Christmas Miracle: A Family (7 page)

“You thought I’d strip you naked?” he teased.

“I don’t know what you’d do.” Finally, she snatched the mug from him and took a sip.

“Actually, what I did was carry you in from the truck.”

“No, you didn’t,” she said, forcing herself to sit up.

“Well, somebody did. And I’m the only one here.” He stepped back then grinned at her. “You’ve put on a couple pounds, Fallon. And I’ve got the sore muscles to prove it.”

“I have not,” she argued, realizing he was just trying to get a rise out of her.

“If that’s how you want to argue this thing, that’s fine with me.”

“You!” she said, tossing a throw pillow at him. ‘You always did like to goad me into things.”

“Or out of things…like your clothes, if I recall. But that didn’t take much goading, did it? In fact, I remember a few times when you—”

She thrust out her hand to stop him. Just like that, the light moment between them was over and all the bad things were weighing her down again. “Not the past, James. I don’t want to talk about the past.”

“Was it that bad for you, Fallon? Because I thought you were happy…we were happy together.”

They had been. She had been. But that had been a different life. One to which neither of them could ever return. And the way this conversation was turning into those memories—that was the reason she couldn’t be around him. It was too painful.

Fallon cleared her throat. “Is…um…is Tyler going to be released today?”

The expression on James’s face shifted almost instantly, going from warm and caring to reserved. “Eric wanted to run another set of tests this morning…a fasting blood sugar in case his mood swings are coming from an onset of diabetes, but he’ll release Tyler after lunch if nothing shows up. Under the present circumstances, I don’t think we should come back here to stay. You need more rest, and—”

“We can get along, James. You can bring Tyler back here, and the three of us can get along.”

“The three of us, maybe, but what about the two of us?” James sighed deeply, audibly. “I don’t know any more, Fallon. One minute you and I are doing fine, then the next…” He walked away from her, went to the kitchen
door, and stopped, but didn’t turn back around. “Tyler responds to you. That’s a good thing and I’d like to see if you can draw out more in him than I’ve been able to. I think he might warm up to the maternal instinct in you, and you do have that toward Tyler. It’s pretty obvious. But this animosity between you and me…”

She was afraid of that, afraid that denying her maternal instinct wasn’t enough. But what could she do? She was a mother without her baby, and he was a little boy without a real mother. Those were situations she couldn’t change, situations that were causing what James was seeing. But it was temporary. Once James and Tyler found another place to live… “Not animosity, James. I don’t have
any
bad feelings toward you. And for what it’s worth, I want you to stay. I just don’t want you and me to live in the past because we can’t get that back.”

He finally turned around. “Then why do I feel like I never lost it, Fallon? Because I still have the same feelings for you. Still have the same reactions whenever we’re together.”

“You’ll move on. Once your relationship is more settled with Tyler, you
will
move on.”

“The way you have? Because I hope to God that doesn’t happen to me. I loved what we had, what we were. And I don’t want to lose it or, worse, pretend it never existed.”

“It existed,” she said, praying the tears wouldn’t come. But she could feel them, stinging in the backs of her eyes. “It existed then it was gone.” But not forgotten. Never, ever forgotten.

But now it was a shadow. One that broke her heart.

“B
ASICALLY
, he’s healthy. Couldn’t find a thing wrong with him except his blood sugar was a little off. But that could be stress working on him. I’d like to test him again in six months, after his life has settled down, and see what we get then. In the meantime, just make sure he gets a healthy diet, and you’ll be fine.” Eric sat the chart down on the desk. “And maybe I should prescribe the same for you, James. Because you’re looking really stressed out.”

“I am. I’ll admit it. I’m living with Fallon, still in love with her and pretty much facing her brick walls every time I turn around. And I have a son who barely speaks to me, who’s destructive, who may get yanked away from me at any minute if, or when, his mother decides she wants him again. I’d say that’s stress.”

Eric shook his head. “Anything I can do, James. Just name it, and I’ll try my best.”

