Chapter 15 – There It Is

The longer I stared at her, the more unreal she seemed. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she was standing before me. I looked down to her stomach and I could see the bump there. She’s pregnant.

Which I thought was impossible.

“Angel,” I said incredulously.

“It really is you,” she said with just as much shock.

“You’re in California,” I commented.

“I moved here a year ago,” she replied.

“You’re engaged,” I said as I saw the ring on her finger. Before she replied, a familiar voice came towards us.

“There you are! Oh hey Bev!” Charlie greeted.

I put two and two together really fast.

“You know her?” she asked him.

“Yeah! She’s Mordecai’s nurse,” he informed. I didn’t bother to correct him.

“I’ve got to go,” I said before turning and leaving.

I couldn’t handle seeing her again. It had been eleven years since I last saw her. Seeing her again had me emotionally messed up and I needed to be held. I didn’t realize that I was crying until I’d reached the house and Mordecai looked panicked when I walked into the house.

“What’s wrong Bev?” he asked as he held me.

I couldn’t say anything, simply because I didn’t even know where to begin. There was so much from my past that I had tried to keep hidden, and to find out that my past was now closer than I anticipated, had truly shaken me.

“Gorgeous, I can’t help if I don’t know what’s going on,” Mordecai sighed.

“I...” I trailed off with a sniff.

“Do you want some hot chocolate first?” he asked. I nodded. When we walked to the kitchen, I realized that he was walking without his crutches.

“Where are your crutches?” I asked.

He shrugged. “They’re annoying.”

“But your leg-”

“-is fine,” he finished off as he got around to making me my hot chocolate. There was truly no arguing with him and I knew it.

“Here you go,” he said as he handed me the steaming cup.

“Thanks,” I smiled.

“Do you want to talk in the lounge or upstairs?” he asked.

“Upstairs,” I replied.

He nodded and we moved off upstairs. We cuddled on the bed, and I didn’t say anything for a while. I just looked down at his cast while drinking my hot chocolate. His cast would be coming off in two days, and I still hadn’t confirmed a physiotherapist for him. I’d have to talk to my dad about that.

“Bev,” he sighed.

“I know. I’m just trying to get my thoughts together,” I said before putting the mug aside.

“What got you so upset?” he asked.

“I saw someone from my past,” I replied. He already knew that my past was a deeply touchy subject for me.

“You don’t have to tell me,” he said when he realized.

“No, I want to. I need to tell you if we’re moving forward together. I trust you with my life already anyway,” I sighed.

“Ok! I promise to just sit here and listen. I’ll only respond where you need me to,” he smiled. I leaned in and kissed him first.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Anything for you,” he said before pecking me. I pulled back and got ready to tell him the story of my life.

“Growing up, I wasn’t always like this. I’m originally from Wisconsin. I used to be an angry child, and I was a bully all throughout middle and high school, despite my small size. I was actually recommended for anger management. Anyway, I was angry because of the situation at home. My parents were fighting a lot, and it affected me without them even realizing it. Sometimes they would even forget about me altogether. One day, I lost it completely and I went crazy. I burned a whole lot of shit and I destroyed the house, but I was unaware of the fact that there was someone else in the house at the time and I’d hurt her. I was throwing utensils around and I didn’t realize that I’d thrown a sharp knife. It hit her in the stomach, but since I didn’t know she was there, I left the house in a rage, while she almost bled to death,” I started off. I paused and he continued to rub my back in support.

I took a deep breath in before continuing. “She was found by my parents and taken to the hospital. That episode caught everyone’s attention and they realized that I needed help. My parents decided to split, and I blamed my dad for the split, so I stayed with my mom, despite not having a relationship with her either. She made me call her by her first name, and that’s how things stayed. When I turned eighteen, I left for California. Throughout everything, Nellie never gave up on me, and she moved with me when we came to California. We both wanted a fresh start since she’d just left a bad relationship. We didn’t even have a plan or anything. We just knew that we had no future in Wisconsin.”

“That’s a lot to deal with,” Mordecai commented.

“You have no idea! Anyway, so we didn’t know what we wanted to do, but we both had money. Ellen, my mother, had given me my college fund when I left, and your mom did the same with Nellie. Nellie’s dad had left everything to her, so that’s how she was able to afford college. Nellie decided to study Finance, while I did nursing. She was impressed by my choice and she supported me the whole way. On my first day at the hospital, that’s when I met Dr Dickson. He took an immediate liking to me. He invited me to his house for dinner with his family, and by that Friday, I was a part of their family. The Dickson’s are the only family I’ve ever truly had, but even then, I sometimes feel like I don’t truly belong anywhere. I mean, after my mother died, I was ok with her death. We weren’t close enough, and she never bothered to mend our relationship, even on her deathbed,” I continued.

