TC came into his bedroom. Eve was still up.

“ How was dessert?”, Eve asked.

” Fine.”

“ Julian and I asked Sheridan and Grace to be Chad’s godparents. He agreed to a baptism.”

” I didn’t think he was all that religious.”

” He’s not, but he’s going along with it.”

” Great.”

TC got in his pajama bottoms and got into bed, turning his back to Eve.

” TC, this can’t go on.”

” What?”

” THIS!” Eve pulled the covers off of TC and threw them to the floor.

” What is your problem, woman?”

” My problem is that you came back to this bedroom, and at most, I get five sentences from you a night. TC, when you came back, you said that you were going to give our marriage a chance.”

” Woman, I’m not out the house. I consider that giving our marriage a chance.”

” Well, I don’t.”

” Tough.”

” No. It’s not ‘tough’. Either you want a marriage, or you don’t.”

” Don’t be giving me ultimatums. I fight the urge everyday to go over to the Cranes and beat Julian senseless. I have that man’s son under MY roof, and I’m treating him good. I have the image of him being with MY wife, and you’re going to lecture me about being married? I’m outta here!”

TC got up and slammed the door on his way out.  Eve got up and looked out the window. Considering how TC was dressed, there was no other place for him to go – The Shed. She shook her head and cursed that damn thing.
 

Madelaine was sitting in her room, knitting. She had heard the fight between TC and Eve and shook her head.  She picked up the telephone and dialed.

“ Hello, Madelaine.”

” Piccola.”

” What is the problem?”

” Theodore is having trouble adjusting to things. Accepting the situation.”

” Well, we both knew that he would.”

” I know. “

” And, the rest of the family?”

” Eve is happier than I’ve seen her in years. Simone is really beginning to warm up to Chad being her brother. Whitney is accepting of it more and more. Chad is growing more comfortable with his new family. I see the relationship between him and Eve developing everyday. Their familiarity is growing daily. He’s growing up before my eyes. He’s a wonderful young man.”

” Yes, he is.”

” He’s a wonderful grandson.”

” You are thrilled to say that…..grandson.”

” After so much pain, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

” There hasn’t been any trouble from HIM?”

” No. He knows better. I’m watching my family like a hawk. I would feel his presence if he were a threat.”

“ Good. He would love nothing more than to destroy your family, Madelaine.”

” That will never happen.”
 

Eve was in her office, thinking about the fight she’d had with TC the night before. Looking at the picture of him on her desk, she wondered what steps she could take to reconcile with him.

There was a knock on the door.

“ Come in.”

” Hello, Eve. “, Julian said, entering her office.

“ Julian, to what do I owe this visit?”

” Our son spoke to you about the evening?”

” Indeed he did. He really enjoyed himself.”

” I had a terrific time. I can feel a relationship between us growing.”

” I’m glad, Julian.”

” I had thought of another present that we can give our son for the baptism.”

” Which is?”

” A birth certificate. I want him to have it. HIS birth certificate, with his name on it, and with our names on it. I want him to have that…for his place in the world. You understand?”

Eve nodded. “ I do. His entire life has been shrouded in secrecy. His own birth certificate would be a stamp – YES, this young man is OUR son, and NO, he won’t be denied.”

” Exactly. I was wondering..”

” What?”

” If he would like the name Chad Harris Crane on the birth certificate.”

Eve’s eyes grew wide. “ Wow. I hadn’t thought of it.”

” I don’t want there to be any doubts in his mind that I think of him any differently than my other children. If the truth be told…”

” I understand, Julian. You know, he can change it afterwards, if he wants. But, I think you should put Chad Harris Crane on the birth certificate. “

” Good. All we need is some blood from you to do the DNA test, and we’ll be all done. “

” I’ll go down to the lab and give some today.”

“ You know the technician I used with Chad?”

” Yep. I’ll make sure he gets it.”

” Thank you, Eve….for everything. Chad told me how you encouraged him to get to know me. I appreciate your faith and support. “

” As long as I believe you love our son, Julian, I’ll support you all the way.”