Beginning, Previous Section, Section VI
Jump to new as of November 3, 2001
"You know," said William. "We should take some of the kids out some time."
"What do you mean?"
"Well... I mean we should take each of the kids to some concert or movie or some event outside of the home. But just the two of us with them."
"What's the reasoning behind this?"
"To give them some time with us alone. I think so often we do things with all of them. And I think it's important to do that, but also important to give each child some individual attention."
"All right. That's sounds like a good idea. How do you suggest proposing the idea to them? Who will you pick first?"
"Umm... names out of a hat."
"Good plan."
"So?"
"So what? I said it was a good idea."
"Aren't you going to tell them about it?"
"No. You are. It's your idea. I think you should do it."
"Uh, okay."
William started a good plan within the house. Every weekend, a child would have their turn to have their own time with William and Elizabeth. Jane and Charles adopted the idea, too. The children went to plays, concerts, movies, and to sport games.
Even Storm had her own night.
"Where do you want to go?" asked Elizabeth.
"I heard the Vagina Monologues are playing in town."
"No way, Storm. Please?"
"I was just kidding. How about a punk band concert?"
"I would suffer through it just for you, but I'm not sure about William."
"Actually, just going out to dinner so we can talk would be nice."
"Excuse me? Are you kidding?"
"No," Storm replied, perfectly seriously.
"Teenagers aren't supposed to want to talk to their parents."
Storm laughed uneasily. "You know me. Always one to shock people."
So William and Elizabeth were to meet Storm at a nice Mexican restaurant that Saturday evening.
"Where are we going exactly?" asked William as Elizabeth helped him into the car.
"To el Rio Grande."
"The grand river, huh?"
"I didn't know you spoke Spanish," she said.
"Being able to translate el Rio Grande, is not claiming to speak the language. I learnt a little in school."
"You never tell me about your previous life."
"There's a reason for that."
"And what is the reason, may I ask?"
"It's a previous life. Not part of me anymore. I want to forget it."
"But it is a part of you. You will never be able to detach yourself from your past, though you may forget it."
"Doesn't mean I have to tell you about it."
"No, but I have been curious."
"Duly noted."
"You're annoying, sometimes."
William smiled winningly at her. "I know. I try my best."
Truth be told, the couple did get annoyed at each other occasionally, but it was something that happened between the best of friends when they saw each other every day and lived in such close proximity.
"Elizabeth, I've been thinking."
"I'm so relieved to hear that, William. I'd been worried."
"Elizabeth, I'm serious."
"Ok. I'm listening."
"Once Fries' adoption is taken care of, do you want to consider adopting Storm, or at least giving her the option of choosing it?"
Elizabeth looked at William, a little surprised. "Um... I don't know."
"You love her just as much as Fries. And she seems to be your daughter in most other ways. Granted you don't get in as many fights as I would suspect a real mother/daughter would. I think she may feel less loved with our adoption of Fries. And tonight, if you want, I think it would be nice to explain to her we would have gone through all of this, just for her, had the occasion arose. And offer her adoption before she becomes an adult."
"Are you sure?"
"I would have thought you'd love the idea."
"I do. I love Storm like my own daughter and I would have fought just as hard to keep her, but I'm talking about you and me. If we adopt Storm as our daughter, what does that do to you?"
"I don't see what the problem is. I love Storm, not as much as you can, but I do love her, and I would like to see that she belongs to a family and that she is well cared for."
"But.... What if you want to get divorced after the adoptions? It'll mean more child support for you wouldn't it?"
William looked at her in some form of amazement. She didn't realize the depth of his feelings for her of course, but he was still surprised she thought he would divorce her after they got the adoption. For him, it was as long-term as she would allow. "That thought hadn't even crossed my mind, and I won't give it much validation for any thought. Besides, Storm will be beyond child supporting age very soon anyway."
"You're right."
William felt pain from the flippant manner she unknowingly treated his regard. But she didn't know, and therefore couldn't be blamed.
Storm joined them a few minutes after they were seated at a table. They ordered and began to talk about casual things at first.
Then William asked, "What universities are you looking at?"
"I have a working list at the moment, but I really would like to visit them before I narrow it down to those I want to apply to."
"What are you planning on studying?"
"I'm not sure. I've considered English and Women's Studies. But at the same time, I don't like being limited to those areas. I have an ambition to challenge male-dominated fields like physics and engineering."
"I thought you hated math," said Elizabeth.
"I do. But it doesn't stop me from wishing I could be brilliant and beat all the men in the engineering department."
"It won't do you any good to wish for tastes you don't have. If you don't like a certain subject, I would not advise studying it. In college, I found that taking difficult classes in what I liked, I made better grades than if I had taken easy classes in what I disliked."
William added, "At the same time, some people like a challenge and will take subjects they aren't good in for the sake of conquering those weaknesses."
"I'm actually not that bad at math, I just hate it."
"Then don't do something you hate in life," said William. "I went through college and got my expected business administration degree. Then I went on to get my graduate degree in accounting. I joined a corporation and I climbed the ranks, and I thought I had happiness. I was young, naïve, and thought I had everything I could ever want. Except I was desperately unhappy. I couldn't figure it out. I lacked nothing. A 'successful' career, an active social life, and prestige. But I was unhappy and didn't even know it until I found happiness again years later in the Bennet Mansion. Only now can I truly appreciate how miserable I was. Before I moved in with you, I had few material possessions. I had a few close friends. I had a fulfilling job volunteering for a cause I believed in. And I was happy. I'm happier now. So don't think that what the world says should make you happy actually does. It can be false. I'd rather see you poor and happy than rich and unhappy."
Elizabeth turned and nodded at Storm. "Ditto."
"Point taken," replied Storm.
