Laura's Legacy Chapter 1.12: Something Extraordinary

Several weeks went by; Pat had come to visit on a few occasions and gave us regular support payments to help with Meadow's care, but we'd had very little time to spend alone. I was feeling a bit depressed, and decided to concentrate on Meadow and my career for the time being. Even though it meant leaving Meadow with sitters more often, I took every fame opportunity that came my way.

And then One day, something unexpected and extraordinary happened. I was at the DanceCube, gaining fame and star levels, when I met an incredibly attractive man. We were mutually attracted to each other instantly. We had a lot in common and shared many similar traits; he was a charismatic, hopeless romantic with star power, just like I was. I learned that his name was Jake Russell.

I discovered that he was single and working in the business career. His true love was music, though; he played the bass and used to be in a boy band several years ago, but what he really wanted was to master the guitar. I told him that I would love to hear him play some time. We spent the rest of that evening talking and dancing and getting to know one another.

All the way home, I was feeling more than a little stunned and confused about whether I should go out with him again. I had always been faithful to Pat, but I had no idea if he'd been faithful to me and if I were honest with myself I'd have to admit how unlikely that was. By the time I got home, I finally decided that whatever happened, I knew I was definitely going to see Jake again.

I couldn't wait more than a few days. After I got off work, I invited Jake to join me at the DanceCube again for dinner. We continued to get to know each other.

A few days after that, Jake invited me to his house to play some shuffleboard. I felt his house had a wonderful view of the mountains. Not to mention a wonderful view of a man.

The following week, Jake called me and asked if I wanted to go to the Cobra Room with him so we met each other there.

For the very first time, I was beginning to understand Pat a little better. I was pretty certain he loved me, but it seemed as if he might love Julia too, and I was finding out that it really was possible to be in love with two people at the same time.

I wasn't sure what the future would hold, but right now I knew that I wanted to be with both of them.

Laura's Legacy Chapter 1.11: Surprising the Maid

The next morning, I had to run off to work so Pat cared for Meadow after awakening.

The movie Pat and I had filmed in Suvadiva had come out to smashing reviews; we were both in high demand as actors and I was able to afford to hire someone to help around the house. But I still hated to leave her with a babysitter every day so Pat helped out when he could. I was glad that he wanted to help and be with Meadow but didn't have much to say to him on that particular morning. The scenes from last night were still a little too raw.

Later after I came home from work, Pat was still there at the house. I asked him how his day with Meadow went and he said everything was great. Then he told me a hilarious story about the maid's reaction when she found him there that morning. "First she seemed really shocked to see me there eating breakfast, then she seemed to get all ticked off about it!", Pat described while laughing. "Maybe because I was dirtying up another plate, I don't know. Funniest thing I've seen all week!"

Pat painted such a visual picture that she could well imagine the maid's reactions. We laughed about it then Pat said he finally had to leave to go home. "I swear", said Pat, "It was funnier than the comedy TV show I was filming the past few weeks!"

Pat kissed me goodbye and left, and I knew that he was trying to cheer me up after the scene I had made the night before. I was a bit embarrassed now that I had even suggested having another baby with him, but I don't know, maybe it was the thought of Meadow's birthday coming up, but I couldn't deny the urge I felt to have another baby. As I took out the trash, I knew his answer clearly said a lot about any possibilities for their future, and that really hurt deeply.

I threw myself into my work, continuing to work hard on advancing in the film career and taking all the fame opportunities I could get.

Pat still came over when he could, but he was also busy with his career and it seemed that he spent the less time with Meadow and I than he used to. I was afraid that letting him know that I wanted to have another baby had put some distance between us. But he did come over on a fairly regular basis, and I was grateful for that. Not just for me, because I selfishly wanted to see him, but for Meadow, too. Sometimes when it had been several days since we'd seen him, rather than to wait for him to call I would take matters into my own hands and invite him over.

I called him one day and asked; "Why don't you come over this evening after attending the theatre? I'll cook you a nice meal; I've been working on my cooking skills". "Sure, I'll come over in a little while" said Pat.

While waiting for Pat to arrive that evening, I started thinking again about my and Meadow's future. "What are we going to do, little one?"; I said to her. "I love him so much, he's the love of my life, but most days I am so lonely. I just hope he shows up this time." Meadow started crying, and before reaching for her I laughed and said "ah, and I see you feel the same way!". What was it they said about 'out of the mouths of babes?, I thought as I took her back upstairs and laid her in her crib.

Pat did indeed show up, to my relief. I thought he looked incredibly handsome and told him so.

But at the same time, my heart was breaking. I was finally coming to the unhappy conclusion that he would never leave his wife.

Laura's Legacy Chapter 1.10: Redecorating the Nursery

A few weeks later, I called Pat when I got home from work. "The Interior Designer has finished with Meadow's room. Why don't you come over to see it?".

When Pat got there we got caught up on each other's busy lives. He had been filming nonstop for the past two weeks and I had rarely seen him. After we chatted a bit we went upstairs to see Meadow's newly decorated room.

"What do you think?", I asked him. "Didn't she do a fabulous job?"

"It's great! Looks a lot more colorful and fun. She should really love this room as she gets older", Pat replied. "Although I do think that crib looks a bit too large for such a small baby".

"Well", I responded without thinking, "I guess we could always have another one so Meadow would have a sibling to share it with".

Pat silently looked at me with sad eyes. "Laura, Laura, Laura, my sweet Laura", Pat gently answered. "I don't think that would be a very good idea".

"Yes, what was I thinking" I said. "Please forget I said such a thing!", I said in anguish.

"You're not ever going to leave Julia, are you!", I practically yelled at him.

"Aw, Laura, let's not talk about that right now".

"You never want to talk about it!", I said. I had started to cry so I ran out of the nursery and into my bedroom, slamming the door.

After what seems only a few minutes, I heard Pat quietly opened the door to my room and sit down behind me. "Laura, I'm so sorry", he said, his head in his hands. He sounded rather sad, too.

Then he got up and led me over to the bed and laid down with me, silently just holding me, and trying to comfort me as best he could, I suppose. After a while I stopped crying and Pat quietly said; "How about if I spend the night?"

"You know you are always welcome here", I replied. But I was beginning to wonder how true that was. I was afraid that nothing would ever be the same again. And I was surprised, but I was actually glad that he didn't try to kiss me.

Laura's Legacy Chapter 1.9: The Holmby Hills House

Pat and I used every opportunity to be together, but he insisted on being discreet. Sometimes he went with me when I had fame opportunities in the clubs, and sometimes we would just meet up for a few stolen moments where ever we could.

On those rare occasions when Pat was able to spend the night, I was thrilled. But now and then I got a little concerned though, because he slept really restlessly and sometimes had dreams that seemed to upset him.

But the mornings after he spent the night were so special to me. He's a wonderful father to Meadow and I can tell that he loves her very much. It makes my insides turn to mush every time I see it; at the same time, I was sad that Pat wasn't with us every night and every morning.

One day when Pat was at the house, he followed me up to the nursery when it was time for Meadow's bottle. We chatted while I fed her, then he said; "You know", said Pat, "Meadow's birthday is coming up. Why don't you let me hire a decorator to re-do her room? It could use a little more color".

"Hmmmm, I do see what you mean", I replied. "That would be a lovely birthday gift for her".

I sat down to rock Meadow until she fell asleep while Pat stood nearby and watched us. Gosh, Meadow's birthday was coming up soon. Had it really been that long that Pat and I had been together? But more importantly, was he ever going to leave his wife to be with us permanently? It was really difficult to admit it, but I was beginning to have grave doubts about that.