Episode 279

“How much stuff are you taking woman?” Kevin asked with a small groan as he watched her walk over to the closet to grab a few more things. He saw her grab something and throw it back, making him catch it. She continued throw a few things at him as he let out an exaggerated groan. “Angie come on, I have no more room in my hands.”

“Fine,” Angela walked over to him, grabbing all the things in his hands and walking over towards the bed to put the things down. “If you don’t want to pack go find my tennis shoes. They are on the top shelf.”

“Alright,” Kevin shrugged walking over to her closet, reaching up to try and grab it off the top shelf. He tried to reach it, but only grazed it with his fingertips. “Damn Angie, how did you get this all the way up here? I’m six foot six and I still can’t even get it.”

“I used a chair,” she waved him off hearing Kevin continue to try and grab it. She took a glance back at him before letting out a small laugh seeing how he stretched out for it. “Jump for it Adonis. You can get them.”

“Good idea,” Kevin nodded jumping up and grabbing the shoes before hitting his elbow on the other shelf hearing it crack as he fell to the floor. Without even knowing, all of her stuff fell on top of him as he let out a small groan. “Ouch.”

“What are you doing?” she questioned with a laugh seeing Kevin slowly pushing some of her clothes off of his face and letting out a small groan. She walked over to grab her shoes from him before shaking her head slowly. “Thanks, now you could clean that up.”

“Great,” Kevin frowned slowly getting up off the ground as he placed some of the things back on a different shelf. He bent down to pick up another handful of things before noticing a pack of condoms before him. “You have to be the horniest person I have ever met Angie. You have some serious issues.”

“What?” Angela looked back at Kevin seeing him looking over the box in his hand before looking up at her. He wiggled his eyebrows up and down at her before shaking his head slowly. “Put those back, stop being stupid.”

“Stupid?” Kevin questioned with a tiny laugh as he opened them and pulled one out of the box. “You have to have more around here. I know you. Hey look, this one is blue.”

“Put them away Kevin before I come over there and kick your butt,” she warned hearing him laugh as he pulled out a yellow one, letting out another deep laugh. “Put them away Kevin.”

“Angie, this one is yellow,” Kevin held it up as he nodded his head slowly. “You want to ride the banana boat, don’t you? I always knew you were into weird games like that.”

“Kevin,” Angela walked up to him with a small frown, trying to grab the box as Kevin held onto it. “Give me them Kevin.”

“Okay,” Kevin laughed watching at the box ripped in half and they all fell out on the ground. “Have them. They are all yours.”

“You are so weird,” she rolled her eyes seeing Kevin pick up the rest of the things he dropped as she picked up the mess he made. She placed all of them back in the box before handing them back to Kevin, slamming them in against his bare chest hearing him let out a small groan. “Put them back.”

“Yes sir,” Kevin chuckled feeling her hit him in the arm as he let out another small laugh. “You have so much junk in here it’s like a jungle.”

“I just like having choices,” Angela heard Kevin in her closest, playing with one of the hangers as she rolled her eyes and folded up some of her clothes. “What are you doing now?”

“What do you think?” Kevin laughed deeply seeing her turn around and look him over before letting out a small laugh. “I don’t think it fits, I may need a size bigger.”

“Kevin,” Angela couldn’t help but laugh seeing him standing before her wearing one of her bras. “What in the world are you doing?”

“Wow, it’s cushioned,” Kevin squeezed the cups as he let out a small laugh, looking up at Angela. “What are you trying to do? Make it look like you have bigger boobs? Back in the day, your boobs were just fine. What happened to them? Did they shrink or something?”

“Get out of that Kevin,” Angela picked up the pillow, throwing it at his head as he let out another laugh, blocking the pillow from hitting him in the head. “You are going to stretch it out.”

“No, first things first. Tell me who this is,” Kevin walked over to her, grabbing her hands in his as he led up to the bra he was wearing making her grab it. She closed her eyes, letting out a small laugh as she heard him start talking up in a high pitched voice. “Oh Kevin, you know you like them. How do they feel?”

“You are ridiculous, but guess who I am,” Angela began, sliding her hands down to Kevin’s bottom, pulling him in against her as he let out a small gasp. Angela mocked Kevin by speaking in a deep voice as he looked down at her. “Come on baby, let’s say we hit the bed and have a wild night of our own.”

“I was never like that, I‘m romantic. Unlike some people,” Kevin frowned pulling away from her as he pulled her bra off his shoulders, letting out a small gulp as one of the straps got caught around his bicep. “Oh shit, I can‘t get it off.”

“Kevin, let me help,” Angela grabbed onto the bra, tugging on it as Kevin pulled back trying to help her get it off him. The strap came off as Kevin fell back, pulling her on top of him as he fell back on the bed. “Kevin.”

“Ouch,” he felt his head hit a hard case as he looked back to see her make up case. He opened it up taking a look inside before looking up at her. “I have something I want to say to you.”

“What’s that?” Angela questioned, feeling Kevin’s hand slide in over the back of her neck before gently caressing her cheek. He slid his thumb in over her bottom lip slowly before smiling widely.

“You’re lips, they…” Kevin leaned up, watching as her dark eyes looked into his. He slid his index finger in under her chin as he brought her in closer to him. “They don’t look pale enough.”

“What?” Angela questioned feeling Kevin squeeze a bottle of baby powder in her face, making all the white powder go all over her face and in her mouth.

“There we go,” Kevin chuckled, wiping it away from her eyes before seeing her spit some out of her mouth. “I thought you needed to be a little bit more pale.”

“That’s it,” Angela reached out and snatched the squeeze bottle from Kevin before squeezing it in his face also hearing him let out a small cough. “And for extras…”

Angela pulled off the cap on top of the bottle pouring it all over his chest and then his abdomen before pulling the waistband of his shorts forward and dumping the rest down his pants.

“Angela,” Kevin gasped pulling her hand away from his shorts as he got off the bed, shaking his head slowly as baby powder flew down from his hair and some fell out from his shorts. He looked down to the ground to see the pile of baby powder at his feet as he let out a small growl. “That’s it.”

“Get off me Kevin,” Angela yelped letting out a small laugh as he jumped on top of her, making sure he didn’t put his weight on her. He reached out to grab one of her lipsticks before opening it up. He grabbed both her wrists in one of his big hands as he lifted them up over her head. She saw how he had opened the lipstick with his teeth before starting to write something on her forehead. “Stop it Kevin.”

“Nope,” Kevin shook his head slowly before hearing him let out a small laugh as he started to draw things on her face. He let out a small laugh as he reached down to grab the bottom of her shirt, lifting it up so he start writing something on her stomach with the lipstick.

“What are you doing?” she couldn’t help but ask, feeling him blow on her stomach gently making her let out a small laugh. “Let me see Kevin.”

“If you insist,” Kevin held a mirror up to her face letting her see how he made her look like a clown. “It looks perfect if I do say so myself.”

“Horny loser,” Angela looked down at her stomach to see what Kevin had wrote. “That’s not nice at all Kev. Now it’s my turn.”

“Who said,” Kevin let out a small groan feeling her push him back on the bed before pushing his wrists up to the headboard. He saw her reach for one of her shirts as he shook his head slowly. “You are not tying me up.”

