“ My parasitic wife and my son. Together. THIS is a scary picture.”, Julian said, entering the Library.

” Oh Julian, pipe down. Chad and I were getting to know one another. Nothing wrong with that. ESPECIALLY, since I’m going to be his stepmother for a VERY long time to come.”

Julian rolled his eyes. “ My Pet, I’m here now.”

” Now Julian, I think he might just prefer my company to yours.”

Julian glared at Ivy, and she laughed. “ I can take a hint when I want to. Chad, you’re welcome to stop by and chat ANYTIME.”

” Uh, thanks, Mrs. Crane.”

” Ivy, Dear. We’re family.” Ivy hums as she leaves the Library.

Julian sits next to Chad on the couch. “ Did she harm you?”

Chad laughs. “ Your wife? Naw, she was cool. You have a very interesting wife, Julian.”

” Interesting isn’t the first word that comes to mind when I think about Ivy, but ok, I’ll accept it. WHY are you here?”

” I didn’t think I could talk to anyone else about this.”

” About what?”

” I did something horrible today. I deliberately hurt  someone.”

” Who?”

” Whitney.”

” How did you hurt her?”

” By arranging for her to see me in bed with another woman.”

“ Oh.”

” It gets worse.”

” Worse?”

” The woman I was in bed with was Theresa, Whitney’s best friend.”

Julian stares at Chad. “ Damn.”

” Yeah.”

Chad gets up and goes to the window and looks out. “ Ever since I found out that Doc was my mother, my emotions have been spinning a mile a minute. I’ve been grasping at straws, here and there. I had deep feelings…..shit, fuck that, I am in love with my own sister.”

Julian shuddered at that statement.

” I never felt about anyone the way that I felt about Whitney. Part of it was that she was so unattainable. I mean, I was a punk from the streets. A nobody. She was a Princess in a tower. It was a challenge. Hell, what man can turn down the challenge of trying to get the girl from the tower?”

” Not many.”

” I’m no exception. Then one day, BAM – I’m your son. I’ve barely had the chance to deal with it, and then, BAM – Doc is my mother, and the girl that I have romantic feelings for is my SISTER! That is beyond fucked up.”

” Definitely.”

” I….I just felt that I had to do what’s best for everyone here. Then, Doc tells me that she’s having a baby. A sibling for me who will love me…no matter what. So, I couldn’t let Whitney maintain any illusions that we could have a relationship.  What scares me is how quick the plan formed in my mind. I could use Whitney’s best friend to brutally hurt Whitney, because it was in her best interest. “

He turned around to look Julian in the face. “ Very Crane-like, huh?”

Julian nodded his head slowly.

“ I didn’t even ask Theresa. I just decided that her friendship with Whitney had to be sacrificed because I needed Theresa more. I know what this family thinks of her, but I wouldn’t be close to keeping my sanity if it weren’t for Theresa. She’s going to be a part of my life – a MAJOR part – so, you and everyone else around here better get used to it.”

” I see.”

“ I…had to hurt Whitney. I had to do it in order to put a wall up around that part of my life. I couldn’t go forward until I had dealt with the situation.”

By this time, Julian was right next to Chad. He put his hand on Chad’s shoulders.

” Sometimes, the right decision is more painful than a wrong one.”

“ You should have seen her eyes.”, Chad said, tears brimming in his.

” I know.”, is all Julian could say before he embraced his son in a hug and let Chad know that he was there for him. He held his son close, thanking whoever allowed him to have this opportunity.
 

Eve looked over at Whitney, who had fallen asleep next to her. How she longed to call Chad and see how he was doing, but she knew she couldn’t.

The door opened, and in walked Simone carrying ice cream and two spoons. “ Surprise!”, she got out before Eve motioned for her to be quiet. Simone looked over and saw Whitney in the bed. She sat in the chair next to the bed.

” Mom, what’s wrong?”

“ Chad broke things off with her.”

Simone had a confused look on her face.

“ Why? Whitney had just realized that she was going to commit to him?”

” I think Chad’s feelings have changed.”

” Really?”

“ Yes. But, I….I just want you to support Whitney. She needs you now, Sweetheart.”

” I know, Mom. I brought you ice cream.”, Simone said, giving the carton and a spoon to Eve.

” Thanks, Sweety. I can’t believe how much I’m craving this. And so soon. I’ll be big as a house by the end!”

Simone laughs. “ Actually, I’ve been doing some research, Mom. I think the best kind of exercise for you is aquaaerobics and yoga. I’ve been calling around. You can go to the Senior Citizens’ class down at the Harmony Senior Center, and I’ve already got a yoga instructor lined up to come to the house. I’ll split the schedule with Whitney on the water aerobics. I checked with your doctor. As long as you spend a minimal time walking around, the water will be good for you and the baby.”

” I feel so lucky. So spoiled by all of you.”

“ That’s cause we love you, Mom.”

Eve motions for Simone to lean in for a kiss.

” I hate to be cynical, but I know one person in this house who’ll be thrilled by recent developments.”

” Your father.”, Eve said sadly.

” Yes. He’ll be thrilled that Chad dumped Whitney. Not only won’t it interfere in his tennis plans, but now that Chad is a CRANE? Daddy wasn’t going to have that. You know how much he hates the Cranes.”

” Yes, I know.” Eve thought about the situation. How impossible it is.

” Mom, are you ok?”

“ Yes, I am. “ Eve moves over in the bed. “ Come here.” Simone got into the bed next to her mother. Eve hugged Simone.

“ Both my girls with me.”

” And, the baby, Mom. All your children are here.”

Eve kissed Simone’s head, and though she nodded, Simone didn’t see the sadness in her mother’s eyes.

” Not all of my children are here.”, was what went through Eve’s mind.