Jonathan noticed her demeanor immediately. "What’s the matter?"
"I don’t know." She turned to the nurse. "Are you sure this is the right baby?" Jennifer pulled his hand from the blanket to check his tag. "Baby Hart"
"Yes, I checked the tags."
Jennifer laid him on the bed an opened his blanket. "He seems a little smaller," Jennifer noted.
"All babies lose a little weight in the beginning. As long as he gains it back by his next appointment there is no cause for concern."
Jonathan watched Jennifer and could see that the explanation didn’t alleviate her concern. He went to her and looked down on the baby. Surely they would know their child just by looking at him. It looked like him, sort of.
Jennifer wrapped him back up and lifted him to her arms. She looked at Jonathan who noted the unease in her eyes.
"He doesn’t … feel right," she said quietly.
Feel? Jonathan couldn’t understand.
"Its okay Mrs. Hart. It’s normal to be nervous. You can still stay the extra day if you like."
Jennifer’s eyes didn’t leave Jonathan’s. He could see her wanting him to say or do something but for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what.
Jennifer bit her lower lip and looked to the baby. Guilt began to build. How could she not know her own baby?
"Can we see the other babies?" Jonathan finally asked. "Just to be sure."
The nurse looked at them with annoyance. "I assure you Mr. Hart, this is your baby."
"Please," he motioned towards Jennifer hoping the nurse would take pity on his wife’s distress.
"Well, alright."
As they looked through the nursery window, Jonathan realized that most babies do look alike. He hoped though that they looked enough different to confirm to Jennifer that she was holding the right baby.
"Well?" The nurse asked.
Jennifer looked at all the babies. None of them grabbed at her heart or soul, as she’d expect baby Max to. She looked at the baby in arms. He was beautiful and peaceful, surely he was hers. Maybe the nurse was right and it was just nerves.
"Have any left this morning?" Jonathan asked seeing Jennifer was still not convinced.
"Just two, baby Peters who was a girl and baby Simpson who was born two days ago."
"Its okay, Jonathan," Jennifer said. "Lets just go."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I just want to get home."
When they got home, Jennifer realized that it had been over four hours since the baby had eaten. She went to his bassinette that rolled with her wherever she went and found him still sleeping. Remembering the doctor telling her she may need to wake him up, she picked him up and tried to wake him.
"Come on sweetie," she cooed while sitting in the rocking chair. She tickled and lightly pinched his toes. He slowly opened his eyes. Jennifer smiled down on him as their eyes connected. "There you go." But as she looked on him, there was something haunting about his eyes. They didn’t hold the same strength or alertness she’d remembered. Shrugging it off, she put him to her breast.
"Come on," she said again as he seemed uncertain as to what to do with it. By now her milk had come in and a tiny drop perched at the tip. She pressed the drop to his lips. "Drink up sweetie." Finally his lips parted and he began to nurse but within a few light suckles he was asleep. Jennifer couldn’t help the flow of tears that began to fall. This baby was nothing like the baby that had been placed in her arms, the one who’d looked at her with inquisitive eyes and who’d eaten voraciously. But it had to be. The band on his wrist said he was. None of the other babies were him either.
Jennifer realized her fear was coming true. She had been afraid that she wouldn’t be a good mother; that she wouldn’t develop the type of instincts that comes naturally to others.
"Darling?" Jonathan burst into the room. "What is it."? He’d her crying, sobbing really.
Jennifer hadn’t realized how loudly or uncontrollably she was crying. She looked up at him and saw the worry on his face. He’d been worried since they’d left the hospital. He’d tried to support her. Tried to understand but she knew that he’d agreed with the nurse. She was probably overwhelmed and nervous about motherhood.
She could try and tell him again how this baby didn’t seem like the same baby, but then what would he think? What would everyone think if she continued like this? They’d think she was rejecting him. It was bad enough for her to realize in her heart that motherhood was not in her nature, but she couldn’t let others know.
"I’m sorry, hormones I guess."
"Are you sure," He came to kneel before. He gently rubbed his hand on the baby’s head.
She nodded. "And tired. I guess I’m just a bit out of sorts."
Jonathan watched her. Something more was wrong. He could feel it. But as he watched her she began to sing to the baby. He noticed that she had to wake him up every few minutes to keep him eating.
"He doesn’t seem hungry," he said.
Jennifer’s eyes flashed up at him and Jonathan got the distinct feeling that she felt he was criticizing her. "The doctor said I might have to wake him up to eat. He hasn’t eaten for four hours."
Jonathan nodded. "You’re right. You are doing beautifully Jennifer. You are most beautiful mother I know."
Jennifer managed a smile knowing that he was trying to sooth things over. But the damage had been done at the hospital when she questioned them about the baby. The nurse had probably written it in the chart. Everyone now knew that Jennifer was having difficulty bonding with her baby. But she would change that. She would be a good mother. Her baby needed that.
Jennifer kept the baby with her at all times. When he slept she slept with him by her side. Every three hours she would wake him to eat and as he did, she would talk to him and sing to him. The more she watched him as he slept or the few moments he was awake, she was able to learn more about him. He really was a sweet baby. His eyes were soft and … wise was the word that came to mind. Like he knew secrets of universe. When he finally grasped her finger during a feeding, Jennifer cried with joy. But it also made her wonder… had he felt the same? No matter how much she found herself bonding with the being in her arms, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t the one that had come from her body. But each time the thought came, she shook it off.