“I’m not?” Angela chuckled tying him down to the bed with the shirt as she let out a small laugh. She got in over him more, placing each of her legs on both sides of Kevin’s hips as she reached out to get some of her hair gel from the bag.

“It’s pink,” Kevin shook his head slowly, seeing her nod as he let out a hesitant laugh. “You’re hair doesn’t turn pink if you have it in, does it?”

“No, but it will have a pink glow to it,” Angela poured some in her hands before running her fingers through Kevin’s hair as he looked up at her with his dark eyes. “Don’t worry Kevin--you’re hair is going to look pretty as ever.”

“Great,” Kevin frowned pulling at his wrists trying to get his wrists out. “Damn, you tied this tight.”

“It’s so you can’t get out,” Angela smirked, finishing up with his hair as he continued to try and pull himself out. “Just sit back and relax Adonis, you aren’t going to get out.”

“What are you doing with my hair?” Kevin couldn’t help but ask as he stopped trying to get out of the trap she had him in. “I hope you know that I like my hair.”

“It’s almost done,” she bit down on her bottom lip, finishing up with his hair as she let out a small laugh. “It’s perfect, look.”

“Angie,” Kevin groaned looking in the mirror that she had grabbed to hold up for him. “I have pink spikes. I thought you told me my hair wouldn’t be pink.”

“It’s not pink,” Angela pointed out with a small chuckle as she saw Kevin’s eyebrows tense as he looked at his hair in the mirror. “It’s just pink tinted.”

“Great,” Kevin breathed in deeply seeing her set the mirror down and reach for another one of her lipsticks. He let out a small growl as he turned his head away from her. “What in the world are you doing?”

“Pay back,” she simply shrugged, sliding her hips down a bit further as she started to draw something in the center of his chest. She saw how he tried to look down to see what she was doing and she pushed his head back down gently. “Just wait until it’s done.”

“Oh, great,” Kevin shook his head slowly, feeling her continue to draw on his torso for a few more minutes before reaching out to grab something else. “What’s the white stuff for?”

“You’ll see, just sit still,” Angela scooped some of the white cream out into her hands and then started to rub it against his cheeks as he turned his head away from her. “Stay still.”

“You’re getting it in my mouth,” Kevin coughed feeling her turn his head back to face her as felt her hands continue to rub it on his face. “Gentle Angie. I may be rough, but I have skin that needs to be treated gently.”

“Just a few more seconds and I‘m done with that,” Angela informed him with a wide smile, reaching down to wipe her hands off on his shorts hearing him gasp out.

“Angie, these are my good basketball shorts,” Kevin complained letting out a small groan as he let his head fall back against the pillows. “I can’t believe this.”

“You ruined my bra, at least you can wash your pants,” she shrugged picking up her eye liner as Kevin shook his head over and over again trying to get away from her. He felt her grab his face in her left hand as he let out a small growl.

“I am not going to wear eyeliner,” Kevin frowned feeling her continue to draw against his face even with him telling her no. “You know, if someone says no--they mean no Angela.”

“Well, if you weren’t tied down you could stop me, but now you are tied down so you can't,” she laughed leaning back to look at his face, nodding slowly. “You look perfect.”

“Oh my god,” Kevin eyes grew wide as she held up the mirror, letting him see the work she did on his face. “Great, you made me look like the crow with pink hair.”

“I think it looks hot,” she offered up with a small shrug of her shoulders, setting the mirror back down on the bed. “I know you are already loving this, but wait--there is more.”

“Great,” Kevin felt her untie him as he slowly sat up in the bed looking down at his chest. A big heart was drawn in the center of his chest, with a butterfly right next to it. “Great, you made me a sissy boy.”

“Keep looking,” Angela motioned down towards his stomach as she saw him let out a small laugh reading what she wrote over his abdomen.

“Angela was here?” Kevin questioned looking down at the words, seeing an arrow that pointed down towards his shorts. “No you weren’t.”

“No, I just wasn’t, but I thought it would be a fun thing to write,” she shrugged feeling him grab her by the shoulders and push her back against the bed once more. He grabbed her wrists in his hands as he held them up over her head tightly. “What in the world are you doing?”

“It’s going to be a fun thing to take a shower with. Really fun taking it off,” Kevin replied leaning down and rubbing his cheeks against hers to get some of the white stuff off of his face. “I feel all sticky. I think I am just going to keep you like this forever. I’m never going to let you get up.”

“Yes you are, you can‘t stop me from going to Coral Valley Kevin,” Angela shook her head slowly seeing a sly grin appear over his lips. “You’re not strong enough.”

“You want to bet?” Kevin questioned with a small smirk before feeling her wrap her legs around his back squeezing his torso down. He let out a small groan as he felt the pressure against his back. “Angie, what are you doing?”

“Let me go Kevin,” Angela whispered seeing his eyes begin to turn red as she wrapped her legs more tightly around him, squeezing him with all her power. “I said let go of me Kevin.”

“Angie, you’re going to kill me,” Kevin felt her legs tighten around him as he let go of her wrists. Her legs didn’t let go of him as he let out a small groan. “Mercy. I give up. Stop, please.”

“Works every time,” she chuckled seeing him fall back on the bed next to her, closing his eyes tightly as held onto his stomach. “Did I really hurt you?”

“I’m okay,” he coughed turning on his side to face her as she looked him over. “Don’t worry, I’m really okay. I would be even better if you didn’t go to Coral Valley though.”

“Kevin,” she frowned reaching out to touch the side of his face gently feeling the makeup beneath her fingers. She let out a small laugh, sliding her fingers up through his hair. “Why are you so bound on not letting me go to Coral Valley?”

“Because,” Kevin shrugged his shoulders reaching out to pinch her nose gently. “You’re my best clown and I’m afraid that something is going to hurt you. I don’t want you hurt Angie.”

“Well, I promise you that I am not going to get hurt Kevin,” she promised, seeing the way his worried brown eyes looked into hers. “Come on Kev, I’m your clown and you’re my crow. Would I lie to you?”

“Maybe, you just don’t know what could hurt you,” he pointed out with a small frown, feeling wrap her arm around his shoulders as she rested her forehead against. He slid the back of his hand up against her stomach gently before letting out a small sigh. “These two are what’s most important right now and I don’t want anything to happen to them. I’m just afraid of what Cameron is capable of because we both know what he has done in the past.”

“Don’t worry about it Kevin,” she hushed him, placing her index finger over his lips as his dark eyes looked into hers. She turned over feeling him wrap his arm around her waist, pulling her in closer to him. “ I’ll be just fine.”

“I hope so,” Kevin whispered kissing her cheek gently as he slid his left hand in over her stomach, caressing it soothingly. “Angie, do you feel that?”

“Hey,” Angela smiled, feeling him grab her hand in his and place it over her stomach gently.

“It feels like they are hitting around in there,” Kevin smiled widely keeping his hand over hers and kissing her cheek once more. “I don’t want you hurt Angie, I’m just trying to protect the three of you. That’s all.”

“I know Kevin,” she sighed grasping his fingers tightly in hers as she rested her head against the pillow. “And I appreciate it more than you can imagine. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have your help.”