There was a short pause. William nudged Elizabeth. She looked at him. He winked. "Oh," she mouthed and then said, "Storm, dear, William and I have been discussing something. If the same situation with Fries had been happening to you instead, we would have taken the same course of action. And since you're approaching your legal age, we were wondering if you wanted to be adopted by us, once Fries' paperwork is in the clear."
Storm stared at Elizabeth. "You're joking."
Elizabeth appeared hurt by Storm's reaction. "No. I'm serious."
"Really?" Storm's voice broke. "You want me?" She choked up and began to wipe her eyes uselessly. She sniffed loudly.
Elizabeth enveloped Storm in her arms. "Of course we want you! You've been my daughter for years! How could you think I didn't want you?"
"I-I never th-thought I'd belong t-to anyone."
"You've belonged to me, to Jane and I all along. We just never had anything on paper to say it. I love you like you were my own daughter."
Storm continued to cry a little on Elizabeth's shoulder. Elizabeth hugged her tightly and rubbed her back soothingly.
Finally, Storm sat up and took Elizabeth's proffered Kleenex to wipe her eyes and nose.
"Is that a yes?" asked Elizabeth.
Storm smiled joyfully and nodded.
"You're hair."
"Yeah?"
"It's... blue. And... shaved."
"Congratulations for pointing out the obvious."
"It was white the last time I saw you."
"Yeah, I wanted a change. So I died it."
William continued to stare at Storm in amazement.
She saw his look and said rather testily, "You're lucky I'm not old enough to get tattoos and piercings yet."
"It actually looks good," said William.
"Actually?" she patted her head self-consciously. Deep down inside, she was flattered. She never expected William to like it.
"Well, blue generally doesn't suit people. But it looks ok on you."
"Thank you."
"But I kind of wish you wouldn't influence the little ones."
"I think they've learned by now that being like me will only get them into trouble."
No one said anything for a few minutes. Finally William asked her, "Is there something you wanted, or are you just showing off your new hairdo?"
"I have so many other things I should be doing. I'm supposed to be reading a book for class. I'm supposed to be writing an essay for another class. But I feel this irresistible desire to be writing something that only I want to write. Not exactly that- but something that I choose to write. Why must we be forced to do what everyone tells us to do anyway? Why is it that deadlines must control our lives? Aren't there civilizations without an organized calendar and without a second/minute/hour time piece that function perfectly fine? Is it a good thing that I feel guilty for writing what I feel and not what I should be doing?"
There was a long pause.
"So you're procrastinating."
"Yeah."
"Oh. Ok. Make yourself at home."
"How long before you hear about Fries?"
"Hopefully within the next two weeks."
"Are you nervous?"
"Not really. I figure if we lose him, I'll just go and kidnap him."
"That's good to know."
"If it were you, I'd just give you a credit card and tell you to meet me in Venice or something."
"I'm flattered. Can you give me your credit card anyway? I promise to meet you in Venice eventually."
"Nice try."
There was another long pause while Storm looked aimlessly around the room. She walked over behind him to look at the comics he had tacked on the billboard. William continued his work on his computer. She chuckled at one of the Far Sides.
"Which one are you looking at?" William asked, and turned around. He suddenly realized how far up her had to look at her. "How tall are you?" he asked, surprised.
"Five eight."
"Are you still growing?"
"Yeah. It really bites being a head taller than all my girlfriends and even taller than some boyfriends."
"Hmm."
"What made you ask?"
"The distance I had to look up at you."
She grinned down at him.
"Having an inferiority complex?"
"Not on your life," he shot back in good humour. "Go on. Let me work. Go and procrastinate somewhere else."
"Aren't you supposed to be my father and tell me to do my homework?"
"Yes. But I'm not. You're old enough to know the consequences of not doing your homework. If you want to have a career in flipping hamburgers, I'm not going to pressure you into making good grades."
"You take the fun out of it," she whined as she left his office.
William was on a search for Elizabeth. He wanted to talk to her about something. It wasn't urgent, but it bugged him that he couldn't find her. She wasn't on the ground floor. So he took the elevator up to the first. He knocked on her door. No one answered. It was late at night. It was conceivable that she was already asleep. He thought for a second and then decided she rarely went to sleep this early. He opened the door quietly. She wasn't in her room... maybe the bathroom.
He moved into the quiet room. He heard her voice. She was singing. He looked in the bathroom. It was empty. Confused, he looked around the room. Maybe it was a radio somewhere. He listened. No, it was definitely her voice.
He followed the sound and discovered that it came from one of the baby monitors lined up on her bedside table.
"Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favourite things. When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favourite things and then I don't feel so bad."
"Sing it again, Lizzy."
"No, baby. It's time for you to be asleep."
"But I'm scared."
"There won't be any more bad dreams, I promise. I'm right here."
"Please?"
"Lie down and close your eyes and maybe I'll sing another."
There was a pause. Then she began to croon the lullaby Mary Poppins sang to the children in bed.
"... While the moon drifts in the sky, stay awake, don't close your eyes. Though the world is fast asleep, though the pillow's soft and deep, you're not sleepy as you seem. Stay awake don't nod and dream."
William left her room and began to get ready for bed.
"You know baby, it's funny how you can be so close to someone and yet so far. How many times have I wished something would happen? Some event that would finally cause me to tell him that I have more than friendly feelings for him. That I love him. And I wish he would love me too. But every day he acts as if we were only friends. So I can't bring myself- I just don't have the courage to tell him. But I wish I didn't have to keep it trapped inside of me all the time. I'm sure it's unhealthy." She sighed. "That night I accidentally fell asleep in his bed... I still think about it. The feeling of waking up in his arms. It felt normal. Well... until I realized what had happened. I wish I could wake up in his arms every morning. Look at me. I'm confessing my heart to a sleeping seven-year-old." She kissed the babe.
William came out of the boys' bathroom and saw Elizabeth coming out of Lily's room.
"Oh!" exclaimed Elizabeth, flushing deeply. "You scared me. I thought you were downstairs."
