Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2017 19:28:59 +0100 From: Clive Westwood Subject: Life's Illusions The Next Generation - Chapter 19 Relationships Please remember to donate to Nifty, it gives so much to all of us. Any amount, large or small, is welcome in order to keep this free site available. Thank you, donations to the address below. Http://Donate.nifty.org/donate.html Life's Illusions The Next Generation - Chapter 19 Jace was staring at them, it was rattling around in his head, they'd said, what, what was it?. "She's due any day now, you didn't know did you?" Jace finally understood, he jumped up. "We have to go, I have to see her, I have to try and make it right, I love her, I need her, I've been such a bloody fool, I'm going to her apartment, come on Ary, we need to go see Mel and Bobby". David stopped him. "We're coming with you Jace, there may be a need for some smoothing of the way, let's work together on this, we've mended one fence panel today, let's see if we can put the whole fence back together". And so a group of four arrived at Mel's apartment, but there was no answer to their ringing of the doorbell or knocking on the door. As they were walking dejectedly back along the hallway a neighbouring door opened and a lady asked. "Were you looking for Mel?". Almost in unison they answered. "Yes". The reply shocked them. "She went into labour about an hour ago, Bobby was supposed to stop with me, but if you know Bobby, you'd know, he refused to let her go alone, they took her to Northwestern Memorial, I was going to go and get Bobby but if you're going there, would you bring him back for me, I'm not too good on my feet these days?". Jace answered her. "It's okay, you relax, Bobby and my son Ary are like brothers, he'll come home with us, but I'll make sure someone lets you know how Mel's doing". Then Ary was pulling his hand. "Come on Poppa, we need to find Bobby, he'll be frightened". The lady tried to thank them, she was still speaking when, as one they took off running. When they arrived at the hospital they took only minutes to locate where Mel was, but a nurse said. "There's a boy, Bobby I think he's called, he's in the waiting area somewhere, we don't have anyone to look after him, we were going to call child services". Ary had gone already, he was heading for the waiting room, the others trying to keep up with him. And then they saw him, a little boy, curled up in a chair, terrified, sobbing, and Ary was off again, his brother was hurting. "Bobby, I'm here". They launched themselves into each other's arms, both sobbing as Bobby's jerky words told Ary. "I kept telling him you'd come, I knew you would, I've been so frightened, I didn't know what to do, it's Dillon, he's coming, we're going to have another brother, why can't we be together, what did I do, I don't remember being bad, but I must have been, or I wouldn't have had to go away, I'm sorry, I'll be really good I promise, I just want to be with you". And then they both lapsed into more sobbing in each other's arms. Jace had listened to Bobby and it broke his heart, he scooped them both into a hug. "Bobby, it wasn't anything either of you did, it was us, the adults, we got it so wrong, and I promise, I'm going to do everything I can to put it right, now I'm going to find your Momma, you stay here with Ary, Jo and David will keep you safe". Jace went in search of Mel, he found her in a cubicle arguing with a young doctor. "So you don't understand maternity care, do I look like I give a shit, I'm here, I'm about to give birth, it's not going to wait while you drag your sorry ass up to speed, so find someone who knows what they're doing, deal with it you fucking moron". As the doctor exited the cubicle Jace grabbed him. "Listen to me, if I've got time, I'll have her transferred to UCH Medical, so concentrate, tell me, do we have time, can she stand the transfer?". The doctor looked at him, weighing up the possibilities, but the overriding factor was, they'd be rid of this screaming shrew. "Yes, you have at least two hours, please god transfer her, she's crazy". Jace pulled his cell phone out, dialling University of Chicago Hospital Medical. "This is Jace Thorn, my partner is in labour, we need a transfer arranged from Chicago Northwestern to you immediately, the medical staff here think she has about two hours before she gives birth, good I'll have here brought to the emergency intake entrance, fifteen minutes you said, you have my family's details on file, okay, so charge everything to me personally, password for my account is 'Lenny', I'll give you the PIN number when I get there, I'll be arriving separately with our sons, make sure you have someone ready to receive her, and it must be a suite, yes okay, so I'm an overprotective father to be, deal with it, thank you". Turning back to the doctor he said. "Get her to Emergency Intake Entrance, wherever that is, there should be a private ambulance from UCH Medical waiting to take her out of your hair, okay". The doctor nodded. "You don't know how grateful I am, trust me I'll get her discharge papers and have her there in the next fifteen minutes if it kills me". Jace almost ran back to where Jo, David, Ary and Bobby were. Come on, we need to hustle, she's on her way to UCH Medical, I've booked her in, we need to get there before the baby arrives". Ary and Bobby shocked them. "Dillon, his names Dillon". They arrived at Cedars a few moments behind Mel's ambulance, they were