New Beginnings, Chapter 30
 
 

" Eve, are you sure? You're ready for this?"

" Grace, I've been ready my whole life. Call him and get him over here."

Grace nodded. " Will do."

Once Grace left the bedroom, Eve picked up Chad's picture and stared at it. She tried to memorize everything in the picture. Looking to see if he looked like his parents. Was there anything else she noticed in him. She couldn't believe it. She was going to see her son.
 

" Hi, Theresa."

" Whitney. When did you get back?"

" Not long. "

" So, you came to see Chad?"

" Yeah. I wanted him to know..well, Simone and I wanted him to know that he didn't have to move out."

" Really? Your parents want him back?" Theresa asked, more than a little nervous. If Chad moved back to the Russells, then all her plans for the two of them would go up in smoke.

" Actually, my Mom would be ok with it, but my Dad went ballistic when he found out about Chad. "

" He did?" Theresa hoped that she hadn't revealed her joy at that last statement.

" He did. So, maybe it is good that Chad moved out. I think it's great that you convinced your mother to let him stay here."

" I didn't want Chad to be with people who weren't his friends. Things have gotten pretty weird for him."

" He told us. " Whitney took Theresa's hand, and led her back down the stairs until they were sitting on the bottom steps. " Theresa…..I've decided to take your advice."

" My advice?"

" You've been telling me for forever to admit my feelings to Chad and let him in. You're absolutely right. And, as soon as Chad adjusts to being a Crane, we're going to start a relationship."

" So…you're not right now?"

" No. Chad said he needed some time dealing with Julian and everyone's reaction. So, I'm going to give him his space."

" That's a great idea, Whitney. You don't want to crowd him and mess things up. Give Chad as much room as he needs."

" I know. It won't be for long. I mean, what could happen in that amount of time? Well, I think Simone and I should go home. I'll talk to you later, Theresa."

" Bye Whitney."

Theresa watches Simone and Whitney leave. She looks up at Chad's apartment. " I'm sorry, Whitney. But, you don't need Chad the way that I do. You giving him space should be enough time for me to win Chad."
 

Chad was unpacking when the phone rang.

" Yo."

" Chad, it's me. Grace Bennett."

" Mrs. Bennett, what's up?"

" Chad, I'm calling for Eve Russell. She feels bad about you moving out, and she wanted you to come over and talk to her. "

" Miz Bennett, I don't want to cause any trouble. "

" Chad, TC's not here. That's why Eve wanted me to tell you to come over right now. So that you two can talk alone. Please?"

" Ok. I'll be right over."

" Thanks, Chad."
 
 

" Simone, are you sure that Mrs. Bennett said that Mom wanted the neopolitan ice cream from Sugar and Spice? That's in Castleton!"

" Whitney, I got the entire shopping list. Mom's having cravings, and if she wants the ice cream from Castleton, then we have to go and get it."

" I guess you're right. But, I'm buying 5 of them. We can freeze the rest. I can't believe the rest of your list. Mom wants Chinese AND Indian food for dinner."

Simone scrunched up her nose. " I know. But, what can you do? She's pregnant, and we DID tell Daddy we would help make this as easy for Mom as possible."

" True. So, a-shoppin' we will go. Fulfilling the cravings of a pregnant woman."

" At least she didn't ask us to get some pickles."

Whitney and Simone both laughed at that one as their car rode down the highway.
 

Eve heard a knock on the bedroom door.

" Come in."

Chad opened the door and walked in. Eve smiled at him. Seeing her son for the first time, it took her breath away.

" Hello, Chad. Come on in.

" Doctor Russell. You sick? Is that why you're in bed?"

" No. I'm doing fine. I just needed some rest. Come over here and sit near me."

Chad did as he was told and sat on the end of the bed.

" Well, you've have a busy few days."

Chad laughed. " That's an understatement."

" How are you doing?"

" I think I'm still in shock. Dr. Russell, I don't want you to think that I don't appreciate everything you've done for me, but leaving here…"

" Is something that you felt you had to do. I know that, Chad. Your letter was very self-explanatory. And, sorry to say, I think you're right. While I have no problems with what was revealed, TC is still having issues with it. But, give him time, I know that he will come around."

" Doc, we both know how much the Coach hates Julian Crane."

" Sure, but, he also knows you. He's just reeling from the shock of it all. When he calms down, he will realize that you are Chad, and the young man he's always known."

" I needed to hear that, Doc. It means so much coming from you. You remember when we didn't like one another?"

Eve laughed. " Yes. We got off to a rough start, didn't we?"

" We sure did. For the longest time, but, over time, we got past the misconceptions of the other. You have to know that I don't respect anyone more than I respect you and the Coach. "

" I do know that, Chad. What about Julian? How do you feel about him?"

" Honest? I'm confused as all hell about the man. I know what I knew before. I've heard enough and seen enough with my own eyes to hate the man the rest of my life. Yet, he's my FATHER, Doctor Russell. My entire life I've been looking for my parents. Now I've found him. I almost wish it was anyone else in the world other than him, but, that's not the case. I'm very confused and I don't know what to do."

" Chad, I don't think you have to do anything. You can take your time. Nobody is going to push you to do anything you don't want to do. Nobody can. You have the right to take this at your own speed."

" He came to visit me today."

" He did?"

" Yes. And, the look in his eyes…it SEEMED sincere. And, I was so scared once I realized that I wanted him to be sincere. Scared me shitless - pardon my language."

" It's ok. Why did it scare you?"

" Doctor Russell, this is the SOB who abandoned my mother and me. And I WANT him to care about me? Doesn't seem right."

" Are you going to judge Julian's life by that one moment?"

" I think it's a big one, don't you?"

" Yes. But, is that ALL that's there for him?"

" Actually, from what I've read and seen about Julian Crane, that moment was an indicator of how he'd live the rest of his life. Seems to me that since then, it's been same old, same old."

" I'm just going to ask you to keep your options open. It couldn't have been easy for him to go on international television and admit that he was your father. That was something he didn't have to do."

" No, he didn't. I guess. You've given me food for thought, Doctor Russell. I'm not going to push my luck or overstay my welcome. I'm glad we cleared the air. I'll see you later, around town. Thanks."

Chad came over to Eve and gave her a slight kiss on the cheek, he turned away from her, on his way towards the door when she spoke up:

" I went into labor Christmas Eve. I couldn't believe it. It was too soon. Three weeks too soon. But, I guess you wanted out. "

Chad turned to look at Eve. Once looking directly at her, he felt himself freeze in place, like a statue.

" The labor wasn't too difficult. I don't think it was. It wasn't long. They let me watch a little television, and the story that was on was of course the birth of Christ. I remembered the story: parents homeless, Mary having to give birth in a manger. I thought I had it better than her; at least I was in a hospital. They took me to a delivery room, and told me to push. Within no time, they had put you in my arms. You were so tiny. So perfect. So beautiful. I can remember the first time that I held you. I counted everything. I explored you from head to toe. I couldn't believe anything that beautiful came from me. If I close my eyes, I can still smell you. It was the most perfect moment of my life."

Chad looked into her eyes, which were full of tears. The doubts melted away  because he could SEE that she was bearing her soul to him. The ideas swirled in his head. The word stuck in his chest. It moved up his chest and was lodged in his throat. But, finally, it came out of his mouth.

" M…Mama?"