Eva tapped her foot on the floor and stared at the pillow-filled hole in the floor boards. She and Jen had blocked the scene without her falling again, but it was time to get real. The cameras were ready. Dimitri stood, and everyone waited on her. She swallowed and put her foot in the hole. "So you want me to dive into the hole on purpose this time?"
The director glanced at Brandon and said, "We can film this after the holidays if you prefer."
No. This was her job, and who knew? Perhaps she'd break out into film and make more money than in plays. She took her foot out and turned toward Jen again. "No, it's fine. And Jen, don't be afraid to hit me. I've always preferred getting stuck into my role."
One slap or punch to the face wasn’t going to hurt her, and it would look better for the camera too.
"But…" Jen's face went white. "You were just in the hospital."
"My baby is fine. Let's do this," she told Jen, and for the scene she turned and picked up the gun. Jennifer came into the kitchen and Eva pointed it at her.
The director gave the signal and Jennifer shrieked. "You're crazy."
"That's what he'll think when he finds you," she said, stepping closer while unlocking the gun. Acting out this scene in the movie was a perfect way to start.
Jennifer cried on cue and pushed the chair in front of her. "The baby isn't his."
Good. Eva began to forget her life and become her character, Laura. She kicked the chair and motioned for Jen to go into the next room. "It should be. You're in the way."
She didn't move. Eva grabbed her and pointed the gun at her temple while she pushed her.
"Let me go," Eva begged and dragged her feet. Laura wouldn’t cry, so Eva struggled as hard as she could.
This was it. She was about to fall. She steeled her legs to brace herself. Jen lightened her grip, and they both turned as they blocked it out, and Jen punched her in the nose.
Good. Eva refused to look at the hole as she threw herself onto her mark. Luckily, the pillows worked. Actually it felt nice to lay on her belly like this. If she could, she’d stay, but Laura never gave up. She pushed herself up on her knees and shot the gun.
An explosion on the set broke one of the plates on the cabinet.
Jen screamed again, but Eva pulled her forward and threw her into the next room. "You're weak."
"No!" Jen's screams echoed in the kitchen where Eva still stood and acted triumphant. She went to the stove and poured herself a cup of tea. Jen screamed in the other room. "I'll get out."
"It's good you think so." Eva smiled into her tea cup as she sat on a dining room chair.
"No!" Jen screamed. Eva just laughed and rubbed her belly while she drank her cup.
"Cut," Dimitri called.
The scene was finished. Brandon went into the kitchen and hugged her. "Eva, you were so evil."
"Laura's fun," she admitted and hugged him back. In real life, she'd never be like this. Though for Brandon, she might need to show more strength. His cedar smell calmed her and let her dream of home.
"Good news." Dimitri called out, "We did it in one take. That's a wrap."
The crowd cheered and everyone shouted, "Merry Christmas!" Brandon massaged her back and then said, "Let me talk to Dimitri, and then we'll celebrate Christmas."
"Okay," she said and rubbed her belly.
Brandon walked two feet from her to talk to the director. She turned away but could hear every word. "I'm hiring a new assistant director after the New Year. Hopefully, I'll find someone I trust and that you like."
A moment later, Brandon's hand was on the small of her back, she turned and smiled at the director again. "Happy holidays to you both."
For once everything felt great. Brandon walked her off the set. They passed wardrobe toward the front door to go outside. "What's an assistant director do?"
"The assistant is the one that keeps the budget for me on a day-to-day basis. A few weeks ago, the one I hired had a huge fall out with Dimitri, and he quit." He unlocked the door for her, and the brightness of the evening shone in her face.
She let him lead her to his car. "Sounds good—and it sounds like you solved your problem."
They made it to the highway when her phone rang. As she picked it up to look at the screen Brandon said, "Chris is calling you again."
She silenced the phone, as this one didn't have the decline option, and turned toward Brandon. "Let's ignore the call. What are our plans for tonight?"
Another ring pierced the air. Brandon made a tisk sound. "He’s not giving up easily."
