Post by rsafan on Dec 4, 2006 5:52:22 GMT -5
Chapter 31
“I sound pathetic.” Victoria complained to Mimi. They were discussing how they’d spent Valentine’s Day.
“You sound like you’re in love.” Mimi stated.
“You think that’s all it is, love?”
“What else could it be?”
“An unhealthy dependence? Is it wrong that I feel better whenever he comes into the room, or that I can’t decide on whether or not I like something unless he’s weighed his opinion first? It scares me that I need him so much.”
Mimi, having finished feeding Zach, placed him on her shoulder to burp him. “It sounds to me like you’re having second thoughts about Max moving in with you.”
Victoria shook her head, “That’s not the problem; I’ve felt this way for a long time. Maybe it’s because this is my first serious relationship, maybe that’s why I’m so scared.”
“I think it’s the first time you’ve been in love and that’s a scary feeling. Suddenly everything you do is dependant on another person’s happiness. Every decision you make involves them. Shawn and I used to be like that, now we simply live past each other.”
“So I take it the Valentine’s meal you prepared wasn’t a huge success?”
Mimi shook her head, the meal had been great and she’d impressed herself, only the company had been rather lacking. Shawn had spent most of the evening with Victor discussing his ‘engine’, apparently the proceeds where starting to role in and not only was Shawn the holder of a four-million dollar patent, but he was also receiving big cheques every month from Titan. “Patrick left town for good last week; he’s moved to L.A. for heaven alone knows how long…”
“Patrick’s gone? Why?” then realising she probably knew why, she simply said, “oh.”
“I didn’t bring Patrick up to highlight your dad’s obsession with bringing him down. I brought it up because when he told me he was going, my first thought was ‘take me with you’.”
“So why didn’t you go?”
“Shawn and I have an agreement and even though I know that when the year’s up he’s probably going to leave, there’s still this tiny bit of hope left in me. It shouldn’t even be there but it won’t die down, if I left, that hope would be gone. Shawn and I would be over. That’s pathetic.”
It was Victoria’s turn to shake her head, “No, that’s love and hold on to that hope Mimi because I have more than hope, I believe that Shawn is going to get over this and the two of you are going to be happy.”
“I don’t know. Shawn’s behaving like I was when I knew about Claire, every time we come close to getting over this mess, every time I think this is it, he backs away. It’s as though he feels guilty about something, maybe he feels guilty about giving us a second chance.”
Victoria swallowed; obviously Shawn’s guilt was playing on him, “Maybe you’re just imagining it.”
“Maybe, but I don’t think so. Besides, why are you so for us when everyone else is hoping he and Belle end up together?”
“No they aren’t. And if they are its only because they’re blinded by the past. I wasn’t here for their ‘great love’ so I’m not harping on what could have been, I look at Shawn with Belle and I look at Shawn with you and it’s as clear as day which one makes him happier. I just want my brother to be happy that’s all.”
“And you think I make him happy? He doesn’t seem very happy at the moment.”
“I know you do, just give him time. He’ll come around. Guys are pigheaded idiots; they need a few knocks on the head before they finally come to their senses.” She said it with such confidence, a pity she didn’t remember it a few weeks later. Things may have turned out a lot differently.
“You mean the ‘you’re not my mother’ tirade?”
“Yeah, she’s acting strangely, not at all the way she used to. She’s always, Max this and Max that, she never used to be like that.”
“You helped her get through a really tough time; she knows she can depend on you. Besides, you said you spent the most awesome time at Green Mountain Lodge over Valentine’s Day.”
“Yeah, it was great but that was different, we were away from everyone and everything, I don’t know I think there’s definitely something up.”
“Maybe she’s scared she’s going to lose you.” Shawn said, knowing exactly how that felt. But instead of clinging to Mimi as Victoria was doing to Max, he was pushing her away. It was hard, knowing you were doing something wrong and yet not being able to help yourself, “At least you’re not in the dog box because you spent Valentine’s evening with your grandfather discussing business.”
Max winced, “Mimi still hasn’t forgiven you for that?”
