Time Goes On

Time Goes On

*A Sequel to Call of Distress*

            "Mommy mommy mommy” two little voices yelled as they ran into the room of a sleeping woman. “Mommy it’s snowing” said two year old Megan with her long dark red hair and beautiful blue eyes. Her twin brother Fulton climbed onto the bed to shake his mother, his blond hair falling into his green eyes. “Can we go play outside?” Megan yelled jumping on the bed beside her brother. “Please Mommy! Pretty please!” Fulton begged. 32 year old Elizabeth Casey brushed her long red hair out of her beautiful green eyes and looked at her twin children. “Well” she said teasing her children “of course you can” “Yeah” the twins screamed excitedly as they rushed to change out of their night clothes. Elizabeth looked over to where her husband usually slept. Marty Casey was the lead singer for the Lovehammers and was currently on tour. He’d been away for almost two months now and the kids missed him dearly. She rolled out of bed and turned to look at the pictures on the dresser. There was a picture of Marty and her on their wedding day, one of the twins the day they were born being held by Bobby and Dino Kourelis, Marty’s drummer and bass player, but also best friends. Next there was a picture of her best friend Joan and Dino who were currently dating. There was also a picture of her other best Alex Notts with her new born baby Randy. Her husband, Jack, had run off just shortly after Alex found out she was pregnant. Alex was currently living in New York even though Liz told her hundreds of times she could move in with them. There was also a picture of Bill Sawilchik, lead guitarist of the band, and his family. The last picture there was of Elizabeth and Marty shortly after they began dating. Elizabeth smiled and went into the bathroom to take a quick shower. She stepped into the shower and let the warm water run down her body. She remembered the days back in college when Marty would sneak into her room and join her in the shower. She remembered how good it felt to have his hands run up and down her body as he gently washed her off. She stepped out of the shower and put some clothes one. When she came out the twins were dressed but yet dressed backwards. She straightened the two out and they bounded towards the kitchen. Elizabeth carefully followed them trying to avoid the toys scattered everywhere. “Mommy when can we go?” Fulton questioned as he jumped around the room. “You two can go out to the backyard as soon as you’ve eaten breakfast.” Elizabeth said. “Well what’s for breakfast then?” asked Megan as she walked up to her mother and hung onto her legs. “Well what do you two want?” Elizabeth asked. “Cinnamon rolls” the two kids yelled jumping up and down. Elizabeth went to the fridge and got out some Pills Berry Doughboy cinnamon rolls and put them in the oven. The twins rushed to the second floor to look out the balcony at the newly fallen snow. The entire city of Chicago was a blanket of white. Elizabeth grabbed her coat and joined the kids to look at the beautiful wonderland. The phone rang and Elizabeth ushered the kids inside to answer it. “Hello” Elizabeth said into the receiver. “Liz is that you” the voice on the other end said. “I need your help.” Elizabeth recognized the voice of Alex. It sounded scared and worried. “Randy’s sick and they cut off our power and a blizzard is going to blow in. Can we come stay with you?” Alex asked. “Alex” Elizabeth said “you always know your welcome here. As soon as you get here give me a call and I’ll come pick you up.” “Ok…we’re leaving in a few minutes….see you in a few hours.” Alex said. Elizabeth hung up the phone and returned to the kitchen where the twins were eagerly waiting for the rolls to come out of the oven. Elizabeth ran her fingers through her hair and turned up the heater. Even thought she had been living in Chicago since the time she was 15 she still wasn’t use to the cold weather. The timer on the stove beeped signaling that the rolls were ready. She grabbed a pot holder and took the rolls out to cool. While the rolls cooled, the twins grabbed paper plates and cups from the cabinet while Liz poured the orange juice. When the food was cool enough for the twins to eat, Elizabeth put the icing on them and put one on each of the twin’s plates. The twins stuffed their mouths and ran to put on their coats and gloves. Elizabeth threw the plates away and put the dishes in the sink. She then went to help the twins, who had managed to put their coats on backwards and upside down. The twin rushed to the door while Liz grabbed her coat, or actually Marty’s coat. She opened the door and the twins rushed out only to fall into a mound of snow. Elizabeth fished the two of them out and they ran off to build a snowman. Liz ran back inside and got out her camera. Marty would want to see a picture of the kid’s snowman since he couldn’t be here. By the time she was outside with a camera, and a few things for the snowman, the twins had a good size body going. Elizabeth took a few pictures and sat down the stuff to go help the kids. Within time the snowman came to include, a head, eyes, nose, smile, Marty’s fedora, and a green scarf his mother made him. The kids stood next to the snowman, which they dubbed Jimmy, while Liz snapped a few more pictures. The twins went to go make snow angles while Elizabeth sat down on a snow covered lawn chair watching them, when all of a sudden something cold and wet hit the back of her head.