close enough to hear, between contractions. "Where is he, I'll kill him, arghhhhhhhhhhh, I know it's you Jace Thorn, I'll arghhhhhhh, oh for god sakes who bloody cares, arghhhhhhhh". When she was settled in her suite Jace said a little prayer and walked in. Her glare told him what mood she was in, but he didn't falter, he reached for her hand, at least she didn't pull it away. "Yes it's me, the one you want to kill, I had you transferred, just remember I'm this baby's father, and I love you, please forgive me, I can't live this life without you, I need you, you're almost the most important person in my life, but I have to admit, you compete in a lottery with Ary, Bobby, and I believe we're about to meet Dillon". It broke the ice, Mel actually laughed. "They told you, I can't believe it, they decided what their brothers name would be if it ever happened, before it even happened, Bobby's been so down, he's convinced himself it's something he did, and I can't make him understand it was us, I feel so guilty, I think I caused it, I know why now, I didn't realise I was pregnant back then, my emotions were all over the place, I'm pretty sure I caused you to strike out at Jo, it should never have happened, it would never have happened normally, oh shit, arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh". She'd been holding Jace's hand, now she proceeded to crush every bone in it as another contraction hit her. As the contraction eased she saw the look on his face. "Sorry Jace, but if you think your hand hurts, you should try going through this, it's a real hum dinger". Then it was as if reality struck and she went into a panic. "Bobby, where is he, he's still at Northwestern, I need to get him". And she was trying to climb out of bed, Jace had to physically push her back. "Bobby's okay, he's with Ary, and they're being watched over by David and Jo". She lay back and actually smiled. "You and Jo, are you good now?, I really hope so, I've seen them a few times over the last few months, I could tell how much they were hurting, missing the family, they've been helping me since I had to stop working, I've been really grateful for their help, it's not been easy balancing everything". Jace leaned in to hug her. "Please Mel, I'm serious, I love you, forgive me, let's get back to a life where we're happy, where our three boys can grow up together, being loved the way they deserve". She started to answer him but didn't get very far. "I already forgave you a long time ago Jace, I just didn't get around to tell....................Arghhhhhhh" This time it was no warning, this was it, Dillon was on the way, enough was enough, he'd decided, it was time to see this world, and he wanted to meet his big brothers. A little over forty minutes later, Mel was cradling a sleeping Dillon as Jace went in search of the boys, he found them in the waiting room sitting together, holding hands, chatting away, Jo and David saw him coming, Jo jumped up. "Well, how is she, is everything okay, with.....well you know?". Jace laughed as he dragged his brother into a hug. "Yes Bro, she's more than okay, and so are we, now, I have a request for Ary and Bobby". They both looked up at him. "You see, there's this strange little fella in your Momma's room asking for you guys, I've never seen him before, he's all wrinkly, says I'm his Poppa, calls himself, now, let me think, Dereck, no, that's not it, Dollar, no that's not it, Dill something..............". He didn't get any further as they both screamed. "Dillon, it's Dillon". Jace scooped them up, and, indicating his Brothers as well, said. "Come on guys, let's go meet this little guy called Dillon". From Mel's suite, Jace sent a photo to his Momma, Poppas, and Will, it showed him and Mel with two beaming boys alongside their new brother, he sent it with the message. 'Mended the broken fences, just in time it seems, come meet your newest grandson/nephew, Dillon Thorn at UCH Medical, suite 1201'. Then he sent another picture text showing him with his arms around Jo and David, and the wording. 'Two more fences mended, two more important reasons to get here quick'. At the house in Barrington Hills, Will was sat in the lounge with his parents, four cell phones beeped, one after the other, Jolly was first to reach for hers and looked mystified by the text she'd received, until she opened the picture, then she screamed, and she really screamed, causing the others to jump, Billy was about to ask what was wrong, but he was cut off by Will jumping up, punching the air and screaming 'Yessssssssss, there is a god'. Jolly was on her feet. "Look at your cells boys, it's Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving, all rolled into one, thank you God, it's a miracle, now get your butts in gear, I have a new grandchild needing my arms, and several boys, big and small, to smother with quite a few months of stored up kisses". When they arrived at the maternity unit of UCH Medical, they didn't take long to find Mel's suite. Jolly opened the door just a little, the sight, as she peered in made her heart soar. Jace was sitting in an armchair cradling his newest son, Jo and David were sat on either arm of the chair, the baby was gripping Jace's finger. On the bed Ary and Bobby were sat either side of Mel, her arms around both as they chatted excitedly. Jolly asked. "Could we possibly intrude?". David and Jo leapt up to hug her, pulling Billy, Jay and Will into the room for hugs as well, it really was a happy