| When he reached the main road he stopped short. Which way Brian wondered. He continued to call Colby's name into the phone but it was no use. The line was still open but there was no response. She had mentioned William's name, so he turned towards the Estates. His stomach was in knots and he applied more pressure to the accelerator and the speed of the car increased. He hadn't gone a mile down the road when he saw someone waving his arms trying to attract attention. Brian saw a large tractor-trailer parked on the shoulder. He slowed down and then the man moved and Brian's heart came into his throat. Colby's car was resting nose first in a large trench off the shoulder of the road. He pulled off the road and leapt out of the car. "Colby! Colby!" he called as he ran towards the car. The man approached him, but Brian ran right by. Her head was resting on a partially opened air bag. He could hear the man talking but didn't pay any attention. He tried the door but it was jammed. She was unconscious and Brian called out to her as he tapped at the window. "I called for an ambulance," the man said. Brian looked up at the man and then back at Colby slumped over the steering wheel. "She veered into the opposite lane and when I honked my horn the car swerved off in the other direction sailing through the fence and into the ditch. Look man, I didn't do anything. I mean I could have hit her. She shouldn't have…" "I'm sorry," Brian interrupted his explanation, "did you say you called for an ambulance?" He ran his hands through his hair, fear gripping him at the thought that Colby could be seriously hurt or worse. "Yes. They should be here soon. I'm sorry she came into the oncoming lane." Brian could see he was distraught. "Don't apologize. Thank for you for stopping and making the call. I think she may have gone into labor. She's pregnant." The man nodded. Brian felt useless as they waited for the ambulance. He tried the door again and was about ready to get something and pry it open when the EMS truck arrived. They were able to remove the car door and carefully pulled Colby from the car placing her on a stretcher. She had a gash on her forehead and Brian noticed bloodstains on the clothing covering her lower body. That was not a good sign. They checked her vitals and inserted an IV drip. "What about the baby?" Brian asked the medic as he placed a stethoscope on her abdomen. The man hesitated and Brian asked him again. He looked up and his eyes gave Brian his answer. "The heart beat is very faint. We need to get her to the hospital right away." He nodded his head to his partner and they picked up the stretcher and carried Colby to the awaiting ambulance. Brian asked to ride with her and they agreed. As they were getting her settled in the back of the vehicle the police arrived and took the truck driver's statement. They told Brian they would need to ask Colby some questions and would follow up with her at the hospital. Brian climbed in the back and sat next to Colby. He held her hand in his. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes and he lowered his head and prayed that God would keep her and the baby safe. They were just beginning. Each day he could feel her opening up more and more. They needed a chance. He needed to tell her that he loved her and wanted her in his life. "Colby hold on, baby. I love you, and I want to make a life with you and the baby. Please Colby, you can do this. Be strong for you and the baby. I need you both." He rested his head on the pallet as the tears fell on his cheeks. He felt the ambulance move and the noise of the siren cut through his thoughts. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ There was mist all around her. She was pushing a carriage and Rob was with her. They stopped and sat down on the bench. She smiled lovingly at him. She pulled back the blanket in the carriage but there was nothing there. The ambulance was still moving when the orderlies opened the back door. Brian got out and watched as they rolled Colby into the hospital. The attending physician, who after checking the paramedic's chart, called the OR. The nurse at the desk asked Brian a few questions and once answered he got on the nearest elevator and headed straight for the surgical floor. He checked at the desk and was told Colby had been taken to room three. The nurse showed him to the waiting room. There was a coffee maker in the corner and the room was lined with sofas and easy chairs. He paced. He prayed. He felt like a caged animal. He hated hospitals. He needed to do something, anything. He pulled out his phone and called home. The machine picked up and he left a message. He felt so helpless. Colby was fighting for herself and the baby. He should have been with her and then this wouldn't have happened. Brian wished they would come and tell him what was going on. They had taken her to surgery and it scared him. His pacing became more pronounced as the anxiety rose within him and his body tensed more and more. "Excuse me, Mr. Spencer?" Brian turned to see a nurse. He stared at her blankly. "Mr. Spencer?" "No I'm not Mr. Spencer. Colby's husband died about seven months ago. I'm a friend." "I'm sorry." She handed him a small bag. "It's Mrs. Spencer's personal things, her bag, jewelry." Brian nodded and took the bag. "Can I get you anything? Make some calls to anyone?" The nurse was solicitous and sincere in her concern. "Calls?" he repeated. "Yes to her family," the nurse suggested. Brian's fear was instantly replaced with anger. The Spencers had caused this and now he was supposed to call and tell them. Would they care? And then he thought of Catherine who had stood by Colby and him too. He looked at the nurse. "No. I better do this, but thank you." The nurse went to leave. "Before you go, is there any word on Colby. She's been gone a while." She could see worry written on his face. "It's only been about twenty minutes, but as soon as we hear something we will let you know. I'll be at the desk if you need anything." Brian thanked her and went about making the calls. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ They all sat in the room together. The air was thick with anger, hatred and fear. William and Garrett sat on one side of the room. Their faces were dead pan and it was obvious that Garrett was only their because his father expected it. At one point he left to place several calls and returned only to continue to fidget like a small child. Catherine had arrived before Brian ever got to call her. Someone had heard about Colby being admitted and had gotten word to her as she was leaving the foundation offices. She walked in the waiting room and went straight to Brian. One look at his face confirmed that it was serious. She enveloped him in her arms and he told her what he could. As they sat down on the sofa his mother arrived. He felt his inner resolve surge at the sight of her and went to her. She held him and he felt tears begin to fill his eyes. As much as she had hoped this infatuation would pass, she had seen his devotion to Colby grow daily. He was in love with her and nothing and no one would change that. Her heart broke at his pain and she just prayed that God would see them through this trial. Brian made the introductions and it wasn't long before the two women were sharing stories of the joys and sorrows of raising their sons. Catherine had waited to call her husband and give him the news. But as their wait lengthened and there was no word about Colby, she finally gave in. She blamed him for this and if anything happened to the child or Colby he would have to live with the guilt. Barbara, Arlene and Donna all arrived together. A low hum resonated from the waiting room as they were filled in on the few details they knew. But it wasn't long before they all sat in silence. Each one silently praying and hoping to hear good news. It had been two hours and Brian went to the desk, but the nurse said there was still no word yet. He was beginning to panic. This was too long. If she had gone into labor, what was taking so long? The nurse assured him that as soon as they heard they would tell him. He ran his hands through his hair and Jackie could see the distress etched along his brow. He looked her way and shook his head. She knew what needed to be done. She told Catherine they would be back and went to him and whispered something and they both left. They entered the chapel and sat in the pew. Jackie held her son's hand and she could feel his grip tightened around hers. Brian sat with his eyes closed. He recited the same prayer he had been saying over and over in the waiting room but somehow sitting in this space a calmness came over him and he slowed his words. He knew he needed to turn it over and let God handle it no matter what the outcome. He slowly felt the tightness in his chest ease and a peacefulness settled over him and he let go of his fear. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ She couldn't see, but then the haze lifted and Rob was there. She went to him but no matter how fast she walked she couldn't reach him. The child in his arms turned and looked at her. There was a glow on his face, just like Rob's. She called to them, but Rob shook his head and told her she couldn't come with them. As Brian and Jackie got off the elevator they saw the doctor emerge from behind the double doors at the end of the hall. They joined the rest of the group as the doctor made his way to them. Brian's heart began to pound again in anticipation of what the doctor would tell them. Their interminable wait was over. When the doctor saw Catherine he headed straight to her. "Catherine," he took her hands in his. They were cool to the touch and red from using the hard disinfectant soap. He acknowledged the rest of the group with a nod of his head. "Scott, please tell us." As the others gathered around, Catherine reached for Brian and brought him next to her. He took her hand and gave her a half smile. "Colby is fine," Brian let our a sigh of relief. "There were some bruised ribs and abrasions and she's got a bump and nasty bruise on her forehead. She'll heal and…" "And the baby?" Brian interrupted him. The doctor looked at him and Catherine. William stood on the outer rim of the group. What of his grandchild? He didn't like the look on Scott's face. The doctor took a breath and Brian's heart sank. Catherine gripped his hand and they held each other for strength. He felt a hand on his shoulder and knew it was his mom. "I'm sorry. We did everything we could but the baby couldn't handle the stress. Colby went into labor and we had to do an emergency c-section but it was no use. His heart gave out." She had a son?" William's voice boomed over the silent group. "Yes a boy," the doctor confirmed. "Catherine I am sorry. We only found out about the baby's condition yesterday and Colby's doctor tried to call her but never reached her. His chances were slim at best, although there are breakthroughs happening every day." Brian was numb. The baby was gone. Colby, did she know? "Doctor, does Colby know?" Brian inquired of the man. He just knew that she would be devastated again. Rob and now his child taken from her. How would she cope with this latest tragedy. He wanted to go to her. He wanted to hold her and help her. He felt his eyes fill again. "Actually she