Chapter 18  - Morning of the wedding
 

Paloma walked nervously behind her brother as they approached the huge mansion her sister now called home. She wanted to be at her home with her friends, but instead she was back in Harmony, with the family that never wanted her. She wasn’t surprised that her sister had landed yet another Crane, it seemed to be the only thing Theresa knew how to do.

“Luis!” A bubbling voice spoke as Theresa suddenly bounced out the front door. “I saw your car pull up!”

“Someone’s in a good mood.” Luis laughed hugging his sister. “Look who I brought with me.”

Theresa stepped away from her brother to see Paloma eyeing her. With a huge smile on her face she walked over to her sister. “Your so beautiful.” Theresa gasp, “And so grown.”

“Hi Theresa.” Paloma smiled. “You look great.”

“I’ve missed you Paloma.” Theresa smiled reaching out to hug her sister. “I’m really glad you’re home.” Right away Theresa noticed Paloma tense up almost as if she was forcing herself to hug her sister. A frown fell on Theresa’s face as Paloma pulled away. Taking a good look in her sister’s eyes Theresa’s heart dropped. She saw hurt and anger in the huge blue eyes of her sister.

“Where’s Ethan Martin?” Paloma asked. “With his nanny?”

Theresa and Luis exchanged looks, “Actually, its Martin Luis now.” Luis smiled. “Theresa changed his name.”

“Oh I didn’t know.” Paloma shrugged. “So is he with the nanny?”

“No.” Theresa spoke shaking her head. “I don’t have a nanny for Martin. He’s still sleeping, which is a good thing because I have a lot to do before the wedding.”

“The wedding is tonight Theresa.” Luis laughed.

“It’s at six o’clock, and I have so much to do.” She spoke crossing her arms. “I want it all to be perfect for Miguel.”

“Why? He’s only getting married because he got the girl pregnant.” Paloma shrugged.

“Paloma!” Theresa and Luis both spoke together eyeing their younger sister.

“Well its true.” Turning to Theresa she frowned, “I didn’t think you liked Kay anyway. Why does it matter what kind of wedding they have? He messed around, got caught and now he’s doing the right thing. I don’t see why they need some fancy wedding.”

Theresa took a deep breath, “Miguel loves Kay, and they are getting married for all the right reasons. I had issues with Kay when we were both younger, but I can put them aside for my bother. Paloma, this wedding is a big deal to Miguel, its not just something he’s doing because he feels he has to.”

“If you say so.” She shrugged. “You know more about them than I do.”

“Sis have you heard from Miguel this morning? Mama said the poor kid stayed up most of the night working on the house.” Luis sighed. “I offered to come over and help but he said he could handle it.”

“Hank was with him until about midnight, they finished the plumbing and he finally got all the leaks stopped. I offered to hire someone to redo the house but he refused. He wants to do things on his own, just him and Kay. It really worries me that it’ll be too much for them.” Theresa frowned.

“It worries me too sis, but what can we do?” Luis questioned. “Do you think it would be all right for me to sneak up to see my nephew or would I run into Julian?”

“Julian had a early breakfast with Dr. Russell.” Theresa giggled. “Those to have been seeing a lot of each other lately.” She added with a smirk.

“And here I thought Eve was level headed.” Luis frowned.

“Luis!” Theresa spoke smacking her brother. “Eve and Julian are in love. He’s a different person around her, in fact he’s a different person because of her.”

“Julian? Julian Crane?” Luis laughed.

“I’m serious, he’s even being a father to Martin. I’m not going to question any good thing Julian does.” Theresa shrugged. “And you shouldn’t either.”

“Whatever you say sis.” Luis spoke, “I’ll go see Martin while you and Paloma catch up.”

Theresa watched as her brother walked away and nervously turned to look at Paloma. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Sure you are.” Paloma laughed looking around. “Looks like you’ve got everything you’ve always wanted sis. Look at this place, its what you always dreamed of huh?”

“Paloma!” Theresa spoke with a gasp.

“Oh please its true. You always wanted to be rich and famous, well you’ve got the rich part down.”

“Now that’s not all true.” Theresa spoke stepping back. “You don’t understand.” Shaking her head she saw the anger in her sister’s blue eyes, “I thought we had worked things out.”

Paloma shrugged, “I always listened when you talked Theresa. You never really asked me how I felt.”

“How do you feel Paloma?” Theresa spoke her voice sincere. “I’m asking now.”

