of water, which is what she had come downstairs to get in the first place.

Linka had moved to stand behind Wheeler to shield herself from Betty's view so that she does not upset the woman any further.

"I am sorry," she whispers. "I did not know she would be up this early."

He turns to face her and puts his hands on her shoulders.

"Hey, no worries, ok? It's not your fault…she's just…just…"

Wheeler can't bring himself to say it. Can't admit that his grandma, the one happy memory he had from his childhood, is no longer herself.

"I should have insisted on taking the couch and let you have the guest room. It was rude of me to take the comfortable bed…and maybe she wouldn't have freaked out as much if she saw me."

"Unfortunately, Jason, she probably still would have," Don says as he comes back down to join them. "She may not have remembered that you were here visiting."

"How is she? I am so sorry to have frightened her," Linka says.

"It's ok, sweetheart…it's not your fault. It's been a while since she has seen anyone but me. I'm sure she will get used to you two being here."

"Wait, Ma doesn't come to visit?"

"Not as often as she used to…we had a bit of a disagreement," Don admits.

"Oh? Doesn't seem like Ma…she's never been one to put up a fight," Wheeler says, not even trying to hide his feelings.

"Give your mother a break, Jason. That was a long time ago and it turns out, she was right about your father…he is capable of changing."

"Pssht…took him long enough. A few bruises and broken bones later!"

Linka is surprised at how much Wheeler is revealing about his family life in front of her.

"I hated it as much as you did, Jay. We had our suspicions, but she always denied it. Your mother is stubborn…she gets that from your grandmother," Don says.

"So that is where you must get it from," Linka chimes in, trying to lighten the mood.

Wheeler gives her a half smile and continues,

"So what was this disagreement about?"

"She wants your grandmother to be moved into a home for Alzheimer's patients. Your grandmother doesn't want that, and neither do I."

"Would it be easier on you though?" Wheeler asks.

"Living alone in this house with nothing to do, only getting to see Betty a few hours a day during visiting hours, having to travel to get there, worrying about whether or not she was being cared for properly? No, it would not be easier on me. You'll understand one day when you love someone so much that you're willing to do anything for them."

"Yeah, I know," he says, thinking of the lengths he's willing to go to for Linka. "What about a compromise? Have someone come here to help out during the day."

"We considered it, but the cost was too high. I'm fine, really. If it ever gets to the point where I can't take care of her myself and give her the best care possible, maybe then I'll consider an alternative, but right now, it's not that bad. I can manage."

"Ok…but keep me updated on how things are going here. Now that I know, I'm gonna worry if I don't hear anything."

"I will. Well, I better get Betty her water. You kids get back to sleep…and if Jason's snoring is too much to handle, you make HIM sleep on the couch, don't you be the one to leave the bed!" Don says to Linka, misunderstanding their sleeping arrangements.

"No Pap, we're…oh never mind. I'll take the couch this time, Babe."

"Goodnight kids."

"Goodnight Pap," they say in unison.

Wheeler gets goose bumps at hearing Linka refer to his grandfather as if he were her family too, just like he does with her grandmother.

"Come on," Linka says as she takes his hand. "Tuck me in."

"Uh…ok!"

They go back to the guest room and Linka shuts the door behind them. Wheeler raises his eyebrow in question.

"Have a seat."

"Umm, there aren't any," He points out.

She crawls onto the bed and props the pillows up against the headboard and pats the space next to her.

"You need to talk."

"About?" He asks as he takes the spot offered to him.

"I do not know…you tell me."

"I'm fine."

"Ok…then I guess you can go."

"Oh…uh, ok."

He starts to get up but stops when she speaks.

"Or you can open up and tell me what you are thinking?"

"Why? What's it going to change? I can talk until the sun comes up, but it won't change anything. Gram will still be slowly slipping away. Next time I come home, she may not even recognize me. It sucks."

"Da. It is terrible," she says, taking his hand and entwining their fingers.

"And then there's my Ma…she's stopped coming around. Why would she do that? Just because Pap wants to do what he vowed to do when he got married? In sickness and in health. 'Til death. She stayed with my dad for those same reasons. He didn't deserve her loyalty. Gram and Pap were the perfect couple…how the hell did my mom grow up around them, watch them, and then think what she had with my dad was normal?!"

"Maybe she was afraid to leave? Maybe he threatened her? Or you?"

"Nah…he was a mean drunk, got rough…but he wasn't homicidal. Just an asshole. If my grandparents had even the slightest inkling that my Ma or I were in serious danger, they'd have done something. But Dad was careful. He only hit where clothes would cover bruises…or Ma would wear long sleeves. In summer, when everyone else was in short sleeves and tank tops. We couldn't even use the pool at the apartment complex because we were so bruised most of the time."

"That is awful. I am sorry you had to go through that, Jason. Did Gram and Pap know what was going on?"

"Not the whole story. They knew Dad had a drinking problem, but the beatings, he kept that quiet…and so did she. It wasn't until after he got sober that he admitted to what he'd done…started apologizing to the family. Everyone was pissed at first, but if my Ma could forgive him, I guess they were all willing to too."

"Except you?"

"Except me. Guess I'm just a bitter person."

"Bitter is not a word I would ever use to describe you…except when I beat you at games…then you get a little bitter," she says with a smile, giving him a sideways glance to gauge his reaction.

He bumps his shoulder against hers.

"I wouldn't be bitter if you didn't cheat!"

"I have never!"

He releases her hand and puts his arm around her, drawing her against his side.

"Thanks for letting me vent."

"You are welcome."

"You know the worst part about knowing my Gram has Alzheimer's?"

"Hmm?" She sighs, closing her eyes as she leans her head on his chest.

"Despite my crappy childhood, I always had good times here. Gram and Pap would let me stay here during the summer. It gave me a break from my drunk dad, a chance to experience life in the suburbs with a yard and a place to ride a bike. I have so many great memories here with Gram and Pap…what if…no, not 'if'… 'when.' It's gonna happen. She's gonna forget all those memories," his voice cracking as he tries not to cry, then whispers, "She's gonna forget me."

"I am sorry, Yankee," she says as she drapes her arm over his chest and hugs him. "I wish I could tell you that that is not going to be the case."

"But it is. It's inevitable."

"Da…unless."

"Unless what?"

"The water from Lourdes. We could give her a few," Linka suggests.

"I thought you didn't believe in that stuff?"

"Well…I am not saying that I do…obviously it did not work for me when we went to the clinic in London. Maybe infertility is just too much for the 'miracle water' to handle…especially infertility caused by radiation…it is not like I was born that way or contracted an illness like cancer or was genetically predisposed to the disease, like Alzheimer's."

"I appreciate your offer to share…I just don't think it will work."

"But you believed it would work for me?" She asks, stifling a yawn.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

He pauses and thinks for a moment, trying to find the right words.

"It was different with you…it's just…there was more reason to have hope…I guess because it involved your future and, in a way, my future. I can't explain why it feels different. Maybe because it's you. Everything is different with you."

When she doesn't respond, he worries that he's made her uncomfortable.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make things awkward. If you want, we can give Gram a bottle of the water. It can't hurt to try…and thank you for offering. I know you must've wanted to use them for yourself, so for you to be willing to share and see if it helps her."

Still nothing.

"Linka?"

He cranes his head to look at her and sees that she's fallen asleep.

"Of course. Why would you be awake when I'm pouring out my heart about how I feel about you?" He chuckles and presses his lips to the top of her head. "G'night Babe."

He reaches over and turns off the light and tries to get a few more hours of sleep.


To Be Continued…