The Improbable Tale of John & Elizabeth Vol. 1

Prologue

Els?

Yes, John?

You know how much I’ve loved being with you, right?

Yeah. You told me so last night.

I hope you’ll never forget those words. Keep them in your heart when you find the days and nights unbearable. I know I’ll always keep our memories in my heart with me. You will forever be my first and maybe only love.

What’s going on, John? You’re scaring me.

I’m sorry, but I need to end our relationship.

What?

I...I’m sorry. I don’t think this is working and it’s better to end it now rather than after we’re too attached to one another.

I...I don’t understand, John. Just last night...I thought you loved me...

I do, I mean, I just can’t do this Els. It’s not working and it’s unfair to make others around us unhappy. I hope you’ll understand. I’m sorry, Els. The last thing in the world I want to do is make you sad, but...

What’s going on, John? What’s happened since last night to make you say these words? What happened to your promises? Our hand fasting? Our future?

I’m the jerk for mentioning a future when I can’t fulfill it. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Just know that I love you. If there was any other way, I wouldn’t do this—but I have to.

I can’t believe you’re doing this to me, John Solomon. You, of all people, I trusted with my heart. Well, I was a damn fool, wasn’t I? You can take your sorry with you to hell because that’s where I’m already at.

Els.

No. Don’t call me Els. Don’t tell me you love me. Don’t ever, ever talk to me again. If I never see you again, it’ll be too soon.

Please don’t do this, Els. Please. Can’t we stay friends?

You must be kidding me. You tell me you love me. Then you tell me you’re sorry, for who the hell knows what. Then you tell me we’re done. Fine! If you want to be done, we’ll be done. Just know that once you leave me, you can’t come crawling back. You’ve had your chance and you just blew it.

Stop. Don’t do this. Please don’t make this any harder on me than it has to be.

Don’t do what? Kick your ass to the curb the same way you’ve done to me? Sorry I can’t be more gracious with my reaction. Go find yourself a new woman who will take your words of love and break up with a smile. Apparently, it isn’t me.

God. Els. You’re killing me.

Perfect, because you’ve done the same to my heart. Good-bye John Solomon. Have a great life without me.

Not long ago, I met this perfect man and fell madly in love with him. We made our love known to all those around us. He gave me his mother’s ring and asked me to hold it as a promise for the future to come. Just now, we said our final words and ended our future.

With resolve, I went right back to work—hoping, praying I’d make it without the man I love.

He (James Solomon) said…

James: Elizabeth Reid

I see that you’re in need of a partner with this activity. I needed some way to get to know the most stunning woman I’d ever seen in my life. Why she was sitting alone, I had no idea. Had I arrived earlier, I would’ve sat next to her from the beginning. Hello. I’m James Solomon.

I see that I am. Hi. I’m Elizabeth Reid.

Reid, as in Reid Hall, Reid Library, Reid Hospital, Reid Research Lab, Reid—

Yes, all that and a few more. Where are you from, James Solomon?

I’m from Boston—born and raised.

Did you do undergrad and med school in Boston as well?

Yep, residency as well at BU.

I did the same. Born in LA, undergrad, med school, residency and now employed in LA.

We have a lot in common, already.

Today must’ve been my lucky day. The first person I ran into was this beautiful woman. Before, I had all kinds of doubts about leaving Boston and working at a hospital in Los Angeles. Not only was Boston home, but it was where our only living relatives—our grandparents—resided. I hated leaving them. John, my twin brother, and I, thought it was finally time for us to take care of them. I was glad John was still there with G (aka Grandma) and Gramps.

What’s your area of specialty, Elizabeth?

Heart.

Any relations to the chief and former chief? I couldn’t help but smile at her. She was too stunning for words. Any other Reids working here?

When she returned my smile, I hoped my mouth wasn’t slack jawed or drooling. She was damn gorgeous. Father and great-uncle. There’s at least one of us on every floor. Any other questions?

Tons, but first, I want names of all the Reids. Obviously, I need to make a good impression on them.

This time she laughed with me, or was it at me? My twin brother—

Wait! You have a twin brother? I do too!

His name is James.

So is mine! I couldn’t believe how much we had in common. What luck!

She was now in full laughter mode. He’s also on this floor. My uncle, Max Davis, and aunt, Delaney Taylor, are pediatric surgeons. Auntie Delaney specializes in the heart. Uncle Max is so brilliant, he can do just about everything.

Wow.

Uncle Nick is an MD/PhD. He’s more into research, but you’ll see him at the hospital often. Then, there’s his son, Nicky, who’s patented an anti-aging serum already and could retire now. He’s here from time to time. Grandpa Robert still works at the hospital clinic. Grandpa Scott, who’s technically my cousin Lilah’s grandpa, also works at the clinic. Shall I tell you about all my other cousins who are either in med school, thinking of med school, or in residency here?

No. You lost me after Uncle Max and Auntie Delaney.

Tell me about your twin.

His name is John and he’s in gerontology.

Is he still in Boston?

Yeah. He’s with our ailing grandparents. He’ll come as soon as their health improves.

I hope it’s not serious.

It’s not, but you never know with people their age. Between the two of us, we thought it was better if he stayed back. When you meet him, you’ll notice that I’m the better-looking one.

Elizabeth Reid couldn’t stop laughing. Yeah? I tell that to my twin as well, but the ladies disagree. I assume you’re identical twins, but you’re the better-looking one?

