New Beginnings, Chapter 25
 

" Yes, Julian. I know that if Chad is your son, Eve is his mother."

Julian Crane stared at Grace Bennett. She was the Tomato Soup Cake farce. The Casserole Queen. Never could she be sophisticated enough to understand what had happened between him and Eve.

As if reading his mind, " You're surprised that the 'I' know?"

" Yes, to be honest."

" Eve and I are best friends. When I was having a hard time accepting Ethan as Sam's son and my miscarriage, she told me about you, your son, and what losing him meant to her. I was there, when Eve did the DNA test on Chad. How she was tortured at the thought of him being her son, and then heartbroken when the tests came back negative."

" But, they weren't true."

" I know. I saw you today, remember? Have you spoken with Eve?"

" No. TC has blocked all calls from the outside world. I don't know if she knows, and if she does know, how she's taking it. Have you spoken to her?"

" No. I encountered the same blocked phone calls. Julian, you HAVE to talk to her."

" Don't you think I know that?"

" Then, why did you do it? You should have told Eve. The two of you should have decided TOGETHER what to do about Chad."

" I didn't have time, Grace. I had to protect Chad."

" Protect him? From whom?"

" Alistair."

" Alistair? I don't understand."

" Who do you think made Eve and I believe that Chad was dead in the first place."

Julian saw Grace think about it, and the lightbulb finally went off in her head. " Oh."

" Yes. I had to protect him. Of course, I meant to tell Eve, but, I thought the child came first."

Grace nodded, " You are right. Eve would want it that way."

Before Julian could say anything else, Sheridan called him. " Julian, I think I found a good gift.  Come here."

Julian went over to Sheridan, " Do you like it, Julian?"

Julian looked at the knicknack. " Do you think he'll like it?"

" I think so. It's manly, yet a little hip. It's a good gesture, and it only costs $ 48.00. ", Sheridan said with a smile.

" Then, let's get it and go."

" Ok."

Sheridan took the gift over to Grace and paid for it. While Grace giftwrapped it, she leaned over to Julian and asked, " Julian, you and Grace looked a little intense. Anything wrong?"

" Grace knows about Chad, Sheridan. She was asking if I had called Eve."

" Oh."

" Yes. Well, you bring the gift when she's finished. I'll be in the car."

Julian left the shop, and in a few minutes Grace came out with the gift.

" Julian told me to tell you thank you. It's his first gift to Chad."

" Chad's a terrific kid. All Julian has to do is give him a chance. And be honest. Chad isn't fond of liars."

Sheridan smiled, " Well, this can be a new beginning for all of us."

Once in the car, Sheridan looked at her brother. Anyone else would think that he was fine. That nothing was bothering him. But, she knew better. She knew that Julian hadn't been more nervous in his life. She was excited too. She could barely contain the happiness that she felt at the thought of the expansion of her family. But, she just leaned out and held Julian's hand. She was glad when he didn't pull away.

The Lopez-Fitzgeralds were enjoying their first meal with their new tenant. Theresa couldn't conceal her joy at having Chad at the house.

" Chad, did you have enough?", Pilar asked.

" Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, I can't eat another bite. Dinner was fabulous."

" I'm glad you enjoyed it. I….I want you to be sure that it's ok that I'm here."

" Chad, Mama wouldn't let you stay here if she didn't want you. I told you, that's how the entire family feels. You don't need to worry about pressures here. You can be yourself.", Luis assured him.

" That means a lot. I'm still reeling from all of this. It's unreal. Totally unreal. I can't even put into words what the past few days have been like. I got answers I've been looking for all my life, and yet, I don't think I ever considered what I would DO with the information once I got it. I never thought about what happened ' after the truth came out.'"

" You don't have to solve all your problems now. You just relax, and use this home as a refuge."

" I'm going to have to. I called Beth , and she said that reporters had overrun the Book Café. She told me to take a couple of days off. "

" You'll do the right thing.", Pilar assured him.

" Well, I'm going to work off that dinner and finish unpacking. I'll get some dessert later. Theresa, you wanna help me?"

" Sure, Chad."

They left out  and Pilar brought some tea for her and Luis.

" What do you think of that?", Luis asked.

" What?"

" Mama, don't play me for a fool. I can tell that Chad and Theresa are close. REALLY close."

" What do you think about it, Luis?"

Luis shrugged his shoulders. " I know Theresa was hurt when Ethan dumped her. I also know Mama that her scholarships were taken away because of the Crane influence."

" Luis.."

" Mama, please! I know it, and you know it. If it was yesterday, and Chad was still Chad Harris, I'd cheer it. When a lot of Theresa's so-called friends dumped her, Chad didn't. He stood right by Theresa. He was rock-solid for her."

Pilar nodded. " He was."

" But, it is TODAY, and Chad isn't Chad Harris anymore. He's Chad CRANE. And, yes, I have to be leery of seeing my sister becoming involved once again with a Crane."

" Sheridan is a Crane."

" I know..I know. That is what makes this so hard. I love Sheridan with all my soul, and yet, I don't trust her family just as strong."

" Chad didn't grow up with Julian. Chad is a good young man."

" But, what will being exposed to the Cranes do to him?"

" Nothing. Because, at his core, he's a decent man."

" I hope you're right."

Just then, they heard the doorbell ring.

" I'll get it, Mama." Luis leaves the kitchen and goes to the door.

" Sheridan? Julian?"

" Hello, Luis. We came to give Chad a housewarming gift.", Sheridan said, as she hugged Luis. " Is he here?"

" He's here." Luis motioned for them to come in. Julian followed behind Luis and Sheridan. Just then, Pilar came into the living room. " Mijo, who was….Sheridan. Mr. Crane?"

" Luis, why don't you go show me the modifications to your car that you've been working on lately?" Luis looked at Sheridan confused, but then took the hint, and they left.

That left Pilar and Julian. In her living room. Up until that point, Julian had always sneered at Pilar's home. But, now, it was the home of his son.  They stood, facing one another for a few moments until Pilar spoke up.

" Would you like to sit down, Mr. Crane?"

" Um, Thank you, Pilar." Once seated, Julian continued. " I'm here to see Chad."

" I had guessed."

" I supposed you were surprised."

" You could say that."

" I…I wanted to thank you for giving Chad shelter. He couldn't stay at the Russells any longer. I think everyone in town knows how TC feels about me."

" Yes, they do."

" Is there any compensation that you'd like?"

" No. I will not take your money for helping a young man in need. I don't want anything to you, and never offered him refuge because I expected MONEY!", Pilar said heatedly.

Julian backed off. " I did not mean to offend you. I just wanted to express my appreciation."

" If you are true and sincere, Mr. Crane. If you genuinely mean that young man no harm, then that is all the appreciation that I require. Chad is a wonderful young man."

" So I've heard."

" He's kind, generous, and loyal. He's not impressed by money, Mr. Crane. What a man DOES means far more to him that what he SAYS."

" So, he's not going to be too impressed with me."

" In your present incarnation, no."

" Do you think it's hopeless - Chad and me?"

" I don’t think anything is hopeless. As long as you are willing to change. But, if you continue as the man you have become, then, no, I do not foresee a relationship between you and your son."

" That's pessimistic."

" That's from someone who knows your son."

" Then I have to do better."

Julian stood up and put out his hand for Pilar to shake. She accepted it.

" Thank you once again for your kindness to him. I'll begin with him now."

Julian left out of the house, and went up the stairs to the apartment. He knocked on the door.

Chad opened the door. " You!"

" Hello Chad. May I come in?"