Steele Destined

Tony had called Mildred once Laura had been stabilized to inform her of Laura’s condition, but before he could tell her, she informed him of the plane crash and Laura’s death.  He asked her several questions and informed her he wanted to investigate some in North Carolina, and he would be there after he got some answers.  He told her up front that he could not bring himself to attend the memorial service they were going to have.

With the news of the plane crash, he didn’t feel as bad about the accident now.   He figured it was the lesser of the two evils.  Perhaps, it was a sign that he and Laura were meant to be together.  If Laura woke and had amnesia, then she could start over.  They could have a beginning.  The hospital already thought she was his wife.  When they asked him about his relationship to the victim, wife just came out.   When he had to supply a name, he gave Laura Micelli.

Tony didn’t want to use his real last name in case Steele decided to do some investigating on his own.  And, he was sure Steele would look for a Roselli.

“Dr. Kunene, I need to go out of town for a couple of days. I will leave a number where I can be reached at the desk. If there are any changes in my wife’s condition...”

“We will call you ASAP,”  the doctor finished.

* * * * * * * *

 

Mildred walked into Mr. Steele’s office and her heart ached to see him staring out the window not looking at anything in particular.  She knew that in his mind his world had ended Laura’s death.  If it wasn’t for Daniel insisting he continue some semblance of his daily routine, she was sure that Remington wouldn’t even bother getting out of bed. 

 “Boss,”   she called, thinking he looked tired and drained of emotions.  It has only been a week, but she could tell he had lost weight.

 Daniel had told her he hadn’t been eating, and he spent most of his nights in Tracy’s nursery just watching the child sleep.  And, when he wasn’t in Tracy’s nursery, he was on the balcony of their two-story home staring out into space.

 “Boss,”  she tried again.  

 When he didn’t respond, she decided to proceed.

 “Mr. Jackson is here to go over Mrs. Steele’s will.”

 “Mil...will you handle it please.”  His voice was a whisper.

 Remington already instructed Mildred to put Laura’s life insurance, 401 K, and Social Security in a Trust fund for Tracy.  Tracy would be able to collect the money when she turned 21. 

 In his eyes, taking the money was admitting to himself Laura wasn’t coming back, and he wasn’t ready to believe that.  His heart couldn’t.  His heart wouldn’t.

 “Boss.”

 “Please Mildred.”

 “Okay.”

Mildred turned and left.

Only seconds later Remington left his office.  Mildred and the lawyer watched as he walked out of the agency, not saying a word or acknowledging either one of them.

 

* * * * * * * *

 

Remington walked into two-story home that he and Laura bought two months after they had found out Laura was pregnant.  They had both fallen in love with it on sight.

 “Daniel?  Abigail?”   He looked upstairs and wondered if maybe Abigail was upstairs with Tracy.  She had made it clear to everyone that she didn’t want Tracy’s daily routine interrupted.  In that sense, Laura had been like her mother.  He could see Laura taking control of a situation like this and making sure Tracy’s life wasn’t interrupted.  Once again, he was failing Laura.  He should have been there with her in North Carolina.  He shouldn’t have let her go alone.

 Taking the steps two at a time, he turned the cornered and headed down the hall to Tracy’s nursery.  He froze in his tracks when he heard Felicia singing.  Recovering from his shock, he stood in the doorway and watched.  Felicia was sitting in the rocking chair holding a sleeping Tracy.

 He had to give a weak smile on this one.  Never in a million years had he thought he would ever see Felicia holding a baby...especially his and Laura’s.

 “I see her charm works on females, too.”

 Remington met Felicia’s glaze when she looked up. 

 “Shh,”  Felicia said carefully standing and walking over to Tracy’s crib. 

 He watched as Tracy stirred for a few seconds then fell back to sleep.

 “My girl even has you wrapped around her little pinkie.  I feel sorry for the boy whose heart she captures.”

 “I am sure your Lisa wouldn’t be too proud of that.”  Felicia regretted the words when she saw the darkness reappear on his face.  She had pulled him out of his hole for a few moments and now he was back in it.  “I’m sorry Michael.”

