Unexpected Happenings, Chapter 47
by SIPort

Grace took a sheet of cookies out of the oven. She was finishing tasting the homemade lemonade when she heard a knock on the door.

“ Guys, you don’t have to kno……..Sam.”

” Yes.”

“ I saw Eve earlier today, and she..”

” Sam, you know I never remembered anything from my past. Even now, with this big piece falling into my lap like this, I don’t remember anything. Being with TC, conceiving Chad. Carrying Chad. Giving birth to Chad. If I didn’t have the DNA proof, I wouldn’t have believe it either.”

” You’re happy about it.”

Grace sighed. “ Yes. I was in shock for a few minutes. And, I don’t think it’s totally sunk in, but there’s a part of my heart that’s so happy. Chad’s a good kid, Sam.”

” I know. And, he’s been in so much pain and torment about not being able to find his family. To find out that it’s you and TC..”

“ I hope we make good parents.”

” You will. Despite certain things that have happened in the past few months, it doesn’t negate the core of you and TC – you’re good people.”

Grace felt tears welling up in her eyes. “ You have no idea how much those words mean to me.”

” I think I have an idea. Do..do the girls know?”

” Yes. They were there when Eve gave us the news.”

” How did they react?”

” Kay freaked out and ran away immediately. Jessica stayed long enough to assure Chad that it wasn’t him, but the situation. I’m sure the girls are together cursing me right now.”

” Don’t say that, Grace. Remember, they hate both of us.”

Grace choked out a laugh. “ I think I’m ahead of you in the ‘ I hate my parent’ sweepstakes right now.”

“ Not for long.”, Sam said and looked down at the floor.

” Sam, what is it?”

” Actually, Grace, it does. The Ivy I knew wouldn’t have been that duplicitous. I’m realizing that I don’t know this current Ivy.”

” Tell me about it. My antennae were always up about Ivy, but you wanted to think the best of her.”

” I know. I made a mistake. Many mistakes.”

” We both have.”

Sam looked at Grace. “ It REALLY is over for us, isn’t it? There’s no going back, is there?”

Grace had tears streaming down her face. “ No. There isn’t. I never thought my life would turn like this. Sam, I’ll always love you, but I no longer think my future is with you. We’re going to have to find a way to work things out, because of the kids. I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. But, I think we’re through.”

Sam shook his head. “ Is this how 20 years ends?”

” Yes.”

Sam walked up to Grace and gave her a passionate kiss. “ I’m leaving town for awhile. You’ll check in on the girls? Despite their anger, they still love us.”

Grace nodded. “ I will. Bye Sam.”

Grace watched Sam walk out the door. She barely made it to the chair before she collapsed into a heap, crying her eyes out.

Chad and TC came upon the door. TC had seen Sam leave. They looked in the windows and saw Grace crying. TC put his hand on Chad’s shoulder and told him. “ You go in there and help your mother. She needs the comfort of a child right now.”

Chad looked at him, confused. “ I don’t know if I’ll be of any help.”

” Just being there will help her. I’ll go bring the rest of your stuff to the apartment. Go help your mother.”

Chad nodded, and went inside the house. When he got there, Grace just looked up at him. He bent down to hug his mother, and just held her as she cried in his arms.

Simone was getting plates for the Chinese food she and Whitney had brought home when she heard a knock on the kitchen door.

“ Come in.”

She turned around. “ REESE!” Simone flew into his arms.

“ Jessica called me. Said that you might need me.”

” I do.” Simone motioned for him to sit down at the table. “ So, have you heard the latest town gossip?”

” Simone, you know that I don’t pay any attention to that.”

” Well, this is a doozy.”

” I don’t like to talk about people.”

” But, you know these people. It’s me people. Me, Whitney, my Mom. And all the Bennetts.”

” Um, Simone, I think the news is out about your dad and Mrs. Bennett. That’s old news.”

” Ah, but this isn’t old news. Surprise, it’s a boy!”

Reese looked confused. “ A boy? What, your father did an amnio on Mrs. Bennett’s baby?”

” No. This boy is young, strapping, in his early 20’s.”

” Now, I’m really confused. Speak English, woman.”

” Chad Harris is MY brother. Mine and Whitney’s brother. He’s also Kay and Jessica’s brother.”

” WHAT?”

“ Yep. Dear old Dad and Mrs. Bennett were an item ‘ back in the day’. And, the result was Chad.”

Reese stared at Simone. “ You’re joking.”

” Do I LOOK like I’m joking?”

Reese went over to Simone, pulled her out of her chair and hugged her. “ No. You look like you’re in a world of pain.”

 Simone finally broke down and cried. “ Oh Reese. How more messed up is my life going to get?”

Reese held her for awhile, until the tears stopped. He handed Simone a handkerchief. “ If I told you that I was ready for my vacation and to get away from here, you’d understand, right?”

” Because of this program I’m in for the summer, I get to take my finals early. Just call up the counselor and tell her that you want to take yours early too.”

Simone thought about it. “Yeah. That’s a great idea. I want out of this town. I love you Reese, but..”

“ You want out of this town.”

They both laughed.

“ How is it that you always make me feel better?”, Simone asked.

” That’s what someone who loves you is supposed to do.”

Simone kissed Reese passionately. “ Hmmmm..someone who loves you…I like the sound of that.”