Commitment Read online

  “Nothing. I swear. Just friends,” Krause said.

  “With benefits?” Alex asked teasingly.

  “No benefits,” Krause snickered.

  “Man, I might have to get that DNA test. No way are you my brother,” Alex goaded him.

  “Alex, seriously….just for a minute. Aren’t you worried about Claire at all? I mean, who sent her there and why?” Krause changed the subject.

  “Yes, I am. But, Pip…we knew when we agreed to take this course that this is what would happen. We can’t run off after Claire. We have to keep our cool, let it play out until the right time,” Alex reminded him. “We’ve learned more in the last five months than John had in years. Ivanov made poor choices; Taylor, Strickland, O’Brien…he’s bound to do it again,” Alex said.

  “I just hope we aren’t missing something,” Krause said.

  “We are. We always are. That’s why we have jobs, Pip. You know that. If it worries you that much, we’ll sit down next week and see what we can do. Maybe Edmond has someone he can get closer; take a peek at what might be intriguing Claire,” Alex suggested. “Now, I have to go. I have a conference call with personnel about benefits.”

  “Sounds exhilarating,” Krause chided Alex.

  “Hey, it’s still a company; a growing one. People like Marta have needs,” Alex explained.

  Krause started for the door. “You know, you are good at this. If we….when we get through this, you should think about staying here,” he said sincerely.

  “I don’t know about that. Me and desks…just be back by five so we can make it to Dylan’s game,” Alex said sternly.

  “Okay, boss,” he scoffed at her.

  “Screw you, Pip,” Alex laughed.

  “Dylan! Come on!” Cassidy called.

  “Coming, Mom!” Dylan yelled back.

  “Are you all set?” Cassidy asked.

  “Yeah. Are you okay, Mom?” Dylan looked at his mother apprehensively.

  Cassidy ruffled his hair and smiled. “I’m fine, sweetie. Mackenzie is just getting really big, and I’m a little tired,” she explained.

  “He playing soccer in your belly again?” Dylan asked.

  “Not too much,” Cassidy laughed. “Think he’s resting up for your game. Get your bag. Alex is meeting us there.” Cassidy shook her head as Dylan grabbed his bag off the stair and scurried out the front door. She barely made it through the door when she was startled by a sudden pain. “Behave, Kenzie,” she gave a playful pat to her belly. “Your brother has a game tonight. Trust me, you’ll have your turn soon enough,” she giggled as she locked the door. “Ready?” Cassidy asked Dylan who was already strapped in his seat.

  “To the soccer field!” he cried.

  Cassidy glanced in the rearview mirror and caught Dylan in the middle of practicing his version of a celebratory dance move. “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Practicing my happy dance for when I score!!” he said. “Toles shoots and he….scores!”

  “Oh God,” Cassidy groaned. “She wants a table full?”

  Claire Brackett stepped inside the small tavern and took a seat at a wooden table. She was grateful to be here in July and not in the colder winter months. “Vy opozdali (You are late),” a voice greeted her.

  “YA dumala, vy shutili o Sibiri (I thought you were joking about Siberia),” Claire laughed.

  “Good to see you, Sparrow,” a young man said. “Your father was cryptic in his message. What is it that I can do for you?”

  “I am looking for spyashchego cheloveka,” she said. “Have you heard of him?”

  The man across from her narrowed his gaze to an intense stare. “The sleeping man?” he asked. “Everyone has heard of him. People hear call him prizrak, kotorogo mozhno uvidet’ (the ghost that can be seen),” he explained.

  “Do you know where I can find him?” Claire asked.

  “He is a legend, Sparrow. Nothing more,” the man dismissed her request.

  Claire Brackett studied the man closely. “Yuri?” she said. “Tell me the legend.”

  “Just a tale, Sparrow.”

  “Humor me,” Claire encouraged him.

  “Well, the town people say that many years ago a man passed through here. He was pale and tired and looked like a ghost. It had been a difficult winter that year. There was a great deal of illness. Many people died, mostly children. This was a very poor town, Sparrow. With so much sickness few could make it to the larger cities for services. The man was worn himself. Some say with illness, others with grief. A local family took pity on him. They had a young daughter who fell ill and became very frail. The man spent hours in her company. Told her stories in other languages. The day that the man vanished, a team of Dutch doctors miraculously passed through the village on their way to Moscow. No one knows why they were here. They took the girl with them, refused any payment. Months later a different man returned with the girl. She was healthy; never strong, but healthy. She never spoke of her journey except to say that there are ghosts that can be seen and that some are angels.”

