Beginning, Next Section

Chapter One

Posted on 2009-12-12

Lt. Colonel (ret) Richard Stephens stretched to his six foot plus frame, attempted to push his wavy hair into some order and sighed while waving to his cousin Fitzwilliam Darcy Stephens and his new bride, Elizabeth as they left for their honeymoon. The lucky devil finally did it; he got his happy ending just like that darned "Pride and Prejudice". Although he was exhausted, it was only one in the afternoon and many people were still in the mood to celebrate the nuptials. Turning to his brother, Seth, he declared, "Well, that was quite an experience, wouldn't you say? How are you holding up looking at Rachel in her lovely dress?" It had not escaped Richard's notice that Seth cast many longing looks at his former girlfriend throughout the entire morning.

"It's cool, bro. I'm not going to go and attack her or anything. I do miss her, though." He looked up at his big brother and shrugged his shoulders. "I kind of want to go back to Purdue today, but we promised to move the rest of Beth's stuff out and Justin has some family stuff he's doing, so I guess I'm stuck."

"And we love you, too." His brother laughed chucking him on the shoulder. "Wonder how long we have to stay here. Now that the main attraction is gone, I have no desire to hang around. What if I grab our newly adopted cousin, Callie, and tell Georgie to socialize later so we can head out? Ed said they were getting ready to leave to take Jeannie back to Ft. Wayne. She did really well, didn't she?"

Seth agreed and the two talked for a few minutes about the perfect way the day had progressed for Beth and Will. Both were happy for the new family, but each felt his own sadness mixed with a bit of longing. Richard made the rounds in the room one more time before collecting the two ladies who he had responsibility for and the family left with just a few people remaining in the restaurant.

Will and Beth sped out of the parking lot ready for the adventure ahead. True to his promise of a few weeks ago when he confessed that he would probably rip off her wedding dress, Will did not allow Beth to change out of her dress after the reception. He did, however, provide his mother's head scarf as he drove the vintage convertible Mustang through town and then the open country roads. After many minutes of teasing on his part and persuasive kisses on hers, he relented and explained the beginning of their honeymoon plans.

Today, they were headed for Hocking Hills, where Project Pride & Prejudice began over a year ago and where Will had proposed just over two months earlier. Will figured they would get in around four and then he didn't care if they saw the light of day for the next twenty four hours. He explained that he had rented one of Cynthia's honeymoon cabins and they would spend their first night as husband and wife there. Beth was thrilled with the idea but told him in no uncertain terms was she getting up and making breakfast the next morning.

"Oh, so that's how it's going to be?" He laughed holding her tightly and wishing they were already at their destination.

"Most definitely. Now that I have you trapped into marriage, I intend to become the diva that I have secretly wished to be for all of these years." They laughed as she settled in beside him grateful for the old car's bench style front seat. "Will, this is such a beautiful day; look around, it's absolutely golden out." They admired the fall landscape and drove in silence for quite some time. Will actually wondered if Beth had fallen asleep and truth be told, she did nod off for awhile.

Oh, yes, save your strength my love because I have plans for us tonight. And tomorrow, and the next day. He chuckled to himself as they sped along.

Both Justin and Rachel had school work to complete that weekend, so the siblings went home with the intention of accomplishing their tasks and then hanging out at the Stephen's later in the evening. Ed and Marie changed clothes at the house but allowed Jeannie to stay in her "wedding dress" so that she could show her cottage mates how lovely she looked that day. She agreed that she would change after the fashion show and they would take the dress back to Bryan.

Situated in the car for the hour drive to Ft. Wayne, Beth's roommate from college and trusted confidant, Marie, eyed her husband suspiciously. To someone of passing acquaintance, Ed had seemed his usual affable self the last two days, but to his wife and best friend of more than twenty years, he was nothing of the kind. Anxious to find out what was wrong, she counted the miles so they could take Beth's oldest daughter Jeannie back to her special boarding school SKAT and then talk.

Jeannie loved all the attention she received while showing off her dress and her necklace. Ed informed the house parents of how well Jeannie behaved and then today at the wedding and all the accompanying festivities. He further explained that Will had adopted both Jeannie and her younger sister Callie during the wedding, so Jeannie would have a new last name. He added that he was sure Beth would be sending the information when they returned. He also reminded them that Richard would be picking Jeannie up for the family section of the honeymoon in just under two weeks. They waited patiently until Jeannie was ready to give up the dress, and they were back on the road to Bryan by four o'clock.

"Ok, spill it, Ed," Marie stated just as they cleared the SKAT main entrance.

"What?"

"What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing's the matter with me."

"You've acted weird since the rehearsal yesterday. What's up?" she insisted.

Cursing his obviously too observant wife and his all too visible discomfort, Ed thought for a moment about denying everything, but then, what good would that do? He had to talk to her before Monday and the kids probably needed to be in on it as well. He glanced sideways at his beautiful wife in whom he placed the sun and the stars.

"Edward? You're starting to scare me a little. What is the matter?'

"Honey, Doc called the house yesterday before we left for the church."

"You told me it was phone solicitor or something" she accused.

"I lied"

"What did he want, Ed?" There was just a tinge of panic in her voice.

"Honey, something wasn't quite right on you mammogram."

"What do you mean 'something wasn't quite right'?"

"He said they saw a mass and that he had felt something in your exam as well. He didn't want to say anything to you that day until the results came back. Honey, it might be just a cyst or something like that. Happens all the time, right?"

"Who are you trying to convince, you or me?" She looked at him with frightened eyes.

"Both." He reached over and held her hand as they drove in silence for awhile oblivious to the beautiful autumn landscape they were passing.

Not until they reached the city limits of Bryan did Ed say that they had an eight o'clock appointment with his life long friend and Marie's OBGYN. He told her that he had already contacted both her principal and his administrator explaining that they would be late to their respective schools on Monday. Marie nodded before saying that she didn't want to say anything to anyone until they had more definitive information. Ed wanted to debate the point, but decided he was going to let her be in the driver's seat for this situation, if, in fact, it was a "situation."

The refrigerator was stocked with leftovers from the rehearsal dinner and with other delicacies from both Juanita the Mexican miracle worker and Beth. Richard was grateful that the only cooking he'd need to do involved a microwave. Callie spent the remainder of the afternoon reliving the wedding and adoption and practiced spelling her new last name over and over. With nothing to do until after seven, Seth, Richard and Callie drove to Beth's rental house and moved the remainder of the contents back to the farm. All that remained was to clean it and since a professional cleaner was coming the next week to prepare the house for showing, Richard saw no need in returning.

As they were leaving, Callie's friend Jordan ran up and tearfully told her BFF goodbye. Richard explained that she would see Callie everyday at school and they then made plans for the friends to spend the next Saturday together out at the farm. Seth laughed at his brother becoming so domesticated while Richard insisted it was for his own sanity that he would not have to entertain Callie 24/7 over the weekend. While they both knew there was some truth to that statement, the bottom line was that Richard had undergone a transformation since Will and Beth had fallen in love; her family had become a part of all the Stephan's lives.

Beth called her daughter before she lost her cell signal to tell her they were almost to their destination. Will asked her not to tell Callie where they were because they would be teaming up with the girls at the end of the honeymoon right back at Cynthia's cabins. Callie was a little upset after speaking with her momma, but Richard was able to distract her fairly quickly. Having never been away from her momma for more than a night, no one really knew how the eight year old little princess would take such a long separation, but the newlyweds needed time to be alone and begin their marriage before jumping into parenting the precocious Callie and Jeannie with all of her special needs.

Climbing up the incline to the cabin was no small feat for Beth in the gown and slippers. To prove his chivalry, not to mention speed up the process, Will scooped her up and quickly made haste to the cabin door. Carrying her over the threshold, he kicked the door shut with his foot, spun around to make sure it was locked and then made good on his threat about her dress.

The bride did not complain one bit.

The sun was just setting when Beth opened her eyes to find her husband looking down at her. Stretching lazily, she caressed his face and purred softly to the unspoken question in his eyes, "I'm fantastic, Fitzwilliam, and you?"

"Are you sure, my love?" His genuine concern was evident.

"Yes, darling, yes, I am sure. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever felt better. Why are so worried?" She rolled over so they were facing each other on the pillows.

"I'm just making sure, that's all. I don't think I was very much of a gentleman a little while ago, and then we just kind of collapsed and…"

"Fitzwilliam, I'm not made of china; I won't break so easily. And yes, you were and are the perfect gentleman. And I am your wife – in every sense of the word now and forever. Please stop worrying and love me again." The shadows lengthening in the cabin turned into darkness before the couple got up and devoured the food basket and wine that Will had requested. They spent the night talking, loving, sleeping and repeating all of the activities. They did not wake until the sun was high in the October sky.

Finally looking around the cabin, Beth finally spied a clock. Smiling, she couldn't remember the last time she had slept so late into the day. Luxuriating in her new husband's strong arms, she snuggled closer remembering her first night of marriage. During one of the interludes when the couples spoke their words of love, Will had freely confessed his struggle in trying to live up to her convictions about waiting until they were married to consummate their relationship. At that moment, though, he spoke of a how much more special their first night together was because of it and assured her that he would suffer it all again to reach the same result. He was everything she could have hoped for and so much more than she had ever imagined.

Her stomach growled reminding Beth that their midnight snack was eaten a long time ago. She knew she needed to get up but figuring out how to extricate herself from Will was no easy task. Deciding that she could slither out from his embrace and crawl down to the foot of the bed to retrieve a blanket, she was making her way to do just that when her very tall, very muscular, and very handsome husband loomed over her. "And just where do you think you're sneaking off to, Mrs. Stephens?" he growled into her ear while tantalizing her neck and hair with his kisses.

"I was trying not to wake you up, Fitzwilliam. I'm starving."

"For food or for me?" He traced his finger along her face, neck and shoulder.

"Both" she answered honestly giggling at his touch as he rolled them both over in the king sized bed. Beth reached up and instead of caressing him she poked him in the spot where she knew he was ticklish. Will involuntarily jerked away and she escaped out of the side of the bed. A merry chase ensued through the tiny cabin with her captor allowing her to retreat into the bathroom to freshen up while he looked for the breakfast that was supposed to be delivered to their doorstep anytime after nine that morning.

Laughing to himself, he realized that their overnight bags never made it into the cabin the night before. He located his tuxedo trousers and opened the door to find the covered box on the deck by the door. The chilly morning air and cold ground made him hasten to the car to unlock the trunk. Picking up Beth's bag, he was tempted to see what confection she had chosen to wear for their first night together, but he decided to let her surprise him in the light of day. He bounded up the steps and flung the bags into the cabin so that he could carry the box of food to the table in the little kitchenette.

"Man, it's chilly out there," he called out to his wife before seeing her sitting on the bed with the blanket wrapped around her. "Oh, there you are." He walked up to her carrying her bag and demanded a kiss before releasing it.

"It's cold in here," she answered saucily clutching the blanket and the bag.

"I don't know why you're bothering with the blanket," the groom replied dryly as he watched her sashay back toward the bathroom.

Dropping the blanket just as she closed the door she replied laughing, "Is that better?" To Will, her laugh was one of the most beautiful sounds in the world.

He found the box filled with a breakfast casserole that still felt hot to the touch, a fruit salad, assorted muffins and juice. Will congratulated himself on his genius for finding this gourmet delivery service online. Cynthia told him that several of her guests had used them before, so he had also ordered a light dinner to be delivered around three that afternoon. That would still give them plenty of time to eat and then leave for the Columbus airport.

While setting the table, he too recalled the last twenty four hours and thanked the Lord above for the woman who had captivated his heart, body and soul. Shaking his head, he smiled thinking of the struggles they had overcome to get to this place. Determined more than ever to be the man she needed him to be, his head came up as he heard the bathroom door open slowly. Finding himself utterly speechless in her presence, she stood as the light bathed her in a golden glow and showed through the luminous ivory lace gown she was wearing.

Setting down the plate that he remembered was in his hand, he decided his bride would just have to wait a little longer for breakfast.

"Uncle Richard! Uncle Richard!" Callie pushed on Richard's head as it was the only thing above the jumbled covers of his bed. "Come on, it's time to get up!"

"What? What?" Richard's hand shot out of the blanket and attempted to swat away the little pest that so enjoyed waking him at ungodly hours.

"I said it's time to get up. We have to go to church. It's Sunday," the little cherub informed the oblivious heathen.

"We were in church yesterday. That should fill your quota for the week."

"No, that was for our wedding. Today is for Sunday school. Everybody knows that."

