006

 Hands That Steer A Fleeting Ship

August 29th, 2027

On Concrete Shelves | Revisited

006 - PART TWO

Scene One; Stone Creek

Sage Gardens; Thurlow Home

“I remember when Danielle was his age,” Caitlyn motions towards Henry as he maneuvers around his plate of scrambled eggs and country potatoes, “it never failed, she always asked for seconds — even after her seconds!”

This gets a laugh from the adults. “I’m glad that Henry has his appetite and isn’t picky about a thing. When I used to babysit Megan she wouldn’t even be in the same room as —.”

“Pancakes.” They say in unison.

“Did you know that Danielle was six years old when I thought she had died in the fire?” Caitlyn looks at Henry. “My baby girl was barely six years old when she was handed off to some family to take care of..”

“I can only imagine how that makes you feel.” Marina admits.

“Even though I had already dealt with the emotions of losing Danielle and then finding Emily — and then losing her, I still find myself going back every now and again to times when she was younger.” Caitlyn admits. “When Damien and I were married and raising Danielle… I remember always feeling anxious about her.”

“How so?”

Caitlyn sighs. “We didn’t have a lot of money back then. I don’t even think we were ready to have a child… and yet we were trying to raise one. I was always worried; was I doing everything the right way — would she judge us later in life?”

“For what it's worth, I think you would have been a great mom if you had been given the chance.” Marina says. “Look at how you are with Henry and the rest of the grandkids. I know that last week we had a little bit of a rough patch. I guess I just don’t know where the ask came from, is all.”

The two share a beat. “I apologize for that.”

“I know.” Marina says. “Which is why I have to ask, Caitlyn, why do you want me to join the council? Is it because you think that I can make a difference — or is it because you think that it will make a difference for me?”

“Oh, dear,” Caitlyn says, “I have made a mess of everything, haven’t I?”

Marina shakes her head. “Not necessarily.”

“To tell you the truth, there were many reasons as to why I wanted you to join the council. Of course I meant everything that I said last week about this being a really good move for you and a way to occupy your time once Henry starts school. But also, there are some ulterior motives behind it as well.”

Marina eyes Caitlyn in curiosity. “Those reasons are?”

“Some of the old money has lost their way.”

“Excuse me?”

Caitlyn shrugs, placing her fork back onto the table top and holding her hands in front of her. “Two years ago there was the council meeting about the acreages north of the old troll bridge… the old Richardson’s properties. You know the one, where Thomas Richardson killed himself a few decades ago.”

Marina nods. “I know the story well. I covered it for the school paper in university.”

“Okay, yes, well, there was never any next of kin and we just left everything alone. The ranch house began to rot away from not being maintenance and it’s became more of an eyesore than anything. So we came up with the idea to turn it into a historic building in order to find the funds to renovate and keep the company maintained.”

“I don’t know where this is going.”

Caitlyn looks between Marina and her son, Henry — the boy was paying them no attention, “Usually, the council makes decisions as a whole. We have done it this way for years. But not this time. We were out voted and the entire property was demolished and the lease to the land has somehow fallen into the hands of Victoria Maverick.”

“What do you think she will do with it?”

“I don’t care about that. What I care about is that the council is fractured and if we can’t vote together then as individuals we need the upper hand in order to maintain doing what is right for this city.”

“So you want me to what — break some tie between you and the old money?” Marina chuckles at the thought. “I don’t even know if that would help. Who is on your side of things; Jeremy Joplin and Daphne?”

Caitlyn sighs. “Actually… that’s the thing; Daphne would be giving up her seat in order to bring you into the fold. There aren’t any available chairs right now. David passed his chair down to Gail two years ago and we lost the Nelson chair ten years before that.”

“This can be our contribution in helping keep Thurlow Industries.” Caitlyn adds.

Marina takes a moment to think about it. There had already been a nervousness in her when she invited herself over. Now to think that she would be helping Caitlyn maneuver some sort of takeover sits heavier with her. “That’s a lot of responsibility.”

“If I’m being honest I didn’t want to unload all of that on you in one conversation. I know that it sounds like a lot of pressure — and it really isn’t as much chaos as it seems. I still think this will be a great opportunity and a distraction while Henry is at school…”

“But..?” Marina draws.

Caitlyn sighs. “You accepting this offer will be a welcomed victory.”

