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  "Sure why not?" Catherine laughed.

  "I'll let Jean know." Michael went out to the kitchen. Catherine glanced down at her diamond and wedding ring that were sparkling in the morning sun coming through the dining room window. She would have to think about whether to continue wearing them.

  "Okay, the order's in," Michael said smiling as he came back to the table.

  "So, let's talk about you for a change, Michael," Catherine said. "Is there anyone special in your life at the moment?"

  "Well, I had put my personal life on hold for a while after Mom and Dad died. I needed all my focus for the company. But I have just started seeing someone. In fact, I hope you will be able to meet her before you return to New York."

  "That's wonderful. I will look forward to meeting her."

  "Have you thought about your plan for returning to New York?"

  "I need to get back as soon as I can. The sooner I can get my life back to normal, the better. The only problem is, I'm not sure what 'normal' is anymore. For right now, I think I need to focus on my work -- at least until the baby is born. As I get closer to delivery, I will make a decision whether I want to quit my job and come back here and raise the child."

  "I'm glad to hear that you are at least considering that, Catherine. Just take your time, let yourself heal, and then, I'm sure you will make the right decision."

  "I think I'll try to get a reservation to fly home on Thursday. That will give me a few more days here and then the weekend to rest before returning to work. You need to get back to work, too."

  "That sounds like a good plan. Speaking of work, we have a board meeting scheduled for Tuesday. I could have it rescheduled. But I thought perhaps you might like to attend. It would be good for you to get a feel for what's happening with the company, especially if your final decision is to come back here to live and help me run Gregstone."

  "I would like that. That's a good idea. Let's plan on that."

  Michael added, "The board meeting should run most of the day. Why don't we plan on dining out afterward? I'll see if Marilyn can join us."

  "Marilyn -- is that the person you are seeing?"

  "Yes, I met her through her brother, Paul, a year or so ago down at the country club. Paul and I are golfing partners. She spends a lot of time at the club, too. She loves to play tennis. I'll make a dinner reservation for Tuesday evening at the club. I'll see if Margaret would like to come, too.

  "That sounds nice. I haven't been to the club since Mom and Dad passed away. I'll look forward to the board meeting and dinner at the club afterward."

  "I'll see that you get a copy of the agenda before the board meeting. I think the board members will be happy to have you there."

  "Yes, that would be helpful."

  Jean entered the dining room with two steaming plates of pancakes and said, "Don't let me interrupt your conversation. Is there anything else I can get for the two of you? It looks like Margaret hasn't come down yet."

  "I think this is all that we need, Jean. And you know Margaret, it may be noon until she makes her presence known! Don't worry about breakfast for her," Michael said smiling.

  "Yes, I do know Margaret. Well, I'll be here in case she does make a surprise appearance," Jean laughed and then headed for the kitchen.

  "Speaking of Margaret, has she told you when she plans to return to Rio, Catherine?"

  "I guess you haven't heard? Chad walked out on her. He took the car and wiped out her bank account. So I'm not sure what her plan is, or if she will be returning to Rio. It seems like us Gregstone girls are having a little trouble keeping our men," Catherine said, her voice partly indicating humor and partly expressing shame.

  Michael put his hand over hers and said, "Don't even think about comparing your situation to Margaret's. You were a good wife, Catherine. Doug was an absolute idiot for not recognizing what he had in you. None of what happened was your fault. Don't even think about blaming yourself, Sis."

  "I know you are right, Michael. But it's hard not to. Getting back to Margaret, I like your idea of inviting her to dinner on Tuesday at the club. I'd like to spend as much time with her as I can before going back to New York."

  "Okay, I'll invite her."

  . . .

  It was noon when Margaret made her appearance downstairs. She grabbed a cup of coffee and joined Michael and Catherine on the terrace overlooking the pool.

  "Well, you did decide to get up after all!" Michael joked.

  "Just ignore him. Sit down and join us," Catherine said motioning for her to sit next to her. "It sure is nice to all be together. And it's even better that we can all be together here at the house."

