Part 17
Alex returned to where the others were waiting to find Kevin talking to a stranger.
"AJ, this is Andy Weaver, one of the attorneys Chelsea works with. Andy, AJ McLean," introduced Kevin.
"Nice to meet you," greeted AJ as he shook Mr. Weaver’s hand.
"How’s Chelsea?" asked Nick.
"She’s in surgery now…to have her spleen removed. The nurse said the doctors will talk to us after the surgery to explain the rest of her injuries."
"Kevin, it was nice meeting you. Be sure to look over those documents and if you have any questions, just give me a call. Here’s my card."
"Gonna read them now, while we wait for Chelsea. I appreciate you coming by so late."
"It’s no problem. Give Chelsea my love and best wishes for a speedy recovery."
As Andy left, AJ asked, "What documents was he talking about?"
"Seems Chelsea was completely prepared for everything. A while back, she had a power-of-attorney drawn up in the event she became incapacitated and she named Monique or me as that person. She also wrote me a letter telling me about Annie and spelling out what she wanted for herself and Annie. Andy said she had a similar letter for Monique making sure that no matter what, I was to be told about Annie."
"How did he know about the wreck though?"
"The state police found her purse when they started cleaning up the scene and looked in her purse. She had a thing in her wallet stating who to call in the event of an emergency. Andy was the one they were supposed to call."
"So all that crap of family only could have been avoided?"
"Looks like it. I’m going to let the desk know that under no circumstances is her father to be allowed anywhere near her. What are you planning to do?"
"I’m staying here in Virginia as long as possible."
Howie spoke up, "We’re all going to stay here, for you two and for Chelsea and Annie."
"Thanks, guys," acknowledged Kevin.
“Looks like we need to make some changes in our flights and find a place to stay,” said Brian. “I’ll take care of that.”
“Kevin and I have already changed our flights. I’m supposed to leave next Monday and we were both staying with Chels,” said AJ somewhat distracted.
“My flight was changed to Friday,” offered Kevin as he too became distracted by the same thing that had caught AJ’s attention…a well-dressed couple who had entered the waiting room and headed to the desk.
The others saw them too and listened as the man spoke to Delores. "I’m looking for a patient brought in after a car accident….Chelsea Whitlock."
"And you are?"
"Tom Whitlock, her father."
Delores glanced over towards Kevin and the others to see that they were listening. "I have a Chelsea Whitlock."
"Direct me to her," demanded Mr. Whitlock.
Kevin had moved to stand behind the couple and spoke. "I’m sorry, but you can’t see Chelsea."
Mr. Whitlock turned on Kevin. "Excuse me but who are you?"
"Kevin Richardson," greeted Kevin as he extended his hand. When Mr. Whitlock didn’t take it, he said, "I noticed you didn’t ask about your granddaughter."
"I don’t have a granddaughter. My daughter has a bastard child."
It was all Kevin could do to maintain his cool and the others could see the muscles in his jaw clenching. Calmly, he said, "That ‘bastard child’ is my daughter and I don’t appreciate you referring to her in that manner."
Snobbishly, Mr. Whitlock said, "So the little whore married you after all. I knew she’d never make it on her own."
Kevin wasn’t the only one who’s temper was starting to heat up. AJ was finding it difficult to not go off on this man but he kept his mouth shut.
Kevin replied, "No, Chelsea and I aren’t married. In fact, I just found out about Annie tonight. Chelsea has been on her own for the last seven years. She put herself through college and is now working on her law degree all while she was supporting herself and Annie. Now, you need to leave."
"According to whom?"
"You have no business here."
"I was called about Chelsea and I intend to see her."
"No, you won’t see her and I will call security to escort you out."
"You aren’t her husband so what right do you have to say whether or not I can see her?"
"Chelsea gave me the right. See, Chelsea had the foresight to plan ahead. She had legal documents drawn up giving me her power-of-attorney. Since she’s in surgery and unable to speak for herself, I’ll do it for her."
"She’s my daughter and I have every right to see her."
"No sir, you don’t. When you kicked her and my unborn child out and cut her off from her family, you gave up all parental rights. And for the record, had you not done that, Chelsea would have told me about my daughter. Chelsea is a lady, a good lady, and NEVER did anything to warrant being called a two-bit whore or being told she’d never make it on her own. She didn’t tell me about being pregnant because I had cut her off and she was worried about what it would do to my career.
