Her Mother's Daughter (44 page)

“I didn't think of her all day.”

“She called me this morning and told me to get over here fast, but she wasn't here when I arrived. I wonder where she'd go.”

“Dermot's.”

“Dermot's?”

“Oh, she conveniently didn't tell you that part of the story. I'm not surprised. Turns out she and Dermot went to bed together on a couple of occasions before they knew who the other was.”

“Oh God.”

“So you see? She insists on sleeping with all the men in my life. What a gal.”

“Wait a minute. You have that backwards. She was with them first, wasn't she? In a biblical sense?”

Bay started to say something and then stopped. She looked confused.

“Never mind,” Gertie said. “We've both had a long day. Let's go to bed and we'll talk about it in the morning.”

“You're staying here?”

“If I can find a nightgown that fits me, which I highly doubt.”

After they said goodnight, Gertie went downstairs and called Dermot.

“Is she there?” Gertie asked.

“Yes. She was in quite a state when she arrived.”

“I can well imagine. Did she tell you what happened?”

“I know the whole story.”

“Wonderful, isn't it?”

“I think it's a bloody shame that two young girls were put through that torture for one lousy mistake. And as badly as I feel for Bay, I feel ten times worse for Tansy. She's been an outcast her whole life because of this. Can you imagine how lonely it's been for her all these years? I know Bay is hurting, but she did get to live with her mother and her daughter and that's more than Tansy was allowed to do.”

“I know. It's a sad situation, but hopefully between us we can help them recover. Ashley's safe at the hospital and I'm here with Bay. If Tansy can stay with you for a while, that would help.”

“I've already got her moved into one of the bedrooms upstairs. She cried for most of the day, but she's finally gone to sleep.”

“I have to call Anne tomorrow and tell her Bay won't be at work for a while. Are you able to stay with Tansy or do you want me to drop by?”

“By all means come and see her, but I've arranged it so I can stay here for a few days.”

“Perfect. I appreciate it.”

“At some point,” Dermot sighed, “we need to get Bay and Tansy in the same room.”

“Preferably before Fred gets here.”

“Fred?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Everyone stayed in their own corner of the ring for two weeks. That's how long Ashley spent in the hospital.

Dermot explained the situation to Tansy as they sat together at his kitchen table.

“I've talked to Gertie and she's going to stay with Bay, so don't worry about your sister. I told her that you're going to be here with me.”

“What did she say?”

“She thought it was a good idea.”

Tansy rubbed her forehead. “There's so much to sort out. I have to call work.”

Dermot pointed at her. “There's no way in hell you're going back to that diner.”

“But I need money.”

“You have the money from your Porsche.”

“That's for Ashley and the baby.”

“Well, you don't need a damn thing while you're here with me. I'll take care of you.”

“I've always looked after myself.”

Dermot reached across the table and took her hand. “Listen to me. You've been on your own for far too long. None of us can get by in this world without leaning on someone from time to time. This is your time. Please take it. I'm your friend. Let me help you.”

Tansy closed her eyes.

“I only ask one thing.”

She looked at him.

“You can't leave without telling me. I've already had a woman I love walk out the door and never come back. I can't live through it again.”

Tansy spent most of the first week asleep in her room across the hall from him. There were days when she was asleep when he went to work and was still asleep when he came home. By the beginning of the second week the dishes were done and his bed was made. Near the end of that week, he came home to his dinner on the table. Nothing fancy, mind you, eggs and bacon and toast, but it tasted great to him. The house was tidy and she did a wash one day, his underwear, socks, and shirts folded on the end of his bed, a small gift for him.

One day Gertie brought over some of her clothes. When Tansy saw her she hugged Gertie for a good long time. Eventually Tansy made her a cup of tea.

“How is she?”

“She's quiet,” Gertie said. “It was traumatic, but every day she's getting better. Last night Merlin got his head caught in a plastic container and couldn't get it off and Bay laughed out loud, so she's coming along.”

“That's good.”

“She even brought out some photo albums the other day and we sat on the living room floor remembering old times. It's a journey, but we're making progress.”

Tansy nodded.

“How are you?” Gertie asked.

“I'm better.”

“You could've told me about Dermot, you know.”

“How could I? Your loyalty belongs to Bay, as it should.”

“I would've listened.”

Tansy smiled. “You're good at that.”

Gertie took a sip of tea. “I'm glad you're here. You need a safe haven.”

“This is a gift I don't deserve.”

Gertie put down the teacup. “The day you realize you do deserve this is the day you truly are better.”

Gertie took a total of three days off before the office called in a panic and said they needed her back. She got on the blower and called her man.

“Don't worry about it,” Peter said. “I'm at the hospital during the day, Matt's here in the evening, and you can come in when you can.”

“You've got this all figured out.”

“Yep.”

“So you don't need me at all, do you?”

