DISCLAIMER: Hanna-Barbara, Inc. and Turner Entertainment own The Quest Team and all affiliated characters. I didn't ask for permission to use these characters, and I am getting no money for my troubles. All other unrelated characters are my creations.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the first story in a series of stories under the title "A Family's Bond." I'm not sure how many stories there will be (right now I have 5 slated for production). Feedback is always welcome, so let me know what you think! ^_^
And an extra thanks to Susan Howe for her comments and suggestions! I may never be able to thank her enough.
Now. . .on with the story.
A FAMILY'S BOND "Mistakes"
By lil'nix
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"The man who boasts he never made a mistake is often married to a woman who did." -- Anonymous
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Benton fidgeted in his tuxedo. He had rolled the cuffs of his sleeves, unrolled them and rolled them again, over and over for the past twenty minutes. His bow tie had come undone in the process. When he finished with his sleeves, Benton heaved a sigh and began pulling at the annoying piece of fabric around his neck.
"Benton will you please stop fidgeting with that thing. You're making ME nervous."
Benton heaved another sigh and literally threw himself into the chair next to his friend. He looked at his Best Man apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Sean. It's just that. . .well. . .I'm not nervous just-"
Sean Gorman shook his head and smiled to himself. Benton was normally a very emotionally controlled man. Sean had never seen him like this. It was like he was having a nervous breakdown. He couldn't help but chuckle at his friend.
"Scared?" Sean offered.
"Terrified," Benton replied.
Sean put a reassuring hand on Benton's shoulder. He remembered his own wedding and how nervous he had been.
"You'll be fine," Sean said.
"How DID you do it?" Benton said with a brief smile.
Sean smiled brightly. "I just kept thinking about what would happen that night."
"And now?"
"I still think about that night."
Both men laughed heartily.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Five minutes gentlemen," the priest said through the door. "Please take your places at the altar."
Benton and Sean stood from their seats. Benton heaved a final sigh and regarded himself in the mirror. He toiled with his cuffs and bow tie one last time. Was he really ready for this? They had only been dating for three years. And they were still young. . .Benton's career was starting to take off just days after his 31st birthday, and Rachel, 28, had recently received her doctorate. Did they really think this through? Was it enough time?
"You'll have enough time after you're married to figure it out," Sean said, reading Benton's mind.
Benton turned away from the mirror and walked toward the door.
"Then let's do it," he said to Sean.
**J*Q** **J*Q** **J*Q**
Doug Wildey watched from his post outside the bridal room, as his future son-in-law and Best Man walked into the church. (1) Benton Quest looked like a nervous wreck and his friend was trying desperately to calm him down.
Doug smiled to himself. He'd been nervous, too, when he married Catherine, but he never thought he showed it.
*My Best Man must have thought I was going into shock,* Doug thought with a chuckle. *At least someone got a good laugh that day.*
Doug waited till the two younger gentlemen were far enough away, then opened the door to the Bridal room. He gazed in awe at his only daughter, Rachel, who stood upon a footstool while Catherine finished fixing the train of her gown. The bridesmaids were busily putting together their bouquets and hairpieces.
"Is it almost time, daddy?" Rachel asked.
Doug smiled broadly. Rachel hadn't called him 'daddy' since she was sixteen.
"They're waiting at the altar."
"Rachel, stop fidgeting, or this hem will look horrendous!" Catherine scolded.
Rachel bit her bottom lip and squirmed a little as her mother tugged on the bottom of her gown.
"You're too much of a perfectionist, mother," Rachel said. "It looked fine they way you had it stitched."
Catherine made a grunting noise as she placed the final pin.
"Nervous, hon?" Doug asked.
"Scared," Rachel admitted. She stepped off the footstool to glance at her image in the three-way mirror. She'd been looking forward to this day for over a year, yet something still made her nervous. She tried to slow her breathing, but with little effect.
There was something Rachel needed to tell Benton, and she thought it could wait till after their wedding. She was afraid he wouldn't want to marry her if she told him before now.
*Everything will be fine,* Rachel told herself. *You have nothing to worry about.*
"Rachel?" Doug said, worried by his daughter's sudden silence. Catherine also looked worried.
Rachel turned away from the mirror and smiled brightly at her parents.
"Okay, I think I'm ready," Rachel said.