  "Are you planning on keeping this monstrosity, Michael?" Margaret asked. "I'd have sold it a long time ago. How can you be happy here? I can't believe Mom and Dad hadn't even redecorated our rooms. I feel like I'm visiting a museum every time I visit."

  Michael raised his eyebrows and looked at Catherine as if to acknowledge that their sister had apparently not changed much.

  Catherine spoke up, "I love that they haven't changed anything. It's comforting to me to come home here and have things as they were. I feel like a part of Mom and Dad is here with me when I'm here. All of the things in the house contain memories."

  "Well to each his own," Margaret responded, "you and Michael always did think differently from me. I guess that was why you both were the favorites."

  "Mom and Dad did not have favorites, Margaret; they loved each of us for who we are," Catherine responded.

  Michael tried to change the subject, "On a different note, I was sorry to hear about Chad."

  "It was time to move on for both of us. It was good while it lasted."

  "Do you know what your plans are? Do you intend to return to Rio?" Catherine asked.

  "Well, I need to go back. I still have the condo and all my things are there. It's not a bad place to live. I'm not sure what the future will hold. I have a lot of friends there. It's better than this place, that's for sure. By the way, I'm planning on leaving Tuesday morning."

  "Oh, that's a shame, we were hoping you could join us for dinner at the country club Tuesday night," Michael replied.

  "I can't believe you two want to go to the club after all the years we were forced to go there. I could hardly wait until I got old enough that Mom and Dad couldn't force me to go any more."

  "Well, as you said, Margaret, to each his own," Catherine replied. "Michael and I happen to like the club. I'm sorry you have to leave so soon. I was hoping to spend a little more time with you. I guess we will have to make the best of the time we have together tomorrow."

  "Well, actually since it was my last day, I rang up some of my old friends. We plan to spend the day together. I'll try to make it back for dinner tomorrow night."

  Michael and Catherine looked at each other in disbelief. At times, Margaret's actions were difficult for them to believe.

  Michael simply replied, "Okay, Margaret we will look forward to dinner tomorrow. I'll have Jean prepare something special."

  Chapter Three

  Chicago

  Michael and Catherine spent a quiet day at the Gregstone estate on Monday. Margaret managed to grace them with her presence for dinner. It was evident to them that there would never be a close sibling relationship with Margaret. The jealousy and resentment she had developed through the years ran too deep.

  Margaret left Tuesday morning as planned to return to Rio and sort out her life without Chad. She would find another Chad; she always did. And she would find another Rio if that's what it took to make her happy. There were many options when one was as wealthy as Margaret and when one was as self-centered. Individuals like Margaret have little regard for and do not feel a responsibility to others. It is all about self-gratification. Their interests are paramount. It is as though the interests of others do not even exist. Whatever makes them happy is what they pursue. As is the case with those like her, Margaret sought out associates who would feed her self-gratification.
She sought out those who would tickle her ears. She wanted friends who would confirm that she was beautiful, special, or whatever reassurance she needed at the time. Perhaps this need grew out of the jealousy and resentment she felt in her family. She wanted confirmation that they had got it wrong; she was not a black sheep. In Rio, as in the other exotic places she had lived, and with whomever was the latest love of her life, she was not a black sheep. And so it was that this was the life that Margaret pursued. Catherine and Michael did not fit into this life and never would.

  The Gregstone board meeting on Tuesday went well. Catherine felt great pride as she watched Michael direct the meeting. There was little doubt that her brother had everything under control. Dad would have been proud, she thought. The officers and directors were pleased that Catherine had attended. They encouraged her to become more involved in the company, perhaps she would. It was appealing to Catherine to get involved in the family firm. But she also enjoyed her job at Raynott. Why did her life have to take such a twisted turn with Doug? She thought. Everything had been going so perfectly, or at least, so she had thought. She had worked so hard at Raynott to get her promotion to vice president. Did she want to forfeit it now? This was a major life decision. She would need time to think about it.