occasion, there was a lot of crying, plenty of hugging, much, much kissing, and apologies galore. The rifts were well and truly healed, it would be a few weeks later as Jolly and Mel were enjoying a cup of tea that Mel reminded Jolly of her words all those months earlier. "You said, I do know my boys, they can try as hard as they like, they won't be able to hold out that long, they'll crack, and it will be like it never happened". Jolly nodded, remembering the conversation, but she remembered something else. "I also told you there would come a time when Jace wouldn't be able to hold back, he would pursue you again, and to not push him away out of a sense of misguided loyalty to others, I'm so happy, so thankful that you accepted him back, grateful you have that ring back where it belongs, on your finger, I'm no fool, I see him with you, I know when he comes into a room, he's searching for you first, and that slight smile when he sees you, it's a validation of his love for you". Mel smiled, she knew exactly what Jolly was referring to, she also knew how much she valued her relationship with Jace's Momma and Poppas, they were the parents she always wished she'd had. Jace's photo of himself, Mel, Ary and Bobby, with new addition Dillon had gone worldwide around the family within hours of Dillon's birth. The response had been predictable, the family was on the move before the first response was received. In Montclair, Jacqueline had been the first to receive the news. She and Woody had been sat on the terrace, having morning coffee when her cell phone beeped, she saw it was an incoming text from Jolly. Before she opened it she'd sighed, the knowledge of what had happened in Chicago had saddened Jacqueline, just as it had the entire wider family when news got out, last Christmas the Chicago family had been missing from Lanzarote, something the whole family felt. She'd been expecting more bad news, she'd pressed the button to open the message as she picked up her coffee cup. Woody jumped visibly as Jacqueline screamed, her coffee cup flying up into thin air, showering them both with coffee, the cup coming back down, shattering on the stone terrace. He looked at her in shock, there were tears streaming down her cheeks. All he could understand from what she said was. "Thank the Lord". He'd been concerned. "What is it Jacqueline?". She didn't answer, right then she wasn't capable, she just passed him her cell phone, he'd looked at the message, at its pictures and said, almost laughing, he was so happy. "Oh my god, the impossible happened, thank goodness, so my love, I believe the pilots should be advised to start refuelling, because if I know you, we'll be airborne fairly shortly. Before she sent out a family message, Jacqueline sent the message to Pierre. 'See the enclosed, I bet you don't scream as loud as I did with joy, we're airborne asap, let me know quick if you want to jump a ride'. At the house on Avenue Montclair, Pierre actually didn't jump for joy, he sat and cried, great wracking sobs of joy, but he frightened the shit out of Juan who didn't understand what had upset him. "Pierre, what's wrong". Pierre had looked at him through tearful eyes. "Nothing love, absolutely nothing, just the opposite". He'd passed his cell to Juan, who'd reacted just the same, they'd embraced for a long time before Pierre had replied to Jacqueline. 'I cried, a lot, so did Juan, please don't tell anyone, all I can think is, there is a god, don't need to jump a ride but thanks, Juan's plane is here, Poppas and Piers want to go to, so we'll take our plane, see you there, I owe you one monumental hug for giving me the best news I've heard all year'. As the message went out worldwide Jacqueline's office was inundated with requests for travel arrangements. Within forty eight hours, they were assembled, from all over, this was something they weren't going to miss, the whole family together, a new baby, and above all, the fences were finally mended in Chicago, that above all was a subject the wider family had all been worrying about. And so, when Van and Reece arrived there was only one question on the agenda from Jo, David, Jace and Mel. The family understood, they needed to be absent, and though at first Reece and Van were surprised, the reason became clear as Jo spoke. "We asked that everyone give us some space to be with you today, we didn't just want to introduce you to Dillon, we wanted to ask you something, we very rudely dropped your extensive work on our part two years ago, the time since then has been......". Jo stopped, they could hear in his voice he was close to tears, Jace took over. "What my big brother is trying to say is, we're sorry if we offended you, you went to so much trouble on our behalf, but events took the matter out of our control, and then our own stupid actions meant we had other issues to resolve, and it took us a while to get back there, but we've done it, we're there now, back to the point where we realise, whatever the argument, we love each other, and need each other, so we're asking, well really we're begging, can we please still have our weddings at Gregous?". Van answered in simple form, almost with a giggle, to Reece's amusement. "You Plonkers, as if we care about two years ago, as long as love is restored, our answer would be a yes". And then they mobbed him and Reece. It had been a tight schedule, they wanted to have the ceremonies in July, as they'd originally planned, that gave only two months