Collision Course, Chapter 70
They all sat in their perspective corners in the hospital. TC, Eve, Simone
and Chad hung out in the Waiting Room. Robbie and Ethan were in Gwen’s
room. Julian and Ivy found their way to the Waiting Room. They went to Eve.
“ We thought Ethan would be here.”, Julian said.
“ No. He and Robert Hotchkiss were waiting in Gwen’s room – three forty
–two. “
“ Thank you, Eve.”, Julian replied. Julian gave Ivy a look.
“ I’ll go find Ethan.”, Ivy said, and left.
Julian sat down next to Eve. “ I told Ivy about Chad.”, Julian whispered.
“ You did? That explains dirty look she gave me. How did she take it?”
“ Not well. Of course, her first thoughts were of how this would affect
Ethan.”
“ Of course. How WILL it affect Ethan?”, Eve asked.
“ Outside of him having a new brother, not at all. Eve, I promise you that,
financially, Chad WILL be taken care of. I’m already working on it. But, in
terms of being ‘ The Heir’, that determination comes from Alistair. He’s the
one in control, and he’ll NEVER make Chad ‘ The Heir’, you know that.”
“ I do. And, I don’t care about that. To be honest, Julian, I don’t want
Chad caught up in that.”
Julian looked at Eve. “ I…I never thought you’d feel that way, Eve.”
“ What way?”
“ You REALLY do have apprehensions about telling Chad the truth, don’t you?”
Eve sighed. “ Yes, Julian, I do.”
“ Do you not think I’ll be a good enough father to him?”
TC entered the room. “ Julian, TC’s back. We can talk about this later.”
TC sat down next to Simone and Chad. “ How long has HE been here?”, referring
to Julian.
“ Not long. But, he and Mama look like they’re having an intense conversation.”
“ Yes, they do, don’t they?”, TC replied.
“ What could Mom have to talk with Julian Crane about?”, Simone asked.
“ I’m sure he’s just worried about the medical situation. Gwen is his daughter-in-law.”,
TC lied.
TC watched as Julian left the room, and then, he went to sit down next to
Eve.
“ What did Julian want?”
“ We were discussing Chad.”
“ Anything wrong?”
“ No. Look, TC. Right now, all I want to focus on is Whitney. Chad and his
paternity can be left for another day…OK?”
“ Ok, Baby.”
Theresa looked down at her tray. She had gotten sandwiches and bottled drinks
for the entire Russell family. She bumped into someone.
“ Oh, I’m sorry…..Ethan.”
“ Hello, Theresa. Hungry?”
“ Um…these are for the Russells. I knew they wouldn’t pay attention to what
they weren’t eating.”
“ That’s very kind of you.”
“ They’re my second family. Whitney is my best friend.”
“ I know.”
“ Well, um, I have to pack these in bags.”
“ Let me help you.”
“ Um, Ok.”
Theresa and Ethan grabbed a couple of plastic bags, and began packing the
food.
“ How are you doing, Theresa?”
“ I’m fine. I’m in school. Things are going well.”
“ And, Chad?”
“ What do you mean Chad?”
“ Aren’t the two of you seeing one another?”
“ What if we are?”
“ Does he make you happy?”
“ Why do YOU care, Ethan?”
“ I want you to be happy, Theresa.”
“ After you broke my heart, why do you get a say, Ethan?”
“ I’m not asking about a say, Theresa. I was just wondering how your life
was going.”
“ What? Aren’t you happy, Ethan?”
“ With Gwen? Yes, Theresa, I’m happy. I made my choice.”
“ Nobody knows better than me about the choice you made, Ethan.”
“ I love Gwen, Theresa. My marriage is fine. Life is about choices, and
I have no regrets about mine.”
“ Of course not. You got to remain the Crane Prince.”
“ It was more than that, Theresa.”
“ Really? “
“ Yes, it was.”
“ Well, to answer your question Ethan, Chad and I are fine. He’s a great
guy. And, up until this moment, I didn’t realize just how great he was. Thank
you, Ethan.”
“ For what?”
“ For making me realize just how far my life has come. I want you to know
that I sincerely thank Gwen for what she’s done for Whitney. And, I hope you
two have a happy, long marriage. Goodbye, Ethan.”