New Beginnings, Chapter 28
 
 

TC and Eve were in the living room, going through the mail when there was a knock on the door. TC got up to get it.

" Sam. Grace. How'd you know?"

" Eve called me and told me.", Grace said. " I brought you some muffins."

" Thanks.", Eve said.

Sam and Grace sat down, in an uncomfortable silence.

" Well, I guess you wondered why I went to California to begin with, so I might as well share the news….I'm pregnant."

Grace smiled. " Eve, that's terrific."

Sam slapped TC on the back. " Way to go." TC laughed.

" It's going to be a difficult pregnancy, but, I'm going to take care of myself, and TC and the girls promised to help."

" Well, you know, anything that I can do to help.."

" I know Grace. Thank you."

" So, you've heard the news about Julian and Chad.", Sam asked.

" Yep. Reason why we came home." , TC replied.  " I can't believe that he's tainted with that sonuvabitch's blood."

" TC, he is NOT tainted. Chad has nothing to do with Julian.", Eve commented.

" Well, he's his son. That's all I need to know. I'm glad he's out of here."

" Chad isn't here?", Grace said.

Eve shook her head. " He moved out. Pilar is letting him stay there."

" That's nice of her."

" Well, she's used to having Cranes around, since Luis is going out with Sheridan, and Theresa went with Ethan. So, she obviously doesn't care about her family being around the Cranes."

" TC, that is enough! Chad may be Julian's son, but, he's also the young man that WE have known for 2 years. What is wrong with you?", Eve said, furious.

" TC…it's obvious that you and Eve don't agree on this. And, you did say that she shouldn't be upset, so why don't you and Sam go do something. I'll stay here for awhile. We can do a little 'girl talk', and baby talk. "

" Eve's supposed to have a visit from the doctor.."

" And, I'm sure she'll tell you every detail. TC, come on. You two need space on this matter. "

" TC, come on. You and I can go a little tool shopping. I bet you want to make this kid's crib, don't you?", Sam asked.

TC nodded. " It had crossed my mind."

" Well, you and I can go look at woods. A little male bonding…it'd do a man good."

TC laughed and looked at Eve. " You'll be ok?"

" Grace is with me. I'll be fine. "

" Ok. Eve….I just want our family safe."

" I know that, TC. But, Chad is not the enemy."

TC shook his head, and he and Sam left. Grace sat next to Eve.

" How are you doing…really?"

" I'm confused. Upset. I have no idea what went on. What motivated Julian. I can't believe he did what he did without telling me first? What could have been going on in his mind?"

" I don't know."

" Grace…call him up, and tell him to get over here. We have to talk." Eve went to stand, and was  a little wobbly. Grace caught her.

" Eve, I think you should be getting some bedrest."

" Grace.."

" Come on. You've had serious shocks to the system. I'll help you upstairs, and then, I'll call Julian."

Eve had no will to fight Grace. She knew she was right, and let Grace help her up the stairs.
 
 

Luis was in the kitchen, fixing the toaster, when there was a knock on the door.

" Whitney. Simone. Come on in."

" Thanks, Luis. Is Chad here?", Whitney asked.

" You're wondering if it's true. If he's staying here. The answer is yes."

" We went by the Book Café, thinking that he might be at work, but that place is a zoo. All those reporters..", Simone said.

Luis nodded. " I know. When Beth saw that happening, she called Chad and told him that he could take a few days off. He's using the time to get settled in. He's in the apartment above the garage. He's there now."

" Thanks, Luis.", Whitney said before she and Simone headed back out the door.

Chad was unpacking boxes when he heard a knock on his door. He opened it.

" Whitney? Simone? I thought.."

" We got back a little while ago. Chad, how are you?", Whitney asked.

" In shock….where are my manners? Come on in."

Chad moved some boxes, and Whitney and Simone sat on the bed.

" Chad, it's true? Julian Crane is your father?", Simone asked.

" Yeah. It's true, Simone. Shock, Huh?"

" Tell me about it. "

" Chad, when did you find out?", Whitney asked.

" About a day before Julian told the world."

" Why did he do it? Why did he expose you like that?"

" Whitney, he said that he was protecting me. Seems like Grandpops Al isn't too fond of having colored folk in the family, and Daddy Dearest thought that he might try something."

" Hurt you?", Simone asked.

" That is Julian's fear. So, by exposing me. I'm an open target, and Al would have to real with the repercussions. "

" Simone and I found your note. Chad, you didn't have to move out."

" Yes, I did, Whitney. I couldn't put your parents in that position."

" But, it's not our parents. My mother is upset that you're gone!", Simone told him.

" Doctor Russell is upset? Really?"

Simone nodded. " She was very surprised by the news. She fainted when she heard about it. But, she doesn't hate you, Chad. She said that just because Julian Crane is your father, that is no reason to hate you. He didn't raise you. He had nothing to do with how you are."

" And Coach Russell? Is HE as enlightened?"

Both Whitney and Simone were silent and looked down at the floor.

" See, I thought so. Look, BOTH your parents have been so good to me. I didn't want to mess that up. I wanted them to remember me like I was. Who I was. I didn't want any Crane tensions to mess things up for all of us. So, instead of placing them in that bad position, I moved out. Lucky for me. Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald was kind enough to take me in."

" I'm happy about it, Chad. I'm very happy.", Whitney replied.

" I read about all your tennis victories in the newspaper. You kicked butt, girl!"

Whitney blushed. " It was a good tournament. I…I was thinking, maybe we could go to a movie?"

Chad looked at Whitney. For the first time, she was really wanting to be with him. He looked at Simone, who shrugged her shoulders.

" You know..I'm going to be outside. See you downstairs, Whitney."

Simone left, and Chad went over to Whitney. " Whitney….this is what you call bad timing. Whitney, I've wanted this kind of invitation from your for forever. But, we can't…not right now."

" Why not?"

" Well, first of all, I'm being hunted like a dog by the press. I'm lucky that they don't know where I am. Second of all, I can't deal with anything romantic, until I begin to sort out the parent thing. And lastly, if we're going to have any kind of a relationship, I can't be upsetting your father. Not now. Gotta give him time to get used to the idea of my parents."

" This isn't about my father."

" Yes it is, Whitney. Your family means everything to you, and I'm not going to be the one that upsets the balance in your family. We've waited this long. A little while longer won't change anything. "

" Ok….I guess."

"I want to thank you. You and Simone for coming over here. I need people that I can trust in my life. "

" Simone and I want to be there for you, Chad. Simone…well, she stood up for you against Daddy. She's so brave that way."

" And you?"

" I couldn't believe it when I did it, but, I did too."

" Well, with people like you, Simone and the Lopez-Fitzgeralds, I can't go wrong. Thanks  Whitney."

Whitney kisses Chad on the cheek. " No problem."

Whitney leaves the apartment, and down the stairs, she sees someone coming up.

" Whitney?"

" Theresa?"
 

Eve is sitting up in bed. She's making a list of all the things that she has to do. She's going through some more mail. Grace had just delivered tea when the doorbell rang. Eve is sipping her tea when there is a knock on her bedroom door. She looks up and..

" Julian! Would you mind telling me what the HELL is going on?"