Turn a different corner 43/?
Turn a different corner 43/?
By: Marea67
About: Tommy/Julia, Nora/Scotty, Justin, Sarah/Noah, Kevin/Scotty
Rate: G.
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything
Extra: This an AU (Alternative Universe) story, so remember : The more things change, the more they stay the same. Here are part 01, part 02, part 03, part 04, part 05, part 06, part 07, part 08, part 09, part 10, part 11, part 12, part 13, part 14, part 15, part 16, part 17, part 18, part 19, part 20, part 21, part 22, part 23, part 24, part 25, part 26, part 27, part 28, part 29, part 30, part 31, part 32, part 33, part 34, part 35, part 36, part 37, part 38, part 39, part 40, part 41 and part 42
******
HALFWAY MARCH 2008
Tommy carefully approaches the bed. Julia is so pale. She looks so tired and sad and he doesn’t know what to do or say to comfort her. She opens her eyes, tries to smile, but she’s clearly too medicated.
“I’ve lost our baby, didn’t I?” She asks.
“Didn’t they tell you anything?” Tommy wonders, worried about her question.
“I cannot believe it. I ... don’t want to lose my baby.... But it’s gone, isn’t it?”
“Yes, honey.... You had a miscarriage.” Tommy’s words are hesitant. He is afraid of what it will do to her, now that she seems so fragile.
“It’s all my fault. I got punished for my infidelity.”
“No, honey. It was probably something medical. The doctors say that it happens more often. Those first three months are crucial and that is when you have the biggest chance of something going wrong. You weren’t even three months pregnant, honey.
I know, you don’t want to hear this, but .... It’s not your fault. From the moment you found out you were pregnant, you’ve done everything right. You’ve been so careful. You wanted this baby so much.”
“No, I didn’t.” Julia denies.
“What?” Tommy asks, confused.
“From the moment I found out you were sterile and that this child had to be Dominic’s, I... I resented this child... I tried not to, but I wanted my child to be yours and not someone else’s and I blamed the baby for my stupidity.
The baby must have felt unwanted.” Julia rattles on. “It wasn’t until I saw the blood, that I knew how much I wanted this baby and that I was lucky, that you had accepted it and that you would love it as our own. And then I knew I loved this baby,... and that I wanted it and ... now my baby is gone and it’s too late to tell this child that I love him or her.”
She starts to cry hysterically and Tommy doesn’t know what else to do, but hold her. A nurse comes in and sedates Julia again and Tommy stays with her until she has cried herself to sleep. He rubs his eyes and wonders what to do. Eventually he can only think of one thing and that is to call Nora.
*****
“Nora?” Scotty is surprised to get a call from her.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to call Kevin, I thought that maybe he would still be asleep.”
“He is.”
“Scotty, the situation at the hospital is bad. To a certain extend I can be there for Julia...”
“Good. I think she could use a shoulder to cry on.”
“She is going to need more, I’m afraid. I think she might even need professional help. But that is for her and Tommy to decide. However, I think that Tommy really needs Kevin right now.
I’ve been trying to reach William, but he hasn’t answered so far. I doubt he’s on his way back from Ojai. I’ve been thinking.... maybe the two of you want to drop by at the hospital?”
“I won’t promise anything, but I’ll talk to Kevin. Maybe he’ll go alone.”
“I would really appreciate if you would both come. Tommy is going to need Kevin and his other siblings and this secrecy between Kevin and Tommy isn’t right. Not now.”
“I see what you mean, Nora, but ultimately that’s Kevin’s decision and not yours.. or even mine.” Nora feels the rebuke, but Scotty is gentle enough about it.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m thinking of what is best for Tommy and I am not considering Kevin’s feelings in this matter.” Nora immediately apologizes. Scotty smiles.
“No worry. Kevin’s feelings are the most important feelings to me. I guess, this is how we’ll keep each other balanced.” He jokes and Nora now laughs too.