Without even looking at her, the defeated "uncle" knew she was standing with her hands on her hips shaking her head at his obvious lack of religious knowledge. He heard laughter coming from both ends of the hallway and soon the two other members of the household joined them.

"You didn't plan very well for this, did you, Richard?" his annoyingly sunny cousin sweetly rebuked him. "Beth and the girls go to church every Sunday. So do we when we're home, right Seth?"

"Oh, you bet I'm going this week since "Uncle Richard" will be taking us," his annoyingly sarcastic brother chimed in.

"Ok, OK! Everyone out! I was not prepared for an ambush, that's for sure. Princess Callie, could you please allow me to grab a shower and get dressed? Let Georgiana assist you in donning your Sunday best and I'll meet you ALL downstairs in about a half an hour. He plunged his head back into the pillow while the three exited his room laughing and planning the day. "What the heck was I thinking volunteering for this mission?" he said out loud "I am way out of my depth here."

Chapter 2

Posted on 2009-12-15

The next morning was chaotic for everyone it seemed except for Beth and Will. They were sleeping deeply with the sound of the Gulf of Mexico making its way to the shores of Sanibel Island. Beth had never been to Florida much less to such an exotic and opulent resort setting. The drive over the causeway, the setting sun gleaming over the gulf took her breath away. The warm breeze encircled them and they were gifted with a dolphin swimming along keeping pace with the car for quite a distance. Will explained that they would be in this paradise for ten glorious days.

The resort lay in a remote area of the much celebrated island. Their white cottage was welcoming and contained all the best amenities including a private deck and entrance to the beach. Taking in the fresh sea air, Beth giggled like a school girl as she twirled around the main room. "Fitzwilliam, this is the most beautiful place I've ever been. You are the best honeymoon planner ever! I miss Callie and we have to call Jeannie sometime today; but, oh, darling, I can never repay you for this time and this place…"

"Elizabeth, this is the least I can do for you, for us. I knew you would like it. It is beautiful and everything we could want is here, yet it is not pretentious or overdone. Plus, there is a lot to do here. I realize I can't keep you captive in my arms forever, so we can share these sights together."

"Oh yes you can, my husband. Come here to me. It's been at least five hours since I have been properly kissed."

"Five hours! That's way too long. I have been a neglectful husband, I fear." He smiled as he opened his arms to draw her in. Sighing against her cheek, he let his actions speak the language they were each just beginning to understand in each other.

Many miles north, Richard frantically ran through the house, calling Callie to hurry it up or she would miss her bus. Georgiana and Seth had left on Sunday to their prospective schools and Richard faced day one of Operation Callie Sitting, as he referred to it. He had somehow set the clock incorrectly but fortunately, just in the nick of time, Juanita walked through the kitchen door calling on the household to get moving.

Richard walked out with Callie to the road and, looking around, remarked that there used to be a little shelter out there where Georgiana and Seth would sit to wait for bus out of the weather. He made a mental note to himself to get what he needed to build another as he figured Will had taken the old lean to down when the kids started driving themselves to school. Hugging her tightly, he kissed her on the cheek and told her to have a great day.

Ok, not so bad of a beginning. If I can set my alarm correctly tonight, this should be a breeze. Of course there's homework and then we can go out to the stalls. I want to get her into a routine with Butterscotch. She is going to be a great horsewoman; I can tell. His head snapped to as he realized just how much he was enjoying his time with Callie. Shaking his head, he couldn't help but chastise himself for missing these experiences with Georgiana and Seth. He knew that he would have to talk to them again in the near future and apologize for so many years of absence. Will would need to hear it as well.

Assisting Jorge out in the stables, he was a dirty smelly mess when he heard his cell phone go off. He didn't recognize the number, but answered anyway, "Hello."

"Am I speaking to the temporary guardian of Callie?" a very formal female voice questioned.

"Who is this?" Richard stood still suddenly very anxious.

"This is Mrs. Roberts, assistant principal at Callie's school."

"What happened? Is she hurt? I'm on my way right now." Richard took off in a dead run to get to the Jeep.

"No, no, she's not hurt. She's just in a bit of a predicament here."

"Predicament? What do you mean?" He slowed down but was still heading for the jeep and getting in as he spoke.

"Callie got into an argument with her teacher and was sent to my office."

"Callie? What in world would she argue with the teacher about for heavens sake?"

"Well, it seems that she was signing her name incorrectly on all her papers this morning and she would not stop doing it."

"Signing her name incorrectly? What in the world….Oh, she was signing her new name….dammit, crazy trucks driving on this road…"

"Excuse me, sir, but are you driving and talking at the same time?" her authoritative voice made him feel like a child being reprimanded.

'Why yes I am Mrs. Roberts. I'm on my way to the school because someone is telling me that my little princess has a "predicament" that needs settling. I apologize for cursing just then; I'll be in your office in about fifteen minutes." He snapped the phone shut and fumed for the rest of the way into town. "No wonder these kids don't know anything; the teachers are spending time arguing with them about how they sign their name on papers. I thought Beth filled out all of the information regarding the wedding. They could have put two and two together. If they've upset her today, I'll…" he stopped himself and started to laugh at how quickly he shifted into protective mode. Will would crack up to see me right now.

Feeling relatively calm, Richard pulled into the school's parking lot and searched a minute for the main entrance. It was a brand new building and not at all what he remembered his schools looking like all those years ago. Confident that he had found the proper door, he pulled the handle only to realize it was locked. He reached for several more with the same result. Finally a voice came from overheard instructing him the building was secured, and he needed to press the button to be allowed entrance. For crying out loud, I'm back at Ft. Bragg. He found the button and pushed it expecting immediate entrance but again the voice asked him his business.

"I'm here to meet with Mrs. Roberts in regards to my nei…in regards to Callie." This is going to be harder than I thought. The door latch released and he just had to take a minute to find the correct one to let him in. Moments later he was at the counter of the office standing there looking expectantly at what could only be the school secretary suppressing a giggle.

"You've never been here before, have you?" she asked not bothering to suppress the giggle anymore whether due to his appearance or his obvious agitation was unclear.

"No"

"You have to sign in under visitor. The pad is right there." She indicated the correct sheet where Richard signed his name and Callie's.

"Now what? Do you need my driver's license, name, rank and serial number, retinal scan, what?" He realized that he had drawn the attention of most of the office and the women were all smiling at his frustration.

"Let me guess," the secretary continued, "newly single dad, or new step dad?"

"No. Newly retired Lt Colonel of the United States Army wishing to speak to Ms. Roberts in regards to my charge, Callie Thom – Stephens." His frustration was growing by the minute.

"He's here to see me, Lou Ann" the authoritative voice from his earlier call cut through the giggling in the room. Richard spun around to come face to face with one of the most stern looking person he had ever met – including some very strict army drill sergeants. "This way, sir." He followed her down the hall falling into step quickly and feeling as if he was being sent to the brig. They turned into an office where she motioned for him to sit down. He looked to his right to see Callie sitting quietly hiccupping every once in awhile. She lifted her eyes to Richard and his heart broke. She had obviously been crying.

"Oh, Callie, honey, come here." He opened his arms and she flew to his tight hug with fresh tears falling. "Princess, what happened today?"

She held on to him tightly. "She won't let me write my new name. I practiced all weekend to write my new name on all my papers. She told me that wasn't my name."

"Callie, it's just a little snafu; they don't have the paperwork yet that your momma has to present. She didn't know Will was going to surprise you all with the adoption. That's all. This can be cleared up really quickly, OK? Please stop crying, Princess."

During their exchange, the assistant principal eyed Richard suspiciously but tried not to show any emotion. "Sir," she finally interrupted, "Callie became quite belligerent to her teacher. She attempted to explain to Callie that without the proper paperwork she couldn't allow her change her name, but then Callie demanded we call her 'Uncle Richard'; I presume you are him."

Without looking up as he was still stroking Callie's hair trying to calm her, he answered, "Yes, that's me. I'm taking care of her while her parents are on their honeymoon. Beth said she sent all the paperwork in last week explaining about that and signing over to give me permission to act in her place."

"Hmm. You're Richard Stephens, then?"

"Yes."

"Well, then I would say it is impossible that you could be her uncle."

His head jerked up at that and he finally took a good look at the foreboding woman sitting before him. "What do you mean it's impossible? I am if I say I am!" Something about this woman was getting him riled up, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"You're Richard Stephens, cousin to Fitzwilliam Stephens, school board member?" it was more of a statement, not a question.

"Yes. He's my cousin; Callie asked if she could call me 'Uncle' – listen this has nothing to do with that. This little girl was adopted by Fitzwilliam on Saturday during the wedding. Her name truly is Callie Elizabeth Stephens. Plain and simple. Why did you all have to make a big deal out of this?"

Callie remained in Richard's lap when she suddenly jumped off. "Uncle Richard, you stink!" she exclaimed holding her nose and wiping off her clothes with her other hand. "Were you out in the stable? You really stink!"

"Yes, you've said that twice. I get your point. And yes, I was out in the stable with the horses when this kind lady called to tell me you were in trouble. Callie, did you yell at your teacher?" Richard was now very self conscious and wanted to get out of that office as quickly as possible.

"A little, I guess" her pout emerged and Richard was trying hard not to smirk.

"Well then you need to apologize to her and move on. They didn't know that your daddy gave you his name on Saturday, OK? Can you do that now? Can you go back to your room and apologize and, just for a few days, write Thomas as your last name?"

"I'll apologize 'cause I shouldn't have yelled, but my name is Callie Stephens. The judge said so, forever he said." She stomped her foot for emphasis.

"Alright, Callie," added Mrs. Roberts, "I'll explain to your teacher the circumstances, but no more yelling; are we clear on that?" The woman stood to her full height and glowered at Callie.

"Yes, ma'am." Callie started to leave but walked back to Richard. "Thank you for coming, but you really do need to go home and take a shower now." She quickly kissed him on the cheek and ran out of the office.

"Well, if that's all you need from me, I guess I will take Her Highness's advice and hit the shower." Richard started to get up, trying to avoid her steely gaze.

"That's all you care to say to me?" The question came out of nowhere.

Richard forced himself to look at her again. Her face wasn't as hardened as when he had first noticed her. She wore herer auburn hair pulled back in a rather severe bun and stood a good five foot ten, if she was an inch. Her dark double breasted suit didn't hide a nice figure, but her eyes, her eyes were a cold steel blue; they almost made him shudder. He shook his head, "Do I have to sign something or give blood before they let me out?"

"Just the visitor log, Mr. Stephens," She sighed. "Feel free to leave."

Gladly signing out and figuring out the correct door to exit, Richard didn't like the feeling that woman gave him. Cold as ice. She's an educator who's cold as ice. Man, what a witch. I'm gonna talk to Will about that one. Surely they can hire better administrators than that!

Marie sat at her desk while her students worked on math drills. She had been back at school for a little over two hours and still had a difficult time concentrating on her class. Ed had wanted her to take the whole day off, but she didn't want to sit and stew, so she made him drop her off with the promise that he would come directly for her after his school let out later in the afternoon.

Doc had met them at exactly eight that morning and ushered them into his office without even making Marie sign in. He told her the same as he had told Ed that there was what appeared to be a mass on her mammogram and that he had felt something in his exam at approximately the same location. He explained that the next step was a needle biopsy and then they know what to do from there. Trying to be as comforting as possible he attempted to tell the couple not to panic that they were several steps away from anything definitive and the fact that nothing had shown on her last year's mammogram was promising. They scheduled the biopsy for that Friday afternoon.

Having no familial history of breast cancer, Marie had only known of Beth's mom's ordeal and a few women in her parish. She was shocked to discover that almost one in eight women would experience breast cancer in her lifetime. Wondering if Beth knew that statistic, she worried how her friend would react if it turned out that she had it; how Beth would deal with again living through it with someone she loved. Shaking her head, she attempted to focus on her class as they were getting ready to go to lunch. She picked up her cell phone and started to dial Beth's number before she stopped and pressed the clear button. There was no sense in worrying her when she was a thousand miles away and they didn't really know anything yet.

Beth had truly never known the kind of freedom she now experienced on her honeymoon. Except for the everyday joys of being a mother, she was beginning to believe that her life had been just a dress rehearsal for what she was living now. Will had proven to be every bit of the romantic he had been during their tumultuous dating life and then some. They strolled along the beach every evening at sunset and talked until deep into the night. He was gentle, patient and thrilled that she was an uninhibited and willing partner in their physical relationship.