  Claire nodded. “Beautiful fairy tale.”

  “It is; I suppose. Yet, for some reason I suspect you think this ghost is real,” Yuri guessed.

  “No one speaks of seeing this man now?” Claire asked.

  “If he did exist, he has been gone for many years,” Yuri said.

  “Anyone in this village that remembers him?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Yuri said. “A few. You can speak to them, but don’t expect much. The man is a myth. You will hear many versions of what I told you.”

  “I can’t wait,” Claire said.

  “Dylan! Left!” a voice called out. Dylan moved left up the soccer field, casting his glance from his teammates toward the goal ahead. He picked up his speed, determination evident in his eyes as he watched the ball sail toward him. A light bump of his chest and the ball fell at his feet. Quickly and deliberately, he maneuvered around an opponent and took his shot.

  “Go, Speed!” Alex yelled across the field. “Yes!” Alex jumped up in celebration as Dylan’s shot found its way to the goal. Dylan’s excitement and pride radiated from him, even in the distance. He accepted the praise of his friends and jogged while doing his “happy dance” back to the middle of the field.

  “He’s good for eight,” Krause said with a smile.

  “Nah, he’s just good,” Alex beamed with pride and made her way to Cassidy to share her excitement. Alex was still bouncing when she noticed the flush in Cassidy’s cheeks. “Hey. You okay?” she asked with growing concern. Cassidy had her bottom lip gripped between her teeth and just nodded. “It’s hot out here,” Alex observed. “Need some water?” she asked. Cassidy took in a shaky breath and shook her head. “Kenzie acting up?” Alex guessed.

  Cassidy closed her eyes for a second and caught her breath. “I don’t think Mackenzie wants to be left out anymore,” Cassidy said.

  “Well, I don’t blame him. Having his own match in there?” Alex moved her hand to Cassidy’s belly.

  Cassidy gave Alex a tiny smirk. “I think we need to go,” she said softly.

  “Too hot, huh? Okay, you want me to take you home or have Pip…”

  Cassidy shook her head. “No, love…I don’t think you understand. I think Mackenzie is done waiting. We need to go.”

  Alex’s face turned pale. “Cass, Mackenzie isn’t supposed to be here for almost two weeks.”

  “Tell that to Mackenzie,” Cassidy said as another, slightly sharper contraction hit her. She saw the shock in Alex’s eyes and couldn’t help but giggle. “Alex, it’s okay. Go tell Pip and Eleana, and I will call Dr. Bartlett. They can bring Dylan after his game.”

  “How can you be so calm?” Alex asked.

  “I can’t exactly back out now,” Cassidy laughed as the contraction passed. “Go on. We’ll wait for you; trust me,” Cassidy winked.

  Alex kissed Cassidy on the forehead and headed back to Jonathan Krause and Eleana. “He’s talented, Alex,” Krause said a
s he watched Dylan run up the field. He turned to Alex and grabbed her arm. “Whoa. What’s wrong?” Krause looked over toward Cassidy, who was sitting on a bench. “Is Cassidy all right?” he asked, prompting Eleana’s gaze to find Cassidy’s location. Eleana smiled at Alex and headed to sit beside Cassidy. “Alex?” Krause asked again.

  “Pip, can you stay with Dylan. Meet Rose at the house after the game?” Alex asked.

  “Meet Rose at the house?” Krause was confused momentarily. “Holy shit, Cassidy’s in labor?” Alex just nodded. “Yeah, of course. You okay? You don’t look so great,” he chuckled.

  “I’m fine. Just wasn’t expecting…”

  “Well, it is your kid. I would expect the unexpected,” Krause laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll fill Dylan in.”

  Alex nodded her thanks and made her way back towards Cassidy. “Thanks,” she said to Eleana.

  “Alex, one of us can drive you….”

  “No,” Cassidy answered and handed Eleana her keys. “Take the SUV when you go. It’s easier for me to get into Alex’s car anyway,” she said as Alex helped her to her feet. Eleana winked and took her leave. “Come on, Jeeves…take me to the palace,” Cassidy joked.

