New Beginnings, Chapter 13
 
 

Whitney was in the middle of her match. This opponent was tough, but, Whitney could sense that the tide had turned. She had aced three out of her last five serves. The mental shift was coming back to her. She smelled blood and now was the time for her go in for the kill.

And, she did just that. She finished the set and the match in less than 20 minutes.

" Game, set, and match to Miss Russell."

Whitney smiled as she went to shake her opponents and the umpire’s hands. She had made it into the finals. If she won this tournament, it would mean a great deal to her tennis career.

She found a beaming TC when she got off the court, and hugged him.

" You did fabulous, Princess."

" Thanks, Daddy. I really was in the ‘zone’. "

" Yes, you were. Let’s go back to the hotel. "

She and TC walked back to the resort hosting the event, with Whitney signing a few autographs along the way. They got back to the  lobby, and TC went to check and see if there were any messages.

" Any messages, Daddy?"

" There’s one from your mother that says to call her ASAP from our room. Says she needs to talk to you too."

" Ok, let’s go. "

TC and Whitney make their way to TC’s room and opens the door.

" I wonder what you mother wants?", TC says to Whitney as they’re coming in the room.

" Maybe she just wants a hug from her husband and daughter.", Eve says, coming out from the bedroom.

" Eve? You’re here?", TC asks stunned.

" Yes, I am."

" Where’s Simone?", he asks.

" Right here, Daddy.", Simone says, coming from the bathroom.

" What are you doing here?", Whitney says, looking at Simone.

" Don’t ask me. This was all Mom’s idea.", Simone offers.

" I’ll explain everything over lunch. Congratulations, honey.", Eve says, hugging Whitney. " You were fabulous in the match."

" You saw?"

" Yep. We snuck in for the second set. So, do I get my lunch?"

" Absolutely.", TC says smiling. They all leave on their way to the hotel restaurant.

Ivy comes back to her bedroom to find a strange man in it.

" Who the hell are you?"

" My name is Rodolfo, and I’m the decorator."

" I didn’t hire a decorator."

" But, I DID."

Ivy turns around to come face to face with

" Rebecca."

" That’s right, Ivy. I want everything to be perfect for when I move into the Mansion as Mrs. Julian Crane."

" How many times do I have to tell you – there is ONE Mrs. Julian Crane, and I don’t intend to give up the title."

Rebecca laughs in Ivy’s face.

" You are funny, Ivy. Why don’t you be a good loser, and just give Julian the divorce. If you’re nice to me, maybe I can help you get a few cents from him so that you won’t be homeless when he throws you out."

" If you don’t take your silicone self and get OUT of my bedroom, you’re going to be returned to your plastic surgeon for more help!"

Rebecca sticks out her chest. " Fine. But, know that your days are numbered. Come, Rodolfo."

Ivy slams the door on them.

She looks around the room. She knows that unless she can come up with something good, she will be thrown out in the street. She can’t use the Martin Fitzgerald threat, because Alistair had neutralized her on that. But, Julian had more than enough secrets. She just had to think of one that would benefit her.
 

" Man, Eve, you ordered enough food for an army.", TC jokes with her.

They were all sitting in the restaurant and had completed giving their order.

" Do you want to tell me why you and Simone flew out here – FIRST CLASS?", TC said, rolling his eyes.

" Sometimes, TC Russell, you just have to splurge. We could afford it, and I wanted to do it. So, are you ready for my surprise?"

" Sure, Mom.", Whitney said.

" I haven’t been feeling well, so I went to the doctor."

TC took Eve’s hand. " Baby, is there something wrong?"

Eve shook her head and just smiled. " Nope. Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s perfect."

Eve had tears in her eyes as she looked at TC. " Honey, we’re going to have a baby."

Simone and Whitney had the same reaction as they shouted, " A BABY?!"

Most of the patrons closest to them turned to look. Whitney and Simone had confused looks on their faces, mixed in with horror.

Eve looked at TC, who hadn’t said anything.

" TC? Are you ok?"

TC looked at Eve and burst into a smile. " Are you sure?"

" Absolutely. It will probably be a difficult pregnancy, but, I’m ready to do what it takes."

" We sure will. Won’t we girls?", TC says looking over at Simone and Whitney, who aren’t beaming like TC and Eve.

