Chapter 6

Heidi quietly sat on the warm park bench, watching Fitz who was happily running around swings and going down slides. It had been two weeks since her wedding, a two weeks that Heidi could only describe as static.

Jake had been unfailingly pleasant and kind. He held her in his arms every night, though he kept true to his promise of not asking for anything more. What Heidi liked best about her new situation, though, was its affect on Fitz. He had always been a happy child, but he seemed to love being with his father, and Heidi loved seeing the two of them together.

Still, Heidi couldn't quite escape the subtle itch of melancholy she always felt lingering beneath the happy surface. This was probably due to the fact that she knew her new existence was temporary and tenuous. Her and Jake's problems weren't resolved, only pushed aside. She felt them, but she wondered if Jake did. He seemed all too happy with the current situation.

Jake tried really hard to give her everything his money could buy, and Heidi had to admit to herself that she didn't mind not having to buy all her and Fitz's clothes at second hand stores or the off brand foods at the supermarket. She enjoyed the luxury of new clothes shopping, but was still hesitant to spend too much of Jake's money. Though they were married, Heidi didn't really feel comfortable with the concept yet.

The only thing was, Heidi had nothing to fill her days with. She was just so used to working all the time, and going to school. Not that she would want to go back to her job waitressing, although she did miss Fran's constant company. She just felt that it was kind of a waste to spend all that time and energy getting her degree, and now she would never have the chance to use it.

Watching Fitz pop head first out of the long tube slide and tumble ungracefully to the ground before standing back up for another go, Heidi couldn't feel too disappointed. She loved the extra time she got to spend with her son.

Leaning back on the bench with the sun warming her face, she let her mind wander. If felt good not to think, to just relax. She watched the slide, waiting to see Fitz's little head pop out again, but it didn't come. Scanning the swings and the monkey bars, she realized that she couldn't see his little blonde head anywhere.

"Fitz!" she stood up and called, walking around the little playground. He wasn't there. She started to panic now. "Fitz!" she ran over to the parking lot, glancing between the cars. "Fitz!" she screamed again.

"Mommy," Heidi's heart lurched as she heard her son's voice. A wave of relief hit her as she turned in the direction it came from. Panic hit again though, just as quickly as it had gone, when she saw who Fitz was in the arms of.

"Get away from my son!" Heidi shouted, running to him and jerking him fiercely into her grasp.

The balding man who had been holding her son looked around nervously at the curious eyes of the other parents.

"Really Heidi," his companion said with a light little laugh, "Don't start on all your little dramatics."

"It's okay," the man shouted to the people watching, "We're his grandparents." They reluctantly turned their heads away at this, thinking they had been caught staring at a family drama.

"You are not his grandfather," Heidi growled fiercely at the man she despised with all her breath, "And I never want to see you come anywhere near my son again." Heidi spat out each word.

"Heidi," her mother said chidingly, "Don't talk to Carl that way. Just because you are married now, doesn't give you an excuse to be rude. Speaking of which, I was a little disappointed that I wasn't invited to the wedding," her mother let her voice take on a sappy hurt quality that was just as face as her press on nails.

"Why would you be invited? We haven't spoken to each other in four years, too short a time if you ask me."

Her mother scoffed, "This child," she complained to her husband, "Always so disrespectful. I almost blame myself."

Carl was quick to comfort her. "It wasn't your fault, dear," he said as though Heidi wasn't even there, "Some children are just born bad."

Heidi started to walk away, she didn't know why they had come to look her up now, and she didn't care. Just so long as it was clear to them that she didn't want to see them ever again.

"Don't walk way from me," her mother told her, drawing Heidi to turn around. "Don't you even want to know why we're here?"

"No," Heidi said, walking to her car.

"What a nice car you have here," Carl commented, as she buckled her son into the back seat, "You've done really well for yourself."

Heidi glared angrily at him. "Stay away from me."

"Listen Heidi," her mother interjected, "The reason why we're here. Carl and I are a little low on cash right now, and since you seem to have so much..." she trailed off suggestively.