“Like the outsider.” Paloma spoke bluntly, “And I’m going to out like the outsider is suppose to act.”

“And how is that?” Theresa questioned. “Look Paloma you’re not a outsider. We all love you and want you home.”

”This isn’t my home.” Paloma answered back quickly. “I don’t want to be here, and I won’t be for long. Why would I want to stay here in this little town?”

“I didn’t send you away Paloma. I never did anything to you, so why do you hate me like you do? It’s always been like this. When we were younger you treated me like dirt. You had so much and you rubbed it in my face. You hurt mine and Miguel’s feelings every time you visited. We never wanted you gone; we always wanted you to be here with us. It’s not fair for you to be angry with us. When I became a Crane I called you and told you I wanted you to move back. You told me no then, so please tell me what I did that made you feel like that about me.” Theresa spoke her words were rushed as she eyed her sister. Crossing her arms she looked up at Paloma.

Paloma was silent she looked down at her older sister. Theresa had never stood up to her. She had always played the role as the sweet older sister. It had always been so easy to put her down in the past but now she had grew a backbone.

“I’m waiting.” Theresa spoke her eyes glaring up at Paloma.

“This is so not worth it.” Paloma spoke rolling her blue eyes. “Tell Luis I’ll be in the car. She huffed.

“Paloma!” Theresa called as her sister turned her back. Paloma turned to look at Theresa. “I love you.” Theresa whispered. “I honestly do.”

“Whatever.” Paloma shrugged giving Theresa an icy glare as she turned her back and headed back to the car.

__________________________________________

“I’m getting married today! I’m getting married today.” Kay shrieked staring in the mirror. “Oh my gosh I’m getting married today.”

“You know there’s still time to back out.” Noah laughed from the door. “Any way I can talk you out of it?”

“There’s nothing that could talk me out of this.” Kay smiled as her brother walked into the room. “Miguel is going to be my husband tonight!”

“You’re too young to have a husband.” Noah sighed. “You should be out having fun?”

“Like you?” Kay smirked. “So did dad tell you about that money that disappeared from his secret stash? I’m sure you were squirming if he did.”

“I’m going to pay that back.” Noah frowned. “So I got a little drunk.”

“And you decided to strip in front of a house Noah!” Kay laughed. “Sam Bennett’s perfect son got arrested and he still has no clue!”

“Hush.” Noah laughed. “I’m far from perfect.”

“But we won’t tell our parents that now will we?” Kay questioned. “You’ve made your mistakes, I’ve made mine.”

“Point made.” He spoke, “But I still think you’re getting in over your head.”

“I’ve been doing that for years.” Kay smirked. “I can handle it.”

“So I guess I should worry about Jess now?” Noah questioned.

“As long as Jess stays with Reese, she’ll be fine. She’ll go to college, make good grades and marry Harmony’s smartest man someday. Face it Noah, she’s the good one.”

“And if it doesn’t work out with Durkee?”

Kay frowned. “It will. Jessica needs Reese; he’s the only stable thing she has right now. She has no idea what’s going on with our parents, you’re gone and I’m getting married. Reese is like the one sure thing she knows she can count on.”

“Kay she’s young, the chances of her and Reese staying together forever are slim.” Noah pointed out.

“Noah, Miguel has been my best friend my whole life, and I’m marrying him today. Jess and Reese love each other, what could go wrong for them? They’re both so squeaky clean, they are made for each other.”

“Just like you and Miguel are made for each other? Kay please, you have to be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Now how am I going to get hurt?” Kay questioned.

Noah shrugged, “Maybe you’re not, as long as you and Miguel are honest with each other.”

“We are.” Kay answered quickly looking down.

“Kathleen Bennett what are you keeping from the boy?” Noah reacted touching his sister’s face to force her to look up at him. “It’s written all over your face. You’re lying to Miguel about something aren’t you?”

“Noah it’s my wedding day, please don’t do this.” Kay pleaded.

“Sis you can tell me, please what are you hiding?”

“Nothing Noah! I’m not hiding anything for Miguel or anyone else. I’m getting married today. It’s going to happen! I’ve worked so hard for this, and its finally real. Miguel loves me, he really loves me now Noah! Just drop it please.” She begged tears falling down her face.

“Kay, what do you mean by you worked hard?” Noah asked watching his sister’s reaction to each word he spoke.

