Finders Keepers

Part 15

Jules spent the week following Carl and Rachel’s anniversary buried in her own pile of work. So when Thursday morning rolled around she rose with the sun, prepared to enjoy her day. And, as usual, the day found her in the company of her favorite person in the world.

Jules stretched on their blanket littered with the remains of their lunch. Just inches away the grubs slept sheltered by an umbrella, their father next to them. He too was flat on his back, a contented smile on his face as he listened to the music floating from the bandstand. Everything felt so right.

Thursday in the Park was Bay City’s lunchtime answer to culture for the working masses. They’d been attending the events with the twins so it was their ‘special time’, as she liked to think of it. Hell, she even enjoyed the company of the grubs.

At first she’d shied away from the children. As a young woman she’d yearned for a large brood to call her own. She and her fiancé had lain awake at night and planned the family they both wanted. But after years passed and nothing happened, she’d given in and gone to the doctor who gave her the tragic news—Jules would never have children. She was barren. Needless to say, she never made use of the wedding dress. Nearly twenty years later, she still felt the sting of rejection.

But the grubs had awakened her instincts again. She knew they weren’t hers and never could be. Jacob…she stopped herself. Carl, he was Carl now. Carl loved Rachel with all his heart. As a doctor she had kept his body alive, but Rachel’s memory had kept his soul from slipping away.

No, Jules thought as she relaxed in the hot afternoon sun, she could never take Rachel’s place. Her own past with Jacob/Carl didn’t even factor into the equation. Now she knew she was meant to watch over them. She was merely a fill-in while Rachel slaved at Cory. Jules knew she would have to accept that if she were to have any peace.

*)*(*

"Amanda, I really don’t want to hear anything you have to say against Carl." Rachel was furious and just about to let her daughter know it.

"I only wanted to express my opinion based on firsthand observation. I have eyes Mom, I can see what he’s doing."

Rachel wished she could slap the smirk from Amanda’s face. "Then I’ve heard enough and if you have nothing of any value to contribute to either me or this company, get out."

"Mommm," Amanda whined. Her childish behavior was rubbing Rachel the wrong way. "Don’t you…"

"I see what you’re trying to do Amanda. Get out of my office. Now! Perhaps you should watch over your own husband and leave mine alone."

Amanda shrugged. "It’s your funeral." As she strolled out she turned for one last shot. "Just remember what I said about the good doctor. While the cat’s away and all that."

Rachel hurled the first thing at her disposal at the closed door. Not satisfied with the results, she slammed her fists to the desk and shoved off half its papers. How dare Amanda! How dare she insinuate Carl was being unfaithful? She knew nothing of Carl’s friendship with Jules. She hadn’t even bothered to mend things with Carl after his return. It was so sad that Amanda devoted so much time and energy to stirring up trouble.

"Mrs. Hutchins?"

DeeDee stood in the doorway, frightened by the display before her.

"Dee," Rachel’s cheeks blazed. "What?"

"There’s a call on line two. It’s Bradley Bailey."

"I’m not here." Rachel felt all the fury leave her body. "Tell him anything. I just want to finish and go home." To Carl, the man she was forced to make third on her list of priorities. God, she hated corporate life.

"He’s being persistent."

Rachel rubbed her eyes and sighed. "Oh alright. I really should take the call."

As Rachel reached for the phone she wondered just when Cory Enterprises had become a millstone around her neck.

*(*)*

Jules’ heart thudded against her ribcage as she climbed the back stairs of the Cory Mansion. She’d received Remy’s plea for help barely fifteen minutes ago and had broken several laws on her way over. She’d been unable to wring anything from the girl other than the need to be discreet.

Remy met her at the landing. "Come on Doc."

Jules allowed herself to be dragged down the hallway to the master bedroom.

"I’m worried about Grandpa," she explained as she closed the door behind them. "Sometimes, he gets these terrible headaches. I mean really, really bad. And he won’t tell Rachel he’s having them."

"How do you know about them?" As her eyes adjusted to the darkened room she could see him on the bed.

"Cause I found him one morning there in the dark. I kinda take care of him. He’s asleep now."