“Is that why you felt so betrayed by my mom and Nellie?” he asked.

“Yeah! It was a real eye opener for me because I realized that I don’t truly belong anywhere,” I sighed.

He caressed my cheek. “That’s not true Beverly. The Dickson’s love you, and you mean the world to Nellie and I. Even Ger and Zeb see you as family. I’m sure that my mom also views you as a daughter to her. You belong in our lives and we all love having you in our lives. You should never forget that.”

“I think I’m beginning to understand that. You make it easier for me to believe,” I blushed.

“I’m glad, but I’m curious about something. Who is the person you saw while you were out?” he asked.

“Uh, the girl I accidently stabbed,” I replied.

He scowled. “And seeing her got you that emotional?”

“Partly! When she came out of the hospital, they had said she would never be able to have kids. She’s pregnant now,” I explained.

“Ok, but that’s a good thing,” he said in confusion.

“It’s only a good thing if she actually survives giving birth,” I corrected.

“They said she would never be able to have kids, yet she’s pregnant. Have a little faith Bev! She’ll make it,” he smiled.

“I hope to God she does or else Charlie might hate me for the rest of his life,” I said.

“Charlie?” he asked, puzzled.

“She’s his fiancée,” I notified.

“Oh,” he said.

“Yeah, oh! Now you know why I was really upset. I’ve dealt with my past, but having it follow me is a different thing to deal with altogether,” I sighed.

“I’m here for you gorgeous. We’ll face this whole thing together,” he said before kissing my forehead.

“Have you heard from Judith yet?” I asked him.

“Yeah! She’s pretty pissed off and is waiting on you to do whatever it is you’ve got planned, though she’s still not letting the whole Mendel and I thing go,” he replied.

“Then I should work faster at this. I have to go sort out some things. Is that ok with you?” I asked.

He pouted. “Can I come with?”

“Nope! You can’t be seen in public just yet,” I replied.

“I’m going to die in this house, I swear!” he said dramatically.

“You just need to be strong for a while longer. I promise,” I said before kissing him.

“I trust you,” he smiled.

“Good! I’ll see you later ok?” I told him.

“Be safe,” he said.

I stopped by my room to freshen up first since I hadn’t actually moved into his room yet. It was only 11:23, which meant I still had a lot of time to get around to what I needed to do. I headed out, and my first stop was Jackson’s office.

“Bev?” he said, looking visibly taken aback when I arrived.

I hugged him. “Hey bro!”

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I came to congratulate you first, and to ask for a favour,” I told him.

He was bemused. “Congratulate me on?”

“Your relationship with Nellie,” I smirked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said with his game face on.

“Give it up! I had my suspicions and I made peace with her already, so I know everything,” I informed.

“Damn! I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it,” he apologized.

“It’s ok, and you can actually make up for it with this favour,” I told him.

“I don’t like the sound of this, but I’m listening,” he replied.

I told him exactly what I needed from him, and he was surprisingly ok with fulfilling my request, despite him having to go the extra mile. I knew for sure that he would pull through for me. My next stop was the other twin as I stopped by his offices.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he smirked.

“I actually come as a client this time, but I’m not paying you,” I joked.

“Then you’re not a client sis. You’re just mooching!” he chuckled.

“Whatever! I need you to do something for me,” I said.

When I had his full attention, I told him everything that I needed from him as well. He was also cooperative once he understood the reasoning behind my request. With him ticked off the list, I had one more place I needed to go to.

“Pumpkin?” my dad said in surprise as he looked up from his laptop. I’d just knocked on his door.

“Hey dad! I need a favour,” I said nervously.

Of all the favours, this one would be the hardest to get. I had to explain everything to him, and even then, he took forever before making a decision. He agreed to help me, but not to the extent I was hoping for. Still though, what he said he would provide, was enough.

I was quite am ped by the time I made my way back to the house. I’d achieved quite a lot, and I could only hope that everything comes together. I want to really just do this one thing for Mordecai and prove my worth in his life.

“You’re back earlier than I expected,” he commented when I walked into the lounge.

