Haunted Nights, Chapter 35
“ Your parents? You want to see your parents?”
“ Yes.”
“ Why?”
“ Julian, I had every intention of telling TC and Whitney tonight, but
when the time came, I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. I did tell them about seeing
Simone in New York.”
“ What was TC’s response?”
“ He was livid that I went without him. He was pissed.”
“ I could imagine.”
“ Julian, these are my demons. I can’t tell TC about my parents without
telling him about WHY I broke off with my parents, which means I have to tell
him about you and our son.”
“ I know.”
“ I…I..never thought it would come to this. I know I’m a coward..”
“ Eve, no..”
“ Yes, Julian. I’m a coward. A spineless coward. It’s why I lied in the
first place.”
“ No. You lied because you felt it was the only way for you to keep TC.
AFTER I abandoned you. After I left you to rot emotionally, because I was
a coward.”
“ Julian…”
“ Eve, your downfall begins and ends with me, and the havoc that I’ve been
in your life from the moment we met.”
Eve took Julian’s hand. “ Julian, I don’t want to hear you say such things.
I was no hapless victim. I was a willing participant in our relationship.
We both were out of our league. We both had no clue as to how to navigate
our relationship. Maybe, if we had been left alone, we could have worked
things out, but Alistair wasn’t having it. By the time I met TC, we had been
over for years. You, nor Alistair, forced me to lie to TC from practically
the first day we met. That was MY decision. A wrong one, but one that I’ve
had to live with, and now I have to face the consequences of my actions.
I’ve forgiven you, Julian. We couldn’t have a relationship now if I hadn’t.”
“ You are too kind.”
“ No. I’m not.”
“ So, when are you going?”
“ In a few days. I have to clear up my schedule at the hospital first.
I’d like to use the Crane Jet, if possible. “
“ I’ll go with you.”
Eve smiled. “ I’d love that, but I think I have to go it alone.”
“ Alright. Just call me and tell me when you’d like to leave.”
“ Thank you, Julian.”
Sam was under his car, checking things out when he heard a voice.
“ Daddy?”
Sam slid out.
“ Hey Kay!” Sam got up, and kissed her.
“ Want to take a lunch break?”, Kay asked, holding up a bag from his favorite
deli.
“ Good.”
They both went into the kitchen, and as Sam washed his hands, Kay got out
the plates. Sam grabbed a beer for him and a lemonade for Kay.
“ My favorite sandwich, extra order of pickles, extra cole slaw AND cookies
and brownies? Ok, Kay, what’s wrong?”, Sam asked with concern in his voice.
Kay kissed her father. “ Nothing’s wrong. Why can’t a daughter…a working
daughter, treat her father to lunch.”
“ Ok. I guess she can.”
“Dig in.” They both began to eat, and then Kay looked at him..” I DO have
something to tell you.”
Sam put down his sandwich. “ I knew it!”
“ Daddy, nothing is wrong. I just wanted to tell you that I’m moving.”
“ Moving? Back in here? With me?”
Kay’s heart broke a little when she realized how much her father wanted
it to be true.
“ No, Daddy. I’m moving in with Ethan.”
“ Ethan? What?”
“ Well, I think he’s finally accepted that Gwen isn’t coming back to him.
And, he offered me his downstairs Master Suite. It’s big enough for me,
and the sitting room is big enough for a nice nursery for the baby. “
“ Wow…I didn’t think you and Ethan were that close.”
“ Well, we aren’t. But, don’t you think it’s time that we got closer? I
think I need to sort of get out on my own. Yet, I need family. Ethan’s got
a big house, and he’s only going to be a part-time father. I think helping
me and my baby is going to help him deal with losing Gwen. Plus, Ethan’s smart
and he can help me with my Crane Industries job.”
“ How’s that going?”
“ So well. I have to admit, I feel burned out sometimes, between the job
and school, but it’s fine.”
“ The baby is Priority #1, Kay. No job and no school is more important.”
“ Daddy, I know that. I’m taking care of my baby. Believe me, between Tabitha,
Fox, and Gwen, I have enough Mother Hens monitoring everything that I do.”
Sam smiled. “ So, you and Gwen are getting along?”
“ Yes, the two pregnant single women are forming their own support group.”
“ Gwen doesn’t have to be single.”
Kay rolled her eyes. “ Daddy, come on. It’s me. Gwen’s better off on her
own, finding a man who loves ONLY her. You can’t look me in the eye and
tell me that THAT man is Ethan. I love my brother, but his newfound independence
from Theresa is shaky at best.”
Sam sighed. “ You’re right. I have my doubts too.”
“ So, Gwen is where she should be. Me…well, things aren’t working out the
way I thought they would when I found out I was pregnant.”
“ Miguel.”, Sam said quietly.
“ Yes, Miguel. I love him, Daddy, and I love this baby. And, I have to
believe that we’ll have a life together one day. But, for now, I have to
live for this baby, which means that I have to take care of myself. I’ve
found a way to find a job that can turn into a career and give me an education
so that I can provide for my child. I’m lucky enough to have a brother willing
to give me a place to stay in a home that will be loving for my child. I
have to hope that one day Miguel will realize what he’s missing. “
“ Wow.. you have grown up.”
Kay laughed. “ I do have a favor to ask.”
“ What is it?”
“ I know that the family baby furniture – the rocking chair, crib, changing
table and armoir that belonged to Grandma and Grandpa – were in the storage
unit. I wanted to know if you’d let me have it.”
Sam had tears in his eyes as he took Kay’s hand. “ On one condition.”
“ Name it.”
“ That you have me on regular babysitting duty.”
“ Oh Daddy!”, Kay got up and hugged her father.