In the middle of the night, Marcus woke up to a cold bed. Usually, Charlie is cuddling to him or she is close enough for Marcus to feel her warmth, but when didn't feel her close to him – he automatically woke up. He first looked towards the bathroom, but the lights were off which meant she is not in there. Maybe, she went downstairs to get some water. Marcus glanced towards her nightstand to see a covered glass of water sitting on the chest of the table. Even when he is sleepy and he has to wake up early to go to the office, Marcus doesn't go back to sleep – instead, he pushed the blanket off him and decided to go check on his wife.
Marcus wasn't wearing a shirt and was only dressed in a pair of grey sweatpants. He quickly put on his white t-shirt that was in the closet before he walked out of the room. As soon as he exits the room, he halted when he saw Charlie sitting on the floor outside the kids' room. She was facing the opened door and was staring inside the room. She had her arms wrapped around her knees while having her chin resting on her knees. Marcus noticed that she had made sure she isn't inside the room and he has an idea why. Marcus's heart twisted in his chest.
Bare feet, Marcus walked to her and slowly sat down beside her. Charlie doesn't move. She saw him exiting their bedroom. She also knew he would be waking up soon. He always does when he feels Charlie isn't around him. She feels bad to disturb him, but she couldn't stop herself from coming out and sitting outside Kathie and Ella's room and watching them sleep peacefully.
Only when Marcus got closer and sat beside her, did he see tears dripping down her cheeks. She didn't move. She didn't look at him either. "This is how it is going to be, no?" She whispered. Her voice wobbled as tears streamed down her face, "I will always be the other woman in your life," She snuffled. "I will always be the stepmother to Kathie and your second wife to the world. I can never be enough and then one day you will also realize that and –" She paused for a hiccup. She opened her mouth to continue when Marcus stopped her.
He placed his palm over her mouth. She averted her gaze to him to see him scowling at her. "Not another word, Charlie, I swear." He spoke agitatedly. "I will not accept this. Never. Kathie is young. She is confused. She believes whatever the world says. I told you I had a conversation with her and you can talk to her tomorrow in private as well." He told her before he heaved a sigh and removed his hand from her.
He placed his palms on each of her cheeks and with his thumb, he wiped the tears off her cheeks – which were replaced with the fresh ones. "If I am honest with you, I feel helpless right now. I have no idea how to make you feel better or how to erase this garbage from Kathie's mind. All I can do is tell you both the truth and I already did it with her. I told her how great a mother you are. How I made you a mother even before you gave birth to Ella. How you became a better parent to Kathie than me. How you accepted her as your child even when you didn't birth her. That's what makes you the best mother Kathie asked for," Marcus before a soft smile made it to his lips, "And you know what was the best part of the conversation I had with her?" Marcus said.
"When I asked her to recall any bad memory with you – she couldn't even think of one. She went silent and when I asked if there was any – she said no. And that's only because you have always been such an incredible mother to her that this stupid doubt will get off her tin mind in a matter of days, believe me. She loves you just as much you love her, Charlie. You are her mother and this truth will never change," He whispered. "And as off for me," He chuckled and shook his head, "I am already head over heels for you. Just now I woke up from deep sleep because even in my unconscious state I could feel your absences – and that – I cannot bear. Don't worry about me, baby, you are stuck with me for the rest of your life," He smiled and brought her face to him before he placed a soft kiss on her lips.
Charlie tried to smile at him but she couldn't. Her heart was breaking at the thought that Kathie had such bitter feelings for her. Since Marcus told her about what her friend had said and how parents were talking about this to their child, Charlie has been trying to act strong. She was restraining herself from breaking down for the sake of Marcus and her kids, but when she couldn't sleep at night when she wanted to watch her innocent Kathie sleep peacefully without the forced fear of Charlie hurting her – she came to check on Kathie and Ella. But there was something that stopped her at the door – a feeling – a drowning feeling. She couldn't take a step into the room, but her chest was still burning – so she decided to sit on the floor outside the room and watch her children sleep peacefully.
Charlie's lower lips wobbled and put her arms around Marcus's neck and broke down on his chest. She sobbed. She ached. She didn't let her tears stop. She was hurt. She never thought this day would come. Marcus doesn't know to what extent Charlie has overthought about it. She had already pictured a grownup Kathryn fighting with her. She had already pictured her telling Charlie that she hates her. She had already pictured Kathie yelling at her – telling her that she is not her real mother. She has been having vile thoughts. The thoughts that have been eating her up lately. She never believed anything would her enough, but she was wrong – the pain she was feeling was irreplaceable.
The next day in Chicago, Elizabeth was working when she received a call from Leo. With a smile on her face, she excused herself from the lab to take his call. She quickly answered as she couldn't talk too long because she had work to do before lunch break. "Hey," She said.
"Hey, babe – I need your help," Leo spoke urgently. The smile slipped off her face as she gulped. Something was not right. Leo sounded worried.
"Leo, is everything okay? What happened?" Elizabeth questioned him. Her heart was beating in her mouth. She was scared that something had happened to him. "Are you okay?" She quickly added.
"I am fine. We just got a patient in the emergency room. It is Sharon. She collapsed at her home, luckily her neighbor found her and called an ambulance. It looks like a stroke," Leo informed her. Elizabeth's eyes widened as she gasped. She visited her and Liam last week and had a conversation on phone with her just last night.
Elizabeth placed a hand on her chest, "Oh my God, is she going to be okay?" She asked him.