 “It’s okay Felicia.”  He stepped to the opposite side of her so he could get a complete view of Tracy.   “She looks so much like Laura.  She has her stubbornness.”  He reached down to touch her curly brown hair.  “She woke up last night while I was checking on her, and I had a chore getting her back to sleep.”  He laughed.  “She wanted to learn about the parts of the face.”

 “Really.”

 “Yea.  She has nose and eyes down.” 

 Felicia watched him as he focused completely on Tracy. 

 Daniel is right, Felicia thought.  If Abigail took Tracy back to Connecticut, Michael would be completely lost.

 “Michael, what are you going to do?” 

 Remington looked up at Felicia and shook his head.

 “Abigail wants to take Tracy back with her.  She feels it will be the best thing for her.”

 “Maybe,”  was his quiet answer.

 “Darling, please.  I remember the first time I met Laura and how she acted around her Mother.  That would be the last thing she would want for Tracy.”

 “And you singing lullabies would be the first.”  He lowered his eyes then offered a soft “Sorry”.

 He wasn’t sure what he was going to do.  He knew he wasn’t going to let Abigail take Tracy from him, but he didn’t think he could continue living in this world that he and Laura created without her.

 Daniel had suggested he return to the house in London with him.  Felicia thought it was an excellent idea.  She had even offered to hang around until he found a proper nanny.   Mildred even agreed with Daniel’s idea; even though she didn’t like the idea of being so far away from him or Tracy or the idea of Felicia being around.

 

* * * * * * * *

 

A week after Remington decided to close the doors to the agency Tony reappeared.

 “Mildred?  Steele?”   He called seeing a box on her desk and a few around her desk on the floor filled with items.

 He stepped back when he saw Mildred walk out of Laura’s office carrying a box and tears running down her cheeks.

 “Mildred, what’s going on?”  he asked noticing the tall blonde moving around freely in his office.

 “I’ll let the Boss tell you.”  She walked over to her desk.

 “Steele,”  Anthony said, walking into Steele’s office.

 Remington was taking down his wall of fame.  He glanced at Anthony then continued with his task without speaking.

 “Steele, what’s going on?”

 Remington stood and faced the other man.  He wanted to strike him.  After all, if it weren’t for him, Laura would still be alive.  She would be in his life...in his arms.  Now, his daughter will grow up never knowing personally how wonderful and beautiful her Mother had been.

 “Anthony, I’m closing the agency and taking Tracy to London.”   He walked over to the window to compose himself.  He couldn’t look at the man he blamed for his wife’s death.  For days, he thought of what he was going to do to Anthony when he saw him. He wanted him to die a slow death.  Daniel had some how picked up on his thoughts and convinced him it wasn’t worth it.  He would end up in jail and be repeating his father’s mistakes.  And Tracy deserved better than that.  “You have 20 minutes to clear out your office and get out of my sight forever.  If I ever see your face again,” Steele looked Anthony directly in the eyes, “I will kill you.”  He turned back to the window, not saying another word.

“Michael is every thing alright?”  Felicia asked, standing in the doorway.  She knew Michael wanted to personally kill Tony.  And, for Michael…and Tracy’s sake she would make sure that he didn’t act on his feelings.  He was always terrible at controlling his rage, especially when he didn’t feel he had anything to live for.

“Later, Steele.”  Tony left and Steele exhaled.

Felicia was now by his side with her hand on his shoulder.  His blue eyes met hers and she still didn’t see any life in them.   Hopefully, taking him to London would bring him out of this.

She remembered when she had asked him if there was no Laura in his life, would there be room for her.  He hadn’t said no only that Laura was in his life.  Maybe this could be a new beginning for them.  Laura wasn’t in the picture but her daughter was.  With a baby involved, she too, would have to go the straight and narrow.

Michael do you realize how much I love you?  Felicia thought, looking up at him.  How deeply I care about you?  I am going to attempt to make a change for your sake.  She looked out of the window afraid that he could read her thoughts.

* * * * * * * *

 

Tony stepped out of the elevator and walked into Dr. Kunene.

 “Hello, Mr. Micelli.”