“I tried to get away but Victor just wouldn’t stop talking and when I finally did get home, it was to find the remains of the romantic evening Mimi had planned in the garbage. She greeted me with this icy stare and said, ‘dinner’s in the oven.’ and I had been in such a rush to get home, I forgot her gifts at Victor’s place. So I show up late and without presents, she obviously thinks I forgot all about our ‘special evening’ and you expect her to just forgive and forget? ”
“Wow man, you messed up big time.”
“Yeah I know.” He said, thinking of more than their ruined Valentine’s Day.
Chapter 32
The weeks passed smoothly. Victoria, having quit her job at Titan, came up with the brilliant idea of enrolling at Salem U in the next semester, no one really argued with her as this meant she’d be spending more time in Salem. Only Max had his reservations, asking how she intended to pay for tuition as well as her living expenses if she didn’t have a source of income. She simply smiled at him and told him, “That’s the beauty of being a trust fund baby.” He wasn’t too sure and slowly she was reverting back to the girl he’d met when she first came back to Salem, she had her nose in books all day and refused to go out most of the time, though she still enjoyed stopping by the Brady Pub and never turned down an opportunity to go out with Mimi or Chelsea. Max figured it had a lot to do with Christmas and despite what she said; Victor’s actions had cut her deeply. It was mid-June when their entire relationship would be put to the test, looking back, Max would only wish he’d had more warning, perhaps he could have handled things differently.
“Do you remember all those months ago, we were in the pub and you mom told me about tempting fate.” Max stared at her blankly, not having a clue what she was talking about. “It was when Shawn was talking about Mimi’s cravings.”
“Oh yes, when you said you didn’t want kids for a while yet.” She nodded, “So why are you bringing that up?”
“Because I took a test and it came out positive.”
“What test?”
She breathed in deeply trying to build up the courage to actually say it out loud. Once she said it, it would be out there, there would be no taking I back and it would be real, “A pregnancy test;” her voice sounded a bit wobbly but she couldn’t do anything to change that, “I’m pregnant.”
“Those tests can be wrong; we have to get you to a doctor.”
“I’ve already done that, this afternoon. The doctor only confirmed what the test said; we’re going to have a baby.”
“Okay how did this happen?”
“I’d have thought that was obvious.”
“We used protection, every single time. This can’t be happening.”
“Yes well protection isn’t one hundred percent now is it?”
He nodded, “Okay, so where do we go from here? What do you want to do about this?”
What did she want to do? He was obviously telling her that she was alone in this, “I’m keeping it.”
“Have you considered the options?”
She eyed him shrewdly, this was not the reaction she’d been expecting; shock yes, panic maybe but the look in his eyes…he looked as though his world was about to end, like this was the worst possible thing that could ever happen to him. Somehow his weakness made her strong and she told him confidently, “There are no options Max. Abortion is not an option and neither is adoption. I’m keeping this baby whether you like it or not.”
“Okay just give me a minute to process all this. You’re saying that in the next few months I’m going to be a dad; that we’re going to be responsible for another human being?” there it was again, the panic in his eyes, the despair in his voice.
“Well don’t sound so enthusiastic.”
“I’m in shock; this was the last thing I expected.”
“I didn’t exactly plan this whole thing myself either you know. This is as much a surprise for me as it is for you. Do you think I want to be pregnant?”
“What do you expect me to say? What do you want me to do, be happy?”
“Well I certainly don’t want you to act as thought this is the end of the world.”
“Not the end of the world? You’re going to have a baby; what do you think is going to happen? That we’d just post the child off somewhere and bring him or her out whenever we felt like playing house?”
She looked at him; it was as though she didn’t know him. That the person she’d been living with all these months was a stranger, “Do not patronise me.” She bit out, “I am not some stupid little schoolgirl who thinks that this is some fun little experiment. I know what a baby is, I know the responsibility that is involved and I’m sorry if you cannot handle my being pregnant, but it is a fact.” She felt the tears in her eyes and it angered her, “All I needed you to do was take me in your arms and tell it would be alright; that everything would be okay. Even if you didn’t believe it –”
“You’d rather I lie to you? That I tell you everything’s going to be okay, when I don’t believe that?”
“Given the circumstances, yes. I’d rather you lied to me, that was all I’d needed from you tonight and you couldn’t even do it. You couldn’t even pretend for a moment that the idea of my having your child wasn’t the worst thing you’ve ever had to deal with.”