He could truly see her break down every last wall of resistance as each day went by. They talked about their pasts and about the joy they felt sharing in these new experiences which built upon the foundation that the summer had begun. They both missed the girls, and talked openly of how life would be so different when they settled in at the farm. Will was excited about the holiday season for the first time in years. He knew that with Georgiana and Seth he had just gone through the motion so many times, but now his heart was yearning to share his gratitude at Thanksgiving and he could actually envision Richard and himself struggling to put toys together on Christmas Eve.

They were planning to celebrate their first week anniversary with a candle light dinner ordered from room service. Will had recorded their wedding music, and he planned to whisk her away to their private deck. Earlier that day, he had given Beth some time to herself by scheduling an hour massage for her. While she was relaxing, he drove into the main street business area on a mission. Window shopping down the street, he was blissfully unaware of nearly every woman he passes checked him out. With about ten minutes to spare he spotted a beautiful abalone pendant dangling from a delicate gold chain.

Later that evening after their romantic stroll on the beach, Will drew out the box and handed it to Beth. He shook his head as she started to protest and told her that he would give her whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. The pendant matched beautifully with the earrings he had purchased two days earlier when they had wandered into a jewelry store. They danced under the stars and then fell asleep in their lovers' embrace.

Richard was getting just a little bit miffed at his family. Georgiana found every excuse in the book to call him nightly when he knew darn good and well she was checking up on him and Callie. Seth had even called twice that first week for no reason and then again on Sunday evening under the guise of finding out if Jordan liked to ride Butterscotch. He understood that Beth would call frequently, but when Will called several times while Beth was in a shop or otherwise occupied, Richard started losing his patience. Before blowing it though, he remembered that his family really had no recourse as he didn't have a very good track record in dealing with this much domestic responsibility.

He couldn't get the meeting with that Mrs. Roberts out of his mind either. Her eyes seemed to pierce right through him; and he had never seen that color of steel blue before. Wait, that wasn't true. He had. Ellie. Ellie's eyes could get that cold. The last time they spoke to each other all those years ago they were just that color. That's what it was about that woman. She reminded him of Ellie. What a blast from the past. I haven't thought of her since laying in the hospital bed in Germany. And before that, it had been months since she crossed my mind.

He was walking the property of the farm they had just purchased waiting for the demolition crew to show. Tomorrow the house would come down. He thought of the family who had lived there for generations and how in just a few short minutes the home that held their memories would become just that – a memory. Here I am putting down roots in a town I never thought I'd live in. And I'm thinking about Ellie.

The ringing of his cell phone woke him back to reality. Looking at the number, he thought he'd seen it before, but couldn't place it. "Hello?"

"Mr. Stephens. This is Mrs. Roberts at Callie's school. I hate to tell you this, but Callie's back in my office."

"You've got to be kidding me. Now what?" He wasted no time heading directly to his Jeep.

"Well, it seems that Callie said something very insensitive to another student."

"What? Callie? She's the most sensitive kid I've ever met. She would never tease anyone." Richard was in high gear and heading down the now familiar path to her school shaking his head and wondering how in the world kids learned anything.

"It wasn't a tease, Mr. Stephens. Callie said something of a prejudiced nature. We have zero tolerance for such behavior in our school. I'm afraid Callie is suspended for the day." She didn't sound all that sorry as far as Richard was concerned.

"Oh, come on! She's eight years old! What in the world could she have said – wait, you know what? I'll be there in less than fifteen minutes. I swear, if that child is in tears again …" he flipped his phone shut before he said something he would regret. Not on my watch. This kid is not going to be suspended on my watch. What in the world could she have said? There must have been a misunderstanding here.

Elise Roberts set the phone back on the cradle and looked over at Callie sitting in the same chair she had been in just one week ago. She was hiccupping again and looked absolutely miserable. Mrs. Roberts asked Callie if she needed to go to the restroom and when the child nodded, she opened the door for her. "I don't want to see him again. I don't need this. He didn't even recognize me." She stopped when she realized she had been talking out loud.

How could he not recognize me? I know it's been sixteen years, but I haven't changed that much have I? He used to say that he'd never forget my eyes or my hair or the sound of my voice. I would have recognized him in a second. His hair's a little longer and he has a sadness in his eyes that I don't remember being there before, but I guess life can throw some curves. She laughed mirthlessly. Boy do I know that.

Callie was back sitting outside of Mrs. Roberts' office when Richard had finished the drill of signing in and making his presence known. He saw Callie and headed towards her, "Honey, what in the world happened today? Have you been crying again?"

Before Callie could answer, the office door opened and Mrs. Roberts called for the two of them to come in. Richard helped Callie out of the chair and kept his eyes glued to her as the walked in. He sat down and pulled her gently to him. "What happened, princess?"

"Mr. Stephens…" Richard's hand shot up, but his eyes remained on the little girl beside him.

"I want to hear it from Callie. Go on, honey. Just look at me and tell me what happened. Don't worry about anyone else; I want you to tell me in your words."

"OK, Uncle Richard. I was in gym class and Pedro and William starting arguing. We were on the same team. They were calling each other names and talking about the color of their skin. I told them they were saying bad words. I asked them why it mattered what color they were. They laughed at me and said that I was white so I didn't get to talk about color of skin. I said that was stupid. I said that Tony was brown and William was very dark brown, so what difference did that make. That's when the gym teacher came over and said that I can't say those things and he sent me to the office." She teared up again.

"Callie, honey, please don't cry. Are you sure that's all you said? You didn't call either boy a name or anything like that? Did you call them stupid?"

"No, I said that they were being stupid about the color thing. Momma said it doesn't make a difference what color anyone is. My old school had all different colors; so did my daycare and church. Momma said that God loves all people. We learn that at church, too. I don't call people names, Uncle Richard. I hate it when kids call Jeannie names. I wouldn't do that." Her chin was shaking and fresh tears brimmed over her eyes.

Richard sat there fuming. He knew instinctively that Callie was telling the truth. From past conversations with Beth he knew she had lived in a diversified neighborhood and she chose her daycare and church deliberately so that girls could be exposed to all types of people. He knew that the lack of diversity was the only drawback Beth saw about Bryan and the surrounding area. "Honey, you go outside and wait. I'll be back out in a minute. I need to talk to Mrs. Roberts."

Elise watched the interaction between Richard and Callie and was touched by his obvious love for the little girl. She knew very little about Callie as she had just transferred in at the end of the year last year. There was really nothing in her file from her school in Cincinnati other than that she had another sister and was raised in a single parent home. The file stated that Callie had been adopted as an infant and that she showed no signs of the issues which affected older sibling which Elise figured must be the "Jeannie" Callie referred to. Staff had told her about her mother's public courtship with Fitzwilliam Stephens and she had even read the article in Sunday's paper about their wedding and the ties to Pride and Prejudice. It was a little too saccharin for her taste, but to each his own.

"Mrs. Roberts," Richard broke the silence in a barely controlled fury. "Can you honestly sit there and tell me that this angel said anything that was untrue? Did she say anything that in anyway resembled prejudice or the taunting another student?"

"Mr. Stephens, she called a student brown and another student dark brown."

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Are they? Is one student brown skinned and the other student a little darker? Is Pedro Hispanic and William African-American?"

"Well, yes, but that's beside the point. We don't talk color."

"According to Callie those boys were arguing over who was darker or some such nonsense and she was setting the record straight. And you are going to punish her because she spoke the truth?" Richard's voice rose just slightly.

"Mr. Stephens, there's no need to yell."

"I'm not yelling. Believe me, I could yell right now, but I'm not yelling. I have twenty years of military training in yelling, and trust me, lady, I am not yelling."

"Rich, you need to calm down." It was out of her mouth before she knew she said it. His nickname rolled off her tongue so easily, she didn't even realize it until his eyes widened and his flushed face starting turning a different shade entirely.

"Madam," he was looking at her curiously, "Very few people call me by that name, and I don't believe that I know you well enough for you to use it. Besides that, I am stunned that this situation has elevated to this level. There is no way I'll stand for Callie being suspended. She didn't do anything wrong! I will talk to her and believe me, she'll never describe another person's skin color in school again for crying out loud. And why in God's name are you staring at me! I am not covered in manure nor do I smell today."

Elise stood up and walked out of her office without saying another word to Richard. He turned in confusion and utter confusion and astonishment as he watched her bend over to speak to Callie. The little girl's face broke into a smile which she turned to show to her rescuer. She blew him a kiss and skipped off out of the office to her class, or so he hoped. He remained dumbfounded by this woman's behavior as he watched her take a deep breath, square her shoulders and walk back into her office closing the door.

Richard stood up. "Mrs. Roberts, I don't…"

"You still don't know who I am, do you?" She was standing within inches from him gazing at him almost eye to eye as she had on heels that extended her very tall frame.

"No, I don't. What does that have to do with…" Richard stopped and looked into her face. Especially into those eyes. At that moment, she removed the clip from her hair and the auburn waves fell over her shoulders. "Oh my God," Richard felt as if he had been sucker punched. "Ellie?"

"Yes, Rich. Only I don't go by Ellie anymore. My name is Elise."

Richard fell back into the chair, so many emotions wrecking havoc on his mind and heart that he truly did not know what to do. She put her hair back up in the clip and walked around to sit at her desk as she was feeling quite shaky herself. Watching him struggle, she wished she could be anywhere in the world but here; cursed her ex-husband for putting her back in Richard Stephens' life.

Keeping his eyes closed Richard shifted in the chair, "How in the world did you end up in Bryan, Ohio – and a principal no less? Didn't your MRS degree hold up for you?" He regretted it the minute it flew out of his mouth, but there it was.

Ignoring the snarky remark, she answered his first questions. "I moved from Detroit this past summer. My life took some unexpected turns. I had always planned to teach; if you would bother to swallow your pride for a moment, I'm sure you would recall that. I'm in no mood to fight with you, Richard. I'm sure that Callie will have no more problems here and besides, her mother returns this weekend, or so I understand. Then you can go about doing whatever carefree things I'm sure you dream of doing."

His eyes were wide open now and studying the cold granite figure that sat before him. "Yes," he answered with dripping sarcasm, "Twenty years of military leadership in time of war leaves one quite carefree. I'm so glad we've had this chance to catch up, Ellie. And you're right; Callie will not be back in your office anytime soon. That I can guarantee." He nodded his head and quickly exited the room finally taking a breath. What the hell happened to her? What did that idiot Jeffery Roberts do to her?

Chapter 3

Posted on 2009-12-19

The needle biopsy hadn't really hurt all that much; it was just uncomfortable as the lump was located on the side of Marie's breast toward her under arm where there was much less tissue. Ed was beside himself that neither of them had felt the lump before and Marie had to remind him that every couple goes through times of "routine" in their relationship and no one was to blame. They had an appointment scheduled for Thursday at 4:30 to learn the results of the test, and she didn't know how she was going to live through the next twenty four hours. Her cell phone rang and she recognized Richard's number. For at least the next half an hour her anxiety was forgotten as she laughed at his recounting of Callie's weekend wake up calls and her crimes at school.

Will was in bed dreaming. He envisioned Beth dressed in a white sarong as she danced through the sand. She laughed and swayed to her own music calling out to him to join her. He didn't want to move, entranced by the vision of his wife and her unadulterated joy. "I just want to look at you,." he kept repeating to her as the evening breeze lifted her hair and her skirt as she moved.

"How can you look at me with your eyes closed, honey?" Beth murmured in his ear as she propped herself up on her elbow lovingly gazing down at her obviously dreaming husband.

"Even in my dreams you are always there to tempt me." He answered smiling but his eyes remained closed. "You were dancing on the sand and I just stood and watched. You are so beautiful, Elizabeth." He snaked his arms around her and held her tightly whispering again his love as they both held on to their last morning alone. The Florida paradise would end at noon.

The original plan called for Richard to pick up Jeannie in Ft Wayne around noon on Thursday, swing back through Bryan to collect Callie and then deliver the girls to the cabin sometime between five and six. He would then turn back around and drive the three hours home to Bryan and enjoy seventy two hours of peace and quiet before the Married with Children show came to life in front of him. That all changed when he was blindsided by Elise. He couldn't wait any longer; he had to talk to someone about it, and Will was the only living soul in the Stephen's family who had ever heard Ellie's name.

With military precision, Richard had packed Callie's bags and an overnight duffle for himself before he set out to retrieve Jeannie. The little firecracker never stopped talking from the moment she saw Richard until Callie jumped into the Jeep: then the two of them watched a movie and played in the back seat for the longer leg of the trip. Richard was grateful for the uneventful three hours because if he really admitted it to himself, meeting the woman formerly known as his fiancé had thrown him for quite a loop and he wasn't sure just how much more stress he could endure.