Jonathan watched Jennifer and found himself relieved. She looked more and more natural with him and relaxed. He didn’t know what to make of her earlier concerns. He would never doubt her and yet, well it didn’t make sense that she would think she had the wrong baby. He looked like Max, sort of. He didn’t really act like Max but when Jennifer slept and he called Catherine she assured him that babies go through a sleepy period and that Jennifer was doing fine.
Jennifer got up and put the baby in the bassinette intending to take a shower and get ready for bed. She saw Jonathan watching her as she rose. He smiled.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, tired but fine. I think I’ll take a shower and get ready for bed."
"Sounds good. Can I get you something? Are you hungry?"
"A little."
"How about some toast and soup."
"Good." The feeling of small talk didn’t escape either of them. Jonathan was worried but didn’t want to pursue the matter after her response in the afternoon. Jennifer still felt uneasy but didn’t want to reveal her ineptitude.
Jonathan left to fix her some food. When he came back, he set the food on the bed. Checking in the bassinette and lightly touching the baby, he headed back into the bathroom to find Jennifer. When he didn’t hear the shower he thought maybe she’d taken a bath. Instead, he found her sunk down against the sink counter weeping.
"Jennifer?" Panic streaked through him.
Embarrassed, Jennifer tried to turn away but Jonathan would not have it. He took her arms and pulled her into his lap as he sat. "What is it, baby? Oh God Jennifer, please tell me what is going on."
"There is something terribly wrong Jonathan. Terribly."
"Tell me what it is darling. I will fix it." God help him he would fix it.
Jennifer looked at him. What was he going to think? Would he be right? "I don’t think he’s our baby."
Jonathan felt his heart drop. How could they not have the right baby? Was there something really wrong with Jennifer’s ability to bond with him? No, that can’t be, she was so natural with him in the hospital.
Jennifer could see the wheels turning in his head, the doubt and the concern. What the hell was wrong with her that she couldn’t feel right about the baby? Unable to bear Jonathan’s scrutiny, she pulled away from him. She left the dressing room, unsure to where she was heading.
"Jennifer?" Jonathan called, his concern and fear evident in his voice. He followed her.
"Please just leave me alone," she begged. "I can’t bear to see you look at me like that."
"I’m sorry sweetheart. I’m just trying to understand. I don’t understand."
Jennifer swung around to him, "What’s to understand? I’m going around the bend. The nurse thought so, you think so…"
"No I don’t. Jennifer, really I don’t. I just don’t understand. I don’t know what to do. Please," he begged taking her arms gently to prevent her from getting away. "Please explain it to me."
Jennifer, tired and weary, sank into him. "He doesn’t feel right."
That’s what she’d said earlier. "How is he supposed to feel?"
His question made her realize how ludicrous her comment was. She shook her head. "Never mind. I need to check on him."
"No dammit!" Jonathan didn’t mean to sound angry but he couldn’t let this go on. "Tell me. What is missing?"
"Do you remember the first time you saw me? Kissed me?"
Jonathan frowned. What did that have to do with anything? But he decided to go along. "Yes."
"Tell me."
"What?"
"Tell me what it was like."
"Well, it was like nothing I’d felt before. I felt like you’d reached right into my heart and soul."
"And when you kissed Dominique or took Simone home thinking it was me, how’d you know it wasn’t me? They looked like me…"
Jonathan began to get the picture. "They didn’t feel right."
"Yes," Jennifer let her tears fall again. "Jonathan, that is not the baby that was placed in my arms after birth. He’s a sweet baby with the most amazing soul that you can see in his eyes. But he’s not Max. Max ate eagerly and was alert. This baby would starve to death if I didn’t wake him. And I think he knows I’m not his mom."
"If this is true, then someone else has Max."
"If it is true?" Jennifer could still see the doubt in his eyes. But the more she thought about it, the more it had to be. She knew she bonded with her baby. And she knew she was bonded to this baby but he wasn’t Max. "I’m going to eat and then feed him and go to bed."
"Wait, we aren’t finished here. Why do you keep running from me? I’m trying to understand Jennifer. I want to believe you."
"Want?" Jennifer didn’t hide the hurt. It was the problem. "You used to believe me no matter what."
Jonathan closed his eyes realizing his mistake too late. She started to walk away but he held her arm. "I believe the baby doesn’t feel right to you…"
"You just don’t believe that it could be the wrong baby which means you think I’m a mother gone batty. Or suffering from post-partum craziness." She yanked her arm away. "I knew I couldn’t tell you. I shouldn’t have said anything to you or anyone. Now everyone will know what a horrible mother I am."
She moved away quickly but Jonathan caught her again. He pinned her against the wall so she would stop struggling. "Jennifer. Listen to me. I love you. Nothing will change that, ever. I don’t know what is going on. I don’t know what to think. But no matter what, I will always support you and believe in you." He moved his hands placing his palms on her cheeks. "I love you." He pulled her into his arms. "I love you," he whispered. "We will figure this out. I promise."
It wasn’t quite what Jennifer wanted to hear, but she couldn’t fight anymore. She didn’t want to carry the burden anymore. Maybe she was suffering from some sort of post-partem depression. Maybe she was going mad. But somewhere deep down in her heart and soul, she knew she was right and yet was helpless to do anything.
Jonathan had watched Jennifer until she fell asleep. He knew she’d set her alarm because she believed the baby wouldn’t wake to eat. Despite her feelings that the baby wasn’t Max, she showed a great deal of caring and concern. She’d decided to take the baby back to the doctor just to check on his health. Jonathan had to agree that he seemed a bit lethargic. He hoped that whatever it was, it would pass and they could both resume the perfect life they’d led up until then.
