| Conflict of Interests Chapter 31 |
| ** "Let me know once you've decided." Harvey looked sadly at Rachel, he was miserable without her. "I miss you, Harvey, I do." Rachel couldn't imagine her life without him at this point. Bill was a great guy in many ways, but he wasn't Harvey. "How's Bill?" Harvey didn't really want to talk about him, but he felt obligated to ask. He never imagined himself trying to pair his wife with another man. "He's Bill, your typical lawyer." Rachel laughed, knowing Harvey's great dislike for lawyers. "That bad, huh?" Harvey knew Rachel was too nice of a person to ever tell Bill he was boring, but even Harvey had to admit, the man could put most people to sleep. "You have no idea." Rachel still wasn't used to the idea of spending time alone with Bill. She kept thinking Mary would come in sooner or later. Harvey looked at her, having to tear his eyes away. He wanted so badly to hold her, to touch her. "There's no pressure, right, you know that?" "Right, no pressure." Rachel laughed, she felt pressure on all sides. Half of her wanted to be with her daughter twenty-four seven and the rest of her wanted Harvey in every way. ** "Let me guess, no marriage proposals yet?" Louis knew Bill wouldn't have acted so quickly. "No, not yet." Bill wanted to take things slowly with Rachel, but he did sense the need for urgency. "What are you going to do, there isn't much time?" Louis knew time was Bill's biggest problem. "Hope she doesn't panic when I tell her about Boston." Bill smiled, wondering just how many surprises Rachel could take. "Hope you're right." Louis knew Bill was taking quite a gamble with Rachel, but was certain it would be worth it in the long run. ** "Rache?" Connie stepped slowly up towards Rachel's desk, it had been over a year and a half since she last saw her. Connie decided to move back to the midwest after Ryan's death. "Connie, hi..." Connie Mazza was the last person Rachel expected to see at the SIU. The last time they spoke was a few weeks after Ryan's funeral. "I know you're probably busy, so I won't stay long, but I wanted to give you these before we left." Connie handed her a large white envelope. ''What's this?" Rachel wondered what was in the envelope, she'd never have asked for any of Ryan's possessions. "Keys, to the place in Carmel." Connie waited, she knew Rachel hadn't been there since Ryan died. It was their hangout, their cop palace --- their place. "You said you're leaving?" Rachel guessed Connie would move back home for good sooner or later, she had stayed in Carmel for awhile. "I'm taking RJ back home to Missouri. It'll be good for us.'' Connie had been going back and forth since he died, it seemed fitting that they return home now. "What about the house?" Rachel was referring to the place in Carmel that she and Ryan shared ownership of, the one Connie gave her the keys to. "It's yours, Rache. We had our good times there, now it's time for you to get your money's worth." Connie felt bad about the house, when Rachel never went back. She didn't want to sell without Rachel's consent. "I hear you're seeing someone?" Connie had heard from another officer she knew about Rachel and Harvey. "Pretty serious?" "Yeah, it's about time." Rachel smiled, knowing Connie would be relieved Rachel had found someone. Right now it was a debate if their relationship, or their marriage for that matter, would last. "You deserve a good thing, I heard about Cecilia too." Connie had wanted to call Rachel, but she didn't want to feel out of place. "It's been quite a year." There had been more changes in six months than Rachel had anticipated over the last five years. "Ryan would be happy for you, I'm happy for you." Connie knew Ryan would be pleased about more good luck coming Rachel's way. "How's RJ?" Rachel often wondered about Ryan's son, but never felt right about calling. "Growing like a weed, I'm ready to pull my hair out." RJ's presence after Ryan's death had been a blessing and a curse. "Listen, I have to get going and pack. You take care of yourself - you still worry me." "You do the same. Give RJ a hug for me." Rachel got up and gave Connie a hug, the two were always friendly but not the best of friends. Connie walked out of the SIU, and Rachel stared at the envelope sitting on her desk... wondering what to do with the keys. ** "Another night alone, Harvey?" Antwon noticed Harvey's somber mood as they walked back out to the parking lot together after they finished for the day. "Don't remind me." Harvey knew he was alone, he