“You would need someone else to pack for you and do everything else for you,” Kevin laughed, feeling her elbow him in the ribs as he let out a small groan. “I was just kidding. I’m glad that I can be here for you. And when we get to Coral Valley, I am never taking my eyes off you.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“That’s impossible,” Brant took a good, long look at the paper in front of him. He heard what Shannon had said, but none of it seemed to make any sense. Looking to the papers, he shook his head firmly, “This isn’t right.”

“He’s not her uncle!” Russ snapped in response glaring over at Brant once more. “There is no way that this man has any ties to my daughter!”

“As much as I wish that were the case, it pains me to have to say this, but Russ well, unfortunately this jerk is your brother,” Shannon confessed leaning in closer to him to show the DNA markers on the test, “Despite my husband’s efforts, I do happen to know a little thing about DNA testing there and this clearly shows that you and Brant are brothers.”

“No,” Russ shook his head looking at the paper in a state of disbelief, “Brant is not my brother. I have one brother and that’s Grady. There is no way that this is right. Ashford must’ve skewed this one and…”

“Russ I walked in before anyone had a chance to tamper with the results,” Shannon explained honestly catching the expression on his face, “Those are accurate.”

“No,” Brant argued with her, “This is just your way of trying to stick it to me Shannon. You’re upset with me because Don sided with me on this on and…”

“Believe me the last thing I would want to do is put anyone in a position to be closer to you, you jerk,” Shannon snapped back at him, “All I wanted to prove was that the truth could still be out there--that you weren’t going to tear that family apart…”

“But in doing so you come up with this lie,” Brant glared over at her, “That’s a new low for you Shannon.”

“I didn’t make any of this up!” Shannon yelled at Brant before directing her attention to Russ, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. This isn’t right. It’s not real. It’s not…” Russ began finding himself at a loss as he felt an arm on his shoulder.

“Son,” Elliot cleared his throat uneasily, “I think we need to talk.”

“About what dad?” Russ shook his head once again, “About this? About this garbage? It’s nothing.”

Elliot watched Russ tear up the paper as Cheryl took a shaky step forward. Her face had drained of all color and her voice was cracked as she began to speak.

“Russ, I’m sure if you just let us explain,” Cheryl found her voice, but when her son looked at her guilt racked over her body causing her to break into tears.

“Mom,” Russ gave a questioning look to her confusion sweeping in over him.

“I’m so sorry,” Cheryl sobbed bringing her hands over her face shamefully as the doors to Avery’s hospital room opened and Beth walked into the room.

“What the hell is going on in here?” Beth demanded taking a long look around the room, “Can anyone tell me what’s happening here? I specifically ordered that no one come in here and…”

“We had to talk to Avery,” Don started catching a glare from Shannon.

“On second thought I don’t care what anyone is doing in here. I want everyone out!” Beth snapped glaring at the group as a whole, “I’ve come in here to check in on Avery and I want everyone out!”

“But…” Avery started her gaze traveling between Russ and Brant.

“I’m not leaving her,” both Brant and Russ announced in unison.

“No exceptions,” Beth stated firmly.

“But I…” Avery glanced over at Russ worriedly still not sure what was happening right in front of her, but something told her only trouble was about to follow.

“I’ll be back,” Russ promised reaching for her hand his eyes lost in something more than she could understand.

“I’ll be back too,” Brant cleared his throat uneasily before stepping out into the hallway.

“Russ I…” Avery found herself at a loss.

“This is a mistake. It’s just a mistake,” Russ repeated more so to himself than her before he felt Grady touch his arm in an attempt to get him to come along with him.

“When I said out I meant absolutely everyone!” Beth repeated knowing full well she was going to get her way on this matter even if people weren’t happy to hear her commanding it.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“I can’t believe she lied to me--that they all lied to me,” Sam sobbed into Wayne’s chest after he’d caught up with her once she’d run off. “I mean how could they do this?”

“I don’t know,” Wayne confessed with a heavy sigh hating to see the woman he loved in so much pain.

“I don’t see why they wouldn’t tell me,” she tipped her head up to look at him, “I mean after all these years of making me believe that my father was…well, I guess he’s not my father. I mean I thought I was Travis Callaway’s daughter, but it turns out that Hart’s my father. How could this happen?”

“I don’t know,” he replied touching her face gently, “but I promise you that I’m going to be here with you every step of the way in figuring it out.”

“Oh I figured it out. My mother lied to me. She let me believe in a lie all of these years and when she was afraid her dirty little secret was going to come out, she took it out on me. Here I thought she was just worried about me getting a new job because she’d been paranoid about me my entire life, but it just turns out that she didn’t want me to know that Hart was my father to protect her own skin,” she mouthed taking a step out of his arms, agitation pressing in over her. “I mean how stupid am I? Here I thought that she was so wonderful--that she was a victim in all of this when it turns out my father was the one who was hurt.”

“Sam…” Wayne spoke her name seeing a realization hit her.

“Oh my God. That’s why he left. That’s what happened to their marriage. She cheated on him and had me,” Sam gulped horrified at the reality of her situation. “She hurt him and he couldn’t take it because I was a constant reminder of how she’d failed him as a wife. He left because I was too much for him to bear…”

“That’s not true. Sam I know your father loves you,” Wayne replied hoping to help her through the pain.

“He’s not my father Wayne. Hart is and apparently he hasn’t been able to be honest either. My whole life everyone has been lying to me and if it wasn’t for your mother speaking the truth tonight I may have never known about Hart or about my mom,” she blurted out feeling the weight of the betrayal over her. “I can’t believe that they would lie to me like this--that they would keep me in the dark for all of these years…”

“I’m sure your mother had a reason,” Wayne offered up, “I’m sure they were waiting for the right time.”

“Oh like tonight was the right time,” she rolled her eyes at the thought of what she’d heard, “but it doesn’t matter. I know the truth now and there’s really only one thing I can do.”

“What’s that?” he questioned reaching out to her and feeling her slip into his arms.

“I’m going to go and see my mother armed with the truth and I’m going to find out why it was that she lied to me all of these years,” she decided realizing that the only way to have the whole truth laid out in front of her was to confront the one woman who had worked like mad to keep her out of the loop. Still she wasn’t a little girl any longer. She was ready to face the truth and one way or another she was going to get that from her mother!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jenna drove around town thinking about the places where her brother might’ve taken Sam to. While she was certain that Wayne wouldn’t be taking Sam home to her mother especially now when she was so upset, she was hoping she could find the two of them and do some damage control before Hart found out about her mother’s stupid mistake. Sure Jenna had known that her mother wasn’t thrilled about having Hart in Jenna’s life, but never in a million years did Jenna imagine that her mother would blurt out the truth about Sam. More so Jenna had no idea that her mother knew about Hart and Sam’s connection.

“But that doesn’t mean what she said about Hart and Beth was true,” Jenna frowned thinking about what else her mother had said about Hart. There wasn’t a doubt in Jenna’s mind that Hart loved her and only her, yet she could see that her mother wasn’t going to make life easy on them.

“Right now isn’t about my mother though,” she reminded herself pulling into the lot of one of Wayne’s usual hangouts, “It’s about figuring out what’s going on with Sam. You need to talk to her--explain that you’ve been through something like this yourself and let her know that it will be okay.”

With that thought fresh on her mind, Jenna opened the car door and walked out into the lot making her way up to the small diner. She knew that in the past Wayne had come here when he’d needed some alone time or when he’d wanted to think about things around him. This had been a place that had been comforting and calming for him, so maybe he would bring Sam here as well. Sure, she hadn’t seen his car in the parking lot, but maybe he’d parked on the other side which was already overcrowded.