Marina shakes her head. “I mean you no disrespect Caite, but this seems like a lot more chaos than I am willing to put myself through. I’m still trying wrap my head around Henry going to school during the day. Besides, I’ve never wanted to get into politics. I spent most of my career in the media for a reason..”

“Marina —”

She stands from her chair. “I don’t think I can accept the offer, Caitlyn.”

Our Love. Our Fights. Our Friendships.

On Concrete Shelves.

Forever, They Shall Be Remembered.

Scene Two; Stone Creek

Now Town; Stone Creek Memorial Hospital

“How’s your father doing? Did you get a chance to see him today at the office?” Iris Galloway Thurlow asks, she leads the small talk between her husband and herself. He spent the morning at work before picking her up on her lunch break so they could come to the hospital for a routine check up. Though, this one is more important than the last. After all they get to find out the sex of their child today.

“Dad’s being dad.” Emmet replies. “This whole thing with the merger is really starting to test his morality. I think the meeting last week sort of shook him. I’ve never seen him like that.”

Iris can see the uncertainty in her husband’s eyes. “Your father is a good man, babe, I am sure that whatever happens with the merger he can handle it head on. I also know that he has a brilliant lawyer at his side helping him every step of the way.”

“Is that me?” Emmet gasps, dramatically, “Am I the extremely good-looking, brilliant, star player lawyer that you’re talking about?”

“You sure are.” Iris leans in for a kiss.

As they pull away a familiar person stands nearest the nurses station. Immediately Iris notices Dr. Daphne Wilkinson chatting with a few of the nurses. The thudding in her heart feels more at ease than it had when they arrived at the hospital. If she were to run into anyone here, she’d be glad to have it be Daphne and not her great-uncle, Jeremy — though he doesn’t seem like a terrible person. 

Iris still hasn’t figured out the words to say to an uncle she has never known. Just like the rest of the Joplin family…

“Babe, let’s go say hi.” Emmet suggests.

She snaps out of her thoughts and nods her head, her hands on her growing belly as they make their way over to Daphne. The doctor looks up and takes notice of them and the greetings fly effortlessly for the trio.

Daphne pulls away from a hug with Iris with a loud chuckle as Emmet advises her to be careful not to press too hard and pop the baby out. “You know, Emmet, that’s not how that works. But I am glad that you’re so gentle with this one! I’m happy to see that you have each other to lean on through this pregnancy.”

“Thank you.” Iris speaks first, “I’m — we’re so excited for this baby.”

“I remember when Greta was born. If I can tell you how unprepared that we were it wouldn’t even match the reality. But having his family helping us through everything is something I can never be more grateful for.” Daphne says. “Now that my babies are all grown up and both of my grand babies are no longer babies! I just… I have that baby fever again!” 

“Isn’t it a little late for that…” Emmet draws.

But he shuts his mouth as soon as Iris smacks his arm. “That wasn’t necessary.”

“The boy is right about that either way.” Daphne laughs. “I wouldn’t want to have any more children even if I could. My two babies are enough for both Gideon and I. So it’s just me sitting around waiting for either Greta to have a third baby or Benny to get his head on straight.”

“I’d bet money on Greta.” Emmet chimes in. 

He gets rebuffed by his wife, once again. “You’re an amazing grandmother.”

“Thank you, honey,” Daphne chuckles. “If there is anything that you two need, just let me know. I’m always just a text message away. Emmet, honey, you have my number saved, don’t you? If there’s any questions you might have, or if you need advice… I mean that.”

“Thank you.” Iris says.

“When the baby is born you can borrow them whenever you want.” Emmet inserts with an adoring grin. “That way we can go back to making more to leave at your doorstep.”

Iris gasps. “This is why I don’t take this one out of the house very often.”

“Trust me, once that baby is born you’re going to want to have someone with Emmet’s sense of humor around to keep you sane.” Daphne turns to the younger man. “Just be sure to be there for her as well. You’ll both need each other once this little one is born.”

“Don’t you know it.” Emmet smirks, he places his arm around his wife. 

“There the two of you are!” Dr. Dizzy Roberts calls; she stands at five feet, six inches tall in flats. Her white doctor’s coat falls to her calves with a white blouse tucked into a tight pencil skirt. “I checked in with the nurses in the waiting room but they said you had wandered off.”