Brandon pulled into a parking lot of a nice hotel near the ocean. The blue waters normally calmed her, but her nerves were a wreck. "He's not getting the hint."
Brandon unbuckled his seat belt. "Answer while I make our reservation."
She reached out for him while she answered. "Don't leave me."
"Never," he whispered and stayed in his seat.
"Chris," she answered. "What do you want?"
"Eva, my lawyers are drafting custody papers. I want you to consider letting me have my child outright."
Her pulse raced again, and she thought about what the nurse said about staying calm. She squeezed Brandon's hand. "Absolutely not. No one is taking my baby from me."
"Eva, I'll pay you five million to walk away. It would be easier for you than a court battle."
No amount of money would ever be enough. Her face fell, but thankfully she saw Brandon was right here. She needed to stop the stress, but she yelled, "Don't call me again."
She hung up the phone, and a second later her tears flowed down her cheeks. Brandon hugged her and the smell of cedar was like a wonder drug. She hugged him back, feeling the tension dissipate. "What happened?"
"Brandon, can we go home? I look a mess."
She wiped her face, but felt more tears. This time, she wasn't angry. It was more about having Brandon here, which was stupid. "Of course. Tell me what happened."
She pursed her lips. "He offered me five million dollars to walk away from the baby. My baby is not for sale. She’s all the family I’ve ever had in the world."
"I heard you say no. Everything’s going to be okay, Eva."
"I’m scared." Her hands shook. "He also threatened me with court."
"Eva, you're not weak," he said and took her hand in his. At least stop shaking.
Right. Now she had to tell him the truth. She took a deep breath. "I'm not strong, Brandon. I've never been strong. I survive because I’m good at putting things out of my mind, but his family has money."
He brushed his hand against her cheek wiping away tears. "So do I, and so do most of your friends."
She didn't though. That was the problem. "I can't ask my friends. This isn't their fault."
He drove from the beach down Collins. For a few minutes, neither of them said anything, he turned back on the highway for a moment until he reached his exit. As he turned into his street, he said, "We're almost home."
With his house in sight, she sighed. "Brandon, I'm scared."
"You can marry me," Brandon said, turning into the driveway.
The gate was still closing behind them. The view of the sun setting on the water was only there because Brandon technically lived on an island. Her heart beat slow and sure. Her heart took over for one second while she reached for her door. "I want to marry you because you love me and I love you. I don't want to, because we're not there, and this whole situation is my fault."
He followed her out of the car. She hugged herself and went to the front door of the house.
"Eva, stop."
She turned toward him and shook her head. "I knew Chris had dated your sister. I didn't check with her first."
"You weren't friends with her," Brandon said, and joined her.
"I still knew." Everything that’s happened could’ve been prevented, if she was a better person. Her problems would've never happened if she’d been good.
"Eva, you need to stop thinking you can solve the world’s problems."
Her breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?"
Wild parrots sang behind them and almost made what Brandon said a concert. "You don't have to pay people when a show closes." He reached for her shoulder and held her. "You don't have to fight Chris alone, and you are not responsible for my sister almost marrying him. All that matters is your baby and your health."
With Brandon, she couldn't hide anything. She felt her tears returning, and couldn't just blame the pregnancy this time. "Brandon, that's the rub. I'm not a fan of me. I hide in my roles and pretend for a show that my life is the character I play. Eva Bishop has never been that interesting."
He brushed her tears off her cheeks and whispered, "Eva, you are the most interesting woman I’ve ever met. Don't sell yourself short."
Without another word, his lips met hers, and it felt like she was home. He was everything she ever wanted and never had. If he said he was in love with her, she'd have told him yes. She hugged him when the kiss ended and said, "Brandon, just hold me. For Christmas, let's watch a movie and escape."
"Eva..." he choked on his words and unlocked the door.
She reached for his shoulder. "Yes?"
He opened it for her. "You’re worth waiting for. I want you to know that."
"Thanks," she said, and went inside. Right now, curling her feet up and blocking everything out except the two of them was what she wanted.