"Thanks for meeting us here, Jess," Ike said as he loaded his and Taylor's suitcases into the trunk of the cab parked in the JFK parking lot.
"No problem. I have today and tomorrow off, so it's no biggie." She shrugged.
"Yeah, but shouldn't you be practicing, or something?" Taylor asked as they got into the cab, and headed to Zac and AJ's apartment.
"I will. Later."
"So, when will you know?"
"The last leg of this audition is the day after tomorrow. Call backs are next week."
"Nervous?" Ike asked his younger sister.
"Are you kidding me? I'm a basket case. Everything is riding on this."
"Jess," Taylor spoke up. "Don't put so much pressure on yourself. I have complete faith and confidence in you. Now you just need to have it in yourself."
His sister sighed. "I know. And I feel confident when I'm in class, practicing, and auditioning. It's when I'm trying to sleep that I get all nervous. I just really want to stay here."
"So stay," Taylor said simply.
"It's not that easy."
"Sure, it is. Ike and I will help you out anyway we can. Won't we, Ike?"
The eldest Hanson nodded his head in agreement. "And I'm sure Zac will help you find a place to stay," he added.
"I don't doubt that," Jess said. "But I just feel so guilty crashing there. There's so much going on and he's got his hands full. I don't want to be a bother."
"Jess, I'm sure you're not a bother." Ike did his best to comfort his younger sister. "How are things, though? Are they really that bad?"
"The days are okay. They're in court. I'm at Juliard. The days are fine. It's the nights..." She sighed. "I hear AJ up through the night, crying. Zac's up, too, either trying to comfort her or crying with her. I just feel like I shouldn't be there, and..."
"And you feel they have enough to deal with, so you don't want to ask them to help you find a place of your own," Taylor supplied for her.
"That's it, in a nutshell."
"Well, what if Ike and I helped you find a place while we're here?"
Jess wore a hopeful expression. "Would you?"
"Of course we would."
"Thank you SO MUCH, guys. You don't know how much I appreciate this."
The cab pulled in front of the apartment building. Ike and Jess got out, and removed the suitcases from the trunk. Taylor paid the cabbie, and joined his brother and sister on the sidewalk. "It's pretty calm out here," he commented.
"That's because court's in session," Jess explained. "Just wait until later, though. This place will be a zoo."
"Your Honor," The Times attorney stood up to address the court. "In light of some new evidence the defense has just received, I would like to request a recess. This way, my colleague and I can properly prepare to present and cross-examine."
"Counselors, approach the bench," the judge ordered.
As the three spoke in hushed voices in the front of the courtroom, AJ was wringing her hands in her lap. Her nerves were getting the best of her, and she was beginning to feel sick. This whole thing made her sick.
AJ continued to watch the judge and two lawyers intently. She was desperately trying to figure out what they were saying. There was no doubt in her mind, though, that it had something to do with Rick being out of touch for a few days.
AJ shifted in her seat and looked behind her. She saw Rick. He smiled and winked at her. Then her gaze met Zac's. He smiled and nodded his head. As she turned back around, AJ wished she had a much confidence as Rick and Zac.
The lawyers returned to their tables and remained standing. The judged pounded the gavel and spoke. "With regards to what I've just heard, the request for the recess is granted. This court will reconvene tomorrow morning, at nine."
Everyone stood as the judge left the courtroom. As soon as the coast was clear, everyone began to talk amongst themselves about this unexpected turn of events.
"What do you need me to do?" AJ asked the attorney.
"Nothing," he said as he shut his briefcase. "Go home and relax. The rest is up to me. Just be here on time tomorrow morning."
AJ nodded her head. "Okay."
"And I'm gonna make sure you DO relax," Zac said. He took his girlfriend's hand and kissed the back of it. "Ready to go home?"
"Yeah. Just let me do one thing. Anderson!" She stopped him from leaving the row he had been sitting in. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For whatever it is that you did."
He smiled. "Don't go jumping the gun there, Marcetti. But if all goes well tomorrow, you can thank me then. Now get home and relax, will you?"
"I'll try."
"Don't try. Do. Zac, see to it that she relaxes for once in her life."
"I'm determined to get her mind off this case," he said. He wrapped his arms around AJ's waist, and began to nibble gently on her ear.
She giggled. "Zac, stop. We're in court."
"See you two later," Rick said, shaking his head.
