an End, A New Beginning 3/3

Timothy was worried that they had already missed Sage. Caleb forced him to stop for coffee and a bagel sandwich. He had called it hangover food. Truthfully, the food had helped and after coffee life was almost bearable again. The problem was that Timothy had never felt more nervous. How hard could it be to say hello to a four-year-old? He wanted Sage to like him but knew that it was not going to happen, at least not today.

"Would you stop fidgeting?" Caleb fixed his friend with a stare, "why are you so jumpy?" They had been sitting in the lobby of the research center for about twenty minutes and Tim could not sit still. Caleb wanted to slap him. "Who are you anyway?"

The lobby was simple, just a few seating areas in a bright sterile environment. Caleb could not imagine spending his whole life in this place. Poor kid, he thought. He was curious though, who was this furious four-year-old that was a pint-size version of Timothy. From the laptop conversations it was plain that their personalities were remarkably similar. Caleb chuckled aloud.

"What, what is it?" Tim asked distractedly.

"I was thinking of how much fun you are going to have with a teenager that is just like you," Caleb laughed again. Tim looked at him for a moment and then chuckled softly. The thought of that helped settle Timothy a bit. It could always get worse.

Tim was about to say something when the entrance doors slid open and Connor, Nathan, and Eva Lane entered the building lobby. A few seconds after Mia and the most adorable little girl in the world came bouncing in.

"Daddy!" Ginger yelled happily before running up to Timothy and tossing herself at him. Luckily, he managed to catch her.

"Hey there, princess. You are fearless. How did you know I would catch you?" Tim grinned at his tiny daughter trying to ignore the varying shocked and bemused expressions worn by the Lanes.

"Because you would not let me get hurt. You saved me on the island, so I know," Ginger answered seriously, her hair bouncing around her face.

"I never would." Tim said seriously but quickly switched gears. "I have a present for you, do you want it?" Tim asked, setting Ginger on the floor, and crouching down to her.

"Of course!" Ginger replied, her little face reminding him so much of Mia that it was physically painful. Tim reached in his hand in his pocket and pulled out the small bracelet.

"Pick an arm," Tim told her quietly. Once she had held out an arm he settled the stretchy band onto her wrist. Ginger traced her little fingers over the stone beads. Tim thought she liked it but started getting nervous when she was quiet.

"It's so pretty," Ginger finally breathed out. "Thank you," she exclaimed nearly knocking Timothy over with the force of her hug.

"You are very welcome," Tim replied softly. Then she was off to show her present to each of the Lanes in turn before finally coming full circle to stop in front of Caleb who she promptly demanded to pick her up and look at her bracelet. After Ginger was fully convinced that Caleb had sufficiently appreciated her present she climbed down and stopped in front of Tim.

"So, what are you most excited about now that Sage will be home?" Tim asked his daughter.

"We get to go to school together! I made presents for Sage to give to all our teachers and everything." Ginger was nearly vibrating with excitement. "Hey, did you bring Sage a present?" Ginger loud whispered conspiratorially. "He doesn't like you much but maybe that would help." Both Caleb and Nathan barked out laughs.

Tim watched his daughter bemusedly, "I got it covered and you are right, presents never hurt." He was momentarily distracted when Mia told the Lanes she was going to finish the discharge instructions and she headed into the interior of the Research Center. He picked up Ginger and sat down with her on his lap letting her ramble excitedly about school, her friends, and how great it was going to be to have Sage at school with her.

"I have to say, Barrett," Conner mused walking over to him and Ginger. "I don't recognize you."

"Join the club," Tim chuckled.

"Take it as a compliment. Whatever you are doing now is a vast improvement over who you were before." Connor finished and walked back to his brother.

Tim watched the doctor walk away, his expression contemplative. He had little hope that he and the Lanes could find common ground but just maybe that was changing. Only time would tell. No one had attacked him yet today and that was an improvement over their past encounters. Tim turned his attention back to Ginger who was emphatically describing the school bully. A little girl with red pigtails and big front teeth.

"Then I said, Meredith, you are a prim-oh-donna." Ginger drew out the word exceptionally far and it caused Timothy and the Lanes to laugh.

"Well, what happened after you said that" Tim asked, prodding his daughter to continue his story.

"My goodness, she was such a drama queen. Meredith flopped on the ground like a fish and started screaming." Ginger huffed throwing her hands in the air. "So embarrassing," she finished with an eye roll.

Tim could not keep his absolute delight in this tiny person from his face. "Don't ever change, bug." Tim said to his daughter with a laugh. From a few seats over he noticed Eva smiling at the two of them softly. She gave him a gentle nod before turning toward Nathan.

Tim watched Caleb pace back and forth at the other end of the lobby. He had been on a conference call for the last ten minutes. Barrett Group had a huge merger that was set to be signed today. Timothy heard Caleb reaffirm that 'Mr. Barrett was busy and not available at this time.'