didn't want anyone else to tell him about it. "Inspector Femme Fatale is with Bill?" Antwon knew Harvey didn't particularly like the situation, but wanted to do the right thing. "I assume so." Harvey guessed that's where she was every night, he really didn't want to know the details. "Guys night out?" Antwon needed the company, after all, he was still on the market. "You bet. I'll drive." If he drove, they'd leave when he was ready. ** "I'll stop by Bayside first thing tomarrow, Nash. I know, I'm going to call Harvey later on and remind him about the meeting." Bill came over and sat next to Rachel on the couch and waited for her to finish. "I'll see you tomarrow, Nash." Rachel hung up her cell phone and sat back on the couch, giving a small sigh of relief. "I'm sorry about that." "Don't worry, are you hungry? I'll fix you something." Bill knew she hadn't eaten yet, she came by right after work. He moved in closer, waiting for her reply. His hand was resting on top of her leg. If Bill was Harvey, she wouldn't mind. This just didn't feel right. "No, thanks. I should probably get going. It's late and I have to get to the SIU early tomarrow." Rachel really didn't know if she should stay or leave, not sure what affect her decision would later have. "You can stay here, you know. You don't always have to leave." Bill raised his arm from behind her shoulders and ran it through her hair, "you're more than welcome to stay." Bill took her mouth with his own, knowing that Lili was sound asleep upstairs and the evening was their's. As he leaned her back against the couch, Rachel began to panic. All she could think of was Harvey. He told her to come, see how things went with Bill --- but this felt like the ultimate betrayal. "Bill, maybe..." sensing a little hesitation and discomfort in her words, he waited before kissing her again. This time it was a light kiss on the forehead as she propped herself up against the pillows and straightened her shirt. "I'll get the guest room ready for you, okay? It's late and I don't want you to drive in the rain." He stood up and lightly kissed her again before leaving the room. ** Bill gently knocked on the door the next morning, Rachel said she had an early morning but he hoped he wasn't bothering her too early. He needed a favor. "Come in," she paused for a moment and looked up to find Bill standing before her. "You didn't have to get up." Rachel glanced at Bill, already impeccably dressed in his suit and tie as she stumbled to gather the rest of her things from the guest room. All she could think was that Harvey had been right all along. "I always get up this early, you're presence is no special occasion." He smiled at her and silently laughed at the irony of what he had just said. "I have to leave in about 10 minutes, but the nanny can't get here until 7:30. I can call another sitter, but I was wondering if you would still be here?" He knew Lili would love the opportunity to be with Rachel before school, she wanted all the time she could get. "I can stay if you'd like." Rachel didn't mind at all, a quick call to Harvey and everything would be taken care of. "I've just got to make a quick call first." Rachel dialed and there was no answer, Harvey must not have his phone with him. He'd certainly be up. Bill waited patiently for her in the doorway. "Here, I'll show you where everything is." Now was a perfect time to show her around the house, he had anticipated she'd be there more frequently now. She followed him down the hall and into the kitchen. "She'll be up soon. I've got her breakfast set up in the kitchen, and there's some fresh fruit if you're interested." "Thanks." She sat down at the kitchen counter, waiting for Bill to leave. "Oh, before I forget. Inspector Leek called this morning for you." Rachel was surprised he would've called her there, but sad she had missed his call. "He did?" She couldn't imagine what he would call her for. Rachel assumed it was work related. "He said he'll stop by Bayside on his way into the SIU." Rachel's morning was now somewhat cleared, she could get Cecilia off to school and maybe get a word in with the nanny. He walked over to the coffeepot and poured a cup, "coffee?" "Please." He came over towards Rachel and set the coffee down on the counter next to her. He waited a moment. Bill couldn't resist any longer, he leaned in and kissed her. Rachel was surprised, but she didn't immediately pull away. Things started to progress and reality set in. She noticed how uncomfortable she felt, this wasn't