"Be careful!" AJ called out after him. She turned to Zac, placing her arms around his neck. "You know, when this is all over, I have a feeling 'thank you' isn't going to be enough."
"So, we'll name our first-born after him. Come on. Let's get out of here." Zac grabbed hold of her hand, and led her out of the courtroom.
AJ giggled. "What has gotten into you today?"
"The thought of having you all to myself."
"Hmm... I like the sound of that."
"Ms. Marcetti! Ms. Marcetti!" Zac and AJ were just about to leave the courthouse when a woman in her early twenties, appearing to be fresh out of college, came running towards them. One hand held a small tape recorder. The other was holding a note pad, which she was using to flag down the couple. "Ms. Marcetti!" she shouted.
"Can we ignore her?" Zac asked.
AJ frowned. "I'm afraid not," she whispered to him. She turned her attention towards the reporter. "What can I do for you?" she asked.
The panting reporter offered her right hand, which AJ shook. "I'm Debra Parker, with The Chicago Tribune. I would like to speak with you."
"I'm sorry," AJ replied. "I'm not doing any interviews. My editor, Pete Romolatti, will be more than happy to give you whatever information you're looking for."
"I'm not looking for specifics about the suit. I just want to talk to you."
"I'm afraid the suit won't allow me to do that."
"Oh." The reporter briefly appeared disappointed. "Here, take this, though, in case you change your mind. It's my beeper and cell phone numbers. There's my hotel number, too."
AJ immediately recognized the look in Debra's eye. It was hunger. Hunger for the story, the big story, and any little window of opportunity that presented itself. AJ took the numbers. "You're persistent," she commented, smiling. "That's good."
"Thanks." Debra smiled, appreciative of the compliment.
"Watch your back, though. No one's going to do it for you."
Debra carefully pushed the record button on the hand-held recorder. She has gotten AJ to say this much, and she's hopeful she can get her to possibly say more. And, providing that she does, she wants every syllable on tape. "Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?"
"No. That's all the unsolicited advice I have to offer." AJ intertwined her fingers with Zac's, and the two left the courthouse.
"Zac, hurry up. Open the door," AJ instructed her boyfriend as she stood behind him, unbuttoning his shirt.
"I'm trying," he said. He attempted, for a third time, to get the key in the lock. He closed his eyes. "Do you know how distracting that is?" he asked AJ, who was kissing his neck.
She giggled. "No. How distracting?"
"Very." Zac was just about to try to unlock the door for the fourth time when it swung open.
"Whoops!" Jess got a quick glimpse of what was transpiring in front of her, and slammed the door shut.
AJ took the keys from Zac and unlocked the door while he buttoned his shirt. As soon as she stepped into the apartment, Jess began to apologize. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry about it," was the response. She got a glimpse of Zac's brothers sitting on the couch, paperwork spread out over the coffee table, and waved her hand, as if to show it was no big deal. "Just as well, anyway..." she muttered.
Zac stepped into the apartment, and Jess began to apologize to her brother, as well. "Zac, I'm... Oh, never mind," she said, seeing that mentally, her brother was still out in the hallway.
"Ike, Tay..." Zac acknowledged his brothers. "I'm not going to ask what you're doing here. Think I'll take a cold shower, first."
AJ covered her mouth with her hand in an attempt to stifle her giggles.
Zac turned to her. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing. I was just thinking..."
"Yeah?" he prompted her.
"That maybe I should get the hose." AJ couldn't contain herself any longer, and burst out laughing.
"Oh, so you think this is funny, huh? Well, it's all your fault, I'll have you know."
AJ shook her head in disagreement. "Oh, sure, blame the girlfriend. It's not MY fault YOU can't control yourself." She began to laugh again.
Zac got frustrated. "That's it." He threw his girlfriend over his shoulder and headed straight for the bathroom.
"No!" AJ shrieked as her boyfriend turned on the cold water and deposited her into the bathtub. And before he could walk away, she grabbed his hand, pulling him in.
Out in the living room, Ike and Taylor continued to occupy themselves with their paperwork while Jess stretched out on the floor. And as AJ let out another shriek, the youngest Hanson in said, "you know, this reminds me of showering in college."
Isaac looked up from his paperwork. He cocked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Uh... Er... Um..." Jess stammered, just realizing she had spoken aloud. "The girl... across the hall from me... She and her boyfriend..."