 “Dr. Kunene, you’re smiling.  You must have good news.”

 “I have good news and bad.  Your wife woke up this morning.”

 “Okay.  What’s the bad news?”  he said, concern written all over his face.

 “My diagnosis about her possibly having amnesia seems to be correct.  I asked her a few questions this morning.  Her name?  Where is she from?  Her birth date?   Etc.  She couldn’t answer any of them.”

 “Amnesia,”  Tony said thoughtfully, as he started to walk with the doctor toward Laura’s room.

 “Yes.  It’s something that’s going to take time.  Anything can trigger her memory. Seeing you, seeing the home where you lived, going to places you visited, seeing family members, etc.”  Tony simply nodded his head.  “Your wife is very fragile right now...in more ways than one.”  Tony looked at the door as the doctor’s hand touched his shoulder.   “She needs you to be her rock and help her fill in the gaps.”

 “Thanks.”

 They both entered the room.  A young nurse was checking Laura’s vitals.

 “I have a visitor for you.”  Dr. Kunene waited for some recognition from Laura.  “Do you know who this man is?”

 Laura shook her head “no”.

 The doctor stepped closer to Laura while Tony remained where he was standing.

 “This is Tony Micelli.”   There was still no recognition from Laura.  “Your husband.”

 All eyes were on Laura while she looked Tony over.

“Do you remember?”

 Laura shook her head “no” again.

 “Mr. Micelli, can you supply some information for her.” 

 Tony didn’t know what he was going to say.  He couldn’t tell her the truth.

 “Can you tell her a little about herself?”  the doctor continued.

 “Hmm…Hmm…Dr. Kunene, Laura’s past was very painful for her,”   he said hoping no one noticed his uneasiness.

 “Painful?”  Laura asked curious.

 “Yes.  You were an orphan.   You were abandoned by your parents.”

 Laura lowered her head and stared at her legs.

 “Mr. Micelli, why don’t you tell Laura something about her life with you.”

“Well, we were high school sweethearts.  We married after you graduated.”  

Laura looked up at Tony and listened as he “filled” in the gaps.

 

* * * * * * *

 

“Laura!...Laura!...Come back...I’m sorry...I love you...Please.”

“Harry?  Harry?”   Felicia called using the name Daniel had used for his son.

Remington told them earlier that day he was going to use Harrison Chalmers when he got back to London.  He explained it was time for him to start using his own name since he had no reason to hold onto the borrowed one anymore.

 Daniel had thought it to be a drastic move and would arouse questions from Laura’s family.

 Mildred agreed and suggested he legally change his name to Remington Harrison Chalmers and simply use R. Harrison Chalmers when needed. 

 Abigail and Frances could still call him Remington, and they wouldn’t raise an eyebrow when they heard him called Harry.

 “Harry, wake up?”  Felicia shook him as he stirred. 

 Remington was only wearing silk pajama bottoms so she could feel the sweat from his body.

 “Harry,”  she said sighing at the same time.

 “Huh?”  Remington jumped up and grabbed her.  “Laura?”

 “No, it’s me Felicia, Darling.” 

 Even in the moonlight like she could see his disappointment.  Sighing when he released his hold, she wondered how long was it going to take for him to get over Laura. 

 They leave for London tomorrow, so she hoped the change of scenery will do wonders for his mood, Felicia smiled.  She was sure Michael will be his old self once they got back on their on turf. 

 “Sorry,”  he said running a shaking hand through his damp hair.  “What time is it?” 

 “It’s a little after 4,”  she said watching as he tried to get up.

 “I’m going to check on Tracy.”

 “No need, Darling.  I popped in a few minutes ago.” She put more pressure against his chest to force him back down.  “Do you want to talk about your dream?” she asked not wanting to call it a nightmare.

 Remington closed his eyes, as he shook his head “no”.  He relaxed a little as he tried to calm down. 

 God.  He missed Laura.   He saw her every night when he closed his eyes.  He felt her presence in the middle of the night.  He had to get a grip.   He had to face reality.  Laura was dead.   She wasn’t coming back to him. 

 Remington felt Felicia lips against his.