~@~@ Fallen Ch.31

** Well ladies and gentleman here we are the last chapter of Fallen, don’t fear there is a sequel, it’s going to be a short series, so that I can finish up the story ‘As I Am’, but if you’re good I may deliver some other surprises, before the story is through. I’m tying up loose ends in this chapter, so please reply if there was something I started but didn’t finish up.
~~
 

2:40 am

“Life is rough, people come and go, some hurt you, some help you, but at the end of the day, you and you alone are responsible for the hell or heaven that your life becomes.”

The line ran through Kay’s head. It was so simple, that she didn’t realize why she hadn’t seen it before. Hecuba and Charity, her mother, everyone had always been the blame for not having Miguel, or just not being happy in general, but it was her.

She remembered her grandfather saying something similar, but she hadn’t paid him any mind, she had known that she needed to change, but she had still laid blame, still not taking any responsibility. She rose from the pullout couch slowly trying not to wake Simone, her best friend had spoken since leaving the bluff, but she knew her words were still running around her head, just like Jody’s did in hers.

Kay made her way through the house quietly trying not to wake anyone, but wasn’t that surprised to find Jody on the porch, the surprise was the bat that she held firmly in her grasp. “Planning on hitting a few?”

Jody motioned toward the front yard where a Harmony Police cruiser could clearly be seen, and then pointed a few feet beyond to a row of News Vans. “Maybe, although I think the cops here to protect the reporters from me.”

“Yeah well, words probably got out about your left hook.” Kay gave the older women a look out the corner of her eye. “I for one know that Simone, will be going about it for days to come.”

“She shouldn’t have hit me, I did warn her.” Jody let the bat fall to her side, and turn to get a better look at Kay. “So we know what I’m doing up, what about you, how are you doing?”

“Me?” “Why would I be someone you’re concerned about right now, I mean considering everything…”

“Considering that I’m the Crane bustard, because you’ve probably been making comparisons between the two situations, and it’s may have brought feelings about your own family that you need to talk about or…”

“Or?”

“Maybe that hickey on your neck the size of a fat Lopez-Fitzgerald’s mouth.” The side of her mouth began to twitch, and she fought the laugh the rose to the surface. “But maybe I’m just being really over sensitive.”

Kay let her head fall back against the side of the wall she was leaning against, and glared at the other women.” I really hate you.”

“Yeah, I get that a lot.” Jody let the laugh loose.” Funny thing is I always thought it was because of my personality, but apparently it some kind of Crane pheromone that I’m giving off.” “Would you like to talk about what happened with Tony tonight or are we going to drag this out.”

“ What’s to talk about, I am… no… was about to screw up a good healthy friendship, the first one I’ve had in years, for some unholy addiction I have to men with Lopez-Fitzgerald DNA.”

“And now you’re not.”

“No, that would be a mistake, and I think I’ve made enough in my first eighteen years.”

“So now?”

Kay just stared at the horizon, the sun would be rising in a few hours, and a new day would finally begin. “Now is a new day.”

“And that’s it Yoda, now is a new day.” Jody moved to stand in front of her friend, and gave her a clear look of condescension, and just shrugged her shoulders.” You’re getting real mature for a chick that used to think her troubles could be solved by a razor blade and six feet of dirt.”

“Well, when you really open your eyes, the world seems much larger then the town of Harmony.” She took a moment to think of how she could put it in words. “Do you think I could survive out there?”

“What in the real world?” At her nod she gave a smile.” Kay you thrive in places I think even the strongest couldn’t survive, why are you considering saying so long to this fair little psychotic city on the bay?”

“Harmony’s not really located on the bay.” She said absent mindedly.

“Well it’s also not really Harmonious, so…” She kicked Kay lightly. “Are you leaving?”

Kay looked out at the quiet street, even with the News Vans; it was still quiet, like the rest of the town. The town that she knew like the back of her hand, she knew that two miles behind Jody’s house there was a creek, and three miles past that you could reach Harmony Park. Knew that in summer there would be a carnival, a dance in the fall, and this spring a festival. Knew that she would forever be Kay Bennett the daughter of the police chief that tried to kill herself. Knew that at some point she would have to face Miguel again, and see the look of happiness on Charity’s face as she prepared to marry a boy that didn’t deserve her, that Ivy would continue to target her parents’ marriage, that troubles where headed this way. What she didn’t know was how she was going to handle it, if she could, if she wanted too. “Yes, I’m leaving Harmony.”

Jody nodded, and then met her eyes. “Trust me, I understand, I understand so much that I have a gift for you.” She picked up her bat and moved back into the house, not looking behind to see if she was being followed, just waiting patiently until Kay was in her office before shutting the door.

~~
3:12 am
Cottage on West Side of Crane Estates

“Mr. Crane, I didn’t know you’d be here.”

