Change in the Wind

“You know what Noah Bennett? You’re unbelievable! I can’t believe you chickened out of going to your mom’s last night.” Brenna Bennett huffed. “We were standing on the porch and you just ran off. Honestly Noah you are grating my nerves.”

Noah smirked at his wife as they climbed out of the car. “I wanted to tell Kay first.” He shrugged. “I need someone on my side.”

“You’re a grown man Noah, you just need to tell your parents that you’re married.”

“After I tell Kay, we’ve always been close and I know she’ll be there for me.”

Brenna rolled her dark blue eyes, “Fine we’ll tell your sister.” She spoke as the climbed the stairs to the apartment. “But then we’re going to tell your parents. It’s not like they’re going to ground you.”

When they finally reached Kay’s apartment, Noah wasted no time and pounded on the door.

“Noah she has a baby, if you wake it up she’ll hurt you.” Brenna spoke tugging on his denim jacket.

The door flew open to reveal a groggy Kay in her pajama bottoms and a matching shirt. “This better be good!” She fumed before she realized who was standing in front of her. “Noah?” She questioned. “What are you doing here?”

“Hey sis.” Noah smiled. “Were you asleep?”

“You really should have been born blonde Noah.” Kay frowned. “Of course I was asleep.” Seeing that her brother hadn’t moved she sighed, “You know you could come in and introduce me to your friend.”

When Kay had finally scooted her brother and Brenna in the apartment she shut the door behind her and turned around. “No one told me you were coming to town.” She spoke finally walking over and giving her brother a warm hug.

“I’m full of surprises.” Noah smirked pulling away from Kay. “So where’s my nephew?”

Kay smiled, “He’s with Miguel, but you’ll see him soon enough. Now are you going to introduce me to your friend or what?”

Brenna looked up at Noah and saw him stiffen. “Noah, would you please introduce me to your sister?”

Noah took a deep breath and smiled, “Kay, I want you to meet Brenna, my wife.”

Kay gasped her blue eyes becoming huge as she looked up at her brother, “Did you just say wife?” She questioned.

“Yes Kay, Brenna is my wife, and I love her very much.”

“Oh wow.” Kay spoke shaking her head, “This is big. I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone serious.”

“I told mom I had a girlfriend.” Noah explained taking Brenna’s hand, “But she was busy telling me all about Charity’s wedding plans, and Jamie’s newest pictures. We dated for six months and I just knew.” He shrugged. “Sometimes, you just know.”

“I love your brother more than anything.” Brenna spoke with a smile. “I ain’t ever met anyone like him.”

Kay smiled, “Your not from around here are you?”

“I moved to Boston from Tennessee.” Brenna smirked.

Kay looked at her brother and then looked back at the woman beside him. She could see that Noah adored the woman, it was written all over his face. “Welcome to the family Brenna.” Kay smiled reaching out for a hug. “I hope you two will be very happy.”

“So you’re cool with this?” Noah questioned.

Kay nodded her head, “You’re a grown man Noah, if you say this is the real thing I believe you.”

Noah grabbed Kay and hugged her, “I knew you’d understand.”

Kay laughed gently, “So have you told mom?”

“You’re the first one to get the news.” Noah sighed.

“He chickened out of telling your parents at the door.” Brenna snickered.

Kay rolled her eyes, “You’ve always been scared of mother.”

“Have not.” Noah pouted.

Kay laughed, “Well why don’t you two come in and tell me all about how you met. I think its time I get to know my sister-in-law.”

“Oh you’ll have plenty time to get to know Bren, that’s the other thing I wanted to tell you. We’ve decided to make Harmony our home.”

“You’re moving back?” Kay squealed. “Oh my gosh Noah that’s great!”

“Well Harmony is my home.” Noah smiled, “And Brenna wants to get to know my family.”

Kay’s smile faded to a frown, “Our family? Does she know about our family?” She questioned.

“I’ve told her all about the family.”

Kay’s eyes turned to Brenna, “And you still want to live here?”

“It can’t be that bad.” Brenna chuckled. “Besides I like adventure.”

“Oh Harmony’s got plenty of that.” Kay laughed. “Well I’m glad to have my brother back.” She added with a smile, “Jamie needs his uncle.”