"Chelsea is facing a very tough recovery road and she’s going to have to face the fact that the only family she’s had over the last seven years, her best friend, is dead. She’s going to blame herself for Monique’s death and she does NOT need to deal with all the feelings seeing YOU is going to bring. I won’t hesitate to call security if you don’t leave willingly."
Mr. Whitlock was astounded by Kevin’s audacity to speak to him in such a manner. A stereotypical marine, hard, rugged, lean, and as tall as Kevin, he came toe to toe with him and put his finger in Kevin’s chest. "You punk! NO ONE speaks to me like that and gets away with it."
"Major, please back away from Kevin now," came the stern but calm voice.
Without backing away, Mr. Whitlock turned his head to see Marcus with a little girl in his arms. A strangled gasp came from his wife beside him and he too found it difficult to speak seeing the carbon copy of his own daughter. Fond memories of Chelsea at that age filled his mind’s eye.
Kevin stepped to Marcus and away from Mr. Whitlock to take the little girl as Marcus said, "She woke up crying and wanted you. Looks like it was a good thing she did too."
"Hey, sweetheart," greeted Kevin softly as her tiny arms wrapped around his neck and she buried her face in the crook.
"I had a bad dream, Daddy," whimpered the little girl.
"I’m sorry, baby. You’re safe now," comforted Kevin as he hugged her tight.
Mr. Whitlock spoke to Marcus, "What are you doing here?"
"I am employed by the Backstreet Boys which Kevin is a part of. I’m the one who introduced Kevin and Chelsea in the first place."
"You need to explain to this punk who he is talking to."
"Major Whitlock, I know all about you, including how much Chelsea adored you, what a ‘Daddy’s girl’ she was, and how hurt she was when you kicked her out, cutting her off from her family. To this day, she still can’t talk about it without it upsetting her."
"Kevin’s right, Major. Chelsea had a hard time dealing with what you did but she picked herself up, dusted herself off, and moved on. I have the utmost respect for you and your family but at the moment, Chelsea is my first concern. Kevin has asked you to leave and I’m here to back his request."
Major Whitlock was unprepared for this. He’d thought for sure that with Marcus’ ties to his family, he’d support him. Indignantly, he huffed, "Very well. I’ll leave but the little tramp needs to have her information changed so that I’m not contacted again."
"Don’t worry, Major. I’ll be sure that you won’t be inconvenienced any more. Annie is my responsibility and I will take care of Chelsea as well," assured Kevin.
"Let’s go, Hillary," demanded Mr. Whitlock as he started to leave.
"No," stated the older version of Chelsea. "Not this time. You lied to me about why Chelsea was gone…you said she had run away but instead YOU kicked her out. You have cut me off from my daughter and granddaughter long enough and what burns me up is that you forget how WE started….how YOU got me pregnant out of wedlock. My daughter needs me and I will NOT turn my back on her or deny her or my granddaughter my love." Looking at Kevin who was still holding Annie in his arms, she asked, "Would you mind if I stayed to see my daughter?"
"Not at all, Mrs. Whitlock. Would you like to hold your granddaughter?"
"Could I?"
"Sure. Annie, this is your grandmother, you mom’s mother."
Annie looked at the older woman and smiling, said, "Mama’s got a picture of you and she’s told me all about you."
"Really?"
"Yes ma’am. She told me how you use to tell her stories and make her cookies after school. Do you think you could tell me a story now?"
A single tear made its decent as she took Annie from Kevin. "I would love to tell you a story. You know, I think I can even remember your mom’s favorite story too."
Mr. Whitlock was even more dumbfounded by his wife’s defiance. "Don’t bother to come home if you’re going to insist on staying."
Looking back at her husband, she said, "Contact your attorney and have the divorce papers drawn up but do NOT begin to think you are going to kick me out of my own home. You will leave this marriage the same way you came into it…with NOTHING to your name. And if you choose to stay, know that my daughter and granddaughter will be welcomed into their home with open arms. Marcus, please escort the major out."
"Yes ma’am," answered Marcus as he took Mr. Whitlock by the arm to lead him out.
All five men watched as Marcus and the defeated Mr. Whitlock leave the hospital and then turned to see Mrs. Whitlock settled in a chair with Annie in her lap.
"What just happened?" asked Nick.
"What should have happened seven years ago," smiled Kevin knowing that Chelsea would at least have part of her family back. "Come on, let’s make the arrangements to stay here and we need to make sure Mrs. Whitlock has a place to stay as well."
Together, the small group settled in to wait for word on Chelsea after all the necessary arrangements were made for them to stay in Virginia.
