Winds of Heaven (21 page)

Liz took a deep contented sigh and realized Dr. Martin was watching her. He smiled as she cleared her throat.

“I know Casey Bennett. If she can make you look that happy and content, then I hope you stay with her until the baby comes,” he said and patted her hand. “As I said, keep up the good work and—”

“Doctor, um, we have a woman,” the nurse said as she poked her head into the room, “with a small girl…”

Liz bolted up. “Blond girl? Tall dark-haired woman?” she asked nervously.

The nurse nodded and doctor and mother quickly followed the nurse to the other examination room.

Liz rushed in to find Casey lying on the table with an icepack on her knee. Her jeans were ripped at said knee and her elbow was scraped raw. Skye was standing on a chair holding Casey’s hand.

Skye turned to Liz and grinned. “Mama!
Cafey
faw
down ’gen.”

Liz rushed to Skye’s side. “What happened?” she asked as she checked Skye for injuries. Her little face was flushed with excitement.

Casey tried to sit up, but Dr. Martin put a hand on her shoulder. “Hold on, let me have a look.”

He took the icepack off and saw the small abrasion on her knee. Between him and the nurse, they got to work. “What did you hit?” he asked and he poked and prodded.

“Well…” Casey started and winced.

Dr. Martin said nothing as he listened to the three females. He saw the look of concern in Liz’s blue eyes and the embarrassment in Ms. Bennett’s green eyes.

He stepped back as the nurse cleaned Casey’s knee and elbow. As he watched, he glanced at the blond girl and stifled a hearty laugh. He listened to her mature explanation.

“
Cafey
faw
off
fweeng
.”

Liz tiredly rubbed her face. “Fell off a swing?” She looked down at Casey, who nodded and just stared at the ceiling. “How did you manage that?”

“It was far easier than I ever thought it could be,” Casey said and Liz laughed out loud. Skye joined her.

“Tell me.”

“Can we discuss this at home?” Casey pleaded, stealing a glance at the smirking doctor and nurse.

“Oh, no. I want to hear this.” Dr. Martin pulled up a chair. He sat at the counter and scribbled. “You’re fine, nothing broken, just a few scrapes and a wounded ego. So… Continue.”

Casey took a deep resigned breath and stared at the ceiling again. The doctor noticed how Liz had her arm around her daughter; with her other hand, she caressed Casey’s arm.

“We were swinging,” Casey started and looked at Liz. “I had
Shortround
in one of those kid’s swings, she was safe,” she said quickly.

Liz smiled. “I know.”

“Well, your daughter wanted me to go higher.”

“
Cafey
go so high, Mama!” Skye interjected with enthusiasm.

“I can imagine, sweet pea.”

“I got my foot stuck in the dirt and
kinda
flew off the swing.”

“
Cafey
fly like birdie, Mama,” Skye exclaimed.

“Can we get out of here now?”

“Not just yet, I’d like Dr. Martin to X-ray your head,” Liz said.

“Why? I didn’t hit...” Casey stopped and glowered at Liz. “Very funny.”

Dr. Martin laughed as he stood. “You’re fine. Stay off the playground for a few days. Why don’t you take the little one out and get her a sucker? I want to talk to the big one for a moment.”

He saw the worried look on Casey and Liz as he ushered them out of the room. He turned back as Casey sat up and flexed her knee. “Don’t tell me it’s worse than you thought,” Casey offered with a grin. It immediately faded when she saw the stern look on the doctor’s face.

“I had a nice talk with Liz, says she’s staying with you until the baby comes.” He stood in front of Casey, who nodded. “I’m not sure how much experience you have with pregnant women…May I call you Casey?” he asked and Casey nodded again. “There will be mood swings during her pregnancy.” He walked over to the desk and picked up a few pamphlets. “I suggest you read these. It may give you a little insight into the pregnant woman’s psyche. There’s also a wonderful book at the library.” He scribbled on the prescription pad and handed it to her.

Casey took the offering and leafed through the pamphlets.

“That is if you want insight,” he said and watched her.

“Yes, Doctor, I want insight. I want to help with this pregnancy. Liz and Skye…well, they’re…I mean, I’ve come to… I’m not sure what Liz has told you,” she stammered helplessly.

“She’s told me enough to understand her situation. I’m not sure why you’re helping her, Casey, but I hope you’re in it for the duration. She’s going to need you. She needs you now.”

The magnitude of what he was saying seemed to hit home as he watched her. Casey took a deep confident breath and nodded. She slipped the pamphlets into her back pocket.

“Thanks, Dr. Martin. I’ll take care of her and Skye. I’m not sure if I know what I’m doing.”

Dr. Martin patted her on the back as they walked out. “You’ll be fine. Having a baby is as natural as falling off a swing,” he said and pushed her out the door.

Chapter 14

“Stay,” Skye begged as she clung to Casey’s pants leg. Liz fought the tears that stuck in her throat as she watched her daughter.

Casey put her briefcase down and pulled Skye up in her arms. “
Shortround
, it’s just like before. I’ll be back before you know it. Please don’t cry,” she whispered and kissed her cheek. “You have to take care of your mom while I’m gone, okay?”