The eldest Hanson snorted. "Yeah, just keep telling yourself that, Jess."
"Hey! That's my robe!" Zac's voice drifted from the bathroom. Everyone looked up as AJ darted down the hallway in a blue, terry cloth bathrobe. Zac was hot on her heels. The bedroom door slammed shut. Jess closed her eyes, and her brothers returned their attention to the papers in front of them. However, they all looked up again when they heard AJ shout, "ewww! Get away from me! You're all wet!"
Taylor smirked. "Now there's one you don't hear everyday."
"I was going to ask them how court went today, but judging by the sound of things, it was fine," Ike said.
Just then, AJ entered the living room in dry clothes. She took a seat next to Jess on the carpet. "So, what brings you here?" she asked, addressing the brothers sitting on her couch.
"We've got some papers for Zac to sign, and we're gonna check on the studio," Taylor told her.
"What do you need me to sign?" The youngest Hanson brother entered the room in dry clothes, towel-drying his damp, shoulder-length, blonde hair.
"This," Ike said, holding up a few sheets of paper. "HITZ Records is getting a 401(K) Plan."
Zac knelt down and uncapped the pen Taylor handed him. "Becca's suggestion?" he asked, taking the papers from Ike.
"Yup. She says it's time we start looking out for our employees."
"Shouldn't we have been doing that all along?"
"Yeah, but now, we've got the capital to actually do it," Taylor explained.
Zac handed the papers back to Ike. "You know, it's a good thing Becca's your wife, and I love and trust her so much. Otherwise, I'd be upset I missed the presentation that went along with his proposal."
Ike handed him a manilla envelope. "Here. She photocopied everything for you."
Zac took it. "Thanks. Oh, and while you two are here, I want you to go to the Village tomorrow night and check out this group I've been scouting. Tell me what you think."
"What do you think?" Taylor asked.
"I like 'em. Just before this whole thing with the suit started, I bought their indie Cd. I was gonna make a copy and send it to you, but I never got the chance. Anyway, AJ likes it, don't you, Sweetie?" Zac turned to face his girlfriend. He found that she was staring off into space. "Amanda Jean! Snap out of it! You're not supposed to think about the case today!"
AJ shook her head, bringing herself out of the daze she was in. "Sorry. I can't help it."
"How DID it go today, anyway? We were surprised you got back so early," Ike said.
"The Times' attorney got new evidence, and the judge called for a recess until tomorrow morning."
"Not that it matters. I'm still gonna lose," AJ chimed in.
Zac moved so he was sitting on the floor, facing his girlfriend. He kissed her forehead and gently stroked her damp, brown hair. "Have a little faith, Amanda Jean."
Jess slipped into the courtroom. She sat down next to Ike. Taylor was on the other side of him. "It's a zoo out there. Reporters all over the place. Good thing I'm used to it," she told her oldest brother.
"You're just a regular pro, aren't you?" He flashed his sister a wry smile. He craned his neck in an attempt to see what was taking place in the front of the courtroom. He noticed his brother talking intently to a man he didn't recognize. "Who's that?" he asked Jess, pointing to the stranger.
"Oh, that's Rick Anderson. He works with AJ at The Times. Apparently, he gave the attorney the reason to ask for the recess."
"Oh?" Ike turned his head to his sister, eyebrow raised, looking for more details. Zac mentioned the recess, but never Rick, and he was curious as to how his sister came across this piece of information.
"AJ told me. And if you keep raising that eyebrow, it's going to be stuck in that arch, permanently."
"All rise!" the bailiff said as the judge entered the courtroom.
"Be seated," the judge said as he sat down. He looked at The Times' lawyer. "You may call your witness, counselor."
The defense attorney stood up. "The defense calls Mr. Alan Reed to the stand."
A man in a dark, navy blue suit walked to the front of the courtroom. He took the stand, the bailiff swore him in, and he sat down.
The attorney crossed over to the witness. "Can you please state your name and occupation for the court?"
"Alan Reed. I'm with the IRS."
"Tell me, Mr. Reed, have you ever seen the defendant before?"
"Yes, I have. On TV. This suit has been the center of a lot of attention."
"So, you've never seen or spoken to Ms. Marcetti before today. Is this correct?"
"Yes."
"Would you like to tell the court, then, what brings you to New York?"
