Mixed Reality (Indigo Love Spectrum), page 20
“Rory, you can come back in,” Dr. Aranow said.
“I guess you can ask her yourself now.”
Rory and Melissa walked in. Elle was seated on the edge of the bed. “Melissa, I need you to take me home.”
“Okay. Oh, God, Elle…”
Her eyes welled up. “I can’t right now. I really can’t. That’s why I asked the nurse to call you. I don’t want to cry here anymore. Please.”
“Sure.” Melissa put her arms around her. Elle leaned on her for support as they left the room and went down the hall.
Rory watched until they disappeared from sight.
“Is Doug going to meet her at home?” Dr. Aranow asked.
“He’s already on his way here.”
“Do you want to let him know what’s going on, or do you want me to tell him?”
“I’ll talk to him. There are some things he needs to hear from me first.”
* * *
After getting caught behind a car accident on his way over, Doug finally got to the ER. He rushed down the hall, stopping when he saw Rory.
“Where is she?”
“She’s not here.”
“What?”
“Come on, we need to talk.” He led Doug to an empty room.
“Okay, Rory, you called me because Elle was rushed here and now you tell me that’s she’s not here. What’s going on?”
“Sit down and I’ll tell you.”
“I don’t want to…”
“Sit down, Doug,” he said sternly.
A little stunned by his brother’s forcefulness, he complied.
He took a deep breath. “Elle and Angela got into it this afternoon.”
“What?” Doug was completely thrown. “Where did this happen?”
“At my townhouse.”
“What? Why would Elle go there? I told her to stay away from Angela.”
Rory got a little heated. “For God’s sake, can you stop being a politician and be a husband and father? Kyle got into a fight at school over this crap that’s been in the papers. Elle decided enough was enough.”
“Kyle was in a fight? I would never think of him getting physical,” he said in disbelief. “What happened?”
“I wasn’t there at the time, but needless to say she let Angela have it with both barrels.”
“Were any punches thrown?”
“No. When I got there they were still going at it, and then Elle suddenly doubled over in pain.” He swallowed hard before he spoke again. “That’s when she told me she was eight weeks pregnant.”
Doug’s mouth was agape. “She’s pregnant?” Doug’s joy was quickly tempered by the realization they were in the hospital and he jumped to his feet. “Where is she? Is she okay? What about the baby?”
“Elle’s okay.”
“And the baby?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? You’re a doctor and you’re family.”
“Yes, but I’m not Elle’s doctor, and I’m only the brother-in-law.”
Doug flopped back down in the chair and put his hands over his face. “I wasn’t here. I should have been here.”
Rory patted him on the back. “You can’t blame yourself for not being here. You came as quickly as you could.”
“No. I mean ever since I got fixated on being senator I haven’t been there for Elle or the kids like I should have been. I should have confronted this head on in the media instead of trying the finesse the situation behind the scenes.”
Rory nodded.
“I see you’re not going to disagree with me.”
“No. You have been a jackass.”
“Don’t sugarcoat it for me,” he said facetiously.
“Ever since this whole thing broke you’ve been a politician on a mission instead of a husband. This was the one time where taking the supposed high road wasn’t a good idea. The less you said, the worse it got.”
“Don’t you think I wanted to say something? But if I did I would have to…” He stopped short.
“You would have to what?”
“Admit that my younger brother is in love with my wife.”
Rory looked down at the floor. “I wish I could say I didn’t know what you’re talking about.” He took a deep breath. “How long have you known?”
“Since the first time I introduced her to the family.”
Rory was a little dumbfounded. “Wow.” He took a deep breath. “You know when we were growing up a lot of people used to ask me if I was ever envious of you and all your success.”
“Please,” Doug scoffed.
“You were the all-round guy, Doug. You were a top athlete, smart, politically astute, and the girls loved you. Hell you were voted the sexiest man alive.” He smiled. “But I didn’t begrudge you anything. I was happy for you. Then you brought Elle home, and for the first time in my life, I wished I were you.”
“Rory, you don’t have to say anything else.”
“Yes I do. I may have wished I were you, but I’d never think of doing anything.”
“I know.”
“I tried to find a woman who was like Elle, but there’s no one like her so I married Angela.” He shrugged. “This whole thing is really my fault. I should have been honest with Angela from the beginning, and then maybe none of this would have happened.”
“It’s too late for recriminations now.”
“I know you’re right.” He paused. “You do know that wasn’t Elle in that newspaper photo, right?”
“Of course I do,” Doug said and rubbed his head. “I was an idiot about the clinic, too.”
“So Elle told you about the children’s clinic.”
“No. Dad told me after I practically accused her of hiding something from me.”
“Elle wasn’t hiding anything from you. She told me she’d tell you once we had everything in place. She figured she’d do it privately since you had to contend with city budget issues. It would be one less thing on your plate.”
“After the way I’ve behaved, God knows I don’t deserve her.”
“At this moment I’d have to agree with you, but that’s not to say you can’t change that.”