  Michael was elated to have Catherine at the meeting. At times he felt overwhelmed taking over the company although this was not visible to others. Michael exuded confidence and projected the authority one needed to run a large corporation like Gregstone. But inside, well hidden, he questioned his ability to continue running the company successfully. He did not want to mess up what his grandfather and father had worked so hard to build. He felt a lot of pressure. So there were two reasons he hoped Catherine would make the decision to return to Chicago. He did believe the family estate would be a good place to raise the first of the next Gregstone generation. Michael also recognized Catherine's ability and what it could bring to the company. She had, indeed, inherited something more than the Gregstone hard work ethic. She also had inherited the Gregstone DNA that had enabled her grandfather to develop a multi-million dollar corporation out of nothing. Her father had been no less capable when he was in control of Gregstone. Yes, it was evident to Michael that as a team, he and Catherine could do more than maintain what they had inherited. They could build it into an even greater company.

  After the board meeting, Catherine and Michael went to the country club for dinner as planned. Catherine got to meet Marilyn for the first time. She could see why Michael had been attracted to her. She was quite beautiful. An onlooker of the three of them that night at the club might have concluded that they were all siblings. Marilyn looked a lot like Catherine. She had dark wavy hair just like Catherine's. Her other features and build were similar as well. She seemed to have a quick wit about her; her intelligence was obvious. Catherine could not imagine Michael with someone less. Although Catherine could understand her appeal, she also saw something lacking. It was hard to assess what it was. It seemed to Catherine that there was not the warmth toward Michael that one would expect in a relationship heading toward marriage. She seemed somewhat stiff and formal. Perhaps it was because Catherine was present. Catherine did not feel a warm response from Marilyn toward her. In fact, Marilyn seemed cold -- almost as though she was suffering through the dinner with her and couldn't wait until it was over.

  Michael, on the other hand, seemed completely enraptured with Marilyn. Catherine observed warmth and affection on his part toward Marilyn. He was clearly smitten by her. The inconsistencies in their responses to one another was a concern to Catherine. After her ordeal with Doug, she wanted to be sure that whoever Michael chose to marry would have a sincere love for him. Michael was more than a good catch and could be easily used as she had been by Doug. She hoped her concerns after this brief time spent with Marilyn would be allayed. Catherine wanted to be close and have a good relationship with whoever Michael decided to marry. If she decided to move back to Chicago, this would be even more important.

  . . .

  Thursday came much too quickly for Catherine and Michael. This was the day Catherine had chosen to return to New York.

  "I hate to see you leave, Sis. Please give serious thought to moving back here," Michael said as he hugged Catherine at the curbside check-in at the airport.

  "I hate to leave you, too, Michael. I will start thinking seriously about my future and what is best for my child. I'll come back for a visit as soon as I can."

  "Did you remember to get a seat in your special section of the plane?" Michael asked laughing as Catherine started to walk toward to the entrance door.

  Catherine turned around laughing, "You know I did! Take care, Michael, I love you." Catherine always asked for a seat in the middle of the plane, over the wing. She was convinced she would get airsick if she sat anywhere else.

  She made her way through security and to her gate. She found a quiet seat to wait for her flight departure. Her stomach felt anxious. Perhaps it was the pregnancy or just the anxiety of leaving a place where she felt comfortable and secure. The thought of returning to New York and the loft where she lived filled her with anxiety. It's as though I had a life one day and now it's gone. I'm going back to a life that no longer exists. Somehow I need to build a new one. But do I want to rebuild in New York? Can I live in the loft that Doug had picked out and that represents the life we shared? All these unsettling thoughts were running through her head.

  She was grateful for one thing. She was glad that only Michael, Margaret and her best friends, Will and Emma, knew the whole story about Doug. They were the only ones who knew about the change in Doug that had occurred when she returned from Ottawa. Only they knew that Doug's reason for being in New Mexico, where the accident occurred, was to leave Catherine and start a new life. Yes, Catherine was grateful for this. It was difficult enough dealing with the grief. She did not want to deal with the shame that she would have felt if others had known. There would have been no justification for the shame. Catherine had done nothing to deserve Doug's actions. But Catherine would have felt ashamed nonetheless.