"I came up for bed." William thought she was being self-conscious about her singing, so he decided not to mention that he'd heard her beautiful voice.
"Ok. Well, good night."
"Good night."
William went into his room while Elizabeth went back downstairs to finish a few chores left undone.
"William, I can't take it anymore."
"What?"
"Storm."
William put down the papers he was reading and looked up at Fries. "What about her?"
"She's been playing her heavy metal music for three days now."
"Really?"
"Yes. And you remember what I told you about why she does it."
"Because she's in a bad mood."
"Not just a bad mood. She's really angry or depressed about something."
"What do you want me to do about it? Do you want me to ask her to turn it down?"
"You can't just ask her to turn it down. She won't listen to reasoning and it only makes her worse."
"So what do I do then?"
Fries sighed exasperatedly. "You have to go and talk with her."
"What, you mean father daughter like?"
"Not exactly, but you need to go be her confidante."
"Go talk to your mother. She's the one who deals with these things."
"She's not here. I thought you knew that."
"Where is she?"
"Don't you keep track of your own wife?" asked Fries.
Fries immediately regretted saying that. William looked really hurt.
"I'm sorry, William. I didn't mean it. I'm really sorry."
"Don't worry about it," said William in a low voice. "I'll go talk to Storm."
"I'm sorry, William, really I am," persisted Fries.
"It's ok. Go practice or do homework or something."
William left Fries standing in the office feeling two inches tall.
William took the elevator to the third floor and immediately heard the loud heavy metal coming from the closed door at the end of the hall. William wheeled himself in front of it and knocked.
A minute passed and William knocked louder. Still no answer. He looked around to see if anyone were about. None of the other children came up to the third floor, really, and Fries had been sent to practice. William banged on the door as loud as he could.
The music was turned down for a few moments. The door opened and Storm's scowling face looked out. It relaxed a little when she saw it was William.
"What do you want?"
"Could I talk to you for a moment?"
"I'm busy."
"I know, it'll only take a couple of moments."
She hesitated for a good while, then opened the door wide enough for him to come in.
William looked around. "Wow. I don't remember ever seeing your room before."
The most striking characteristic of the room was the black ceiling. Glow-in-the-dark stars and constellations and planets peeked out of the inky blackness. A black light provided the only meager light there was in the room. A large stereo was on a shelf in the wall. Underneath the stereo was a case full of CDs. On the other side of the room was a futon stretched out to the bed form. The sheets were a loud black and white zigzag. A lavalamp glowed on the overstocked bookshelves and clothes littered the area in front of the closet. In the middle of the room, schoolbooks and a backpack and pens and paper were strewn about.
"This is a neat room."
Storm didn't say anything. She stood there and glared at him.
William decided to cut to the chase.
"Can I ask you what's wrong?"
"No."
"Good. What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Bull----."
Storm was mildly surprised he said a bad word.
William suddenly said, "Hey, this is Metallica."
Storm looked really surprised.
"I prefer Smashing Pumpkins myself, but well... you know they broke up and that kind of ruins things for you."
"You know Smashing Pumpkins?"
"Don't you?"
Storm looked offended. "Of course I do."
"What other kind of music do you like? Do you mind if I looked at your CDs?"
She shook her head.
He wheeled himself closer to the large collection of CDs. After a few moments he said, "You've got a good, eclectic taste. Bob Marley... Jimi Hendrix... Enigma... Sarah McLachlan... Matchbox 20- I like them a lot-... Simon and Garfunkel- I almost got to go to one of their concerts-"
"What happened?"
"I got hit by a drunk driver."
"Oh."
"Just goes to show you how fleeting chances can be."
"Did you... did you get a whole different view of life?"
"H-ll yeah. I would not be in here with you- or anywhere near this house if it hadn't been for the accident."
"Are you grateful then?"
"I didn't come in here to talk about me."
"Well we're not going to talk about me, I can guarantee you that."
"Why not?" William turned to face her. "I mean, you know more about me than I do about you. Frankly, I don't want to adopt a girl I don't even know. So since I was finished with my work tonight and I figured you couldn't possibly be doing any work with Metallica blaring through the whole top floor, this would be a good opportunity to talk."
"I'm not good at talking."
"Nonsense. I know enough about you to disbelieve that."
Storm threw herself on her futon.
"What do you want to know?"
"How about if you tell me what you like to do in your spare time?"
"You sound like a college application."
"Maybe I should just go read all of your applications to get an idea of what not to ask you."
"No. No. I like to paint. I like to read a lot. I like going out to see movies. And I like surfing the internet. And going to clubs."
"Do you go on your own or with friends?"
"With friends. It's not fun going on your own."
"Do you meet new people or just stick around your friends mostly."
"No, I meet some really interesting people in clubs."
"How can you be old enough to get in?"
"They're clubs for younger kids."
"Liar. You have a fake ID. You can tell me. I won't do anything."
"Really?"
"Sure. I had one when I was your age. Except it's harder for guys to pass as being older. Girls can just put on the right clothes and makeup and be fine."
"You had a fake ID? Did they have clubs when you were my age?"
"Good grief! I'm hurt! How old do you think I am?"
"Uh... I shouldn't answer that question."
"I'm more afraid of the answer than you are. Yes, I had a fake ID once upon a time. But are you using it to get alcohol?" asked William in a more serious voice.
"No, William. I never drink. My mother was an alcoholic."
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know that. Doesn't that create difficulties with your friends?"
"Not my old ones, generally. There was the time when I called you to pick me up. But most of the time my friends know not to talk about it with me. New acquaintances need the explanation before they let up on me."
"Do you mind telling near strangers about your mum?"
"Not really. I don't give a rat's ass about her, so I don't care if I pull her name through the mud. She messed her life up, she messed my life up, I think it only fair she take the blame."
"How is your life messed up?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Why not? It'd be good to get it out."
"What, are you my therapist?" Storm snapped.
