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Part VII -- In your house I long to be -- "I'll be back." Paige called out on her way out the door. Leo didn't even get a response out before the door closed. It had been two weeks since Paige had been there the first time. In fact she was staying with Leo until she could find a place for herself. Before Paige and Jenny had left Paige had been able to meet with Dan, and was now on board for heading the Children's wing. Darryl and Leo had presented Dan with the news over dinner one night that they would make an investment. A party had been planned to celebrate the event and perhaps give Dan a few more investors. The party was for this Saturday at Leo's home. Leo's own two weeks were hectic and full of emotion. Cole had called Phoebe the day before she left telling her that he was already home. Which made Leo anxious because he had questions for him, but Cole was not able to tell him anymore than he already did. Which was not something that Leo had wanted to hear. Leo had also struggled with breaking up with Lillian. It just wasn't fair that he keep leading her on. Even if Heather wasn't Piper it still wouldn't change his mind. His heart had been given to Piper and without her he wasn't going to be able to give it fully to anyone else. When they finally sat down together Lillian knew what he was going to say. She took it well and in the end they both felt that they did make better friends than they would a couple. To show good faith on both of their parts Lillian decided she would still attend Leo's party and even bring some new contacts that she had made. Leo knew that whomever Lillian ended up with would be a very lucky man and he had told her that too. Of course that didn't keep him company on a Friday evening, but he really didn't care. Paige had invited him to the party that Glenn and Jessica were giving, but since he wasn't much a social butterfly he graciously declined. Which of course Paige had to tease him about, but it was nice. Everything in his life seemed to be settling itself. He and Darryl had come back from their trip to Dallas/Fort Worth with Jason in agreement. Darryl had sung Curtis's praises and after Leo met with him they were in unison on that as well. The only thing that wasn't right was the fact that he hadn't seen, heard, or talked to Heather since that night three weeks ago when she had kissed him. Some nights it felt like fire and others ice, but all the same he woke up alone and in a sweat. Dreams of her had come back to him in full force. She was suppose to be at the party tomorrow and he had taken great pains to make sure that there was nothing in the bathrooms, bedrooms, or other rooms where a picture of her might be shown. He knew that Paige had seen pictures of her, so he wasn't exactly sure how she would react. If Paige had seen Heather in any one of the meetings that she had with Dan she didn't say anything, which wasn't Paige's style so he assumed she hadn't met her. Right now however, he was just hoping that Heather would show up tomorrow. And all too soon Saturday evening had arrived. Leo was in his customary tux. Paige was beautifully dolled up in a champagne satin colored dress. Her hair was pulled back into a French twist. The caterers were finishing setting up and the place was looking beautiful. Darryl and Sheila were the first to arrive. Leo had also invited Jason Dean, a few other investors he knew, Dan and his staff that could make it, and with Lillian promising to bring people (which he knew she would keep) the place would be nicely filled. "This place looks wonderful Leo." Sheila complimented as she looked around. "Thank-you, but I can't take credit." he responded good-naturedly. Sheila laughed, "You were always modest." There was knock at the door and Leo and Sheila watched as Jason came in. "Jason!" Sheila greeted. "Sheila!" he responded back giving his coat to the woman standing next to him. "I hardly see you anymore. How is business?" she inquired. "It's doing well, thank-you. And I want to extend my congratulations to you on the blessed event." Sheila blushed, and Paige come up to Leo. "Jason. I would like you to meet Cole Turner's sister, Dr. Paige Montana, she will be heading the children's wing for Bennett Hospital." Leo introduced, "Paige this is a good friend and colleague, Jason Dean." The two shook hands. Soon people were coming in floods and the apartment was filled, but Leo knew the minute that Heather came in. He went to go greet her. "Hello Ms. Price." he greeted walking up to her. She turned around and he stood in awe. She was wearing a beautiful dark blue gown. It was a halter-top style that clung to her curves and then at the waist spread out in a princess-style gown. Heather tried but couldn't keep the smile away that was creeping up her face. "Hello Mr. Wyatt. Your apartment is gorgeous." she complimented. "Thank-you. If we get the chance I will give you a tour." She nodded her head, but Dan had shown up so she shut her mouth before she could say more. "Dan." Leo greeted with a friendly handshake. "I have to say thank-you again." Dan told him. Leo laughed, "You are more than welcome. Now, if you'll follow me there are a few people I would like you to meet." he told Dan and left Heather standing there. It