Iris turns to her. “We’re so sorry about that.”

“It was my fault.” Daphne chimes in.

Dizzy waves it off. “It’s nothing. I’m just glad that the expecting couple didn’t get cold feet and leave the hospital entirely! Are we ready to learn the sex of this bundle of joy? I am also sure we will be able to see the facial features as well this time.”

“I hope they have my adorable face.” Emmet exclaims.

Scene Three; Stone Creek

Now Town; HEAT Magazine

Natalie Marlowe finishes going through the remainder of this month’s financials and then saves the document. Although the weather forecast stated there would be a heat wave this week, the fact that she spent so much time at the office has catered to Natalie feeling less frantic than she would have if she were forced to join Amanda for brunch with her friends. 

This doesn’t help alter her anxiety, however.

She catches a glimpse of her boss; Helen Tyree Sutton slips passed Natalie’s office and what seems be headed in the direction of the employee kitchen. Suddenly feeling famished herself, Natalie lifts herself up out of her chair and heads that direction.

Moving passed the hallway that leads to the double doors that give way to the expansive open lounge; an elevator tucked away in the corner, a desk for concierge, the expansive window that invades Natalie’s privacy — which she knows is the reason why Helen gave her the bigger office after she promoted her.

Natalie smiles sweetly at the concierge and then ducks to the right and into the employee kitchen where she finds Helen, hands open nibbling on a blueberry muffin.

“There you are!” Helen chuckles, “I was beginning to think my bad habits rubbed off on you and you were avoiding me now. I didn’t see you this morning when I debriefed my granddaughter on the next model assignment — figured you would want to count the thread count on the suits.”

“I have been meaning to talk to you about that.”

Helen chuckles, her shoulders raised and then released effortlessly. She places the muffin on a plate on the counter nearest her. “Oh, I am sure you’ve been waiting to talk to me about that. I was hoping us polishing off a bottle of merlot at the Lakeside Inn would’ve fogged up your mind enough to forget about the seamstress.”

“Then why mention it just now?” Natalie replied wryly.

The older woman shrugs. “I’m nothing if not a masochist.”

Not knowing what to make of the statement, Natalie lets it slide. She folds her arms in front of her and shoots Helen a look of disapproval. “We really do need to look at the reports together even if I have to tie you to a chair — that didn’t mean to sound like one of your kinks.” 

“Now I’m listening.”

Natalie groans. “Helen. You really need to take these things more seriously. I understand that there was a time when HEAT Magazine was on top of the world — it still is in some regions, I have to admit. But we can’t just sit on our hands while we burn money just because it was the way things used to be.”

“Believe me, I understand that.” Helen softens.

“You do?” Natalie perks.

“Don’t be so shocked.” The redhead replies. “I know that what you’re telling me is correct. There was a time when all I needed to do was show up to a party and the men were pulling out their checkbooks to invest in HEAT. I also know that magazines aren’t the easy investment that they once were… I wish that we could return to that world. Gosh, I was really on the top of it all. Every supermodel wanted to work with Helen Tyree!”

This eases Natalie. So she offers a positive slip. “We still have a pull in the fashion industry.”

“If I’m being honest, I think that the pull we have mostly comes from our models and not the magazine itself. Which is totally fine by me. That’s exactly why I knew that we needed someone to help coordinate the day-to-day tasks for them. Now, I think I need to give you more sway in how things are run here on the financial side of things.”

“I’m your CFO, Helen, I’m pretty sure you give me enough to do.” Natalie reminds.

Helen waves her hands. “And yet here you are telling me your every move and asking for permission to do the things that I believe you are confident enough to do on your own. I think it’s time that I leave things in your hands.”

“Then what would you do?”

Helen pulls her arms in and shimmies. “I can spend my time taking interviews and attending lush parties — like the charity gala coming up that our cradle robbing mayor is hosting.”

This gets a smile from Natalie. She had known the distrust between Helen and her son-in-law, Damien Crenshaw — and to be truthful she did like the names she came up with to use other than his name… but Natalie also knows Helen wouldn’t cut ties with someone so powerful as the mayor of Stone Creek.

