A Brand New Twist, Chapter 29
by Luvin_Evian

Neither will you.

Three innocent and simple words in reply to her comment about his not believing the morning she had. But coming from Julian, they cut her to the quick. In all the years she’s know him, she’d never seen him so lost, and his current physical condition aside, wounded. He seemed disengaged. Right there, but not there. As if anywhere in the world was better than here. Her heart lunged to her throat as every terrible thought and all its family and friends congregated in her head.

“Julian, what’s wrong?” Eve asked, trying to keep the alarm she felt out of her voice, but fearing she failed. “Did Matt detect a problem with your recovery?”

“Oh, no, Eve, I’m sorry.” He gave her hand a squeeze. She found comfort in his touch. It relaxed her, but just a bit. “The last thing I want to do is worry you.” He stared upward to the ceiling. “I’m making wonderful progress,” Julian answered. “In fact, Dr. Harmon said I could go home in a few days.”

She released a deep sigh of relief, allowing the tension threatening to overwhelm her to fall away. “That’s great news, so why aren’t you more cheerful? Oh, I know,” Eve said, chuckling. “He told you no excitement, right?”

“Six weeks.”

“He didn’t say that to make you depressed, Julian.” Eve enjoyed their sexual relationship as much as he did, but six weeks wouldn’t kill them. They would have to wait that long after the baby anyway. “You look as though you’ve lost your best friend.”

His gaze met hers for a fleeting moment, before fixing on the ceiling yet again. He released her hand. “I guess in a way, I have.”

“It’s not going to be forever, Julian. He’s looking out for you best interest.”

Julian nodded. “That’s what Harmon said,” he murmured, taking deep breath.

Unease flitted about in Eve’s stomach. Julian was definitely not himself. “Is there something else?” She brushed her thumb against his brow. “You seem troubled.”

He shrugged. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m just tired.” His hand slid underneath the covers of his right side. He cleared his throat. “It’s hard to get any sleep with nurses coming in to check this and give you that at every hour.”

“You said I wouldn’t believe the morning you had. Is it just because of Matt’s news? I kind of figured he would say what he did. Although, hearing it might have been a surprise for you.”

A smile turned his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yes, I guess that’s what it is,” replied Julian, his response directed at her but his gaze fixed on the woven knit box patterns in the hospital issue blanket. “That and I was waiting for you, and started to get a little sleepy. A nurse said she saw you heading to your office with Simone.”

“Yes. Actually, that’s what I wanted to tell you. But first, there’s some other news. I spoke with T.C. this morning, and he’s agreed to the divorce.”

“Really?” Julian looked at her long enough to raise a curious eyebrow before returning his attention to the bedding. “You sure he’s not up to something?”

“I’m sure. He was contrite, and guilty. I don’t care if he’s guilty, but he left town to get some help for his temper, and I guess as a show of goodwill, he agreed not to contest the divorce. He said he hoped we could be friends.”

“I hope you told him where he could take his friendship, but I’m glad he did this.” Julian toyed with one tapered edge of the cover. “It’s one less thing for you to worry about.”

She sighed. “Yes, well, lose one problem and gain another.” Or two, she thought, wondering about his inability to hold her gaze.

“Is this about Simone?” he asked.

“Simone, Whitney, and Sheridan.”

Julian’s eyes, wide with questions, flew to her face. Something she said definitely got his attention. He set the bed to recline, grimacing as he pulled his body to an upright position. “Sheridan?”

“Take it easy, Julian,” she advised, rubbing his chest. “You don’t want to rip your stitches.” Beads of sweat covered his forehead. She smoothed the moisture away. “Are you warm? I could take this cover and lower the temperature on the thermostat.”

He held fast to the blanket. “No, leave it. I’m fine,” he insisted. “What’s this about Sheridan?”

Eve took a moment to debate on whether or not to question his odd behavior, and his weird attachment to that blanket. After a while, she decided not to push—for now. “Well, as I was coming in this morning, I ran into her. We got to talking about you and me and Alistair, and then Simone arrived. They both had questions and deserved some answers, so I took them to my office, got Whitney on the speakerphone, and told them the unabridged story of Eve Johnson and Julian Crane.”

“You told them everything? Even about you and--”

“I told the girls about our past, and our new baby, but they don’t know what happened between T.C. and me. However, Sheridan did notice something was amiss, and I told her.”