the man she was supposed to be with. He kissed her again and pulled himself away from her, "at this rate, I would never get to work... and neither would you." Rachel was a little startled by his reaction. Smiling, Bill waited a moment to ask "are you coming by this evening?" as he gathered his briefcase and paperwork. Rachel took a moment to consider her reply, "I, um... I..." ** "Harvey Leek?" Marcy was sure it was him, a man that attractive wasn't easily forgotten. He had been sent to the bank for the day, just in case Julian Montevideo returned. "Do I know you from somewhere?" Harvey recognized the face, but the voice wasn't ringing any bells. "Marcy Grant, we trailed the Dead together for a while in '79." For one reason or another, he misplaced her from his mind. She certainly remembered him. "That's right, we did.'' Harvey grinned in delight, there was nothing like reuniting with another Dead head. "So, you've certainly reformed?" She never really pictured Harvey as anything other than a Dead head, definitely not as a cop. "Your the one at a desk in a bank, no tie-dyes in sight." Harvey smiled, time had done them both well. "Touche, Mr. Leek or do I have to call you Inspector?'' Marcy was willing to call him whatever he wanted, he was as handsome as ever. "Whatever you will.'' Marcy certainly hadn't changed, always the flirt. Today might be interesting after all. ** "Bill?" Rachel nervously fidgeted with the phone cord while she waited at her desk for him to answer. "Rachel, it's great to hear your voice. You wouldn't believe the day I'm having." Bill was hoping she was calling to say she'd be coming over that evening. Her tone implied differently. "I was wondering, are you busy for lunch?" Rachel knew she wouldn't be seeing Harvey during lunch, he was doing an excellent job at keeping his distance. She didn't know if Bill would have a business lunch or not that afternoon. "I am now. Shall I meet you or would you like me to pick you up?" Bill wondered if lunch was meant to be an extension of what they started that morning, if it was actually about eating or not. "I'll meet you." Rachel wanted to drive herself, in case she got the spontaneous urge to leave. "My house or yours?" Bill assumed they'd meet and then go to lunch, if that's what she aimed to do and if time allowed. "At Lucrezia's, about one?" Rachel had to finish some paperwork before she left, and Harvey would still be gone on his break. "That's fine." Evidently, she had something else on her mind. Maybe later. ** "Anything new on Cardell's connection to Montevideo?" Joe thought something may have come up between now and earlier. "Nah, and Montevideo has been laying low recently.'' Nash wanted to get on his trail, hopeful he wouldn't get away. "Sneaky guy, huh?" Joe was concerned with anyone having a connection to Cardell. "We ever find out about Cardell's trial?" "Apparently, he's pleaing temporary insanity for the murder charges." Nash didn't believe this for a minute, but he never lost a child himself to know. "Nice touch." Joe knew it was probably all an act, just so he could get off and out of the pen. "That's what I said." Nash wanted justice for Tamara's death, evidently, the law wasn't always on their side. "How is Julian keeping contact with Vinny? Are the pens that liberal?" Joe knew the prisons were lavish, but criminal to criminal contact was a bit extreme. "Joe, this is Vincent, mafia king. He's got his ways.'' Sometimes, Nash wondered how Joe made it day to day. He chuckled softly, "I don't know about you, Bubba." ** Bill watched as Rachel pushed the food around her plate with the fork. She hadn't eaten hardly anything and their conversation was minimum. "Rache, are you okay?" Rachel couldn't bear to look him in the eye, she knew what she had to do. She stared intently at her plate, trying to focus. Rachel waited, "Bill, there's something I have to ask you." Bill wondered if she knew, if she had overheard anything about Boston or his illness. He'd have a lot of explaining to do either way. "Rache, I think I know what this is about. I've been meaning to talk to you about something as well." Rachel assumed he had found out about Harvey, he definitely had the connections to do so. Maybe he knew this was coming. "Please don't get angry, but there's something I have to ask you." Bill worried, maybe it wasn't about Boston or his cancer. Maybe she wanted Lili now. "I promise I won't slip into a fit of rage." Bill smiled, hoping he wouldn't have to break that promise. "Okay, here it