         Elizabeth turned around and there stood Joan a snowball in her hand ready to fire. “Get her” Elizabeth yelled to the kids as she grabbed a handful of snow. Snow started to fly in the air after Fulton joined Joan to make the fight even. Around lunch time the two adults went inside the house to order some pizza while the twins stayed outside to play. After Liz had made some hot chocolate and ordered a pepperoni pizza from Pizzeria Uno, the two old friends sat down to talk. Joan French was Elizabeth’s oldest friend. They had known each other from the time they had lived next door to each other in Texas. When Elizabeth went to Chicago, Joan had followed her there, coming to visit as much as she could. It was because of Liz that Joan met Dino. Elizabeth had introduced the two while they were still in college. When Elizabeth and Marty had a huge fight, ending with Liz leaving to go live in New York with Alex, Joan was torn in two. She didn’t know whether to stay with the man she loved or to follow her best friend like she always did. The answer came when her older sister Miranda lost her job and her two adopted kids needed someone to care for them. Joan moved back to Texas, leaving a heart broken Dino behind. Around the time that Elizabeth got back together with Marty years later, Miranda was doing much better and was going to move to Utah, and since Joan didn’t want to live by herself, moved back to Chicago where Dino took her in with open arms.
         “Have you heard from Dino lately?” Elizabeth asked Joan as she walked over to the window to see what the kids were up to. “Yes” answered Joan as she sipped her drink” he didn’t say much. Just that the tour was going good and everything was fine.” “Marty said the same thing” Elizabeth said as she sat down in her chair. “I think they’re up to something.” “I agree” Joan said with a smile “but then again their always up to something.” The two women smiled as the thought back to memories from long ago when the guys weren’t famous yet and everyone was happy and didn’t have anything to worry about. Its not like life was horrible now or anything, it was just difficult. What with Marty always away and the twins to take care of plus the club she ran, life was difficult to handle but she managed to smile and keep at it. Elizabeth just took another sip of her hot chocolate and went to go get the children inside to warm up before the food came. At hearing their mother’s call, the children rushed inside, faces cold from the snow. Joan helped the twins out of their jackets while Elizabeth went to answer the knock at the door. Elizabeth paid for the pizza while Joan supervised the kids setting the table. “So when do you and Dino plan to start a family?” Elizabeth questioned Joan as they ate their pizza. “Well” Joan replied “things are difficult right now and him being away all the time plus work, kids would be just too much to handle right now.” “I know exactly what you mean Elizabeth said. “It’s hard to juggle two kids plus the club without Marty being here to help. There are times it’s just too much for me to handle.” “I still don’t know how you manage to do it all” Joan stated. “I guess I just take it one day at a time and try not to worry about things too much or it’ll consume me.” Elizabeth said.
         The twins took a nap after Joan went home an hour later. Elizabeth sat down and the couch to watch a movie and wait for Alex to call so she could go get her. Elizabeth flipped though the channels until she found a movie that was good. The movie ended minutes later but Remember the Titans came on so she decided to watch it. After all, it was one of her all time favorite movies. Towards the end, the phone rang. “Hello” Elizabeth said into the phone. “Hey baby how are you feeling?” the voice asked. “Marty” Elizabeth said into the phone “I’ve missed you so much! When are you coming home? The kids miss you terrible and so do I. You should see the snowman they made.” “I miss you too.” Marty said. “I don’t know when I’ll be home but tell the kids I love them and miss them.” “If they were awake I would put them on the phone but their taking their nap right now and you know how they can get.” Elizabeth said. “So what are you doing right now?” Marty asked. “Oh just watching a move. Alex finally decided to come here. Something about her power being turned off and Randy being sick. Oh Marty I miss you so much. I need you here. Everything is just so hard.” Elizabeth said. “Hey I’ll be back soon babe. Everything will be alright! I promise I’ll be back before you know it! Just remember I love you and always will.” Marty said. “Now I’m afraid I have to go, Bobby’s about to pull the phone out of my hand. I love you and miss you, and I promise you I’ll be home before you know it.” “Ok, tell the boys I said hi. Take care of yourself and I’ll see you soon.” Elizabeth said. “I love you…bye” Marty said “bye” Elizabeth whispered as she hung up the phone and continued to watch the movie. Remember the Titans ended and the phone rang again. This time it was Alex saying they had just arrived at the airport. Elizabeth woke the kids and put them in their coats. She carried them to the car where they fell back asleep