He must have fallen asleep because he was startled awake by a terrible cry.
"JENNIFER?" he called as he jumped from the bed.
She cried out for him again. He ran to the hall and found her hurrying towards him carrying the baby.
"He’s sick, I don’t think he’s breathing." Jennifer set him on the hall table. "Call for help." She ordered as she resumed CPR on the tiny infant.
Jonathan shook the fog from his brain and picked up the phone. "Maybe we should take him in?"
"I think paramedics would get here sooner than we’d get him to the hospital," she said between breaths.
Jonathan nodded and made the call. It was certainly the longest five minutes of their lives. The paramedics rushed in and began working on the baby. Jonathan and Jennifer watched helpless. Within minutes, everyone was on the way to the hospital.
Jonathan and Jennifer waited anxiously for an eternity it seemed. Jennifer paced and refused Jonathan’s suggestion of coffee or taking a break. Inside she was a jumble of nerves. She knew she wasn’t cut out for this. She should have done something different but couldn’t figure out what. That only made her conviction stronger; she wasn’t a good mother. A good mother wouldn’t have questioned her baby. A good mother would have realized sooner that the problem was more serious.
"Jennifer." Jonathan called to her. He didn’t like how she looked. She was distant, getting farther away from him with each moment. The more he tried to pull her close, the more she resisted him. "Jennifer," he called again.
She turned to him. "You are going to wear a hole in the floor."
"I can’t help it," she stated as she turned back to pacing.
Jonathan shrugged. He knew his desire to have her come to him was his need to hold her; his need to be needed by her. "I’m going to get some more coffee, you want some?"
"No, no, I’m fine."
The evening wore on. Jennifer finally used up some of her nervous energy and sat on the couch. Still, Jonathan noticed, she sat across from him.
When a doctor emerged, both jumped up. "How is he, Doctor? Is he okay?"
"Mr. And Mrs. Hart, I’m doctor Kepler, I’m the chief of staff here at the hospital."
"Chief of staff?" Jonathan said.
"Did you work on our baby?" Jennifer asked.
"No, I didn’t but I do know his status. I would like for you to come to my office to discuss his case."
"But is he alright?" Jennifer asked growing irritated at not having her question answered.
"The baby is alive and stable…"
"Will he stay alright? What is wrong with him?" Jennifer continued.
"If you would please follow me to my office, I’ll answer all of your questions."
Jennifer looked to Jonathan. Annoyance flared at himself and Jennifer for the one time she turned to him for support or help, he was not able to offer it. Instead he took her arm and followed the doctor.
In the office the doctor offered coffee but both refused. "Please just tell us what is going on," Jonathan said sternly. "The hospital doesn’t call the Chief of Staff in the middle of night to meet with people without something serious."
"How is the baby?" Jennifer asked again.
"He is fine at the moment. But he has a rare congenital disorder…"
"It is treatable?"
The doctor looked to Jonathan and then to Jennifer. "I’m afraid not."
"What!" Jennifer looked to Jonathan who looked equally as stunned. Turning back to the doctor she said, "Will he survive? Have a normal life?"
"Doctor Kepler, whatever he needs, specialists, equipment, we will pay whatever it takes."
"Unfortunately, no amount of money will save him…"
"Save him? You mean he’s going to …" Jennifer couldn’t bring herself to say the words.
The doctor nodded. "It is terminal."
"Oh God no." For the first time since the unusual behavior of the baby started, Jennifer turned to Jonathan. Burying her head in his shoulder she wept.
"Surely there is something that can be done. Maybe in Europe or something." Jonathan said as he held Jennifer.
The doctor would have normally been offended; after all, his hospital was one of the best in the world. Under the circumstances though he understood Jonathan’s desire to do whatever it took. "There is nothing. The disorder, it involves the heart, a delicate matter as it is, but it’s not curable at this point. We just don’t have the technology. And, because it is so rare, only limited research is conducted to find a way to cure or prevent it."
Jonathan turned to Jennifer. "I’m so sorry sweetheart," he whispered as his own tears began to fall.
"There is something else I need to inform you about," the doctor said.
Jonathan turned to him. All of a sudden he had a fear that perhaps Jennifer had this illness too. He would survive the loss of this baby, but he’d never survive the loss of his wife. "Is it hereditary?"
"Well, little is understood about the disease but it doesn’t seem to be hereditary no. The thing is, it is a anomaly that would have been detected after birth, when he was checked over."
Jennifer turned to the doctor, "But he had a perfect bill of health."
"Yes, well Doctor Parker had his record pulled because we wouldn’t have sent him home particularly without informing you of his condition. That is when he called me."
"Why? What’s in the record?" Jennifer asked.
"Well, its just as you said, the Hart baby had perfect health. The file also revealed other information that made it clear that this baby is not your baby."
"What!" Jonathan bolted from his seat.
Jennifer sat numbly in her chair.
"How can that be?" Jonathan asked.
"I don’t know how it could happed as we take great precautions to avoid accidental switching." The doctor stood up. "But let me assure you that we are looking into it as we speak and the police are on the way."
"The police?" Jonathan said. "Why the police? Do you think this switch was on purpose?"
The doctor looked at Jennifer who still sat numbly in her chair and Jonathan who appeared to be ready to pounce. "As I said, we take great precaution to avoid this sort of thing. We place name bands on the mother and baby minutes after birth. We check them when we take the baby and bring it back..."
"So the only way this could happen is if someone switched the bands?" Jonathan asked.