goes... God, I don't know how to ask you this...is my being with Lili dependent on me dating you?" Rachel tried to fight her tears, there was no tactful way to ask him. "I knew this would come up, I did." Bill gave a small sigh of relief, she wasn't trying to take Lili. "I never meant for things to go this way, I mean, I was interested in you before and coincidentally you were Lili's mother. I never meant to present Lili and I as a packaged deal." "So I could still see her, if I wasn't with you?" Things might not be as bad as she anticipated. "If I'm seeing someone else?" "Of course, you're her mother. But..." Bill didn't want to spring the idea on her now, but he knew he had to. "But?" Rachel looked at him sadly, she knew there was a catch. "Another one of the reasons it was so great that you and Lili's mother were one in the same was because it would've made things a lot easier right now...I mean, if things were to work out between us and... I wouldn't feel so bad telling you this..." Bill could see the fear in Rachel's expression, he wished he could change things for them. "Telling me what?" Rachel could tell it wasn't good news. "You're going to think it's because of what you said, and it's not that at all. This is something I've known about for a while and I procrastinated in telling you, hopeful things wouldn't work out this way." Bill paused a moment, allowing Rachel to take it all in, "I have to move to Boston." "Boston?" A knife sliced through Rachel's heart, she'd have to give up her daughter all over again in order to be with Harvey. "For work, a major case. Nothing will change for you and Cecilia, I can promise you that." Bill wanted to assure Rachel a place in their daughter's life, thathe wouldn't take her away again. "I thought if things worked out between us, you'd come with." "I'm so sorry, Bill, I never thought... I didn't... I should've said something, about getting involved." Rachel felt miserable. Her life was crumbling around her. "I was the one in the wrong, I shouldn't have expected you to be single and instantly fall in love with me. I guess I never considered there might be someone else you had feelings for." Bill felt terrible about putting Rachel in such a position, he didn't know what else he could do. "I'm sorry I made you think you had to be with me in order to see your daughter." "Boston, that's far..." Rachel was finally adjusting to having her daughter around, and now she'd have to give everything up to keep her. "I know I can't ask you, or expect you to, give up your life here and move now but I thought should give you the choice. Whether or not your with me, we'll work something out with Lili." Bill had already spoken with his lawyer, Rachel would continue to be a stable factor in Lili's life. "How long is this going to be?" Rachel knew she couldn't ask Harvey to wait for her to get back, he deserved better. Rachel knew the choice was her's, just like it was almost six years before. She couldn't ask Bill for custody. Not now. "A few weeks, most likely months, maybe even a year." Bill had no idea how long the treatments would take, or how long he'd last afterwords. "I know it's asking a lot." ** "Harvey, I was wondering, do you have plans for this evening?" Marcy wanted to ask him earlier, but hadn't gotten the opportunity since Kim was around. He was there with her alone and now was her chance. "Plans? Not that I know of." Harvey knew Rachel would be spending the evening with Bill and Cecilia. His only other option would be going out with Antwon. "Care to join me for dinner and a drink?" Marcy didn't know much about Harvey's personal life thesedays, but from what she could tell --- he was single. "Sure, why not? What's a drink between old friends?" Harvey knew Rachel wouldn't mind, it was just a drink and she wasn't home anyways. "I'll meet you, let's say eight?" She hoped by the end of the evening, they'd be more than old friends. "Sounds perfect to me.'' Harvey smiled, this would at least curb some of his loneliness. ** "Are you going to come with us to Boston, Mommy?" Lili looked up to Rachel on the swing next to her. Rachel had picked Lili up from Bill's after work and took her to the park. Bill had already spoken with Lili about Boston. "I'm not sure yet." Rachel hadn't made up her mind, she could be persuaded either way. She wanted to be with Harvey, but she couldn't stand to give up her daughter again. "Dad says I can come home and see you." Lili was worried about losing Rachel again, afraid she'd be left alone. "I