as soon as they were buckled in. Elizabeth climbed into the driver’s side and drove to the airport where she met up with Alex and a sleeping Randy. They put Randy’s car seat in the car and strapped him in. Elizabeth drove Alex back to the house, the two of them talking nonstop about this and that. At home they unloaded Alex’s luggage and put the kids down in their beds. Elizabeth placed Randy on her bed until they could set up his play pen. Little Randy had brown eyes and the beginning of black hair. The two adults tiptoed out of the room closing the door softly behind them so they wouldn’t wake the sleeping baby. Elizabeth and Alex went into the kitchen to grab a drink. “If you want anything stronger than that coke: Elizabeth said “we probably have some Jack Daniels in the fridge or some beer. I think I used the last of the margarita mix last week but whatever you find you can have.” “No thanks Liz” Alex said. “I’m a mother now and I’m trying to cut back on the alcohol a little bit.” “Your choice” Elizabeth stated “but I myself prefer a little something now and again.” Elizabeth sighed as she finished the last of her Pepsi. “So” Alex said “anything new happening in the Casey household?” “None that I can think of except for the fact that my husband isn’t here.” Elizabeth said. “Do you remember the time the guys got drunk on that weekend we spent in Colorado?” Alex asked. “Oh yeah” Elizabeth said. “That was after Aunt Meg died. Dino ended up in the snow outside.” “Yep” Alex said with a laugh. “We looked so stupid looking for him. We were so drunk!” “Remember how Joan thought Bobby was Dino and she started to yell at him?” Elizabeth said. “The look on her face when she found out that wasn’t Dino she was kissing was so funny. When we finally found Dino, Bobby had drank so much he passed our right next to him!” Alex said between fits of laughter. “We had to drag the two of them back to the cabin so they wouldn’t freeze!” Liz said. “I’ll never forget the look on Dino’s face when he asked why he was only in his boxers and why he was so cold.” “Those were the good times weren’t they?” Alex said with a sigh as she went to throw away her coke can. The two of them continued to chat about the “old days” until a sharp cry called out from Elizabeth’s room. Alex moved to get up but Elizabeth interrupted and told her she would get Randy. Elizabeth picked up the baby and moved to grab his dipper bag to change his dipper. The little boy just laid there looking up at her with those eyes. He seemed to be trying to tell her that his mommy was in trouble and needed Aunt Liz’s help
         Later that night, everyone was sitting down to a nice steak dinner made by Elizabeth, when the phone rang. Elizabeth picked it up, listened for two seconds, and then slammed it back down again with a hurt angry expression on her face. She sat back down and continued eating without a word. Alex could sense something was troubling her but she just couldn’t figure out what. After dinner, Alex put a movie on for the kids while Elizabeth went to go take a bath. Alex sat down at the table and looked at her hands. She use to be such a wonderful artist but since the car accident years ago she hadn’t been able to draw or paint anything. She had tried so many times but yet it wasn’t the same. Her skill had died in the crash. Alex took one more look at her hands and pushed the memory to the back of her head. That was the least of her problems right now, she was a single mother, living in a run down house she was about to be evicted from anyways with her baby being sick and barely any money left. Alex went over to the corner of the room, where Liz and she had set up the playpen, to check on Randy. He was sleeping happily without a care in the world. If only he knew what trouble they were in. It all started after she married that good for nothing pig. He drained her of her money and then left her. If she would have just listened to what Liz had said about him everything would have been fine. But no, she had to be hard headed. Look where it got her. Living off her best friend trying to raise a family. Alex went back to the table to think over her problem and come up with some kind of solution. Alex heard a sound outside the door and she jumped up with a book in her hand ready to terminate whatever stood there. The door slowly opened and Marty walked into the room. “Daddy” the twins screamed as they rushed over to their father. Marty scooped the children up and held on to them tight. Marty used his foot to close the door. He set the kids back down on the floor and put his duffle bag down beside them. “Hello Alex” he said with his smooth charm. “How are you doing this fine day?” “I’m doing wonderful” Alex replied with a laugh as she scooped up Randy from the playpen. “And where would my lovely wife be?” Marty asked with a mischievous grin on his face. The twins had gone back to watching the movie after they had seen their father. “She is taking a shower you naughty little boy!” she said with a laugh and a shake of her head. Marty took off his jacket and took off to the bedroom. Alex watched him walk into the bedroom and lock the door with another laugh and a shake of her head.