Kay sat down on the bed she once called hers. Wrapping her arms around herself she felt warm tears fall down her face. “I love him so much.” She whispered. “I never meant for it to get out of hand, I never thought so much would happen. I just wanted Miguel to love me, but he didn’t. I just wanted him to see me, and it changed me. I never thought Charity would get hurt, or the Zombie would get so out of hand.”

“Kay, what have you done?” Noah gasped bending down in the floor. His eyes stared up at his sister’s as he held her hands in his.

“That stupid witch, she talked me into so much. It all sounded so perfect. I just thought if Charity was out of the way for a little while I could make him see. The Zombie was supposed to help, I didn’t know she would try to kill him. It all got so out of hand, and then suddenly I had the one thing that would get me everything. I wasn’t going to use it though, honest I wasn’t. I was going to pour that stupid essence out.”

“Essence?” Noah questioned. “Kay you didn’t freeze Charity, please tell me you didn’t do that.”

“I don’t know what happened to me. I just hated her and wanted him.” She cried her voice trembling. “Then I got Charity’s essence and I knew if I used it Miguel would think I was Charity. I convinced myself that he would know in his heart though. I just wanted someone to love me.”

“You tricked him.” Noah whispered as everything suddenly started to make sense. “He honestly thought you were Charity that night didn’t he?”

“He loves me now Noah. He loves the real me, the me that would never do things like that. It’s in our past and he never needs to know.”

“Kay how, how could you? The things you did? My Kay would never do that.”

“Your Kay didn’t Noah.” She whispered taking a deep breath. “It was like there was this other person in my body and I couldn’t stop myself. “Oh Noah what have I done? What kind of monster am I?”

Noah wanted to scream at Kay, but he couldn’t. He looked at his little sister and saw that her whole body was shaking. Her tears were falling quickly as she cried harder than he had ever saw her cry. “Kay the baby.” He whispered calmly. “You have to calm down for the baby.”

Kay nodded her head and took a deep breath. “I love my baby Noah. I’ve never felt this kind of love before.” She struggled. “This baby is all that matters now, it’s the most important thing.”

“I’m going downstairs and get you a glass of water and when I come back we’re going to talk about this. As hard as it is Kay, its time for you to come clean to Miguel. I’m going to be here for you though, I promise you that.”

Kay closed her eyes as her brother walked out of the room. Taking deep breaths she tried to relax. She had to for her child; she had to stay calm for the baby that she was carrying. She felt a presence in the room as she opened her eyes again.

“Noah.” She spoke looking up. Her eyes became wide as she saw the man in front of her. “No.” She whispered.

”Hello Kay.” Fox Crane smiled. “So you say you’re nothing like me?” He questioned. “Looks like you’re right about that, because you my darling, are much more devious than I have ever been.”

“You, you heard?” She questioned. “Jessica let me in a while ago.” He spoke. “And I heard you and your brother having a little heart to heart so I figured I’d just hide in the corner and listen in. Good thing I did because what I learned, well it was better than anything I’ve read in books.”

“You can’t tell anyone.” Kay pleaded. “I know I’ve been terrible to you but please, I’m begging.”

“No worries beautiful, I’m not going to say a word.” Fox saw the look in Kay’s eyes as she lowered her head onto her pillow. He saw the heartache that she was feeling and his heart dropped.

“Noah wants me to tell Miguel.” She whispered. “I just don’t know if I can. I don’t want to loose him.”

Fox frowned, if he went with the crowd and talked Kay into telling Miguel everything he knew he would have a chance with the blue-eyed beauty. It would be the smartest move for him to make or he could go against everyone and encourage her to keep quite. If she kept quite she would be married and he would loose any chance with her before it got started. “Do you really love him?” Fox questioned.

Kay looked up at Fox, “Before when I was scheming to get him, I don’t think it was love. It was more of a quest for me. Now that I have him, and we’ve found all the things we lost, yes I love him. I love the man he is today, and I love the fact that he helped me found the real Kay Bennett again. The Miguel that was with Charity was wimpy and weak, but my Miguel, he’s so much stronger than that. I love Miguel with everything in me, but living a lie, I’m not sure if I can do that.”

Fox let out a long sigh, “And Miguel is in love with you?”

“He has fallen in love with the real me.” Kay smiled, “And he’s so good with me. He loves our baby so much already and he can’t wait to be a father. He’s always talking to the baby, and telling me how much he cares. He even told me that the past was in the past.”

“Sounds like there’s only one thing that you can do then.” Fox spoke crossing his arms.