The honeymooners were ensconced in the larger three bedroom cabin and for some reason, were actually quite nervous. They had stopped at the stored on their way in from the airport and Beth began preparing potato salad and baked beans to go with the burgers and hot dogs they planned to grill. Will had mentioned to Beth that Richard had some things on his mind and that he requested to stay the night. When he mentioned it had to do with a former girlfriend, Beth's ears perked up and said there was no way that she was going to miss that conversation. Will watched her in amusement as she made a circuit around the cabin: first to the kitchen, then to the door to look out, then across the great room to give him a kiss or hug, then back to the kitchen to check on something, then returning to the door,

"Elizabeth!" he called to her while catching her during the fly- by kiss she granted him. "For heavens' sake, relax. What's the matter?

"Oh, Fitzwilliam, I am so nervous. The girls are coming here. We will be a family for the first time. All of us. Even Richard will be here to join us. These first days of our marriage have been so perfect. I want our time as a family to be perfect as well. I just…"

"Darling," he pulled her near. "Our daughters love us and will just be happy to see us. I daresay, they expect all the goodies that we brought to spoil them with as well. Trust me, we'll have a tremendous time here this weekend. They just want their momma and daddy now. I'm a bit nervous myself, but for quite another reason."

"What? What else could you possibly be nervous about now? You know the girls love you, right?"

"No, that's not it. I have had you to myself whenever I've wanted for over ten days. I'm not so sure I can contain myself or wait until the little angels – and I'm not including Richard in that image – are otherwise occupied or in their own beds. "He laughed as he gathered her in his arms and headed toward the master bedroom. "By my calculations, we have one hour before reality intrudes. I have plans…"

"Don't you always…" his wife giggled as he slammed the door shut with his foot.

True to Will's calculation, the couple was just leaving the bedroom arranging themselves to look calm, cool and collected when they heard Richard's Jeep pull up the gravel drive. More excited than their children, the newlyweds ran out of the cabin and onto the deck and each grabbed a daughter and held on tightly. They exchanged children and performed the ritual again, all the while talking over each other, laughing, hugging and kissing. Richard stood by in amused satisfaction as he could easily tell how relaxed and happy his long troubled cousin acted and how amazingly like a family the four of them looked.

Setting down Jeannie, Beth walked over to her cousin and hugged him warmly pulling back only to plant a kiss on his cheek. "I'm glad to see you, too, Richard." She laughed as she held on to his hand to bring him over to Will.

Slapping him on the back, Will deadpanned, "Well, look at you; I think you've only aged about ten years in this one week. Not bad, soldier, not bad at all." The two men then exchanged heart felt "man hugs" which to Beth amounted to nothing more than a second of contact, but she knew the genuine friendship and love that existed between the two.

Because Sanibel Island has a very strict rule about taking sea shells from the beaches, Beth and Will had purchased a large selection from a giant shop in Ft Meyers. The girls spent quite a long time admiring each one, tracing them on paper and building pretend sea shell castles. Other gifts included shell necklaces, bracelets and many other trinkets, topped of with a treasure chest box in which each girl could place their "pretties", as their momma referred to them.

Dinner was on the table quickly, for once, as the men didn't waste any time in the grilling area. Richard could feel himself growing less tense with each moment spent in their company, and though he loved Callie dearly, he was grateful to turn over the reins. The couple laughed uproariously over his tales of Callie's school troubles and then Beth spent a moment talking to Callie about her temper and her tendency to be a little too bossy. Callie returned Richard's tattling by revealing his Sunday school skipping tendencies which lead to Beth reprimanding him in a teasing manner as well while also reminding her daughter it wasn't nice to tattle in retaliation.

During this interaction, Jeannie had settled herself on Will's lap and occasionally spoke to him about things at SKAT. He attempted to draw her into what they were currently doing as a family, but keeping up with the conversation was difficult for her, so he didn't push it. Looking at the two with their heads together, Beth sighed contentedly; though they were three hours away from Pemberville, she truly felt she was home.

They built a bonfire, consumed s'mores, and soon, two tired girls were asleep in their bunk beds. Callie insisted that she would be fine on the top, so her momma took a leap of faith and let her sleep there. Will and Richard chuckled as she checked several times before finally glaring at the cousins and stating that she knew her daughter would be just fine.

The night had a bit of a chill to it. While Will and Beth had gone to listen to prayers and to tell their daughters, again, how happy they were to be together, Richard had lit the firepit. Walking out hand in hand, the couple moved to the swing and Richard smiled to himself as they appeared to be joined at the hip, but quickly decided that was not a thought he should be pursuing.

After a few questions about the drive up and their accommodations on Sanibel, Richard cleared his throat and attempted to talk about the part of his week with Callie that was so much on his mind. Before he spoke, though, Beth broke in, "Richard, I know I said that I wanted to hear all of this, but if you truly just want to talk to Fitzwilliam, I can make myself scarce. He can live without me for awhile." She smiled at him tentatively.

"No, Beth, I'm Okay with you here. More than Okay actually. As our pasts have proven to you, Will and I don't always come up with the best solutions when left to our own devices."

"Hey," retorted Will, "I don't know about that. We got her a job, a house, a husband and a father for her kids. I'd say that we did pretty darn well." They all laughed.

"You're treading on dangerous ground, my friend." His new wife warned as she tugged at the ten day growth of beard he sported. She had promised him a shave when they returned home, and he was very much looking forward to that personal grooming session – particularly the ending, which would be quite different from her session last summer.

The trio settled back in to what would become a ritual for them in the coming months: talking about issues from farming, the new house plans, discipline and even faith and romance. Richard began by explaining a little more about himself and his life to Beth. It was interesting for Will to listen to Richard describe himself. Although the two men were close as boys, the fact was they only saw each other a few times per year growing up, and when they did see each other, they didn't spend their time chatting about their lives. They had instead looked for action and adventure, not to mention practicing the occasional one upmanship, and attempting to keep each other out of trouble.

"It's funny, really," Richard began, "Will is so much more like my father and I'm so much like his, that we used to joke that even though we were born in two different countries, we were with the wrong set of parents. My dad was extremely strict – very by the book. He wasn't mean or a bully or anything; it was just 'his way' or no way." Will nodded his head in agreement. "We didn't see eye to eye on most things, and my mom ran interference a lot. She wanted to have more kids, I think, but I wore them out. I never sat still; I never took no for an answer, and I pushed every boundary.

"The older I became, the more I rebelled. I guess when we were about fourteen, they had had enough of me and shipped me to Pemberville for the summer. Uncle Matthew worked me like a dog." The two cousins laughed. "Or at least that's what I thought. By that time, Lizzy was about eight and Charlie was a tadpole always underfoot. Aunt Olivia had just lost the twins not long before and in a sense, I was the comic relief. Oh don't look at me like that, Will; I was.

"Anyway, that's a story for another time, Elizabeth. Hey, he's got me calling you that now. It does seem to fit you. OK, so after that summer, I did start to see that I needed to quit fighting my dad so much and enjoy the last three years of high school. After the holidays that year, we transferred to Ft Hood and that's where my dad ended his career. It's also where I decided that I wanted to be a soldier.

"But Dad insisted that I go to college. Man, that was quite the fight, let me tell you. That one went on for almost two years, but in the end, going to BGSU was a smart move; and I don't regret it, except for Ellie."

Beth looked intently with concern at Richard. The humorous sparkle that resided on his face and in his eyes so much of the time extinguished itself at that point. She could visibly see him tense and then she felt Will's muscles tighten as well. Will had not revealed anything to his wife, as he knew Richard was really an intensely private man and he didn't want to betray him. They talked many times about Richard and where he was in his life at the time, but Will never revealed much of his cousin's past.She looked up at her husband as she gently squeezed his hand, then she brought her gaze back to Richard and openly encouraged him with her sympathetic smile.

Well, here's goes nothing. Richard sat perfectly still with only his hands flexing in and out of fists as any indication of his nervousness and tension. "My first three years in college were pretty care free. I partied a lot, dated casually a lot and occasionally attended class." The three laughed at what was probably a pretty accurate description of Richard's life. "And even though I was In ROTC, it wasn't until my senior year that it started to hit me that after I graduated, I'd be shipped overseas somewhere, probably the Middle East. I started looking at things a little differently. The ROTC program at BG is fairly strong, but like on most campuses, there was quite a liberal base of students and faculty that would picket or hold rallies protesting our presence and the military machine in general.

"Since my rebellion days, I thought I tried to keep a fairly open mind about those opposed to the military, so I went to some of the gatherings and listened to the speakers. That's when I first met Ellie. She was standing with a group of very beautiful, very self involved sorority types. I think she had to attend as an assignment for a class or something. Anyway, there was this auburn haired beauty among a bunch of bleached blondes, and she looked amazing. I walked up, introduced myself and started some inane conversation.

"The next thing I knew, we were together constantly. I met her after classes, walked her back to her sorority house and took her out every chance I got. I finally got around to telling her that I was in ROTC, and although a little shocked, she liked the fact that I stood for something and that I would be an officer someday. She didn't tell me too much about her life except that she was from the Toledo area and her dad was an area business man. She went home on occasion, but she never invited me. My buddies said that was a sign that something was weird, but I didn't invite her to Pemberville either, so I didn't think much of it.

"By Christmas, I couldn't imagine my life without her. She was a junior and had a whole year to go, but it didn't stop me from saving up for a ring. When I come here for the holiday, I told Will about her. Mr. Practicality said that I didn't know enough about her or her family to be thinking about such a big step, but I was too smitten. I talked to my mom and she suggested that I invited Ellie to the annual New Years Eve party. To my great surprise, she accepted, came down and brought a friend with her.

"Well, the friend picked up right away that my family was not the wealthier of the two, and she was all over Will. Do you remember that? She was so funny trying to act like she understood the farm. She kept needling him about how much money his family had and practically drooled over him."

Will sat up uncomfortably in the swing while Beth laughed. "You don't have to remind me of the gold diggers from my past. She was just one of many." He said drolly.

"Oh, yes, Cousin, how you have suffered…"

"Now boys…My dear husband," Beth addressed Will while caressing his face, "You are loved now for who you are…as we all should be. Go on Richard."

And he did. He described the party that night and how she had captivated him and his mother. His father, however, had warned him that she seemed to be a "society type' which certainly wasn't the kind of girl Richard desired, and someone like that wouldn't fit in well with his background or his future. After the midnight kiss, he explained how he swept her into Will's room upstairs and proposed. Though the ring was small, he truly loved her. She quickly agreed, but asked that they not announce their engagement until she could speak to her family.

New Year's Day Richard traveled back to Toledo with her to meet her family. They lived in the fashionable suburb of Perrysburg in a huge house on the Maumee River. He recalled how he had felt very much out of his element when the housekeeper took his coat and ushered Ellie and him into a very formal sitting room. He was quite uncomfortable as they waited for her parents." Richard saw Beth's nod in understanding when seeing wealth for the first time. Though Richard knew his aunt and uncle were wealthy, they did not have "staff" to attend to their needs, and while beautiful, their home did not hold the trappings of the vastly rich.

"Her mother was nice enough, but her father was something else. Remember that movie with DeNiro and Cameron Diaz? He was about that bad. Instantly took a dislike to me and wasn't shy about it. We drove back to BG in stunned silence. She hadn't told them of the engagement, but assured me that she loved me and all would be well."

"But it wasn't, was it?" Beth empathized while snuggling closer to Will.

"No,." Richard sighed. "Classes began again and although she didn't dodge my calls or ditch me, things just weren't the same. I stopped by at the house a few times and I noticed that she wasn't wearing the ring. She made some excuse about needing to get it sized. For Valentine's Day, I had saved up a lot of money and took her to a really nice place for dinner. She had told me that she couldn't go out that weekend because the sorority had some big shindig with the other Greeks so we celebrated a few days early. Anyway, I was babbling on about setting a date and really thinking about our future when I looked up and saw the coldest set of eyes I'd ever seen.

"Very calmly, almost with deadly precision, she cut me to pieces. She said that she realized we were just too different. We wanted different things. She could not conceive of being a military wife and she had no desire to live on some god forsaken base. It was out of nowhere because we had discussed all of those things before. I didn't know that woman sitting there at all. She handed me the ring and said that it was best to totally sever our relationship. Then she said she'd made arrangements for a ride home. Before I knew what had happened, these two frat boys crawled out from under whatever rock they inhabited and escorted her out of the restaurant. It was humiliating to say the least."

