| I’m sorry, Mr. Spencer. We’ve done a thorough investigation. You could contest your son’s will but at this late date the courts would probably question your motives for waiting so long to do so.” William drummed his fingers on the desk. They had been arguing for close to an hour. Every idea or plan he came up with got shot down. Rob’s will was ironclad. It was as if he knew that Colby’s future would be threatened by his family. The boy was prudent. “The trust fund your daughter-in-law set up for their child has been dissolved. From what we could gather she hasn’t touched any of Rob’s money.” William looked up, surprise written all over his face. “None of it?” “That’s right. It seems that she’s looking to divest herself of his estate.” “She can’t. That is our money.” William slammed his hand on the desk. He went to the sideboard and poured himself a drink. The other man waited, seeing William tense at his news. “Technically, Mr. Spencer, the money is hers. She is the sole heir to your son’s estate. She can do anything she wants. And the reality is you really can’t stop her.” The man closed the file and slipped it back in his briefcase. “You can’t just give up. There has to be a way to get that money.” The man looked at William, seeing the anger in his eyes. “I’m sorry sir. Unless you can find a legitimate reason that she is squandering the money, I don’t see how you’ll win.” William ran his hands through his hair. She was still causing him problems. “Well keep looking. There has to be,” the door opened and his secretary stepped in. “What is it Ms. Jones?” She knew not to disturb him but under the circumstances she had no choice. “Excuse me Mr. Spencer, but,” she hesitated glancing from her boss to the lawyer. “Spit it out Louise. What is it?” He barked, agitated by her reluctance to speak up. “It’s Mrs. Spencer sir.” William’s face softened. “Catherine?” The woman nodded. “Excuse me. I need to take this call.” William lifted the receiver and the lawyer nodded in understanding, gathered his coat and briefcase and left the office. “Sir, I think I should tell you,” William brushed his secretary off as he spoke into the phone. “Catherine?” There was a pause on the other end. Louise watched as his body grew slack as he listened to the voice on the other end. If she didn’t know better she would have sworn she saw his eyes fill with moisture. She left him closing the door behind her. A few minutes later he emerged from his office, his topcoat on. “Louise, I need to go to,” he couldn’t get the words out. “I know sir. The car is waiting for you downstairs.” She noticed there was no briefcase. Maybe, just maybe. “Thank you.” He walked slowly toward the elevator. “Mr. Spencer?” He turned. “If there is anything I can do,” Louise said, feeling helpless and wanting so for them to reconcile. “Thank you, Louise. I’ll call you when I know more.” She nodded. William got on the elevator and once the doors closed the tears he had held back slowly fell on his cheeks. She was his life. She couldn’t leave him. He needed to tell her so much. He prayed, something quite foreign for him, all the way to the hospital. I can’t lose her. I just can’t. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Brian drove Colby to the hospital. All they were told was that she had a stroke. The severity of which they were not sure. He held her hand as they listened to the doctor explain that Catherine had sunk into a coma. Colby broke down. She couldn’t lose another mother. Not now. Brian’s aversion to hospitals had not lessened and even though he spent many hours here meeting with the members of the foundation, he still couldn’t shake the feeling of doom that always surrounded him every time he came here. He glanced at Colby. Her eyes were closed and her lips were moving slowly. In her hands was a string of crystal beads. Her fingers slipped over them as she continued with her prayers. Brian was only faintly familiar with some of the practices of the Catholic tradition. On occasion he had accompanied Howie to church. The ritual and grandeur of the services left him a bit in awe of it all, but God was God. It didn’t matter how he prayed as long as he did. He slipped his hand over hers and Colby opened her eyes. They were bloodshot from all her crying. He wanted so much to take away her pain. “Come with me,” he said as he stood and she followed. The chapel was dim, candles providing the only light. He led her to the front pew. The serenity of the room engulfed them and Brian felt a calmness wash over him as the worries and cares of the world were dispelled by the silence within. They were there for a while, Brian lost in the mantra of his prayer when he felt a stirring beside him. He opened his eyes to see Colby crying, her body shaking uncontrollably. He gathered her in his arms, soothing her with soft words. “She can’t die, Brian,” Colby sobbed. “I can’t lose her.” “I know, baby, I know. We have to let the doctors do their job and leave the rest in God’s hands.” He held her close. Her body jerking as she tried to stop her crying. “Why, Brian. Why?” She muttered taking his handkerchief and wiping her eyes and nose. “I don’t have an answer Colby.” “I should have done more. Maybe if I had…” He lifted her face to his. “Don’t blame yourself. If anyone is to blame, it is William, not you.” Even with all her crying, she was so beautiful. He felt his pulse race and his heart leap in his chest. All I want to do is protect her, love her. God, why are you doing this to us now? His mind screamed as his thumb brushed the tears from her cheeks. William. Where was he? Colby still couldn’t figure him out. After all Catherine had told her, he still kept his distance. His desire for power and revenge was more important to him than the one person who should come first in his life. What was it going to take to make him see that this precious gift of life and those close to him were what mattered in this world. Colby sighed as her crying subsided. “I think we should go back,” she whispered, standing and holding out her hand. Brian wrapped his fingers around hers and they silently left the chapel. Colby hoped there would be some word, but when they checked at the nurses’ station there had been no change. They returned to the waiting room and were only there a short while when William and Garrett arrived. Brian could feel Colby’s body tense and he rubbed his thumb on her hand hoping it would calm her. “Well it’s about time, William.” Colby sneered at him. “My God, where have you been? Catherine is fighting for her life and you finally decided to see how she is.” She noticed that the spark in his eyes was missing. His shoulders were slumped and his tie had been