"Fine, I'll ask," Caleb huffed. Under his breath he muttered, "It's your funeral."

"Tim, Mr. Murdoch requests a two-minute conference call before he signs the merger. Everything is ready. He just won't sign until he talks to you personally." Caleb relayed the caller's request to his friend. Tim's hostile glare stopped Caleb from saying anything else.

Tim motioned for Ginger to plug her ears. "I have already told you that I am out of the office today. Tell Mr. Murdoch to take a dive off the balcony." Tim hissed before continuing, "I will not work on my children's time. I get damn little of it as it is there is no way I am going to sell any more of it. Either get off the phone or take it outside. Do not ask me again." Finished speaking, Timothy stuck his fingers in his ears and waved at his daughter with both hands.

Ginger immediately dissolved into a fit of giggles. "Daddy, you're silly."

Tim watched Caleb leave through the entrance. He felt sorry for Caleb having to deal with this situation so that he got time to see the twins, but it could not be helped. He had told Caleb to try to push the signing to another day. Mr. Murdoch of Murdoch Oil refused to allow it. They were at an impasse. The merger had taken two years to come to fruition and was worth millions for Barrett Group, but Timothy did not care. If it had to happen today or never, it was going to be never. No amount of money could be worth giving up any more time with this amazing little girl in front of him. A few minutes later Caleb came back in and flopped in the seat beside Tim looking frazzled. Timothy simply looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I think you are crazy, but I respect it." Caleb sighed before continuing, "Murdoch walked."

"Fair enough." Tim supplied not looking the least bit concerned as Ginger chatted happily about all the types of puppies she would like to have.

"Is that Mr. Murdoch of Murdoch Oil you are talking about?" Nathan asked Caleb with interest.

"The very same." Caleb answered glumly, "he's notoriously difficult to work with which is why it took two years to get him to the table, Tim." Caleb griped at his friend.

"I don't care, and I do not want to hear about it right now." Tim replied. The only thing Tim wanted to think about was his children. Not even Mia held more priority to him today.

After another sigh, Caleb dropped the matter turning to something on his phone.

"Can I come to your house to visit tomorrow, Daddy?" Ginger asked sweetly craning her head to look at her father through her lashes.

"I do not have a house in Norde City, bug. We stay in a hotel." Timothy answered honestly wondering where she was going with this.

"What hotel?" Ginger asked, trying, and not looking innocent. Tim barked out a laugh.

"Nice try. There is no chance that I am going to tell you that and get murdered by your mother when you show up at my door. I know how your brilliant, sneaky mind works. Not a chance, bug." Tim chuckled shaking his head at her audacity.

"But I want to come see you." Ginger pouted.

"Then ask your mom to bring you and Sage to see me. You are welcome anytime but only if you promise not to try to get to me on your own. Do you pinky-promise?" Tim asked holding up his pinky.

After a few moments and seeing no way to get out of it, Ginger grabbed her father's pinky and shook saying imperiously, "I promise, Daddy."

Then the doors to the internal part of the hospital opened and Mia walked out holding the hand of a little boy followed by the fair-haired Dr. Merches. It was the same little boy that Timothy had called a brat on his first visit to the Research Center he realized with dismay. Good going Tim, he chastised himself internally.

Sage looked around inquisitively watching as everyone rose from their seats, his eyes finally resting on Tim and Ginger with a frown. Timothy stood setting Ginger on the floor and steadying her.

Ginger took off for her brother with energy. "Sage, I missed you. I can't wait to get out of here with you. I have so much to show you!" Ginger gulped down air preparing to continue but then went perfectly still. "Right," she murmured.

"Daddy has a present for you, I'm sure it's great. Mine is." Ginger waived her bracelet in from of her brother's face for a few seconds.

Sage turned his cautious gaze on Timothy. "What is it," he asked with more attitude than should be possible for such a tiny boy?

"Just come see." Ginger said and then pulled Sage fifteen feet to stand in front of their father and then she backed off a couple of feet. Tim sent a quick smile her way. That girl was going to be hell-on-wheels when she got older but in the best way.

Father and son perused each other for a while either unwilling or unable to speak. Timothy realized why he had thought the boy at the Research Center before seemed familiar. He was looking in a mirror at his younger self. Sage resembled him just as much as Ginger resembled Mia. Timothy was trying to hold it together, but he felt like he was being strangled.

"Well, what is my present then," Sage huffed.

Tim pulled the flash drive from his pocket and crouched down to be level with Sage. After a second he held the drive up to the boy in the palm of his hand and simply said, "Hello Sage, I am happy to finally meet you."