         Elizabeth sat there with the lights off and the bathroom aglow with candles soaking in the bubbles. It seemed to take some of the wear and tear of the day away. She closed her eyes and reached to turn her radio louder. The bathroom door creaked open and Marty walked in. Elizabeth didn’t notice him until he was hovering over her. Elizabeth opened her eyes when she felt when she felt hands going around her eyes. “Guess who!” Marty said. “Marty” she screamed as he enveloped her in a tight hug. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?” Elizabeth exclaimed as she held on tight to Marty. “I wanted to surprise you. I was hoping to catch you like this.” Marty said as he lifted her chin up and kissed her. “Well I’m glad your home.” Elizabeth whispered into his ear. When Liz and Marty came out, Elizabeth had a huge smile on her face and Marty still had that mischievous smile stuck on his. Alex just smiled, shook her head, and went right back to feeding Randy his bottle of milk. Marty went and sat in-between the kids, who were on the floor, and put his arms around them while Elizabeth went into the kitchen to get some beers. Elizabeth handed Marty his beer and went to go sit on the couch. Marty got up and followed her there. He laid his head in her lap while she stroked his hair. The twin movie ended and Elizabeth flipped the channel to HBO. The move D2 was about to come on, and since the twins loved it, she decided to leave it there. Marty sat up as the twins climbed over to their Mommy and Daddy, Fulton ending up in Liz’s lap and Meg in Marty’s. About halfway through the movie, the twins were sound asleep in their parent’s arms. Alex had gone to bed 15 minutes earlier with Randy in her arms. It was only 9:30 but it had been a long day and everyone was exhausted. The two took their children and gently put them in their beds. Elizabeth turned the TV off and went to go throw the empty beer cans away. When she came back she sat down and leaned into Marty’s chest. “You seem tense sweetie.” Marty said as he put his arms around her. “It’s nothing babe.” Elizabeth said. “I just got an annoying phone call today, that’s all.” “Ok, what did Joan do now?” Marty asked with a laugh. “It wasn’t Joan” Elizabeth said as she turned to face her husband. “It was John.” Marty scooted closer to Elizabeth. “John Matthews? Your evil godfather?” Marty asked. “He’s no godfather of mine” Elizabeth replied angrily. “I really don’t’ feel like taking about it right now.” “Ok sweetie” Marty said “If you don’t want to talk about it you don’t have to. I’m here now. I’ll protect you.” Marty reached down and gave Elizabeth a kiss on the cheek “What do you say we go to bed now?” Marty whispered into Liz’s ear. “Marty you bad boy!” Elizabeth said as she tried to get up. Marty picked her up and carried her to their room.
The next morning Alex woke up early and went to make breakfast. It was the least she could do. Besides, Liz and Marty needed some alone time. God only knows what those two did last night. The twins woke up about 10 minutes later ands stumbled into the kitchen. Liz and Marty came in 10 minutes after that with big smiles on their faces and wet hair. Alex put the bacon, eggs, toast, hash browns, and orange juice on the table with a smile. Later that day, Marty took the kids to go spend some time with them at the park. Dino and Bobby met him there along with Billy and his two kids. Tony, Billy’s wife, and Joan came over so they had a girls night plus one sleeping baby. Later on that night, after everyone had left and the kids were in bed, Marty confronted Liz about John’s phone call again. “Liz” Marty said “What did John say to you? Alex told me you were really upset.” “It was nothing.” Elizabeth said with a hurt expression on her face. “Elizabeth look at me.” Marty said. “It wasn’t just nothing. I know you, and I know how he treated you before.” “I really don’t want to talk about it” Elizabeth said. “Liz, tell me what’s wrong.” “Oh Marty!” Elizabeth said as the tears finally came. “He threatened me. He…he said I should watch my back if I knew what was good for me.” “Oh Lizzy” Marty said as he put his arm around his beautiful wife. “Don’t you worry about him. I’ll take care of you.” I know you will” Elizabeth said as she snuggled closer to Marty’s chest. The rest of the week Marty spent as much time as he could with his family. On Sunday the boys had to go back on tour in Maine. The twins didn’t take too well to Marty’s leaving. It was hard for them to understand that Daddy was going to go back to work. They thought that he would be able to stay with them longer than he had. They missed having fun with him. About a month after the boys left, Joan called Elizabeth. It was a Saturday night and Alex had taken all the kids out to go see a movie while Elizabeth stayed home to recuperate from the past week. The phone rang and Liz rolled off the couch to answer it. “Hello” Elizabeth answered the phone with a yawn. “Liz….it’s Joan….I think I have a problem but I’m not sure. Do you think I can come over?” Joan asked. “Of course you can. I’m surprised you didn’t show up on my doorstep like you normally do.” Elizabeth told her. “Umm” Joan said. “I’ll be over in 10 minutes.” “Joan are you ok?” Elizabeth asked as soon as she heard the worried tone in her friend’s voice. “I just don’t know Liz. I’ll explain everything when I get there.” Joan replied “Ok” Liz said. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” “Yeah a few minutes.” Joan said and hung up the phone. 10 minutes later a worried and stressed Joan showed up on Elizabeth’s doorstep. “Come in Joan.” Elizabeth said upon answering the doorbell. “Do you want a beer or perhaps something a little stronger? I think Bobby left a bottle of rum here from the last time he was over.” “No. I don’t want anything.” Joan said as she sat down on the couch and put her head in her hands. “Joan, what’s wrong?” Elizabeth asked as she came to sit beside her. “I, I well, I think, but I’m not sure” Joan stuttered “I think I’m pregnant.”
