Three weeks later…

Eloise POV

Oscar had returned from deployment and we waited for a couple of weeks before we invited him to dinner and we settled on the following week. It was at that time we were planning on revealing what we know about Veronica. We're hoping it doesn't hurt him or James but there's got to be something that we can do to prevent a disaster. We decided that we needed Scott to be there too because he was the one that presented the information to us. To avoid Veronica from being there we had him call it a work-related dinner so Scott picked him up from his office and we had dinner at our house. We couldn't risk someone seeing us all together and having word get back to her, there are so many gossip-gabbers in her social circles that nothing is secret and everyone watches for everything.

While we were awaiting their arrival, Chad and I were talking about what would happen with Oscar and James' relationship when this information comes out.

"Chad, do you think they will divorce?" I ask concerned, yet you can hear the hope in my voice. Is that really a bad thing?

He chuckles, "Ellie, you might as well admit you have never liked Veronica from the beginning. You aren't the only one. In fact, no one likes her but we're all standing by Oscar to give him support. We can already guess how Veronica will react, she'll pitch a fit and her vindictive evil self will make itself known and will become a nightmare."

God I can use a strong drink. He must be reading my mind because I watch him walk over to the bar and fix both of us a drink. I notice he's doubled the amount of rum in my rum and coke and I can't help but laugh.

"Were you reading my mind?" I giggle when he smirks at me.

"No, Love, I just know you well enough that you're going to need something stronger to calm your nerves. You've got to keep your temper under control. Oscar doesn't need his mother going on a rampage." He laughs loudly.

Sighing, I roll my eyes and accept the drink he's offered me and take a drink. Smacking my lips I look up at him and smile, "Mmm, just the way I like it! Thank you, hon. I really think I'll need this tonight. I hope they get here soon. I just want to get this over with."

We're silent for a few moments, each of us enjoying our drinks and lost in our own thoughts. My fear is that she will use James as a pawn keeping him from Oscar in order to get money or she might even use James' living expenses to get the money. We can only wait to see what Oscar wants to do and stand beside him giving our support.

I sigh, "You're right Chad, no matter what we feel and think it's Oscar's life and ultimately his decision. She's just looking to find someone with money who will take care of her and James. It's irritating and an absolutely horrible flaw."

"Oh come on Ellie, you know that's why you married me. I mean, you certainly didn't marry me for my looks or charming personality." Chad smirks at me and wiggles his eyebrows.

I can't help the laugh that comes out when I hear, "Come on, you know that's exactly why you married him. Not to mention you were knocked up." I turn and look at a familiar voice, to see a man with a grin.

"Oh, you're right, I forgot that part! I guess I'm such a hot commodity that he couldn't resist getting some of this." I wave my hand gesturing to my body and nearly double over laughing at the mortified look on his face. Scott looks just as mortified as Oscar and Chad is laughing so hard not a sound is escaping him except for a wheeze every now and then.

Raising his hands in defeat my son exclaims, "Ok, ok, ok, I surrender!"

It's nice to laugh like this because the conversation that's about to take place may need to have a buffer and the joking around will help. Unable to speak, Chad lifts up his glass and looks at Oscar and Scott and shakes the ice in his glass. He nods to me than raises his chin pointing it toward the guys.

Putting on an innocent concerned face I start asking questions, rapid fire. "Something wrong with your neck dear? Do you want me to call a doctor? Do you need an ice pack? Heating pad? Pain reliever? Neck brace? Ace bandage? Band-aid? Do you need to be strapped to a back-board? Hmm…. I can think of things to be strapped to…."

"MOM! STOP! What the hell? Fuck dad, what does she have in that glass? Whatever it is, it's not the usual rum because it's wiped out her filter and she's lost her mind!" Just the tone of Oscar's voice makes me laugh and when I look over at him he's got his hands covering his ears like he used to do when he was five and I can't hold back any longer and lose all control myself, throwing out the occasional snort. Tears starting to pour down my cheeks and Chad is laughing so hard his face is turning a dark shade of red because of lack of oxygen. I'm sure we look a mess and luckily I don't wear makeup often because I'm sure I'd look like a raccoon.

I try not to make eye contact with Chad because when I do we set off into another fit of laughter. If we're not careful we're going to need to call an ambulance, but wow what a great way to go. Laughter is better than sex. Sometimes. After a few minutes of laughing we finally settle down and I'm briefly happy about the laughter we just had because things are about to change to a more serious tone. Taking a deep breath to calm my breathing I take a drink and smile at Oscar and Scott.

"Are you two done?" Oscar questions, his eyebrows raised.

"Son, you don't have to live with her. You've only seen the tip of the iceberg. I'm not sure if you're lucky or missing out." Chad responds with a chuckle.

"Yes, I'm done Oscar." I roll my eyes. "Get a sense of humor. Laughter is the best feeling, well…" I let my voice trail off, suggestively, and grin when his eyes widen and he cringes a little.