  Alex rolled her eyes and helped Cassidy to the car. “How bad is it?” Alex asked as they pulled out of the parking lot.

  “As compared to what?” Cassidy asked with a grimace.

  “I’m sorry,” Alex said sincerely. Cassidy reached across the seat and took Alex’s hand. “I think I am supposed to be the one comforting you,” Alex reminded her wife. Cassidy just smiled. “How long have you felt the contractions?” Alex finally asked.

  “A while,” Cassidy confessed. “They were far apart, honey.”

  “And now?” Alex asked as she turned onto a short stretch of highway. Cassidy blew out a heavy breath. “Guess that answers that question,” Alex chuckled nervously. “You just stay where you are for a little while longer Mackenzie,” Alex ordered.

  Cassidy laughed out loud. “I think your mother just put you in time-out,” she said with a rub to her belly.

  “Damn right, I did,” Alex said. “Hope it works.”

  “Nothing yet?” Barb asked as she entered the waiting room with Helen.

  “No,” Rose smiled.

  “Have you been in to see her?” Helen asked.

  “Yeah. She’s fine, well…as fine as you can be in labor,” Rose admitted. “Alex is a wreck.”

  “Good Lord, she’s been to murder scenes,” Helen shook her head.

  “Not the same,” Alex’s voice broke through.

  “What are you doing here? She didn’t have the baby?” Rose jumped up.

  “No. They’re giving her an epidural. Kicked me out for a minute,” Alex explained. “I’m going to call Pip and have him bring Dylan.”

  “Is she that close?” Helen asked in surprise.

  Alex smiled and shrugged. “Dr. Bartlett seems to think things will pick up quickly. She’s six centimeters. She didn’t want an epidural, but when the doc told her again that a little rest and relief might help…well, she caved. I’m glad she did. Why don’t you go and say hello while I call Pip?” Alex suggested to Barb and her mother.

  “I’ll call Jonathan,” Rose told Alex. “You look like you could use a cup of coffee.”

  “Come on,” Helen grabbed her daughter’s arm. “I’ll buy. Let Barb and Cassidy visit for a few minutes.” Alex nodded and followed her mother. “How are you doing?” Helen asked Alex.

  “Nervous,” Alex confessed. “I hate seeing her in pain,” she explained. Helen smiled. “She’s so calm; even when she’s hurting. I don’t know how she can be so calm,” Alex said in amazement.

  “It will all be worth it,” Helen assured her daughter.

  Alex brightened. “I know. I can’t wait to see Mackenzie,” Alex beamed.

  Helen handed her daughter a cup coffee. “Do you want to sit for a minute?”

  “No,” Alex smiled at her mother. “I want to get back to Cass. I don’t want to miss anything.”

  “I’m so proud of you, Alexis,” Helen said.

  “Of me? Why?”

  “There are a lot of reasons. Watching you with Cassidy and Dylan these last few months…I think they are very lucky to have you,” Helen said. “All of them.”

  Alex felt her mother’s praise embed itself in her heart. “I gotta go,” she said. “You sure you don’t want to come and say hello? I’m sure Cass would be happy to see you.”

  “No. I’ll see you when that baby finally arrives. This is your time. You go,” Helen instructed her daughter. Alex nodded and headed off.

  “So? Now what?” President Strickland barked at Admiral William Brackett.

  “Calm down, Larry. You’ll have a stroke before they can impeach you,” the admiral laughed.

  “If that’s your idea of humor….”

  “Relax. They’ll never secure the votes for an impeachment. We just need a few assurances,” Admiral Brackett said.

  “Oh? Like an embassy bombing? That’s what got me into this mess, Bill!” President Strickland reminded the admiral.

  “There are other ways to create a crisis, Mr. President.”

  “I assume you have an idea?” Strickland guessed.

  “Oh, I have several. Let’s see what Claire uncovers on her trip,” the admiral said.

  “You have more confidence in your daughter than I do. What makes you think she won’t jump right back into Ivanov’s camp?” Strickland asked.

  “Oh, she will jump somewhere. I’m counting on it,” Admiral Brackett admitted.

  “You want her to betray you?” the president asked in bewilderment.