"Good lord, Richard," Will exclaimed. "You didn't tell me that part. You just told me the two of you had broken up because she didn't want to come with you after you graduated. I had no idea."

"Wow!" Beth shook her head. "How could someone be so cold?" She paused for a moment trying to take it all in and process from a women's point of view before she continued. " Richard, there has to be more to that story. If you loved her, she had to have been a special person. You don't give your heart away very easily, unless you count Callie."

Richard smiled. "I believe your daughter is only the second female to whom I'm not related by blood to ever steal my heart. Fortunately, except for waking me at ungodly hours, she has never failed me."

"What did you do then, Richard? Did you ever see her again on campus?" Beth was genuinely concerned even though it had happened so long ago. I hope I never see this woman at Callie's school, or I'll probably deck her.

"Oh, believe me, I stayed away from sorority row and every other haunt I knew she frequented. I skated through that semester, barely graduating. I told my family it just didn't work out, young love and all that. I busted my butt on the farm that summer and then got the heck out of Ohio for basic training. One more thing that I ran from, right Will? No, don't try to defend me. I could have told you or mom what happened, but I didn't. I came home for Christmas but only stayed for like two days. I honestly don't even remember if I told my folks that I loved them the last time I saw them. It had been almost a year later, and that woman still had a hold on me. I hated her for it." He unclenched his fists at that point but still the misery was clearly painted on his face.

"it was a mere two weeks later that I had to come back for the funerals. I just felt I had no heart left. Will bore the brunt of everything."

"Rich…" Will interrupted not wanting his cousin to feel that guilt any longer.

"No, you know I'm right. That was it. I told myself that I was a soldier tied to nothing but my country. After that, these guys barely saw me for the next ten years. One of my friends from school came down for the funerals. He told me that Ellie had become engaged to Jeffrey Roberts, some big frat president who had quite a silver spoon and trust fund to match. I assume that somewhere down the road they married because her name is Mrs. Roberts."

Beth stood up and walked over to him to give him a hug "Richard, you've said so much and yet I think you have not told us nearly all that you felt or the times you had together. I knew you hid behind your sarcasm and self-abasing humor, but I didn't know the depth of how heart broken you really were – are. And now this has all come up again by seeing her at Callie's school of all places. I'm so sorry that I put you in that position."

"Don't be ridiculous. I loved fighting with her over those stupid issues. Remind me Cousin to talk to you about how ridiculous the school system has become." Will rolled his eyes. "Seriously, maybe this is just another step that I need to take to reconcile everything. You know, these past two weeks have very clearly brought home to me how much I missed out when I was gone and how much I owe you, Fitzwilliam."

"We've already been down this road. It's past history." Will replied as Beth settled back down next to him and kissed him lightly. "I just don't want to see you beat yourself up about it and drudge all this back up. We're all starting new lives, right?"

"Let's hope. She looked damned good, though. I've got to say it. Except those cold eyes. Man, they can vaporize you if you're not careful."

"Good ammunition for a teacher or administrator," Beth mused. "But not so good for the woman underneath. If, in fact, she is one."

As she lay in Will's arms that night, Beth couldn't help but be bothered by Richard's story. Something just wasn't adding. Not that she thought he was lying or deliberately leaving something out, she just couldn't believe that someone could really be that cold. Richard deserved so much better than that. She had to admit that his story did shed much light on his character and because of it, she felt so much closer to him now.

"Fitzwilliam?"

"Hmmm?"

"Are you awake?" she turned to look him in the face.

"Yes. I didn't know you were, though." He traced her features with a finger gingerly ending by winding his hand in her hair.

"He still loves her."

"I know."

"We have to help him."

"I know. I'll have to come up with a plan."

"I know."

Chapter 4

Posted on 2009-12-22

Elise Roberts couldn't take it anymore. She snatched her cell phone from her purse and pressed the number. "Cammi, are you busy this weekend?" She listened for the reply. "Can we meet in Ann Arbor? I've got to get out of here. I've already booked the suite hoping you'd say yes. It's awful. My worst fear came to pass." Pausing for breath she continued. "He's here, Cammi. Richard lives here. Yes, I've seen him. I'll tell you tomorrow. I can be up there by six. Yes, I know how long it's been since I've seen him, Cammi. I've got to go."

Setting down the phone she stared blankly at her desk. She should probably be talking to a student or completing walk-throughs for the day, but she couldn't. The past ten days had been such a shock to her; in her wildest dreams she never thought he would end up living on the farm. He's supposed to be in the army – career man. I had no idea about anything! I can't believe all that he's been through and evidently by himself – no wife, no children.

Reliving the conversations she had had since seeing him a week ago, Elise quickly put together the past seventeen years of his life. LouAnn, the school secretary had filled her in on the tragic accident and the subsequent years of his cousin raising the two children who had been left parentless. At first, Elise was shocked that Richard hadn't helped, but then when she thought about it, she knew he would have taken it way too much to heart and been devastated beyond what he could bear. Just as she knew he was that night at the restaurant when she told the biggest lie of her life and devastated them both.

After the second meeting with him about Callie, she went home and Googled Richard only to find more articles about what happened after the accident, regarding the settlements. Then last year's articles relayed an injury in Afghanistan, his purple heart and the human interest story about his cousin and his new wife for which Richard evidently played the spokesperson. No mention of being married or having any children. She couldn't believe that someone as alive as Richard continued to live his life alone.

Jeffery had kept all of this from her; she was sure of it. He made her sever all ties with her friends from college. Only Cammi remained true to her although their friendship had to be on the sly for the fifteen years she had lived under Jeffrey's and her father's thumbs. She shuddered recalling the pain that was evident in Richard's eyes when he had finally recognized her. What he must think of me. It can't be any worse than what I think of myself.

Richard was his old self when he appeared for breakfast the next morning. He and Will took off for a walk while Beth and the girls spent time talking about their adventures away from each other. By the time the men came back, they were greeted by a rather large pile of leaves but the girls were nowhere to be found. Both men made huge sport of walking around the pile and acting quite concerned about where the three could be. Unable to lay still any longer, Callie and Jeannie jumped up to scare the men who deserved Oscars for their performances.

Will knew that Beth had to be in the pile somewhere, but couldn't make out her figure. Just as he was about to walk across the heap, a hand reached out and grabbed his ankle. As Richard chased the girls, flinging leaves, husband and wife wrestled in the leaf pile laughing and carefree. By the time Richard left late in the morning, all were still picking out leaves and sticks from their hair and clothing.

The weekend as a family was a magical time that would be remembered the rest of their lives. The weather was all they could hope for in a perfect form of Indian summer in Ohio. Jeannie couldn't seem to pick up enough leaves to examine and went back to Ft. Wayne with quite a collection. Only a few minor skirmishes occurred, really no more than an other siblings would have competing for attention from the adults and learning to share. Each night after the girls were tucked in their bunk beds, Will and Beth enjoyed the hot tub, the deck swing and each other. On Sunday morning, the left rested, happy and ready to live their lives together – and face whatever would be thrown their way.

"Fitzwilliam?" No response. "Fitzwilliam, I know that you are awake. Honey, you have to get up now. You have to get to SKAT. Jeannie's expected and so are you." Beth leaned over her husband's prone body. She had been up long enough to don a robe, brush her teeth and comb her hair. In a few minutes, Callie and Jeannie would wake up and the honeymoon would officially come to an end. Leaning over him again, she shook her hair in his face. The corners of his mouth twitched.

"What possessed me to say that I would make my nine o'clock appointment today?" he growled while attempting to rise only to fall back on the pillows. "Wife, I demand your presence in my bed immediately!" He commanded while pulling the sash on Beth's robe. "I refuse to begin my day any differently than I have for the past two weeks."

Will and Jeannie did not make it to Ft Wayne by nine.

Elise sat at her vanity brushing out her hair. The weekend in Ann Arbor was just what the doctor ordered. Seeing Cammi always cheered her and the two spent their time shopping, relaxing and dissecting Elise's next moves. Cammi, twice divorced and now a self proclaimed cougar, always on the prowl for a young boy-toy, knew her friend was not made of the same stuff. For seventeen years she watched her friend wither under the control of her husband and her father and recently had she begun returning to the vivacious woman she had once been. She told Elise that seeing Richard was fate and perhaps her chance to finally get the life she was meant to have.

Setting down her brush, she made sure that no stray hairs were protruding and that every accessory was in place on the glass surface. She panicked momentarily when she saw a slipper out of place on the floor next to the bathroom door. Shaking her head, she reminded herself that her world no longer had to be so ordered as she deliberately moved her brush to destroy the perfect symmetry she had just created.

Walking through the quiet house Beth pinched herself. This is my home now. We all truly belong here now. She thought back to night before when Will and Richard led Jeannie up to her new room. Her daughter was actually speechless as her wide eyes scanned the entire room. As with Callie's room, the two talented men created an amazing world of its own. Upon opening the door to Jeannie's room, one was surrounded by greens, blues and purples displayed in a wall mural of an enchanted garden where butterflies, ladybugs, birds and bunnies frolicked.

Richard had designed the headboard in the shape of a butterfly and had then used a jig saw to cut several more butterflies and ladybugs which Will painted and attached to the walls. Richard had also refinished an antique dresser he had found out in the barn and, after the varnish dried, Will added fanciful embellishments to it as well as to a butterfly shaped shelf and several butterfly clothes hangers. A window seat that opened to allow her to place her treasures inside rounded out the room. Jeannie danced around her enchanted garden before falling exhausted into bed.

Making her way into the kitchen, Beth saw a package that wasn't there earlier when she had fixed a quick breakfast for everyone. Looking at the card, she smiled as she recognized Will's masculine writing.

My darling Elizabeth:

Today begins the first "real" day of our marriage, and it finds me farther away than I would like. I would hope that you would go back to bed and spoil yourself a bit; but I know better than that. So, in this box are several articles of my mother's that I thought you would like to have. I am in no way suggesting that you need any of them; I just thought you would enjoy seeing what the former Mistress of Pemberville Farms did with some of her time.

I love you more than I can ever express,

Fitzwilliam

Beth's hands trembled with excitement as she lifted the lid from the box. There, inside, was a collection of books, including his mother's copy of Pride & Prejudice. She held the book to her chest and whispered, "I'll take good care of him, Olivia," as she set the book down to see what else the box contained.

Opening another book, Beth laughed at pictures drawn by a very young Will. The entire book was devoted to him with his grade cards, school pictures, awards and newspaper clippings. This will take me much time and provide me with much amusement. Beth guessed that Will's mother had such a book for each of her children and thought it was a wonderful idea.

She found a book of poetry, one of nursery rhymes and several journals. Lastly, Beth picked up a well worn cookbook. Flipping through the pages, she marveled at all the recipes and the notes Olivia had written on the side. "Fitzwilliam's favorite dessert; Lizzy hated this one; Charles squirted this out of his nose." She laughed at the picture of domestic life in the Stephens' household and she wished fervently that she had known Olivia and Matthew Stephens. Beth felt overwhelmed by Will's gesture. He was sharing his history and most importantly, he was sharing his mother with her. His mother had been the other woman in his life that he had loved unconditionally and who loved him that way in return.

Will returned home that afternoon to the most delicious smells swirling through the kitchen. As he lifted lids and looked at the window sill, he couldn't believe he was looking at homemade chicken and noodles, stewed tomatoes and lemon meringue pie. He stood dumbfounded in the kitchen as the delicious aroma brought back a flood of happy memories, and he could almost see his mother standing there asking him about his day. Gathering his wife in his arms, he sought her assurances that she did this for him out of love, not because he thought she needed to or that she was somehow inferior to his mother. Informing him that Richard and Callie were out with Butterscotch for her daily lesson, burners were turned off quickly and Will remained resolute that the honeymoon was NOT over.

Later that evening with Callie tucked in bed, Beth called Marie. She couldn't wait to tell her best friend all that she had experienced and felt over the past two weeks. Unfortunately, no one answered. Just as she hung up, the doorbell rang. Will went to the door and called out that Marie and Ed were there. Running from the kitchen, Beth hugged both her friends soundly but stopped short as she looked closer into each of their faces. She turned to Will and saw his face was ashen.

"Marie, what's happened? What's the matter?" she asked desperately while Will ushered them all into the living room. Beth had heard Will's cell phone ring a few minutes earlier and had heard him walk into his office, but she didn't think anything of it. Now, she knew that they had called him first in order to prepare him so that he could help her with whatever they were getting ready to reveal. "Just say it, Marie; please, just say it."