“I hope you’re here,” Jenna pushed the door open seeing the bustling college crowd in front of her.

“Well isn’t this a surprise,” a voice caught her off guard as Jenna spun around to see Walt standing beside her.

“Walt, what are you doing here?” Jenna gave him a strange look, her eyes returning to the man at her side.

“I know it’s not my type of environment,” he laughed lightly motioning to the much younger crowd, “but someone said they had great coffee here.”

“So I’ve heard, but that’s not why I’m here tonight,” she confessed scanning the room quickly.

“Then what brings you here?” he couldn’t help but ask as he saw her search, “Meeting Hart?”

“Not exactly,” she replied glancing over at him once more. “I’m sort of looking for someone else…”

“Anything I can help you with,” he inquired again before she let out a small sigh.

“I appreciate the offer Walt, but it’s a long story and…” she began with a heavy sigh.

“So indulge me. What’s going on? If you tell me what you need I might be able to help,” he suggested with a small smile.

“Actually I’m looking for my brother. He and his girlfriend might be here,” she started to explain without going into too much detail. “You see his girlfriend was a bit upset earlier and I wanted to speak with her because…”

“Sam right?” Walt watched her eyes widen as she nodded.

“Yes, have you seen her?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“They were here earlier,” he nodded in confession. “I thought I saw her come in with a young man a while ago. They made a carryout order and the man behind the counter said it should be ready in a few minutes.”

“So they’re coming back?” Jenna replied with a relieved breath.

“That’s what it sounded like,” Walt nodded motioning to the table he’d been seated at before her arrival, “and if you’re interested in joining me, I’m sure we can wait together for them to return.”

“Actually,” Jenna opened her mouth to speak before finally offering up a nod. “Sure that would be nice. If you don’t mind.”

“When the company is as beautiful as you are, well, at my age you never mind the company of a lady,” Walt motioned for her to take a seat, “Please I’d be honored to have you join me.”

“Thank you,” Jenna replied taking a seat at the table in the hopes that when Wayne and Sam returned she would be able to have a few words with Sam and make things right after the horrible way Sam discovered the truth about Hart being her father. However, something told Jenna that after tonight nothing would ever be the same again.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sarah stood outside the nursery watching Guy and Mindy with Erin and as she saw them she remembered a time not so long ago when she’d been there herself taking care of Heather’s son. Sure at the time she’d wanted more than anything to be there for Charles, but now that Heather had returned ready to take care of her son, the world thought she was God’s gift to motherhood, but no one really knew just how pathetic Heather truly was. Letting out a groan Sarah turned away from the nursery closing her eyes and thinking back to her younger years.


“And when I grow up I’m going to marry Kyle and we’re going to have at least five boys and maybe a girl when we have our kids,” Heather’s voice explained in her same annoying and giddy tone as she and Sarah sat in the middle of their bedroom playing with the two broken down Barbie dolls they’d had for their youth.

“Oh please,” Sarah rolled her eyes at Heather tossing the Barbie she’d been playing with aside, “Like Kyle would ever even look at a nerd like you. You’re nothing.”

“I am not nothing,” Heather pouted shoving the doll she’d been playing with aside, “I’ll have you know that when I grow up I’m going to be a rich and famous actress and I’m going to marry Kyle. We’re going to go off to Hollywood together and be stars together.”

“Did he tell you that?” Sarah laughed down at her younger sister.

“You bet he did,” Heather stomped up to her feet looking directly at her older sister, “He and I got married last week and we’re going to run away together to have a big family and make movies.”

“You won’t make movies Heather because you’re a nothing. You’ve always been a nothing and that’s what you’ll always be,” Sarah mouthed in a scowl, “Besides you can’t take care of kids. You can’t even take care of your goldfish.”

“I took care of my goldfish just fine,” Heather pouted, “You were the one that fed him nail polish Sarah.”

“He was annoying,” Sarah waved her hand dismissively, “Just like you are. There’s no way that you’re going to be a mom and marry Kyle especially when we both know that I’m the girl he’s going to marry.”

“But he’s not your boyfriend,” Heather gave her a strange look, “You’re not with him. You’re going out with Larry right now. You said you kissed him last week…”

“And I kissed Kyle too,” Sarah boasted plopping down on her bed to stick her tongue out at Heather. “And I’ll keep on kissing him and I’ll laugh at you when you are all alone Heather. I’ll marry Kyle and I’ll be the one who has his baby. You’ll see. He won’t want to be around you anymore when we’re grown up because when it gets down to it, you’re pathetic.”

“I am not,” Heather stomped again, “You’re pathetic.”

“No Heather you’re pathetic,” Sarah glared over at her, “If it wasn’t for you then life would be good for us. Mom told you herself that she never wanted you--that you were never supposed to be around in the first place. She and I were going to have everything, but then you came along and screwed it all up.”

“I did not,” Heather replied shaking her head in a state of disbelief. “Mom loves me too.”

“No she doesn’t Heather. She hates you and guess what Heather I hate you too,” Sarah snapped at her tossing one of the pillows directly at Heather and hitting her right square in the face. “One day you’re going to see that I’ll be the one who is a mother and has Kyle. Just you watch.”

“No Sarah he married me. He’s going to be with me forever and I’ll be the one who is a mother with lots of children who love me. I’ll make a family of my own with Kyle and then you and mom won’t be a part of it. You’ll see,” Heather burst into tears running out of the room and leaving Sarah to let out a small laugh.

“Fat chance,” Sarah had rolled her eyes and chuckled at how stupid her younger sister was.

Now as Sarah returned to the present and looked over at Erin again, she realized that Heather had beaten her to the having a child department. However, Heather had proven everything to be true when she’d failed Charles as a mother. Sarah had been the one who had been there. Sarah had been the person who kept it together and even Diego realized who the better sister was.

Sure, Sarah might not have had a son first, but she had Kyle and to a degree there was also Diego. Even if she ended things with Diego she knew full well that he wouldn’t dare look at Heather again. He’d seen first hand how pathetic her sister truly was and now that he had admitted his love for Sarah, he would be spared the misery of being stuck with a witch like Heather. He could be free to have a good life now without Heather taking him down just like she did everyone else.

“He’s better off without her,” Sarah thought aloud thinking about her own feelings for Diego. Letting out a small sigh she turned away from the nursery vowing that regardless of what had happened in the past, one thing was for certain. She would have that happily ever after she was hoping for with Kyle. Somehow she would find a way to make it work for the both of them. She’d prove Heather wrong and show the world just who was truly the better of the Marx sisters after all.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“So, are you going to tell me about this Chase or what?” Ria sat up on the couch, looking over at Trisha as she shrugged her shoulders. “I know you want to talk your little heart out about him, so go ahead. What happened?”

“Well, he ended up showing up late,” Trisha began in small voice, leaning back against the couch as she spoke. “And then he showed up with a rose.”

“I guess that’s a decent way to say I’m sorry,” Ria nodded slowly, seeing the way that Trisha smiled and looked over at her. “So, what restaurant did he take you to?”

“We didn’t eat, we didn’t go to a restaurant,” Trisha informed Ria with a small laugh as she sat up on the couch slowly. “We had so much more fun than that.”