“I’m scared Victoria, I’m not ready to be a dad. And I doubt very much that you’re ready to be a mom.”
“Well, maybe you should have thought of that before you started having sex.”
“You didn’t really give me a choice there.”
“Oh that’s rich, blame it all on me. I seduced you, I wouldn’t take no for an answer, so I just got what I deserved right?”
The words were out before he even thought it, “You said it not me.” He saw the look of shock on her face, realised what he’d just said and tried to make it right, “That’s not what I meant,” but it was too late, she grabbed her car keys and stormed to the door, “come on Victoria wait. Where are you going?”
She opened the door with such force it slammed against the wall and almost shut again, “Somewhere far away from you.” she yelled before slamming closed, it with a satisfying thud. As she road down the elevator; the enormity of what had just happened hit her. Max didn’t want the baby; her pain clouded the bit of logic that told her Max didn’t want a baby, that it wasn’t specific to her. Her only thoughts were that she was alone and she still didn’t have an appropriate answer to his question. Where was she going?
“Is she here?”
“Is who here?” she pulled him inside and closed the door behind him. She’d never seen him like this, something must have happened and suddenly she was reminded of the feeling that had refused to leave her. The feeling that something bad was going to happen.
“Tory, we got into an argument. I said, we both said some things to each other, things that shouldn’t have been said. She took off an hour ago and I haven’t heard from her. I tried her cell phone, she’s switched it off.”
“Max she wouldn’t come here and you know it. Even if she was upset she’d rather go to Shawn or Caroline, Jennifer even before she’d come to me. You said she’s been gone for an hour; maybe she just needs to clear her head. I’m sure she’s on her way home now.”
“You didn’t see her Hope, she was so upset and in no condition to drive. I should have stopped her taken her keys, locked the door. If anything happens to her…”
They both turned to the door when someone knocked, “Maybe that’s her right now.”
But it wasn’t Victoria, it was two police officers. Hope already knew the look on their faces, it was the one she wore; the one Bo wore when they were delivering bad news.
“Hope, sorry to bother you this late...”
“It’s Victoria isn’t it? What happened to her?”
“I’m afraid there’s been an accident. A drunk driver… a drunk driver swerved into on-coming traffic. Your daughter’s was one of the cars hit.”
“No! No, no, no, no, no. There’s got to be some mistake, this isn’t happening.”
“Hope I’m sorry but we made sure, after Zack…”
“NO! I’m not going to lose another one of my babies, not after I’ve just found her. Where is she? Where’s my daughter, where’d they take her?”
“She’s been airlifted to University Hospital.”
Hope grabbed her keys and ran out the door. Max, who had until then been unable to believe what he was hearing, unable to comprehend what the officers had said, was snapped back to reality and chased after Hope. The officers following suit, she was in no condition to drive, just as Victoria hadn’t been, he would stop at least one of them tonight.
“Hope you can’t drive, you’re in no condition to drive. Give me the keys.”
She ignored him and turned to put the key in the lock but he grabbed it from her, “You’re just as upset as I am. We’re wasting time standing here and arguing.”
“We’ll drive you.”
They had both forgotten about the officers, “Thank you. Bo, I have to let Bo know. This isn’t something he should here over the police scanner. Someone has to tell Bo.”
“I’ll give Roman a call; he should still be at the station. I’ll have him tell Bo.” Hope nodded as Max made the call they were both in the squad car racing towards University Hospital. She only prayed she wasn’t too late.
“Bo, Shawn, I need you to sit down.” He waited till they did just that before continuing, “There’s been an accident. A drunk driver swerved into oncoming traffic.”
“Who was it? Roman, just tell us, was it Hope?”
Roman shook his head, “Victoria’s been airlifted to University Hospital, you’re going to want to get over there soon, it’s bad.”
“Uncle Roman, could you call Mimi? Could you tell her I’ll be home late or not at all? Don’t tell her about Tory. Not till we have more information.”
Roman nodded as they raced out of the station. He’d be at the hospital himself as soon as his shift ended. He sent up a silent prayer for his niece, for his family. He didn’t want to know how Hope was handling this, he could only imagine.
“I sound pathetic.” Victoria complained to Mimi. They were discussing how they’d spent Valentine’s Day.