"Do you have one? Do you need one?" William shot back.
"No."
"Look, Storm. I don't want to be a real father to you. I can't. You may know a lot about my present life, but nothing about my past life. I am not qualified to be a father, and I know that. But I do want to help. I want to gain your trust. I want you to feel like you could tell me anything. Well... except those really personal girl things. You can talk to Elizabeth about those. But anything else. I swear you can ask me anything in the world, and I will answer truthfully, if you will only trust me and talk to me. What's the worst I can do? I don't know your friends so I can't humiliate you in front of them. I don't have the power to ground you or punish you really. You're nearly a grown woman anyway."
Storm stared off into space for a long time.
Then she asked, "Are you glad you got in the accident?"
"This has to be a deal between the two of us," said William, and held out his hand to her to shake.
She shook it.
"Yes," said William.
"Why?"
"Because my life was horrible before the accident."
"But wasn't your life horrible after it?"
"Yeah. It was worse after the accident until I met Fries. And that brightened my days up a whole lot. Then I went into a decline when I had to go to my aunt's house. Then when I moved back here and Elizabeth snapped me out of my self-loathing, I started to have a better life than ever."
"Where are your parents?"
"They passed on when I was young. I'm an orphan."
"Wow. Were you ever adopted?"
"No. I was twenty when my father passed on. I was on my own by then."
"Do you miss them?"
"Yeah, sort of. I've forgotten what they were like a lot of times. It was a little over ten years ago."
"So I can ask you anything I want?"
"Anything."
"Do you love Elizabeth?"
"Woah, that's not fair."
"Of course it is. Anything, you said."
William stared at her for a few moments. She stared back defiantly. William was first to look away.
"Why do you care?"
"Answer the question first."
William sighed. "Yes."
"Why don't you tell her?"
"Because it's not reciprocated."
"How do you know?"
"I just do."
"I don't believe that."
"I won't believe you."
"Is that why you married her?"
"No. It truly was because of Fries."
"How convenient for you."
"Not really. Look, enough of the questions about me. It's your turn now."
"Fine."
"Why are you playing heavy metal?"
"Because I like it."
"Is there anything that's happened recently in your life to cause you to be angry or upset."
"Yes."
"Tell me about it."
"That's not a question."
"It doesn't have to be. Come on, Storm. Tell me what happened."
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
"You haven't understood in the past."
"Try me again."
Storm's face pouted. "You'll think it's silly."
"I promise you, I won't."
"You can't do anything about it."
"Maybe so, but getting it off your chest helps anyway."
"It's a number of things, really. We had this huge project to do for my theatre class. It's a big part of our grade. And Shannon, Kim, Jeff, and Sidd were all in my group. We had to research early Greek tragedies, and do a short version of one in front of the class. Well, Shannon didn't show up for three of the four times we got together to work on the project. She kept making up excuses and promised she would have her lines memorized and costume and everything. Well, the day arrives for the presentation, and she fumbled a lot of her lines, blanked out once, and didn't have costume resembling the rest of ours. Because of her, we all got a low grade. When I confronted her, she acted as if it wasn't her fault.
"Then a couple of days later, Jerri suddenly starts being really cold to me. I asked her what was the matter and she said she was mad because she found out I went out on Saturday night with a group of friends and Max happened to be in the group. So she's accusing me of stealing her boyfriend. Then since Shannon's mad at me for the theatre thing, she took sides with Jerri even though Shannon was there and knew perfectly well I didn't do anything with Max. Then in chemistry, I studied so hard for this exam, harder than ever before, and I got a C+. And on top of all that, I have a ton of homework to do and I'm just in a really bad mood. And I keep trying to think of something to bring me out of that mood, but I can't think of anything. I can't really go out since I have all this homework, but I hate the thought of doing it."
She finished, replacing the pout on her face with a scowl. A very grumpy scowl.
"I know how you feel."
"No you don't."
"Yes, I do. Grown ups get that feeling too, you know."
"You mean I can't look forward to these times going away when I grow up?"
" 'Fraid not kiddo."
"I know you did not just call me 'kiddo'."
"Of course not. It was a figment of your imagination. Storm, if you were to want my advice, which I know you don't, I would say go and talk to your teachers about your theatre and chemistry grades. See what they say, how they can help, and do what they say within reason. For the other problems, I say either talk to Max and let him explain what really happened to his jealous girlfriend, or just let it run its course. Coolly deny all accusations and imply that she's the immature one. And finally, I say do a little bit of homework now, break for some kind of craving- whichever you're having right now- and then do some more, and then take a break and reward yourself again, and then finish it up. So what do you crave right now?"
"Chocolate chip cookies."
"Ok. You do a third of your homework now. Get something done, come and find me, and we'll bake chocolate chip cookies."
"Won't Elizabeth disapprove?"
"Course not. I'll just turn on my charm and she'll be eating out of my hands."
"Literally?" asked Storm with a suggestive raise of the eyebrows.
William blushed to his chagrin. "No. Figuratively. Go on. Get some work done."
"Fine. I'll try it."
"And change the music. Try classical. Some good Debussey. I'm sure Fries has some. I thought I saw some really good Tchaikovsky on your shelf."
"Can I ask you one more question?"
"Yes."
"Will you and Elizabeth ever get divorced? I mean, once you've adopted Fries."
"But we're adopting you next."
"So after I'm adopted, will you?"
"Honestly Storm, I don't ever want to get divorced, but if some man comes along and sweeps Elizabeth off her feet, I won't be one to stand in the way, as long as I get joint custody of you and Fries."
"Really? You'd want joint custody of me, too?"
"Sure. We've a pact now. You can't escape me."
Storm smiled.
"I'll expect you to come find me later tonight. Don't go baking cookies without me, now."
"I won't."
William left Storm's room and went downstairs to the laundry room to fold some of the endless laundry flowing through the house.
