Chapter 63
“Where the hell did they go?” Nick asked the guys. “It isn’t like Heather not to call or let me know where she is going.”
“They just said they had errands to run, and that they would be back. But it is after 6:00 pm, and we haven’t heard anything.”
The guys stood around, not sure of what to do. If they went home, and the girls had all come back to The Firm, then they would be upset. If they stayed, and the girls went home, then the girls would get mad. It was a no win situation. Howie immediately started trying to contact Dee and Kat. They each had cell phones, but there was no answer.
After about thirty minutes of waiting, there was a call on Nick’s cell. “Hello, Heather...is that you?” Nick answered nervously.
“No, this is Dee. Heather is in the bathroom, but I wanted to call and say that everything was okay. We will meet you all at home in a while. I will drop Heather off at the house in about an hour. See you then Nick.” Dee said as she hung up.
“But Dee....” Nick said before getting cut off.
“Well, that was weird. Dee called to say that everything was okay, Heather was in the bathroom, and that they would meet us all at home.” Nick said, with a look of confusion. “Then she hung up on me before I could ask anything.”
“Well, maybe they have a surprise for you Nick...”Brian said with a wink.
“I guess so, but I am going to go, I want to be home before Heather gets there. See you all later.” Nick said as he left.
The others all made their way to their cars and started to head home. No one ever suspected that something was wrong.
*** *** ***
“Well, that went well. I don’t think they picked up on anything. Now, Heather, when you get home, don’t say anything to Nick. Just act as normal as possible, and then we will talk in the morning while the guys are at work. I think that they are going over some schedules tomorrow, so they should be gone for a few hours.” Dee said.
“I don’t know if I can keep this from him. I just can’t.” I said, feeling scared and lost.
“You can tell him, but I wouldn’t worry him until you find out more information. When the results of the biopsy come back, then we will have more to work with.” Dee finished.
We all said goodbye to each other and then Dee and I left for home. As we drove away, Kat and Leighanne stood there talking.
“I don’t know what to think. What if it is cancer? Can they treat her right now, I mean with the baby and all?” Leighanne asked.
“Not that I know of. I mean, I think the chemotherapy and radiation will hurt the baby. Nick and Heather will have to make a huge decision. Either to abort the baby to treat her...take the risks of keeping it and treating her...or withholding treatment until she has the baby.” Kat said softly, hoping that it would never have to come to any of those things.
As the two of them thought about the possible outcomes, tears came to their eyes. They knew that I could ever give up the baby, and that Nick would never allow me to withhold treatment. They finally got in their cars and decided to go home.
*** *** ***
I arrived within about 50 minutes. It was a long and silent ride, however, I knew the minute I walked through the door, I would have to have a smile on my face.
“Hiya hon! Sorry I was late. It has been an eventful afternoon. I have been busy the last few hours. Oh man, I know it is late, but what would you like for dinner?” I asked nervously.
“Heather, baby, please just sit down and relax. Tell me where you have been. I have been worried about you.” Nick said as he motioned me towards the couch.
“Umm, well, I went with Dee, Kat, and Leighanne to take care of some stuff. We didn’t do much...just umm, went shopping a bit and talked. You know, girl stuff.” I answered, turning away.
Nick noticed and immediately grew concerned. “Heather, something is bothering you. I know it, I can see it in your eyes. Can’t you tell me? I mean, remember when I promised you that there was nothing that you could say that would make me upset or anything? You can talk to me...please.” Nick begged.
“Nickolas, I know you think something is wrong, but I promise, everything is okay. There is nothing to talk about. Now, what did you want for dinner?” I asked again.
*** *** ***
“Hello?” Dee asked as she answered the phone.
“Hi, Dee, it’s me, Kevin.”
“Hi, what are you up to?” Dee asked, trying not to sound too anxious with the fact that Kevin was on the phone. She had been hoping that they could work things out. Although they were able to talk to each other civilly, there was still some animosity.
“Well, I was wondering if I could come over. We haven’t spent much time together in a few weeks. I know that things are a bit stressful, but I was hoping that things could work out. I really miss you.” Kevin said, trying not to sound too pathetic.