"Yes, that’s right."
"But why?"
"A terminally ill baby versus a healthy baby…"
Jonathan could not conceive such a thing. The magnitude of it deflated him and he sank into his chair. He looked over to Jennifer. She had been right the whole time and he’d not supported her. How tormented she must have been to think the baby wasn’t hers when everyone, including him, told her it was a response to being a new mother. He reached out and took her hand. "You were right."
What good it did her now. Although it was somewhat reassuring to know she wasn’t crazy it didn’t change the fact her baby had been switched.
"So what happens now?" Jennifer heard herself ask.
"I’ve called the police already and I have asked hospital security to look into this as well."
"That’s it?" Jonathan asked. "You just called a few people? Who is the baby we had? Who was supposed to have him? Why isn’t anyone telling us that? Why isn’t any one out finding him?"
"We are, I assure you we are. My staff has identified the file of the sick child and the names of the parents …"
"Which are?"
The doctored eyed Jonathan. "I can’t divulge that information but I have sent a security person and the police to the address in the chart."
"Oh and I’m sure they’ll be there seeing they kidnapped a baby. Who are they?"
A knock at the door saved the doctor from having to tell Jonathan that he couldn’t divulge any more information. "Yes?"
"Lt. Gray, I’m here regarding a kidnapping."
"Hershal. Do you know anything?"
"I’m sorry Mrs. Hart. All I know is a few of my men have been dispatched to a home in the valley. I’m here to get the details."
The doctor told Lt. Gray everything he knew and the Harts shared their side of the story.
"Why don’t you two go home and get some rest," the doctor suggested. "The police or the hospital will be in touch as soon as we know something."
Jonathan looked at him as if he said the most ludicrous thing in the world.
"What will happen to the baby?" Jennifer asked before Jonathan could say anything.
"The baby you had? Well, we’ll keep him here. He is being made comfortable …"
Jennifer frowned. "He doesn’t have much time?"
"No. I’m sorry Mrs. Hart that you have had to suffer the tragedy of his loss as well as that of your son. But the people who took your son don’t want to harm him so I’m confident he’ll be found and returned to you. We’ll take care of this baby so you don’t need to concern yourself with him …"
"What?" Jennifer’s tone caught everyone’s attention. "He may no be my son but I have cared for him, sung to him, cried for him … and you expect me to just leave him. I’m not like his parents. I want to see him."
The doctor looked as if he were going to protest and then thought better of it. Although it seemed unlikely it would make a difference for the baby, it seemed it would for her. "Alright."
Jonathan followed Jennifer to the neonatal intensive care. He was still in shock and not quite sure why he was visiting the sick baby while his son was missing. Then again, there was nothing to do. The police and the hospital were tightlipped on any information. While he was clearly confused about his feelings, Jennifer showed strength and compassion. She’d clearly taken charge. She’d informed the hospital and the police they had until daybreak to get their little Max back or at least have something significant to share about his whereabouts. At that time, it would be no holds barred on the search for Maxwell Edwards Hart.
Jennifer approached the little bed that held the baby she cared for over the last day. "Hello sweetie," she whispered as she took his hand. His eyes were closed and he appeared to be asleep. But his head turned towards her voice and his fingers clasped her finger. Jonathan watched in awe as she tenderly began to sing to him.
"Do you think she sings to little Max?" Jennifer asked Jonathan when she was done.
Jonathan nodded. "I think the doctor is right, they wanted a healthy baby and are treating him like their own."
Jennifer stroked the baby’s head. "He doesn’t have a name."
"Why don’t you give him one?" the nurse said touched that the Harts would give this sick abandoned baby love during his last hours.
Jennifer looked to Jonathan. "How about Charlie?" He suggested.
Jennifer smiled. He was another orphan in her life. "Hey Charlie, little angel." Then she frowned. "He hasn’t been christened."
"I can arrange for that as well," the nurse said as she finished her charting for Charlie.
Jennifer sat with Charlie a bit longer. "Do you think he knew? I mean that I wasn’t his mother?"
"I don’t know. I think he knew you cared for him."
"I should have done better. I should have insisted he be checked out. Maybe if I’d realized he was sick, we could have done something.."
"Darling, there is nothing we could have done even if we’d all listened to you this morning. You have given him so much. He was left by his parents and yet you loved him and cared for him…"
"But I questioned him… was uneasy… he probably felt that from me."
"Jennifer," Jonathan put his hands on her shoulders. "You sang to him, talked to him, you love him. Look at you now, still loving him. Not wanting him to be alone … you can’t know how much I admire your strength at this moment. How proud I am of you."
Jennifer smiled. She appreciated the words but wasn’t convinced. She was torn. She knew she should be out looking for Max but here she was with a dying baby. She knew in her mind that there was nothing she could do at that point but a part of her felt she was betraying Max by staying with Charlie.
As if he could read her mind, Jonathan said, "This is probably the best place for us to be. Max is being cared for and the police are looking for him. Hershel is leading the investigation so I know they are being thorough."
Jennifer nodded. "I just hope he’s okay. That they are loving him. That they don’t hurt him."
Jonathan took her in his arms and held her as much for himself as for her.
The minister arrived blessing little Charlie and said a prayer for little Max. It was only a few hours later when Charlie left the Harts. Somehow Jennifer knew the time had come. She’d once again started singing to him and caressed his frail body. Jonathan watched, not quite feeling comfortable with watching an infant die but at the same time admiring Jennifer’s efforts to comfort him, to say good-bye.