“Oh my God” Elizabeth said. “Are you sure?” “No… I’m late and I don’t have a test or anything. And I’m scared. I don’t know what to do.” “Ok” Elizabeth responded. “The first thing is you need to take a pregnancy test. I think I have one here. Hold on and let me see.” Elizabeth went into the bathroom while Joan sat down on the couch. Elizabeth came back with the test and handed it to Joan who went into the bathroom to take it. “It’s pink,” Joan said, “What does that mean?” “Oh my God Joan.” Elizabeth exclaimed as she look at the box. “Oh my God what?” Joan asked with a worried expression. “Congratulations Joan. You’re going to be a mom.” “Liz said with a smile. “Oh no!” Joan said as she put her head back in her hands. “What am I suppose to tell Dino?” “Tell him the truth. Call him up and tell him you’re going to one of the concerts and then take him out to dinner and tell him.” Elizabeth said. “How do you think I told Marty about the twins? He’ll love the fact that he’ll be a father. Everything will work out fine. I promise.” “Ok” Joan said. “I guess that’s what I’ll do. I’m just worried he won’t accept it and just leave me.” “Dino won’t leave you” Elizabeth said. “He loves you too much to do that.” “But how do you know?” Joan asked. “Because he told me. He told me he loves you more than life itself.” “Really?” Joan asked. “Really?” Elizabeth said. “Now you need to go home and get some sleep. Their next concert is in Las Vegas and that’s a ways from here. So go home, take a hot bath, and go to bed.” “Ok” Joan said as she headed for the door. Elizabeth picked up the phone and called Marty. He answered the phone with a “hey babe is everything alright?” “Everything’s fine Marty.” Elizabeth said. “Guess what I just found out.” “What, did you find out that you can open the garage door with the switch on the left?” “Oh ha ha ha very funny Marty.” Elizabeth said sarcastically. “No but guess what!” “What did you find out?” Marty asked. “Joan’s pregnant.” Elizabeth exclaimed. “That’s great news!” Marty said “but with whose kid?” “Bobby” Elizabeth replied. “What!? Oh man Dino’s going to flip!” Marty yelled. “You idiot, of course it’s Dino’s! That is of course she was drunk and didn’t know the difference between the two, but that’s not very likely.” Elizabeth said. “Does Dino know yet?” Marty replied. “No he doesn’t. She’s going to go to the Las Vegas show and tell him there so keep it down low.” “Don’t worry sweetie.” Marty said “I will. I have to go now sweetie. I’ll see you later. Love you!” “Love you too.” Elizabeth said and then hung up the phone. Elizabeth sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. She flipped through the channels and decided to just watch old cartoons like Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear, The Jetsons, and The Pink Panther. Alex soon came home with two sleepy kids and one wide awake baby. Elizabeth put the twins in bed and then told Alex about Joan. A little while later, Elizabeth went to bed. About an hour of not being able to sleep, a storm blew in and the pounding rain put her to sleep. Elizabeth soon felt two little lumps crawling in bed with her. “Mommy” came a scared little voice from underneath the covers. “Mommy we’re scared. We want Daddy” came another little voice from the other side of the bed. “Come here kids” Elizabeth said. The two twins moved closer to her and soon fell back asleep while Elizabeth listened to the rain pounding on the roof.
         A few months later, the kids were at Marty’s moms and Alex had gone to visit her sister Connie in North Carolina, Elizabeth was sitting in the living room watching TV when the door opened softly. Elizabeth hastily got up and cautiously walked toward the door to see what was going on. Elizabeth slowly crept to the door and along the way picked up Marty’s Whit Sox signed baseball bat from its display case. Elizabeth reached the door and found it wide open. “Must have been the wind.” she thought to herself. She turned around and screamed. There stood John Matthews with his evil grin and cold black eyes. John grabbed the baseball bat and threw it at the glass display case containing autographed White Sox stuff. “Hello Elizabeth” he said as he slowly reached behind her and locked the door. “I’ve been looking for you. You gave me the slip when you went to New York. Yes Elizabeth I know everything. I know where you’ve been and what you’ve done for the last three years. I know that you have two children. Megan and Fulton. I also know that your little friend Alex is living with you now, along with her little twerp Randy. I know that Marty isn’t here right now either and I know what he doesn’t.” At this point Liz’s eyes grew wide and she shook her head. “Yes I know about your little secret. I know both of your little secrets. I think you should have told him but it’s too late for that. Now we have business to conduct.”