Marie's eyes brimmed in tears and she clutched onto Ed's arm. She shook her head and tried to speak but the words didn't come. Pleading to her husband, Ed cleared his throat and uttered four words that changed forever the relationships in that room: "Marie has breast cancer."

Feeling the room spin around her, Beth fell back onto Will's chest, and he held her on his lap much as he did the night of the prom when her world had crashed around her, or so she thought then. Now, her best friend's world was spinning out of control, just as Beth's mother's had. "Oh, my God, Marie." Beth let out a sob "What do you know? How bad is it? What are they going to do?"

Ed answered the questions one by one as the two women locked eyes. The doctors believed the tumor was localized and in its early stages. The oncologist they had been referred to suggested several rounds of chemo and then a lumpectomy. He was hopeful that no lymph nodes were involved but they wouldn't know that until the lumpectomy. Her first round of chemo was scheduled for Thursday and would continue once a week for the next six weeks. Then, depending on the size of the tumor at that point, they'd go ahead with they lumpectomy.

Finding her strength, Beth removed herself from Will's embrace and knelt before Marie. "I am with you all the way, Marie. I know what to do, and I can be here for you," she lifted her eyes to Ed and amended, " for both of you. I can take you to the appointments; I can stay with you the next day when all the side effects hit you. I won't take no for an answer, my friend. We will get you through this together."

Ed moved over on the couch and Beth sat between them first hugging Marie and then embracing her friend's husband. "We've been through finals, weddings, births, deaths and everything in between." She continued, "now we'll conquer this, too. We're the Three Musketeers, right?" She referred to the nickname they christened themselves all those years ago in college. "Now, though, we are four." She looked over at her husband lovingly.

"We're going to need you both, Lizzybeth," Ed choked out as Will nodded his head in agreement.

Finally able to speak, Marie began, "Beth, I know this is going to bring back really bad memories for you, and I'm so sorry I had to tell you this on your first day back."

"Marie, quit worrying about me. I thank God that I know what to do now. That I'm here and not in Cincinnati fretting about you. I can genuinely and physically be here for you." The four sat in silence for awhile before they devised a plan of action and made out a schedule.

After the couple left, Beth and Will found Richard watching Monday night football and yelling at the screen. Seeing their faces, he immediately found the remote to switch off the TV and listened in shock at the news. The three talked about the practical matters like housecleaning and grocery runs, meals and how to keep Justin and Rachel in school and concentrating on their studies.

It wasn't until later than night, wrapped in Will's embrace in their room that Beth let herself go. Sobbing against his chest, she expressed her fears for her friend and relived the agony of watching her mother be eaten alive by the cruel disease. Will felt inadequate and angry. He didn't know what to do to help and he cursed the fact that their idyllic life was,after such a short period of time, shattered.

Before falling asleep, Beth begged Will to pray with her. He told her to go first and as he listened to her pleas to God, he chastised himself for his selfishness. As he struggled to find the words to pray out loud, he could only thank God for his wife, his family and the friends that needed them. He asked for guidance and strength and he thanked God again for bringing Elizabeth to them all.

As expected, Rachel and Justin along with Seth and Georgiana came home that weekend. Marie's first treatment had gone quite well and she was only feeling a little tired and mentioned a weird taste in her mouth. Beth had stocked the refrigerator with comfort food like mac and cheese, meatloaf, beans and franks and several types of brownies, cupcakes and cookies. Marie found it easier to eat small amounts, so the family joined her in eating several small meals per day. The entire group joined together to clean the house top to bottom and catch up the laundry. Marie had every intention of teaching Monday through Wednesday every week, so she needed them to pitch in so she could conserve her energy in order to do so.

Beth talked to Justin and Rachel alone before forcing them to go back to school. She had always been able to speak openly to the siblings and they voiced their fears and concerns to her in the same manner. Promising them that they could call her at any time and that she would honestly relate how their mother was doing, they embraced and put on the bravest front they could for their mother.

Unbeknownst to the others, Georgiana and Seth had discussed what was happening as well. They confided in each other that they still loved Rachel and Justin and would do whatever they could to comfort them. Seth knew it would be easier for him as he lived with Justin, but Georgiana pointed out that she and Rachel were less than an hour from each other and she would see to it that Rachel felt her support. They knew it was not the right time to approach either one with the hopes of getting back together, but they agreed to support them in whatever manner they needed.

Before she knew it, Beth was scurrying to town to buy Halloween costumes for the girls. She couldn't believe how time had flown and how unprepared she was for the festivities. As the day happened to fall on a weekend that year, Will brought Jeannie home with him on Friday in anticipation of the big day. Thankfully, the stores still contained several good costumes and Beth came home triumphant to present her daughters with a butterfly outfit for Jeannie and a Disney Princess for Callie.

Jordan's mom had called to invite both girls to a neighborhood party. She explained that since almost every house had children, they just threw a block party every year after the kids were finished with the door to door begging. Considering Beth an honorary neighbor, they group welcomed the girls with Will and Beth in tow. Although a little cool, the evening was clear and bright. They stopped by Marie's to show off the girls in their finery on their way. The second round was a little tougher for her and she looked quite fatigued.

The Stephens family, including Richard, had a fantastic evening at the block party. Fire pits were lit, too much candy consumed and even Will submitted to playing "bob for apples" not minding the drenching that occurred. Richard won that event which led to much teasing about his big mouth. Before leaving that evening, Will extended invitations to all for their annual New Year's party. On the way home he shared with Richard and Beth how much he was looking forward to the holidays. No one forgot the other issues surrounding them, but the three adults were grateful for the changes they all had experienced in just a year's time.

The next several weeks fell into an easy routine. The weekends were spent cleaning and cooking at Marie's and doing any shopping that they needed. Will, Ed and Richard sound themselves developing even a stronger friendship over football and NASCAR. Beth would accompany Marie every Thursday to the clinic for her treatment and then she would stay with her friend all day Friday. Each week saw Marie become a little weaker and by week four, her hair was falling out in great clomps.

Callie came home one evening announcing that her class as well as the other third graders would be putting on a holiday play. She informed Richard that she had signed him up to build the sets because he was a carpenter. Before Will could take too much pleasure in his amusement, she informed him that he would be painting the scenery. Beth had already spoken to Callie's teacher, but she wanted her daughter to inform the men herself. She volunteered to work on the costumes and Marie had offered to do some herself as she was not working the month of December.

Richard did not look forward to this little family project and he voiced his concern to his cousin. Will figured that Richard helping at the school would place him around Elise. He wanted to meet the woman again and get Beth's take on her. The more he thought of it, the more he liked the idea of all of them working on this project together. He was beginning to side with Beth believing there had to be more to this story of Elise Roberts. He assured himself they were not butting in, just trying to figure out the "big picture"; Beth laughed and told him he could believe whatever he wanted. Will, in turn, told Richard to suck it up and build the bloody sets.

By the week of Thanksgiving, Marie had completed her fifth treatment. She had had her cut to a very short and flattering style but now she wore a scarf most of the time. She and Beth cried the day she got it cut and Beth had even offered to cut hers in a sign of solidarity. Marie wouldn't hear of it which was a good thing because when Beth told Will of her plan, he very nearly bawled at the thought.

All the college students would be home so Rachel and Justin took the cleaning and laundry duties for the long weekend. Using Olivia's cookbook, Beth planned a menu for a traditional Thanksgiving feast. She begged Juanita to come and bring her entire family, but Juanita insisted that they had a different tradition for that day. Will verified that his family had gone out to eat every Thanksgiving since his parents' death, but he was curious as to why Juanita said no to the invitation.

Working in the stable the Wednesday before the big day, Will approached Jorge as he was overseeing the cleaning of the stalls. "Jorge, haven't seen too much of you or Juanita lately. Everything OK?"

"Yes, Will we are fine. Very busy." Jorge looked down at the floor.

"Hmm. Well, you'd tell me if something was up, wouldn't you?"

"It is fine. We are fine." Still no eye contact.

"Jorge, you've said "fine" at least three times. Why don't I believe you?"

"Will, can I talk to you, man to man?" He finally looked up at Will.

"Of course you can." He led him to the office where he stood in front of the desk. "Jorge, what's going on?"

"She would kill me if she knew I was talking to you."

"She doesn't need to know then, does she?" Will replied and rubbed his hands like a co conspirator. Both men smiled mischievously at the gesture.

"You know she loves Elisa, yes?" Will nodded his head. "Callie and Jeannie, too" another nod.

"But…."

". Elisa is doing so well, you are happy and Ricardo is making plans…"

"…And Juanita doesn't feel needed anymore." This time Jorge nodded. "Surely she knows how much we love her and - "

"Si, si, it is her heart that hurts and she feels selfish about it "

"You know that when Richard's house is built, he'll be driving Juanita crazy with wanting her advice and planning. But that doesn't help right now, does it?"

"No." Silence filled the room for quite awhile. Will had meant, many times, to talk with Juanita and thank her for all that she had done for them for all those years. Beth had learned so much from her over the past summer and during the first weeks of their marriage, but then they all got so busy and fell into a routine and of course, mamacita would miss her family.

"Ok, let's figure this out. Why not we plan once a week for some Juanita soul food and you all stay and eat with us, even if it's just the two of you. I think Beth would love that, and frankly, I've missed some of her food and her conversation. Do you think that would help?"

"Oh, yes, yes, Senor Will. This will help much. Next week we will start. This will be good. We men need to do the planning sometimes, yes."

"I'm not touching that one as I fear that both of our wives have an uncanny ability to know what we're thinking and saying. But this will be good for all of us." The men shook hands smiling at one another.The work of the stables flew by before Seth pulled in to announce he was home for the holiday.

As Beth was waking up, she was conscious of sunlight on her and her eyelids fluttered. Deciding that she really didn't want to awaken just yet, she was attempting to snuggle back against her husband when his voice proved she wouldn't be going back to sleep. "It's about time you woke up. I've been waiting for at least half an hour," he stated drolly.

"Waiting for what? Are you in such an all-fire hurry to roast the turkey?"

"Hardly. Although I will admit I'm very much looking forward to our feast today. No, my love, I've been waiting for what seem like forever it seems to wish you Happy Thanksgiving."

"That's it? You just wanted to say 'Happy Thanksgiving'?" she giggled as she knew for certain her husband had other plans.

"No. Words are hardly adequate. I believe that I'll have to resort to what our forefathers did in order to communicate with their Native American hosts."

"You mean you have a gun and you're going to take all of my possessions in exchange for some pretty shells or something?" She rolled over and propped herself up on her elbow to laugh at her very desirable husband.

"Wrong again. Who taught you history? I meant that they had to communicate by signs and motions and body language…" he growled into her ear and began kissing her neck and jaw line.

"Oh, so after that type of communication you'll take my possessions and trick me into signing treaties…"

"Good heavens, woman! You can destroy a mood quickly!" he scowled in mock severity. "Now, if you'll quit acting so saucy, I'll endeavor to communicate to you all of the ways that I am grateful on this Thanksgiving morning. I daresay, you may be thanking me in just a little while…"

"Oh, really?" was all her husband allowed her to utter before engaging her mouth in more pleasant pursuits, for which she was, as predicted, quite grateful.

"I swear if I eat one more bite, you'll have to dig out my old wheelchair!" Richard exclaimed as he pushed himself away from the table. "I've had some good meals before, but I believe this one has topped them all. Elizabeth Stephens, you are in now in the Hall of Fame, next to Aunt Olivia and my mother."

'I'll second that" Will beamed as he kissed his wife's hand. "Honey, that was truly amazing. Dessert will have to wait 'til halftime I'm afraid."

"Halftime of what?" Jeannie questioned innocently. "Momma said that since the sun was out, we could go outside for awhile, right?"

"Ha! She's got you there, Daddy", Ed laughed. "I think we could throw around a ball for awhile or walk down and say 'hi' to Butterscotch, don't you, gentlemen?"

A few grumbles were heard around the table as the men took the empty platters back into the kitchen and then searched for their coats. Seth and Justin teased them all about being henpecked which led to trash talking which led to an impromptu touch football game including the two girls. Those in the kitchen could hear laughter and yelling as the group was played outside the house.

Georgiana, Rachel and Beth began clearing and scraping the dishes while Marie sat stationed in a chair by the dishwasher where she loaded. It had been a good day for her, and she felt grateful to be with her family and her closest friend's new family as well. "I can't thank you enough, Beth, for cooking all of this and letting us crash your first big holiday as a family."

"I'm not even going to answer that, Marie. We're all family, right girls? Who better than to share my thankfulness with than those who worked so hard to get me here? I wish things were different for you, Marie, but other than that, I am so blessed."