Fraternal, but I’m the looker. Stick with me and we’ll be known as the best-looking twins in LA.

All right, James. I’ll stick with you until I find someone better. Your twin could be that someone better.

I’ll show you, Elizabeth Reid. There’s no one better than the man you’re staring at.

OK. She wasn’t too convinced. May the best twin win.

James: James Reid

"I see that you are the uglier twin, was the way I greeted Elizabeth’s twin brother. Shaking his hand, I added, that’s what my twin tells others as well, but in your case, I think it’s true."

"I see that I can’t argue with that statement since Ellie is absolutely the prettier one. It’s her coloring, I’m told. I take it you’re the prettier twin?"

Damn straight! Elizabeth’s brother and I laughed. It’s nice to meet you. I’m James Solomon.

I’m James Reid, the not-so-pretty one. James shook my hand and asked, Where’s your uglier twin?

Our grandparents fell ill so he’s staying back in Boston to take care of them. He’ll be here soon, hopefully.

I’m sorry to hear that. Let me know if I can be of any help.

Actually, you can be of help. It just dawned on me that James could be my greatest ally where Elizabeth Reid was concerned. Any chance you play tennis?

Am I a doctor? Yes! I’d found my ally.

Does your prettier twin play tennis?

Is she a doctor? Yes! I’d found my in.

You want to play after this meeting? Maybe we can find a fourth and play doubles?

James was no dummy. "Are you trying to befriend me or my sister?"

Yes!

With that, we made plans to play for dinner. The losing team would buy a meal.

The day passed by quickly. I stopped by home to grab a change of clothes and my equipment and drove to Reid Place. From the brief description, it sounded as though a whole host of Reids lived on this cul-de-sac. James also explained that this street housed several swimming pools, a park, tennis courts, a basketball court, and a water slide to end all water slides. Their neighborhood sounded like a child’s dream come true.

Who’s the blonde? I asked James when I arrived at the tennis court.

Our cousin, Lilah. She and Ellie are as thick as thieves. When I told Ellie about your challenge, she called Lilah to partner with her.

I thought I’d be Elizabeth’s partner? I guess I wasn’t the partner of choice.

She never partners with anyone but Lilah. The Taylor family are freakishly athletic, not to mention brilliant and good-looking. You should see her mother play golf.

Damn. Are we about to lose to two women?

Not if I can help it. James was confident.

I put up my hand for a high-five and responded with, I’ve played tennis since I could hold a racket. It should be no problem to beat two beautiful women.

WRONG! Beating Elizabeth and her cousin was not easy. In fact, we ended up losing to them in the last set. I rarely lost in a tennis match. Today was a shocker.

"What the hell, James? You didn’t tell me your sister and cousin were that good."

James laughed. All of my relatives have hidden talents. If I waxed lyrical on what they’ve accomplished, we’d be here throughout night.

Can I ask you a personal question?

Personal for me or personal for my sister? James Reid was a smart man.

I joked, Maybe I’m interested in your cousin.

Then you’d have to stand in line. Lilah has her share of admirers.

What about your sister?

My sister… He wasn’t as forthcoming with that info. You might want to ask her yourself.

Safe to say she’s not dating anyone?

Safe to say none of the girls on this block are dating anyone—not that I know for sure.

I guess, by omission, that means the men on this block are dating? I turned the question on him.

James gave a non-committal shrug. "Spokesman for the single men on his block, I am not."

Spokesman for yourself? I continued the query.

Anything is possible, was the only answer he gave. "Let’s see where this interest of yours, concerning my little sister, goes and maybe we’ll grab a beer one day and talk about life."

You’re a mysterious man, James Reid.

He laughed. You’d be the first to claim that. My family thinks I’m boring as hell.

I think there’s a lot more to you than meets the eye. I’m guessing that there’s some woman out there whose heart you will eventually break.

The laughing ceased, and his game face was on. Or maybe my heart’s already been broken….? With those words, we left to buy the ladies dinner.

The Reids proved an interesting family. I couldn’t wait to get to know them better.

James: Lilah Taylor

I see that beauty runs deep in the Reid family. I addressed the bombshell of a blonde who ended up driving with me to the restaurant. Both Reid twins had to stop by the hospital before meeting us for dinner.

I see that you’re interested in my cousin. Beauty and brains—what a combo!

Would that be so bad?

"That depends on you. My cousin hasn’t had a serious boyfriend, so if you’re a good guy, I’m all for it, but if you’re an asshole, I’m not for it."

I think you’ll find that I’m as good a guy as they come. Will you be my champion?

Can’t say, James. I’d have to get to know you a lot better before I can be your cheerleader. She was going to be tougher to crack than I first assumed.

How about I buy you dinner tonight and you can get to know me better?

She chuckled. "Dinner is a given considering you lost! Getting to know you better is an option I may or may not exercise."

Damn, you’re tough. How about I ask you some questions about your cousin?

"How about I ask you some questions about yourself?"

Are you headed to law school?

She laughed. Maybe. I might also be headed to med school or I may just live large off my royalty check that I may or may not have received for a three-book deal.

"Double damn! Maybe it’s you I need to pursue? It sounds like I could sit at home and enjoy the fruits of your labor."

Not funny, James, and not doing a good job of impressing me by telling me you’re going to be a lazy bum while your woman works for a living.

You do know that I’m a doctor?

Considering we probably have more doctors on our block than on your floor at General Hospital, your MD status does nothing for me.

I had my work cut out for me. "How about if I tell you that my