The Color of Love

Chapter 16

Alice's anger was now replaced by worry. How will they tell the children about this? How about the baby? What future will it have to face? Alice was silent and William noticed it immediately. 

"What are you thinking about?" William asked. 

"I don't know, Will... I don't know..." Alice answered. Her thoughts were in complete pandemonium inside her head. 

"I know you've had more than enough for today. Why not get some rest for the mean time. We can talk about this tomorrow or some other day when your head is clearer."

"Yes, I think that would be best."

"Ok... Ally... I'm so sorry."

"Will, it's not your fault. Please, no apologies.

"Ally, you deserve more than my apology. I knew what my mother did to you. I just didn't have the courage to go against her before because I needed her financially. We were young. I needed support when I got you pregnant."

"You don't have to explain. I understand. I never needed any apology because you have been so kind to me. You truly loved me. I know it, Will."

It was now William who was silent on the other end. 

"Call you in a day or two."

"Yah."

"Bye."

"Bye, Ally."

Alice hung up the phone. She let herself fall to the bed and she stared into the ceiling as if the answers she were looking for were there. A few minutes later, she fell asleep - just like those times when all she wanted to do was to forget. 

***

Alice was awakened by the ringing of her cellphone. It was Vincent. She picked up amidst her grogginess.

"Hello."

"Hi, hon. I'm sorry I wasn't able to check on you this morning. T'was quite a busy day in the office. How are you?" Vincent had not a single idea of what had just transpired a few hours ago. 

"Will called."

"Oh..." Vincent wanted Alice to have that conversation with William. At last they finally did. "Fill me in."

"Lilly's my daughter." She said it in the most emotionless way. She was too tired to start from the beginning. 

"W-what..." Vincent was confused. "H-how?" Vincent was shaking his head in disbelief and confusion. 

"Long story, Vince. And I thought those things only happen in movies." She was like going crazy.

"Oh my lord... I don't know what to say."

There was a brief silence on both ends.

"You don't have to say anything because there's nothing to say. Everything's happened so fast that even I have become numb just as rapidly. There is no other way out of this. The kids need to know."

"Of course. They need to know as soon as possible. How about the baby?"

"I'm trying my best not to think about that yet. I'll cross the bridge when I get there."

"So when are you telling them?"

"We haven't talked about that but I told William that I'd call him again in a day or two."

"Ally, I know that nothing I can do would be enough to ease what you are going through. But l want you to know that I am here for you."

"Having you here with me is more than enough.  Thank you for that reassurance. I think I have to go to bed now. My head's tired."

"Okay. Call me anytime."

"I will. I love you."

"I Iove you, too. G'night."

"'Night."

******

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