“You sound like you’re in love.” Mimi stated.
“You think that’s all it is, love?”
“What else could it be?”
“An unhealthy dependence? Is it wrong that I feel better whenever he comes into the room, or that I can’t decide on whether or not I like something unless he’s weighed his opinion first? It scares me that I need him so much.”
Mimi, having finished feeding Zach, placed him on her shoulder to burp him. “It sounds to me like you’re having second thoughts about Max moving in with you.”
Victoria shook her head, “That’s not the problem; I’ve felt this way for a long time. Maybe it’s because this is my first serious relationship, maybe that’s why I’m so scared.”
“I think it’s the first time you’ve been in love and that’s a scary feeling. Suddenly everything you do is dependant on another person’s happiness. Every decision you make involves them. Shawn and I used to be like that, now we simply live past each other.”
“So I take it the Valentine’s meal you prepared wasn’t a huge success?”
Mimi shook her head, the meal had been great and she’d impressed herself, only the company had been rather lacking. Shawn had spent most of the evening with Victor discussing his ‘engine’, apparently the proceeds where starting to role in and not only was Shawn the holder of a four-million dollar patent, but he was also receiving big cheques every month from Titan. “Patrick left town for good last week; he’s moved to L.A. for heaven alone knows how long…”
“Patrick’s gone? Why?” then realising she probably knew why, she simply said, “oh.”
“I didn’t bring Patrick up to highlight your dad’s obsession with bringing him down. I brought it up because when he told me he was going, my first thought was ‘take me with you’.”
“So why didn’t you go?”
“Shawn and I have an agreement and even though I know that when the year’s up he’s probably going to leave, there’s still this tiny bit of hope left in me. It shouldn’t even be there but it won’t die down, if I left, that hope would be gone. Shawn and I would be over. That’s pathetic.”
It was Victoria’s turn to shake her head, “No, that’s love and hold on to that hope Mimi because I have more than hope, I believe that Shawn is going to get over this and the two of you are going to be happy.”
“I don’t know. Shawn’s behaving like I was when I knew about Claire, every time we come close to getting over this mess, every time I think this is it, he backs away. It’s as though he feels guilty about something, maybe he feels guilty about giving us a second chance.”
Victoria swallowed; obviously Shawn’s guilt was playing on him, “Maybe you’re just imagining it.”
“Maybe, but I don’t think so. Besides, why are you so for us when everyone else is hoping he and Belle end up together?”
“No they aren’t. And if they are its only because they’re blinded by the past. I wasn’t here for their ‘great love’ so I’m not harping on what could have been, I look at Shawn with Belle and I look at Shawn with you and it’s as clear as day which one makes him happier. I just want my brother to be happy that’s all.”
“And you think I make him happy? He doesn’t seem very happy at the moment.”
“I know you do, just give him time. He’ll come around. Guys are pigheaded idiots; they need a few knocks on the head before they finally come to their senses.” She said it with such confidence, a pity she didn’t remember it a few weeks later. Things may have turned out a lot differently.
*****
“I don’t know man, things are different. They have been since Victor and they got worse after that incident with you mom.”“You mean the ‘you’re not my mother’ tirade?”
“Yeah, she’s acting strangely, not at all the way she used to. She’s always, Max this and Max that, she never used to be like that.”
“You helped her get through a really tough time; she knows she can depend on you. Besides, you said you spent the most awesome time at Green Mountain Lodge over Valentine’s Day.”
“Yeah, it was great but that was different, we were away from everyone and everything, I don’t know I think there’s definitely something up.”
“Maybe she’s scared she’s going to lose you.” Shawn said, knowing exactly how that felt. But instead of clinging to Mimi as Victoria was doing to Max, he was pushing her away. It was hard, knowing you were doing something wrong and yet not being able to help yourself, “At least you’re not in the dog box because you spent Valentine’s evening with your grandfather discussing business.”
Max winced, “Mimi still hasn’t forgiven you for that?”
“I tried to get away but Victor just wouldn’t stop talking and when I finally did get home, it was to find the remains of the romantic evening Mimi had planned in the garbage. She greeted me with this icy stare and said, ‘dinner’s in the oven.’ and I had been in such a rush to get home, I forgot her gifts at Victor’s place. So I show up late and without presents, she obviously thinks I forgot all about our ‘special evening’ and you expect her to just forgive and forget? ”
“Wow man, you messed up big time.”