"This case. Ms. Marcetti wrote the truth."
"And how do you know this?"
"I have evidence that proves it."
The defense attorney walked to his table and picked up a file folder. "Can you tell me what's in here?"
"VLS's real tax reports."
"Your Honor, I'd like to submit this to the court as evidence."
"Any objections, counselor?" the judge asked the prosecutor.
"No, your Honor."
"So noted." The judge pounded on his gavel. "You may continue," he told The Times' lawyer.
"Can you tell me what you mean by 'real tax reports,' Mr. Reed?"
"VLS has been laundering money from Mr. Marino's... ahem... organization. He's been using VLS to appear as a legitimate business. The IRS board has been... altering... VLS's tax reports in exchange for kickbacks."
"Kickbacks?"
"Money."
"I see." The attorney paused. "Did you, by any chance, read Ms. Marcetti's article, Mr. Reed?"
"Yes, I did."
"And how does it compare to what you just told the court?"
"The information's the same."
"The same. Thank you, Mr. Reed. No further questions, your Honor." The lawyer sat down behind the table, next to AJ.
"Does the prosecution care to cross-examine the witness?" the judge asked.
The prosecutor and Mr. Driscoll, VLS's CEO, spoke in hushed voices. The attorney stood up. "Your Honor, VLS wishes to drop the suit."
"Wise decision," the judge said. "Case dismissed." He pounded his gavel. "Mr. Reed, Mr. Driscoll, hold it. Bailiff, please escort our friends, here, to the holding cell downstairs."
The judge pounded on his gavel one last time, and everyone stood as he left the courtroom for his chambers.
"Marcetti, party of six," Amanda told the hostess of Sardi's.
"Six?" Taylor raised an eyebrow. For a smart girl, it seemed that AJ was experiencing some trouble counting.
"Yeah, six. She invited Rick, too," Zac told his brother. "If you ask me, she owes him more than dinner, though."
"Yeah, more like my life," AJ chimed in on the brothers' conversation as they all followed the hostess to their table. "But for now, dinner will have to do." She sat down in the chair Zac had pulled out for her.
"So, what EXACTLY did this Rick guy do anyway? Jess told me he was responsible for the recess yesterday." Ike placed his napkin in his lap.
"Remember the witness that took the stand this morning? Well, Rick brought him up from DC," AJ answered. "He really helped us through this," she went on, taking Zac's hand in hers and gazing lovingly at his profile.
At the front of the restaurant, Rick Anderson was contemplating leaving before he was spotted. It's not that he didn't appreciate the invitation, but he should've realized Zac's brothers and sister would've been there, as well. And to makes things more awkward for him, the empty seat at the table just happened to be between Zac and Taylor. "Someone up there REALLY hates me..." he muttered to himself.
"May I help you, sir?" the hostess asked.
"Uh..." The thought that he could say no and quickly bolt out there was in the front of his mind.
"Rick! So glad you could make it!" AJ was walking towards him. The two embraced. "Thanks for coming. Come on." She led him to the table, and introduced him to Zac's brothers. "Rick, this is Ike and Taylor. Guys, this is Rick."
AJ sat down as the three shook hands. Rick gingerly lowered himself into the seat next to Taylor, as if the extra weight might break it. "Rick, it's nice to finally meet you. We've been hearing a lot about you," Isaac spoke up.
"You have?" Rick failed to hide the surprise in his voice.
"Don't sound so shocked. You didn't actually think that Zac and AJ wouldn't sing the praises of the great guy who helped them through this ordeal, did you?" Taylor smiled.
"I... Uh... Well..." Rick shifted in his seat. This kind of attention always make him feel uncomfortable, but the thought of any Hanson, especially Taylor, "singing his praises" was more than he could bear.
"Mmm... modest, too. Well, Ike and I just want to thank you."
"Thank me?" Rick's face turned crimson as his voice cracked, something it hasn't done since he was thirteen. He cleared his throat. "What for?" he asked, doing his best to be nonchalant.
"For being there for Zac when we couldn't. We appreciate it, you know," Taylor explained as Ike nodded his head in agreement.
"Don't mention it. Really." Rick picked up his glass and took a sip of ice water. Damnit! If only Taylor wasn't such a friendly guy...
"Anderson! Snap out of it!" AJ instructed him.