Forty-five minutes later, Storm came searching for William. She found him in the den bending over as much as he could to pick up a book left laying on the floor.
"Here, I got that," she said. She picked it up and put it back on the shelf.
"So you're done with some of that homework?"
She nodded. "I'm ready for some cookies, now."
"Let's go. Elizabeth isn't home, yet."
"Where is she?"
"No idea."
They went into the kitchen and Storm got the ingredients down from the cupboards while William read them out.
"Ok. It says to mix the wet ingredients first."
"What are the wet ingredients?"
"I guess the butter, the oil, the egg and the milk."
"All right. Done that. Now what?"
"Add the baking soda, salt and sugar. Now add the flour."
"While I do that, you grease the cookie tins."
"Where are they?"
"They should be in the drawer underneath the oven."
"Found them. How many do we need?"
"Well, we're making a double batch, so I would say four sheets."
"Four? I only see three."
"There's another one somewhere. Look in the oven."
"Oh, found it. Shouldn't we be turning the oven on anyway?"
"Oh yeah. That was your job."
"No it wasn't."
"It should say in the directions and you didn't say anything about it, so it's your fault."
"Fine. I'm heating it to 375 degrees. Now what?"
"Grease the tins."
"Oh yeah."
"What are you doing?" came a third voice.
William looked up from the tin he was greasing. "Elizabeth! There you are."
"What are you doing?" she asked again.
Jane chuckled as she walked in and started to put some groceries into the fridge. "Looks like they're making cookies, Lizzy."
"I can see that. But it's nearly eleven at night."
"Yeah, so?" said Charles following with another load of groceries. "What rule says when you can make cookies?"
William said, "Storm has a homework crunch tonight, so we're taking a study break to make some cookies."
"We're baking a double batch," said Storm.
"I leave the house to you one evening and I come back to find it a madhouse!"
"Elizabeth!" said Jane.
William was beginning to get a little bit angry. "You didn't tell me you were leaving the house to me. I didn't know you had gone and I still don't know where you went."
"So I'm supposed to report to you my every move?" asked Elizabeth heatedly. "Once married I'm chained to the home?"
"Not at all. I merely would like to know when you leave me in charge of the house alone. If one of the children were in need, how would I know I was the only one on call?"
"I told Fries to tell you we were going out."
"Well your messenger didn't get through to me. You know how Fries is! If he's in the practice room he can't be relied on to remember anything you tell him, plus he loses all sense of time."
Storm had stopped mixing and was staring wide-eyed at the arguing couple. Jane looked like she wanted to interfere but knew better of it. Charles hung fearfully in the background and eyed Jane occasionally to see if she was signaling some kind of plan.
Elizabeth flung her keys on the counter and snapped, "Just clean up when you're done." She walked out of the kitchen.
There was an awkward silence after she left.
"I'm sorry, William," began Storm timidly.
"Don't be. It's not your fault. Come on. What do I do next? You can't take too long a study break."
Storm took her cue from William and finished mixing the cookie batter.
Jane and Charles finished putting the groceries away and said good night to the two chefs.
"Hold on," said William as Storm was about to put the dough on the trays. "You need the chocolate chips."
"Oh my gosh! I forgot."
"Geez, that's the most important part."
"I know. You slacked off on your job again."
"Did not. You should have enough sense to remember them yourself."
"What would they taste like without the chocolate chips?"
"Don't know. Why don't you make a couple without any chips in them?"
"Ok."
Once the chips were well mixed in, together they spooned the dough into little mounds and put them into the oven.
"Set the timer going."
"How long?" asked Storm.
"35 minutes."
"Ok."
"Now go and do some more homework."
"Ok."
She started to leave, then stopped and said, "What are you going to do about Elizabeth?"
"Nothing."
"You can't do nothing."
"She's probably just had a bad day."
"Yeah, so you need to go talk to her. I've had my bad days recently. I should know. What good would your talk with me have done if we'd had it a week from now when I was fine? You need to go talk to her now."
"But she's mad at me."
"Go and start by apologizing for making her mad. That's what a teacher of mine advised me to do once. It means you don't take blame for doing something you did right, but it makes them think you've apologized."
"I thought I was supposed to be the one dispensing the advice."
"You get what you give."
"All right. I'll try and talk to her."
"Good."
"Go up and finish your homework. And take the timer with you."
"That means I have to go up and down three flights of stairs to check up on the cookies."
"You'll be working off the fat you're going to eat with the cookies."
Storm went upstairs and William went in search of Elizabeth. He found her in the den.
"Hi," he said.
She didn't look up at him.
William came forward next to the sofa.
"I'm sorry I upset you. I never knew you were out of the house until Fries came into my office and complained that Storm was playing her heavy metal too loud. I suggested he talk to you and he just said you were out and that he didn't know where. I didn't know Jane and Charles weren't here until they came into the kitchen. This house is so big it's hard to tell if someone isn't here. And I didn't think you'd mind us baking cookies. Storm's had a rough few days and I suggested we bake them as a study break. If I'd known it would upset you, I would have thought of something else."
Elizabeth didn't say anything.
William began to feel himself getting annoyed again, so he turned to leave. He'd done his part.
"Wait," she said.
He stopped and looked at her.
"I'm sorry." She looked uncomfortable and upset. "I have no rationale for my behaviour. It's been a very long, trying day. I was up part of last night with Eva who was having bad dreams. I'm tired and grumpy and I should not have taken it out on you."
William's heart immediately went out to her, but he didn't move.
"Usually I can deal with these days, but recently my resolve is weakening." Her voice began to choke up with tears. "I can't help thinking of Fries. I love him so much but they're trying to take him away from me." She began to cry in earnest.
William gave in to his aching heart and moved next to the couch to envelope her in his arms as best he could. She gratefully buried her face in the crook of his neck and shoulder, wrapping her arms around his torso. He gently stroked her back and hair, murmuring soothing words of comfort.