*****
When Justin enters the kitchen Jordan and Tyler are laughing. It feels a bit unreal. He’s still half-asleep and worried about Tommy and Julia and how they will cope with the loss of their child. Justin wishes that what happened last night was just a nightmare. And when he sees Jordan and Tyler laughing, for a moment, it’s like it is really just a bad dream.
But the moment they see him, their smiles fade and Justin understands that it has happened. His has lost his nephew or niece last night.
“How are you?” Tyler asks. “Jordan told me earlier about last night.”
“Alright, I guess. I think it’s harder on Tommy and Julia.” Justin replies.
“Anyway. Gotta go. Mrs Whatshername in 462 needs help.. You kids behave.” Jordan warns. Justin threatens to throw something at him and he quickly escapes the kitchen and they can still hear him laugh when he leaves. Tyler shakes her head. Her dark hair is still uncombed, but it looks great on her. In Justin’s opinion.
“Are you going back to the hospital?” Tyler asks.
“Yes, probably. Just a quick shower first.”
“Want me to drive you there?”
“No, thanks. I’ll go on my own.”
“Oh, alright.... But I’m going to shower first.” Tyler says and she quickly leaves for the bathroom before Justin can protest. But Justin is too busy being angry at himself. Tyler offers to go with him and he says no! What an idiot he is! Where are his brains? He should have said yes...
*****
Sarah stirs her coffee wondering what is going on. She woke up at around 11 and discovered the house was empty. Joe had simply left a message. “Gone for a few hours, the kids are at your mom’s. I’ll pick them up at around one. Enjoy your quiet moment. Joe.” No, I love yous, just a memo.
Her phone rings and she picks up, when she sees who’s calling.
“Hi, love.”
“Sarah? I assume you’re alone?”
“Yes, Noah, I am.” She laughs. “How are you? Have you any news?”
“No, nothing. I tried to reach you earlier?”
“Did.. Did Joe pick up?”
“No. I let it ring about 6 or 7 times and when no one picked up, I stopped. Why? Is something the matter? Has Joe discovered the truth about us?”
“Nah. I’m probably seeing ghosts. Chuck it on lack of sleep... My sister-in-law lost her baby last night.”
“Sorry to hear that. I guess, you’re needed with your family?”
“Why? Do you... need me?”
“I do.” Noah replies. “I could really use a friend now.”
“I’m on my way.” Sarah promises. She quickly drinks her coffee, grabs her car-keys and then realizes she should leave a message for Joe, so she quickly writes a memo as well.
“Thanks, I’m at work... Have some catching up to do. Try to be back by 3. Sarah.”
*****
“Breakfast in bed.” Scotty announces, waking Kevin with a sweet kiss. Kevin mumbles something about wanting more of those and Scotty chuckles. “Sorry, this is all you’ll get.... For now.... How are you?” Scotty asks the question, but seeing the still-tired lines on Kevin’s face, he already knows the answer.
“Exhausted. This is supposed to be our weekend off. We booked this hotel-room especially to have some time for us. To be lazy and get pampered.” Kevin complains.
“Your mom called me... didn’t want to wake you... She says that there’s no need to come any sooner than tonight but she’s sure that Tommy will understand if you won’t show.”
“Translated this means: Don’t be a selfish prick, your brother is more important than your weekend off with your delicious husband. Be there this afternoon. Mommy Dearest.”
“I somehow doubt that your mother will consider me to be ‘delicious’.”
“She’s obviously blind.” Kevin mumbles and Scotty laughs.
“She also said... that it’s unlikely your father will show up...”
“I agree.. be it for different reasons than what my mother thinks.” Kevin says.
“... She said that maybe we should go there together. Tell Tommy the truth? She feels it would be good to stop the secrecy between you two.”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to think about that.” Kevin replies, trying to ignore the expectancy in Scotty’s eyes, knowing it’s ridiculous to go on keeping Scotty a secret from Tommy and Kitty or even his dad. But he loves the calm, peaceful oasis that Scotty is in his life and he fears that if William finds out the truth, he will destroy everything for Kevin, like he always does.
END OF PART 43
SNEAK-PEEK FOR PART 44
It’s been a long time since she was here. But she remembers the road very well.