"Hello, Mr. Barrett," Sage replied, his expression stormy, but his eyes were glued to the flash drive. It was clear that he wanted the gift, but he was extremely cautious. After a minute of careful deliberation, Sage reached out to take it only to pull his hand back at the last second.

"It's alright," Tim began regretfully, "you are probably not up to the challenge right now maybe next time." Tim started to pull his hand away acting like he was going to stand. He was rewarded when Sage snatched the flash drive from him and stuffed it in his pocket. It took everything in Tim not to smirk and give the game away.

"Yeah, right." Sage scoffed. Then his face transformed into what could only be described as an evil grin. Without another word to Timothy, Sage turned and walked back to Mia and Dr. Merches.

"Uncle Nick?" Sage walked up to the other man who immediately turned to look at his godson and raised an eyebrow in inquiry. "Now that you don't have to take care of me all the time, I give you my permission to take mom on a date. How about tomorrow?" Mia went completely still, her cheeks taking on a slight pink hue. Timothy's mouth opened in shock, the Lane brothers snickered, and Eva looked uncomfortable.

"I think," Nicholas replied first turning his icy eyes toward Tim with a smirk then giving his full attention to Sage, "that little boys should leave adult matters to adults." He graced Sage with a rare smile and grazed the soft new hair on Sage's head with his hand before resting that hand on the boy's back.

"No problem, I just wanted everyone to know where I stood." Sage announced arrogantly.

"That boy is ruthless exactly like someone else I know." Caleb whispered.

"I noticed." Tim replied through his clenched jaw that he was struggling to relax. Sage was very clearly rooting for the other team but what was really killing him was that hand on Sage's back, and the way Nicholas was able to so casually touch the boy when he could not. Timothy was out-of-his-mind jealous, and he knew he better not show it. He realized Nathan was watching him with an eyebrow raised. Tim managed to take a deep breath and rolled his shoulders before shrugging at Nathan. What could he say? That sucked.

Ginger bounced up to Tim with a small frown on her perfect face. She sighed heavily as Tim crouched down to her. "I'll work on him," she whispered very quietly.

Timothy smiled at his daughter softly and he felt so lucky that she was his, "wear your bracelet all the time so you can always think of me, all right?" he whispered back just as quietly before placing a kiss on her forehead and hugging her tightly for a moment. Ginger nodded that she would.

"Bye, Mr. Caleb." Ginger chirped. "Bye, Daddy. I'll call you later." Tim grinned at her with a nod.

Everyone was getting ready to leave. Dr. Merches gave the last instructions to Mia and turned without another word and went back into the hospital. Mia walked over to Timothy.

"I will call you tomorrow and set up a visit with the twins. I am sorry I haven't spoken to you before now I have had a lot on my mind." Mia looked uncomfortable as she spoke to Timothy. She was acting even more awkward around him than usual. Maybe she was embarrassed because of the texts or maybe it was because she was dating Nicholas, Tim thought unhappily. He was simply happy that she was not avoiding him and wanted to let him see the twins.

"That sounds great, and I get it." Tim responded. Mia turned and quickly rejoined her family. Eva offered Tim and Caleb a small smile before leaving with Ginger who had grinned at him just before she went through the door. The Lane brothers followed close behind.

"Bye, Sage." Timothy said before Sage walked through the sliding door.

"Goodbye, Mr. Barrett." Sage replied in monotone without turning around. Mia waved at the two of them over her shoulder and they were gone.

"Wow," Caleb said loudly clapping his friend on the back, "you have a son. Congratulations! He is a baby tyrant, but he is your son." Caleb chuckled, "both Barrett children are baby tyrants can't say I'm surprised."

Timothy was in shock. It had not hit him until now. He was a father with two beautiful children. He had the most beautiful, precious, and precocious daughter. Tim also now had a son that was brilliant and far too much like himself. He had heirs. Terror struck him instantly. Timothy Barrett, head of Barrett Group had something to lose, something he would die to protect, and he was rattled. There were now three people he couldn't live without.

"Tim, you alright?" Caleb asked concern clouding his features. "I thought you would be happy about this?"

"I've just never been this scared in my whole life." Tim finally responded with a snort. "Let's go because part of me still wants to murder the good doctor. I am fighting it because he saved my son's life, but he is my son, not his, mine. Yes, we should go." Timothy shook his hands out like he was trying to release the tension from all the day's stress.

Caleb shoved his friend good-naturedly with a chuckle. He could not imagine what Timothy was going through but thought that it must be profound. For a moment he felt saddened and wondered, not for the first time, when it would be his turn. Seeing the change that had come over his friend was starting to make him long for a family of his own.

The two men climbed into a black sedan and Timothy told his driver to take them to a restaurant where they could grab a late lunch and recap the day's events. Timothy felt like there were a lot of things he needed to get done to make his dreams of having Mia and the twins in his life a reality.