“Gertie, I'll always need you.”

“I cannot wait to get you in my arms again, big guy.”

“Oh no, I can't afford to fall out of bed a second time.”

“Then we'll do it on the floor.”

“Deal.”

By this time, there was a stack of board games on the hospital window sill a couple of feet high. That's how Peter and Ashley entertained themselves. Their favourite was Monopoly.

“You really are a real-estate czar,” Peter complained. “You make Stalin look good.”

“Quit your bellyaching and pay up. I've got three hotels on Park Place, so that's…”

“…too much. You win again.”

Ashley rubbed her hands together with glee before she patted her belly. “You see, Fred. Your mother's going to be a tycoon some day.”

Peter slowly got out of his chair and put the game pieces and money away in the box. “I hope you remember me when you're rich and famous.”

“I'll never forget you as long as I live.”

They smiled at each other before Peter reached over and put the Monopoly box on top of the pile, whereupon the entire thing came crashing down around his feet. Dice and money, game pieces and cards from every game they had littered the floor. The look of dismay on Peter's face sent Ashley into gales of laughter.

“What's so funny? Keep laughing and Fred will be here in no time to help me clean this up.”

At the end of two weeks the doctor reassured Gertie that it was safe for Ashley to go home. At thirty-six weeks, she was close enough to full term that there wouldn't be any problem if she did go into labour. Good old Peter moved into Gertie's apartment to be with her, so it was tight quarters. Jeffrey was mightily ticked.

“That cat is staring at me,” Ashley frowned.

“He could be hissing,” Gertie said, “so consider yourself fortunate. Don't forget, you're on his turf.”

“Sorry, Jeffrey.”

Gertie had it all figured out when they arrived. “Ashley, you sleep in my room, because you need to rest. Peter and I will sleep on the hide-a-bed in the living room.”

When Ashley went into Gertie's room with her suitcase, Gertie hugged Peter. “I cannot wait to get you in my arms tonight.”

“We'll have to be very quiet.”

“Quiet I can do.”

But quiet wasn't in the cards. After an endless evening waiting for Ashley to stop watching television and finally go to bed, Gertie rushed over to the hide-a-bed and had it made up in a jiffy. Poor Jeffrey tried to make himself comfortable on the quilt, but he was unceremoniously dumped back on the floor. He took his wounded pride and sat with his back to them on a nearby armchair.

She and Peter took turns in the bathroom getting ready for the big night. They met on either side of the bed. Gertie pointed at his cast.

“You better come on this side. It'll be easier for you to get in.”

“You're right.”

They switched places.

“Be careful getting on. You go first and make yourself comfortable.”

Peter took his time sitting down on the bed. He put one leg up on the mattress and then swung his cast leg up as well before he lay back on the pillows.

“So far so good.”

Gertie eased herself into bed as well. She snuggled up beside him and sighed. “At last. This is what I've been waiting for.”

There was an enormous crash. The resounding bang sent furball Jeffrey flying out of the room.

“My God! What was that!?” Ashley leapt out of bed in a panic. She hurried to the living room holding her belly. Peter and Gertie were on the floor, sprawled on top of the mattress in a daze.

They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

“Stop!” Ashley cried. “I'm going to pee myself!” She crossed her legs and hopped up and down before rushing down the hall to the bathroom. When she got back, Peter and Gertie were still in hysterics.

Eventually Gertie dragged herself to her feet and held out her arms to Peter. “Let me help you.”

“I don't think I can get up.” He turned this way and that, but wasn't able to get enough leverage to get to his feet. “This is impossible.”

“You can't stay on the floor all night.”

But after a good ten minutes of trying, they admitted they were defeated.

“I'm going to call Matt,” Ashley said.

“It's too late,” Gertie replied.

“He's young, he'll get over it,” Peter said. “Call him.”

When Matt arrived, he did his best to keep a smirk off his face, but even he couldn't get the big man and his cast off the floor.

“You can't live on the floor,” Gertie worried. “What are we going to do?”

“Call Michael,” Peter said. “I'm desperate.”

Michael arrived with his camera. Peter pointed at him. “Don't you dare.”

“Listen here, Peter. You drag me out of a warm bed in the middle of the night and make me drive an hour to come and pick you up off the floor. You owe me, buddy boy.”

Michael couldn't stop laughing as he took a few shots, so the other three got down on the floor and joined Peter. They had their arms around the hapless victim and it turned out to be such a great picture they all wanted a copy.

Between them they managed to get Peter upright again. They looked at the mangled hide-a-bed.

“What do we do now?” Peter wondered.

“Why don't you sleep in my room,” Gertie said, “and Ashley and I can sleep on the floor tonight.”

“I'll go first thing in the morning and buy another hide-a-bed for you—a better one, obviously. They can deliver it in the afternoon,” Michael suggested.