Divorced! Now what?
Chapter 174

Bethany

POV

Theo looked shattered after hearing Jacko was looking for Cindy. I could tell he was thinking the worst, and Hank, not ready to fill in the blanks, was making it harder for Theo to handle; his leg was bouncing under the table as he tried to put on a calm face to his dad. 'Hank, I believe it's time for Bob to share the reports with Theo. He needs to know, I urged, fully aware that Hank was not yet ready to broach the subject. However, Theo needed to comprehend that the situation was more complex than just the identity of the person who had been apprehended.

Hank nodded and looked at Bob as he pulled out his and flicked through it before handing the phone over to Theo. I leaned across and read the first report, and my heart dropped as I read that his Dad was never married to Kitty. If I felt bad then, I was even worse for the two of them, as I read Theo was Hank's Son, and two of the three girls were not. I was glad that Felicity was there on the report. Poor Hank must be devastated to find out he only has a son and a daughter, but at least he has that. I guess. It could have been worse, and he could have had no children.

I felt Theo stiffen, and then I am sure he tried not to cry. It was shocking news, nothing Theo had expected to ever read about his own family. Theo moved over to Hank and pulled him into his arms, and together, they cried on each other's shoulders. I think Hank needed to do this as much as Theo did. The two of them were going to have to be each other's rock.

I got up and put the kettle on; I needed a distraction. My husband and his father's worlds had just collapsed, and I was not sure what to do about it. Pam was great, giving them a group hug, which had both Dad and me joining in. Tears rolled down all of our faces as we all felt the impact of this news sink in.

It was Dad who pulled back first and went to make the drinks. The kettle boiling eventually brought us all out of the group hug.

'Thank you for being here. I am not sure how I would cope. I know I will need support, and just knowing that you guys have been through this already and have an inkling of how I feel is a blessing; it saves me from saying how I feel when I am not ready to do that yet. As a trauma doctor, I understand it is best if I do it quicker for healing, but I need a little time to let it all sink in and find out what the police want me to do!

'You have done all you need to do; at this point, Jacko will need to interview them and work out who is involved. It appears that Felicity is not or has not been involved in this, she will be gutted when she hears about her mother being involved and her sisters. Pam said, knowing more about this case than any of us in the room. Even Dad had to step back when he took the top job and hand all his investigations over to Jacko.

'We are all here for you, Hank. If you want time alone, say so. If you want the company to do the same, we are here for whatever you need; now that Kitty is not here, I can take over the house chores while our home is being renovated and be here for you. Please don't shut us out; I understand that is most likely what you want to do, to bottle it all up and hide, but don't," I said, with as much feeling as I could.

'You are the best thing that has happened to this family. You have made Theo happy, love sports, and are kind-hearted; I am so thankful that you became part of our lives. Hank said with so much feeling that I almost broke out in tears again. My throat thickened, and swallowing was hard. I was full of so many emotions because of that simple comment.

Theo put his arm around me and squeezed. Pam and Dad looked at me, watching my reaction, both, I guess, expecting me to cry.

'Thank you, Hank. That is the nicest thing you have ever said to me. I am proud to be your daughter! I meant every word, and he could see I did.

'Let's have that coffee, and can I have a sandwich? I am suddenly hungry! Hank said, getting everyone up off their feet to do his bidding.

'Dad, do you have work today?' Theo asked, concerned that he was home on a Monday.

'No, son. I am retired now. I go in from time to time when they call asking for my guidance.

'Congratulations, Dad, I had no idea. Were you going to go on a holiday somewhere?' Theo asked, then paled when he thought about what he had just said.

'No, your mother did not want to leave Felicity. Now she is pregnant, but now I know it was more than that. I guess the chances of leaving the country closed up when the syndicate started to be arrested, and she was afraid to be stuck somewhere unsavory! 'You still have grandchildren on the way, Dad. I am sure you can spoil my child as much as you like, and as Bethany and I both love sports, I am sure our child will, too. He boasted, his face beaming with a broad smile, trying to get his Dad to see that not all was lost. 'For that, son, I am forever grateful. I need another sports fan in the family. He chuckled, and some tension seemed to slip away.

'I have four operations to do this week: three young children and one adult; it is scary and exciting at the same time. I say, changing the subject.

'Wow, that is a lot in one week.

'I had hearts ready and was waiting for Robson to decide who was going to be the recipient. I wanted to get as many done before I got too big to operate!' I patted my non-existent belly, which would start to show soon.

'I can't wait for you to start getting larger; are you going to create the hearts in the lab you are building at home, yes?' Hank asked, interested in my field of research.

'Yes, I am going to have Theo sit in each operation, and he can even do one, because when I am too big, he is going to step up and do them. I know he is not keen on working with children with his large hands inside those tiny chests, but someone needs to do it, and I do not trust anyone else at the early stages of research and development.

'Do you blame me? They are so tiny and fragile that it is not easy to jump in and risk a small child's life like that. Give me an adult who has been stupid in life and stuffed up his heart; much easier to cope with than a child who does not even see much in life.' 'Yes, but you are looking at it wrongly; instead of fear of losing life, think of making it so much better that the child has a better life and can enjoy those things you wish them to have. If you do not do it, who will? You would be saving that child from years of pain and suffering!' I said, trying to get him to see things differently, but it had been the same argument since I met him. He feels too clumsy to operate on a small child.

'Sounds like you two have had this argument a few times before. Hank chuckled, and it sounded good to hear him laugh. Hank looked a lot better and seemed under control until the front door opened. In walked Cindy, the sound of her high heels clicking on the hallway floor all the way to the kitchen.

'Hi Dad, have you seen Mum or Margaret? I have not been able to raise them on the phone. Hi Bethany, Theo, and Bob, how are you all?' She has been out and about all night and has no clue what has been happening lately.

'Not seen her since yesterday! Hank answered, which was true.

'Good, thanks, Cindy! I replied. Theo gave her a side hug, and Bob nodded.

'Strange that I cannot raise either of them. I am going to shower and change. She left the room, and we listened until we heard her door close.

'You know what you got to do, or would you like me to do it?' Bob said to Hank.

'No, I will do it. Hank picked up his phone and dialed Jacko.

'She is here taking a shower; I get the impression she will be heading back out