Doug shook his head. “I should have listened to you when you wanted to address this head-on. Then this wouldn’t be an issue and Elle wouldn’t have wound up here,” he said as he looked around the hospital. “I was so concerned with this damn Senate appointment she couldn’t tell me she was pregnant, and now I’m too late.”
“It’s not too late. You love each other…” He stopped when he saw Angela arrive with a bouquet of flowers.
“I know I’m probably the last person you want to see, but I wanted to see if Elle was all right.”
Doug jumped to his feet. “Now you’re concerned with Elle’s well-being? You have some nerve coming here.” Just as he lurched forward, Rory stopped him.
“Calm down, Doug. You have to concentrate on Elle and the kids now.”
“I’m really sorry, Doug. I didn’t mean for this to happen,” Angela said sheepishly.
“You didn’t mean for this to happen? You’re the one who caused this whole mess to begin in the first place.”
“I brought flowers. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“You’re nuts if you think flowers are going to help.” Doug seethed.
“Listen, Doug, you need to go home to Elle. This is my mess and I’ll handle it. I have a few things I’d like to say to Angela.”
“You’re right. I’ll talk to you later.”
“All right.”
As Doug walked by Angela she tried to give him the bouquet. “You’re kidding me right?”
“Put the flowers down, Angela, before someone tells you what you can do with them and gives you an assist to do it,” Rory said sternly.
“Thanks, Rory. We’ll talk later.”
“Good luck.”
Doug ran down the hallway as quickly as he could. Not even the crush of reporters that had gathered outside the emergency room could keep him from getting to his SUV. His driver barely had time to open the door before Doug hopped in.
“Where to, Mayor Brennan?” he asked.
“Home.”
I only hope it’s not too late to apologize to Elle. He sighed heavily. Pregnant. Elle was pregnant and I wasn’t there for her. God, please let her forgive me.
Chapter 17
It was a quiet ride back home. Once they arrived Melissa helped Elle into the house through the back. As they made their way through the hall they could hear Kevin and Kyle in the kitchen with Frieda. Elle stopped to compose herself.
“Are my eyes really red?”
Melissa looked at her. “They’re definitely red.”
“I don’t want to upset the kids. Maybe I should put my sunglasses on.”
“That will only make it more noticeable, Elle.”
“You’re right. I just have to take my chances.”
Kyle met them in the hallway. “Mom?”
“Yes, Kyle?” She tried to sound normal.
He rushed over to hug her. “What happened? On the news they said you went to the hospital.”
“I didn’t feel well, but I saw the doctor and I’m fine now.”
“Are you sure?” He didn’t seem convinced.
“Yes.”
“Mom?” Kevin rushed over to hug her. “Are you okay, Mom?”
Elle squeezed her boys tightly. They were just the medicine she needed. “I’m fine, but I need you to do me a favor.”
“Sure, Mom,” Kyle answered.
“I need you to go upstairs and pack a few things in your weekend bags. We’re going to Martha’s Vineyard this weekend.”
“We’re going to Martha’s Vineyard,” Kyle echoed.
“Yes. It’s just for the weekend. We’ll be back on Sunday.”
“What about Dad?” Kevin asked.
“He’ll be here. Now why don’t you two scoot and get your stuff.”
They were initially hesitant. “Are you sure, Mom?” Kevin asked.
“Yes.”
“Okay, Mom,” they answered simultaneously before they slowly went upstairs.
“They know something’s going on. They’re not…” Melissa stopped.
“Were you going to say babies?”
“Listen, Elle, I’m…”
She interrupted her. “You don’t have to apologize.” She went to the kitchen. “Frieda?”
“Yes, Mrs. Brennan?”
“I need you to call Ed to bring the car around for me. Also if you’d please remember to ask him to pick up my car. It’s at Rory’s townhouse.”
“I will. Are you sure you’re all right, Mrs. Brennan?”
“Of course I’m sure.”
“Very well. Would you like me to tell Mr. Brennan anything?”
“I’m going to leave him a note.”
“As you wish.” She nodded.
Elle and Melissa then made their way upstairs to her bedroom. Melissa sat on the bed as Elle took out a small suitcase and began tossing things into it.
“Elle, what’s the hurry? I really think you should slow down.”
She looked over at the clock. “I’d like to make it to the airport sooner rather than later.”
“You’re flying out this evening?”
“Yes.”
“Why Martha’s Vineyard? It’s warm in California.”
“No.” Elle shook her head. “I’m partial to seasons. Besides, the time difference makes me feel like I’m in the movie Groundhog Day.” She opened her dresser drawer, saw the sonogram and broke down.
Melissa rushed to her side to comfort her. “Oh, honey,” she said as she hugged her.
“I have to pull it together.” She sniffled. “I’m going to splash my face with cold water.” She took the phone with her.
“Okay.”
Elle went into the bathroom.
Kyle gently knocked on the door. “Mom?”
“Come on in,” Melissa answered.
He gingerly entered the bedroom. “Where’s Mom?”
“She’s in the bathroom, honey.”
“Is my mother okay, Aunt Melissa? She doesn’t seem like herself.”
“She’s having a little bit of a rough time, but I’m sure she’ll talk to you about it.”
“No, she won’t. She thinks we’re babies.”