“Ah!” Helen calls. “Why don’t you join me at the gala?”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes! I need someone there to keep me from slapping that man — or slapping my ex. husband David! That way you can start creating connections with the old money in the crowd. Your father was Mayor here at one time… didn’t leave on the best terms but I know you have his slimy charisma deep down in there. You can really help keep this dream of mine alive.”

Taking the words as a compliment, Natalie tries to muster up a response before a man appears in the doorway of the employee kitchen; the taller, dimple faced silver fox smiles through twinkling hazel eyes. His stance and the stench of his cheap cologne causes immediate distrust in Natalie but, Helen, on the other hand seems entranced.

“Well speak of a devil and the ring leader appears!” Helen belts. “You still are a sight for sore eyes Mr. Collier. Have you come back to my life to cause mayhem and make women leave their husbands?”

Noah Collier cackles. “Does that mean I’m finally out of the queue? is it my turn to have my way with the Helen Tyree?”

Helen flashes him the giant rock on her hand. “Find me something bigger than this and I can pull your number.”

“Unfortunately I am here on business.”

“At least there’s that.” Natalie scoffs.

The duo, who have spent the majority of their time dancing around one another lock eyes with Natalie as she leans against a counter. Immediately she feels as if she should’ve kept her mouth shut instead.

Noah recovers, smiles and moves towards Natalie. “Did you say something, doe eyes?”

“What business do you have here?” Natalie asks.

“Don’t mind Natalie,” Helen calls, “she tends to be my bodyguard these days.”

He turns his head back to Helen. “She could be my bodyguard any day.”

“Your business, here?” Natalie redirects.

There’s something about the man that causes her skin to crawl. His eyes… so deep and endearing don’t lift the veil of distrust one bit, which Natalie is sure he uses to lure women into his arms so effortlessly.

“Right.” Noah states. “As you know I have been traveling around the world for work over the last five years. Covid has done wonders for my portfolio.” He adds with a dastardly smile. “I ran into a photographer that says he worked for you about a decade ago. A very handsome fellow. He can get any tail on the market… problem is…”

He pauses for the dramatics.

Natalie feels the hairs on the back of her neck rise. The description of this photographer hits too close to home.

“I think the tail he has been sleeping with is my wife.” Noah declares. “I’ve been in town for about a week now. I figured that since I was here I would knock my boots against yours and get the opinion of someone who knows him well.”

“We’ve worked with a ton of photographers.” Natalie snips.

Helen titters. “What she means is we don’t have any long-term photographers on payroll.”

He lets out a deep sigh before turning to Natalie once again and locks eyes with her. “Either way, doe eyes, he seemed to mention you on more than one occasion. His name is Oliver Cuthbert. Does that ring a bell deep within?”

Oliver Cuthbert. Her ex. Fiance. The man that swelled, crushed and swept her heart away. She tries to keep her composure but immediately she feels her cheeks flush and her head, usually stable, begins to feel light.

Scene Four; Stone Creek

Now Town; Shakers Coffee Haven

The hum of machines mixes into the chatter of the coffee shop and accompanied by the light sound of a Michael Bublé song he swears he has heard before in his childhood. Karl Carlson stands nearest to the pick-up bar tucked into the corner of the massive unit that lives on the first floor of the building that houses Sutton Enterprises. He had already picked up his boss’ food order across the street and has since doubled back to grab her coffee order so it stays as hot as she likes it. He hums out of tune as his order is called by the pretty barista.

Beads of sweat begin to solidify on his forehead. He didn’t realize that running across the street and then running back in a heat wave and wearing layers of clothes would affect him like this. He smiles awkwardly at the barista, wipes his forehead — almost spills Kimberly's order, but maneuvers around and chuckles nervously before turning away and walking straight into the person behind him.

The latte slams against his chest and the contents spills all over the floor. Karl releases a curse under his breath as he looks up.

“I am so sorry.” The short haired brunette apologizes.

Immediately he is stunned by her beauty. “Oh, uh— I— it was my fault.”

She eyes him curiously. “I had my head down and didn’t even see that you turned around. I promise that it was my fault.” 

The barista offers some napkins and the woman grabs them, helping clean up the mess. “I am such a klutz.”

“I don’t even know what that means.” Karl admits.

This garners a chuckle from her. “It means that I am used to dropping, spilling, breaking almost anything known to man. I can buy you a new one… was that a latte?”