“And his aunt.” Brenna smiled, “I have seven brothers and a sister, I love kids and I’d be happy to baby-sit if you ever need the help.”

“Whoa big family.” Kay spoke, “And I’ll take you and Noah up on that babysitting sometime.”

“Will you come to mom’s and be there when we give her and dad the big news?” Noah asked. “If you’ll do this I promise I’ll do anything for you.”

Kay chuckled, “Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t miss this for nothing in the world.”

“This is not some sort of twisted entertainment for you Kay, this is my life.” Noah warned.

“Yeah, Yeah I know, it’s just nice to have the attention turned off me for awhile.” She snickered. “Thanks bro I owe you big for this one.”
 

--------------------------------------------------
She walked toward him her long flowing blazing red nightgown sticking to her slender body as she smiled a mischievous smile. “You know you love me Miguel.” She whispered her voice low and sexy. “You’ve always loved me.”

“Kay.” He whispered sitting up in his bed. “Kay what are you doing here?”

“You wanted me to come.” She smiled. “Tell me you want me here Miguel.”

“Of course I do.” He nodded staring at the barely there nightgown. One of the thin straps fell off her shoulder as her blue eyes pierced his hazel. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Miguel you don’t want her.” A voice spoke from the door.

He looked up and saw Charity standing staring at him in a snow white housecoat. She clinched it around her as she looked over at him, “Miguel, you told me you loved me.” She whispered in a bare whimper. “You said nothing would change between us.”

“Charity.” He spoke, “Charity why are you here?”

“Because Miguel, I should be the one your dreams are about, not her.”

“Charity I’m sorry.” Miguel spoke staring over at her sad face. “I can explain.”

“Go ahead Miguel explain it to her, lie to her again. She’ll believe you, she always believes you.” Kay spoke with a smirk. “That’s the difference between me and her. I know you Miguel, and she never will.”

“Miguel wake up!” He heard the words but they seemed far away as he slowly opened his eyes. “Miguel get up and get your son!”

“Theresa?” He questioned looking up to see his sister staring down at him.

“Jamie is crying.” She spoke as he slowly came to his senses. “And if he wakes up Little E, I’ll never get him back to sleep.”

Miguel nodded his head and hopped out of the bed. “You can go now.” He spoke looking at his sister.

“Who were you dreaming about?” She questioned crossing her arms. “You were talking in your sleep, you told Charity you were sorry.”

“I said you could go.” Miguel spoke ignoring Theresa as he walked over and picked his son up. “Daddy’s here now son.” He spoke holding his son close to him.

“You know there’s a reason your with Charity and not Kay.” Theresa spoke. “Charity is your fate Miguel, just don’t forget that.”

“Didn’t you get the memo sis? Fate doesn’t like our family.” He grumbled. “If it did, you’d be with Ethan right now, instead of chasing after him again.”

“I do not chase Ethan!” Theresa huffed. “I love him.”

“Just go Theresa, I need to get my son back to sleep.” Miguel groaned. “Go call Ethan.”

“You are such a pain.” She pouted as she flounced out of the room.

Miguel sat down on the bed with his son and let out a sigh, “Daddy is very confused right now.” He spoke to the baby who was slowly going to sleep. “That dream was intense, and way to real.” Thinking for a moment he smiled, “But I think I know someone who can help daddy out. We’ll just call Uncle Reese and have him come over, he’ll understand my dream.” He sighed. “At least I hope he understands it.”

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

“Lex thank you so much for letting us in father’s study. It’s just so heartbreaking to think of him in that hospital. I just thought a few of his favorite things might help in feel better.” Sheridan spoke sniffling.

“I’m happy to do it for you ma’am.” The butler smiled his eyes staring Sheridan up and down.

“Oh you’re just a doll Lex, I will never forget this.” Sheridan spoke as she pulled Julian into the study closing the door behind them.

“Bravo sister dear.” Julian spoke clapping his hands. “I’m very impressed.”

Sheridan smiled, “You’re not the only one in this family that knows how to charm people Julian. Now let’s stop wasting time and find out what our father is hiding.”

“Yes of course.” Julian nodded. “You get the desk and I’ll look for that safe.”

