The Biggest Heartache in Town

*by…well, you know

Part 12

"You know we’re in the right place?"

"We’re in a nice, warm building as opposed to outside in the freezing cold. Isn’t that good enough?"

"Warm at home would be better."

"That’s not an option."

"Could’ve been. If some pregnant chit hadn’t gotten a wild hair up her arse then that’s precisely where we’d be. But no, we’re in a godforsaken, snow-drenched town hunting down a middle aged man who is fully capable of taking care of himself."

"Excuse me for caring."

"You’ll care when He gets hold of you. He won’t be appreciative of our efforts."

"Well, we are here and I’m not leaving without him." Cindy pulled her coat closer, somewhat reluctant to announce their presence.

"We’re barely here. I thought you lived here in the not-so-distant past?"

"Sheesh! So we got lost a couple of times. You’re never going to let it go are you?"

"What do you think?"

Cindy was becoming more impatient with the man with every passing second. "Just shut up and ring the doorbell please."

Seamus cast her a dubious look. "If it’s not this Amanda the two of you keep prattling on about, YOU can do the explaining."

"Just can the sarcasm, okay. After my little visit with Rachel, I’ve had more than enough for one morning. I just want to get inside and right now, I don’t care who lives here. Between the long flight and the ballroom dancers who’ve taken up residence inside me, I’m really past caring. Even if the person on the other side of this slab of wood is holding a bloody ax – I’m using their bathroom!" Cindy’s escalating voice boomed in the hallway. "I’ve got to go!"

Said door whipped open.

"Carl?"

"Amanda! Sorry, it’s just us." Cindy hoped the smile on her face was a warm and reassuring one because she felt far too tired to explain everything right away.

"Cindy," Amanda said distractedly. She tried to peek around the pregnant woman. "Is Carl with you?"

Seamus cleared his throat. "No, sorry, but we are definitely glad you’re not a maniacal murderer." His eyes roamed over her. "Of course, we’ve been wrong before."

Amanda’s brow furrowed as she took in her unknown visitor. "Who the hell are you?"

Seamus grasped her fingers and raised them to his lips. "Please allow me to introduce myself," he began.

"Excuse me Valentino," Cindy interrupted, "but I am a woman in need." With an indelicate push, Cindy made her way inside. "Where’s the head?"

Amanda gave directions then turned her attentions to the man in her doorway. "I’m sure there’s a logical reason she’s here."

"Oh, of course."

"Then spill it," she commanded, "because I’d like to hear it before Carl finds out Cindy is in town against her doctor’s wishes and all hell breaks loose."

"To the point," he commented. "I like it. I’d like it even better if I could come inside."

His eyes unsettled her, but she stood aside. "Please, be my guest."

As he brushed by her, Amanda took the opportunity to study him. Something about him was so familiar.

"Nice place you have here," he said, throwing his coat over a chair. "Rent?"

"I own it. The entire building as a matter of fact."

"Really?" He lowered his tall frame onto the couch. "Has it been a wise investment?"

Amanda was quickly losing her cool. "Since I have no reason to believe you’ve come all this way to discuss real estate with a total stranger, maybe you could introduce yourself. You obviously know who I am."

"Yes, he’s told me bits and pieces."

"Carl?"

"Who else. I take it you don’t know who I am?"

Amanda shrugged. "Not a clue. Enlighten me."

"You know, Carl never mentioned how attractive you are."

Amanda blushed and lowered her eyes.

"But then, you’re not his type are you?"

The heat in her cheeks turned to anger at his casual words. This man was baiting her.

"How would you know?" Great. The big goof was putting her down and all she could manage was a schoolyard comeback.

"A brother knows these things. My name is Seamus, nice to make your acquaintance." He offered his hand, frowning when she failed to shake it.

"You wouldn’t believe how much better I feel," Cindy remarked, waddling into the room. The silence that greeted her and the shocked look on Amanda’s face stopped Cindy in her tracks. She looked from one to the other waiting for someone to acknowledge her presence. "What did Seamus do now?"