" Whitney, Simone, aren’t you happy about the baby?", Eve asks.

" Mom, we’re teenagers. Whitney’s out of high school, and I’m almost out of high school. A baby sort of cramps things."

" Simone!", Eve says.

" Mom, I thought you wanted my honest opinion. And, aren’t you two too old to become parents to a newborn?"

" We won’t qualify for AARP for a few years, Sugarbear. I would think that you and your sister would be happy about a new sibling."

" Daddy, we’ve got these sibling dynamics down pretty good. A new baby…"

" Will be a welcome addition to the family.", Whitney says faintly smiling.

" Thank you, Princess. Your mother and I knew we could count on you."
Simone rolls her eyes at Whitney, who excuses herself to go to the washroom. Simone follows.

Once they hit the powderroom, Simone tears into Whitney. " What was that suckup job that you just did."

" Simone, I admit. Mom having a baby now is a little freaky."

" A LITTLE?"

" Ok, so a lot. But, you’re not thinking clearly, Simone."

" Oh Wise One, please tell me the error of my ways."

Whitney ignored Simone’s sarcasm, and pulled her to sit down on the couch.

" Simone, Mom and Daddy are sort of ‘over protective’. "

" Tell me something that I don’t know. "

" Well, I thought once I turned 18, that things would lessen. And, it’s gotten a little bit better. But, not as much as I wanted it too."

" By not being much better, you’re thinking about Chad?"

" Yes, Simone. I’ve done a lot of thinking on this trip, and I think that I’m ready to really try with a relationship where Chad’s concerned. I think that we could make it work."

" You’re crazy about him."

" Yes, he’s the first guy I’ve ever felt anything REAL towards. But, I needed to get my tennis in order, so t hat Mom and Daddy couldn’t pitch a fit when I told them."

" You don’t know. They probably still will. "

" They’ll try. But, I’ve done well with my tennis…and now….they have the new baby coming. NOTHING takes up more time than a  new baby."

The lightbulb finally went on in Simone’s brain. " Ah, I see."

" So, I don’t think it’ll be that bad having a new sibling. Another child for Mom and Daddy to focus on. And, the kid will have their attention for the next 18 years. I think that’s enough breathing room for the both of us."

Simone finally smiles. " You’re right. Mom and Dad will be so involved with the baby, they’ll leave US alone."

" Correct."

" I like the sound of this. This baby will help them ‘let go’ faster."

" I think so."

" I don’t know if I want to babysit, Whitney."

" It’ll be different for us, Simone. This kid will be like a niece or nephew to us. We’ll be its older sisters."

" Beautiful older sisters."

" Beautiful older sisters on whose ground they worship."

They both laugh at that last statement.

" Did you see them?", Simone said.

" They were glowing. Mom looks like she’s on Cloud Nine, and Daddy looks so relaxed."

" We really should be happy for them."

" Yep. Let’s go tell them that."
 
 

Sheridan comes into the Book Café. She looks for Chad, but, doesn’t see him. She sees Beth and goes up to her.

" Beth, I was looking for Chad. I know that he works the evening shift."

" Usually he does, Sheridan. But, because of illness of other workers, Chad has been pulling doubleshifts nearly all this week. I thought it was time that he got a break, so I sent him home. "

" Thanks, Beth."

Sheridan came out of the Book Café, and Theresa saw that she had a worried look on her face. She followed Sheridan, who stopped in the park, on an isolated bench, and she hid in the bushes listening to her make a phone call.

" Julian? It’s Sheridan. Chad has the evening off…..Mike got in there and out of there in time? He found the listening devices and dismantled them? Good. Well, is tonight the night? …..Julian, don’t be nervous. He’s your son. You’re giving him what he always wanted. You have to think positive. ….I am NOT a Pollyanna. I’m your sister and I love you. Do you want me to go with you?…Are you sure? I could wait downstairs in the car for you.  ..Ok, I’ll be on my way to the Cottage now. I’ll be waiting for you when get back from Chad’s. Good luck…Julian? I love you."

Sheridan hung up her cellphone. Theresa’s eyes widened. She didn’t think it was going to happen this fast. Julian was going to tell Chad TONIGHT that he was his father. Theresa didn’t have much time to set a plan in motion for the explosion.