Sheridan frowned, “But most of the doors on this desk are locked.”

Julian sighed, “Then find something and get them unlocked.”

“Or.” Sheridan smiled walking over to a picture on the wall, “Maybe I should just look for the key.”

She looked behind the first picture and frowned, moving on to the next one a smile lit up on her face as she looked at the back.

“Sheridan what are you doing?”

Showing her brother the back of the picture she laughed, “I am a Crane Julian, I just thought maybe father thought a bit like me.” Sitting the picture on the desk she looked down at a key taped to the back of it. “I used to tape the keys to my diaries behind my pictures. It was just a guess.”

“It was pure genius.” Julian smiled. “You are a Crane, even if you hate to admit it.”

“And you are wasting time.” Sheridan spoke with a smirk. Quickly she started to unlock the desk doors and began to pull papers out. “Oh my gosh he’s sick.” She spoke staring down at the writing on the paper. “Julian he’s been keeping logs of our every move. I bet if we look on his computer will find even more.”

“Logs? What do they say?” Julian asked turning around, “Well these are just a few print outs, but it’s times and dates where I was at certain places with Luis.” Glancing at a sheet of paper she frowned, “And this one has times and places where you’ve been. He’s so disgusting.”

“Indeed he is.” Julian frowned. “You have no idea just how sick he is Sheridan.”

Sheridan only shook her head as she skimmed through her father’s files. She eyed his computer and frowned, “I really wished I could work a computer better.”

“I’ll look at the computer in a moment, but first I have to find that safe.” Julian spoke touching a spot on the wall. “I can’t find it anywhere.” He frowned. “It has to be here.”

“Julian relax will find it.” Sheridan spoke with a sigh. “We’ll find everything we need.”

“You don’t understand Sheridan, I have to find it. I have to find the information I need.” Julian spoke walking toward her. “So much depends on it.”

Sheridan looked up from the papers and over at Julian, “You’re confusing me.” She frowned. “Julian what’s going on?”

“Sheridan I’d rather not get into this right now.”

Sheridan looked up her blue eyes staring intently at her brother, “I think we should. This can’t be about Luis, and me because lets face it Julian you could care less about us. No this has to be about you, why is this so important to you?”

Julian dropped his head, “I know what it is to be in love Sheridan. I know how it feels to have those feelings and then have father rip it all away from you.”

Sheridan’s mouth fell open, “Something tells me this isn’t about Ivy or Rebecca.”

“No of course not.” Julian sighed. “There was something before either of them, someone stunning and intelligent and I let father ruin it. I let father take everything from us. I had a child with that woman Sheridan, a child that we both thought was dead. Now though I have doubts about that, and I can’t shake the feeling that this child is somewhere alive.”

Sheridan had no idea how to respond to what she had just heard. Dropping the papers on the desk she stared at her brother, her eyes glazing over in tears. “Oh Julian.”

“Don’t pity me Sheridan! I deserve no pity.” Julian responded quickly turning away from his sister. He would not let her see his pain, he was a Crane man, he could not show his emotions to his little sister.

“You were in love.” Sheridan spoke, “And had a child?”

“Yes Sheridan, but you must keep quite about this. If it got out, the woman, her life would be ruined. I will not do that to her, I’ll never do that to her.”

Sheridan merely nodded her head and let out a heavy sigh, “I won’t tell anyone Julian.”

“Thank you, now please lets get back to work. This wasn’t supposed to be some emotion trip down memory lane. We are going to pay our father back, so lets get to it.”

Sheridan nodded her head as she opened another of her Father’s desk drawers. Puling out a file she stared at the writing on it for a moment, “That’s odd.” She spoke opening it up. Her eyes scanned the first page and she let out a gasp. “No, it can’t be.” She whispered. “This makes no sense.”

“Sheridan what is it?” Julian questioned running over to his sister. Her blue eyes looked up at him in confusion as she placed the file in his hand. “It looks like paternity results.” She whispered. “See for yourself.”

Julian’s eyes scanned it word for word and then his eyes met Sheridan, “This can’t be.” He whispered. “Sheridan this just can not be true.”

“What if it is Julian?” Sheridan’s voice shook, “If this is true, it changes everything."