Julian turned around and smiled at the young woman, he was starting to get it, the Johnson women gave off an aura, a feeling of calm, so he knew when he turned he’d see Whitney.” I just thought I’d come by and make sure you and your mother were settled.”

“We’re okay… I guess, uh…Mr. Crane?”

“Please, after all that has been revealed I think you can call me Julian.” He gestured to the chair, and pulled it out for her, before sitting down in the one opposite. “Now how can I help you?”

“My mother didn’t say much when she came in, how is my sister?” At Julian’s raised eyebrow, she winced.” I guess I mean sisters, sorry not used to it yet.”

“It’s alright child, none of us really are, as for your sisters…well.” “I guess knowing Simone as you do that she’s still very angry, and Jody well she is an anomaly, she seems to adapt well to whatever her situation is, but then maybe she just…”

“Playing you.” Fox said as he entered the room, and took one of the other chairs at the table.” Being half Crane it’s a large possibility.”

“Thank you, Nicholas, I had forgotten that cynical world view the you bring to the table.”

“Fox.” Whitney said drawing the men’s attention back her way. “Maybe for just tonight we could hold back on the ‘I hate my parents thing’, and just try to get through it.”

Fox dropped his head, his eyes’ feeling with remorse, Whitney was a friend, and though he anticipated being disappointed by his parents, he knew that she held her in higher regard.” I’m sorry, how is Judy?”

“Jody.” Whitney and Julian corrected.

“Once again I apologize, I’d never met her.” Fox met Whitney’s eyes and gave his best grin.” Forgive me?”

“Unfortunately yes.” Whitney returned her attention to Julian only to find him looking at his son, with oddly, as if seeing him for the first time.” Mr… Julian you okay?”

“You’re friends.” Julian looked at the two in amazement. His son had said something sarcastic, that had pained Whitney, and then in an act of remorse apologized with sincerity then a smile, like friends, like he and Eve once did. “You actually like each other?”

Fox straighten, and leaned over the table becoming increasingly annoyed with the questions.” Yes we are, do you have problem with that?”

“God, I’m just amazed…. No I’m relieved, that past mistakes and weakness have managed to skip your generation.” Julian for the second time that night felt truly happy, he had feared that his weakness had allowed Alistair to infect Fox, but instead hid father had worked on Ethan probably hoping that his second born like Sheridan would just self destruct on their on. . “I’m glad you’re friends it makes things easier.”

“What things.” Fox asked eyeing Julian suspiciously, while moving his chair closer to Whitney.

“Well sharing a sibling for one.” Julian stood, and placed his hands behind his chair.” This has been a very eventful night, lost children, vengeful exes, and bar fights.” “The most important however took place without prying eyes, deep within the hollowed halls of the Harmony Police Headquarters, where a deal of sorts was made.”

“What deal?” The younger man meets his friend’s eyes, and shared a look of clear confusion.” And how exactly does it affect us, and our new family members.”

“I don’t think I have to tell either of you that Alistair is an evil man, so evil in fact that he would willing kill your shared sibling to keep her from being what he deems a disgrace to the family, so Sheridan and I have made a deal that would leave him seemingly out in the cold without his money or power to save him, unfortunately in the course of events, sacrifices had to be made, some easy, and some not so.”

“Bottom it line Father.”

“Fine, bottom line is that Whitney and her mother are staying here, because it’s the safest place for them, they are guards with Jody and Simone, as well as with your other sisters Amelia and Ambrosia. Your grandfather has been caught trying to flee, but on Monday he will be seen by the Grand Jury to answer several dozen charges of murder, conspiracy, fraud, and other detestable crimes, and tomorrow evening I will turn myself in, so that I can stand accountable for some lesser crimes.” “Your grandfather can’t buy his way out and neither have I feared can I, but while he will die in prison I will merely serve a short term in a minimum security prison.”

“Are you serious?” Whitney asked her eyes widening, he seemed perfectly calm, but he… Julian Crane... was talking about going to prison, as though he was going to the club. “You’re serious.”

“Yes, although I have tried to spare you this, it appears the past has surely caught up with Crane Family, and I must deal with my part in it.” “I tell you this because I will need your assistance, once I turn myself in I will not be able to contact the family, best to keep the rest of you free from suspicion, but I need to know that I count on the you to being the stable ones, as we’ve stated Simone and Jody are somewhat questionable, and Fox your sisters have always been rather dramatic.” Julian checked his watch and grimaced at the time, he was hours were of freedom where running short.” I must leave you now, I see you both at breakfast I hope, but for now, I have someone I need to see.” He gave Whitney a small smile, which she didn’t return, but also didn’t glare, and he took it as a promising sign, before looking at his son.” Fox, I wanted you to know that I’m very proud of you, and while I’m sure it means nothing now, I hope one day it helps you.”