“Sure, I was just about to eat dinner...but I made enough to share. You like fettucine alfredo, don’t you? It’s my own recipe.” she said.
“Yeah...I sure do. I will be over shortly. Go ahead and eat...I will get mine when I get there. Bye...see you soon.” Kevin said excitedly as he hung up the phone.
Dee sat at the table, her heart racing, but her mind telling her to take it easy. She was afraid of seeing him alone right now, what if it was awkward? What if he was still upset, and wanted to bring up the whole AJ thing? She knew they had worked things out a bit, but there was always going to be some fear that it could happen again. However, all she wanted was Kevin. She never wanted AJ like she wanted Kevin. All sorts of thoughts ran through her mind as she sat down to eat.
*** *** ***
“Howie, I know that I didn’t call you. I mean, we were just out shopping and stuff. No, I didn’t get anything...yeah...No, no...everything is okay.” Kat said as she talked to Howie over the phone.
Howie knew that Kat seemed a bit distant. In fact, like she was hiding something. Although he had only known her for about a month, he felt that the two of them were great friends, and could share anything. Why would she be hiding anything?, he thought to himself.
“Well, why don’t we go out on...well, let’s see, today is Monday...and well, how about we go out on Wednesday? You don’t have anything planned do you? I have the day off, why don’t we make a day out of it?” Howie questioned, hoping that they would have a full day to just do whatever they wanted.
“Sure...that sounds good....” Kat began, “Oh, wait...no...I can’t, I just remembered...I had plans. I mean, I am going out with the girls on Wednesday. Why don’t we go out on Thursday?” she asked nervously.
“But Kat, I don’t have Thursday off. We are working on the show, and I have to be there. Can’t you just tell the girls you can’t go with them?” Howie pleaded.
“Howie, I love you, but I already promised...and I don’t like to break my promises. Please, Howie, don’t be mad. We will go out to dinner Thursday or Friday...how about that?” Kat said, trying hard not to upset him, or make him suspicious.
“Yeah, whatever Kat. I will talk to you tomorrow then.” He said, upset that Kat was spending less and less time with him. “Take care and sweet dreams. I love you Kat....goodnight.” he finished and then hung up before she could answer.
“I love you too....I know you will understand all this after Wednesday...” she said after she hung up the phone.
*** *** ***
Brian and Leighanne had sat down for dinner. Brian was rambling on about the meeting, and all Leighanne did was nod her head.
“Leigh...what is the matter honey? You haven’t said a word since you got home?” he asked softly.
“I can’t talk about it, I promised. Trust me Brian, everyone will know sooner or later.” She said, and then realized that she had screwed up.
“What are you talking about? What will we know sooner or later?” he asked, confused.
“Look, I promised Heather that I wouldn’t say anything, but I think this is something that Nick should know about. I think it is wrong that she is hiding it from him.” She rambled.
“What is Heather hiding from Nick? Leighanne, you need to tell me. If something is wrong, I am sure that Nick will be there for her, he won’t be mad. Can’t you tell me?” he begged.
“Look, I can tell you...but you have to promise you won’t say anything to Frack. I mean, you two are the best of friends, but this is something that Heather will have to tell him.” Leighanne said.
“I promise, but I just hope that whatever it is...she tells him soon.” Brian said and then listened intently as she told him everything.
“Heather is really sick. The doctor found a mass under her arm today. We didn’t go shopping. After lunch, we took her to see her doctor. She has had pain for over a week now, and has been sick. But Brian, she is so scared. Scared for Nick, scared she will lose the baby, scared about how bad it really is.” Leighanne said, trying not to cry.
“Baby, do they know if it is...” Brian said, choking on the words, “cancerous?”
“No, not yet,...they are doing a biopsy on Wednesday. We won’t know until then.” She said softly and then broke into tears.
Brian sat in a state of shock. He couldn’t understand why something like this had to happen to me. “Why? She is so loving and caring, and she deserves better. Why would God do this to her?” he said as he got up and went to his bedroom. All he wanted was to call his friend, but he knew that he couldn’t, he had promised.