“It wasn’t for me.” Karl snips. He notices her gorgeous smile begin to fade with realization and then cuts her thought process short. “It was for my boss and she is going to kill me for this.”

The woman lets out a small chuckle. She drops a few napkins onto the ground and expertly begins to use her foot to wipe the fallen contents. Then she look ups at him from her small stature. “My name is Care.”

“Care Schmidt.”

The introduction reminds Karl of some sort of Mission Impossible movie and this gets him to chuckle in amusement. As soon as he realizes that she’s looking at him expectingly he sets into motion and offers his hand. “Karl. Carlson.”

“Okay… Karl. Carlson,” Care eyes him carefully, “let me buy you — your boss, another latte? This one is on me.” She turns to the barista and offers her credit card and points to Karl. The barista nods understandably. Then Care looks at Karl. “Though… that last one is still all over you.” 

Karl looks down to see his coffee soaked Oxford shirt. The sting of the initial accident has worn off by now. The panic starts to sink in as he imagines Kimberly Sutton noticing the large brown stain on his shirt and having a meltdown. Immediately he begins to unbutton the shirt and peel it off of his ripped body.

To his benefit he has a white tank top underneath.

Care seems a bit disappointed. “I didn’t expect that.”

“I have another one in my car.” 

But she shakes her head. He notices that Care is looking at his body. “Oh. Yeah. I go to the gym every single day. Sometimes I go to the gym twice a day. But usually those are days that my boss has a meltdown towards me.”

“She seems to have meltdowns every day.” Care replies.

Karl shrugs, lifts his arm up to scratch the back of his head and unwittingly flexes his biceps as he does this. “It’s starting to feel that way.”

.:On Concrete Shelves:.

Scene Five; Stone Creek

Boulstridge Mountains; The Lakeside Inn - Docks

She thinks about heading back inside the Resort. For a moment she turns on her heels and heads back towards the entrance. But then Gillian stops herself. The day has waned and she came here with a mission in mind and if she’s nothing more at least she knows she’s determined. Gillian turns back and moves closer to the dock where she knows her brother keeps his boat.

When they were younger their mother’s father often invited them out onto this very lake to fish for salmon and catfish and trout in the spring time. This trip Gillian always passed up so she could spend more time with her friends preparing for the late spring fling. 

Gillian fixes her blouse.

“He might be out there awhile.” A voice carries from somewhere behind Gillian.

She tries to ignore it. The sound, pointed and dripping in sarcasm belongs to Amanda Tucker. The woman who once went on a smear campaign against her husband when he was re-elected as Mayor of Stone Creek.

Amanda clears her throat.

“I can hear you.” Gillian snaps.

“Oh, good,” Amanda chirps, “I thought maybe you were just ignoring me.”

Gillian rolls her eyes. “I was ignoring you.”

She then turns back to the lake where a boat appears at the horizon. Hopefully it belongs to her brother, though, she doesn’t remember what his boat actually looks like anymore. Gillian hopes the sight of the boat deters Amanda from talking any further, but alas —

“I guess I was wrong.” Amanda chimes in, standing next to Gillian on the dock.

There’s a small breeze and if Amanda wasn’t right next to her, Gillian would be relieved. “You should be used to that, Amanda. Being wrong. If you’d excuse me I need to talk to my brother, in private.”

Amanda pats Gillian on the shoulder. “That’s fine by me. I have places to be anyways, blondie.”

"You're blond, too." Gillian mutters under her breath as Amanda walks away.

The boat nears and it feels like forever before her brother notices her there before him. Charlie looks at Gillian with confusion and then waves as he approaches. Gillian feels so uneasy as his small pontoon boat motors towards her. He definitely wasn’t throwing any parties on the compact floating device.

Which is another reason she no longer remembers it.

“What are you going here?” Charlie chuckles in amusement as he approaches the dock. He throws Gillian the line who fumbles it and then kicks it with her Louboutin heels. 

Gillian then throws him her own confused look. “Don’t you have deck hands for that?”

“They must be on break right now.” Charlie laughs, then jumps off the boat and proceeds to tie the line himself. “I didn’t get a message from you today. That’s your usual calling card whenever you want to meet up. Or did I miss that? I have been on the lake for some time.”

“I didn’t think you’d be on the lake.”