“Tell him the truth?”

“No Kay.” Fox frowned, “If you love this man and you want a future with him, you have to leave the past where it is.”

“You think so?”

Fox nodded his head, “Yeah I really do.”

In a matter of seconds Fox could tell he had lost all chance with Kay Bennett. Watching the smile slip to her face he thought for a moment, perhaps this was what his brother Chad always talked to him about when he talked of friendship. Fox wasn’t really sure what a true friend was, but at the moment he’d take what he could get with Kay.

“You’re right.” Kay spoke standing up. “Marrying Miguel is what I’ve dreamed of, I can’t let my past stop me now.” Smiling she put her hand on Fox’s shoulder, “Thanks Fox, you might not be that bad after all.” She laughed gently.

--------------------------------------------------

“Breakfast at the Book Café.” Julian Crane smiled taking a sip of his coffee. “See Eve I can handle being amongst the locals.”

Eve smiled as she looked around the small café. “People have been whispering about us Julian. At work, on the street, I hear it everywhere.”

Julian’s eyes became sad, “Eve darling I’m so sorry.”

“No, don’t be.” She spoke quickly touching his hand with hers. “I don’t mind.”

“Let them talk Julian, they can’t hurt me.” She shrugged. “In fact I have a question to ask you.”

“A question?” Julian spoke arching a eyebrow. “You’ve peaked my curiosity, go on you can ask me anything.”

“Anything?” Eve smirked, “Well actually its very simple question. Julian, how would you feel about going to Kay and Miguel’s wedding with me this evening? I know its rather short notice, but having you there with me would be very nice.”

“Well personally I find Miguel to be a little punk.” Julian spoke, “He did try to hit me several times while I was ‘married’ to Theresa. “But I would go anywhere with you Eve.” Julian smiled. “Even to a wedding of the teenage locals.”

“Are you sure?” Eve questioned.

“Of course I am darling. I’m just rather surprised that you asked.”

“It’s time that I get on with my life Julian.” Eve spoke her eyes bright as she smiled at him. “You make me smile, and I can’t walk away from that.”

“I’m so glad to hear you talk like this.” Julian said covering her hands in his. “So this wedding, is this to be considered a date?”

Eve thought for a moment. She couldn’t remember the last date she had been on. A real date with Julian, it was something she needed and she knew it. “Yes Julian I suppose it is a date.” She nodded.

“So should we seal this invitation with a kiss?” Julian spoke with a smirk on his face.

“Always the sly one Julian.” Eve laughed. “Why don’t we wait and see how this evening goes first.” She suggested. “And then, well see.”

“That I can live with.” Julian spoke bringing her hand to his lips as he kissed it gently.
___________________________________________________

Sam Bennett peered into the bedroom his daughter would soon move into. He watched with great curiosity as Miguel worked on the window next to the bed.

“You know you can relax a little, today is your wedding day.” Sam spoke from the doorway smiling as Miguel almost jumped out of his skin. The young man turned quickly around to see Sam watching his with crossed arms.

“Kay said the window leaked.” He explained. “I wanted to make sure it was fixed.”

“You’ve worked hard Miguel.” Sam spoke. “I must say you’ve changed my mind about you.”

“Changed your mind?” Miguel questioned dusting his jeans off as he walked over to where Sam stood.

“When you first told me you were marrying my daughter I just assumed you were doing the ‘right thing’. Miguel you’ve proven to me that you truly love my daughter. I’ve watched you work at this house, and then rush to work only to come home and check on Kay. Not a lot of guys your age would do that.” Sam spoke his voice serious and stern. “Not a lot of guys could handle it.”

“Kay and our child are my future, and I want to do what’s right by them.” Miguel spoke looking around the room. “This is our home and Kay deserves to have everything I can give her.”

“I’m glad to hear you talk like that Miguel, but don’t forget about yourself. In a good marriage you can’t forget about your own needs and interests. With Charity I saw you get so caught up in her that you never did anything for yourself. A person can only do that for so long.”

“But Kay and my child comes first.” Miguel spoke.

“Of course they do son.” Sam smiled, “But you’re marrying my daughter and my daughter may like to be pampered but she also likes to take care of herself. I know that Kay loves you and she wants to see you take care of yourself as well. You need to remember that you’re both still young, and going out with your friends and playing a game of basketball won’t hurt you.” Sam smiled. “Just like Kay going shopping with her friends won’t hurt her.”