Heidi snorted disgustedly, "And why would I give you anything?"

"It's the least you could do," her mother said, "After I put up with you for all those years. I'm your mother, for Christ's sake, your own flesh and blood."

"You were no mother to me," Heidi said, but really just wanted to get out of there. Nothing she could say would make her mother feel guilty or sorry, it was no use even talking to her.

Heidi started to open the driver's door.

"Say goodbye to Fitzroy for me," Carl said. Heidi cringed at the sound of her son's names on this monster's lips. "Tell him I'll see him again really soon."

Heidi's face blanched. Was he threatening her son? It took all of Heidi's control not to start throwing punches at Carl's smug face. That wouldn't accomplish anything.

"What did you say?" Heidi's voice was carefully controlled, but lethal.

"Look," Carl negotiated, "All we are asking for is ten thousand dollars or so. I don't think that is unreasonable, considering the amount of money your new husband makes." He turned to his wife for confirmation, and she shook her head in agreement.

"Not unreasonable at all," she said.

"Ten thousand dollars?" Heidi stared at them like they were insane.

"You'll never hear from us again. I promise." Carl said.

Ten thousand dollars? Heidi thought. It wasn't something she could take from Jake and hope he didn't notice. She should just leave. These people had no control over her now and she didn't have to give them anything.

But was denying the money worth it? She knew Carl, knew he wouldn't let it rest. She could keep careful attention on Fitz, but what if he somehow got to him? It wasn't worth it. Money was nothing in comparison to her son's safety.

"Fine," Heidi growled. "Meet me here Monday, same time." She got in her car and started the ignition.

All she wanted to do was cry at the horror of it. She didn't want to give anything up to these people. She kept her emotions carefully in check though, for Fitz's sake.

"Who were they, mommy?" Fitz asked curiously.

"No one you have to worry about," Heidi reassured him as much as she reassured herself.

"How about some ice cream?" Heidi put as much enthusiasm in her voice as she could manage. She glanced in the rearview mirror to see her Fitz bounce excitedly.

"Yeah, yeah," he agreed.

"Okay, let's go."

"How was your day?" Jake asked, walking into the kitchen and kissing her carefully on the cheek.

"Fine," Heidi lied. She couldn't tell him. He would regret marrying her, regret taking a woman with so much baggage. She was reluctant to do anything that would change the peaceful atmosphere they had carefully constructed around themselves.

"Good." Jake sat down at the kitchen table.

"How was your day?" Heidi asked pleasantly, forcing herself to smile. He looked at her a little suspiciously, probably sensing her abused nerves, but didn't say anything.

"Fine, I'm going to have to go out of town for a couple of days." Heidi could sense him watching her intently, gauging her reaction.

"Oh really? When do you leave?" Heidi carefully injected mild curiosity into her voice. She didn't want him to see the sudden apprehension she felt at him leaving. She would miss him. And even more upsetting was her absurd notion that he was going to meet another woman.

She forced herself to stop being suspicious. It didn't mean anything. Not all business men had mistresses waiting for them when they went on business trips.

"Tomorrow. I'm flying out to Chicago."

Heidi nodded. "And when will you be back?"

"I'm only staying for a night or two, not too long."

"That's good," Heidi said pleasantly, concentrating on her dinner.

Jake was suddenly serious. "Is it, Heidi?" he asked huskily. "Are you going to miss me?"

Heidi's eyes jerked up to meet his. She wasn't used to the deep emotions she could see in his face, usually a face that was so carefully composed.

Before she could answer, though, Fitz spoke up, apparently just deciding to listen to the conversation.

"Daddy leaving?" he asked sadly.

Jake's voice was bright again. "Only for a few days," he assured his son. "I'll bring you back something from Chicago."

Fitz smiled happily, and went back to carefully picking at his food, getting as much on his face as he was in his mouth.

Jake didn't bring up the subject of his business trip to her again until that night when they were in bed. Heidi was pressed up against him, spoon style, and had his arm wrapped around waist.