till the day. In private Van had said to Reece. "I know I have this really maddening thing about you using your money, and yes, I know you keep telling me it's mine as well now, but let's set that old chestnut aside for the moment, you see, in this case I'm actually saying, go to town, do whatever you want, spend whatever you like, I want you to show them magic, like a child experiences when they visit Disney that very first time, I want you to give them an experience they'll have engrained in their minds for the whole of their lives". Reece was grinning, like a little boy given permission to eat anything in the sweet shop, and oh boy, was he going to take advantage. There had been a point where Jolly had told Mel they were flying to Paris, she Jacqueline and Mel were going to organise her Wedding Gown, several French Couture Houses, were already vying for the privilege of designing and producing her gown. Jace had fun asking Jo and David which flight they would be on, the Paris gown flight, or the London suit flight, a slap to the back of the head was his answer from Jo. When the subject of Best Man came up, there was total pandemonium, both Jace and Jo chose Will who understandably refused to choose between the two. Mel meanwhile had her own problems, her parents had not just refused their invitation to the wedding, they'd written on the envelope, 'Sender Unknown', and sent the invitation back by private courier. She'd secretly hoped her father might walk her down the aisle, might give her hand to Jace, but that was not to be. Jolly was visibly shocked at breakfast the following morning, a picture of the returned envelope was staring back at her from the Chicago Tribune, it was the feature picture in a front page story, headlined, 'Ethics, Morals & Equal Opportunity Committee Member Melanda Lofthouse's response to her Daughters wedding invitation'. The story detailed how the invitation had been returned by courier, with a query, if she didn't know the sender, how did she know where to send it back to?. It further revealed the actual sender was her fellow committee member, Jolly Thorn, and that Melanie Lofthouse was engaged to be married to Jolly Thorn's son, Jace Thorn, one of the most eligible men in the country. Then it launched into a scathing piece. This is a Government funded committee, its purpose, to give Moral and Ethical guidance to Employers, ensuring the Equal Opportunity Rights of employees are protected. This is a woman so petty as to shun her own daughter, throwing her out into a life of poverty with a baby coming, for committing the sin of having a child out of wedlock, that person is not suited to protecting the rights of our more vulnerable citizens. This publication demands her resignation, her position is untenable. Mel was just as shocked as Jolly when she read it, asking. "How would they get that, someone had to give them access to the actual invitation, and it had to be after she'd written on the envelope to send it back". Something about the picture caused Jolly to stare at it more closely. The committee was actually meeting that very day, probably the reason why the article had appeared that morning. Before she left for the meeting Jolly took Billy and Jay aside, explaining, there would possibly be further press following the meeting, and outlining what her intentions were. Each assured her they were behind her one hundred percent, and asked if she would welcome their company as moral support, not that she needed it, she declined, knowing there would possibly be members of the press present, it was an open meeting, telling them she didn't want the press to have access to Billy and Jay. Billy insisted she use the chauffeured limousine instead of her own car, and that she take a security guard with her, in case it was difficult for her to get away from the press or anyone else. As Jolly's car drew up to the kerb outside the meeting hall, her security detail jumped out and opened the door for her. Heading into the building, she was immediately aware of Melanda Lofthouse approaching her, she didn't get chance to even offer a greeting before Melanda launched a tirade of abuse at her. "You evil bitch, you think you're so bloody noble, you're no better than me, you're a morally corrupt tramp, living with two men". She'd been standing directly in front of Jolly, and she was surprised as Jolly's security detail slid deftly between them, she was now facing a six foot man, his body so wide it blocked any view of Jolly, he said loudly. "Please move, you are impeding our path, if you decline I will move you physically, the option is yours, but remember my request, and your response, will be on camera". She stood her ground, so he extended his arm and literally swept her aside, indicating to Jolly to proceed. Melinda's shouting could be heard behind them, but Jolly ignored it, going straight into the committee meeting. She took her seat, the security detail leaned down to whisper, indicating where he would be stood, against a wall, about six feet away from her. As the meeting opened, Melanda demanded to speak, the Chairman, Oscar Phillip Cromwell asked her to sit down and wait, he had something he wished to say first. "Having seen and read the headlines in this mornings paper, I have to act, my role comes with a duty, to ensure the funds we receive are spent wisely, and to ensure that we all are working to protect and serve the community who fund us". He paused and Melanda again tried to jump in, but