loosened. Garrett, however, stood tall, showing no emotion whatsoever. “I’ve been with her Colby. They let me see her as soon as I arrived. I saw you both as I got off the elevator but the doctor ushered me right down to her room.” He blew his nose. Colby was taken aback by his display of emotion. She felt a twinge of guilt at the words she had flung at him. “They are hopeful. The doctor feels that the coma is her way of fighting. Her right side is paralyzed. He’s hoping she will regain complete use of her faculties, but only time will tell.” Colby just stood there. He spoke to her like he really cared and wanted her to know about Catherine. Was this the William Catherine had told her about? Was this the man who had swept Catherine off her feet all those years ago? His eyes were softer as well as the lines on his face. He looked more like a grandfather than some big CEO. Maybe that shell was beginning to crack. Maybe the inevitable had happened and William had finally seen daylight. The four of them sat quietly in the waiting room. No one speaking, just waiting and praying that there would be some news. At around eight William suggested that Colby and Brian go get something to eat. He promised to get them if there was any change. Colby didn’t want to leave but Brian convinced her that she needed to eat and get away for a while. After they were gone, Garrett finally spoke up. “What’s going on father? Why the sucking up to Colby and that two bit singer?” “You behave yourself Garrett.” William sipped from the cup of coffee. “Your mother is down the hall fighting for her life. Have you no feelings son?” He got up and threw the cup in the trash. “Catherine cares about that young woman and she would never forgive me for this too, if I didn’t let Colby know how she is.” “So what’s this then a truce or something? All your scheming against her and Littrell is over?” Garrett wondered if his father was going soft. “I will not discuss that while we are here. Do you hear me? Not a word. Your mother’s health is more important right now.” William’s voice grew louder and the nurses looked down at him with a warning glance. “If you can’t be civil and behave while you are here, then I suggest you go home. I can call you if there is any change.” Scolded like a belligerent child, Garrett slid down in the chair. Something had changed. Just look at him, Garrett thought as he peered at his father through slit eyes. Women! They are our undoing. They grab onto you and drain the life out of you. Not me, they won’t Garrett laughed to himself. They serve one purpose only and when I tire of one I can move on to another. He sat there brooding for a while as he watched fear and worry etch across his father’s face. With him preoccupied with Catherine’s condition now might be a good time to make some of those changes Garrett had been toying with. William would be spending a good part of his time here at the hospital; it would be so easy. And with the Christmas holidays, the staff would be light due to vacations. A slow grin crept across his face as Garrett’s mind began to click with a plan. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ They spent the night. Colby refused to leave and Brian wouldn’t let her stay without him. Upon their return from the cafeteria they found William alone. Colby had brought him a sandwich and she saw sincere gratitude in his eyes as he thanked her. She asked about Garrett and William grumbled that he had told him to leave. Colby could see William’s irritation with his son. She knew better than to ask any questions and just nodded at William’s reply. An uneasy charitableness settled over the three of them as they took up their positions. As the night wore on Colby fell asleep stretched out on the sofa with her head in Brian’s lap. He nodded off as well leaning his head back on the cushions. William watched them noticing the intimate touch of Brian’s hands on her. She looked like a small child as she slept. At one point Brian’s body jerked and Colby woke up. She sat up with a start. “Shh Colby. I’m sorry I woke you.” He rubbed her cheek. “Any news?” She looked at William who just shook his head. He looked terrible. His eyes were red rimmed and puffy. Her heart broke for him. He was so alone. She rested against Brian’s chest and soon sleep overtook her again. Christmas Eve dawned and Catherine still lay unconscious. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Brian woke to the early morning sounds of the nurses preparing for another day. He noticed William was gone. He dropped his head on the back of the sofa. He ached from sleeping in such awkward position. He tried to stretch his muscles without disturbing Colby. She was curled up, her head in his lap. She stirred at his movement and opened her eyes at first not sure of her surroundings. She looked up into a pair of intense blue eyes. “Good morning,” a smile played across his lips. Colby slowly sat up, brushing the hair from her face. She stretched also, trying to loosen her tight muscles. “Morning,” she whispered. She looked around the room. “Where’s William?” “I don’t know.” Brian stood and walked a bit trying to get his blood flowing. “How about I go get us some coffee.” Colby nodded. “Sounds good but before you go,” she pulled him to her. Their faces inches apart. “Thank you for being here with me.” She kissed him softly. “I know Catherine appreciates it too.” “I wouldn’t leave you here alone, especially alone with Spencer. I’ll admit though he seemed almost human last night.” “I know. It’s like he’s a different person. Do you think,” before Colby could finish the elevator doors opened and William got off. He had a tray with coffee, juice and bagels for three. Colby and Brian looked at each other, totally amazed at the sight. “Good morning,” William spoke as he placed the food and drink on the table. “I thought you might be hungry.” He looked at them both, a weak smile on his face. Colby was speechless. William got breakfast! “It’s safe. I didn’t drug it or anything. Please, it’s the least I can do right now. I appreciate you being here Colby,” he lowered his gaze. “You too Littrell.” He almost seemed embarrassed by his show of appreciation. Colby looked at Brian. He just shrugged. “You’re welcome William,” Colby said coolly as she took a container of coffee. “Is there any news?” She sipped the steaming liquid letting it warm her body. “No. The nurse said the doctor should be here around ten.” Brian glanced at his watch. It was barely nine. They sat around the table and shared the morning repast. Conversation was nil. Colby sensed William was trying to bridge the gap between them, but it was going to take more than coffee and bagels for Colby to begin to trust him. |