know, but I'd only get to see you every now and then." For Rachel, she didn't know if it would be enough anymore. "That's okay. I could come in the summer too. There's no school." Lili wanted to spend the summer in San Francisco with her mom and her friends. Bill assured her she could see Rachel at least once a month at the very least. "If I came to Boston, I could see you all the time." Rachel knew the cost would be Harvey, but the time with her daughter was priceless. "And I could live with you or daddy." Lili liked their current arrangement, having two places to call home and two parents that adored her. "Right." Rachel realized that Lili never considered Bill and Rachel together. Bill had a good idea in not mentioning it until something was certain. "I'd miss you if I didn't come." "You could come see me." Lili knew Rachel wouldn't leave her again, she promised her that. "I know, but it wouldn't be the same." Rachel tried to keep herself from crying, it was a hard decision she was forced to make. "Maybe Harvey could come too." Lili knew he was her mother's friend, and she saw him all the time at the SIU. "If you moved, he might not visit so much." "Maybe." Her daughter was more observant than she gave her credit for. ** "Anything new with Rachel?" Antwon could see how much Harvey missed her, he was anything but subtle about his feelings. "No, I want to give her a chance. I don't want to pressure her." As much as Harvey wanted to be fair, he wanted his wife back just as much. "How does she feel?" Antwon wasn't sure if Rachel felt the same as Harvey, after all things were pretty serious between them. "She's worried he might not let her see Lili if she's not with him." Harvey knew if circumstances were different, Rachel would be with him and wouldn't have to worry about losing her daughter. "Can he do that?" Antwon thought Rachel was getting the short end of the stick, having to chose between Harvey and her daughter. "He's the one with custody." Harvey didn't want to think Bill would be so cruel, but it now seemed more likely than not. "What do you say?" Antwon knew Harvey wasn't happy with the situation, but wanted to do the same for Rachel as she did for him with Anna. "I love her, man, I do... but I understand wanting to be with your kid." Harvey slumped back into his chair, it was going to be another long night. ** "Nash, do you have a minute?" Rachel leaned against his desk as she eyed him coming up the stairs. "For you, always." Nash sat down at his desk and Rachel turned towards him. The look on her face told him it was serious. "Is this business or otherwise?" "Would you still listen if I said both?" Rachel knew Nash would do what he could to help her out, personally or professionally. She needed someone else's opinion. "Do I have to get involved?" Nash knew better than to get in the middle of a relationship between two friends. "Not directly." Rachel wasn't asking for more than his advice. "So talk." Nash wondered if this had anything to do with her extended lunch hour or her early exit. He knew things weren't going so well between her and Harvey because of Bill. "How hard would it be for me to transfer to the Boston PD?" Rachel looked at him inquistively, hoping for any sign of advice. "Why do you ask? Are things that bad?" Nash thought Boston was a little extreme, he considered maybe something happened with her mom and she needed to go back home. "No, it's not that. Bill's moving to Boston." Rachel assumed that Nash thought problems were that bad with Harvey, or himself. "And you're going with him?" Nash was surprised, he didn't think things were that serious between Bill and Rachel. He wondered what Harvey had to say about all of this. "Not with him so much as with my daughter." Rachel wasn't going to be with Bill, but to be by Lili. She couldn't handle the distance again. "I have to ask, what does Harvey think of this? Or doesn't he know?" Nash didn't think the idea would go over well with Harvey. Harvey was obviously head over heels. "He knows. I can't ask him to wait for me to come back, and I certainly can't ask Bill for my daughter." Rachel stopped for a minute, to give Nash a chance to take it all in. "I love him, Nash, but I don't know that I can give her up again." "How often would you see her?" Nash could never imagine himself in such a predicament, torn between the one you love and your child. He was afraid something like this might happen. "Once a month, then I'd get her over the summer and alternating holidays." Bill's offer was