“’Kay,” Skye whispered. “You coming back, right?”

“Yeah,
Shortround
, I’ll be back. I promise. Now eat your breakfast.”

“Bye,
Cafey
.” Skye kissed her cheek.

They walked in silence, side by side, toward the car. “She’s really fond of you, Casey.”

Casey turned to Liz and smiled. “I’m fond of the little dwarf, as well. I just wish she wouldn’t get so upset when I have to leave.”

“I think somehow she remembers Julie. She would promise to come home, but she was always delayed. Skye would sit in the window and wait until I had to carry her to bed. I don’t know why Julie did that,” Liz said pensively, looking down and kicking at the dirt. “She asked Meredith the same thing.”

Casey leaned against the car as she watched her. “I’m coming back, Liz.”

Liz looked at her then. “I hope so, you live here.”

Casey laughed and shook her head. “I’ll be back by Friday. Call me or Marge if—”

“I know the drill, General.” Liz offered a mock salute.

They stood there in awkward silence. Liz was playing with her hair and absently rubbing her stomach. Casey was holding her briefcase and looking out at the lake.

“Well… So…” They both said at the same time and laughed. Casey opened the car door.

“Have a safe trip,” Liz said and backed up.

“I will. Liz…” Casey started as she closed the door. She had no idea what she wanted to say or if she should say anything.

“I know, Casey. Now get going. See you on Friday.”

She watched the car pull down the dirt road. Casey stuck her hand out the window and waved. Liz smiled and waved in kind.

Liz groaned as she picked up Skye’s toys and stretched her back. She had just gotten her to bed, and for the hundredth time, she had to reassure her Casey would be home the next day. Liz began to like that idea as much as her daughter. She wondered what Casey was doing in Chicago when she wasn’t in the studio. For some reason, she wanted to meet the gorgeous cellist.

“Why?” she whispered. “What difference would it make?” She put Skye’s toys on the couch and lumbered into the kitchen to put the kettle on for tea. “I’m sure Casey Bennett would rather be with her than a fat pregnant woman.” She puttered around the kitchen until the sound of the whistle gently told her to make the tea and get off her feet.
 

“I do miss her,” Liz said, almost in awe of the idea, though the thought of it made Liz smile. She picked up her teacup and gazed out at the lake; it was twilight. With the stars just appearing in the early evening sky, the moon would soon be rising above the trees. It was beautiful in these woods. She felt safe and content. Suddenly, a wave of anxiety wafted through her. She wasn’t sure what the future would hold for her unborn child. Casey Bennett’s face flashed through her mind and she smiled.

She gazed out at the quiet lake and sipped her chamomile tea.
 

On Thursday night, Casey stood by her big window overlooking Lake Michigan. It was a rough day at the office for her. Nothing sounded right, the music was all off, or perhaps she was off. She glanced around the plush apartment and sighed pensively. Chicago held nothing for her anymore.

She wondered why that was and realized the answer might be six hours north of there. The answer to what, though? she thought. Liz’s face flooded her vision more and more. Then Skye’s happy face came into view, and she laughed out loud. “What the f…heck is going on with me?” She sipped her wine and gazed out at Lake Michigan.

The chimes from the doorbell brought her back to reality. She glanced at the clock on the mantel and groaned. “Please don’t let this be Suzette.” She opened the door and shook her head. “What are you doing here?”

Meredith, somewhat out of breath, waved her off as she pushed past her.

“Did you take the stairs?” Casey put her hand under her arm and guided her to the couch. Meredith sat with a grunt.

“No,” she said with a wheeze. “But your apartment is so far from the elevator.”

Casey sat in the chair opposite the couch. “You scared the life out of me. Hey,” she said. “How did you know I’d be home…and alone?”

“I called Niles. He told me you had a touch of melancholy earlier. So I knew you wouldn’t be with the savant.”

“I was not melancholy. And will you quit calling her that?”

“Of course, dear. There have been many other names that have been rolling around. How about—”

“Never mind. Would you like a drink?” Casey didn’t wait for an answer.

“You ask the oddest questions. Speaking of odd, isn’t melancholy an odd word?” Meredith kicked off her shoes and wriggled her toes.

Casey returned with the chilled stemmed glass and handed it to her grandmother. “Thank you, dear. You are now back in my will.”

Casey smiled and sat by the fireplace and watched the flames.

“You look so much like your mother. She had that same pensive look when she was confused.”

“I’m not confused,” Casey said, looking up. “What do I have to be confused about?”

“Liz, Skye,” she said, then whispered, “falling in love.”

Casey’s mouth dropped. “You’re senile,” she said and reached for her drink.

Meredith laughed and took a sip from her glass.

“Gram, I’m not in love with Liz.”

“Not yet, you’re not.”

“Gram...”

“Case…”

Casey groaned and laid her head back against the flagstone fireplace. “Please don’t read anything into this. Don’t get your romantic knickers in a twist. There’s nothing between Liz and me. Shit, Gram, I practically called her a gold-digging bitch who was irresponsible and selfish.”