Rick shook his head, bringing him out of his trance. "Huh?" He finished lowering his glass, and realized everyone at the table was now looking at him. He'd give anything to have the chair swallow him whole right now. "Did you say something, Marcetti?"
"Yeah. I wanted to know if you'll miss me."
"Why? You going somewhere?"
AJ rolled her eyes. "Man, when you space out, you really take off, don't you? I'm leaving The Times."
"When?"
"I clean out my desk on Friday."
"Aww, man... Marcetti, what are you leaving for? You haven't even reached your peak yet."
"I got what I needed, though."
Rick nodded his head, catching her drift. "Well, then, to answer your question, yes, I will miss you."
"Thanks. It's gonna be weird now, only working one job."
"The buzz around auditions is that this place is looking for waiters and waitresses," Jess teased AJ.
"Do I look like an out-of-work actress who's biggest achievement is playing one of the thousand Chancelor maids, with NO LINES mind you, on 'All My Children'?"
"We need a few more minutes," Ike told the waitress standing behind AJ.
The waitress nodded her head at Ike, scowled at AJ, and walked away.
"Would you like a knee cap to go with that foot you're chewing on?" Rick asked Amanda between giggles.
"You say that, too? I've never heard anybody but my wife say that," Taylor commented.
"Huh? Oh... Uh... it must be an east coast thing." Rick did his best to make the coincidence seem like just that, a coincidence.
"How did you know she's from the east coast?"
Rick, you idiot! "Well... I AM a reporter... But I heard it on 'ET,' when you announced your engagement." He let out the breath that he'd been holding.
"And you remember all that?" Taylor wore an expression that was a cross between amazement and bewilderment.
"I remember everything. It's in the job description." Shit, Anderson! Why don't you just tell him that once upon a time you slept with his wife? Rick picked up his glass and took a sip of water before he could say anything else. Much to his relief, the pager in his pants pocket began to vibrate. He pulled it out of his pocket and smiled. He had found his ticket to freedom. "Marcetti, I hate to do this to you, but I gotta go. Friday afternoon, after you clean out your desk, we'll do lunch. Okay?"
"Sure thing. Just don't bail on me." AJ smiled.
"I won't, and I'll see you Friday. It was nice meeting you all." Rick stood up and headed straight for the door, making a mental note to NEVER cross paths with Taylor Hanson EVER again.
Becca quickly sat up in bed. She remained still as the wave of nausea passed. Heaving a sigh of relief, she slowly began to lay back down. As soon as her head touched the pillow, the wave of nausea returned. But this time, Becca knew it wasn't going to subside. She darted into the adjoining bathroom and emptied the contents of her stomach.
'Funny, I wasn't sick the last time,' Becca thought to herself as she walked back into the bedroom and flopped onto the bed.
Becca's late. Two weeks late, to be exact. And since her period usually runs like clockwork, she knows exactly what this means. 'Just as well I have to go for my annual today,' she thought to herself as she rolled onto her side to face Ike's side of the bed. "Looks like I'll have some news for you when you get home," she whispered.
As Becca got out of bed and got dressed, she shook her head in disbelief. "You have impeccable timing, Isaac Hanson," she muttered. Ike had been out of town when Rebecca found out she was pregnant with Kaitlyn. It's only fitting that he'd be out of town when she learned that she was pregnant with their second child, as well.
As Rebecca brushed her hair, she couldn't help laughing softly at the silly grin on her face. It was... well... a surprise, really. It wasn't planned, that's for sure. In fact, Becca had been pretty set against making any sort of plans regarding another child. But now that she WAS pregnant... Well... She smiled remembering how close she and Ike had been while she was carrying Kaitlyn, and Becca was excited at the thought of bringing that closeness back to her and Ike's marriage.
"I wonder if Ike will want to wait again until it's born to find out if it's a boy or a girl," Becca said to herself as she went down the stairs two at a time to answer the doorbell. She opened the door and let in her sister-in-law, Zoe, who had agreed to baby-sit Kaitlyn while Becca was at the doctor's.
"Aunt Zoe!" Kaitlyn squealed. The four-year-old ran down the stairs and embraced the teenager.
"Hey, kiddo!" Zoe picked up her niece. "Who's your favorite baby-sitter?"
"You are!"
"I'm just gonna get my purse and go. I shouldn't be too long, definitely back before lunch. But if you get hungry, help yourself to whatever's in the kitchen, Zoe. And thanks again for baby- sitting," Becca rambled as she tied the laces of her sneakers.