"Why does this happen to us?" Jennifer said as she absently caressed Charlie’s head after he was gone.
Jonathan shook his head.
She looked up at him. Her eyes were mixed with pain and something resembling anger. He wondered for a moment if the anger was directed at him. Or maybe it was his own guilt at not listening to her when she first questioned whether or not she had the right baby.
"We are good decent people," she continued. "Yes we are blessed to have each other and great wealth but we didn’t hurt anyone to find our happiness. We use the money for good."
Jonathan went to her to comfort her. While he was somewhat relieved to know her anger was directed some where else, it frustrated him that he still couldn’t help her.
"I want to know. Are our cups so filled we aren’t allowed anymore?"
Jonathan looked at her not knowing how to answer.
"We’ve lost our son and another child left in our care. Why Jonathan? Why?"
He wished he knew what to say to make her pain leave.
"Why?"
"I don’t know darling," he finally said. He felt much the same way: grieved and afraid for Max and Charlie, and angry at the forces that would put them both through such agony. She was right that it didn’t seem quite fair. Certainly the powers that be knew they would trade almost all they had to save Charlie and little Max. "I don’t know," He said again this time mostly to himself.
They were leaving the neonatal unit when Hershel found them. "What did you find?" Jonathan asked.
"Well, the house is empty. The family left and in a hurry. Witnesses say that the man was agitated but the wife seemed confused…"
Jennifer didn’t like the sound of that. "Confused… as in unstable?"
"No as in she didn’t understanding why they were moving on the day they brought their baby home." Hershel shrugged. "We do have a lead. Its possible they are heading out of state so I’ve contacted the FBI. I told them I’d meet them here. I figured you’d still be here. How’s the little guy?"
Jennifer’s tears fell at Lt. Gray’s question. Jonathan put his arm around her. "He’s gone."
"I’m sorry. It’s not right for people to take your child but leaving a little guy like that …" he shook his head.
Jonathan and Jennifer met with Lt. Gray and Special Agent Larson. They finally agreed to go home to get rest knowing that they’d need their strength soon enough. Once home, Jennifer went to the nursery. Jonathan found her there. She had finished pumping her full breasts and was preparing the milk for storage. Little Max would need that, he agreed. Her action indicated she fully intended to find little Max alive and well. He was glad Jennifer was optimistic about finding Max. Perhaps that maternal instinct of hers knew something he didn’t because Jonathan was terrified little Max wouldn’t come home. Jonathan was terrified that his son would grow up not knowing his parents. He never dwelled on his own feelings of being abandoned, not any more. When he met Max Brenner, Jonathan learned what it was like to have a father figure, mentor and best friend. When he met Jennifer, he felt he’d gained everything he’d ever want. He often felt like a protector but Jennifer was usually his source of strength. When he sought to comfort or keep her safe, it was usually Jennifer who in turn brought sanity back to his life.
"Darling?" The sound of Jennifer’s voice calling him brought him out of his thoughts.
"Hey."
"Are you alright?"
"I was just thanking God to have you in my life."
Jennifer smiled wearily.
He cleared his throat that all of a sudden closed on him. "And, I’m scared… oh God Jennifer I’m scared."
Jennifer watched baffled for a moment as Jonathan began to weep. While Jonathan never hid his emotions, he always wanted to be strong for her. So it surprised her to see his emotions get the best of him. She went to him, wrapping her arms around him. They both sank to the floor, holding to each other.
"I never knew my parents and now I may never know my son…"
Jennifer listened to his grief and chastised herself for wallowing in her own grief and expecting him to comfort her. While she knew he would grieve if they lost little Max, it never occurred to her how he might relate it to the loss of his own parents. It broke her heart when she thought about Jonathan’s life as an orphan. But he persevered. He never felt sorry for himself as he built his company. Certainly he wouldn’t then be forced to deal with an even greater loss of a child?
"I’m sorry," Jonathan said, repositioning himself so that he could hold Jennifer to comfort her.
"No, stop," Jennifer said, preventing him from changing their emotional positions. "I need this." She put her hands on his face. "I need to be reminded that I’m not the only one hurting. I can be selfish like that."
"This shouldn’t be happening. If I had listened to you, if I had done something…"
Jennifer shook her head. "We can’t think like that. I don’t blame you Jonathan."
His eyes narrowed as if he didn’t believe her.
Jennifer dropped her head against his. "I was annoyed and frustrated. I thought I was going crazy or worse that I was a bad mother..."
"I know and I’m sorry. I could have helped you better."
There was nothing Jennifer could say and she knew it. But it was late and both were exhausted. "Lets get some rest," she said. "We’ll need to be rested when the police call about Max."
"You’re right." Jonathan stood. He took a deep breath to settle his emotions. He reached down to help Jennifer up. He held her arms and looked into her eyes. "I love you. God help me, I don’t know what I’d do without you."
Jennifer smiled sympathetically as she placed her palm on his cheek. "You think it’s any different for me?"
"I won’t let you down again, I promise."
Jennifer leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. She wanted to assure him that she didn’t blame him but she knew it was a lost cause.
They were woken early the next morning by the phone. "Hello!" Jonathan said as he grabbed the phone. Jennifer moved to listen in on the line.
"Mr. Hart, this is Special Agent Larson."
"Yes, do you know where my son is?" Jonathan didn’t even attempt to mask the desperation in his voice.
"We have a lead we are following up on. I just wanted to check to see where you would be today so I can contact you."
"What is this lead? Where is he?"