“Yeah I know.” He said, thinking of more than their ruined Valentine’s Day.
Chapter 32
The weeks passed smoothly. Victoria, having quit her job at Titan, came up with the brilliant idea of enrolling at Salem U in the next semester, no one really argued with her as this meant she’d be spending more time in Salem. Only Max had his reservations, asking how she intended to pay for tuition as well as her living expenses if she didn’t have a source of income. She simply smiled at him and told him, “That’s the beauty of being a trust fund baby.” He wasn’t too sure and slowly she was reverting back to the girl he’d met when she first came back to Salem, she had her nose in books all day and refused to go out most of the time, though she still enjoyed stopping by the Brady Pub and never turned down an opportunity to go out with Mimi or Chelsea. Max figured it had a lot to do with Christmas and despite what she said; Victor’s actions had cut her deeply. It was mid-June when their entire relationship would be put to the test, looking back, Max would only wish he’d had more warning, perhaps he could have handled things differently.
“Do you remember all those months ago, we were in the pub and you mom told me about tempting fate.” Max stared at her blankly, not having a clue what she was talking about. “It was when Shawn was talking about Mimi’s cravings.”
“Oh yes, when you said you didn’t want kids for a while yet.” She nodded, “So why are you bringing that up?”
“Because I took a test and it came out positive.”
“What test?”
She breathed in deeply trying to build up the courage to actually say it out loud. Once she said it, it would be out there, there would be no taking I back and it would be real, “A pregnancy test;” her voice sounded a bit wobbly but she couldn’t do anything to change that, “I’m pregnant.”
“Those tests can be wrong; we have to get you to a doctor.”
“I’ve already done that, this afternoon. The doctor only confirmed what the test said; we’re going to have a baby.”
“Okay how did this happen?”
“I’d have thought that was obvious.”
“We used protection, every single time. This can’t be happening.”
“Yes well protection isn’t one hundred percent now is it?”
He nodded, “Okay, so where do we go from here? What do you want to do about this?”
What did she want to do? He was obviously telling her that she was alone in this, “I’m keeping it.”
“Have you considered the options?”
She eyed him shrewdly, this was not the reaction she’d been expecting; shock yes, panic maybe but the look in his eyes…he looked as though his world was about to end, like this was the worst possible thing that could ever happen to him. Somehow his weakness made her strong and she told him confidently, “There are no options Max. Abortion is not an option and neither is adoption. I’m keeping this baby whether you like it or not.”
“Okay just give me a minute to process all this. You’re saying that in the next few months I’m going to be a dad; that we’re going to be responsible for another human being?” there it was again, the panic in his eyes, the despair in his voice.
“Well don’t sound so enthusiastic.”
“I’m in shock; this was the last thing I expected.”
“I didn’t exactly plan this whole thing myself either you know. This is as much a surprise for me as it is for you. Do you think I want to be pregnant?”
“What do you expect me to say? What do you want me to do, be happy?”
“Well I certainly don’t want you to act as thought this is the end of the world.”
“Not the end of the world? You’re going to have a baby; what do you think is going to happen? That we’d just post the child off somewhere and bring him or her out whenever we felt like playing house?”
She looked at him; it was as though she didn’t know him. That the person she’d been living with all these months was a stranger, “Do not patronise me.” She bit out, “I am not some stupid little schoolgirl who thinks that this is some fun little experiment. I know what a baby is, I know the responsibility that is involved and I’m sorry if you cannot handle my being pregnant, but it is a fact.” She felt the tears in her eyes and it angered her, “All I needed you to do was take me in your arms and tell it would be alright; that everything would be okay. Even if you didn’t believe it –”
“You’d rather I lie to you? That I tell you everything’s going to be okay, when I don’t believe that?”
“Given the circumstances, yes. I’d rather you lied to me, that was all I’d needed from you tonight and you couldn’t even do it. You couldn’t even pretend for a moment that the idea of my having your child wasn’t the worst thing you’ve ever had to deal with.”