Charlie sighs. “I wasn’t going to be. But things at the Resort were running fine without me and the weather was looking nice today, so I figured I might as well take the boat out. But I have to pick-up Eric from Marina’s dad’s house soon —“

“This will only take a minute.” Gillian cuts.

He nods. “Well, then, maybe you can join me for a walk back inside?” Charlie tells his sister. Before she can say anything to discourage him, he is off in the direction of the Lakeside Inn and away from the docks.

“We need your help.”

Charlie turns to his sister who hasn’t quite mastered the art of long strides in her heels. “We. As in father and you? I heard that you enlisted the help of Reichen Calbourne. Mother told me that he had a meeting with the two of you last week. Which is odd.. I thought you didn’t like the guy, Gillian?”

“I really don’t.” Gillian admits. “But that’s not the point. We need your help in being a united from at the Charity Gala that Damien is hosting. The company needs the funding right now and if we appear as a family it will help the donors feel more at ease.”

“I’m not going to any Galas.” Charlie says. “Especially any Galas that your husband is throwing. Do you remember the one where he took a stumble down the stairs —.”

Gillian cuts him off. “You mean when Caitlyn pushed him.”

“She didn’t do that.” Charlie defends.

The blond sighs, shrugs and then waves it off. “It doesn’t matter. That doesn’t matter. What matters right now is that your family has lost the very company we were founded on and we need to get it back! We need to take aunt Kimberly down a peg or two and it needs to start here. At the Charity Gala.”

“I think you’re just being dramatic, like always. Besides the company is still within our family. It just isn’t within the branch that you and father have been so comfortable with it in for so long! Gillian, wake up! He’s only going to bring you down with him if you keep playing along to his grand illusions.”

“If you don’t care about getting the company back for us… then think about your children and what this means to their future.” Gillian replies.

Charlie turns to face her. “My children have a better future learning to stand up for themselves and to earn for themselves than to inherit things that can be so easily taken away from them living in a family of pythons!”

“He’s not as bad as he once was, you know?” Gillian says. “Patrick has been a better father to me in the last few years than he had been my entire childhood. He has been so much better to my children than he has been to us.”

“I’m happy for you. I really am.” There’s a solemn look in his eyes. “But I don’t trust that there is anymore good in Patrick Sutton as much as you trust that there is. I’m sorry, Gilly, but I have so much more going on right now and I’m not willing to put it on the line to start trusting in this charade.”

“Now who’s being dramatic.” Gillian glimmers.

Charlie takes a step back and then turns back towards the Resort and away from his sister. She feels as if she is losing him in this moment. It’s a feeling that sits with her in discomfort and Gillian doesn’t know how to handle it.

So Gillian steps forward and she says what she is thinking. “Then trust me. At the very least, trust me Charlie.”

He stops in his tracks. Gillian knows she’s got the hook. Now she’s got the reel him in. Her brother turns around to face her once again and she offers a smile behind crazed, and bundles of nerves. Who knew fishing would be this hard.

Scene Six; Stone Creek

Now Town; Stone Creek Memorial Hospital

“Okay, let’s get momma up onto the chair,” Dr. Dizzy Roberts instructs, she begins to adjust the chair with Iris on it so that she’s in a more comfortable partially laying position with room to turn to see the monitor to their right. “How comfortable do you feel now?”

Iris has known Dizzy for as long as she’s known her husband, Emmet. She has, however, not had as great of a friendship with Dizzy as what has blossomed between her and Emmet. There was a time when neither woman would speak with one another on a count of Dizzy’s close friendship with troublemaker Gail Schmidt Stone.

But today, and for the last few months, both women have found themselves in a very comfortable middle ground in order to attend to her pregnancy. Dizzy Roberts was as professional as ever, if only in the hospital.

“I feel relaxed.” Iris replies.

She looks up at Emmet who stands directly to her left side and instinctively grabs onto his apple watch wrist tightly.

Dizzy smiles. “Splendid. Now let’s get things started. This may feel a bit cold, sometimes the gel doesn’t have enough time to warm up. So be prepared.”

Iris smiles knowingly. “This isn’t the first time we’ve used this gel.”

“I know that. But this is the first time you’re discovering the sex of your unborn child.” Dizzy counters with bug eyes. “You must be a ball of nerves right about now and even if the gel is something you’ve had rubbed across your belly numerous of times it could feel odd while you’re bundled in nerves.”