was rude yes, but he knew it was going to hit the fan soon. It wasn't thirty minutes later when Darryl saddled up to Leo, "Sheila's talking to her." he whispered. Leo looked at him with an innocent look, "Who?" Darryl stared at him, "You know who. Leo if I ever doubted you about this I'm sorry. Has Cole been able to find anything out?" Leo shook his head. He looked over to where Sheila and Heather were talking. The memories were just engulfing him. How many times had he seen that scene before? Darryl laid a consoling hand on his friend's shoulder. He had no idea what to say to him, but he wanted him to know that he was there for his support. Paige came up, "Did you see that Heather girl? She looks just like Piper..." she trailed off when she looked at the faces of Leo and Darryl. Apparently they did know that she looked like Piper. "Sorry.." she started, but Leo interrupted her. "It's okay. I talked with your brother about it. He couldn't find anything. She's just here to torture me." Leo muttered the last part just as Sheila walked up. All three understood what their friend was going through, but there was no way for any of them to help him. With the party still going they broke up and gave Leo some room. Leo ended up talking to Lillian and it was during the course of the conversation that they both realized just how much better they were as friends than as a couple. Which was the perfect realization when Jason Dean found his way into the conversation. Leo introduced the two, "Lillian this is Jason Dean. He is a friend of mine. Jason, this is Lillian Bennett a wonderful person and friend." Jason and Lillian shook hands. "I think I met you once before." Lillian told Jason. Jason nodded his head in agreement, "I believe you're right, but it was a very long time ago." The two smiled and Leo noticed Heather searching for something, "If you'll excuse me." he stated politely, but didn't wait for an answer. The two looked at him for a few minutes until they resumed a conversation. "Can I help you?" he asked from behind. She twirled around, but smiled when she saw who it was. "Um.. actually I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of a restroom." she pondered. He smiled at her. "Tell no one." he whispered and then led her to his bedroom. "It's that door there." he said pointing to the door on the right of his bed. She smiled at him, "Thank-you." she told him and then walked in that direction. She heard him leave the bedroom with the small click of the shutting of the door. It was then she decided to breathe. She knew she was in a place that not even Lillian had seen. After Leo broke up with Lillian she came to Dan's apartment where she told them everything as she and Dan were on a date. She knew it was wrong to feel slightly glad that they had broken up, but she really didn't care. As it was she hadn't worked up the courage to break up with Dan. She took notice of the beautiful bedroom. It was masculine without being macho. It had warm colors of brown, cream, and blues. Much like the rest of the apartment she had seen. The bed was a sleigh style (the kind she wanted, but couldn't afford) and had only two pillows on it. There was a beautiful chest in front of the bed and she wondered if that was where the TV was. The room was painted a very soft cream and complimented the darkness of the wood that not only the sleigh bed, but the Chest-of-Drawers, book shelf and nightstand. Heather knew that she was in the presence of what to her was royalty. She just shook her head and walked into the bathroom. She hadn't noticed it at first. She was to consumed by her surroundings to notice any particular details, but when she went to wash her hands she noticed it in the mirror. On the dresser was a picture. It wasn't what was in the picture that stunned her, but the picture frame it's self. She turned around to go and look at it. It was made of a beautiful wood that had intricate carvings. As she stared she felt a sense of deja vu. Like she had looked at the beautiful frame once before. She knew that was silly of course, but she couldn't shake the feeling. As she focused her eyes away from the frame she looked at the actual picture. It had to have been taken in the early eighties or late seventies. The older woman had beautiful hair and dressed in a long black skirt with a maroon blouse. The younger woman was beautiful. She had beautiful chocolate colored hair and was wearing black pants with a soft pink shirt. On either side was a girl. The one on her right had straight jet black hair. She was dressed in a red, black, and yellow plaid skirt with a long-sleeve red shirt on. The small girl on her left had soft brown hair and was up in pig-tails. She was dressed in a pink pleated skirt with a long sleeve black shirt on. Heather was memorized by the photo as she was sucked into who these people might be. There were four other photos on the high dresser and she decided to investigate a little. The family photo had been in the center and she decided to go to the photo on it's immediate right. The rest of the photos were all in similar looking silver frames, but this photo had a woman with beautiful light brown hair and was in a wedding gown. The woman was standing next to a very handsome looking man with dark hair in a tux. They