"Oh, don't mention it. I like watching Kaitlyn, and getting a day out of school," Zoe responded.
"Better watch it, though. Next time, your mom will come with you, AND bring the school books," Becca said, retrieving her purse from the kitchen. "See you later." She gave her daughter a quick kiss on the cheek, and flew out the door.
"Hanson, Rebecca."
The receptionist handed her a clipboard and a pen. "Fill this out, and I need to make a copy of your insurance card."
Rebecca took the clipboard and handed the nurse her card. She sat down and began to fill out the desired information. She checked off yes for the pregnancy test while lovingly rubbing her abdomen. When she was done, she handed the receptionist the clipboard back, and put her insurance card back in her wallet.
Becca sat down and picked up a month-old issue of Parent magazine. She held the magazine up in front of her face and peered over the top of it, watching the couple sitting across the waiting room. Two things were blatantly obvious. One, they were there for the same reason as Rebecca. And two, they couldn't be any more excited about it.
(Flashback)
"Sweetie, can we talk?"
Isaac looked up from his newspaper. "Uh-oh... I don't know if I like that tone of voice." He nervously licked his lips. "Am I in trouble?"
Rebecca smiled coyly. "No, you're not in trouble. Actually, I was wondering if you could do me a favor."
"Ahh... a favor. Sure, no problem. Name it."
"On your way home tomorrow, do you think you could stop at the drugstore and pick up some prenatal vitamins?" Becca batted her lashes innocently.
"Prenatal vitamins? Sure, not problem." Isaac began to read his newspaper again while his wife stood there, waiting for reality to sink in. Moments later, Isaac lowered the paper. "Prenatal vitamins?" A brilliant smile worked its way across his face. "Prenatal vitamins?"
Rebecca nodded her head yes.
"You mean..."
She nodded her head again.
"We're going to have a baby?"
"Yes."
"We're going to have a baby?" Isaac's smile was now full-fledged. He dropped the paper, and immediately crossed the room to Rebecca. He threw his arms around her waist, picked her up, and began to spin in a circle. "We're going to have a baby!"
"Ike! Ike, no spinning! Please, no spinning!" Rebecca smiled at her husband's enthusiasm, but her face became pale as a wave of nausea crashed over her.
"Oh! Oh, I'm so sorry, Sweetie!" Ike set his wife down. "Are you okay? Here, sit."
Becca giggled. "Ike, I'm fine."
"No, sit. Relax." He rested his hands on his wife's shoulders and gently pressed down, indicating for her to have a seat on the couch. "Do you need anything?"
"Yeah, for you to sit next to me." She patted the seat next to her on the couch.
Isaac sat down. He looked deep into her eyes and he lovingly stroked her hair. "Thank you," he whispered.
"For what?"
"For making me a father."
Becca cupped her husband's face, and delivered a soft kiss to his lips. "Well, thank you, for making me a mother."
(End Flashback)
"Rebecca Hanson?"
The nurse standing in the doorway brought Becca back to present time. She picked up her purse and coat, and followed the nurse to the examining room.
"You can leave your stuff here, and I'm just going to need a urine sample from you," the nurse said.
Rebecca nodded and took the cup. She walked to the bathroom, but stopped at the door. She suddenly felt dizzy, and a wave of nausea tumbled over her. Becca knew it wasn't morning sickness as she grabbed the doorknob in an attempt to steady herself. Something was different this time; something was wrong. As soon as the dizziness and nausea subsided, she quickly entered the bathroom, locking the door behind her. In one swift motion, Becca pulled down her jeans and gasped at the sight of blood. Slowly, she sunk down towards the cold tile floor, crying silent tears.
"So, how are you feeling?"
Rebecca sighed heavily. "Drained. Tired. Weak." She twisted the telephone cord around her index finger.
"Well, that's to be expected. I assume Isaac drove you home. What did he have to say about all this? I'm sure he's disappointed."
Over the telephone, Rebecca heard her mother frown. Maggie had always loved Isaac, and made no secret about it. In fact, she often referred to him as the son she never had. "He doesn't know," was the soft reply.
"How come?"
"He's not here... He and Taylor went to New York. He... he doesn't know any of this... I... I drove myself home."
"Oh, Honey..."