“I understand what your saying Chief Bennett.”

“Sam, I think you’ve earned the right to call me Sam.”

“How about dad?” Miguel joked the tension leaving him as he looked up at Kay’s father.

“Let’s not push it.” Sam laughed, becoming serious for a moment he sighed, “Just take care of my baby Miguel. Love her and be there for her and I won’t have a problem with you. But if you break my Kay’s heart I will come after you, as will Noah and Hank.”

“I promise you I only want the best for Kay.”

“Then stop working on this house try to get a little sleep, and be ready to marry my little girl tonight.” Sam laughed. “It’s what she’s been waiting on her whole life. My daughter has spent most of her life waiting on the day that she walked down the aisle to you, and you alone.” Same spoke with a sigh. “She’s love you half her life, now all her dreams are finally coming true.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t realize how much she cared sooner.” Miguel frowned.

“It wasn’t your time.” Sam spoke, “Everything happens in its on time, and today, today is your day with Kay.”

“I can’t wait to see her today. I can’t wait to make Kay my wife.” Miguel smiled shaking Sam’s hand. “Today is going to be a day I’ll never forget.”

___________________________________________
 

Fox Crane walked into his brother’s studio his shoulders down as he kicked at the floor.

“Someone’s unhappy.” Chad spoke walking around the corner. “Why the frown bro?”

“I think I just ruined my chances with the most interesting woman in this town.” Fox frowned. “And the weird thing is I actually did the right thing.”

“Do I know the woman?” Chad questioned.

“I’d rather not say.” Fox shrugged. “But she was all upset about some stuff from her past. She actually wanted to tell this guy everything. I mean she’s came so far with him and now she wants to mess it all up by telling him stuff she done months ago.”

“Well if she did something that the man needs to know about honesty is the best thing.” Chad spoke sitting down.

“Your joking right?” Fox laughed. “This girl has worked so hard to get this guy, why should she throw it all away now because she feels a little guilt?”

“Because the truth always comes out Nick.” Chad frowned. “You did tell the girl to be honest right?”

“I should have.” Fox shrugged, “Then he would dump her and I could finally have a shot with her. It was like my only chance and I messed it up.”

Chad’s mouth suddenly dropped as the pieces began to fit, “Nick, tell me we’re not talking about Kay Bennett here.”

“Did I say that?” Fox asked with a smirk, “No I don’t believe I did.”

“But it is Kay isn’t it? Kay is hiding something from Miguel?”

“Dude I never mentioned Kay.”

Chad shook his head, “But she’s the girl you’ve been wanting. Nick you did tell her to tell Miguel whatever it is she’s hiding didn’t you?”

“I did the right thing Chad, don’t worry about it. For once I didn’t think about myself. I saw the girl crying and I told her what she needed to do to be happy.”

“Which is tell the man she’s marrying today whatever it is she’s feeling guilty about right?” Chad coached.

“No I told her to forget the past and marry the man.” Fox shrugged. “You know I thought you’d be proud of me Chad.”

“Proud? How can I be proud?”

“Because I could have used this to get Kay, but I didn’t.” Fox explained.

“She’s marrying my wife’s brother.” Chad spoke becoming upset. “Now I know that Kay is hiding something from Miguel. What am I suppose to do now?”

“You’re supposed to keep your mouth shut because for the first time since we found out we were brother’s I’ve confided in you. We’ve shared a moment big brother.” Fox smirked, “And you have to keep it to yourself.”

“Well what is Kay hiding?” Chad questioned. “You know what I don’t want to know. Its better if I don’t know.”

“I’m not telling you anyway.” Fox sighed. “The whole point is I wasted a perfect opportunity because I felt bad for the girl. Fox Crane doesn’t do these kind of things.”

“You told a girl to keep something from the man she’s marrying if that’s not Crane-like I don’t know what is.” Chad huffed.

“She’s marrying him Chad, and they do love each other. So what if she has a few things she forgot to tell him. Your wife isn’t exactly Mrs. Honesty now is she?”

“We’re not talking about Theresa.” Chad groaned.

“No we’re not, but the way I see it no one in this little town has the right to throw stones. Kay and Miguel are going to get married today. They’re going to have their kid and live happily ever after, case closed.” Fox frowned. “Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going home to try to figure out why I did what I did today.”

Chad watched as his younger brother walked out the door. “Why did I have to be a Crane?” He questioned. “Why? Oh Why?”