Collision Course, Chapter 37
 
 

Penny was sitting in her wheelchair, looking at her mother, who was preparing for a nice evening. There were three dresses on the bed, and Ivy was doing her makeup.

" You look so pretty, Mommy."

" You think, Darling? Which dress do you like."

Penny looked over at the dresses. " The red one, Mommy. Daddy says red is your color."

" He does? When did he say that?"

" Oh, one day."

Well then, the red one it is. Ivy slipped into the red gown. It wasn't haute couture, but, it was form fitting with a slit up her well-muscled thigh. She knew it would have the desired effect.

" So, how do I look?"

" Mommy, you'll be the most beautiful woman there. "

" Well, I really only want to be the most beautiful woman for one person."

" Who? Daddy?"

Ivy looked seriously at her daughter. " And, if it was your Daddy?"

" That would be great!"

Ivy kissed her daughter. " You are the most wonderful daughter in the world. Now, let's go see about your father."

Ivy pushed Penny's chair down to Julian's room and knocked on the door.

" Come in."

Julian was sitting in a chair. He had his shirt and pants on, but no tie or cufflinks.

" Julian! Don't you know what…"

Ivy was stopped dead in her tracks. She didn't know what was wrong, but there was something different about Julian. Something that she couldn't name. She knew this wasn't the time for a scolding, so she changed her tune.

" Penny and I wanted to know if you needed any help."

Julian looked at his daughter and smiled. " You are a sweet girl."

" So, Julian may I help? You need some of these.", Ivy said, going through his cufflink box and picking out one of the rare gifts she had given Julian over the years. She had bought him the cufflinks when they were first going out - before she found out why he had married her. Julian looked down at the cufflinks. He remembered them, and looked at Ivy. He didn't understand why she was there, but, he appreciated the help. He closed his eyes and took a whiff. He'd always loved that perfume on her.

" You smell wonderful."

" I remember you liked the scent."

" Did you? Why?"

" Because.", she sang. Once she finished with the cufflinks, she did his bowtie.

" You look beautiful, Ivy."

" I do?"

" Ivy, come on. You know that you are a fine feminine specimen. The selection of that dress proves it."

Ivy smiled. " I think I look even better out of it.", she whispered in Julian's ear.

Julian looked at her with shock. She could NOT have said what he thought she said. He can't remotely deal with that right now. Letting his mind get the better of him. After all, he had too much on his plate.

" I'm sure.", he mumbled.

" Mommy, Daddy, let me take a picture."

Julian and Ivy turned around, and somehow, Penny had found a camera. They smiled for their daughter, enjoying the close proximity to one another that had been very rare. Just then, there was another knock on the door.

" Come in.", Julian and Ivy said simultaneously.

Sheridan opened the door and was surprised to find his brother with his wife. " Hi Julian. Ivy."

" Sheridan, what brings you up here?", Ivy asked.

" I….I was wondering what was taking so long. This is actually one of the few charity events that I actually like going to for Crane Charities. "

" OK.  Well, Penny come with me to the elevator."

Ivy and Penny left and Sheridan went over to Julian. " Are you OK?"

" Sheridan, I'm fine. I want to thank you for your support. I needed it."

" Julian, if…"

" I know, Sheridan. If I want to discuss it. I can't right now. I have to deal with things on my own."

" Ok. That's cool."

" So, let's go to this event."

Sheridan took Julian's arm and they left for the party.
 
 

" Eve, I can't believe we have to go to this.", TC mutters as Eve is tying his tie.

" TC, this is one of the most important hospital fundraisers of the year. The one for the free women and children's clinic. You know how many hours I volunteer there. This one is very important."

" I know..I know….but, the Cranes."

" Give a lot of money for this. I know how you feel about them, TC. But, we have to go. And, you'll be pleasant."

" Yes, M'am."

Eve laughed. " Don't try and be slick, TC Russell. All our friends will be there. So, you find Sam and talk up a storm."

" Yeah, I guess you're right."

TC and Eve go downstairs and find Whitney, Simone and Chad ready.

" Girls, you look beautiful.", TC said. " I have the three most beautiful women in Harmony, don't I Chad?"

" Yeah, Coach. You didn't do so bad. Doctor Russell, you look beautiful tonight."

Eve looked at Chad, as she came over to him and fussed with the lapels of his tuxedo. " You don't look bad yourself, Chad. So handsome. So very handsome."

Chad could see that his mother was on the verge of getting emotional and had to think fast. He pulled away from her and went over to TC. " Coach, I can't thank you again for the invite."

" It was Eve's idea, though I don't know why I didn't think of it first. You're welcome, Son. So, how about we take this show on the road. Watch out world, here comes Casa Russell!"

TC went to his daughters and put out both of his arms, which they took. Chad put out his arm and Eve took it. She held him back for a few steps.

" I'm so happy. You can't know how happy I am right now."

" I know, Doc. Things are going to be ok. But you can't keep on getting so emotional. Someone will start to ask questions."

" I know you're right, but, I don't care."

" That's not fair to me. Don't hang this on me. I want to take it nice and  slow, and that can't be done if everyone knows who I am."

" You're right, Chad. I'm sorry. But, promise me that I'll get a dance?"

" I promise.", Chad said as they closed the door to the Russell house.