Five minutes later, she began to pull herself together again.
William said, "You're just tired. Why don't you go upstairs and go to bed now. If you're awake when the cookies are done, I'll bring some milk and cookies up too. Go soak in your bathtub and listen to some nice music."
Elizabeth laughed a little.
"Go on. There's nothing left for you to do down here."
She nodded. "I'm sorry I yelled at you, William."
"It's ok. As long as you didn't mean it, I understand."
She looked up at him. Smiling wanly, she said, "You're too good to me. You're the best friend a girl could ever have."
William forced a smile. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I'll be up in half an hour."
Elizabeth got up and went upstairs for a long, hot, bubble bath.
William, meanwhile, buried his face in his hands for five minutes. A few tears might have leaked out, but I won't betray his pride like that.
When the cookies were done, Storm came down and got them out of the oven. William came into the kitchen, following his nose.
"Did you talk to her?" asked Storm.
"Yeah. She's just had a long day. She's taking a long bath right now. I'm going to take her some milk and cookies in a few minutes."
"Good. So you two made up?"
"Yeah."
"Good. I was scared."
"I'm sure you were. We should not have argued in front of you."
"You shouldn't argue anywhere."
"True, but we should make a special effort not to argue in front of you kids."
"I'm not a kid."
"Course you are."
"I'm a young adult."
"A very mature young adult at that."
"Who loves her milk and cookies."
They put the cookies on the racks to cool, while Storm put half a dozen on a plate and grabbing a big glass of milk, went upstairs to finish her homework.
William put four on a separate plate, grabbed a napkin, and poured a mug of milk. He put the mug, plate and napkin on a tray in his lap and then took the elevator to the second floor.
He knocked on Elizabeth's door. She called for him to enter, and he opened the door and carefully wheeled in.
"Hi. Brought you some homemade cookies."
Elizabeth was sitting up in bed with a book. She smiled at him.
"Have the roles not reversed, my dear?" asked William with a grin.
"If I was a really cranky old fusspot maybe they would. But you've got it easy compared to what I suffered through."
"You're never going to let me live that down are you?"
"Nope. Whenever you put on your good boy act, I'll pull out my stories of the past to humble you."
William smiled at her and handed her the tray. She took it in her lap and took a bite of one of the cookies.
"Very good," she said. "I give you the Bennet Seal of Approval."
"Couldn't I award myself the Bennet Seal of Approval, since I'm a Bennet?"
"No. It's the E. Bennet Seal of Approval."
"Oh, well, never mind then."
While she was taking another bite, William said, "I had a long talk with Storm this evening. She's been struggling with some issues recently."
"Shoot. I had no idea." She cursed a couple of times at herself until William stopped her.
"You can't blame yourself completely. You've been so busy with everything else."
"I know, but she and Fries are my primary concerns in a lot of ways. I haven't been there for her in her teen years."
"Well, I didn't hear any sort of blame from her. She doesn't hold you in any way responsible. Anyroad, it took some time to get her trust, but eventually we arranged a mutual agreement and had a good long talk. It resulted in baking cookies to make her feel better."
"I'm glad."
"Hopefully in the future, she'll come and talk to me before it gets to the heavy metal stage."
"Good luck."
William paused. Then decided to go on. "Elizabeth... if you are going to... argue with me again, you need to- I mean if we argue, we need to take it away from the children. It was not very good this evening to have Storm and Jane and Charles witness our fight. No matter how angry we are with each other, we have to remember to keep that anger from the children. It's frightening to them."
"Yes, all right."
"I accept partial blame for tonight, too. But in the future, we have to keep that in mind."
"I'll put my money on no more fights in the future, but if there happens to be one, it will be behind closed doors."
"I hope there are no more fights. I do not like arguing with you, my dear."
Elizabeth looked at him with deep affection. She reached out for his hand. He took it and squeezed it. Finally he kissed her hand and left the room to go clean up the kitchen.
Elkin walked through the front door. William, came out of his office upon hearing her.
"Hey kiddo."
"Hi Willyam."
"How was school?"
"Ok."
"Did you show your friends your lost tooth?"
"No."
"Why not? I thought you wanted to show off the gap in your mouth."
"Yeah, but you said we should have humblicity."
William couldn't help giggling at the child's inventing new words.
"You mean humility?"
"Yeah."
"That's good. But, you know, it depends on how you tell them. If you tell them and make yourself look better, that's not good. But if you tell them because they would like to see it, that's ok."
"Oh."
"So tomorrow, you can go up to your friends and give them a big smile and wiggle your tongue through the gap. And they'll think it's funny."
"Ok. Can I watch TV?"
"Don't you want to go outside and play? It's nice and sunny."
"No."
"I think you do. Come on. I'll play catch with you if you want."
"Really?"
"Sure. Come on. We can see who throws the longest."
"Cool!" Elkin ran into the shed to fetch a few balls.
William put an Away message on his Instant Messenger, and went outside into the backyard. The grass had recently been mowed, making it easier for William to move around.
Elkin came running out of the house.
"Ready?" she asked.
"Hold on. Let's move away from the house a little more so we don't hit any windows."
She giggled infectiously.
"Ok. Now are you ready?" she said.
"Yep."
She threw the ball towards him. It landed a few yards short.
"Good throw!" said William and moved forward to pick it up. He tossed it back and she nearly caught it. She picked it up and threw it back. This time William caught the ball. William praised her and gently tossed it back again.
Meanwhile, on William's computer, a message popped up:
William, I need to ask you something about the Monroe/Watson agreement next week.
Hi. Sorry I'm out, but I'm currently being a loving father and enjoying every minute of it. Please leave a message and when I'm through playing ball, I might just answer your question.
Wow, William. Never thought I'd hear you say that. Well, give me a call or something when you get back to your work. It's Fenna by the way. How are things going with your wife, anyway?