"Sorry honey, I can't help myself sometimes." I pause, "Well…" My voice trails off again.

"MOM! Stop talking, please, just stop talking!" He exclaims, looking to his dad for help. Chad just shrugs with a smirk.

Scott butts in, trying to change the subject, "So, where's this dinner?"

That's definitely a sobering question. We all exchange looks except Oscar's is more of confusion.

"Oh yes, dinner. Well, this IS a dinner meeting so I guess we really should have dinner with it. How does Chinese sound? I definitely did not cook today so we need to do something quick."

I respond. Not that I ever intended on cooking. Chinese was always my plan for this evening.

After everyone agrees, I placed the call and submitted our order for delivery. While we waited for the food to arrive, we all had drinks once again. Oscar kept looking at my drink making sure it was just rum in it. I couldn't help laughing but I didn't say anything.

"Should we start now or wait until the food arrives?" Scott asks, looking at Oscar. They share a look and I wonder what's going on between the two of them.

Oscar makes the decision. "I guess we can start now. There's no reason to wait any longer." We all agree and just as we start to get comfortable, the doorbell rings and our food has arrived.

"Perfect timing. I guess we'll have dinner while we talk." Chad says, carrying the food through the house.

"I'll grab some plates and utensils and meet you on the patio." I head to the kitchen while the group moves to the back of the house to the patio.

Chad's already set the food up as a buffet style in the center of the table. Giving everyone their plates, I set out the utensils and indicate for everyone to start with a wave of my hand.

"Ellie, hand me your plate please." Chad tells me so I place my plate in his outstretched hand and watch as he fills my plate with various things. I don't know why he insists on serving me, I should be doing his first, but he's always served me. I'm done arguing with him, after spending the first year trying to make him see things my way. He refused so I let him do what he wants. It's sweet, actually, and I never feel like he doesn't cherish me as much as I cherish him.

As everyone gets settled and starts eating, Chad starts the conversation off and Scott and I listen and watch for Oscar's reaction for what we've found out about Veronica's history. He seems just as shocked as we did, initially, but then shocks us by just shrugging his shoulders.

Oscar takes a breath, "Dad, Mom, this really isn't that much of a shock to me. When I met her I knew she was up to something by watching her flit from man to man in search of status. That's why she's been called a 'rank bunny,' because that's what she is. Obviously, there was something about her when I married her, then James came along and he was perfect, until about 2 year into the relationship when she started acting different. We started growing distant and I chalked it up to me focusing all my time on my career and not giving her and James the attention she wanted. I never neglected them, but I didn't spend every waking minute with them either. She knew from the beginning that I didn't want to focus on anything other than my career and I guess she thought she would be able to change my focus on her by getting pregnant. I love James, and I used to love her, but now she's just his mother. I provide for her and James but she basically does her thing and I do mine. All she wants is social status and to be the envy of all the other women. I think she's pissed because she's not the focus of my life she's pulling James from me. If she wants that, she can have it, but I'll be damned if I'm going to let her poison my son's mind with lies about me. We've come to an agreement on our status, she leaves me alone and lets me spend time with James. In exchange, I give her an allowance to go do whatever social status climbing she wants. There's no love there anymore. I'm not so certain there was at all in the beginning." He takes a deep breath and continues, "Which is why I know that the baby she's pregnant with is not mine."

My mouth drops open, mimicking the fork that's dropped from my hand. To say I'm shocked is an understatement. I look over at his dad and see his just as shocked as I am. What's even more shocking is that he's so calm and candid in sharing this revealing information.

When I look at Scott he shrugs and smiles. "Now you know why I wasn't so tense and concerned about his reaction."

"She's pregnant? When did this happen? Who? How? Wait, don't answer that, I know how. When did you find this out? When were you planning on telling us?" I sputter, then look at Scott. "And you, how long have you known?"

Scott raises his eyebrows in a surprised gesture then shakes his head. "Eloise, I'm his friend, not to mention an attorney. It's not my place to tell anyone anything. Especially this type of thing. You know this. I apologize for being privy to this information and not saying anything, especially considering the information we've been discussing."

"Mom, Veronica told me about a week ago. I know you don't want to hear this but," He pauses, "We did have a romantic reunion the day I returned from deployment, and to be honest she was adamant about having sex every day for almost two weeks after that. Within two weeks, she drops the bomb on me that she's pregnant. We went to the doctor and she's about four weeks pregnant. Unless I failed at basic math, that's about 3 weeks longer than she should be. I think she was trying to make sure I thought the baby was mine, covering her tracks, so to speak. I've had suspicions about her cheating and I've had friends and coworkers telling me what they've seen. I'm not entirely shocked, more disappointed and upset."

Silence settles across the table like a cloak. After a few moments, Oscar speaks again. "Mom. Dad. I told Scott before you guys because he's my friend and I needed someone to confide in. I also needed him to draw up papers to protect my interests for the foreseeable future."