“Then maybe you should tell her that she can talk to you.”
Elle dabbed her face with a towel as she walked out. “Did you pack your sweaters? Technically it’s still fall, but you know how the weather is up there.”
“We’ve got them.”
“Good.” She threw her toiletries in the suitcase. “I guess we’re ready to go.”
“Aren’t you going to wait for Dad?”
“Don’t worry. I’m going to let him know where we’re going.”
Melissa got up. “Why don’t you take your mom’s bag downstairs?”
Kyle picked up her bag.
“Thank you, sweetie, I’ll see you downstairs in a minute.” Elle sat on the bed.
Melissa waited for him to leave the room. “I’m going downstairs, too. Why don’t you give Doug a call instead of writing him a note? Just a suggestion,” she quickly added.
Elle stared at her phone for a minute before she dialed. She was relieved when she heard his voicemail was full. Thank goodness. I don’t think I had the strength to talk to him. “His mailbox is full. I’ll leave him a note.” She got a piece of her stationary, wrote the note and put it in an envelope. God knows I love him so much, but I can’t face him, at least not now. I have to get back to where it all started. Hopefully I’ll feel that connection again. I need to feel connected.
“Are you happy now?”
“Not really, but I’ll take it.”
Melissa followed Elle downstairs where the children were waiting. Her driver Ed had brought the car around back and took the luggage to load the trunk.
“Are you sure you want to do this now? There can’t be many flights going to Martha’s Vineyard this time of year. Why don’t you sleep on it and wait until tomorrow?”
“I already called Fleet Aviation for a private flight. We’ll be there in less than an hour.”
“Oh, okay.”
Elle kissed Melissa on the cheek. “It’s sweet that you’re worried about me, but I’m fine. This is what I need to do.”
“If you say so.” She paused. “You know you can call me anytime.”
“I know, and I appreciate that.” She looked down at the envelope in her hand. “Frieda?”
“Yes?”
She handed her the envelope. “Would you please give this to Mr. Brennan?”
“I will.” She tucked it in her apron pocket.
“Thank you.”
Ed walked up. “The car is loaded, Mrs. Brennan.”
“Thank you, Ed.” She turned to Melissa. “Walk us to the car?”
“Sure.”
Melissa watched and waved as Elle and the kids got in and drove away. Elle took a deep breath as the house faded in the distance.
“Mom, are you sure you’re okay?” Kyle was worried.
Elle rubbed both his and Kevin’s hands. “As long as I have you two, I’m more than okay.”
Despite her best performance Elle knew her sons didn’t quite buy it, but she was grateful they let her keep the charade going.
* * *
The car had barely pulled up to the house before Doug leaped out and rushed inside.
“Elle!” he called from the bottom of the stairs. “Baby, are you here?”
Frieda walked into the hallway. “Mr. Brennan, she’s not here.”
“What? Where is she?”
Frieda took the envelope from her pocket. “She left you this note.” She handed it to him.
He stared at it for a moment. “She didn’t tell you where she was going?”
“All I know is that she packed a couple of bags and left with the children. She asked me to give you the note. I’m sorry, but that’s all I know.”
“Okay, Frieda. I understand.”
She disappeared back into the kitchen.
Doug lightly ran his fingers over the letter before he opened it. Please don’t let it be a Dear John letter. He took a deep breath and began reading.
Dear Doug,
The last few weeks I’ve had a lot to deal with, and now I need some time to think and clear my head. I won’t be gone long. The kids have school on Monday. We can talk when I get back. Right now I need some distance. Please respect my wishes. I do love you. Elle.
“Oh, God,” he groaned aloud.
Just then the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” Frieda said.
“Thanks. I’ll be in the living room.”
Doug went straight to the bar and poured himself a drink.
Ki walked in with flowers. “Hey, how’s Elle doing?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” He gulped down his Scotch. “She’s not here.”
“She’s not here?”
“What are you, a mynah bird? That’s what I said.”
“I know you’re upset, but that’s no reason to take it out on me.” Ki put the flowers down.
“I’m sorry. I’m upset. Elle was pregnant.”
“She was pregnant?” Ki was floored. “You didn’t know?”
“No. She hadn’t told me yet.”
“You said she was pregnant. Did she lose the baby?”
“They brought her to the ER because she doubled over in pain at Rory’s house.”
“At Rory’s house? So Angela was there.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want to know what went on there. What did her doctor say?”
“I didn’t see her doctor. By the time I got there she’d already left the hospital.” He hung his head. “I hate to think of her going through this alone, but I don’t know where she is. All I have is this note.” He showed Ki the envelope.
“I’m really sorry, buddy.” Ki patted him on the back. “Wait a minute. You can find out where she’s gone. I know who you should ask.”
* * *
Long, lanky and lean with wavy red hair, Myles answered the door. He was still dressed for work, although his tie was a little askew.
“Doug! I mean, Mayor Brennan. How are you?”
“I’m good, Myles. May I come in?”
“Oh, sure.” He stepped back to let Doug in and then closed the door. “This is a rare treat. What brings you by?” he asked as they walked towards the den.
