Lost Cause, Chapter 16
by SIPort

 

Julian was sitting in the hallways, when Fox saw him.

“ Father, what are you doing here?”

” Eve Russell is in surgery.”

  ” Dr. Russell? Why?”

” I believe Liz Sanbourne shot her.”


” Shot? Liz? Why?”

“ Long story short version. Liz is Eve’s sister. She’s hated Eve for over 20 years and wanted revenge. When he plans for revenge didn’t crystallize, she decided to take things into her own hands and kill Eve. She’s in surgery now.”

Fox sat down next to Julian. “ Wow.”

“ Yes……so, why are YOU at the hospital?”

” I was visiting Simone Russell.”

“ Oh. Well, I guess that’s a good thing. Girl being in a coma like that, she doesn’t have to worry about her mother.”


” Simone’s awake.”


” What?”


” Yes. She’s awake. “


” Oh my God. Eve has been praying about this since Simone was brought into the hospital. Now, she’s awake, and Eve is fighting for her life.”

“ You…you care for Dr. Russell, don’t you? Truly care for her.”

” I love Eve.” Julian looked at Fox, who seemed as if a feather could knock him over right now. “ Yes, I said it. I love Eve with every fiber of my being. Always have. Always will.”

  ” Define always.”

” I fell in love with over 25 years ago. In Boston. Your grandfather found out. Disapproved and bullied into having me drop her. I was weak, and a coward, so I did it, and have regretted it everyday sense. “

Fox shook his head. “ You look like Julian Crane. The voice sounds like Julian Crane. But, the words are NOT Julian Crane. Julian Crane and LOVE? I didn’t even think you knew how to spell it.”


” Of course, I did. I know I’ve made mistakes, but none was bigger than what I did with Eve.”

“ So, why keep it quiet? You haven’t exactly been the soul of discretion where your relationships were concerned.”


” Eve’s husband hates me. It would have caused her trouble. So, I kept quiet.”

“ You did more than that. You stood by while her husband used you as his personal punching bag. Damn, it must be love.”

“ I love Eve.”

” Yeah, I’m getting that. I’m shocked, Dad. Surprised, but happy. It’s good to see this side of you….you seem, almost human.”

  ” Don’t tell anyone.”

” I won’t.”

  ” So…how does Simone seem? “

” I don’t know how she was before, but she seems to me a beautiful, funny, smart young woman.”


” Just like her mother.”


” I guess. “


” Well, I think I should tell you one more thing, since it’s out to Eve’s family.”


” What?”

“ I have a son with Eve. “

” A SON?”

  ” Yes.”

” Where is he?”


” I don’t know.”


” Father, how can you not know where your son is. Dr. Russell gave him up for adoption?”


” No. He was kidnapped.”


” Kidnapped? That sounds too wild.”


” Not if I tell you that your grandfather arranged the kidnapping.”

Fox shook his head. “ Damn. You’re right. Not too wild at all. You don’t know where he is? At all?”


” Up until about a year ago, both Eve and I believed he was dead.”

“ Unreal…so, now I have to worry about a bastard brother popping up?”


” Don’t talk about him like that, Fox. He’s your brother. He could be your friend.”


” Nobody who is a challenge to me being atop the Crane Empire is my friend.”

” There’s enough for everyone.”

” Father, you know better than anyone, Cranes don’t share.”


” Well, you don’t have to worry about it, for now, because I don’t know where he is, and if your grandfather has his way, I never will.”

‘ Score one for Grandfather’, Fox thought in his head.

 


 

TC was on his knees in the hospital Chapel.


” Lord, I have more prayers. First, it was my little girl. She still needs your help. But, now, I’m asking for Eve too. She’s been hurt, and she needs for you to look after her. I’m still in shock for what I learned about Eve, but when I saw her on the floor of that club, all of it went away. She has a past, but I know now that I don’t want to live my life without her in it. She’s my wife, and I love her, and I love our family. I’ve always thought of myself as the protector, but now, I feel so powerless, and I hate it. I love the ladies in my life. They GAVE me a life when I didn’t have one, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my family together. I need them all.”

Whitney came into the Chapel. “ Daddy?”


” Princess, come here. Come pray for your mother and Simone with me.”


” Daddy, that’s why I came to find you..”


” Oh my God. Your mother?”


” No..no….I don’t know anything about Mom. I guess she’s still in surgery. But, Simone’s awake.”


”Awake? You sure?”


” Yes, Daddy.”

TC didn’t wait for Whitney to finish his sentence before he ran out of the Chapel. He was running through the hospital as fast has he could, and by the time he arrived at Simone’s room and opened the door, he was out of breath.

Simone’s eyes filled with tears. “ Hi Daddy.”

TC rushed over to her and nearly crushed her with his hug. But, Simone could feel the wetness of his tears on her cheek. “ Oh Sugarbear” is all he said, over and over.

 

Chapter 17
Chapter 15
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