Gwen entered her family’s home and was greeted by a maid.

“ Mrs. Crane? Your mother didn’t say anything about you coming here.”

“ She doesn’t know. I wanted to surprise her. Where is she?”

” I think she’s in her bedroom.”

” Thank you.”

 Gwen walked to her mother’s room, and tapped lightly on the door. When she didn’t get a response, she opened the door and found her mother crying, holding some letters.

” Mother? What’s wrong?”

Rebecca was startled to see Gwen and in one swift motion took her letters, shoved them into a keepsake box and then turned back to her daughter.

” Gwennie…why are you here?”

” I came to see you, Silly. Just to check in. Those letters…..you were remembering Daddy.”

Rebecca looked at the box and replied, “ Yes….your father. Sometimes you have to remember the good times.”

Gwen sat down next to her mother and hugged her. “ I miss him too. Sometimes, it overwhelms me.”

” He was a good man.”

“ The best.”

” And you and Ethan?”

” We’re on solid ground, Mother. He loves me and I love him. We’re married and I’m overjoyed.”

Rebecca kissed her daughter. “ I only wanted you happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for my children. I know I’ve made mistakes.”

” Mother, nobody is perfect, but Bobby and I always knew that you loved us.”

” I’m not perfect, Gwen.”

” I know you’re not, Mother. Lord knows I know that. But, you’re not a bad mother. You just have your own drumbeat.”

” Gwennie, could you ever hate me?”

Gwen looked at her mother. “ Mother, what kind of question is that?”

” I wonder sometimes what I would do if you and Bobby hated me. “

“ Mother, why are you being ridiculous? Bobby and I love you. Your imperfections are just fine with us.”

“ I know you do…I’m just being silly. Your father was such a good man. I’m just sort of trying to get my bearings. “

“ Are you sure? Do you need to talk to somebody?”

” Gwen, I’m not crazy. Just have too much time to think on my hands, and you know how I get when I’m thinking.”

Gwen smiles. “ Mother, you need something to do.”

” Please don’t say a job.”

” Ok. If not a job, then how about diving into Hotchkiss Charities? I could use your help there.”

” Gwen, that sounds like a job.”

” Mother, it’s where you can do some good for others. I promise you, helping other people will help you.”

” You sound like one of those horrible talk show people.”

“ Think about it. I’ll have some folders sent over.”

” Well, enough about work that isn’t work, how are you and Ethan?”

” Doing fine. We spent the morning at the Cranes. Strange things are happening.”

” Why do you say that?”

Gwen looked down. “ I….I don’t know if I should tell you this.”

” Gwen, I want to know.”

” Well, Ethan, Penny and I walked in on Julian and Ivy in bed together.”

” TOGETHER? Surely you’re mistaken.”

” No, Mother. Together and ‘in flagrante’.”

” No!”

” Yes. I’ve never seen Ivy like she’s been towards Julian. Almost warm. Like she wants to be around him.”

Rebecca begins to laugh.

“ Mother?”

“ Well, Ivy finally got a clue.”

“ Pardon?”

“ Ivy figured out that longing for Sam wasn’t going to work. So, she’s making the best of it.”

” You don’t think its odd?”

” Why? They’re married and share children. Why not try and make the marriage work?”

” You….you aren’t jealous?”

Remembering what Alistair told her and getting a chill down her spine, Rebecca replied. “ No. With Julian, it was about being Mrs. Julian Crane. Not so important anymore.”

” Not since Daddy left you a fortune.”

Rebecca nodded. “ I don’t know if that was meant nicely or not, Gwennie, so I’ll let it slide. But, you’re right. Your father’s gift means that I don’t have to depend upon another man for my financial well-being. I like the feel of it. I know I seem like a dinosaur to you, Gwen – looking for a man for my well-being. But, that’s my generation. We didn’t have careers – our men WERE our careers. I’ve always been jealous of you in that regard. Ethan or not, you were never going to starve, and you were always going to be fine.”

Gwen looked at her mother. “ I…..I thought you felt I paid too much attention to my career.”

” Said out of jealousy, Darling. I’m so proud of you. You’re a better woman than I’ll ever be. You’ll be better than me in everything – I’m sure of that.”

Gwen hugged her mother. “ Mother, I love you. I’m proud of you, too. I’m going to look over some Hotchkiss papers and meet Ethan at the Sea Scape for lunch. You’re welcome to join us.”

” Interfere with newlyweds? I don’t think so. You send me a postcard and have a fabulous time with Ethan.”

” I will. Mother, I made the right decision in marrying Ethan. I’m sure of it now.”

” That’s all I wanted to hear.”

” Well, I’ll be downstairs. I love you, Mother.”

” I love you too, Gwennie.”

Gwen left, and Rebecca went back to her box with the letters in it. “ Oh Gwennie, I have done something that would make you and your brother hate me. “
 
 

Ethan was in the book store, looking for items for Penny and his parents. He saw a book on fairy tales, and his hand went towards it. It was met be another hand who also wanted the book. Ethan looked up at the fellow patron.

“ Well, hello Theresa.”