Collision Course, Chapter 73
The Russells came off the elevator and were stopped by two big men. Ethan
came over to them.
“ They’re Ms. Russell’s family. They’re on your list.” The men nodded, and
Ethan took the family outside of Whitney’s room.
“ Ethan, thank you.”, Eve said.
“ Yeah man, thanks.”, Chad said.
“ When I got here, the reporter and a photographer were trying to get into
her room. I stopped them. I didn’t pry into her condition, but the doctors
said the room stayed sterile.”
TC put out his hand. “ I appreciate what you did for my daughter.” Ethan
accepted it.
“ Whitney’s family. The men will be here as long as is needed.”
“ But now, the secret’s out, isn’t it?”, Simone asked.
“ Unfortunately, yes. I know that this is probably too soon, but the guards
are only a temporary measure.The press is NOT going to stop.”
Eve sighed. “ I know.”
“ I just want you all to think about how you want to handle this.”
“ Handle this? What is there to handle? It’s nobody’s business!”, TC barked.
“ TC, we live in a tabloid era. This is juicy stuff. Has all the elements
to it..”
“ Sex…adultery…class…and race.”, Chad replied.
Ethan nodded. “ Whitney is going to be tabloid fodder for a bit. Maybe I
could talk to Crane Public Relations..”
“ No! My daughter is NOT doing Public Relations!”, TC said.
Eve put her hand on TC’s to calm him down. “ TC…whatever happens, it can
wait. Honey, all we can do right now is protect Whitney and pray for her recovery.”
Eve pulled TC into a hug. “ It’ll be ok, Honey. We’ll work through
it.” TC hugged Eve back. “ She’s our little girl, Eve.”
“ I had a nice couch put out here. And, the table with some magazines.”
“ Thank you, Ethan. We’ll take it from here.”, Eve said.
Ethan left, and Eve stood next to TC, holding his hand. Simone and Chad
sat on the couch. Eve kept looking from Whitney to Chad, back and forth.
TC observed her. He whispered in Eve’s ear, “ You’re thinking about Chad,
aren’t you?”
Eve didn’t move her head, but just nodded.
“ Baby, it’ll be fine. We’ll protect Whitney AND Chad. We’ve got their backs.
“
Ethan walked into Gwen’s room.
“ Is Whitney ok?”, Gwen asked.
“ She’s fine. I have guards posted there.”
“ Ethan, you know..”
“ Yes, I know how bad this is going to get. But, why don’t we talk about
this at home.”
“ Ok.”
Ethan and Gwen made it back to the Crane Mansion.
Ivy and Penny were there to greet them.
“ Are you ok?”, Ivy asked.
“ Gwen, you’re a hero!”, Penny replied. “ I made you a medal.” Penny had
made a medal out of ribbon.
“ Penny, thank you. But, I’m no hero.”
“ You saved your sister’s life, right?”
“ Yes.”
“ You’re a hero.”
“ Hey Penny, why don’t we go to the kitchen and see if Cook can whip up
some of Gwen’s favorites.”
Ivy and Gwen went into the living room at sat down.
“ Are you really ok?”, Ivy asked.
Gwen nodded. “ Ivy, I had the easy part of the situation. Whitney had the
hard time. Will have the hard time. It’s basically hold your breath time for
the next month.”
“ Month? Wow. That would be agony for any parent. How about you and your
mother?”
“ There is no me and my mother.”
“ Gwen..”
“ Ivy, you’re not in any position to plead Rebecca’s case. “
“ I know that, but..”
“ No buts. I’m home. And, I still can’t deal with my mother.”
“ Eve Russell.”
“ Eve, it’s me.”
“ Julian.”
“ I heard that there were reporter problems. I promise you, Crane Security
will make sure that Whitney’s not disturbed.”
“ Thank you, Julian. Ethan did a wonderful job with the situation. You should
be very proud of him.”
“ I am. And, I’ll be just as proud when I can claim Chad as my son.”
“ Julian..”
“ Eve, I don’t get it. All this time, I thought you WANTED me to claim our
son. You’ve told TC about him. Why are you hesitating?”
“ Because I love our son.”