         He reached out and grabbed her and threw her against the wall on the far side of the room knocking down picture frames onto her head and shattering the glass. Elizabeth got to her feet and reached for the phone. Before she knew what was happening, John was at her side with a butcher knife in his hand. He knocked the phone from her hand and grabbed her hair. He drug her toward the center of the room and cut two slits in her cheeks. He then proceeded to cut her wrists and neck. He then took the knife and slashed her stomach. Blood splurged everywhere. He threw her around and continued to hit her and kick her. He then stuck the knife through her ribs, close to her heart and gave her one last kick. “You can bleed to death for all I care.” John said as he picked up his jacket and left Elizabeth lying in the middle of the room. Blood seeped out of her body into a bloody mess. Elizabeth lay on the floor breathing deeply and soon was knocked unconscious.
         Hours later, Marty opened the door with a bunch of roses and a bottle of wine in his hands. When he saw Elizabeth he dropped the bottle and the roses and rushed over to her. He took you his cell phone and dialed 911. He cradled Elizabeth’s head in his lap as he stroked her hair. The medics soon arrived along with the police. They rushed Elizabeth to the emergency room and put her in the ICU. They wouldn’t let Marty in to see her, so he went to the phone and called Bobby. “Bobby its Marty.” Marty told him. “Liz is….um she’s hurt. Bad. Think you can get down here?” “I’ll be there in 10 minutes tops. Do you want me to call the rest of the gang? Do you want me to bring the kids here immediately or tell Alex to wait awhile?” Bobby said. “Call everyone and tell Alex to bring the kids as soon as she can.” Marty said as he fought back the tears. “Thanks man.” “No problem.” Bobby replied. Marty hung up the phone and sank down in a chair with his head in his hands. Bobby rushed into the waiting room 20 minutes later. “Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. Traffic was horrible. Any news yet?” he asked as he sat down in the chair next to Marty. “Nothing yet.” Marty said as he lifted his head up put it back down again. “Don’t worry man.” Bobby said, “Liz is strong. She’ll be just fine.” “Mr. Casey can we ask you a few questions?” a police officer said as he walked up to the two of them. “Of course” Marty said. Marty and the police officer, Shane Wolf, walked over to a corner. “Mr. Casey we looked around you house and we’ve discovered evidence that leads to a Mr. John Matthews being there. We are looking for him at this very moment. Any information you have would be of great use.” “He was Elizabeth’s godfather. All I have to say is that he is a bastard and deserves to be in jail” Marty said. “When we have any news we’ll contact you.” Shane said. Marty went back to his seat next to Bobby.
         “It’s all my fault.” Marty said the tears falling down his face. “No its not” Bobby said as he patted Marty’s back. “Yes it is.” Marty said. “I told her I would keep her safe and I failed.” “You didn’t fail” Bobby said. “You did what you could. It’s not your fault.” Just then Alex came in with the twins. “How is she?” Alex asked as Megan climbed onto Marty’s lap and Bobby picked up Fulton. “Doctor hasn’t said anything yet, and no one can see her yet.” Bobby said. “Daddy will Mommy be ok?” little Megan asked. “I don’t know sweetheart.” Marty said as Megan buried her face in his chest. They sat there till Joan and Dino came in. Several moments later, the doctor came out. Marty handed Megan to Dino and went to go talk with him. “How is she?” Marty asked the doctor. “She lost a lot of blood and she will need a blood transfusion. Her left arm looks pretty bad and she will have lots of scars not to mention the numerous bruises. I’m also afraid she lost the baby.” the doctor said.