promising, but it seemed limiting at the same time. "That doesn't sound too bad, I'd get too keep you here and so would Harvey." Nash smiled, trying to reassure Rachel it would end up okay. "What would you do, if this was about Cassidy?" Rachel knew it was always easier to advise when it was somebody else's situation. ** "So, are you two going to dinner tonight?" Kim wanted to know if Harvey had accepted Marcy's offer. "Well, he didn't say no." Marcy was thrilled when Harvey agreed to go out, they had so much in common. Marcy beamed from ear to ear. "I'm surprised he remembered you after all these years." Kim found Harvey's memories of Marcy to be quite interesting after so much time had gone by. "The people you met at the Dead Shows were often just as memorable as the band themself." Marcy grinned, recalling her fond months following the Dead each summer. "You're too young to understand." "I own a CD or two by the Dead." Kim knew her knowledge of the dead was nothing in comparison to Marcy's. "But you didn't live the Dead." Marcy winked and picked up her bags, "I've got a date." ** "Rachel, what are you doing here?" Harvey was surprised to find Rachel on his doorstep, he was on his way out. "I thought you'd be with Bill and Lili tonight." "Did you get my messages?" Rachel had called him more than once after her talk with Bill, but hadn't been able to reach him all day. "You said we had to talk, but I assumed it could wait till tomarrow." Harvey wanted to put off the bad news as long as he could. "And I'm just about to leave." "It can't wait." Harvey motioned her inside and shut the door behind them. Marcy would have to wait for now. It was just dinner with an old friend, nothing serious. "What's going on?" Harvey assumed that Rachel's distance said it all. They were over. "I talked to Bill, and he's moving to Boston before the end of the month." Rachel didn't know where to begin. There was so much she wanted to say. "And you're going to go with him? Right?" It was evident she had made her final decision, she would stay with her daughter no matter what she'd have to give up. "Well, I've done a lot of thinking lately and I've come to a decision." Rachel made up her mind for good, she reconsidered her options time and again. "Let me guess, you've decided to further your relationship with Bill and we're getting a divorce?" This was the moment that Harvey had been dreading, he didn't want to hear another word. He sat down on the couch, head in his lap. Harvey never imagined this would hurt so bad. He looked up a moment, "this couldn't wait till tomarrow?" "Can I finish?" That wasn't at all what Rachel had come by to say, but she could understand why he'd think that. Harvey had every right to be angry with her. "Rachel, there's nothing more to say. You're staying with Bill and that's that. I don't need an explanation." Harvey pulled away when she tried to touch him, he didn't want to increase the misery. "Yes, you do." Rachel moved in closer to him, grabbing his arm before he could pull away. "I think it would be best if you left." Harvey removed her hands from his chest and walked towards the door. "Harvey..." Rachel could see her pleas were futile, but she had to try. "Rachel, please." Harvey wanted to pull his heart from under the knife before things got any worse. Rachel picked up her purse from the chair and stepped onto the porch. Rachel looked Harvey directly in the eyes and lightly touched his hand, "I love you, Harvey." She never intended to blurt it out like that, she just did. "What?" That wasn't at all what he expected to hear, especially then. He quickly went down the steps to catch up with Rachel, he wanted confirmation of what he just heard. "Nevermind, I shouldn't have said it." She acted on impulse and wasted the moment, her chance was gone. Rachel got into her car and started the engine, "I'm sorry, Harvey." Harvey stood there a moment, her words echoing in his ears as she drove away. She actually said it, and told him how she felt. He wondered if he'd get the chance to do the same. ** "Julian?" Marco knew he had to call again, the job still wasn't done and Vincent was gowing impatient. "Yes, Marco," Julian knew exactly why Marco was calling. Julian hadn't gotten the opportunity he hoped for with Bridges or Leek, the woman was always around one of them. "Why hasn't business been taken care of?" Marco honestly didn't care, but he knew his job was dependent upon Julian making the kill. "The woman was around, too pretty to spatter with blood." Julian knew