“Do you know a good local lawyer? My last lawyer…well, let’s just say that he went off to seek his fame and fortune chasing ambulances, which leaves me high and dry. And I really do need to file for custody before Shelly does whatever it is Shelly intends to do next.”

“Actually, I have a great attorney—Jason Greene. Say the word, and I’ll make a call.”

James didn’t even hesitate. “Make the call. I’m ready
for the battle, and I hope that the way Shelly has abandoned Tyler with me three times in six months counts for something. This attorney, Jason Greene, has to be good enough to make it count for something, because I want Tyler all the way. Full, permanent custody, with limited visitation from his mother and none from the stepfather of his.”

Eric patted him on the back. “Jason’s good enough. I’ll call him this morning, see if he can get you in right away. He has a chronic upset stomach, a symptom of his profession, and he’s had a few spur-of-the-moment appointments with me, so now it’s payback time.”

“You know, the longer I stay in White Elk, the more I like it. I think the lifestyle could be addictive. The people here sure are.”

“That’s why we’re expanding our medical facilities. Once people stay here for a while, they never leave. It’s what happened to me. Neil convinced me to come, give it a try. Now I own a hospital, I have a wife, I’ve just bought a new house.” Eric smiled the smile of a contented man. “What can I say? Life in White Elk is good. I hope that happens for you soon, too.”

“So do I, for Tyler. I think I’d like to raise him here. Look, I’ve got to make rounds in the pediatric ward. If Jason Greene agrees to take me on as a client, tell him I’ll free myself up to meet him at his earliest convenience.”

Jason Greene’s earliest convenience turned out to be late afternoon and it was amazing how much better James felt after the appointment was set. For the first time in days he allowed himself to feel a little hopeful that this situation could work out for the both of them…him and Tyler. Father and son. Father and son and…Fallon. No! He wouldn’t allow himself to think that. Not when he was more than willing to meet her in the middle, but the closer
he got to that middle, the more she backed away. Right now, it was up to Fallon. Her steps to make. Her choices. Yet, he hoped…dear God, he really hoped…

“Ready to go home?” he asked Tyler, just as the lunch tray was being carried from his room. James noticed that Tyler hadn’t eaten a bite. He’d also been told that Tyler had refused breakfast.

Tyler shrugged.

“Dr. Ramsey said you’re good to go.”

Tyler’s reaction was to clutch the video game control tight to his chest. “Don’t want to,” he said. Not the words James wanted to hear, but at least Tyler was finally speaking. “Why not?” he asked.

“’Cause Fallon doesn’t have games.”

“I thought you liked Fallon.”

Tyler shrugged.

“I’m pretty sure she likes you, even though you broke her shelves.” He was sure Tyler liked Fallon, so this resistance came as a surprise. “And she’s fixed up a room for you.”

He shrugged again.

“And I think she wants to make a snowman with you.”

He shrugged once more, but this time something about the snowman had, apparently, sparked his interest. “A little one?” Tyler asked.

“Not too little. One at least as big as you are.”

“Or as big as you?”

Finally, his son was responding. “Well, I suppose you could make a snowman as big as me, but it might fall over.”

“Head’s too big,” Tyler said shyly. Then giggled.

“What?” That was the first time he’d heard Tyler
giggle, or even seen him smile. It was a surprise that gave him hope.

“Head’s too big, that’s why it’ll fall over.”

“How about you make one, and I’ll make one and we’ll see which one won’t fall over.”

“Can Fallon make one, too?”

“Of course she can. But maybe we should keep a little secret from her.”

Tyler eyes widened. “What?” he asked, almost whispering it.

“Maybe if we don’t tell her that a big head is the reason it’ll fall over, then she’ll make the biggest head and hers will fall over first.”

Tyler giggled again, but didn’t answer. James could see the mischief dancing in his eyes for a moment. It was a good sign. After all these months it was a very good sign. “Let’s get out of here, OK?”