"We got some information from a neighbor and his employer that we are currently sending some agents to follow-up on. I’m heading there as we speak…"
"Where?"
"Mr. Hart, I know you want to be there but its best if you stay home by the phone and let me call.."
"Where?" Jonathan asked again more forcefully.
"New Mexico. I land in 20 minutes. I will call you when I have more."
"Albuquerque?"
"New Mexico?" Jennifer whispered.
"Mr. Hart, please, I need you to stay where you are."
"And I have a infant that needs his mother. If it’s Max, she needs to be there."
There was a pause. "You do it my way Mr. Hart. You can come. Get a hotel room and let me know where you are. I will meet you there and give an update but that is it."
"Where?"
"Sante Fe."
Jennifer and Jonathan found a hotel in the old part of Sante Fe and paged Agent Larson.
"What’s the news?" Jonathan asked as he let Agent Larson into their hotel room.
"So far nothing. The house has been empty. He showed up but not the wife or baby."
"Did you question him?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes, but he indicates that baby is his. Without the wife and baby there, we can’t push too much. We do have people watching the house."
"Did he say where the wife and baby are?"
"Just out."
"Where is the house?" Jonathan asked.
"Uh uh, nope, you stay here an I’ll call you."
"Maybe he’ll listen to us," Jennifer argued.
"He doesn’t care about you, if he did he wouldn’t have taken the baby in the first place. We aren’t even sure if this is your baby or if the baby is with him."
"Its him," Jennifer said turning away and walking to the window. "I feel it," she said more to herself than to the agent.
"You can’t really expect us to just sit around," Jonathan argued.
"I have heard about your propensity to get involved in crimes but this time you really need to let us handle it. We are experts. Anything less puts your son at risk."
The agent didn’t stay around to be coerced by Jonathan. When the door shut, Jonathan turned to Jennifer. "We’re close sweetheart, very close."
"He’s here. I know it." She turned to him, her hands fisted in his shirt. "I feel it."
If Jonathan had learned anything over the last few days it was that Jennifer’s maternal instinct was right on.
"Then they will find him. He will be home soon."
"You believe me? You feel it too?"
"I believe you and Max have a bond stronger than anything else. If you feel it, then he’s here."
Jennifer watched Jonathan and knew he was sincere. "Only you and I have a bond as strong," she said.
He pulled Jennifer to him. His arms wrapped around her as her words wrapped around him. She didn’t know how much he needed to hear that. Until she said it, he didn’t know how much he needed to hear it. They clung to each other giving and getting strength in each other’s arms. A knock on the door jolted them apart.
Jonathan reached the door in quick long steps. The door swung open and he waited expectantly.
"Mr. Hart?" a small waif like woman asked.
"Yes."
"My name is Anne Kramer."
"Yes?" Jonathan watched as the small woman looked worriedly down the corridor and then back to him.
"I think I may have your baby."
Jonathan reached out and grabbing her arm pulled her into the hotel room.
"Max?" Jennifer said running to the woman. "Where is he?"
"He’s safe, at home…"
"His home is here." Jonathan’s voice was dark.
The woman stepped away from him. Jonathan realized she moved away in fear. "Yes, well, I couldn’t bring him with me. That wouldn’t have been safe."
"Where is he?" Jonathan said trying to be calm and not frighten the woman more.
"He is with my husband. I had no idea …" A look of panic came over her face. "I didn’t know what he’d done. I mean not really. The baby seemed a little different but I was so happy to have a healthy baby this time that I didn’t pay attention to the difference."
"This time?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes. I had another child but she died shortly after birth. It seems my husband and I don’t have good genes for a baby. We’d hoped that this time we’d beat the odds. Joe really wanted a son. Having a son meant everything to him. There was nothing, not even me, he wanted more. I didn’t realize what he might do…"
She was shaking, Jennifer realized. It must have been difficult for her to come to them she thought. And how would she respond when they told her about Charlie.
"Why don’t we sit down," Jennifer suggested. "Do you want some water?"
Jonathan watched Jennifer in amazement. His whole body was vibrating with a nervous energy and she was being a host. He realized that Jennifer understood the woman would need to be handled carefully.
"I was out and got a call on my cell phone. He said we needed to move again. I should have guessed." Anne sat on the couch and accepted a glass of water from Jennifer. "He said the police had been by. Some rich people were accusing the hospital of switching the babies and wanted to take ours."
Jennifer sat across from the woman but Jonathan paced. He didn’t want the story. He wanted Max. He wanted to go and get him now.
"I knew then." She looked up pleadingly to Jennifer. "I would never abandon my baby. Even if he was sick. Never." She began to weep.
"We can help you and your husband," Jonathan offered.
"I couldn’t bring the baby. My husband … he’s not himself. He’s crazy with protecting him. We’d waited so long. Had so much loss…." She looked to them hoping they would understand and not judge to harshly.
"We just want our son home. We don’t want anyone to get hurt."
"I want to help you. I want to be a mother but not like this."
Jonathan felt some of the tension drain. At least she wanted to help.
"What about your husband."
Anne nervously played with her fingers. "He … he won’t give up the baby."
"He won’t hurt him will he?" Jennifer asked.
"No, he wants a son."
"The FBI is here. If you help them, you can be protected." Jonathan sensed that she might be in danger if she agreed to help them.
"I’m here to help but I’m not sure how. I met him at a fast food place. When he explained to me what was happening, I knew the baby wasn’t ours. I told him I needed to get some more diapers for the baby and tried to leave. He made me leave the baby with him." She checked her watch. "I need to get back soon or he’ll be suspicious."
