Chapter 31 #2
“I’ll take care of you. You know that, don’t you?”
“I know you will. All I want is the house and enough to pay the bills until I can get back to work. Jill and Kate will be in college. We can figure something out so Maggie spends time with both of us.”
“None of that’s a problem, but about Kate and college…” He’d put this conversation off long enough. “She’s not going this year.”
“What do you mean? Of course she is.”
“I’ve given her a year to focus on her music. She’s enormously talented. You saw for yourself at her graduation. She has one year from her eighteenth birthday to land a recording contract. If she doesn’t, she has to come home and go to college.”
“Come home from where?”
“Nashville.”
“I can’t believe you agreed to this! You know how I feel about them going to college!”
“Which is why I fought this at first. Then Jamie reminded me of what caused the terrible rift between my father and me. I didn’t speak to him for years because he didn’t understand that I needed to go my own way.
I couldn’t let history repeat itself. I wouldn’t have been able to stand that with one of my kids.
You weren’t here, and I had to decide. I hope you’ll respect my decision.
She hasn’t applied anywhere, so it’s too late for September, anyway. ”
“I guess we can give her a year,” she said, surprising him. “I’m not thrilled about it, but I remember how much your father hurt you. I don’t want that for our children any more than you do.”
“I appreciate that, and I know she will, too.”
“You should know that when I talked to Coop today, I told him everything—about Sam Turner and Andi and the babies. While I don’t care if anyone else does, I wanted him to understand why I’m doing this and why I want it done quickly.
” She paused and looked up at him. “You’ll want to marry her before the babies are born. ”
“Clare—”
She took his hand again. “Thank you for all you did to care for me while I was sick, for making sure I had the therapy that’s given me a chance to reclaim my life, for visiting and bringing flowers, and all the times you brought my girls to see me.”
She’d obviously been talking to Sally and the other nurses who’d cared for her.
“Thank you for all the wonderful years we had together. Let’s not have any regrets. We had a good run, but it’s over now.”
Filled with nothing but regret, he shook his head. “I never wanted us to end up this way, Clare.”
“I know.”
He reached out to hug her. “We’ll talk to the girls together tomorrow?”
She nodded.
“I’ll see you then.” He stood to leave. “You know where I am if you need anything, right? Ever?”
“Yes.”
Lingering at the door, he couldn’t bring himself to leave.
“It’s okay, Jack,” she said softly. “Go.”
When they gathered in Clare’s room the next day to break the news to the girls, Maggie was sad, but Jill and Kate were resigned. They were old enough to understand how much had happened while their mother was sick and could see how it was impossible for their parents to get back what they’d lost.
“Will you marry Andi, Dad?” Maggie asked, and all eyes turned to him.
“Would you mind if I did?”
“Would you, Mom?” Kate asked.
“If that’s what Dad wants, I wouldn’t object, honey. The one thing you have to remember is that even after everything our family’s been through, and now that Dad and I aren’t going to live together anymore, we’ll always love you guys. Nothing could ever change that.”
“Where will I live?” Maggie asked in a small voice.
“You and I will still live in our house, and I’m sure you’ll spend lots of time at Dad’s house, too,” Clare said.
“Where will you live, Dad?” Jill asked.
“I don’t know yet, but wherever I end up, there’ll be plenty of room for all of you,” he assured them, and they were satisfied.
Drained after the emotional conversation, Jack went back to the office while the girls stayed with their mother to help at her afternoon physical therapy session.
Jamie and Frannie were returning from lunch when he pulled into the HBA parking lot.
“Do you guys have a few minutes? There’s something I need your help with,” Jack said as he walked in with them.
“Sure,” Frannie said. “Jamie’s parents are with the twins, so I’ve got the day off.”
“Great, thanks,” Jack said. “I have to make a phone call, and then I’ll find you in Jamie’s office.”
After asking Quinn to join them, he went into his office and closed the door. He dialed Cooper Hayes’s number.
“Jack, how are you?”
“Holding up, Coop. How are you? The family’s well?”
“We’re all doing fine. We were so happy to hear Clare’s on the mend.”
“She’s making amazing progress. I heard she called you yesterday.”
“She did, and it’s a damned shame. I’m sorry for both of you. What happened to her… I guess I don’t have to tell you.”
“No, you don’t.” Jack still had trouble even thinking about it, but the white-hot rage he’d felt initially had abated somewhat as he tried to follow Clare’s lead by putting it behind him.
“I was over to the hospital this morning, and she’s filed the initial paperwork,” Coop said. “Seems pretty straightforward. She’s asked for the house, temporary spousal support, child support, and joint custody for Maggie and Kate, until Kate turns eighteen in November. That’s about it.”
“Not a problem. I’d also like to provide a cash settlement to ensure she’s financially independent.” Jack named a seven-figure sum that elicited a low whistle from Coop.
“That’s very generous. I’ll get the papers moving today. I understand there’s a need for expediency.”
“Yes,” Jack said but didn’t elaborate, knowing Clare had already told him the whole story. “I’d like to get the paperwork by the tenth. Does three weeks give you enough time?”
“No problem. I’ll get it moving for you.”
“Thanks, Coop. Before I let you go, can you recommend a good private investigator?”