"Took me an hour to get home. I kept having to pull over because I... I was crying." Rebecca squeezed her eyes shut and choked on a sob.
"Sweetie, you really should call Isaac and tell him."
"He's on his way home. He... he didn't even know I was pregnant..."
"Rebecca!"
"I figured it out while he was gone, Mom. I was going today for the test. I was planning on surprising him. Some surprise..."
"Honey, it's okay. I know it doesn't feel like it now, but it will. You and Ike are young. You can try again. Sometimes, these things are blessings in disguise..." Maggie was doing her best to comfort her daughter. She knew that this wasn't easy to bounce back from, though.
"But, Mom... what if... what if we can't try anymore? What if... what if..."
"Rebecca, listen to me! Just because I couldn't have anymore children after I had you doesn't mean that Kaitlyn will be your last. Do you hear me?"
"Yeah, but..."
"No buts! Believe me, I know this is hard. But there's always a reason for it. It's nature's way of correcting mistakes."
"I'm a mistake," she whispered.
"Rebecca, you are not a mistake. Your father and I tried two years to conceive you."
"No. I mean... I'm..."
"You're what, Honey?"
"I'm just... confused."
"Confused? Why?"
"I... I didn't think I wanted to have a baby..."
"I take it this wasn't planned, then."
"No." Becca sighed. "But... when I thought I was..."
"You thought it would be great to have another little one running around the house?"
"Well, yeah..."
"Good. Then try again."
"But Mom, when Ike finds out... finds out... He's... he's not going to want..." Becca stumbled over her words.
"Oh, no! Rebecca Anne, you listen to me. You are not, ARE NOT, going to keep this from him. I absolutely forbid it. Do you understand me? You HAVE to tell him. Do you hear me?" Maggie stood up abruptly. She knows her daughter thinks it important not to burden others with her feelings, but not telling Isaac about the miscarriage is not only absurd, but out of the question, as well. "Do you hear me?"
"Yes." Rebecca's voice was soft and her eyes downcast. She wore the same expression on her face that she did when she was scolded as a child.
"Good. Now, are you sure you're going to be okay?"
"Yeah, Mom. I--" Rebecca stopped when she heard the jingle of Ike's keys.
"Rebecca?"
"Mom, Ike's home. I gotta go."
"Okay, Honey. Feel better. Call me if you need me. And tell Isaac."
"Bye, Mom." Rebecca hung up the phone and opened the door for her husband. "Welcome home." She forced a smile.
"It's good to be home." Ike entered the foyer and set down his suitcase. He wrapped his arms around his wife in a hug. "I've missed you," he whispered in her ear.
"I've missed you, too."
"Daddy!" Kaitlyn ran to her father and jumped into his arms.
"Hey, Katy-bug!" He gave his daughter an Eskimo kiss. "What did I miss?"
"Uh... me?"
Isaac laughed. "Yes, I missed you." He kissed her cheek. "I meant, what went on here while I was gone?"
"Aunt Zoe was here today."
"She was?"
"Uh-huh. She baby-sat me while Mommy went to the doctor's."
"Routine check-up," Rebecca quickly added.
Ike nodded his head. "What else?" he addressed his daughter.
"Aunt Zoe and I colored pictures for you and Mommy and went for a walk and weird noises came out of Mommy's bathroom this morning." Kaitlyn's words ran a mile a minute.
"Oh?" was Ike's response. He looked at his wife with one eyebrow raised. "What kind of weird noises?" he asked Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn proceeded to imitate the gagging noises she had heard when her mother was sick.
"Becca, are you sick?"
"No. Well, I was. But I'm not anymore."
"Are you sure? You DO look a little pale..."
"Really. I'm fine. Probably just a 24-hour thing... The doctor gave me a clean bill of health."
"Mmm..." Isaac set down his daughter. "Just the same, I want you to rest."
"No, Ike. I don't need to--"
Before Rebecca could finish her sentence, Ike had scooped her up into his arms. He carried her up the stairs and into their bedroom. He gently lowered her onto the unmade bed, and pulled the covers up to her chin. He stroked her hair. "You rest. Kaitlyn and I will take care of dinner."
"That's not necessary."
"Sure it is. You're not feeling well, so you rest."
"Ike, I'm fine. Really."
He wore a doubtful expression.
"Trust me, Ike. Whatever I had, it's gone now."