Catherine stepped closer and hugged her daughter. When she released Rachel, she gazed up at her husband. She could see the pride and happiness in his face and the sadness of losing his daughter in his eyes.
Doug moved forward to hug Rachel. He couldn't be happier for his little girl -- and she made quite a choice too, a budding young scientist who was bound to have an excellent career.
When they separated, he said, "Ready now?"
Rachel nodded.
There was a knock on the door. One of the bridesmaids answered. She talked curtly and nodded vigorously. After she closed the door she turned to everyone.
"It's time."
**J*Q** **J*Q** **J*Q**
Benton was making a conscious effort not to fidget as he stood beside the altar. The priest stood to one side of him in front of the altar. He was an elderly gentleman in his fifties, dressed in a ceremonial white robe and sash. He smiled at Benton just before the pianist began playing the bridal march.
"Here goes nothing," Benton whispered to Sean. Sean only smiled in reply.
The bridesmaids came in first. There were three of them - Rachel's closest friends from college - arranged in order of height. The candles they carried with their small bouquets gave their faces an eerie glow. They grinned knowing grins at Benton as they made their way towards the altar. The third bridesmaid, Sean's wife, Lizy, winked at Benton before taking her place on the opposite side of the altar.
But Benton's eyes remained focused on the doorway through which the bridesmaids had entered. The pianist paused for a minute and everyone rose from his or her seat. Benton's heart stopped with the piano as Rachel and her father entered the chapel.
Rachel looked magnificent. Her wedding gown was a pearl white, with sequins and pearl drops sewn into the chemise. Her hair was pulled back into a French braid and intertwined with baby's breath. Then Benton's gaze settled upon her eyes. They were so blue, bluer than he had ever seen them. He smiled a lopsided grin as her father kissed her check and offered her hand to Benton. Benton accepted it and they turned to face the preacher.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness Benton Quest and Rachel Wildey take part in the sacrament of holy matrimony," the preacher began. "Who does give this woman to this man?"
Doug and Catherine stood proudly from their seats in the first row.
"We do."
"So be it," the preacher said. "Let us pray."
And pray Benton did. The ceremony seemed to drag along. Minutes seemed like hours.
*Sean's wedding didn't seem quite this long,* Benton thought.
Finally, Benton and Rachel said their vows.
"Repeat after me," said the preacher. "I take thee, Rachel, to be my lawfully wedded wife."
"I take thee ,Rachel, to be my lawfully wedded wife," Benton said.
"To have and to hold, in sickness and in health."
"To have and to hold, in sickness and in health-"
"For richer or for poorer, in good times and bad, to cherish for all time."
"For richer or for poorer, in good times and bad, to cherish for all time-"
"Until death we do part."
"Until death we do part," Benton said.
"Rachel, please repeat after me," said the preacher. "I take thee, Benton, to be my lawfully wedded husband."
"I take thee, Benton, to be my lawfully wedded husband," Rachel said. *It's not too late to back out on this, girl!*
"To have and to hold, in sickness and in health."
"To have and to hold, in sickness and in health-"
"For richer or for poorer, in good times and bad, to cherish for all time."
"For richer or for poorer, in good times and bad, to cherish for all time-"
*I can't stop now! This is it!* Rachel thought.
"Until death we do part."
"Until death we do part," Rachel said with a smile.
Sean stepped forward with the rings. Benton placed Rachel's ring on her finger, and Rachel did the same for Benton. When this was finished, the priest said to the congregation:
"It is my honor to introduce you to the new Mr. and Mrs. Benton Quest. You may now kiss the bride."
Rachel and Benton smiled at each other before embracing for the kiss. A large roar of cheers and shouts arose from the crowd. People were clapping all around them as they made their way from the altar to the door of the chapel.
**J*Q** **J*Q** **J*Q**
"If I had to stay cramped inside that fire hall for another minute I think I would have died," Benton said. He heard Rachel giggle from the bathroom and smiled to himself.
"I agree," she called from behind the closed bathroom door. The door opened and she emerged in a short, blue bathrobe. Her medium length blonde hair was neatly combed and still wet from her shower. "I couldn't stand another minute in that dress."
Benton continued to smile as Rachel sat down next to him on the bed. "Your mother was an absolute monster on the dance floor. If you hadn't stepped in, I'd still be there!"
"Well," Rachel consoled. "Your father wasn't much better. But at least he didn't step on my feet."
