“You know, Blair, Cassidy gave me the gift of a portrait of my mother once. She committed suicide, just like Morgan and my brother and I struggled with accepting that we didn’t have something to do with it.”
“I’m so sorry,” said the woman.
“We’ve learned it wasn’t us at all. She was sick, just like Morgan. But that portrait, the way Cassidy painted it,” he said shaking his head with a small grin, “it was like she saw the happy mom we knew. She was smiling and her eyes were bright and full of mischief and love. That painting made me remember mom the way she was before she got sick. It’s helped me through a lot these last few years.”
“Thank you for telling me that,” said Blair. “I know that this will help Knox and I as well. I’ll send in some lunch in a little while. I have to run out for a about an hour but the nurse is here and Knox is working in his office if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” he nodded toward the woman.
He looked around the apartment, realizing just how massive and abundant the surroundings were. Cade knew enough about antiques and paintings to know that the Cordel’s had money. They were able to afford this apartment, the furniture, the art, and taking their son to a world-renowned children’s hospital for treatment.
It should have been a happy life for young Fletcher. It should have been filled with the best of everything. Bicycles, top schools, girlfriends, college, and so much more.
Frowning, he turned to see a photo on the wall of a younger Blair and Knox, holding the sweet newborn boy. Maybe this is what Morgan saw. Maybe she felt the loss, knew the horrible end facing this family.
After lunch was served, Cassidy rubbed her fingers, stretching them, cracking them.
“I think that’s all I can do for today. But the good news is we’re almost there,” she said smiling at the sleeping boy. She turned the painting for the others to see and it was nothing short of miraculous.
The face of the boys was perfection. His smiling, sweet face filled with mischief and laughter. One of his hands was reaching upward, as if hoping to grab something.
“Oh, Cass,” said Cade wiping tears.
“Fuck me, Cass,” said Joseph. Eric could only nod.
“I know,” she said smiling. “It’s one of my best. I just have a few more things to do on it and we’ll be done. They’ll have their portrait.”
“Let’s hope it pleases Morgan,” said Lily.
“What if it doesn’t?” asked Eric. They all looked at him, not one of them with an answer. Finally, Joseph said it out loud.
“We keep trying.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Exhausted didn’t describe how the team felt when they returned. When Morgan gave no indication of satisfaction, disappointment and frustration replaced exhaustion.
“I don’t know what to do,” said Eric shaking his head.
“I don’t think there’s anything we can do,” said Joseph. “We just keep trying.”
“Hey, guys, I think I have something,” said AJ. Cassidy’s phone was ringing and she held up a finger.
“Hold on. It’s Knox. Hi, Knox. Is everything okay?”
“I’m afraid not, Cassidy,” he said with puffy, red eyes and a blotchy face. They all knew. Their stomachs sinking. “He passed just a few minutes after you left. We were all with him. He’s no longer in pain.”
“Oh, God,” whispered Cassidy. “I’m so sorry. I’m just so, so sorry. I couldn’t have children, so I can’t imagine what this is like to carry him for nine months and lose him so young.”
“Cassidy?” said Blair stepping into view. “I’m sorry that you couldn’t have children but I think there’s some confusion. I can’t have children either. Fletcher was adopted.”
“A-adopted?” she frowned. There was commotion on camera and Knox nodded at them.
“I’m sorry, we have to go. The doctors and police are here to ensure everything is normal. Whatever that means. Cass? Please finish the portrait. We would really like that.”
“Of course,” she whispered as the screen went black. “They couldn’t have children.”
“Fuck me,” said Eric. “She disappeared for a year. The landlord and her parents said she disappeared for about a year.”