he silenced her, before continuing. "I find myself in quite a quandary, in your case I have no option Melanda, the position I find myself in doesn't allow for sentiment, I have to request your resignation, but there's another aspect which needs attention, I believe the person who gave that story to the press, bringing this committee to a position of ridicule, is also a member of this committee, that person, I believe, is you Jolly Thorn, and here, though I cannot prove the fact, I must adopt a position which has the best interests of this committee at heart, and therefore I am asking you to resign as well, this committee can then move forward, continuing with its task". Melanda was sobbing, no one was expecting what happened next, Jolly spoke out. "What a crock of shit, you pathetic, backstabbing, lying, bastard, I freely admit, I have no great love for Melanda Lofthouse, but this is not something I would do, I will shortly have as my daughter in law, Melanda's daughter, I love that girl dearly, she loves her parents dearly, she has never uttered a bad word about them, I hear her explanation when her first born asks about them, she tells him they're good people who just don't want to meet at the moment, but maybe in the future they might change their minds, I would never hurt that girl, and this, if it had been me responsible, would have hurt her, as I witnessed this morning when she read this article". Melanda's head snapped up, she spoke directly to Jolly. "You deny it?". Jolly walked the few seats to where Melanda was sitting, throwing the newspaper onto the table in front of her. "Take another look at the picture Melanda, top right corner, who do you know that has an elaborately engraved silver cigarette lighter on their desk". Melanda studied the picture, then her head jerked up, her furious gaze directed at their chairman, and Oscar Phillip Cromwell visibly trembled. "You lying bastard, you recommended that courier, you said it was her, you did it, why?". Jolly answered for him. "Because we disagree every time he wants to jump into bed with the employers, we're continually stopping him in his dirty little tracks, stopping him from having an easy ride, and probably from filling his pockets, as I said, I have no great love for you Melanda, and I don't choose to make any statement regarding your relationship with your daughter, but I will praise the work you do on this committee, you may not be the easiest person to work with, but I for one, respect what you achieve". Jolly, glanced at her security detail, nodding her head, indicating she would be leaving shortly, then turned her attention to their chairman. "So Oscar, by the words of your own bullshitting speech earlier, I believe, having been found out, it's actually you who should be resigning, unless of course, you would like to face being publicly sacked, which I would say will be inevitable when the press guys sitting in the gallery file their stories, it is of no consequence to me I resign, I don't feel inclined to continue after this debacle, I'll leave you all now, goodbye". As jolly left chaos reigned, the room descended into a vicious round of insults until Melanda, or so the press reported, swung a left hook, sending the chairman flying backwards over his own chair. By this time Jolly was in the car heading back to the house in Barrington Hills. Later news reports, on TV and in the evening press, all carried full accounts of the meeting, including Oscar Phillip Cromwell's resignation. There was also mention of Jolly's colourful language under the byline, 'You don't mess with Thorn women, unless you're an idiot' Finally they'd decided who would be best man to whom. Billy would be Jace's, Jay would be Jo's and Will would be David's, as Will had explained, he couldn't be best man for one brother and not the other, so, in fairness, he wouldn't do it for either, he'd do it for David, and then they realised, it left no one to walk Mel down the aisle, but as Mel said. "This is the Thorn family, I've already decided who I want to walk me down the aisle, and give my hand to Jace, all I have to do is ask". They were all mystified, until she got up, walked across the room, and knelt down in front of Jolly. "Would you give me away please?". Jolly jumped up dragging Mel with her into a hug. "I'd be honoured, and I don't really mind giving you away, because I get you back a few minutes later as my daughter". There were to be four bridesmaids, Pete and Jaque's daughter Fleur, Woody and Jacqueline's daughter Roslyn and her partner Cecile, Beth and Daves daughter Elly. It would be Ary and Bobby's job as ring bearers to carry the wedding bands which Jace had commissioned, two yellow gold bands with a white gold raised thinner band encircling the other band, Ary would carry his Poppa's ring, offering the cushion on which it sat to Mel when the time came, Booby would carry his Momma's ring, he would offer his cushion to Jace when the time came. Dillon would be in the charge of his nanny, Shelby, but no one listened when Ary and Bobby said that wouldn't work, they just hoped Shelby could keep him distracted long enough that they could do their parts, and then they could collect him, he wasn't a difficult baby, as long as he got his way, which was being with his big brothers, anything else and he was prone to produce ear shattering screams. TBC ARB Allan Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com. Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.