| The events of that afternoon triggered a twenty four hour period in Colby's life that she would never forget. She persuaded Brian to go home that evening after agreeing one too many times that she would call him if she needed him. And considering the strains of the day she had a good night's rest and woke feeling refreshed and with a renewed energy she hadn't felt in a while. Catherine arrived at breakfast to find both her husband and son already gone. After the episode on the terrace yesterday she took dinner in her room and not wanting to be present in the same room with the two of them. However if they thought that leaving early would eliminate a confrontation with her, they were sadly mistaken. It would only delay it but it would have to be this evening. Her monthly board meeting at St. Joe's was today and she was not about to miss it. So after breakfast Catherine bathed and dressed and left for the hospital. She had thought long and hard about what she would say to them and had a made decision. She knew that it was one that would be hard for all of them, but she felt it was right. And if William didn't like it, well then changes would have to be made. It was time to put a stop to this constant manipulation of people and their lives. That morning didn't find a change in William and Garrett's routine though. They went about their usual morning ritual at the office with phone calls, meetings and the like filling their time. Garrett had a hard time concentrating. He wanted revenge and his father forbade it. He told him his plan was revenge enough. It would all work out. He assured him that by evening Colby would be 'handled' one way or another and he would be guaranteed the child. Colby spent a leisurely morning and after breakfast and a shower she decided that she would finish the layette in the nursery. Brian had called to check on her and they made plans for dinner that evening. In spite of William's dire threats, she was determined to continue to see Brian. He meant more and more to her every day and knowing she would see him later set her heart a flutter. Colby set about putting all the newly washed clothes in the dresser. She had told him the truth yesterday. He had opened up her heart again and where at the beginning she imagined Rob kissing her, it was different now. It was Brian's kisses she wanted now. She wanted his arms around her. Rob would always be her first love, but Brian had worked his way into her heart. His affection towards her was tender, gentle. He never pushed the bounds even though her body responded to his kiss and touch. He never asked for more than she could give. She liked him and enjoyed being with him but Colby wasn't quite ready to say those three words that made all the difference in a relationship. And yet, he was everything she wanted. He was kind, gentle, funny. He was a man of strong convictions, and he would be a good father someday. Of course there was the difference in their ages and even though they never talked about it, Colby was always aware of it. It they pursued this relationship further, she wondered if the age factor would be an issue. She placed the last of the tiny shirts in the drawer. Everything was ready now. The baby moved slightly and Colby rubbed her body. In a few weeks their child would be born and the agonizing wait would be over. As she glanced around the room she noticed the basketball in the corner, Brian's contribution. She had laughed the day he brought it and told him she could be having a girl. A grin curled at the corners of his mouth and he said that was okay he would teach her to play too. He seemed as anxious about this child as she was. He catered to her every whim. She could hardly boil water that he wasn't under foot. Once she almost fell over him when she turned around quickly not realizing he was right behind her. He caught her and she laughed as she chided him that she wouldn't break. Women had babies every day she told him. It was a very normal occurrence. He said he understood that but he cared deeply for her and he was only trying to help. Colby remembered the two of them standing there in the kitchen neither one moving. He had cupped her face with his hand and kissed her softly on the lips. He tried to say something but the words caught in his throat. When she had asked him, he just brushed it off. She didn't press the issue because she had hunch as to what was on his mind. She loved the fact that he cared about her. Having him here filled a void that as much as her friends and Catherine understood and even Brian himself, no one knew that there was still a small dull ache in her heart. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The doctor got confirmation from his colleague at St. Joe's. The tests were conclusive. He placed a call to Colby. There was no answer again. He really didn't want to leave a message, but if he didn't they may never get in touch. It was imperative that he see her as soon as possible he said as he left the voice mail and his number. Now he would wait. There was the time factor and the more he thought about it there may not be as much as he originally thought. They needed to take precautions but even so the prognosis was not good, two years, maybe. He sighed as he thought about telling her that her child just may not survive. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "See here, Mr. Spencer," the minister interrupted, "I will not be party to some trumped up marriage. If I'm understanding you correctly your daughter-in-law is not aware of this impending ceremony?" He turned down the tumbler of whiskey. "This is highly irregular. And what of your son? He's agreeable to this?" He looked at Garrett who was working on his second drink and it was only four in the afternoon. "Garrett understands what has to be done," William said as he sipped from his glass. "And to answer your question. No Colby has no idea but she will soon acquiesce or pay the price. She won't be happy anyway. She'll want her priest but that can be arranged later. Right now, I just want them married." He sat down at his desk and opened the ledger. "I'm sure this will compensate for our inconvenience." He handed the check to the clergyman. The man gasped when he saw the figure. "This is," the man stumbled over his words. "I won't be bought or part of this collusion." He placed the check back on the desk. "Scruples now, Rev. Mead." William clicked his tongue. "Well then, how about I just make this a donation to the church." He tore up the check and rewrote it. "And to make it even easier I'll mail it directly to the parsonage so you don't have to dirty your hands." William slipped it in an envelope and put it with a number of other letters to be posted. "Really William," the minister tried speaking to him informally to reach him and make him understand. "I would have no problem with this marriage if your son and daughter-in-law were in love or at least liked each other but neither party wants it and I can't do it. Not knowing that it is a complete farce. Marriage is a sacred union not to be taken so frivolously." "Save it for Sunday, Andrew." William scoffed at him. "I've heard it all before. I know it will be a marriage in name only, but I want that child here in this house and I will have it. So you will do as I ask and convince Colby that if she doesn't comply she could loose the child altogether." William came around the desk and put his arm around the cleric. "Now would you like that drink?" The man nodded and William poured him a generous portion. "To my grandson!" William clinked his glass against the other man's and gulped down the strong libation. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ She couldn't possibly imagine what else they could say to each other. After yesterday William surely had to know her position. Colby turned into the driveway. She hoped this wouldn't take too long. It was nearly half past four and Brian said he would be by around six. They were going back to that little Italian restaurant for dinner. It was Brian's idea and Colby was looking forward to it. She pulled up in front of the house and gingerly got out of the car. She probably shouldn't be driving any more, but she hated to give up the freedom. Colby rang the bell and Sanders greeted her and took her directly to the parlor. As she entered the room the three men turned at once. "Well William, I'm here. What was so important that I needed to come right away?" Colby looked from him to Garrett and then nodded at the minister. "Rev. Mead. It's nice to see you." "Good to see you too, Colby," he cleared his throat and walked to the window. "Have a seat Colby," William offered as he pointed to the winged chair. Colby noticed he seemed a bit edgy. She knew Catherine wasn't home and she wondered if something had happened to her. "William I don't mean to be rude, but what is this all about. Is Catherine all right?" She declined the offer of the chair and stood directly in front of him. She also noticed that Garrett was unusually quiet. Something was up. "Catherine is fine. I wanted to talk to you. We never really settled anything yesterday and I think we need to." He looked towards the minister and then Garrett. Neither one would look at him directly and a cold shiver went down Colby's back. "Settle what, William?" Suddenly there was this gnawing pit in her stomach and Colby knew he was ready with some ultimatum. She mustered all the courage she could draw and looked him straight in the eye. "William, you know how I feel. I will not marry your son. So if that is what this is all about, you'll excuse me. I have plans." She turned to leave when William called out and stopped her. "Colby!," he bellowed and Colby turned around. "You have two choices. Either you and Garret marry or you relinquish your rights as a mother to the child and you can have your freedom. The child will be raised here and take his rightful place as a Spencer." He spoke the words without any emotion. This was just another business deal for him. She laughed at him. The sound coming out like a cackle, high pitched. "Never! You have no rights to the child, William and I will not give him or HER up without a fight." She glared at him but he stood his ground. "Yes you will, Colby. I'll drag your name through the mud and that singer of yours too. You won't be able to show your face in the community and the courts will award me custody under the circumstances that you are unfit as a mother to raise the child." He gloated as he spoke the words. "I don't believe you," she screamed at him. "Why, William? Why do you hate me so much? Is it because I'm not a 'blue blood' or my independent spirit didn't conform to what you thought was appropriate?" She shook her head. "I won't bend to your wishes. I won't live in this house with that man," she pointed to Garrett "and I sure as hell won't let you raise this child." Colby could feel her eyes begin to fill. She took a deep breath to calm herself. "William how can you be so cold? Where is the man Catherine has told me about? What happened to him? You are unfeeling and I will not shut myself up in this tomb of a house to make you happy. This child is your grandchild and always will be. But I will not give up my life for you. I want love in my life, William. Love! And maybe I've found it again." Tears fell down her cheeks. She had to get out of here. This place was suffocating her. Colby started towards the door. William grabbed her arm and stopped her. "Reverend," he called to the minister. "Let's get this over with." "Let go of me, William. You're hurting me." Colby struggled to free herself from his grasp. He loosened his hold a bit and she slipped from his hold and headed straight for the door. "I'm sorry, William," the minister said, "I will not do this." He went towards Colby. Another one of those contractions came on her and she doubled over. The minister held her as she breathed through it. When it subsided she looked at William, was it fear or concern on his face. Colby couldn't tell. "I feel sorry for you William, for you and Garrett. Life is too short to shut yourself off from the people who love you. Think about it, it's not too late." She turned and the minister helped her out of the house and into her car. "Colby, come back here," William yelled as she and the minister left the house. "You will bow to my demands. This isn't the end. Do you hear me, Colby?" He walked to the door and watched as her car fishtailed down the driveway leaving a skid mark in its wake. "Go after her," he demanded to Garrett as he came back into the parlor. "Hell no. You decided to handle this. Go after her yourself." He walked to the sideboard and open the decanter. "I say good riddance to her and her spawn." He spit the words out as he poured another two fingers of bourbon into his glass left his father standing with his mouth agape. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ As Colby sped down the driveway tears fell down her cheeks again and soft sobs escaped her mouth. He was so desperate that Colby was worried he may do something to hurt her. She reached the county road and turned towards Brian's farm. She needed him now. Please be there she thought as she rummaged in her bag for her phone. She placed the call and prayed he would answer. "Hello." Colby closed her eyes in thanks. "Brian!" she gasped between sobs. "He…the minister…threatened me…you…wants the baby…" The tears continue to fall as she rambled. "Colby slow down, baby. What happened? Talk slowly." As the words spilled from her mouth, Brian could hear the fear in her voice. She was breaking up too. Where could she be? "William! He wants….Ohhhhhhh." "Colby where are you?" Brian yelled into the phone. "Oh God, Brian, the baby. Oh my God! Briiiiiaaaannnnn!" The car began to swerve along the road as the pain engulfed her. "Colby!" he screamed. All he could hear was static and then a thud. The line was still open and he continued to call her name as he ran to his car. There was no response on the other end. His heart pounded in his chest as his car left a trail of dust down the drive. It was another contraction but this time it was worse. It tore through her body and she thought the baby would rip her wide open. She grabbed her rock hard abdomen and tried to breathe but it wouldn't ease up and then a second one followed on its heels and she let out a scream. Suddenly there was a blast from a horn and Colby looked to see she had swerved into the oncoming lane. She tugged on the wheel of the car and sent it careening off the road. She tried to break but another contraction paralyzed her as the car smashed through a fence and nose dived into a six foot trench. Colby screamed and then blackness engulfed her. |