“Well, I’ve kicked the first stage of things into gear. The second stage involves receiving what I went to seek, and the last stage involves pulling through,” I explained as I sat next to him. He put his arm around me.

I could definitely get used to this.

“So, I was thinking-”

“Because that’s always a good thing,” I taunted.

“You’re mean! Anyway, I was thinking that we could invite Charlie and his fiancée over. I mean, I still have to apologize for being a dick, and you have to deal with your past,” he pointed out.

“Do we really have to?” I whined.

“I’m dreading it too gorgeous, but it has to be done,” he argued.

“Argh fine, but can Ger and Zeb be there to lessen the awkwardness?” I asked.

“Be where?” Zebedee asked as he walked into the room.

“Dinner with Charlie and his fiancée,” I replied.

“Oh yeah! Ger told me about how that went down. I’m in,” he agreed.

“Great! Obviously Ger is in because he’ll want to cook anyway. So, are you calling Charlie, or am I?” I asked Mordecai.

“I kind of already did,” he said with a nervous laugh.

I frowned. “So, what if I had been uncomfortable with the whole thing?”

He shrugged. “I would’ve convinced you otherwise.”

I shook my head at him. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I know,” he chuckled.

“So, what’s the story with the big thing you’ve been left in charge of?” Zebedee asked me.

“She won’t tell you anything. These are very secretive operations,” Mordecai was the one to reply.

Zebedee scowled. “Why the secrecy?”

“I’ve got something to prove,” I confessed.

“You don’t need to prove anything to me, you know that right?” Mordecai asked me.

“It may seem that way, but it doesn’t feel that way. I just want to get this one thing right and feel like I’m doing something to contribute to your life. You’ve visibly changed my life, and I want to do the same for you,” I replied before biting my lip.

“You must be seriously blind,” Zebedee chuckled.

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

“Because you have visibly changed me. Do you have any idea what I used to look like most mornings? Hell, most times I didn’t even see the morning. I always looked shitfaced. I haven’t had a single drop of alcohol, or smoked a single cigarette or joint in a month. I even eat healthier because of you. I’m a nicer person because of you. I truly consider others because of you, and I now think about all my decisions because of you,” Mordecai was the one to reply passionately.

“And all of that is true,” Geronimo added. I hadn’t even seen him come in.

“He will truly be tested once he’s out of the house again, but I believe that because he’s got you now, he’ll still stay on the right path. You’re his cure Bev,” Zebedee closed off.

I didn’t even realize I was crying until Mordecai wiped away my tears. I truly didn’t know the impact I’d had on Mordecai, or maybe I’d chosen to ignore it because I sometimes feel like I’m still not enough; like I still don’t do enough.

I took up nursing to try and compensate for the horrible person I used to be when I was still a kid, and Dr Dickson has always believed that that reason alone is one of the reasons why I’m the best at my job.

“You’ve changed gorgeous. You’re a wonderful person now. You’re not that person anymore. Let that part of you go,” Mordecai said lowly.

It’s like he knew what was going on in my head.

“Thank you,” I smiled, holding his hand.

“Like I said before, anything for you,” he smiled.

“So Ger, you in?” I asked as I turned to him.

“In for what exactly?” he questioned.

“Cooking dinner for us. We’ve invited Charlie and his fiancée over,” Mordecai replied.

“Of course I’m in! Plus there’s this new Indian recipe I want to try,” Geronimo said excitedly.

“You do that,” I giggled before standing and taking Mordecai with me.

We went upstairs to chill some more- because we don’t get tired of doing so. We played rock, paper scissors and thumb wars, until it was time to get ready for dinner. He couldn’t have been happier when he realized that his days with the cast were dwindling down.

Since it was already warm inside the house, I settled for a simple outfit. I wore a pair of blue jeans with some rips here and there, a white long sleeved top with a brown necklace and brown boots. I curled my hair into many curls and did my bare minimum with the makeup.

Mordecai was dressed in a pair of blue baggy jeans, a white long sleeved shirt and a Converse shoe. He left his hair in a mess. His face was now clear of any injuries from the accident, with only a faint scar on his cheek visible.

“Really? You’re matching?” Geronimo asked amusedly when we got downstairs. He had already set up the dining room table.

I shrugged with a smirk. “Bitch stole my look.”

Geronimo and Zebedee burst out laughing at the priceless look on Mordecai’s face.

“How’s that Indian dish coming along?” I asked Geronimo.