"Not a thing, I promise," he replied. "I’ve been a good boy."

"Then why is she standing there with her mouth open?"

"I’ll give you two guesses and the first one doesn’t count."

Cindy rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Amanda. "So, where’s my old man?"

"Huh?" Amanda slowly surfaced from her fogged state. This man was Carl’s brother? "What? Carl? Oh," Amanda’s heart deflated at the thought Carl had kept secrets from her. "He’s at the hospital visiting Vicky."

"Vicky? That’s why he’s here? Good Lord, why can’t he just send flowers like everybody else?" Cindy sat next to her uncle. "Well, as long as he doesn’t run into Rachel, he’ll be okay."

"There’s no chance of that," Amanda stated. "After what happened this morning I don’t think she’ll even step out of the house today."

"Finally, something wonderful. If she stays away from the hospital then there’s no chance they’ll run into each other."

"Are the two of you sure? I didn’t tell you Cindy dear, but a car pulled out of the driveway just after we left the Cory place."

"What?!" Cindy screamed the word.

"There was a blonde behind the wheel and a brunette on the passenger side. I could only see the blonde, who was quite gorgeous by the way." Seamus smiled. "Not that I could tell in the span of a few seconds."

"The blonde’s name is Paulina and she has practically lived at the hospital since Vicky’s shooting." Amanda heart began to race. "They have to be going to the hospital."

"They can’t. We have to stop this. I can’t let her near Dad." Cindy attempted to rise.

"I’ll go," Amanda muttered, racing around the apartment looking for her coat and shoes. "I’ll go find him for you Cindy." She tugged on her outerwear and practically ran out the door.

"Are all the people in Bay City as odd as that one?" Seamus asked after the door slammed.

"Pretty much. Maybe not all of them. What did you say to her anyway? From the look on her face it had to be a doozy."

"I only told her I was Carl’s brother."

"And she didn’t know." She slapped him with a pillow. "Men. When will you ever learn?"

()())()()()

Carl caressed Vicky’s pale hand. Her fragile body lay amid a sea of life-saving machinery. She looked worn and hadn’t opened her eyes since his arrival. He’d been loath to touch her; afraid he’d disturb her much needed sleep. His need to be near her had overruled his common sense however, so he sat at her bedside, obediently waiting for her eyes to open.

"Carl?"

Vicky’s thin voice called his name as her eyes fluttered open.

"I’m here." He squeezed her hand, bringing a smile to her face.

"I knew you’d come."

"The devil himself couldn’t keep me away." He moved closer. "You’ve managed to tie everyone in knots my heart. We were terrified we might lose you. Bella and Michael keep fighting and making up. And Jake, Jake has been unbearable."

She managed a slight smile. "It takes more than some bullet to get rid of me." Her eyes began to droop with her efforts. "I had to come back. Ryan said I was needed here."

"Ryan? Victoria, are you telling me…you saw my boy?"

Vicky nodded. "He gave me a message Carl," she whispered. Her tiny hand beckoned him closer. "Ryan wants you to know."

())(()()()

"Tell me again why this is a good idea," Rachel pleaded with Paulina as they stepped from the elevator on into the ICU wing.

"This is a good idea BECAUSE it’s the first step in getting you and Carl back together like you’re meant to be."

"I wish I had your confidence."

"You have nothing to worry about. Just remember that this is a chance at a new beginning."

"I can’t believe I’m doing this," Rachel admitted. "I’ve spent these last few months searching for him. Now that he’s here, I’m not so sure what I’m going to him."

"This is your chance Rachel, and you’ve got to make the most of it." Paulina looked around for Jake. "I’ll just find snoop around and see if Carl is here."

Left alone, a cloud of doubt settled over Rachel. Around her people were going on with their lives while she was ready to throw in the towel. She wished she could be one of them, working and living without the turmoil that raged within her. If Paulina didn’t return soon, Rachel knew she would turn tail and run.

…())))()()…()()