“You did?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “Julian, Sheridan has been so amazing. I guess you can chock it up to her being your sister, but I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten through yesterday and this morning without her. Whitney and Simone were so angry with me, but Sheridan understood. She even defended me to Simone. Explaining about Alistair’s cruelty, and how he would do anything to have his way. It didn’t overly impress Simone, but for me...” Eve smiled. “Her being a part of you must have given me strength, because she made all the difference.”

Julian closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. “I see.”

“And you won’t believe this,” she continued.

His hands froze. “Believe what?”

“Sheridan wants to find our son.”

“What?”

“She’s in my office on the phone with Luis right now, hoping he can point her in the direction of a P.I. who can get around bureaucracy and not be swayed by Alistair’s money and power. While you’re recovering, she wants to take over the search.”

Julian turned as white as the fluffy clouds that filled the blue sky outside. “No! She can’t do this!”

Eve flinched. She expected a reaction, but this was not the one. “Julian?”

“I said no!” His face reddened and breath quickened. “I don’t want her involved with this, Eve, and it’s not up for discussion. She can’t do it.”

“Julian, calm down,” she directed, standing from the chair and urging him to lie down. “This upset will not help you.” His sudden and irrational outburst left no doubt in her mind that something happened between the time she talked to him this morning and her walking into this room. But what?

After a few moments, Julian’s breathing and coloring returned to normal. “I’m sorry I raised my voice,” he said.

“Me, too,” she replied, backing into the chair. “I don’t appreciate you speaking to me like I’m a child, Julian.” Her fingernails tapped against the hard plastic armrest on the chair, the click clacking breaking the silence between her words. “What’s got you so on edge?”

“I’m not on edge.”

“Yes, you are.”

“I just don’t think Sheridan should be involved with our personal business.”

“Personal business?” She scoffed. Her fingers moved faster. She fought to keep her voice down. “Julian, this is about our son. Sheridan’s nephew. This is family business.”

“I don’t want her involved.”

“It’s too late. I already told her she could do it.”

“Then, tell her you changed your mind.”

Eve stopped her fingers, gripping the rest tightly. “No,” she answered. “Why don’t you want Sheridan to help us? You said you want to be closer to her. I thought this would make you happy.”

“It would make me happy for this not to be,” he mumbled.

“If that’s how you feel, then you tell her. She should arrive at any minute.” Eve rolled her eyes. “Maybe when you’re explaining to her why you’re so adamant about this, I’ll pick up a clue, because this doesn’t make any sense.”

“Sheridan is coming here?”

“That’s why she came to the hospital, Julian. She’s been so worried, and she’s excited about finally having the big brother she’s always wanted, and you’re behaving like this!” Eve drew a breath, hating she lost the battle to keep her tone even. “I want to know what’s going on with you.”

He eased down in the bed and turned to the window. “There’s nothing.”

“You’re lying!”

“I’m not going to argue you with you, Eve. It’s not good for you or the baby. Look, I’m tired. Maybe you should go home and get some rest, too.”

“Julian, look at me.”

He moved not a muscle.

She stomped to the other side of the bed and turned his face. Barely maintaining her growing anger, she forced his eyes to meet hers. Irritation made way for worry and concern as fear and unshed tears stared back at her. “Julian, what’s wrong? What’s got you so scared? Are you not telling me something about your health?”

“No,” he answered.

“Then what? And, please, don’t tell me it’s nothing, because I know better than that. You have tears in your eyes.”

“It’s not tears. My eyes are glassy because I’m tired, Eve. I’m trying to be strong for you, but I’m feeling a little discomfort, okay? I got shot yesterday, remember? I’m not up for company.”

She pressed her hand to her chest. “I’m company now?”

He groaned. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then, what do you mean?” The more he talked, the less he said, and the more concerned she became. He was evasive, distant, tense, and he wouldn’t look at her. Something was very wrong. “What are you keeping from me, Julian? Why can’t you look at me? It feels like you’re pushing me away. I want to understand this, but I don’t. You’re scaring me.” Her voice cracked with emotion. Tears blurred her vision before spilling down her cheeks. “Is that what you want?”

“No. No. I never want to hurt you, Eve. I love you. I love you more than anything in this world.”

“Then answer me. I know something’s not right, Julian. Please, tell me what it is. I can handle it. I’m stronger than you think. Whatever this is we can get through it together. Just don’t keep me in the dark, Julian, please.”

Julian closed his watery eyes. Whatever this was he struggled with it. Eve braced herself. How bad could it be?

“Oh, God. Eve, I …”

A knock on the door stopped Julian’s words. “Hello,” said Sheridan, opening the door and sticking her head through the slight crack. “Can I come in?”