"I am not. I am merely resting." His voice was slightly slurred.

"Remy, why don’t you give us a few minutes." She walked to the bed and put down her medical bag, glad she’d thought ahead. "Not feeling well are we?"

"Stop saying ‘we’. You are not the one in pain."

"No, not unless I count you for being a pain in my ass. You always were rotten when it came to pain."

"Wonder why."

Jules searched through her kit and pulled out a syringe. "This, however, will soothe the beast."

"I don’t want any medicine." He struggled to sit up.

"I know dear, but it’s for the best." Jules moved toward him. "You know the drill. This will make you a little drowsy, but I promise the pain will go away."

"Promise?"

As so many times previously, Jules took care of him. "I promise. Now lie back and rest."

"Stay with me?" His dark eyes pleaded with her.

"If you like."

"Here, next to me." Even though they’d often done the same thing at the clinic, Jules now hesitated. All the rules had changed, but that didn’t stop her from crawling in next to him.

Carl’s body shuddered as he began to release the pent-up pain. "Thank you," he murmured as he took her hand. "I apologize for my behavior."

"No need."

It was a while before he spoke again. "I remembered again."

"I’m guessing it wasn’t pleasant."

Carl grunted. "I suppose Rachel has spoken with you about my past."

"Yes," Jules laughed at the memory. "She used the word ‘checkered’ if memory serves me."

"Checkered. How genteel. This last year Rachel has studiously avoided discussions concerning certain areas of my past."

"Maybe she believes knowledge about it would harm more than help. It could be her way of protecting you."

"It’s damn frustrating!" His body shuddered with a gasping breath.

"Carl?"

"I’m fine. Don’t misunderstand me. I’ve said it before—there are parts of my past I’d prefer to never remember. Before Rachel, I was a horrible bastard. If it would please her, I would willingly forget everything."

"But you can’t."

"No," he said quietly. "Since your arrival in Bay City, the memories have begun to return at an accelerated rate."

Jules rose on her elbow. His eyes were closed and his face looked pinched and haggard. "You haven’t told Rachel." It wasn’t a question.

"No."

"Why?"

He opened his eyes. In the dark they were transformed into a deep jet black Jules had trouble reading.

"I don’t want to be that man anymore. If I tell her, then I’m acknowledging him."

His soft words moved her. "You’re stronger than that Carl. I’ve seen you live through so much in such a short time. I never expected you would run from your past." They lay in silence until curiosity overcame her. "What did you remember?"

"Justine, a," Carl paused, "a former love. At least I believed I loved her."

"And?"

"Rachel and I had been married for less than a year when Justine reentered my life and plunged us all into hell. Due to Justine’s manipulations, I inflicted a great deal of pain on Rachel."

"You didn’t…"

"I did."

Jules was thunderstruck. "That’s hard to believe. Why?"

"Justine and my wife were nearly exact duplicates. Visually." He took a deep breath. "The memory of her makes me ill. How could I have not known? I should have known. Before the sex, not after."

Her heart tore at the hurt in his voice. "Whatever the circumstances, Rachel must understand. After all, she’s still with you."

"We’ve never discussed it, and I’m not ready to do so now. But I can tell you can’t I? I can tell Jules anything."

"Of course." She settled back against his side, unsure what to make of his latest tale.

"Thank you. You’re such a comfort." He yawned. "I had a remarkable dream last night as well. It must’ve been a dream."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because it was about you."

The quiet admission startled Jules.

"You were on a beach. Your beautiful hair was down around your face and you were barefoot. Your dress was the color of the ocean and you were laughing."

He was quiet for so long, she thought he’d fallen asleep. "Is that it?"

"No." His words came slower as though he was giving each word deep consideration. "I was there with you. You weren’t afraid, even when I chased you across the sand. I gave you something and I kissed you. Have we ever kissed?"

"Never." How easy the word passed her lips.

"Oh, my mistake."

Jules felt his body relax as the drug dug its claws into him. Careful not to disturb him, she leaned over and kissed his lips as he slept. She wiped her tear from his cheek and settled against him praying the memory would be gone when he awoke.