“Oh my, Trisha,” Ria gasped shaking her head slowly as she folded her arms out in front of her chest, “You didn’t do what I think you did, did you?”

“Of course not, you dummy,” Trisha frowned, rolling her eyes at her sister’s worries. “You should know me by now, I would never do something like that.”

“Well, I didn’t know,” Ria stated with a small shake of her head as she tried to think of something else to say. “Well, if you didn’t go to a restaurant--where did you go?”

“He took me skydiving,” Trisha grinned widely, running her hand through her long hair slowly. “It was so much fun. He is the coolest.”

“Wait, he took you sky diving?” Ria questioned, her eyebrows tensing as she saw Trisha nod slowly. “And you didn’t try to kill him? You’re afraid of heights.”

“Well, yeah I was afraid of heights. I was really nervous at first, but he helped me get over my fear,” Trisha sighed as another small smile appeared over her lips. “It was really the coolest thing--you should try it.”

“No thank you. I like where I am right now and that would be with my feet on the ground. Somehow the idea of falling doesn’t get me very excited,” Ria shook her head quickly, not even wanting to imagine what it was like to do something like that. “You could never get me to do something like that.”

“Oh, come on,” Trisha frowned, rolling her eyes as she heard Ria let out a small laugh. “I know Kevin would do something like that. He’s Mr. Extreme sports.”

“Well, yeah that’s because he isn’t afraid of anything,” Ria pointed out with a small frown. “I’m not going to even risk being splattered against the cement. If you or Kevin want to try that, go on ahead. I’m going to stay here with my feet firmly on the ground.”

“Speaking of Kevin,” Trisha smirked hearing Ria’s cell phone begin to go off on the table next to her. She picked it up and threw it over to Ria, watching as Ria answered it quickly. “You’re welcome.”

“Hello,” Ria smiled standing up from the couch and walking over towards the window to look outside.

“Ria baby,” Kevin’s voice echoed through her ears as a wide smile appeared over her lips. “I’m coming home.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“This is ridiculous!” Russell snapped marching out into the hallway extremely reluctant to leave Avery after everything was said and done. He looked to his parents thinking about the lies that clearly Brant had found a way to put out there just to cause trouble. “This can’t be happening. It’s all a lie. It’s not true!”

“Of course it’s not true,” Grady added hoping to alleviate some of his brother’s worries. “Brant is a liar and I have no doubt in my mind that he’s just trying to cause more trouble.”

“Actually son,” Elliot cleared his throat uneasily while taking a small step forward to speak with Russ, “Grady if you don’t mind I’d like a few minutes with Russ. Your mother and I would like to talk to him and…”

“And what?” Grady glanced over at his father seeing the urgency behind his father’s eyes. “Dad come on. Don’t tell me that you’re going to let them shake things up anymore than they already have.”

“Son I really would like a word with Russ,” Elliot repeated once again his request more of a command now as Grady looked over to his mother seeing that she was clearly shaken by the news that had been delivered to the family.

“But…” Grady stammered a bit feeling Deana tug on his arm gently.

“Grady come on. Let’s give them a few minutes,” she suggested with a pleading look hoping that he wouldn’t cause more upset now that it was clear that Russ was worked up over what he’d heard. “We can give them a few minutes to talk.”

“I just…” Grady glanced over at his father seeing the way that something was happening behind his eyes. There was no way what Shannon had said could be true even if the test had insisted that there was no denying that Russ and Brant were brothers. Grady turned to Russ. “Russ…”

“It’s okay,” Russ nodded taking in a slow, calming breath. “I’ll be fine. It’s just a simple misunderstanding that’s all. I’m sure that dad just wants to work through it.”

“Dad?” Grady looked to his father again.

“Son, I promise we’ll talk in a little bit, but right now if Russ would just…” Elliot turned to his other son.

“Yeah I get it. This is a family issue and far be it from the drunk to get involved right,” Grady let out a groan feeling alienated from what was going on with his family in the here and now. He turned to Deana and let out a sigh, “I guess that’s my cue to get lost.”

“Grady I’m sure that…” Deana began watching Grady stomp off. She glanced over at Elliot and Cheryl, who now looked equally concerned about their older son. “Don’t worry I’ll follow him.”

“Thank you,” Elliot offered with a relieved expression watching Deana go off after Grady before he turned to Russ ready to do one of the most difficult things of his entire life.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“How can this be happening?” Brant paced around the corridor his mind replaying the events that had taken place in Avery’s hospital room. From Russell’s grand entrance to Shannon’s shocking announcement nothing seemed to make sense. “What the hell is happening Hart?”

“I really don’t know,” Hart began apologetically, “I thought that we had everything covered, but…”

“But what? Don let Shannon come in and make things worse?” Brant couldn’t help but ask, “That’s not like Don to let anyone manipulate him when he makes up his mind about something. He knew what he had to do and he was doing it. How could Shannon just step in and twist things around?”

“She didn’t manipulate him--at least not like that. Brant,” Hart paused not sure how to address the topic at hand, “that test isn’t a fake. It’s the real deal.”

“It can’t be,” Brant shook his head at him, “There’s no way that Russell Denton and I can be related.”

“Up until an hour ago you believed that there was no way that your father could be alive, but now after what Russ said…” Hart pointed out with a scowl, “Do you think that…”

“My father is dead,” Brant blurted out keeping his hands at his sides, “I saw him at the funeral. I buried him. I watched his evil leave this world and it was a triumphant moment for me Hart. It was freedom at long last.”

“Yes, but given what Russ said, you and I both know that it wouldn’t be beyond your father to pull something like that,” Hart added trying to think rational about an illogical situation.

“But why? What would he have to gain in faking his death? How could he do that?” Brant shook his head stubbornly, “There’s no way that he’s alive. I would’ve known.”

“Brant, we both know what kind of man your father was,” Hart sighed heavily, “He’s almost as bad as mine is.”

“No Hart. We both know he’s worse,” Brant rubbed at his neck and shoulders feeling the tension bursting over his body, “The things that he’s done…”

“I know Brant,” Hart replied with a knowing nod.

“I can’t live through that again. If he’s really out there, then there’s no telling what he’s capable of. If he was the one who did this to Russell Denton,” Brant shook his head solemnly, “I don’t know what happened Hart. I can’t even begin to believe it myself. When I listened to Russ saying that about my father--about Avery and I…I mean what would my father have to gain by doing that? Why fake his own death and then come back to make sure Avery and I are together? He hated me. He and I never had a relationship worth mentioning, so why do that? Why go to such lengths to put me with the woman I loved?”

“I don’t know,” Hart shook his head, “but there had to be something.”

“Nicholas Ashford doesn’t do anything without reason and purpose. There is no purpose to pave the way for Avery and I being together. If he really was alive and he did that,” Brant stopped himself, “No I’m not going to think about that. That’s not what happened. Avery and I fell to one another because we’re in love. I love her and she loves me. My father is not alive and Russ is not my brother. This is all some kind of joke--some sick and twisted joke. This is not happening.”

“Brant, I wish that was the case, but those DNA tests confirmed…” Hart tried to reason with him.

“They confirm nothing!” Brant snapped in response, “And besides if Russ really was my brother, then why do this? Why do any of this? You and I both know that Nicholas wouldn’t want to eliminate Russ if he was my brother. He’d want to rub Russ and Avery in my face--use it to make me feel inferior.”

