The Father Factor Chaper 17 ~Julian and EVe~
by Bailey0
 
 

Chapter 17

Whitney and Chad arrived at the Russell house soon after they had left the hospital. Turning to face Chad Whitney took his hand and said, “I know, I know. I want to spend the night with you too, but if we are going to prove to my dad that I can be responsible then I have to get home early.” She smiled at him, her eyes begging him to understand.

“I know.” Chad hugged her, “But when is your life going to belong to you? I mean, your not a minor anymore. You are an adult. I just think that you should get to live your life the way that you want too. Not the way your father wants you too. I mean, there are guidelines that he can teach you, but not dictate how you live every waking moment.” Chad sighed wearily, getting tired of this topic.

“He’s not just my father, he’s my coach.” Whitney stated. “And besides, I don’t want to waste a wonderful evening discussing this.” She leaned in for a kiss.

“You’re right! I am just glad that your mom understands. That is a load off my mind.”

“Yea, me too. I just wonder what is up with Julian Crane?” She said thoughtfully. “Why my mom suddenly puts up with him.”

“Maybe she feels guilty for the accident.” Chad said thoughtfully, his mind suddenly wondering, “Hey did you notice how he touched her hand when he left?” He suddenly asked, remembering the gesture between Eve and Julian.

“I did see his hand brush hers, but I thought nothing of it.” Whitney said. “Why what are you thinking?” She asked.

“I think that, and by no means do I mean to disrespect your mom, but I think that there is something going on between those two. I mean you did say that Julian loved a woman once, and that she is here in Harmony. Maybe the woman he loves is your moms.”

Whitney laughed, “Sure, sure, my mom and Julian Crane. I don’t know why I didn’t see it before.” She slapped her leg and laughed harder.

“I’m being serious Whit.” Chad said.

“What?” Whitney said, suddenly alarmed. “That’s crazy, my mom hates Julian Crane.”

“You’re right, it’s crazy.” Chad dismissed the subject and kissed her.

As they sat in the front seat of the car, kissing, they were startled by breaking glass. “What was that?” Whitney asked.

“I don’t know, but I better check it out.” Chad said as he opened the car door. “You stay here, I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’m not staying here by myself.” Whitney said, her voice trembling with fear.

“Alright, but stay close to me.” Chad took her hand as they approached the Russell house.

Slowly, making sure that they made no noise, Chad and Whitney kept up to the front door. Turning the door knob gently, Chad quietly pushed the door open.

There on the living room floor, partially covered in a blanket lay Liz and TC, sleeping, broken drinking glasses on the floor beside them.

Quickly Chad turned Whitney away, “It’s nothing, let’s get out of here.”

“Why? What’s wrong Chad?” Whitney pushed past him and entered the house.

Stifling a scream, Whitney turned and ran back out of the house crying. “Liz and my father? This can’t be happening.” She cried as she ran blindly into the street, oblivious to the traffic.

Julian had been taking his time going home, and had decided to cruise by the Russell home, for whatever reason, he did not know. Maybe he thought that he might feel better about his current position in Eve’s life if he saw that she had a happy family. A happy home, even without him. Julian was willing to step aside for Eve’s happiness’s sake. If she wanted her life with TC and the girls, than he was just going to have to except it.

As he approached the Russell home, he suddenly slammed on his brakes when two young people raced out onto the street.

Narrowly missing them, Julian clutched his heart, trying to calm its frantic pounding. He opened the car door and was about to start yelling at them when he noticed that it was Whitney and Chad. Whitney crying hysterically.

“What’s wrong?” He asked in alarm.

“Nothing, I have it under control.” Chad said, trying to discourage Julian from prying any further.

“The hell you have.” Julian said when Whitney continued to sob uncontrollably. “What happened?” He demanded again, looking up at the Russell home. Then he noticed that the front door was open. Fear gripped him as he rushed to the door, praying that nothing serious was wrong.

When he stepped into the house, his heart stopped at the sight in front of him. TC and Liz fumbling for their clothes.

“You bastard,” Julian roared in anger, as he slammed the door shut and approached TC and Liz. “How could you do this to Eve?” He swung a fist and punched him.

TC reeled from the impact and sat down on the floor, spitting blood that oozed from his lips. Suddenly overcome by an almost demonic rage, TC realized that it was Julian Crane that had hit him. He staggered to his feet screaming and rushed at Julian, throwing himself into him, fists flying.

Stunned, Julian stumbled back almost falling. One of TC’s fists connected with his nose and he howled in pain. ‘I am too old for this crap!’ Julian thought as he tried to wipe the blood from his nose.

When TC rushed him again, Julian stepped aside and TC went flying into the wall. With a sickening thud he sank to the floor. Julian reached down and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him to his feet.

His eyes wild with rage, TC glared murderously at Julian, “I’m going to kill you.” He screaming, swinging his fists.

“Not today you aren’t!” Julian said matter-of-factly and then punched him one more time. TC sank to the floor, out cold. “That was for Eve.” Julian said as he rubbed his knuckles and back away in disgust.

Julian stood for a moment and stared at the crumpled figure of TC laying on the floor. He glared at Liz who was shivering on the sofa, and then turned to leave.

Chad and Whitney had come rushing in when they heard TC screaming and stepped aside when Julian approached them. He tried to speak but his nose hurt too badly and frankly he didn’t know what to say to them anyways. With another disgusted look at TC he straightened up and tried his best to smooth his disheveled appearance. He slowly walked back to his car, wishing that he could somehow protect Eve from the pain that she was surely going to have to endure.

After Julian had left, Chad turned to Whitney, “What was that all about? I never thought that Julian Crane would try to avenge your moms.”

Whitney wiped her tears as she glared at Liz. "And to think that I respected and admired you." She hissed.

Liz, suddenly aware of what this was going to do to the girl, hung her head in shame. She hadn't wanted to hurt the girl. Then as she thought of Eve, her concern for them flew out the window and she smiled to herself. 'Go on Whitney,' she thought, 'tell mommy dearest everything you saw tonight.'

“I want to get out of here. I never want to lay eyes on these two again.” She snorted in disgust.

“Come on, we’ll go to my place.” Chad said.

“We can’t leave like this, what if Simone comes home and finds them.” Whitney said frantically.

“She’s staying with the Bennett’s tonight she called me earlier and told me where I could find her.” Chad said as he pulled Whitney toward the door.

Whitney looked back once more and started to cry again. “I can’t believe this has happened Chad. My poor mom, what are we going to tell her?”

Holding her close, Chad ushered her to the car trying to comfort her. “It’s going to be ok, you’ll see.”

“No Chad, I don’t think it’ll ever be ok again.” Whitney leaned against him and cried.