Surprisingly, Tyler latched right on to James’s hand. To casual observers in the hospital hallway who didn’t know any better, they looked like a perfectly normal father and son.

“I’m so glad,” Fallon said, resisting the urge to throw her arms around James’s neck. It was her natural reaction, but she had to stop doing that, and after her last hug she’d reaffirmed her resolve. Shored it up, braced it with steel, braced it with steel again for an extra layer. “And Jason Greene’s really good.” They were speaking in hushed tones so Tyler wouldn’t overhear. “Tyler needs to be in your custody no matter what, and the sooner the better. It scares me to death when I think that Shelly might come back here and get him. Especially after what he told me about how Donnie used to make him take the lit cigarettes from his
mouth. That’s a horrible thing to do to a child and I don’t know how any mother would tolerate that.”

“A good mother wouldn’t,” James said. “But who ever said Shelly was a good mother?”

“Well, it’s started, James. And that’s good. Tyler really needs to feel safe and secure, and Jason will be amazing. He has five children of his own, loves kids. He won’t let Shelly get away with anything.” Her gaze went to Tyler, who was sitting by himself, staring out the window. “Maybe I could watch Tyler for you during your appointment? I’m finished working for the day, so it wouldn’t be a problem.” There she was, getting involved again. One layer of steel slipping away and she was doing nothing to stop it. If she had any sense, she’d run upstairs, hide behind her locked door, and not come out.

“Actually, I wanted to take him with me. I need to find more ways to be with him when I’m not working. But you could come along, I know he’d love that. And maybe we could have dinner at Catie’s Overlook afterwards.”

It was a nice offer, but too cozy. She simply wasn’t ready for anything like that. “Sorry, but I have dinner plans,” she dodged. Dinner for one, whatever she could grab from her fridge. “But you and Tyler go, and enjoy yourselves. Tell Catie to give Tyler a piece of her extra-special chocolate cake.” She said that purposely loud so Tyler
would
hear.

Tyler twisted ever so slightly to look at Fallon, fighting hard not to show too much interest in that chocolate cake but losing the battle the way most little boys would at the mention of something so yummy.

She tossed a knowing smile at James. “You know which one I’m talking about…three layers, all kinds of chocolate frosting?” With her hands, she gestured something that
was a good three times the size of any cake Catie offered, and Tyler’s eyes widened to twice their size. “The one that comes with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream.”

That was more than any child could take. Tyler finally turned the whole way around to face James. “Can I have chocolate ice cream instead?”

“If you’re very polite when you ask Catie, and say please and thank you.”

“I want Fallon to come, too,” Tyler said. “So she won’t find out while we’re gone.”

Fallon sensed a little conspiracy going on between father and son. “What don’t you want me to find out?” she asked.

“Our secret.”

Fallon winked at James then immediately looked back at Tyler. “You have a secret?”

He nodded, and kept a very serious face.

“Will you tell me your secret?”

Tyler shook his head then looked to James for approval. James gave him the thumbs-up sign, and nodded. “If I tell, then it’s not a secret,” Tyler explained very seriously to Fallon.

“But is it about me?” she asked.

This time Tyler merely shrugged. But he was trying to fight back a smile. And, oh, how she wanted to see that smile.

“So, if it’s about me, should I know what it is?”

Tyler rolled his eyes up to James for help with this answer. And James answered. “But if you know what it is, then it’s no fun any more.”

“So, it’s a fun secret?” Her question was directed at Tyler, who nodded his head. “But is it fun for you, or for me?”

“Me,” he admitted. “And…him.” He nodded toward James.

“Then what you’re telling me is that it’s the two of you against me?”

Both James and Tyler nodded. And when Fallon saw that, her eyes nearly filled with tears. They were so much alike. Looked alike. Acted alike. Same mannerisms. Same mischievous sparkle in their eyes. “OK, if that’s the way you’re going to be, then I might just have to come with you and eat all of Catie’s chocolate cake before you have a chance to order some.”