“Unless he didn’t know,” Hart paused after thinking the situation over, “Maybe no one knew. Obviously you had no idea and I’m guessing that Russ didn’t know either by his reaction…”

“So you’re saying that my father not only faked his own death, but tried to murder his son and steal his wife to give her to me,” Brant shook his head incredulously, “It doesn’t work that way Hart. My father never, ever worked that way!”

“I’m just saying. I’m trying to figure out how this pieces together when…” Hart began only to hear his phone ringing. Frowning he fished into his pocket and pulled it out offering an apologetic look, “I’m sorry. Hold that thought.”

“Sure,” Brant ran his fingers through his hair trying to come to terms with the world that was falling apart around him.

“Hello,” Hart answered his phone quickly turning away from Brant.

“Hart, hey where are you…” Jenna questioned uneasily.

“I’m still with Don and Brant. What’s up honey?” Hart smiled casting a worried glance over at Brant.

“I was kind of hoping that I could see you. There’s something that I’d like for us to talk about and…” Jenna started in a tight, uneasy tone.

“Honey as much as I’d like to do that, right now really isn’t a good time. There are some things happening here that I can’t just get away from. I promise you though that I will get home as soon as I can,” Hart whispered into the phone.

“Hart, I really don’t think that…” Jenna started once more.

“I promise it won’t be too long. I love you,” Hart mouthed quickly hanging up the phone. He spun around to see Brant knowing that there was more happening behind his friend’s eyes than he cared to admit. The idea that Nicholas Ashford was still alive was mind-boggling, but more so Hart feared for what this kind of revelation could mean to his best friend’s well being. If Nicholas was truly alive, then no one was safe.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Hey, get over here,” Kyle grabbed Don by the arm as they walked out of Avery’s hospital room. Kyle yanked Don back and pushed him against the wall as he let out a small scowl. “I told you I would kill you if you screwed with Russ.”

“Oh, bite me Houston,” Don scowled, feeling Kyle wrap his hands around Don’s throat. Kyle didn’t squeeze or try to do anything just yet, he just stared into Don’s blue eyes. “What? You want to kill me? Go ahead I simply don’t care anymore, Russ doesn’t deserve Avery.”

“You asshole,” Kyle brought his fist back, feeling someone grab his fist before he could punch Don. Kyle looked down to see Shannon holding onto his hand as he let out a small frown.

“Allow me,” Shannon motioned Kyle to move back and let go of Don before she brought her hand across Don’s cheek. “How dumb can you be Don?”

“Honey,” Don began feeling Shannon slap him across the other cheek as he placed his hands up over his cheeks. “Why do you keep hitting me?”

“Because you’re an idiot,” she answered with a small shake of her head, not believing all the things that her husband tried to do. “Why would you do something so stupid Don?”

“Because he would do anything for Brant. They are both jerks and they are destined to be together because they don’t give a crap about anyone,” Kyle pointed out with a small shake of his head as Don stepped in closer to him. “Did you really think you could get away with something like that Donny boy? I mean really, there is nothing you could have done to keep Russ away from Avery. They love each other and Brant was just a back up plan.”

“Please, Russ should have just stayed dead,” Don snapped, pushing Kyle in the center of his chest, making Kyle stumble backwards. “He doesn’t deserve to have Avery.”

“Just like you don’t deserve to breathe,” Kyle went towards Don feeling Sarah jump between them, pushing against Kyle’s chest as he looked down at her. “Sarah, what are you doing?”

“Don’t fight here Kyle, it’s a hospital,” Sarah pointed out with a small frown seeing Kyle look down at her with his dark eyes. “Listen to me Kyle.”

“Yeah, listen to her Kyle,” Don mocked taking a step in closer to Kyle and Sarah only to feel Shannon push him back.

“Let go of me Sarah,” Kyle snapped seeing her let go of him, only to feel Shannon grab his shoulder gently. “Shannon, what is his problem?”

“He has a lot of them,” Shannon pointed out, shooting a glance back at Don. “I’ll take him away from here, I have to talk to him anyways. Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of everything.”

“Okay,” Kyle reached out to hug her in his arms gently, feeling her pat him on the back. “Take care.”

“Wait, you’re siding with him?” Don piped in pushing Kyle away from Shannon as Kyle looked over at him. “I’m you’re husband.”

“And he is one of my friends,” Shannon pointed out with a small roll of her eyes, going over to hug Kyle gently before turning back to Don. “You’re going to live with it because he has been my friend for a long time.”

“I’ll see you later,” Kyle waved goodbye to Shannon before stopping in front of Don. “And don’t worry Don, I’m sure I’ll see you again very soon.”

“Great,” Don groaned looking over at Shannon before letting out a deep sigh. The only thing he didn’t want right now was to be left alone with Shannon and he just was.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“I can’t just sit here,” Avery argued with Beth seeing the disapproving look that her doctor was giving her, “I need to see Russ. He’s upset and…”

“And it’s going to have to wait,” Beth replied shaking her head at Avery, “You’ve just been through a horrible ordeal on top of giving birth and the last thing I want you to be doing is even thinking about getting wrapped up in the midst of chaos. You need your rest.”

“What I need is my husband,” Avery blurted out as another voice in her head questioned which one that was.

“You need to relax and avoid the stress for a while. I’ll have one of the nurse’s bring Erin in after you rest a bit,” Beth explained walking out of the room.

Avery tried to make sense of what had happened right in front of her eyes earlier. She closed her eyes replaying the scenario in her head. It was as if she was still in a dream where nothing made sense. One minute she was in Brant’s arms and then the next there was Russ. He was alive and wanting to be with her and…

“Avery thank God,” her father’s voice called out to her beckoning her to the moment. She turned her attention to him and felt a small smile on her lips.

“Daddy,” she stretched her arms out to him feeling him embrace her.

“Hey princess,” Richard hugged her tighter not wanting to let go after the scare he’d been through with her. “I’m so happy to see you’re awake.”

“I’m happy to be here,” she couldn’t help but smile watching her father pull back ever so slightly, “I’ve missed you daddy.”

“I know and I’m sorry that I haven’t been here for you more princess, but I’m here now,” Richard replied touching her cheek gently, “I’m here for you and my beautiful little granddaughter. I saw Russ earlier and I was so happy to see he was alive. Cheryl told me that he‘d returned and…”

“Daddy, Brooke tried to kill him,” Avery blurted out thinking about what Russ had been through, “She’s the one who caused all of this.”

“What?” Richard questioned confusion sweeping in over his features, “Avery, while I know your mother has been unbearable at times, I hardly think that…”

“Russ told me. He said that she and Nicholas Ashford were the ones who lead us to believe that he was dead. They tried to kill him, but he escaped. He had amnesia, but he fought to get back to me,” she continued thinking of the pain that had been present in the room when Russ recounted the horrifying experience he’d been through, “He said that they planned the whole thing with one another. They wanted to eliminate Russ and…”

“Avery slow down. You aren’t making any sense,” Richard saw her brown eyes widen with each word she spoke, “Nicholas is dead. You said so yourself.”