"Where are you supposed to meet him?"
"I’m supposed to go back to the fast food place and wait for him to call on the public phone there."
"How did he get past the FBI that was watching your house?"
"Joe used to work in some sort of special secret unit in the marines…"
Jonathan nodded knowing that some of the military’s special forces could be practically invisible. However, the FBI should have known that. He reached for the phone to call Agent Larson. He wouldn’t bring up the FBI’s ineptitude now though. He needed their help.
Jennifer reached into her purse and pulled out a tiny picture. She handed the picture to Anne. Immediately, Anne knew who the sickly little infant was. She began to weep. "Its not bad enough he took your baby. But he took mine away from me." She looked to Jennifer with desperate hope that perhaps he was fine.
"He was a beautiful baby. We called him Charlie. It was a nickname of Jonathan’s." Jennifer quickly added, "We would have done anything to save him even though we knew he wasn’t our son." Her eyes teared as well. "We stayed with him. It was very peaceful."
Anne nodded. "Thank you for being with him. May I keep this?"
It was the only photo Jennifer had of Charlie but she relinquished it without a thought. She would always remember Charlie; she didn’t need the picture for that. But Anne, she needed to have something of him. "Yes, please take it."
It took some doing but Jonathan was able to convince or coerce Agent Larson into letting them tag along when they followed Anne to where ever Max was. She was nervous yet eager to help. And Jennifer, despite her own grief and worry, was right there supporting Anne in the difficult task ahead. It couldn’t be easy for a wife to betray her husband, Jonathan thought. Especially a husband that seemed to be off-balance and obsessed. He found he had to admire Anne’s bravery as well.
Jonathan and Jennifer sat in the back of the car several houses away from where the FBI and local police where about to make their move. They had all discretely followed Anne to a fast food joint. She left from there and took a round about trip all over town until arriving at the dilapidated home.
Jennifer held Jonathan’s hand tightly. He could feel all her hope, fear, and anxiety coursing through her. It was mixed with his own unease. They watched the house as the minutes dragged on.
Jennifer bit her lower lip. "What if he does something to Max?"
Jonathan took his hand out of hers and wrapped his arm around her. He then entwined his other hand with hers. "He wants a son. This whole thing is so he can have Max. I don’t think he’ll hurt him."
"I hope you’re right."
So do I, Jonathan thought. So do I.
It seemed like eons before police and FBI agents made their move and then exited the house. They grouped together in the shabby front yard. There was no sign of Max.
"I don’t like it," Jonathan said to himself. He moved to get out of the car.
"Where are you going?" Jennifer asked.
"To find out what’s going on."
"I’m coming with you."
Jonathan learned long ago that there was no holding Jennifer back when she made the decision to follow him into a potentially dangerous situation. Since she’d saved his life on more than one occasion, he figured she’d earned her right to follow him anywhere.
Agent Larson saw Jonathan and Jennifer approach and quickly moved to head them off.
"What’s going on?" Jonathan demanded. "Where’s Max? Where’s Anne?"
Agent Larson ran a hand through his hair.
"Oh no!" Jennifer exclaimed as she read the doomed expression on his face.
"Mr. Kramer and Max are not here…"
"And Anne?" Jonathan asked darkly.
"Mrs. Kramer is dead."
"Dead?" Jennifer felt like she was hit in the chest.
"What do you mean? You were supposed to follow her, keep her safe."
Agent Larson fought off a shrug. It would be misinterpreted he knew. The truth was most missing children were never found, at least alive. And psycho kidnappers and killers usually left a trail of many victims before being found. Its what made that position in the Bureau so difficult to hold for any length of time. Eventually agents quit before they could lose their belief in humanity. "We have several agents on the trail. He moves quickly and seems to have a plan. He’s not haphazardly moving around."
"He planned to kill his wife?" Jennifer asked horrified.
"That I don’t know. Probably not. We found this." He pulled out the picture of Charlie that Jennifer had given her only hours ago.
A gasp escaped Jennifer as she fought to control overwhelming grief and despair. Jonathan put his arm around her and watched her. She was strong, stronger than he was. But he could see the wariness. She was beginning to lose hope.
"So what do we do now?" Jonathan asked hoping to get something, some little bit to hold on to.
"Go back to your hotel. I will stop by later tonight to fill you in on everything."
Jonathan hated that most of all. Go home and wait. He should be doing something besides sitting around and waiting for someone else to do something. He didn’t fight it this time. The wariness was getting to him too.
"I need to stop by a drug store," Jennifer said when she and Jonathan had gotten out of Agent Larson’s car.
"Why don’t you go up to the room and I get what you need." Jonathan really wanted her to rest. He couldn’t bear to see her so distraught.
"No, I want to come. I need some feminine things."
"I can get those." They’d been married a long time. It wouldn’t be the first time Jonathan bought feminine things.
"I need different ones. You might not pick the right ones. And I need breast pads too."
"I would really feel better if you would get some rest." How many different kinds of feminine products could there be? Then he remembered that they usually took up half an isle.
"Please, let me come."
He’d never remembered hearing that kind of desperation. She was too tired to insist and so she was pleading.
He nodded, "Yeah, okay, honey. There is a place a block or two up the street. Shall we walk?"
She nodded and took his hand. She was somewhat embarrassed by her inability to hold it together. She knew it was difficult for Jonathan to see as well. She told herself she needed to be strong for Jonathan and Max but it was becoming more and more difficult.