  “It’s not a betrayal if you planned it all along. Claire will go where she sees the greatest benefit at the moment; for her. Viktor’s plan was not as misguided as its implementation was,” the admiral said.

  “Are you suggesting we work with Ivanov?” Strickland asked.

  “Not at present, no. We both know that Toles and Krause are up to something. I have my suspicions. They want us to react first. I intend to force their hand. Throw them back in the mix, compromise their….investments; Carecom and MyoGen. Imagine the fervor should some genetically engineered biotoxin end up in the hands of the Russians, or worse, effect some small, impoverished community. I’m not so certain Carecom would be considered the pillar of the corporate world,” the admiral gloated.

  “Carecom hasn’t even merged with MyoGen yet,” Strickland said.

  “No, all in good time. For now, we plant the seeds. And we let them water them for us, without even knowing they are,” the admiral explained.

  “I hope you know what you are doing,” Strickland said.

  “If I don’t….and we fail? Impeachment will seem like a picnic, Larry. Give it time. Trust me.”

  “Okay, Cassidy,” Dr. Bartlett gently called to her patient. “Next one push, and push hard. I can see Mackenzie.”

  “You are doing so great,” Alex said as she held Cassidy’s hand. “Kenzie is almost here.”

  “Mackenzie better get a move on!” Cassidy demanded.

  Within seconds, Cassidy heard the firm direction to push. Alex felt the strength in Cassidy’s grip on her hand. She was almost positive that she would lose some permanent feeling from the repeated pressure her wife was applying. At one point, Alex found herself questioning how someone whose touch was so gentle could possess such strength. “Come on, Cass. One more,” Alex encouraged.

  “It was one more like ten minutes ago!” Cassidy yelled. Alex flinched at the hostility in her wife’s voice accompanied by another vice like grip of her hand.

  “Now,” Dr. Bartlett ordered. Cassidy pushed for all she was worth, mentally urging Mackenzie to hurry up. She was so focused on the task that she almost missed the words as they fell out of the doctor’s mouth. The sound of a cry suddenly registered reality and Cassidy looked up to see Alex crying. “You have a daughter.”

  “Cass, you were right,” Alex said with a kiss. C
assidy just closed her eyes.

  “Come on, Alex. You going to cut the cord here and let the little one into the world formally?” the doctor asked. Cassidy winked at Alex and watched her walk the few steps away. It was only seconds before Alex was beside Cassidy again, placing Mackenzie in her arms.

  “God, she is beautiful, Alex,” Cassidy said through her tears.

  “Yeah, she is,” Alex agreed as she ran her finger over the baby gently. “I love you, Cass.”

  Cassidy looked up at Alex. Alex was watching Mackenzie with such an expression of love that it took Cassidy’s breath away. “Thank you,” Cassidy reached for Alex’s cheek.

  “Thank me?” Alex looked to Cassidy in awe. “You…”

  “I love you, Alex.” Cassidy chuckled. “You’d better go tell Dylan,” she said.

  “I will. In a minute when they take her for all that fun stuff,” Alex said. “Not until then. I doubt there will be many minutes for just the three of us ever again.” Cassidy giggled at the truth and looked down at their new daughter. “Did you ever think of a middle name?” Alex asked Cassidy.

  “Jane,” Cassidy said. “Maybe it sounds funny. But, Jane has become…”

  “No, it’s perfect,” Alex agreed. “Well, Mackenzie Jane Toles, welcome to the family.”

  “Well?” Rose shot up from her seat when Alex entered the waiting room.

  Alex smiled and made her way to Dylan. Dylan’s eyes grew wide in anticipation, and Alex chuckled. “Well, Speed; you have a little sister.”

  Alex wasn’t sure how Dylan was going to react to that news. He had been so adamant about a little brother. He had his Big Brother shirt on, and his small chest puffed out immediately in pride. “I got one too, Uncle Pip!” he exclaimed. “Can I see her?”

  Alex laughed. “Yes, you can, Speed. I know Mom and Kenzie are anxious to see you,” she told him. She straightened to her full height and looked at the room. “I know you all want to know. At eleven thirty-eight, Mackenzie Jane Toles made her appearance weighing in at eight pounds even and twenty-one and a half inches long, with a head of hair that Cassidy says explains a lot. Whatever that means,” Alex chuckled. “She’s perfect,” Alex declared.