         What?” Marty asked in surprise. “The baby.” The doctor replied. “She lost the baby. You did know she was pregnant?” “No” Marty said in shock. “She didn’t tell me.” “I’m very sorry for your loss Mr. Casey.” The doctor said. “Can we see her?” Marty asked. “She’s still unconscious but I think it will be alright once we’ve finished the transfusion. One at a time though. I’ll come get you as soon as we’re finished.” The doctor turned and walked back in the room while Marty slumped down against the wall. Bobby laid the sleeping Fulton in his chair and covered the small boy with his jacked and walked over to where Marty sat. “She was pregnant.” Marty said. “She was pregnant and lost the baby. I…I… why didn’t she tell me?” “It’ll be alright.” Bobby said. “Marty even if Elizabeth had told you about the baby there’s nothing you can do about it now.” Bobby helped Marty to his feet and Marty stumbled to his chair where he put his kids in his lap and hugged them close. By that time, Billy had arrived and the group gathered around Marty to hear what was going on. “She’s still unconscious.” Marty said. “She lost a ton of blood and is getting a transfusion right now. Her left are is in bad shape and she has a ton of bruises. She… she… she was pregnant and she…well she lost the baby.” At this point Marty broke down. The tears finally came pouring down. Alex sank down into her seat in shock while Dino put his arms around a sobbing 9 month pregnant Joan. Bobby sat down beside Alex and gently took Randy from her arms. She laid her head against his shoulder and let the tears fall. Billy went and called his wife to let her know how Liz was. Time passed and the doctor came out and told Marty he could go see his wife. Marty laid the each of the twins in a separate chair and recover Fulton in Bobby’s jacket and used his own leather jacket to cover Megan. He ran his fingers through his hair and walked into the room. Elizabeth was a pale mess. He arm was in a sling and her eyes looked bruised and puffy. Bandages covered half her face and her arms. The area around her ribs was bandaged up and still wet and red with blood. Marty took her hand gently, like it would break when he touched it, and sat down in the chair next to her bed. “Oh Lizzy.” He said as he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I love you so much. You have to wake up. Do it for the twins. They need you. Damn it Liz. Why didn’t you tell me sweetie? Why didn’t you tell me about the baby?” Elizabeth’s eyes slowly fluttered open.
         “Marty” She murmured. Marty called for a nurse who immediately went to go get the doctor. “I’m sorry Marty. I’m so sorry.” Liz said weakly. “I…I should have told you about the baby.” “Shhh” Marty said. “It’s ok. You need to save your strength.” “I wanted it to be a surprise for when you got home.” Elizabeth said. “It was John. He found us.” Tears fell from Elizabeth’s eyes and rolled down her cheeks. Marty gently brushed them away. “It’ll be alright.” Marty said. “The police are already on the case. They’ll find him. I promise.” The doctor came in and ushered Marty out. Marty took one last look at Liz, blew her a kiss, and walked out. “Is Liz ok?” Alex asked as soon as Marty sat down in a chair next to the twins. “She’s awake but she looks horrible.” Marty said “but she’ll be just fine.” Bobby took the kids home that night so Marty could stay at the hospital with Liz. A few days past and Liz improved greatly with her friends and family surrounding her. Then she took a turn for the worst. Alex was in with her when Liz’s heart stopped beating. Alex called the doctor and was thrown out of the room while they revived Liz. Marty nearly had a heart attack when he found out. The doctors quickly revived her. A week later, Liz was well enough to be moved to a private room where everyone came to see her. While visiting, Joan went into labor. Soon a little baby boy came into the word. But as they say when a new life is born another is taken away.
         5 hours later, Dino walked into Liz’s room with tears streaming down his face and a bundle in his arms. “Dino” Liz said. “Dino what’s wrong? What happened?” “Joan didn’t make it.” Dino whispered as he sat down on Elizabeth’s bed. He handed the baby to Marty while he put his face in Liz’s lap as she softly stroked his hair and whispered everything would be ok. “No it won’t.” Dino sobbed. “I loved her so much!” “I know you did Dino. I know.” Dino cried till there were no more tears left. “Dino, sweetie” Elizabeth said “You need to name the baby.” “Kobyn” Dino said. “Kobyn John. That’s what Joan would have wanted.” Liz took Kobyn from Marty and handed the sleeping baby to his father. Marty came over and put his arms around his wife who buried her head in his chest and cried. Bobby went over to Dino and guided his little brother to a chair while Billy took Jeremy from a shaking Alex. Liz lifted her head from Marty’s chest and looked at Dino. He looked so sad and confused as he looked at his little son. Anger soon replaced the hurt expression on his face. He stood up and put the baby in his brother’s arms. “Dino where are you gong?” Marty asked as Dino stormed out of the room. “Go after him you two.” Elizabeth said. Bobby pushed little Kobyn into Elizabeth’s arms and ran after his brother. Marty gave Elizabeth a kiss on the head and ran after Dino. Elizabeth called Joan’s sister Miranda and let her know the news. After she finished up on the phone, Elizabeth asked Billy if he could go get the twin from Marty’s mom’s house. He handed Randy to Alex and left without a word.