They entered the store and headed straight for the women’s isle. Jennifer carefully looked over all the options. Mini, maxi, curved, winged, thin, and so on. Jonathan realized he probably would have picked the wrong one. In fact, he probably wouldn’t have picked pads at all. Jennifer picked up a very large package with very large pads in it.
"I need to get some breast pads too."
"I think I’ll pick up some shaving cream while I’m here. I forgot mine at home."
She nodded as he headed to another isle. Jennifer made her way down the same isle with pads until she found what she was looking for. She picked up a box when she heard the cry of a baby. As usually happened, the sound of the infant caused her breasts to fill with milk. Every time it happened, it nearly made her weep. But this time was different. She didn’t feel like weeping. She felt like a mother bear ready to fight for her cub.
Jennifer’s head came up and searched for the source of the crying baby. The more it fussed the more she felt the cries reach right into her soul. She dropped her packages and moved quickly from isle to isle until she saw them. The baby was in a car seat sitting on the floor as a man gathered cans of formula.
"Max," she whispered. She started to head to him.
"What are you doing?" Jonathan asked taking her arm. There was something different about her and if he didn’t know better, he thought she might be heading to take that baby.
She turned to him. "Its Max."
Jonathan’s brows furrowed. "What?"
Jennifer clinched her fists into his shirt. "Its Max, Jonathan. Look at him."
Jonathan looked down the isle to the baby. He didn’t need this. He’d already questioned her sanity once and regretted it. But it couldn’t be possible that Max was sitting there in the middle of the isle.
Jennifer pulled his face to hers. She had a look of controlled scorn. "Listen to him."
Jonathan turned again to look and listen at the baby.
"Not here," Jennifer said referring to his ear. "Here." She placed her hand on his heart.
This time Jonathan closed his eyes and listened to cries. The force of emotion that swept through him about knocked him down. Only once before had he felt something so strong reach right into his soul and grab hold.
His eyes blinked open. "Its Max."
Jennifer smiled, almost giddy. "Yes." She started to head to him again.
"Wait." Jonathan pulled her to the end of the isle so the man couldn’t see them as easily.
"What are you doing?"
"He’s dangerous remember? And he probably knows who we are." Jonathan looked over the isle to make sure the man hadn’t moved.
"I don’t care," Jennifer struggled to free herself.
"You don’t want to put Max in danger." Jonathan said holding his grip on her.
Jennifer relented but only a little bit. Jonathan pulled out his cell phone to call agent Larson. "Let’s keep an eye on him until we can get the FBI here."
Jennifer nodded. "But lets wait closer to the door." She headed up an adjoining isle and positioned herself near the door. Jonathan watched her, hoping she wouldn’t make a move.
"Agent Larson."
"This is Jonathan Hart. We are at a CVS down the street from our hotel. Max is here with Mr. Kramer…"
"What the hell."
"Hey, we were minding our own business."
"Are you sure its him…"
"Yes."
"I’ll be right there. Don’t do anything."
"I can’t guarantee that," Jonathan said as he watched Kramer pick up the infant seat.
Joe Kramer gathered the formula and headed to another isle presumably to get some headache medication. Jennifer loitered near the entrance while Jonathan held his position near the back of the store. He wondered if maybe he should join her near the front. He had a bad feeling of her being vulnerable if Kramer attempted to leave. He started up the isle next to Kramer’s. He glanced over at him briefly and caught Kramer’s eye. The recognition was immediate.
"Damn," Jonathan said.
Kramer grabbed the infant seat and hurried to the door.
Jennifer watched as Kramer dashed to the exit with her son. She positioned herself in front of the door. She would not let him past her. She truly believed this was her only chance to end this once and for all.
Jonathan felt the world tilt on its axis. Everything that he held close was now in jeopardy and he wasn’t close enough to stop it. He willed his feet to fly but Kramer’s seemed to be moving faster.
Kramer saw Jennifer but didn’t slow down. He hunched his shoulders as if he were a pro football player getting ready to break through the defensive line.
Jennifer saw Kramer’s intent but kept her eye on the infant carrier. No matter what, the baby couldn’t get hurt. She braced herself to take the brunt of Kramer’s collision and hoped that she would simultaneously be able to grab the baby. Or maybe she should let him pass. What if he dropped the carrier? Oh God.
She felt like she was being hit by train as the full force of his stocky body rammed into hers. Her arms came out, wrapping around the carrier as she started to fall back. Hold on and don’t let go, she thought.
Her breath was forced from her lungs as she hit the floor. She couldn’t breath and yet she held on to the carrier that had come to rest on her chest. She held on with everything she had as Kramer attempted to pull the carrier loose.
Jonathan finally reached the front of the store. With a leap, he was on Kramer and they rolled across the floor.
Jennifer caught her breath then got up to check on Max. She became aware of the commotion of Jonathan fighting and the store employees and customers gasps of surprise.
"Oh sweetheart, mommy missed you." Jennifer pulled the baby out of the carrier and held him close. She inhaled his baby scent, rubbing her cheek against his. Life was finally perfect again. That is until she heard the gun shot.
She knew without looking that her life had just taken a turn for the worse. She and Jonathan had a bond that defied reality. She had read once that identical twins could sometimes feel things that happened to the other twin. That was what it was like between her and Jonathan. At the moment the gun went off, her soul cried out.
Jonathan fell back against the magazine rack. He tried to reach out to stop Kramer from running off but this time he’d been beaten. He saw the look on Jennifer’s face as she knelt down in front of him. At least she had the baby, he thought as the world went dark.