“It’s about the snowman’s big head,” Tyler blurted quickly. “It makes the snowman fall over. Now can I have the cake?”

Fallon turned away abruptly. “This is so good,” she whispered to James. “He’s an amazing little boy,” she continued, swiping away a tear threatening to slip down her cheek.

“Is Fallon crying?” Tyler asked James.

“Looks like she is.”

“Am not,” she denied.

“I’m sorry,” Tyler said, slipping his hand into her. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

One tear turned into a waterfall, and she excused herself from the room before Tyler felt any worse. Right now she was just so darned happy for no reason she could understand that her cry was going to take a good half-dozen tissues.

“Happy tears,” James reassured Tyler. “Women do that.”

“Women,” Tyler said, mimicking James’s tone of voice. “They just do that.”

James had to clear his throat and refocus, because he was about to do that, too.

The appointment with Jason Greene was short. Fifteen minutes was all it took then James was back in the waiting room, where Fallon was busy watching Tyler play with a video game. She’d decided to come with them, but only because Tyler had braved the stairs, knocked on her door, and asked her. “He said it’s promising.” James put on his jacket. “But there’s a lot of research to do first. He thinks, though, that if everything is as I think it is, it could go my way because Shelly is establishing a clear pattern of behavior.” A heavy sigh escaped him. “He warned me that it could be a long, expensive fight if she doesn’t want to surrender custody, because oftentimes parents like Shelly who don’t want their children will put up the fight anyway, for appearances or financial gain.”

“And?”

“Let the fight begin, if that’s what happens. It’s not about the money and Jason said he’s going to make sure it’s not about what Shelly wants since she’s proving she
doesn’t
want Tyler. I’m actually conservatively optimistic about this, Fallon. Jason said I shouldn’t start celebrating yet, but I feel like celebrating, anyway.”

“Small celebration,” she said, smiling.

His looked over at Tyler, who was so engrossed in some kind of virtual reality he hadn’t even noticed James standing there. “I see video games in my future.”

“Then be prepared to take a beating because he’s good. And I’m not just saying he’s good for a five-year-old. He’s good for anyone.”

“With all the bad things that have gone on around him, he’s really struggling to be a normal little boy, isn’t he? The kids I see in my practice are just like him…fixed on the games, paying no attention to the adults. Creating their own little worlds.”

“He needs to be normal, James. Needs it all the time, not just when he’s with you.”

“Well, no matter what else is going on with Tyler, Jason’s going to file for emergency temporary custody first thing tomorrow morning. He thinks I’ll have a pretty good chance of having it granted this time, and that having temporary custody gives me a much stronger position when we get to the hearing for full custody. Besides, it’s a good safeguard for Tyler. If Shelly does come back, I won’t have to give him to her. She’ll actually have to hire a lawyer and go to court to get him back as long as the temporary custody is in force.”

Tyler glanced up at the mention of his name, clearly torn between what was being said about him and staying involved in the race between to two cars on the game screen. His car was winning. “What’s good for me?” he asked, then immediately switched his attention back to the game.

“Staying with me without going anywhere else for a while.”

With those words spoken, Tyler crashed his car and the game was over. He held onto the game controler for a little while, and the frown on his face clearly indicated he was thinking about what James had said. Finally, when he’d processed it, satisfied he understood, he looked up. “Like back to my mom and my old dad?”

“In a way,” James hedged. “You OK with that, Tyler?”

Tyler responded with his typical shrug then stood up. “Are we still going to live with Fallon?”

“For a while, if she doesn’t mind.”

He shrugged that one off too. Gave a wistful glance over his shoulder at the video game set-up then headed
for the door. “It’s going to be boring,” he muttered. “She doesn’t have games.”

Fallon bit back a laugh at that comment, and if the expression on James’s face could have screamed anything, it would have screamed,
God, help me!
He held out his hand for Tyler, though, and for the second time Tyler took hold.