In another part of the house, Elizabeth was changing some bedroom linen and happened to look outside. She stopped what she was doing and stood in front of the window watching Elkin and William play catch. She folded her arms and leaned comfortably against the window, content to spy on William being a doting father.
Later that night, William was reading the paper in the living room. Elizabeth came down the stairs after tucking in the last child. She spotted him in the living room and went in for the evening talk they generally liked to have before going to bed.
William looked up and smiled at her. He finished the article he was reading and then said, "There was an interesting article on the conservation techniques used in Canada."
"Really?"
"Yeah. They have a lot of land set aside, but at the same time some groups still say that regulations aren't as tough as they can be elsewhere."
"Yeah. Problem with conservation is that so many times, first world countries look at the disappearing rainforests in Brazil and Indonesia and try and stop it. But they don't realize the reasoning behind the devastation. If farmers had enough good farm land, or could make enough money to support their family on the land they have, they wouldn't cut down more rainforests which ends up supporting farming only for a few years max before there's no nutrients left and they have to cut down more forest. And in other places the reason is a lack of fuel besides wood. But first world countries don't solve the underlying problems behind the environmental ravaging."
William smirked at her and said, "I was just making a casual observation from the newspaper, I didn't mean to start a lecture."
Elizabeth was embarrassed and apologized for getting carried away.
"It's ok," said William. "I agree with you, so you're trying to convince someone on your side. I was touched though," he teased. "Truly touched."
She smacked him playfully.
"So..." she said after they changed subjects. "I saw you playing with Elkin this afternoon."
"Yeah. It was fun. She wanted to watch TV, but I forced her to entertain me."
"I'm sure you did."
"As soon as I got her outside, she forgot about TV, which was my goal. And then as soon as some of the other kids saw how much fun we were having, they wanted to play too, so pretty soon, they were all out there."
"Well done. I'm really impressed," she said seriously.
"Thank you. Oh, and it was so funny when Elkin said that she thought I had told her to have 'humblicity'. I know it's horrible to laugh at the kids and make them feel stupid, but it was just so funny, I couldn't help laughing."
"I know. Every now and then, they'll say something so funny you can't help it. The other day Eva said 'purplicity'."
"Purplicity?"
"Yeah. She was talking about purple and how it's her favourite colour. And then she said something like there should be more purplicity in the world. But every now and then they'll say a word that technically should make sense, but doesn't."
"Like what?"
"Well, the only example I can think of right now is ruth."
"Ruth? As in the name?"
"No. As in ruthless. I remember one of my kids once saying that he had ruth. Think about it. If you can be ruthless, can you be ruthful?"
"I think so. But no one ever says it."
"And yet the kids think of stuff like that."
"Do you remember the show Bill Cosby did for a while recently?"
"You mean Kids Say the Darndest Things?"
"Something like that, yeah."
"It was cute."
They didn't say anything for a few minutes. Finally William asked, "Have you heard anything about the adoption?"
"No."
"Don't worry, it should come soon."
Not long after that, Elizabeth received an important looking letter in the mail. She stared at it for several minutes. It was from the social workers' office. It seemed to be thin. Only one or two sheets of paper within. She didn't know if that was bad.
Unable to open it herself, she rushed into the office and shoved it in William's hands.
"Open it."
"What is it?"
"I can't bear to look. You have to open it and see."
William caught her apprehension and stared at the envelope for some time. Finally, he took out the letter opener and slit the envelope neatly across the top fold. He pulled out a single, folded sheet of paper.
Taking a deep breath, William unfolded it and quickly scanned the contents. Within seconds, Elizabeth knew it wasn't the answer they had been hoping for. She held back tears and buried her face in her hands.
William said, "It says that none of Fries' relatives have claimed him, but the Biltmores are appealing the decision and we will have to appear in court to fight for him."
Elizabeth looked up. "You're joking!
"I wouldn't joke about this."
"I've never heard of such a thing."
"Apparently the Biltmores are prepared to pull out all the stops on this thing."
"Well, we will just have to embarrass them in court, then. When is it set for?"
"I'm surprised because usually there's a long waiting list for civil suits in court, but this one is set for the week after next."
"That's fine. It gives us enough time to get our own lawyer. But the sooner this is over, the sooner I will be able to breathe again."
Elizabeth left to call the lawyer and to talk to Fries.
Two weeks of frantic preparation ended in a solemn procession of Bennet Mansion inhabitants marching into the courtroom. All save Fries, Elizabeth and William. They entered with the lawyer to sit at the defendants' table within the courtroom. Seated at the other table were the dreadful Biltmores and a stuffed shirt lawyer looking through his spectacles at the Bennets.
William leaned over and whispered to Fries, "If you end up with the Biltmores, you're always welcome to run away to us."
"William!" hissed Elizabeth, glaring at him.
Within minutes, everyone but William stood as the judge entered the courtroom. It was the same judge who had married the Bennets and the Bingleys. Elizabeth looked down at William with a worried face. Was this good or bad? she seemed to ask.
"You may be seated."
Elizabeth sat through the speeches and arguing in silence. Numb silence. Meditative silence. For a while she stared at Fries. When Fries finally became aware of her scrutiny, he smiled encouragingly at her. She attempted a smile in return, but failed. He took her hand in his and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. "I love you," he whispered.
Elizabeth eyes began to fill with tears and she whispered back, "I love you more."
William also couldn't seem to pay attention. He kept drifting off into memories of Fries as a young boy, when he was still bedridden from his accident. He remembered Fries crawling onto his bed and chattering away as if they had always known each other. He remembered Fries growing older and more mature. His sneaky attempts at setting up him and Elizabeth. His first elite party. His performances. Their excursions to the city for plays and concerts. Their recent relationship becoming more familial.
The Bennets' lawyer extolled their virtues and explained the benefit Fries received from them.
