“ What did you say, Ivy?”

” Sam, I’m pregnant.”

” You’re lying. Everything you say is a lie.”

” Sam, I’m not lying. “

” You know, you’ve made such a fool out of me that I can’t trust you.” Sam took Ivy’s hand.

” Wh…where are we going?”

” To a doctor. Of my choosing. We’ll see if you’re pregnant or not. And, then, I’ll think about what I’m going to do to you.”, Sam spat back.

Ivy was nervous. She’d never seen Sam this mad in her life.
 
 

Eve sat at her computer. She began Chad’s DNA search. She uploaded the files into the computer. She knew that the process would take a couple of days to analyze everything. She hoped that Chad would get the answer he wanted.

Eve heard a knock on the door.

” Hello, Eve.”

” Julian. I thought you said that you were giving me a break.”

” I am. I just wanted to bring this to you. My secretary finished with your itinerary an hour ago, and I do admit, I wanted to bring it to you personally.”

Eve took the envelope from Julian, and opened it.

“ A deluxe cruise on a chartered yacht? Julian, I can’t accept this.”

” Nonsense, Eve. The boat is wonderful. You will have a long, luxurious cruise around the Carribbean, going to many islands. You and your daughters will be met by a guide in every port. I didn’t think you’d want to be on a regular cruise – too many people. Since the point was to re-establish bonds with your daughters, I thought something this private would fit the bill.”

” Julian, what does this cost?”

” Nothing that I can’t afford.”

” Julian..”

” Eve, what good is my money, if I can’t use it on someone who means so much to me? And, of course, you’ll have access to a Platinum Card.”

” Absolutely not! I will not take money like that, Julian.”

Julian sighed. “ Why are you being so difficult? ”

” Because, you need someone to say NO to you every once in awhile. It’s good for you.”

Julian smiled. “ Ok, no Platinum Card. I remember how much you loved swimming, snorkeling, and the beach.” He sighed. “ Sorry, just remembering old times.”

Eve punched Julian half-heartedly. “ Does your mind EVER get out of the gutter, Julian?”

Julian took her hand and kissed it. “ Eve, I assure you. My mind is anywhere BUT the gutter.”

Eve looked at the packet further. “ THREE weeks at the Bermuda resort?”

” In the Presidential Suites. There are many activities at a resort like that. You and the girls will have a wonderful time. By that time, maybe you’ll even want to have company..”

” Like you?”

” Hey, I’m honest. Hell yes, I want it to be me.”

” We’ll see, Julian. This is all so extravagant.  All so much. I don’t know if it’s too much.”

” It’s nothing you don’t deserve. Thank you for this.”

” So, anything else happening?”

“ Simone is going to prom.”

” You have her dress, because..”

” Yes, Julian. I bought her dress.”

” Limo?”

” I’m sure Reese has taken care of it.”

” Reese? That geekiest of the teen group?”

” He’s not a geek. He’s a wonderful young man.”

” Ok, if you say so. Say, when Ivy would go to formal events, she always had someone to come over and do her hair, makeup, etc. Would Simone like that?”

” Julian….”

” Completely selfish motives, I admit. Whitney and I already have a nice rapport. Simone, on the other hand…is her father’s daughter.”

Eve laughed. “ True. “ Eve went over to her rolodex and wrote something on a piece of paper, and handed it to Julian. “ This is the person I want hired.”

” Consider it done.” Julian moved in close to Eve. “ Now, is there something I can get Simone’s mother?”

“ You’ve done enough. But, here’s a thank you for you.”

Eve leaned in and kissed Julian.