*****
"They look so happy." Without turning around, Eliza sensed him behind her. She had told the nannies to leave her alone with them for a few minutes.
"They should be." He came closer and wrapped his arms around her waist as he gazed at his children. They were in their swing sets, fidgeting with the mobiles as if that was the most important thing in the world, and to them it was. And they were thriving. The boys were already crawling and getting into everything, smashing at the building blocks, and putting the stuffed toys into their mouths.
"What's wrong, darling?" He turned her to face him.
"I feel sorry for her."
"Eliza..."
"Please hear me out," she pleaded.
"I'm listening."
Ignoring his ominous expression, she plunged on. "When I was trying to get pregnant and nothing was happening, I wasdepressed. Oh, I would hide it, and being the excellent actress I am, I would pull it off."
"Not quite," he told her quietly. "I knew you were depressed; I just didn't know what to do about it."
She nodded. "We were distant, losing each other, and I had no idea what to do." She lifted a hand to touch his face gently. "I would have done anything to give you children, anything. That was how far I'd gone. So, I can relate."
"You wouldn't have taken it that far. She was planning on killing you and taking our children, and I cannot be tolerant of that type of far-out thinking." His hand cupped the back of her neck, his fingers massaging the skin.
"And we would have found our way back to each other. The love we share would have taken care of that. I love you," he added huskily. "I always will. Even when I feel like strangling you, I love you." Tipping her chin up, he brushed his lips on hers. "I have a suggestion."
"What?"
"When all of this is over, we go somewhere. We've been through one ordeal after another without a break in between. I want to spend time alone with my wife and children."
Her eyes brightened, her lips parting. "I would love that very much."
"Good. We wrap everything up and take a trip. You choose the place."
He turned her around, and they continued to watch their children, smiles on their faces.
Chapter 16
It was all over the tabloids and social media. You could not turn around without hearing of the plot to do harm to Eliza Bell-Copeland and her quads. The press was commenting on the fact that she and the perpetrator bore the same last name and wondering if somehow Frank Bell could be her long-lost dad. That theory was nipped in the bud by Frank himself when a reporter cornered him to ask him that bluntly.
Frank reported that he never knew the woman who gave birth to Eliza. With his sincere comment, the rumor died down, and attention shifted to the crime itself. Talk show hosts made it a hot topic, even bringing on psychologists who did their best to delve into Maxy Brown-Bell's frame of mind.
After a lengthy discussion with her husband, Eliza decided on a course of action and a press conference. The woman had confessed to her sins and was on suicide watch when she tried to take her own life. And she would be getting a psych evaluation.
So, here she was, standing at the podium of the busy metropolitan area where her publicist had set up the press conference.
Taking a deep breath and giving her husband, who was standing slightly to her left, a glance, she started talking.
"Over the last couple of weeks, there have been a lot of speculations and theories. I've listened to them despite my husband's objections." She turned to give him a fleeting smile before turning to face the press.
"You see, I wanted to know just what people were saying. Over the years, my husband and I have endured the avid attention from the press and fans alike. We're public figures, and we knew what we signed up for. But things have changed. We're not prepared to parade our children for the public to gawk over. We're parents, and as such, we have a responsibility to hold our children close and keep them from danger as much as possible." She paused, looking over the curious faces.
"The way we became parents is our business and ours alone. That said, we realize that there are women out there, and I've done my research before agreeing to stand before you. There are, tragically, women out there who would love to be mothers, but due to circumstances beyond their control, it's not possible. My husband and I tried for years, and as a last resort, we turned to IVF. We were fortunate and have the resources to make it happen. Some people don't.
"Maxy Brown-Bell was one such woman, and her desperation drove her to do the unthinkable. From all indications, she had been a good citizen, a good neighbor, a good employee, and an avid follower of Christ. But something broke inside her. And she was no longer the same person." She paused to sip some water.
"I'm not excusing her method, because she should have sought help, but then again, her mind was completely gone. That's why my husband's foundation, along with several of our friends, the wives, as they're called-" She gestured to several of the women on the podium, which included Kelly, Leesa, Stacy, Kiara, Sadie, and Indigo.
"We've taken on another project, and we've named it 'Women supporting other women.' It's a charity which will enable potential mothers to explore other options if conceiving naturally is a problem. Several doctors, including psychiatrists, fertility specialists, and others, are on board to donate their time and ability to do consults, which will be free of charge for those who genuinely cannot afford the services."