she wasn't the target, he couldn't risk her getting in the way. "What does Vincent want with her anyways?" "Long story, but he's in love." Marco didn't know if it was love or lust, just that Vincent would kill for this woman. "I guess so, I'll have it done within the next week. A cash advance would be most appreciated." Julian could do it, but he could do it better with a little help from Vicent's account. "I'll see what I can do." Marco would talk to Vincent later about the money, right now he was more concerned with Bridges and Leek getting in the way of Vincent's parole. "We'll chat again soon." Julian hung up the phone, he had work to do. He had to plan the next robbery, everything had to be perfect for Leek and Bridges. ** Harvey looked at Marcy, he came because he felt obligated to. His mind was elsewhere. Marcy led the conversation, there wasn't much he wanted to say. He sat across from her at the cocktail table, this wasn't his type of establishment. "What's with you? Any relationships or kids?" Marcy was curious about his life over the years. "I've got a son, he's four and ..." Harvey didn't know what to say when it came to Rachel, especially with how she left things hanging. "I bet he's adorable." Marcy envisioned a miniature Harvey, right down to the curls and the gorgeous blue eyes. "He usually gets what he wants." Harvey smiled, just the thought of Jerry sparked a wonderful reaction. "And his mother?" Marcy wanted to know if he was still involved with Jerry's mother or not. "A moot point." Harvey chuckled, knowing Anna would never really go away. "No other relationships? You've been single all this time?" Marcy found it most unusual that someone like Harvey was still on the market. "Bachelorhood has its perks." Harvey forced himself to smile, so did married life. "Let's blow this pop stand and head back to my place, couple of beers and a great boot leg from '68 --- what do you say?" Marcy would love nothing more than to spend the evening with Harvey, meeting up with him after all these years was definitely a pleasant surprise. Harvey considered it for a second and knew he should be elsewhere, "I say, I need to go home and see my wife." Marcy checked his hand, there was no evidence of a ring and she was certain he hadn't mentioned it earlier. "You're married?" ''To an incredible woman who I love immensely." Harvey got up from the table and removed a twenty-dollar bill from his wallet, which he set on the table. "This is the mother of your son?" Marcy was confused, one woman he despised and the other he loved --- were they one in the same? "One day she will be." Harvey smiled, hoping one day he and Rachel would have several children together. "For now, were taking things day by day." "I see." Marcy evidently made more out of the evening then he had. For her, it was a date. For Harvey, it was a night out with an old friend. ** Harvey knocked on Rachel's front door a little later, waiting for her to answer. He considered what she said, but wondered what she meant by telling him now. Harvey tried to sleep, but couldn't. He had to see her. Harvey thought about using his key, but worried that Bill might be there or her daughter. Just as he was ready to leave and go home, she opened the door. "Harvey?" Rachel was surprised to see him there, she assumed she'd endure a day of the cold shoulder at work before given a chance to explain herself. "I love you, and I can only hope that you've known that." Harvey looked around the porch and peered through the door, checking for Bill. "I know I haven't said it until now, and that I probably should have, but I do." "Harvey, you don't have to say it to me just because I said it to you." Rachel leaned against the door jam, wondering what had inspired Harvey's visit and seemingly quelched his anger. Rachel knew those words didn't come easily for men when it came to her. "I said it because I do, not because you just happened to say it first." Rachel gave his hand a light squeeze as she stepped in towards him, but he pulled away from her before she could get any closer. "Wait, there's something I have to know." "What?" Rachel kept her distance, there was still something wrong. She watched as tears slowly started to form in Harvey's eyes. "Was that meant as an I love you, good-bye or an I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you?" Harvey couldn't go one step further without knowing what her decision was, Rachel thought her choice had been clear. ** |
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