         Meanwhile, Bobby ran down the hall to try and catch Dino. “Bro!” Bobby shouted. “Bro! Dino! Dino slow down. Dino talk to me man!” “I don’t want to talk.” Dino said as he pushed his way down the hall.” “Dino you’re not going to help yourself or your son by doing something stupid.” Bobby said. “Damn it Bobby” Dino said. “Why do shitty things always happen to me?” “Come on little bro” Bobby said, “Talk to me. Tell me what you feel.” “I feel like a piece of shit.” Dino said. “I was going to marry her as soon as the baby was born. She was the one I loved.” “I know Dino. I know.” Bobby said as he led Dino to a chair. “I can’t bring Joan back but I’ll do what I can to help you out. Now come on, you need to get back to your son.” Dino nodded and started to get up when Marty appeared. “You ok man?” Marty asked. Dino shrugged his shoulders and continued down the hall toward Liz’s room. They came in and Liz was sitting up in a chair with Kobyn in her lap, and little Randy, who was almost a year and a half, standing next to Alex who was behind Elizabeth’s chair. Liz handed Kobyn to his father. Marty picked Liz up and sat down in the chair where he placed Liz in his lap. Just then Billy came into the room leading the twins behind him. Elizabeth looked at Bobby and mouthed the words can you tell them? I don’t have the heart to. Bobby nodded his head and pulled the twins into his lap. The twins happy little faces fell as Uncle Bobby told them that Joan had gone to heaven. The twins climbed into Liz’s lap and leaned into her. Several hours later, Liz’s cell phone rang. Liz exchanged a few words and asked Bobby to go pick up Miranda. Bobby left and Billy went home with the twins. Alex left soon afterwards. A few days later Liz was released from the hospital with the doctors warning of get plenty of rest or I’ll have you back in here. The next day was Joan’s funeral. Dino looked horrible. In truth everyone did. Mandy stayed with Dino to help take care of little Kobyn. Marty cancelled the last two shows of the tour with a promise they would be back at a better time. Marty wouldn’t let Liz do anything except sit on the couch and watch TV. All hell broke loose one night when Elizabeth tired to get up to go get a drink from the kitchen. “Damn it Marty” Elizabeth yelled. “I can do this by myself. I’m hurt not dead. If I need your help I’ll ask.” “I know honey and I’m sorry.” Marty said. “It’s just I came so close to loosing you that it scares me. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Just then the phone rang. Elizabeth being the closest to it, answered. A smile spread across her face as she put the phone back. “What’s going on Liz?” Marty asked. “That was the police.” Liz said. “They found John and he’s on his way to prison right now.” A smile spread across Marty’s face as he reached out, grabbed Liz, and spun her around.
         Time passed and with the help of Liz, Marty, Bobby, Billy, and especially Miranda, Dino slowly began to improve. Kobyn was the light of his life. Several months after Joan died, Elizabeth found herself pregnant again. One day, Miranda came over to Liz’s with a worried expression on her face. “I think I did something wrong but I’m not sure.” Mandy told Liz as she accepted a hot cup of coco. “You can tell me anything.” Liz told her. “I think I’m falling for Dino.” She said as she stared into the mug. “Does he feel the same way about you?” Elizabeth asked. “Yes…well he kissed me last night.” Mandy told her. “Well I don’t find anything wrong then. He likes you and you like him.” Elizabeth replied. “It’s just the fact that my sister loved him and he loved her that frightens me.” Mandy said. “Joan will never be replaced in Dino’s heart.” Liz said “but if you like each other, and make each other happy, I don’t’ find anything wrong with it.” Mandy finished her coco and left soon after. About three months later, Mandy announced she was pregnant.
         A month later, Marty and Elizabeth were going to go out to lunch with Dino and Mandy. Elizabeth hadn’t been feeling the best that morning but she didn’t worry. Mandy was a high school art teacher and was at school, so they went there to meet up with her. Everyone was sitting, or standing around the desks in Mandy’s classroom, while the students finished up their pottery projects, waiting for her to finish when all off a sudden Liz’s eyes grew huge and filled with pain. “Oh God Marty!” She cried with pain as she doubled over. “Oh shit Marty. This baby’s coming and it isn’t waiting for no doctor.” The bell had just rung and students crowded round the door to see what was going on. The principle, Mr. Jackson, shooed everyone out and before long, with Mandy giving the instructions, Marty brought a healthy baby boy named Alan Ray into the world, born right there in the art department. Dino and Mandy had their kid at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve. The two got married soon after. In 1 year, Liz and Marty had Jordan Ann and 3 years later had another set of twins, Ronnie Julius, and Tyler David. After the twins were born, Elizabeth was told she wouldn’t be able to have any more children, due to the fact that the birth almost killed her, but three years later, Jessica Kat was brought into the world. I would tell you what happened to the Casey, Children, but that’s a different story.

THE END!