“It will be good in thirty minutes. What time did you tell them to get here?” he asked.

“Eight,” Mordecai replied. There was still forty five minutes to go.

“Zeb, do you have a girlfriend?” I asked.

“What a random question,” Mordecai chuckled.

I shrugged. “I’m curious! I’ve never asked.”

“No Bev, I don’t have a girlfriend. Did you want to set me up?” Zebedee smirked.

“Actually, yeah,” I smiled.

“With who?” he scowled.

“My friend Kimberly,” I replied. They are complete opposites, but maybe there’s some magic to that whole thing.

“Do you have a picture of her?” he asked. I searched my phone and found a picture of her, Nikki and I.

“She’s the blonde,” I told him.

“She’s beautiful,” he smiled.

“So, would you be interested?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yeah.”

“I’ll set it up. What exactly do you do for a living?” I asked.

Mordecai raised an amused eyebrow. “What’s with the brother in law 101?”

“Can’t I want to learn more about Zeb? I already know so much about you and Ger,” I argued.

“Alright!” Mordecai chuckled.

“I’m a music and film producer and an animation specialist,” Zebedee informed. That took me by surprise.

“Wow! I didn’t expect that,” I scowled.

“It’s because of the stick that’s constantly stuck in his ass,” Mordecai smirked, making Geronimo choke on his water.

“Hey! Zeb doesn’t have a stick up his ass,” I said.

“Thank you Bev,” Zebedee smiled.

“It’s more of a metal rod,” I smirked. This time Mordecai choked on his water as he and Geronimo burst out laughing.

Zebedee glared at us. “You two deserve each other.”

“We think so too,” I said softly patted his back. Mordecai and Geronimo hadn’t stopped laughing.

“What’s with the giggles?” Nellie asked as she walked into the kitchen.

“Bev just pulled one on Zeb,” Geronimo informed her.

“Let me guess – she and Mordecai tag teamed you?” Nellie asked knowingly.

“Badly,” he sighed.

“You two are evil,” Nellie giggled.

“No, our souls just have a mutual understanding,” Mordecai smiled.

“I see! You’re even matching,” Nellie noted.

“Bitch stole her look,” Geronimo and Zebedee chuckled. Mordecai looked annoyed.

“I didn’t steal her look,” he mumbled.

“Sure you didn’t,” I taunted.

“What’s going on anyway? It smells so good in here, and the four of you look like you’re expecting company,” she asked.

“Charlie and his fiancée are coming over for dinner,” Mordecai replied.

“Charlie? He’s back? He’s engaged?” she asked wide-eyed.

“He’s been back for a month now. How do you not know all of this?” Geronimo asked her.

“I haven’t been around as much,” she whined, making us laugh.

It was better to laugh then acknowledge the reasoning behind her words.

“You opened the gate for him when he got back,” I mentioned in remembrance.

She shrugged. “I probably wasn’t paying attention.”

“Well, you’re welcome to stay,” I offered.

“I think I’ll take that offer,” she smiled just as the intercom went.

“I’ll get it,” I sighed.

I headed to the intercom and opened the gate, before heading to the door. I opened it and waited for them to come out of the car. Charlie came out first and then went around to help her out of the car. It was the most adorable thing to watch honestly.

She looked as beautiful as I remembered. She was in a baby blue dress that hid her baby bump since it was flow from below the bust area. Her navy coat was unbuttoned, which allowed me to see the dress. Her hair was in a sophisticated hairdo. You could just see the class oozing from her, and it wasn’t that hard to see the love in Charlie’s eyes, and why he would be in love with her.

“Hey,” she whispered with a small smile.

“Hey,” I said just as lowly. I was seriously nervous.

Charlie hugged me. “Hey Bev.”

“Hey Charlie. Come on in guys,” I told them. I closed the door before leading them to the kitchen where everyone else was.

“Hey guys!” Charlie greeted.

“Maxwell,” the guys replied with smiles.

“Charlie!” Nellie said excitedly before hugging him.

“Hey Nell!” he chuckled.

“Guys, this is Angel, Charlie’s fiancée. Angel, that’s Mordecai, Zebedee, Geronimo and you know Nellie,” I introduced.

“Oh my God!” Nellie said when she realized who it was.

“Wait! You know who she is?” Zebedee asked me and Nellie.

“You mean she didn’t tell you?” Angel asked, in reference to me.

“Tell us what?” Mordecai asked.

“I’m her older sister.”

And there it is.