Benton put a hand to his heart. "You wound me, madam. But I warned you. I'm not much of a dancer."
Rachel leaned over and kissed Benton lightly on the lips. She sat back with a heavy sigh. "You don't have to be. I didn't marry you for your dancing skills, Benton."
It was Benton's turn to lean over and kiss her.
"Then why did you marry me?" he asked jokingly.
"Just because," Rachel said with a smile. Then in a more serious tone she continued, "Because you're kind and helpful. You're always there for me when I need you and you're there when I don't - and I like that. You listen to me when I complain, and you understand me." Her voice trailed off. "Even if you don't truly know me."
Rachel's last words sent a warning flare through Benton's mind. They had had an open and honest relationship these past several years. They were true to and with each other. Sure, they learned little things about each other that the other preferred them NOT to know, but that was part of their honesty and openness.
Benton's silence caused Rachel to break into tears. She immediately rose from the edge of the bed and walked to stand beside the window. As if knowing the change of mood within Rachel, the clouds began to darken outside and a light rain began to fall.
"Rachel," Benton said, following her. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. "Rachel, what is so terrible that you couldn't tell me before today?"
Rachel tried to duck her head away, looking for some way to escape telling him. Benton turned her in his arms to face him. He cupped her chin with one hand and tilted it up to meet his gaze.
"Tell me," Benton said soothingly. "I want to know."
Rachel hugged him hard as the tears fell faster. Clinging to him, she let him lead her back toward the bed. They sat side by side, holding each other.
"I'm so sorry, Benton," Rachel said between sobs.
"Sorry about what, sweetheart?"
"I just couldn't tell you."
Silence.
"I thought you wouldn't love me anymore," Rachel said, burying her face in Benton's shoulder.
"That could never happen," Benton consoled her. "Never."
Rachel pulled back enough to look up at Benton.
"It's a long story," Rachel said.
"We have all the time in the world," Benton said with a smile.
"What I tell you won't affect how you feel about me?"
"Nothing could change the way I feel about you."
Silence. Rachel finally gathered her wits about her and began her story. She looked her new husband directly in the eyes and said, "Several years ago, while I was a senior in college, I made a terrible mistake."
Benton looked at her with a brief smile. He took both of her hands in his and urged her to continue.
"I fell in love with a fellow classmate, Renard Debaron. He was charming and handsome, kind of like a storybook prince on a white horse. We saw each other often around campus, and he finally gathered the courage to ask me out.
"We went partying one night, and I had a little too much to drink," Rachel said. "So did he. We both woke up the next morning, lying side by side and completely naked. I couldn't remember much. My head was so fuzzy. We curtly apologized to each other and he took me back to my dorm.
"We saw each other for a few more weeks, then I started to get sick. I wasn't sure why, and as far as I could tell I was completely healthy. I told Renard that I wasn't feeling well, and ever so slowly, he started to back away from me."
Rachel's eyes swelled with more tears and Benton pulled her into his arms. He held her until the tears subsided. She pulled away again and continued.
"I didn't realize it at first. Then the sickness got worse. I finally went to the doctor on campus and. . .I found out. . .I was. . .I was pregnant."
Rachel expected Benton to pull away, but he didn't. She looked at him curiously.
"You're not angry?" she asked.
"There's more, isn't there?"
Rachel nodded. "My parents weren't thrilled at the idea, and I wasn't happy with myself. I made a stupid mistake, and I didn't know what to do to correct it!" She paused. "Renard tried to talk me into having an abortion, but I. . .I just couldn't do that, and my parents would never have forgiven me. I had thought about putting it up for adoption, but I had friends who did that, and they can't live with themselves to this day. Mom and dad were kind enough to offer their help, so I decided to go through with the pregnancy and keep the child." Rachel sighed. "I told Renard my decision and he finally cut off all contact with me several weeks later.
"It wasn't until my last trimester that Renard insisted on helping with the baby. I refused. He made it clear before that he wanted nothing to do with the child, and my friends backed me up on it. He started ranting and raving to his parents. His parents ranted and raved to my parents, and took us to court.
"After I gave birth, Renard's parents were directed by the court to take the child away. . .my little girl. I didn't get the chance to hold her even once. I didn't even name her. The court granted me one day of visitation every week and I was allowed to keep her on holidays. But after a few years, that stopped."