Iris takes this information in and nods to Dizzy, then turns her head to assure her husband that everything will be alright.

Their attention turns to the monitor to their right and once the device in Dizzy’s hand is placed against her belly it’s as if the monitor suddenly bursts to life. At first the image seems as normal as the last time. But there’s a turn in Dizzy’s face that alarms Iris right away.

“What’s wrong?” She inquires.

Dizzy looks between the two of them. “I’m not entirely sure, but I want to move around a little more in order to confirm something.”

“What is there to confirm?” Emmet asks.

The trio sit in silence between them, with the sound of their child’s heartbeat as background noise. Though Iris is sure that the sound of their child’s heartbeat seems different this time. It seems sped up. No. That’s not it. It sounds like it is echoing itself.

Dizzy locks eyes with Iris. “I’m not too sure if you’re prepared to hear this right now.”

“Tell us, Diz,” Emmet speaks first, “what’s going on with our baby?”

For a second her face flickers through different emotions as if she were to be going through a box of old records in her parent’s basement until she finds the proper one to address the couple before her. This alarms Iris even more.

“Please,” she begs, “what’s going on?”

Dizzy steals one last glance at the monitor and then back to the wand as she moves it around once again. “If you both look right there,” she points to the a spot off center of the screen, “it appears that someone was hiding the last time that we had an ultrasound. I didn’t catch it last time. But it seems that that someone was hiding behind its sibling.”

The words are easy enough to comprehend but they don’t register as more than jumbled letters for Iris. When she found out that they were going to be having a child it felt so odd for her. After growing up in foster care and then finally finding an adoptive family only for her adoptive mother to get sick so early one… she never got to experience what normalcy was like for a family unit.

To be having one of her own felt almost foreign to her.

“Does that mean twins?” Emmet gasps.

Iris feels as if everything is moving in slow motion as she tries to grasp each and every letter as they leap into the air in front of her. She turns to Emmet and there’s this burst of excitement from him that she hasn’t seen before.

She doesn’t understand why she isn’t feeling the same way.

“That means twins.” Dr. Roberts confirms. She begins to move the wand further to the right of Iris stomach and it begins to feel unfathomable. “If you see right here there is a second set of legs and feet. Unless you are going to have to start sewing onesies together and alerting the authorities it appears that we have twins!”

“That unbelievable!” Emmet shouts. “I created — we created twins!”

“From what I can tell these are fraternal twins. There’s a girl and a boy.” Dizzy points to a spot nearest one of the twins lower regions. “This is your son, Emmet,”

“That’s a huge Johnson!” Emmet exclaims.

Dizzy chuckles. “We’re not quite at the finish line.”

The room shifts back to normal once Iris feels Emmet’s hands rub her shoulders. Then the conversations come together overwhelmingly so. She can feel both sets of eyes on her by this point and as soon as she regains her composure Iris’ eyes light up. “I— I can’t even form words. I… I almost thought the worst. But. Twins? Are you sure?”

“As sure as the summer’s around here are hot.” She replies, this is the first time that Iris notices the sweat piling at the nip of her neck. “The summer’s here sure are blistering hot.”

“We are going to be just fine with this.” Emmet says, hastily, “I can’t wait to tell the family that we are goin to be welcoming two more members into the Thurlow family. We can start work on updating the baby’s room so we can add an extra crib.”

He continues listing off other things he wants to accomplish before the babies come. But all that Iris can think about is the fact that she still doesn’t know who her parents are and now she is bringing two souls into this world who also won’t know half of their heritage.

Dizzy starts to rattle off a list of things that the expecting parents should start to think about when bringing twins into the world. But Iris now finds herself back in the fog she started with trying to keep her mind straight.

On Concrete Shelves

Revisited

Next Time, On Concrete Shelves...

• Cree Summers gets some harsh truths from someone she didn’t expect them from, but can she put her ego aside and listen long enough to make changes in her life?
• After his conversation with Gillian, Taylor finds himself questioning who he is as a husband to Aidan.
• James Thurlow arrives home to find his wife, Caitlyn, in a conundrum of her own that doesn’t have anything to do with the merger. He gives her some advice that he may have to take on his own.
• Megan goes to meet Lark at Wilkinson Fowler Commercial Realty in hopes to pick her best friends mind only to find Lark having doubts of her own with her career path...

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