looked like a beautiful couple and very much in love. It wasn't until she looked at the eyes of the woman that she realized it had to be Leo's sister. The photo behind it was of the girl in the wedding dress and another woman who was in a light blue dress. She had jet black hair and Heather wondered if it was the same woman she had seen Leo with a month ago. She moved on to the left side. The first photo was a picture of Leo with his sister, Paige (whom she had just met), and his sister's husband. The photo after that was of a younger looking Leo with a very young looking sister. They were surrounded by a young boy who looked to be much younger, a woman with red hair, and a very good looking gentleman standing next to her. She wondered when the photo was taken. His family must have died just shortly after the photo was taken. If she had moved to put the wooden photo exactly where she had gotten it she would have missed it. However, just past the dresser on a desk, nearly covered up by a clock, stood a silver framed photo of her. She went and grabbed it up. She stared at it not sure if she was actually seeing herself in the frame. Yes, her hair looked a little differently, but everything else was where it should be. When she locked in on the eyebrow and saw the same scar on it as her own she dropped the photo. It made a small clanking sound and that was the moment that Leo chose to walk in. As they stared at one another Leo knew what had happened. He could have kicked himself for it. Her eyes turned dark and she looked as if she was about to snarl at him. "What the hell is this?!?" she demanded. "It's a photo of my wife." he stated calmly. "Your wife? What are you some kind of sick freak? That's a photo of me! Right down to the scar on my eyebrow!" her voice was raising and Leo was afraid that very soon the party was going to join them. "Look I know you must be confused, but if you'll give me a few moments, I'll explain everything." She was shaking her head before he finished, "I don't think so. You stay the hell away from me you SICK FREAK!" she screamed the last part and nearly ran past him. He heard the door slam. Paige, Darryl, and Sheila were in his room a few moments later. "What was that all about?" Paige asked. Leo, who had gone to the photo picked it up and showed them. Silence stung them. "Leo..." Darryl started, but stopped. "I'll be out in a few minutes, if you guys could please take care of my guests." Leo asked. They all nodded and Darryl shut the door. Leo sat down on his bed and leaned back. He took deep breaths trying to understand what had just happened and what all the implications were. He knew it would only stir more talk if he didn't get out there, so he gathered all his strength and walked out of his bedroom door. He first saw Dan and noticed that although he didn't look happy he did look confused. Which to Leo meant that Heather had stopped to explain to him why she was running out. He went back to his guests and tried to act as normal as possible. Leo let out an audible sigh when the last caterer left. "Are you okay?" Paige asked. "I'll be okay. Actually I'm going to go out. I need to think. I'll be back later and if you really need I have my cell phone." He told her. "Be safe." she said to him and he left. He didn't have to think about where he was going. He made it to North Pointe Baptist Church in record time. He sat at the last pew. He stared out at the church in front of him. He was finding it hard to concentrate. There was just so much that he didn't even know where damage control would start. As he sat there he started doing something he hadn't done in a very long time. He started praying. It took him a few moments to notice that someone had sat down next to him. He looked over and nearly did a double take, "Heather?" he asked making sure that he wasn't hallucinating. "Hi." she stated. She looked as if she had been crying and wouldn't look at him. She continued to look down at her shoes and let the silence pervade them both. "I..." he started, but she interrupted him. "You think I'm you're wife. You think I'm Piper don't you?" she accused. He nodded his head, "I do." She still wouldn't look at him. "I can see why you think that, but why didn't you tell me or say anything?" He didn't say anything for a moment and then spoke, "Because I wanted to be sure it was you. I didn't know how you would react if I told you that I thought you were my missing wife." Heather decided to turn her head and look at him, "And?" "My brother-in-law, Cole, couldn't find anything. I didn't know how to approach you with it and I'm sorry..." he trailed off before tears started. "It is scary how much I look like your wife Mr. Wyatt, but do you want to know something scarier?" He didn't have time to reply, "The fact that I think I could be your wife." she didn't say anything further, but stood up and walked out of the church. Leo who felt drained of everything looked at the cross in the front of the church. He bowed his head once again and started praying. -- End of Part VII CharmedMummy: You caught them all. And no I don't have anyone proof-reading. If someone could meet with my time demands I would love to have one, otherwise it won't be corrected until I publish it on my site. Thanks again for all of your reviews! |