Benton sat silently beside his new wife and tried to process all the information Rachel had just given him. It was a lot to absorb. He was shocked to discover so much about Rachel. He thought he knew her well enough. But then he asked himself; does anyone truly know anyone else?
"When did you stop seeing her?" Benton asked.
Rachel looked at him curiously again. He still wasn't angry with her. And if he was, he was holding back tremendously well.
"About six months before I met you," Rachel replied. "I thought my life was over until you walked into the library late that night."
Benton remembered that night quite vividly. He needed to get some background information for his latest experiment. He walked into the library and hurried back to the science and technology section. Rachel was working the librarian's desk, and checked his book out for him. She noticed the subject of the book and they started talking. What began as a conversation on genetics ended with a promise to meet at a local café the next evening. Benton was quite surprised not to mention pleased with himself.
"As far as I know," Rachel continued. "Renard's parents raised Lily until recently."
"Lily?" Benton looked confused.
"That's her name, Lily. Renard's mother named her that shortly after they took her home from the hospital."
"Oh."
Rachel sighed. "Do you know why I wanted to get married on this particular day?"
Benton shook his head.
"Because, this is the day Lily was born," Rachel said shamefully. A streay tear rolled down her cheek. "She turned five today. I thought that if I find something else to take her place it would all be okay. I couldn't be happier to be married to you."
"But something's still missing," Benton said. "Why did the court rule in favor of Renard and his parents? Usually the mother is granted custody of the child."
Rachel shrugged and wiped the tear from her cheek.
"It was a difficult battle to win. Dad believed that Renard's father paid off the judge. He comes from a very well-to-do family. Somehow, Renard's parent's had proven that I would be an unfit mother. In a way, I suppose they were right. I wasn't ready to give up my life for a child, but I wasn't going to let it stop me from being a good mother. I guess I was less than convincing. Besides, Dad couldn't afford to pay all the court costs. I knew Lily would be treated fairly and brought up in a good home. So I didn't put up much of a fight."
"Why did you stop visiting Lily?"
"I went to pick her up for the Christmas holiday and they never showed. I went to their home, but there was nothing there. Nothing! They had moved without telling me. Dad tried to help me locate them. It took months, but I found them in Nevada. I also discovered they got a restraining order against me. I wasn't allowed to see Lily again."
Rachel broke into tears again. "I told them that if they had the restraining order lifted, they would not have a problem with me. It took several months, but they removed the order. And I've kept to my word. Once a year, Renard's mother sends me a picture with a letter detailing Lily's progress."
Rachel hurried from the bed and ran into a small waiting room. Benton feared for a moment that she was going to do something rash.
"Rachel?"
Rachel came out of the waiting room holding a small frame in her hands. She offered it to Benton.
"This is Lily now," Rachel said. "Renard's mother sent it as a wedding gift."
Benton looked at the picture very carefully. The little girl that stared back was smiling brightly with laughter in her eyes. She looked very much like Rachel, with blonde hair and blue eyes.
"She's beautiful," Benton smiled at Rachel and pulled her into his embrace. They stood together in awkward silence for a few moments.
"Do Renard's parents still have Lily?" Benton asked.
Rachel shook her head. "According to the latest letter, Renard is married now, and is raising her himself."
"Has Renard's wife adopted Lily?"
Rachel looked at Benton in surprise. "No. I don't think so. Why? What are you suggesting?"
Benton placed the photo on the bed. "I'm saying. . .if Lily means so much to you, and Renard's wife hasn't adopted her yet, I'd be willing to adopt her."
Rachel looked up at Benton in shock. "You'd be willing. . .to adopt. . .oh my, Benton. . .I can't believe you'd really do that. . .for me!"
Benton smiled broadly at Rachel. "If it makes you happy, of course I'd do it. I'd gladly do it!"
"Oh, Benton," Rachel said happily and jumped into his arms. The force was a little too much and they fell together onto the bed.
"We'll see what can be done tomorrow," Benton said, kissing Rachel's forehead. "But until then, I can think of a few things to keep you occupied."
"Really?" Rachel smiled innocently. "I can't imagine -"
Before she could say anything else, Benton kissed her.
END
-------------------- Footnotes:
(1) Hanna-Barbera hints at the name of Rachel's father in "Nuclear Netherworld" so I decided to name him after the creator of JQ.