  Chapter Four

  NEW YORK

  Catherine's flight back to New York was uneventful. She slept during most of the flight. She felt relaxed in her 'middle of the plane, over the wing' seat. She was still finding that her pregnancy was creating a greater need to sleep. She determined that she would try to give more attention to rest and eat properly now that she was getting back to a more regular routine.

  She gathered up her luggage, got a cab, and headed home to the loft.

  The taxi pulled up to the entrance of her building. As she exited the cab, her stomach started feeling anxious again. She was not looking forward to returning to the loft and the memories that it held.

  Catherine got in the elevator to go up to her floor. One of her neighbors, an older woman in her eighties named Mrs. Clark, was already in the elevator. Mrs. Clark started a conversation about Doug. This was not a good time for her to have someone discussing what had happened to Doug.

  "We were so sorry to hear of your loss, Catherine. We were just shocked when we heard. What a horrible accident. Several of us have been wanting to bring some meals over to you, but we didn't know if you were home. We all liked Doug. He was always so pleasant. I used to see him every morning rushing to catch the elevator. He sure was a handsome young man, such a pity. You're so young to be a widow. If there's anything we can do, don't hesitate to ask . . ."

  "Thank you. I appreciate your kind words," Catherine replied, thankful that the elevator had reached her floor. She said goodbye and exited the elevator.

  The first thing Catherine saw as she entered the loft was a pile of neatly-stacked mail. Her cleaning lady was caring for the loft and collecting the mail as she had always done when Catherine traveled. She flipped through the envelopes -- many were sympathy cards. There seemed to be no end to the cards that had been pouring in since Doug's accident. Catherine was grateful for everyone's concern, but she ju
st wanted it to be over. She wanted to stop thinking about the crash and Doug. She was beginning to feel anger at Doug for how he had ruined her life. He had used her and then attempted to move on. Unfortunately for him, things did not turn out as he planned. A part of Catherine felt satisfaction in that thought. The other part of her felt ashamed that she felt so vindictive.

  She walked into the bedroom and started unpacking her clothing. Many of Doug's clothes still hung in the closet. He had not bothered to move his clothes to the spare bedroom. After her return from Ottawa that fateful weekend, Doug had moved to the spare bedroom, and they no longer lived as man and wife. He had not bothered to take many clothes with him when he left for New Mexico. He must have figured -- new life, new clothes. She thought. She would have Mary, her cleaning lady, dispose of them as soon possible. After unpacking, she made herself a cup of tea and sat down in the living room, attempting to read a book to relax. Catherine glanced around the living room. She remembered Doug as she had found him upon returning from Ottawa. He had sat there in a drunken stupor with beer bottles strewn across the floor. It was starting to become clear to Catherine that she did not want to stay living in the loft. There were too many memories here of Doug that she did not want to be reminded of. They were not good memories. The loft had not been her idea anyway. It was Doug who wanted it. The loft projected the upscale lifestyle that he so coveted. Catherine had been content in her modest apartment where she had lived before marrying Doug. Catherine determined as she sat in the living room that night that she would not keep the loft. She would decide later where she would move.

  Catherine thought a phone call to her best friend, Emma, might cheer her up. She hadn't talked to Emma as much as she would have liked since Emma's husband, Will, had taken on a new job in Texas. It had been at least a week since they had spoken last. Her phone call to Emma did cheer her up. Emma first expressed how sorry she was that they were not able to attend the service for Doug. But then they talked about happy things. They chatted about their pregnancies. It was still difficult for Catherine to believe that they were both pregnant. Emma was only a few months ahead of Catherine in her pregnancy. Their babies would be born just months apart. Emma talked about the room they were getting ready for the baby and names they were thinking about. It was evident to Catherine that Emma was happy with her new life in Texas and excited to become a mother. After they hung up, Catherine for the first time started to think seriously about her pregnancy. It finally became real to her that she was going to be a mother.