In return, the Biltmores' lawyer pointed out William's disability, the fact that their marriage was hastily arranged, and that of the individual treatment Fries would receive in their hands.
William couldn't help but hearing this. He was incensed. He was so angry he couldn't think straight. When the lawyer sat down, William moved away from the table.
"Your Honor, may I speak?"
The judge looked down at William. After some moments of consideration, she said, "You may."
"I cannot see how my being disabled should make me a bad father. Disability is a social construction. If I were not living in a world designed for able-bodied people, I would be fine. But since able-bodied people are in the majority and are in power, I am handicapped. This does not take away my ability to be a good father. Just because I cannot run and play football with my son, does not mean I love him any less. Because I cannot stand up to hug him, does not diminish my pride and joy in him. My decision-making capability is fully intact. I am not brain-damaged. I function as a normal human being.
"When I was recuperating from my accident, I can honestly say I had nothing to live for. But along came Elizabeth, bringing with her this disarming, darling little boy who instantly won my heart over and has refused to give it back ever since. He became my best friend. He became my reason for making it through another day. Then he brought me closer to Elizabeth. And though it was completely against my will, I began to admire her more and more. It wasn't long before I fell in love with her. But I was still half a man- I couldn't possibly offer myself as any considerable suitor to this amazing woman. So we stayed friends. Then when we became in danger of losing Fries we realized we had to unite to keep him in our lives. He meant too much to us to let him go. I admit I used the situation to become closer to the woman I love. But no one in this world can prove that I do not love my wife more than most husbands love their wives. By taking away Fries, you would be breaking up a very closely knit, loving family depending on each other for daily support."
William moved back to the table, avoiding eye contact with Elizabeth. He still felt flushed from baring his soul to the world.
The Biltmore lawyer made a few more vacuous arguments and then it came down to the judge's decision. She shuffled her notes and wrote a couple of things down. The courtroom was oppressively silent- even the Bennet children were all quietly, impatiently waiting.
Then the judge spoke. "I declare the Bennets' petition for the legal adoption of Eugene Arnold Otte to be the superior." She banged the gavel and everyone stood as she walked out of the courtroom.
Elizabeth erupted in a scream and grabbed Fries into a massive hug. "You're my son, you're my son, you're my son," she just kept repeating as she held him as tightly as she could.
"Mum," he said after a few moments. "You're crushing me!"
"Sorry."
The other children and the Bingleys came forward to congratulate them. Elizabeth sat back down and put a hand to her head. She felt giddily dizzy.
"Are you okay?" asked a warm, loving voice that could belong to none other than William.
Elizabeth looked up at him and smiled. "I've never been better in my life."
He couldn't seem to break eye contact with her. She just kept looking at him with those beautiful eyes of hers. He reached out, and took her hand in his. Slowly, ever so slowly, she leaned forward in her chair. William finally leaned forward and gently, lovingly caressed her lips with his. He pulled away and looked at her beatific face tilted to his. He returned, kissing her more thoroughly, more passionately. His hands cupped her face, some of his fingers entwining in her hair. She leaned forward enough to wrap her arms around him. It felt too awkward leaning so much, so she just scooted off her chair and onto his lap. William encircled her in his arms and continued to inflame her blood with his kisses. Finally, he pulled away and she buried her face in his shoulder.
"I love you," she said.
"Really?" he said, genuinely surprised.
"Of course, silly."
"Since when?"
"I can't pinpoint the exact moment, but certainly I knew I loved you when we married."
"If only I'd known...."
"You would have what?"
"I don't know. I certainly would've saved myself a lot anguish these past months."
"Anguish?"
William got fed up with talking and pulled her to him for a second round of passionate kisses. Elizabeth pulled away after a few of them, breathless.
She kissed him one more time, and then said, "Save the rest for later. We should celebrate getting our first son."
William looked so proud when he repeated, "Our son."
Elizabeth stood up and was brought into the hugs and congratulations with the children and Jane and Charles. Charles vigorously shook William's hand and said, "It's about time you made a clean breast of it."
"If I'd known she loved me I would have done so long ago."
It was some time before the couple was able to get away on their own. In fact, it wasn't until the children were in bed and they had kissed Fries good night. Since no one was blind in the courtroom, and everyone saw the Bennets' amour, Fries, Jane and Charles did their best to retire to bed early.
Elizabeth sighed and began to pick up dishes not put away and toys left around the house.
"Elizabeth," said William. He waited beside the elevator with the doors open. "I've watched you day after day do the same chores. Could you for once leave them be?"
She paused, looking at the love and desire in his face. She turned out the lights on the first floor, and then promptly returned to sit in his lap.
William kissed her firmly before moving them into the elevator and then into Elizabeth's room.
To be included in the archived story:
I want to tell you what I had originally planned for the ending of this story. Calla persuaded me to end this story happily with William walking and getting together with Elizabeth. So I had this whole ending planned where Fries finds this clinic in Switzerland or something where they could heal William after extensive treatment over a period of time. Fries would go with William to this clinic to study with a European piano teacher. Elizabeth would be ignorant of William's plans, and two years later, William would return with Fries to finally confess his love to Elizabeth. Or rather something less melodramatic, but along those lines. However upon talking with a friend of mine who has a handicapped friend, she explained how making William walk again made it seem as though being handicapped was unacceptable for a true hero of a story, which is completely untrue. If I really wanted to be true to my own values and not to slight handicapped people, William and those around him would accept him for who he is, not who society says he should be. After much deliberation, I came up with a much better ending to the story, with the threat of Fries being taken and away, and the arranged marriage making things interesting between Elizabeth and William. I thought I should tell you dear readers of my dilemma as sort of a moral to this story. I hope you gained something more than just entertainment from my work. Delwyn
I will be writing a sequel to this story shortly about Storm and Fries and of course the Bennets. Right now, it has the title of I'm Only Happy When It Rains. So keep a look out for that one. Until then, I advise you to do some writing of your own.