"I hope so. It doesn't look life-threatening. We are still running tests. She gained back consciousness. Elizabeth, I have a huge favor to ask you," Leo said to her.
Elizabeth nodded her head, "Of course, yes. What is it?" She asked.
"Will it be possible for you to pick Liam up from his school on your lunch break and bring him to the hospital? Sharon picks him up from school, but of course, she can't and I have surgery to assist in an hour – I can't do it either. If you can then I will talk to his school to let you pick him up instead of Sharon or me," He spoke quickly – like he was in hurry.
There was no question in Elizabeth's mind. Not even for a second did she think she couldn't do it. If she had to she would take a half-day to pick him up from school and then go see Sharon, "Of course, Leo. God, I am so worried for her. I will go and pick him up, okay? I will bring him to the hospital and if it is okay with Sharon, I can take care of him while you are busy at the hospital – maybe take him home with me?" Elizabeth asked.
There was a small pause. Elizabeth would have thought that she had lost Leo if it wasn't for the background voices, "You can do that?" He asked. Elizabeth quickly nodded, "Yes, of course, I can. I only have some tests to run before lunchtime and I will not be getting its result till tomorrow morning, so after that, I can take off for the rest of the day," She told him. It is only fair since Elizabeth has been working overtime for the past few weeks for major research in collaboration. She is sure she will be given a half-day off when there is an emergency.
She heard Leo sigh, "Yes, that would be great. Thank you, babe. You are amazing." Leo spoke softly, "I love you," He added gently. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile, "Don't be so stupid and I love you too," She replied. "Now go, and please say hi to Sharon. I will visit her with Liam, okay?" She added.
"Yes, okay. I have to go and make a call to Liam's school. I also need the counselor at his school to explain to him the situation before you pick him up," He replied. After a quick goodbye, both of them ended the call.
Elizabeth couldn't help but feel concerned about Sharon. That poor woman has been through a lot. First because of her daughter, who probably will spend the majority of her life in prison, and then before of her grandson – who doesn't have anyone after her. Elizabeth can't help but recall her conversation with Sharon last week about Liam. Her heart twisted in her chest to think of Sharon and Liam. She is also worried about Liam. She wonders how will he take the news of her grandmother being in hospital.
While Sharon is in hospital, Liam will need a place to stay and Elizabeth is already determined to bring him home as long as it is needed. She is not going to let that kid think he is alone. She might as well talk about this to Leo when she sees him at the hospital. With that thought, she went back to work but she could hardly concentrate – luckily she had Fay and Moosa to help her out with the rest of her work.
As soon as Elizabeth received a message from Leo regarding his school address. She didn't take long to collect her bag, grab her car keys, and off she went to pick him up. It was easy for her to find his school, it wasn't too far from where Sharon lived. When she reached there, she saw some parents already waiting for their children in the car. She parked her car and decided to walk into the school to get Liam.
Elizabeth was allowed to go in once she gave Liam's name and went to see him. She walked across a few students around Liam's age – happily walking out of the school. The hallway had most children's voices and some touches of laughter echoing through it. She walked in the hope to find the principal's office when she thought she heard a familiar voice from one of the corners. It belonged to Liam. She quickly turned to look for him, but all she could see was a group of boys standing in a circle. "No, she is not!" She heard Liam's angsty voice.
One of the boys around him laughed, "Don't lie. My mother told me that your mother is a murderer and she is in prison and now Tony said that your grandma died. You will be thrown into foster care. Good, I hope they throw you somewhere far. At least I will not have to see your stupid face again," The boy cruelly spoke to Liam.
Elizabeth saw red. She doesn't care if these jerks that were trying to bully Liam were children, she was not going to sit back and let them hurt Liam. She quickly made her way to the group of boys. "No, my mother is not in prison, okay? She lives with me!" Liam lied in his defense. His wobbly voice made Elizabeth curl her hands into fists. How dare the school management let these kids talk to Liam like this – shouldn't he be at the principal's office right now?
One of the boys pushed Liam and he fell to the floor. Elizabeth rushed to his aid. "Liam!" She quickly kneel and caught Liam's shoulder – looking for any injury. Once she made sure Liam was okay. She quickly help the crying boy to his feet and glared at the young boy. The boys looked taken back – they didn't expect a woman to come for Liam – they haven't seen her around – they believed she must be a new teacher. They all seemed scared – they should be because they are in trouble for messing up with Liam.
"Elizabeth?" Liam softly mumbled as she held her hand tightly. She looked down at the boy and wiped the tears off his pink cheeks. The sadness in his eyes hit her nerves. She softly smiled at him before squinted her eyes and glaring at the boys, "All of you, how dare you say those things to him?" She jabbed her finger at them, "Just wait and see what I do. I am going to talk to the principal and make sure your parents know what you all have been doing to Liam," She angrily told them off. She doesn't understand how there is no teacher around to supervise the kids as the last bell rings.
One of the boys – the one who pushed him to the ground gulped. He looked scared as he should be, "Who are you?" He asked in a small voice.
Elizabeth doesn't know what went through her mind but wanted to make sure that these kids never lay a finger at Liam so she squinted her eyes. "I am her mother, you –" She gritted her teeth and stopped herself from cursing at the boy. She inhaled and narrowed her eyes, "And I will not accept anyone of your rascals bullying my kid," She pointed her finger at them. She doesn't care she lied. She had no other choice or else these kids would have only bullied Liam more.