“I know what I said, but I was wrong. Russ said that he was responsible for Russ disappearing and I believe him. He said that Brooke tried to have him murdered and that Brooke was trying to kill Erin just like she did our first baby,” Avery continued tears burning at the back of her eyes, “She was involved with Bruce. She faked her kidnapping so that she and Nicholas could get the money from the ransom and…”

“No Avery that doesn’t make any sense. None of this makes any sense. Your mother was kidnapped and Bruce attacked her in your office. You saw that yourself when he pushed her out of the window,” Richard replied thinking about the nightmare his family had been through over the year.

“No daddy,” Avery revealed feeling her horrible secret falling from her lips, “Bruce didn’t push her from that window. I did.”

“No Avery honey…” Richard saw the truth flash behind his daughter’s eyes before she burst into tears.

“I’m so sorry,” Avery replied feeling him pull her into an embrace, “She attacked me. She tried to drug me and…she was saying these horrible things about Russ and the baby and…”

“No honey, no,” Richard hugged her to him hearing her pain flood over from where she’d buried it deep within her.

“Daddy, what Russ is saying about her has to be true. I was there when she tried to hurt me. She tried to hurt Erin and…” Avery cleared her throat uneasily, “She had to be the reason I lost my baby on my wedding day. Russ said that he had proof…”

“Avery, your mother would never…” Richard trailed off seeing the horror behind her eyes.

“Daddy I was there in my office. She was a woman possessed. She lunged at me and jabbed me with a needle. I had no choice, but to do what I did. I had to save Erin. I had to keep her safe and…” Avery’s tears overtook her, “I had no choice. I tried to push her off of me, but she fell into the window and before I knew it I was just standing there with blood on my hands. Brant came in and…”

Realization dawned behind Richard’s eyes, “He helped you get away.”

Avery nodded, “He told everyone that Bruce was there--that Bruce did it because he knew that I would be punished for what I’ve done, but now that Russ is back--now that I know the truth…”

“Oh my God,” Richard gasped in response suddenly very aware of the truth about his wife. Seeing the pain and horror in his daughter’s eyes only brought a further ache to him knowing that someone he’d once loved had caused so much pain for his daughter. Pulling Avery further into his arms he felt her break down into tiny sobs.

“I wanted to kill her. I wanted to kill her for what she tried to do to Erin, but now that I know what she did to Russ,” Avery confessed trembling in his embrace.

“She’s never going to hurt you again Avery,” Richard promised cradling her in his arms, his own mind lost in the notion that his wife could be so nefarious. Suddenly he found himself reflecting on all the clues that Brooke had left along the way--at all the times when he’d wondered what she was up to. Now the truth was painfully obvious. Hearing Avery’s confession only further proved that Brooke was far from where Richard had hoped she’d be as a wife and a mother.

“She killed my baby daddy. She killed my first child,” Avery repeated over and over again leaving Richard with a feeling that was far darker than anything he’d ever experienced in his life. In that moment realization dawned in over him and it was then that he decided it was long past due that Brooke be dealt with. After all no one hurt his family and got away with it. If what Avery was saying was true, then there would be hell to pay!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“So tell me Jenna, what is it that has you so perplexed tonight?” Walt questioned eyeing Jenna intently, “I’m sure that I can help if you let me.”

“It’s a bit of a difficult situation and hopefully Sam will be willing to listen to me,” Jenna replied sipping her coffee while keeping her eyes on the door to the café.

“I’m sure that she will when she sees that you’ve got something important to say. I have no doubt in mind that you’ve got her best interest in mind,” he prompted further hoping to get some kind of reaction from her.

“More or less,” she glanced over at him apologetically, “Don’t take this the wrong way Walt, but I really can’t get into it right now. It’s kind of personal you understand…”

“Which translates to it being none of my business,” he nodded at her bringing his hands up above the table, “I’m sorry that I prodded you for information there. I was just trying to help.”

“I understand that, but…” she stopped herself, “What about you? How are you feeling?”

“I’ve had better days and I’ve had worse, but overall I’m still alive and I suppose that counts,” he offered up with a small smile, “though I’m guessing that my son is wishing that isn’t the case.”

“Hart’s complicated, but he’s been busy lately so I haven’t really mentioned anything about you yet,” she admitted feeling a moment of guilt sweep over her, “He’s been helping a few friends…”

“Don and Brant I’m sure,” Walt nodded thinking about his son and his pals, “They always did seem to get into trouble with one another during their younger years. Truth be told I always wondered if Hart would wind up in jail spending all of his time with those two. They were always concocting some kind of scheme or another, but they usually involved charming some woman or another there in the name of becoming Coral Valley’s Casanova.”

“Really?” Jenna’s eyes widened with obvious interest.

“Not to say that they aren’t very dedicated to the women in their life now, but there was a time in my son’s life when changing women was like changing his socks. It was happening so often and so quickly that my wife commented that she never truly believed he’d outgrow it. Not that I had much more faith in the boy, but surprisingly I’m happy to see that we were both wrong. Hart seems to have hit the jackpot with you,” he added watching the way that color rose in Jenna’s face, “So tell me is my son planning on making an honest woman of you anytime soon? I don’t see a ring on your finger.”

“Oh well we haven’t actually…” Jenna started clearing her throat uneasily when she noticed Wayne standing near the counter picking up his order. “Walt if you’ll excuse me for a moment…”

“Of course,” he nodded watching her walk off as Jenna approached her brother.

“Wayne, there you are. I’ve been looking all over for you and Sam. I’d really like to talk to her and…” Jenna explained eagerly.

“Didn’t you and mom do more than enough tonight?” he frowned back at his sister.

“Wayne, this was not my fault. I had no idea that mom was going to say that and…” Jenna tried to defend herself.

“And what? You figured this was something you could keep from all of us? You and Hart just decided to leave those who should know clueless?” Wayne questioned abrasively, “Real nice Jen.”

“It wasn’t my place to tell and I honestly had no clue that mom knew. I kept asking Hart to try to find a way to tell Sam, but…” Jenna shook her head feeling her frustrations mounting, “Wayne it’s a complicated situation.”

“I can see that, but Jen I would’ve thought that you’d at least say something to me. You and I have shared just about everything with each other…” he reminded her with a heavy sigh.

“But this was about Sam. I know you love her Wayne and I didn’t want to have to put you in a position where you’d have to lie to her. I didn’t want you to be stuck right in the middle of all of this,” she explained honestly, “It didn’t seem fair.”

“Well it’s not fair. None of it is, but I understand why you kept quiet,” he finally replied softening his tone a bit, “I just wish you could’ve warned me rather than having us walk in and see mom saying those things.”

“She hates Hart and she was saying them because she was trying to prove something to me. She never should’ve opened her mouth like that and hurt Sam. I am very sorry about that. I wish I could find a way to take that back,” Jenna apologized.

“So do I, but I guess we can’t, can we?” Wayne replied with a shake of his head. “So now what?”

“I was hoping that maybe I could talk to Sam. I know what she’s going through. You know how it was for me when I found out that Douglas was my father. I hated that mom lied to me, but in a way I understand why she felt the need to protect me. Maybe if Sam and I talk…”

“There’s a difference Jen. Douglas Mahoney is a certifiable Hollywood bigwig. Hart’s a pretty decent guy,” Wayne paused, “Or at least I thought he was until I heard he didn’t want a part in his daughter’s life.”