“I’m scared Victoria, I’m not ready to be a dad. And I doubt very much that you’re ready to be a mom.”
“Well, maybe you should have thought of that before you started having sex.”
“You didn’t really give me a choice there.”
“Oh that’s rich, blame it all on me. I seduced you, I wouldn’t take no for an answer, so I just got what I deserved right?”
The words were out before he even thought it, “You said it not me.” He saw the look of shock on her face, realised what he’d just said and tried to make it right, “That’s not what I meant,” but it was too late, she grabbed her car keys and stormed to the door, “come on Victoria wait. Where are you going?”
She opened the door with such force it slammed against the wall and almost shut again, “Somewhere far away from you.” she yelled before slamming closed, it with a satisfying thud. As she road down the elevator; the enormity of what had just happened hit her. Max didn’t want the baby; her pain clouded the bit of logic that told her Max didn’t want a baby, that it wasn’t specific to her. Her only thoughts were that she was alone and she still didn’t have an appropriate answer to his question. Where was she going?
*****
Hope opened the door to a very bedraggled looking Max, “Max, what are you doing here?”“Is she here?”
“Is who here?” she pulled him inside and closed the door behind him. She’d never seen him like this, something must have happened and suddenly she was reminded of the feeling that had refused to leave her. The feeling that something bad was going to happen.
“Tory, we got into an argument. I said, we both said some things to each other, things that shouldn’t have been said. She took off an hour ago and I haven’t heard from her. I tried her cell phone, she’s switched it off.”
“Max she wouldn’t come here and you know it. Even if she was upset she’d rather go to Shawn or Caroline, Jennifer even before she’d come to me. You said she’s been gone for an hour; maybe she just needs to clear her head. I’m sure she’s on her way home now.”
“You didn’t see her Hope, she was so upset and in no condition to drive. I should have stopped her taken her keys, locked the door. If anything happens to her…”
They both turned to the door when someone knocked, “Maybe that’s her right now.”
But it wasn’t Victoria, it was two police officers. Hope already knew the look on their faces, it was the one she wore; the one Bo wore when they were delivering bad news.
“Hope, sorry to bother you this late...”
“It’s Victoria isn’t it? What happened to her?”
“I’m afraid there’s been an accident. A drunk driver… a drunk driver swerved into on-coming traffic. Your daughter’s was one of the cars hit.”
“No! No, no, no, no, no. There’s got to be some mistake, this isn’t happening.”
“Hope I’m sorry but we made sure, after Zack…”
“NO! I’m not going to lose another one of my babies, not after I’ve just found her. Where is she? Where’s my daughter, where’d they take her?”
“She’s been airlifted to University Hospital.”
Hope grabbed her keys and ran out the door. Max, who had until then been unable to believe what he was hearing, unable to comprehend what the officers had said, was snapped back to reality and chased after Hope. The officers following suit, she was in no condition to drive, just as Victoria hadn’t been, he would stop at least one of them tonight.
“Hope you can’t drive, you’re in no condition to drive. Give me the keys.”
She ignored him and turned to put the key in the lock but he grabbed it from her, “You’re just as upset as I am. We’re wasting time standing here and arguing.”
“We’ll drive you.”
They had both forgotten about the officers, “Thank you. Bo, I have to let Bo know. This isn’t something he should here over the police scanner. Someone has to tell Bo.”
“I’ll give Roman a call; he should still be at the station. I’ll have him tell Bo.” Hope nodded as Max made the call they were both in the squad car racing towards University Hospital. She only prayed she wasn’t too late.
*****
Shawn was at the station when Roman got the call.“Bo, Shawn, I need you to sit down.” He waited till they did just that before continuing, “There’s been an accident. A drunk driver swerved into oncoming traffic.”
“Who was it? Roman, just tell us, was it Hope?”
Roman shook his head, “Victoria’s been airlifted to University Hospital, you’re going to want to get over there soon, it’s bad.”
“Uncle Roman, could you call Mimi? Could you tell her I’ll be home late or not at all? Don’t tell her about Tory. Not till we have more information.”
Roman nodded as they raced out of the station. He’d be at the hospital himself as soon as his shift ended. He sent up a silent prayer for his niece, for his family. He didn’t want to know how Hope was handling this, he could only imagine.
Thanks for the update.