The next day, the family began decorating for Christmas a long-held tradition Beth's. They set up Beth's artificial tree in the family room and they all placed the ornaments strategically on the boughs and other decorations found their home about the room. Christmas music was blaring and even Seth admitted to getting into the spirit as he lifted Callie to put the star on top of the tree. Jeannie seemed much calmer this year and said she understood that Santa would not be coming for many days. Falling into bed that night, Beth relived the last year's crisis over the tree when Jeannie hat hit her momma and had broken so many ornaments. Will held her tightly and promised her that whatever came their way, with either child, they were a family now and she would not have to go through it alone, ever again.

The Monday after Thanksgiving brought the first meeting of the parents and teachers who were involved in the Holiday Extravaganza. The term itself drove Richard crazy and he stubbornly referred to it as the Un-Christmas Pageant. "Sometimes this PC crap gets on my nerves. Why can't we just say what it is?" He remarked as they were sitting down in the teacher's workroom.

"Because we must be aware that not every student celebrates Christmas, Mr. Stephens." Elise entered the room to sit at the head of the table. She was smiling as she said it, but somehow she didn't think anyone in that room caught her humor. Cursing to herself for making a bad first impression on several of the people sitting there, she moved to a corner chair and sat down.

"Is that…" Beth whispered to Richard

"…Scrooge's secretary of State" Richard replied never taking his eyes off of Elise.

"Humbug" Will whispered good naturedly to his wife and cousin as the meeting got underway.

Chapter 5

Posted on 2010-01-04

For the first time in their almost eight weeks of marriage, Will slipped out of bed without waking his wife. Looking back at her sleeping form, he regretted leaving her, but he also wanted her to rest. She had been a blur of activity since coming home from their honeymoon, and he was seeing signs of her fatigue. He shut off the alarm and quietly woke up Callie telling her it was a special Daddy and me morning.

As he pulled his truck into the circular drive of Callie's school, he spied Elise standing watch over the children. He noted her meticulous outfit and her commanding presence and again strained to remember what she had been like when he met her all those years ago. He remembered she laughed a lot that night during the party and teased Richard which he richly deserved. She had even apologized to Will for the way her friend, he thought her name was Cammi or something like that, had treated him. She was not that carefree co-ed anymore. But then again, time and life will do that to most everyone. It seemed that only he and Beth had moved forward to find joy in life.

Callie was finishing off her donut and chocolate milk while promising not to mention the breakfast to her momma. They talked about looking forward to Juanita's supper and company that evening. Will walked around the truck and opened the door for his daughter. He lifted her up and swung her around then kissed her before releasing the giggling princess. "I love you Daddy," she called as she waved one more time and skipped off toward the building. Will let out a contented sigh. Could my life get any better?

Of course none of that display escaped Elise's notice. After what she had heard of Will Stephens' life, she was genuinely pleased that the very rich farmer had evidently found happiness. Recalling the New Years party and night of her engagement to Richard, she thought of the tastefully decorated home and how gracious Will's parents had been. She had immediately warmed to Richard's mother, but sensed a distance and almost a distrust from his father. Richard had spoken about the loneliness he had experienced as an only child and how he didn't seem to fit in with the other children on base. From his description of himself, she believed he must have suffered from ADD which had never been diagnosed or dealt with except through harsh discipline by his father.

The sins of the fathers, she thought shaking her head to keep her train of thought from going in that direction. Callie skipped past her and smiled a smile which Elise couldn't help but return. She didn't like the role of disciplinarian, but new principals played that role universally due to seniority. Her only hope at this point was that maybe working with the families of the third graders on the Holiday Extravaganza would improve their opinion of her. She smiled to herself hearing Richard's mini rant about the Un-Christmas Pageant; she liked his terminology much better.

Beth awoke with a start when she realized that she was cold and that the room was lit with the morning sun. Before panic set in, she spied a note on Will's pillow: "Sleeping Beauty: Good Sir Knight escorted the fair Princess Callie to her educational institution. Her fast was broken with treats you need not worry over. I command you to rest and reward yourself with a bubble bath upon awakening" Instead of following his command, she rolled out of bed and put on her robe. For some reason, she was miffed that he hadn't wakened her and from past experience she knew darn good and well that the "treats" consisted of sugary donuts and chocolate milk.

Padding down the steps, she smelled coffee brewing but the usual tempting aroma only caused her stomach to churn a bit. A cursory glance in the kitchen confirmed that her husband was not there but she heard him talking, probably to his accomplice, Richard, in another part of the house. Gathering steam, she headed toward his office where she did find Will and Richard poring over papers on the desk.

"Ah, my beauty has awakened," Will's face lit up with good humor and obvious love of his wife.

That handsome face awash with love almost stopped her from her grouchy retort, but not quite. "No thanks to you. Why did you turn off the alarm?" She stood with her hands on her hips, a pose reminiscent of her eight year old.

Richard looked from Beth to Will and back to Beth again. He was no fool and excused himself quickly saying some nonsense about retreating to his bunker. Will, however, heard her tone, but chose to think she was still a little too groggy from sleep. "Honey, I just thought you needed a little rest. You've been so busy between getting to know everything around here and helping Marie so much. Besides, Callie and I had a good time together this morning."

"Hmm. I guess you would when you ply her with chocolate milk and donuts." She had not changed her stance and Will began to feel like a petulant child receiving a scolding.

"Well, I confess that was her breakfast, but eating stuff like that once in awhile never hurt anyone. I brought some goodies home for you, too." He held up the bag and began to walk around his desk.

"I'm not hungry and I don't want to eat that anyway. All that sugar will just make me more tired." She turned to walk out of the room.

"Elizabeth, surely you are not mad at me for letting you sleep in and having some time with Callie?" He caught up to her and took hold of her arm gently to turn her around.

She spun around and again Will was surprised to see her face crimson with anger. "I don't want to be 'handled' Will. I think I can figure out if I need rest or not. And I don't need to be 'commanded' to take a bath, either." Again she knew when the words flew out of her mouth that she was being unreasonable, that Will had just wanted her to relax a little, but she couldn't seem to shake her irratability.

Knowing he was on dangerous ground when she called him Will, he wasn't sure what to say next. He had never seen her wake up on the wrong side of the bed so to speak, but he didn't like being accused of handling his wife, either. "Honey," he began, bending down to kiss her hair and taking some long curls to twirl around his fingers, "I seem to be irritating you this morning. I'm sorry."

Beth stood there feeling like a complete shrew. He had been nothing but thoughtful, gallant even, and she was, well, a shrew. She threw her arms around her husband and sobbed, "I'm sorry, Fitzwilliam. I don't know what came over me. You were being perfectly considerate and here I am complaining about you being such a fantastic father and husband."

Again Will found himself quite perplexed. Beth was rarely so emotional unless there was more going on than she had admitted to him. His arms instantly enfolded her and he assured her that he was not angry, that he just wanted to take care of her. She nodded into his chest and held on tightly. He swooped her up into his arms and carried his bride back up to their room. He didn't care if they made love or not, he just wanted to comfort her through whatever it was that troubled her that morning.

The mistress of Pemberville consequently enjoyed her bubble bath that morning as her husband attended to her in a most loving manner.

Glancing at her watch, Beth realized that she was running a little late for her meeting with Elise Roberts. The bubble bath and subsequent activities with her amorous and forgiving husband had set her back just a bit. Beth had decided that she needed time to speak with this woman herself under the guise of setting up a parent volunteer program. She thought it was a very good idea on its own merit, but she wasn't fooling her husband one bit; she was going to check this woman out once and for all.

The school secretary ushered Beth into an office devoid of any personal mementos save for Elise's diplomas on the wall. Not a picture on her desk or little trinkets placed about the room. Her desk was immaculate – not a single paper out in the open. Her blotter sat perfectly centered on the desk accessorized with the traditional pen and pencil well along with the obligatory stapler and a tape dispenser. That was it. The clock on the wall, standard issue, ticked off the seconds. Geeze, could it be any more sterile in here?

Elise stood out in the hallway preparing herself to walk in and commence with this meeting. When Beth Stephens had called offering her services to help at the school, she tried to push her off on the parent/teacher group, but Beth insisted on speaking with her, face- to- face, about how she could beceome involved academically and possibly start a parent or grandparent mentoring and tutoring program. Elise was stuck. She couldn't refuse to have that kind of conversation with any parent, let alone a school board member's wife. She sighed and girded herself to walk confidently into her own office.

"Mrs. Stephens, how nice to see you again." Elise brought out her hand to grasp Beth's.

"Please call me Beth or Elizabeth."

"Oh, alright… Elizabeth, thank you. So you say you have some ideas for mentoring or tutoring some of our students?" She tried to listen to what Beth was saying, but she couldn't keep from studying the woman before her. She gave off an air of confidence and professionalism and Elise concluded that she was probably an excellent teacher. She thought it a shame that, obviously, Will had requested she stay at home now that they were married. Elise wondered why men felt they could lord it over women all the time, especially the ones they married.

"Mrs. Roberts, does that seem Okay to you?" Beth didn't think she had heard one word of her proposal.

"Yes, yes, I think you have some very good ideas. I suppose you have extra time on your hands now that you're not working."

Beth looked at Elise in undisguised wonder. "I do work, everyday, Mrs. Roberts. But I believe that I have some time to devote to helping children who may need a little extra assistance or another set of ears or hands."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply you didn't do anything all day. I mean that it's a shame that since you married, you no longer teach. You and your husband must enjoy all that 'togetherness'" Just shut up Elise.

"My husband is finishing up his master's in art therapy and practices at our older daughter's school in Ft. Wayne. He's there twice a week. I have plenty to occupy my time. By the way, I think a parent is the best teacher a child can ever have. While I admit that I miss being up in front of a class sometimes, I can't think of anything better than learning about the family business I married into and being able to help friends. I made the decision to not teach this year; my husband was not responsible for that decision."

"I see," Elise said trying to soften her tone as she didn't want to appear any more judgmental than she already had. " I believe I read about that school, SKAT, isn't it? Is it helping your daughter more than the public system?"

Beth relaxed a little and described SKAT to the woman she was endeavoring to get a read on. Elise came across condescendingly one minute, genuinely concerned the next. At this point, Elise listened to Beth and asked questions, periodically offering some insights from her own experiences as a former teacher and as an administrator. By the end of the hour meeting, the women had found common ground.

Back at home, after school,Beth assisted Callie with homework while Juanita busied herself in the kitchen. When Juanita called the family to dinner, the table was loaded with all of the Stephens' favorite Mexican dishes. Will and Richard dug in with relish and even Callie asked for more of the special fajitas and rice. The group laughed and teased each other and Juanita beamed with pride.

Truly, Beth enjoyed with gratitude the break from cooking and she felt happy that Juanita was with them, obviously very pleased to be with her little family. Regardless of that, nothing tasted right to Beth; she just had no appetite. She moved the food around on her plate, but she wasn't fooling anyone. Coupled with the way she had acted that morning, Will was convinced that something was wrong.

Juanita and Beth cleaned up the kitchen in silence. Finally Beth broke the ice by telling Juanita that she was happy that the men had devoured Juanita's dinner and that Callie obviously loved it as well. She added that she was not jealous or territorial, she just felt a little bit off entire day. She told her about her conversation with Elise and Juanita felt as if they were back on even footing again. She told Beth to get some rest and tomorrow would be a new day. The two women hugged and Beth made her way to bed while Juanita smiled knowingly as the younger woman left the kitchen.

Will, anxious to get upstairs to his wife, stayed for awhile to talk more with Jorge and Juanita and their youngest two children. Finally, Juanita told El Toro to get upstairs and take care of his Elisa. Hugging her on the fly, he flew up the steps only to find Beth sound asleep and still in her clothes. Taking off her shoes, he debated tugging at her tight jeans, but in the end, he just unbuttoned them. Will pulled the blanket over her and readied himself for bed.

Beth didn't move the entire night. Will knew this because he watched her for a great deal of it. He wanted sleep to come, but his anxiety over his wife just wouldn't let his mind rest for longer than an hour at a time. She didn't cough; she didn't have a fever; he decided he had pushed her over the edge. It's all my fault; I haven't left her alone for one minute in the past eight weeks. Even with all that was happening with Marie, I still made demands on her. I've been acting like a sex crazed teenager and I've exhausted her by never letting her just be.

It was one of the longest nights of his life.

Once again Beth awakened to the morning light and no husband's body around her for warmth. Only this time as she turned her head, Will was in bed, just curled up on his side as far away from her as possible. Realizing she was still in her clothes from yesterday , she couldn't believe she had slept so many hours nor had she stirred when Will obviously came to bed. Looking at the clock, she let out a sigh.