“Hart didn’t know Sam was his daughter until recently. He wanted to tell her, but Beth threatened him and…” she shook her head again, “This is for Hart to tell, not me.”

“Yeah, well where is he?” Wayne questioned curiously.

“He’s helping a friend still,” Jenna explained offering up a tiny fib, “I wasn’t able to get a hold of him, but I’m sure as soon as he hears what mom did he’ll want to talk to Sam too. He’ll want to explain why he kept her in the dark about it. It’s not that he didn’t want her to know, but he didn’t want to upset her.”

“I think mom already beat him to the punch on that one,” Wayne shook his head and let out a small groan, “because right now she’s with her mother.”

“What?” Jenna’s eyes widened, “I thought she was with you.”

“She was, but then she asked me to drop her off at the hospital to take her to see her mom. She felt they should talk and I couldn’t argue that. I came back to pick up our meal and then I was heading on back over there,” Wayne admitted freely thinking about his worries over Sam.

“In that case I’ll go with you. Knowing Beth she’s probably not going to make this any easier on Sam than mom did,” Jenna frowned slightly remembering how impossible Beth was.

“Yeah, well that’s what I was afraid of,” Wayne looked beyond Jenna to the table she was at earlier. “Who is here with you?”

“That’s Walt,” Jenna answered glancing over her shoulder at him not really wanting to get into it just yet. “I’ll just tell him good-bye and then I’ll go with you.”

“Okay,” Wayne nodded watching his sister return to the table briefly while he worried about whether or not Sam would truly be able to forgive her mother for the lie she spun before her. Something told him things were going to be extremely tense for a long time to come.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Beth looked at her watch knowing full well that she was long overdue on checking in. She knew she was supposed to make the phone call hours ago, but up until now she hadn’t had a free moment. Granted she wasn’t exactly eager to explain the situation at hand since chaos had ensued at the hospital. With that thought fresh in her mind she reached for her office door and opened it hoping to have a moment of quiet before she returned to the chaos that surrounded her. However that moment was about to be short-lived now that she saw Sam standing before her looking less than happy to be seeing her.

“Sam, honey what are you doing here?” Beth questioned giving her a strange look, “I figured I wouldn’t see you for a while given your little hissy fit you had the other day.”

“As if you have any right to lecture me,” Sam rose up from the chair that she’d been seated in, “Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”

“Wait just a minute,” Beth waved her hand in the air, “First of all I don’t know what has you in a mood, but I’m your mother and I won’t stand back and let you talk to me that way.”

“I know the truth mom!” Sam snapped back at her icily, “I know how you lied all these years--about how daddy hated you for what you did to him…”

“Now Sam, I don’t know what’s got you so worked up, but…” Beth began stepping towards her daughter, “I do think you owe me an apology young lady.”

“For what? For thinking that I was the reason daddy left? That I was the reason you two were unable to stay together?” Sam shook her head at her, “I mean maybe in my own way I was since I’m the product of your affair, but you lead me to believe that it was because I didn’t behave--because I was always so sick…”

“Sami you know that your father could never deal with that. He wasn’t able to…” Beth blinked back at her in an attempt to defend herself.

“No mom. He left because you had an affair with Hart Steiner. He left not because of me, but because of you. Because you had a child with another man. Hart’s my father,” Sam blurted out watching her mother’s face drop.

“Did he tell you that?” Beth questioned taking a small step towards her, “Did he tell you that to spite me now?”

“No mom, he didn’t have to,” Sam shook her head at her, “And here you really thought you had a place to judge me considering that I’m with a man who loves me--a man that I would never cheat on.”

“What you don’t understand is that Hart seduced me. He chased me relentlessly and I was having difficulties with Travis,” Beth tried to explain herself. “Hart’s a manipulator and…”

“From what I can see mom, you’re the manipulator,” Sam shook her head at her, “And here I couldn’t understand why you didn’t want me working with Hart, but I get it now. You didn’t ever want me to know that he was really my father, did you?”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“This is not good,” Christy repeated over and over again to herself, grabbing a few things from her desk. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she remembered everything that just went on before her. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

Christy had been laying low for a while, but now that everything had just been found out, she couldn’t help but realize she was in trouble.

She quickly pulled her cell phone out of her pocket, dialing the number to the person who deserved to know what was going on as much as she did. To make things even worse, there was no answer on the other end, just an answer machine. She couldn’t just not tell him, she had to tell him everything that had been going on.

“Nick, it’s Christy,” Christy sighed in deeply trying to come up with a way to break the news to Nick. “They know you’re alive. They know everything. I don’t know how they know, but they do. Listen, I’m coming over right now and get you’re stuff together because we have to go. We have to go before it’s too late.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“You have everything packed,” Kevin questioned taking one last look around Angela’s place knowing in his heart that this trip was a bittersweet one at best. While he wanted to see Ria again and be with her, the idea of having Angela in Coral Valley left him feeling very unsettled.

“Almost,” Angela decided making her way into the kitchen and snagging herself a box of cereal bars. She held it up waving it at Kevin, “Just in case I get hungry on the trip. You know how Cameron has next to nothing on that jet other than champagne and other luxuries that I’m not into.”

“I wouldn’t know,” he frowned slightly, “I haven’t been on the jet in a while since we’ve kind of been, well here for a bit.”

“Oh come on,” Angela smiled over at him, “You always enjoyed the jet admit it.”

“When you weren’t getting into trouble on it yeah of course, but the last time I took a plane ride with you,” Kevin felt his face grow red as the grin on her face expanded. He shook his head at her, “You’re trouble Angie.”

“So,” she shrugged her shoulders, “you never had a problem with trouble before.”

“That’s because trouble wasn’t headed to the mainland,” he smiled back at her, “You know I can call the pilot and we can call this off.”

“Not on your life,” she shook her head again, “I’m going to Coral Valley and nothing is going to stop me.”

“You seem so determined,” Kevin eyed her curiously, “I mean I know you’re not in a hurry to see Cameron so…”

Angela’s phone rang and she pulled it out of her pocket answering quickly, “Hello. Oh hey Chris…”

Kevin watched her step away and he let out a small groan, “Wonderful. And it begins again…”

“Of course. Kevin and I are on our way out right now. We should be there shortly and I promise as soon as we’re about to land I’ll call you. You mentioned that you weren’t far from the airport so…” Angela began pacing around her living room.

“Don’t do it Angie. Don’t do it,” Kevin mouthed under his breath praying that she didn’t invite Chris to meet up with them this early on.

“Great, so we’ll see you at the airport then,” Angela blurted out causing Kevin to groan under his breath.

“Wonderful,” Kevin sighed heavily hearing her say a few more words to Chris before she hung up.

“Angie, are you really, really sure you want to do this? We can always scrap the plan altogether,” he began with a hopeful expression seeing her reach for her purse.

“Not this time Kevin. I want to go to Coral Valley and nothing is going to stop me,” she decided prancing past him to the door as he said a silent prayer that she didn’t get in over her head. Furthermore, he hoped that while they were in Coral Valley that she never, ever ran into ‘Nick’ ever again. If she did, he was certain it would be a disaster n the making. Still, he heard her over by his Jeep getting inside which meant that they were about to embark upon the next adventure with one another. He let out a heavy sigh before walking out the door after her, “Coral Valley here we come.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


...to be continued...