is still unconscious. I'll want you there Catherine when she's told." Catherine nodded her head as she wiped tears from her eyes. She saw the pain in Brian's eyes and knew he would want to be there too as well as Barbara. Colby would need to be surrounded with those who loved and cared about her when she was given the news. "Yes," Catherine told the doctor, "I'll be there but I think it may be a good idea for Brian and Barbara to be present as well. She looked at the two of them and they acknowledged her kindness towards them. William stood off from the group a sullen expression across his face. Something went wrong and his grandson was dead. Someone was to blame and he was determined to see justice done. He pushed his way through to the doctor and grabbed him by the arm. "What the hell happened Scott?" he demanded of the doctor taking him completely by surprise. "If there was negligence on your part or the hospital I swear I'll bring a lawsuit down upon your heads that will close these doors." He glared at the younger man and let go of his arm pushing him in the process. The doctor stumbled back regaining his stance. "That's enough William," Catherine scolded. "Don't you dare try to blame Scott or the hospital for something that you caused." Everyone stood back as Catherine came and stood directly in front of her husband. "You and your meddling caused this and it's about time to accept the responsibility. You couldn't leave Colby alone. You couldn't be happy with the fact that we would have a grandchild. Well now the only way you will be able to see your grandson is to visit the cemetery. You will have to live with that William, you and your greed." Catherine took a breath. "Leave William and take Garrett with you. You two don't belong here. And when I get home we will talk. This is not over yet." She turned her back on him. "I'm not leaving until I find out what happened," he told her. What went wrong to kill my grandson?" He stared at the doctor as he spoke the words. "It was a congenital heart defect," the doctor admitted looking directly into William's eyes. "There was an enlargement of the heart and because of the way the baby was situated we never saw it until yesterday. The technician noticed the peculiarities on the sonogram. Under normal circumstances we could have monitored Colby and scheduled a section. But I must stress," he wiped his brow, "that the chances for the baby surviving to age two were" he stopped and shook his head not able to finish the sentence. "I'm truly sorry. No one is to blame really. We're not sure how this happened. It can be spontaneous or an inherited recessive gene." "Inherited?" William queried. "So it could be that Colby was the problem. She is the cause." He grinned to himself. Brian could feel the anger well up inside him. William was still raging a war against Colby. She could have died and Brian knew William wouldn't care. He started to say something but the doctor continued. "I don't think so, William," the doctor replied. "There was nothing in her medical history indicating cardiac problems in her family." He addressed Catherine. If you'll excuse me I need to go check on Colby. I'll send a nurse down once I know she's settled in a room and then you can see her, two at a time. She may be out a while. She took a good hit to her head and we did have to administer anesthesia." He kissed Catherine's cheek and shook Brian's hand and left them. Everyone just stood there, digesting all they had been told and trying to make some sense of it all. "I don't care what he says," William declared, "it was her fault. It's always been. All these years and no children and then this surprise pregnancy. She killed my grandson, if he was my grandson." The comment didn't go undetected by Brian or the others. "I've had enough," Brian yelled at him. "I stood by while you berated Colby yesterday, but I won't today. This is all your fault." Brian's eyes, liked cold blue steel, glared at him. "You caused all this stress and now her child is gone. So no one wins William. Colby lost a child and you a grandson. I don't care what you think of me, but that child was your son's. She loved your son and probably still does." He shook his head knowing he was facing a fact that made his feelings for her harder to bear. "You're a selfish bastard. You're so afraid that Colby might create a new life with someone else to love her and the child. She would never have kept the child from you. Family meant too much to Colby. The child always came first. Colby was right. I feel sorry for you. You can have all the money in the world William, but if you don't have the love of your family your millions are useless. You lost today more than any one William and you've cost Colby her child and I for one will never forgive you for that." Brian made as if to walk away but hesitated. "You stay away from her," he pointed his finger, "or I swear I'll…" Brian stopped when he realized everyone in the room was watching him. "Just stay away." He turned, his body shaking with raw emotion. "Go ahead take her. I always thought she was common anyway. And what happened today just proves it. She killed my grandson!" His voice strained as he went back at Brian. Brian turned and charged at William, like a wild animal, his nostrils flaring. "Argh!!!" the sound came from low in his throat as he went toward to the older man. Catherine screamed, "Stop this now! Both of you." Brian felt her hands on his shoulders and turned to see the pleading in her eyes. "Stop, please." "I've had enough." Her voice was firm. "Don't you go blaming Colby, William, because the truth of matter is Colby didn't kill our grandson. We did." |