"Don't worry," Will said dejectedly. "Richard took Callie to school and she's not eating donuts."

"I'm not worried about Callie. I'm worried about you." She rolled over to wrap her arms around him. When he tried to move away, she held him tighter.

"Me? Why should you worry about me?" He kept his back to her.

"Because this is the second morning I've woken up without your arms around me."

"I'm trying to let you be," he explained, his voice obviously tinged with pain.

"Let me be? Fitzwilliam, are you mad at me because I fell asleep before you came to bed?"

"No."

"Are you not well?"

"No. I'm fine."

"Is the honeymoon over?" she purred and snuggled closer to him while caressing his abdomen and kissing his shoulders.

"You don't have to do that."

"I don't have to – Fitzwilliam Darcy Stephens, turn around and look at me, please."

"Don't treat me like a child, Elizabeth."

"I don't believe that I would ever do what I'm doing right now to a child. I want to look at my husband's face. I want a kiss good morning. What in the world is the matter with you?" She tried not to feel hurt by his obvious rejection of her, but by the end of her question tears were forming in her eyes.

Hearing her distress at his behavior, he cursed himself for hurting his wife. Finally he rolled over but he wouldn't let his eyes look into hers. "I have hurt you once again, Elizabeth. I'm so sorry."

"I don't understand. What have you done to hurt me?" She was genuinely concerned.

"I have exhausted you. I don't give you a moment's peace. Even yesterday when it was so obvious how tired you were and that you didn't want my company, what did I do. I literally carried you to my bed and…"

"Our bed!" she interrupted as she held his face in her hands and began showering his features with light, gentle kisses. "You are a very silly man, Fitzwilliam. You have not exhausted me. You have loved me. I don't think I'm capable of living anymore without you holding me, without waking up in your arms every morning. In fact, I'm sure I can't."

Finally, Will looked into her eyes and saw nothing but love and desire there. Instinctively, his arms wound around her, and he nudged her away from her ministrations of his face in order to capture her mouth with his. His tentative kiss was answered by her firm deepening one, and his body relaxed against hers. Breaking away after drowning in her affections he whispered, "I love you so much I think that I may smother you with it."

"No. No! Fitzwilliam, I was just fighting a bug or something. I feel much better this morning. I don't know what came over me yesterday, my darling. I know that I was rude and selfish to you. Last night, Juanita and I talked, and she told me that I just needed some rest. It's not you; you give me everything I need and more. Please, please don't ever turn away from me in this bed again." She now searched his face thoroughly and saw relief and unbridled passion there. "There's my Fitzwilliam, my lover, my husband. Now, take me away in your arms, and then we will sleep again, the way we were meant to."

"Why are you taking me to school today?" Callie asked her favorite uncle.

"Your momma and daddy were still in bed when it was time to leave." Richard squirmed a little in his seat.

"Why are they sleeping so much lately? I missed my bus both mornings."

"Sometimes adults need their sleep." He looked at her pointedly hoping that would be the end of the conversation.

"Well, they've been taking naps. That should help."

"Yes, it should, shouldn't it? Well, you ask them both tonight, OK?"

"Why am I eating a ham sammich and Coke for breakfast?"

"Be grateful you got that, princess." Whatever is going on with those two, they better get it together today. I refuse to have this conversation again anytime soon.

Pulling the Jeep into the circular drive, he spotted Elise standing at her post; he couldn't help but cringe. Look at her practically standing at attention. If that hair was pulled back any tighter her eyes would pop out. She is wound way too tightly. What did that buffoon do to her? He put the Jeep in park and shut off the engine. Walking around to Callie's side, he opened her door and ushered her out with a flourish and a bow.

"You and Daddy are so funny. I'm glad you don't need so much sleep and you never take naps." She kissed his cheek hugged him around his waist and skipped away. This time she waved at the administrator who remained standing rigidly as she flew by.

The two former lovers both eyed each other. Elise marveled at his relationship with Callie, remembering him saying he had no desire for children and couldn't understand why his parents had adopted his brother. He looked at this woman, one who resembled the one he loved but was truly nothing like her anymore. "Ellie," he nodded, stubbornly refusing to call her by her full name, as he walked back around to get into the jeep.

"Rich," she challenged with his nickname along with a tentative smile at the corners of her mouth.

It was a start.

The next two days found Callie ready and waiting for the bus. Richard put the finishing touches on her new "bus stop house" as she referred to it. Much to his chagrin, she insisted that he paint it pink. Vigorous negotiations ensued and he finally agreed to paint it pink on the inside; she conceded to white on the outside with pink trim. Since the weather had turned decidedly colder, given that it was December in northwestern Ohio, they both realized that bickering over the color was not conducive to getting it up and ready for Her Highness.

During Marie's last scheduled chemo treatment, Beth related all that had occurred between her and her husband at the beginning of the week. She admitted to still not feeling one hundred percent, but she was in no way concerned. Beth laughed and said that it was probably her southern Ohio blood trying to get thicker in the cold north. Marie was astounded by Will's sensitivity. She warned her friend to be aware of Will's nature and to not keep him in the dark concerning what she was thinking or feeling.

They went out for a light lunch to celebrate the end of this course of treatment. Marie was feeling jubilant and positive that her tests next week would show that the tumor had shrunk. Beth gave her a locket with a pink ribbon etched on the front. Inside was a photo of Marie's family taken at Beth's wedding on one side and the wedding photo of the Stephens family on the other. Walking Marie up her front steps, Beth hugged her tightly and prayed that the worst of her friend's ordeal was now behind her. Plans were made for Beth to be at Marie's by nine the next morning as per their schedule.

Monday and Friday mornings were hectic in the Stephens' house as Will had to be out the door no later than 7:45 to make it to SKAT in time for his first appointment. Before marriage, he would roll out of bed, throw clothes on and be out the door in a matter of fifteen to twenty minutes. Now that he had to properly wish his wife good morning, the process took way more time. As usual, Will flew out the door, coffee mug in hand, smiling at the reason he was cutting it so close.

When Beth approached Marie's front door, she fished out her key. Ed usually left around 7:30 to be at his school by 8:00. The past six Fridays, he had gone into work a little later so that Marie would spend less than an hour by herself. The house was quiet except for SpongeBob's paws clicking on the parquet flooring as he sauntered up to greet Beth. Absentmindedly scratching his yellow head, Beth headed up the stairs to check on Marie. If all was well, her friend would still be in bed getting her much needed rest; if not, she would be in the bathroom assuming the position of most chemo patients after treatment.

Knocking lightly, Beth entered the room and was relieved that Marie was sleeping covered to her neck in rich, warm blankets in tones matching the burgundies and golds of the master bedroom décor. Beth sat down on the settee, book in hand. Within fifteen minutes she was startled by Marie throwing back the covers and racing towards the bathroom. Beth was right behind her with cool damp cloths and words of encouragement, most of which had been said before.

This was quickly turning into a really bad day. Marie was not able to keep anything down and the dry heaves were merciless. Beth put on Marie's favorite music, lit candles of her favorite scents and massaged her back and shoulders constantly. The situation became so grave that Marie just asked Beth to bring her pillow so that she could lay on the cool tile of the bathroom. They figured it was better than nothing and she wouldn't have so far to travel if the retching started again. Beth was exhausted as well and laid down next to her "whatever it takes" friend.

By one o'clock both Will and Ed were in panic mode. They each had attempted to call landlines and cell phones, sent text messages and emails, all with no answer from either Beth or Marie. Will cancelled his last session, kissed Jeannie goodbye, wished her a great weekend of fun and bounded out the door. He knew he was probably overreacting. For all he knew, the two women could be watching some chick flick and ignoring the phone. But he in his gut, he didn't think so. Ed held out until 1:30 then called his principal and said he thought something was terribly wrong at home and that he needed to get home to his wife.

Will debated about calling Richard and telling him to high tail it over to Ed's, but he wanted to get there first and hopefully find out he was worked up over nothing. During the hour's drive home, he did decide that Beth was doing too much and needed a break. He called Jordan's mom and asked if Callie could spend the night. She teased that the honeymooners could call her anytime and she said that she would pick the girls up from school since she was already on Callie's pick up list. With Callie secure, he finally called Richard and asked that he throw some of Callie's clothes and her pj's in a bag and take them over to Jordan's sometime in the next couple of hours. He told Richard of his concerns and his cousin assured him that everything was likely fine, but he would gladly run Callie's things into town.

By sheer coincidence, Ed and Will pulled into the driveway within thirty seconds of each other. Jumping out the truck Will called to Ed as he headed into the house, "Something's wrong, isn't it?"

Ed whirled around in surprise at hearing Will's voice, "Will! I don't know, but it sure feels like it to me. Come on, I'm scared witless."

Will followed Ed up the steep steps of the historical home then they turned and aimed straight for the master bedroom. They heard SpongeBob whimpering and followed his whine into the bathroom. There, on the floor, the men found their wives and the dog. Ed whispered to the dog to head out and, with a low growl communicating his displeasure of being dismissed, he left the room. Will motioned for Ed to come back out into the bedroom.

"They both look so peaceful but they can't stay there. What should we do?" Will was genuinely perplexed and still anxious about his wife's state of health.

"I'm going to pick up my wife, put her to bed and stay with her, even if that means remaining at her side all weekend." Ed whispered as he took off his coat and loosened his tie. "I would suggest the same thing for you, but I don't think you need any encouragement in that arena." They smirked knowingly at each other. "But I do see what you mean; Lizzybeth doesn't look too good and she is sound asleep. You can stay in Justin's or Rachel's room up here or the carriage house if you'd like. We could meet up later for dinner; although, my guess is Marie won't be eating anything much tonight."

"I think you're right about that, my friend. I'm just going to take Elizabeth home. She was going to bring some food over so I can come back in later and bring whatever you need."

"I think our girls just need their husbands. I know that I need my girl." Ed was tearing up and not ashamed for Will to see the emotion and stress he was under. Will hugged him for a brief moment and nothing else needed to be said. Each gently gathering his wife, the husbands nodded their good byes with Will carefully carrying Beth down the steps toward the door.

Beth's arms instinctively wrapped around Will's neck. "Fitzwilliam?" she asked confused and groggy.

"Yes, Elizabeth. I've got you now. Ed's home to see to Marie." He bent down and kissed her lightly. "I'm taking you home." He walked out of the house and placed her gently in the truck. She woke up and stared out the window for several minutes before her tears started falling.

"She was so sick, Fitzwilliam. I couldn't help her. She's so tired and weak. I couldn't help, not at all." She continued to stare blankly at the barren fields passing in a blur. Will took her hand and stroked it gently cursing the bucket seats that kept her from laying down and resting her head on his lap. "I can't help her, Fitzwilliam." She sobbed. Her body, at last, released the hours and days and weeks of pain and frustration brought on by watching a vibrant woman turn into a shadow of herself. The poison, meant to kill the tumor, instead weakened her entire body and spirit a little more each day.

Pulling to a stop in the driveway, Will quickly jumped out of the car and came around to Beth's side. She had stopped crying so hard but tears still streamed down her exhausted face. She put up no fight as Will again lifted her up and carried her into the house. Richard met them in the hall and his face turning ashen at the site of Will and the crumbled woman in his arms. "Oh my God, Will…"

"It's going to be alright. She and Marie were just exhausted on the bathroom floor. I'm taking Elizabeth upstairs. I'll come and talk to you later, Okay?" He didn't wait for Richard's nod; he just assumed his cousin would understand.

When he reached their room, he gently kicked the door open and then booted it shut with his foot. He brought Beth to the bed and sat down with her still in his arms. Her arms fell from around his neck and she let them collapse limply to her side. Her tears started anew. Like a child, she allowed Will to unbutton her blouse and pull it off. He reached around her to retrieve her nightgown from under her pillow. She stood up long enough for him to pull off her jogging pants before she collapsed back onto the bed. When he brought the gown up for her to slip on she shook her head and told him she didn't want it. "I just want to feel you holding me. I don't want anything separating me from your strength. Is that Okay?" She was shuddering from the cold of the room and her emotions.

Will didn't answer with words. Throwing the covers back, he placed her on his pillow and covered her quickly. Shedding his clothes as fast as he could, he ran to other side of the bed and slipping between the sheets, moved to her side. Wrapped in his embrace, her tears finally ceased and he knew she had, at last, fallen into a peaceful sleep, Dear God, help me to help her. Please heal Marie. Please help me, and Ed, know what to do and say. Please Lord.