Once the door closed behind him, Fox turned to Whitney. “Was that my father?”

“Actually I think that was the man my mother fell in love with.”

~~
3: 36 am
“Antonio.” Kay lightly knocked on his door, before she quietly crept into his room. It was as she pictured it, basically bare, except for family photos, and pictures she guessed that Jody had put up in the room. A room for a man that didn’t make roots. “Lopez-Fitzgerald.” Antonio shifted in his bed, and merely muttered something, and tightened his hold on the pillowed he had cradled next to him. She sat down on the edge of his bed, and scooted closer to him, and moved the hair from his forehead, leaning into his ear. “ANTONIO.”

He jumped up in bed almost knocking her off, wiping his eyes free of sleep, and trying adjusting his eyes to the dark. “Kay?”

“Who else?”

“Good point.” Antonio automatically reaches for her bring her into his arms hug her tightly, and smoothing her hair.” What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She moved back slightly looking into his eyes, lying to him, wasn’t something she wanted to do, but she somehow knew that someday he would understand. “I was just thinking about what happened at the party and I wanted to apologize.”

“Apologize?” He sat up straighter ignoring the fact that it caused the sheet to fall away exposing the fact that was not in fact wearing a shirt. “You regret what happened?”

“No I don’t.” To emphasize the point she cupped his chin enjoying the stubble that was forming on his normally smooth face.” I regret lots of things, but trust me that isn’t one of them, I’m apologizing because…” What could she say; she did regret things that happened at the party, snapping at him, running from him, not finishing what they started” Because it wasn’t fair of me to try to lose my pain, by seducing you, it reduces our friendship to some convenience, and it’s not, it means something to me, and I just wanted you to know that.” She let go and made a move to stand up, but found herself being pulled back down.

“Hey.” He cupped her chin, and kissed her cheek. “I don’t think of what happened that way okay, it was just bad timing on our part, but I know you’re not trying to hurt me, that you’d never hurt me.”

It was in his eyes, a painful truth that she knew she couldn’t handle, he had fought it, the attraction, the closeness, but in the end he had accepted it, he accepted her. The poor bastard. “Antonio, do me a favor?”

He gave her a teasing smile. “Have I been able to say no to yet?” She fell across his shoulder, and he felt her laughing into his collar bone, leaving a tingling sensation that spread through his body like a virus.” Anything just name it.”

“Don’t say no.”

“To what….” He didn’t get a chance to finish as Kay’s lips were suddenly on his, her hands were winding around his neck pulling him closer, even as she lean back onto the bed.

~~
Meanwhile downstairs

“If I apologized?”

“I’d have to wonder whether you’re apologizing for thinking I was dead, or keeping me a secret.” Jody turned and met her mother’s gaze.” Or maybe because your affair made me one of the most wanted people of all tabloid time.”

“I’m sorry, that’s it I’m just sorry, for it all.”

“Don’t… apologize for it all, I had a good life, you had a good life, Julian is screwed up, but that really goes far back into several generations, the point is that it makes no sense to regret it all now, when it won’t change anything.”

Eve stepped further into the room, and just started at her for what seemed like hours memorizing her face, picking out what came from Julian’s’ side and what was clearly pieces of her family. “Could we ever…”

“Be close, sure, anything possible, trust me I know, but mother- daughter close, if that happens it ain’t happening tonight.” Jody motions toward the back stairs that lead toward the bedrooms.” Simone’s upstairs, but I don’t suggest you go see her, she needs time.”

“And in the mean time….”

“In the meantime, you will learn that family is important to me.” “ I like Whitney, I kind of like Simone, so in the meantime, I’ll keep them as safe as I can, and be as open and honest with them, as they've been with me, then need that right now.”

“And professionally…”

“I think you’ll have bigger problems, then whether or not we get along at the hospital, but I won’t under any circumstances, let what happens between us personally affect my work or my patients.”

Eve titled her head, and surpassed the grin.” You seem to be…”

“Very clairvoyant and succinct.” Jody nodded, and motioned toward the clock.” Well the sun should be coming up soon, and I’m guessing baby sister will be up soon, and knowing me , and you, I figure she’s not a morning person, and I’m trying to get you out, because truthfully you’re just going to aggravate and already tense situation.”

“I understand.” She picked up her coat, and began walking toward the door.

Jody shook her head as she walked the women toward her back door.” I don’t think you do, but I don’t either, maybe we’ll all get there at the same time.”

“Just so you know, there has not been a day that I haven’t loved you.”

“I believe you, and that’s what makes it hard.”

~~

7:34 am Sunrise

Jody watched the sunrise from her seat on the porch waiting for him to come, she knew that any minute now he would be racing through the door, and her part in his heartbreak would discovered, but even knowing that it was coming she braced herself for the pain she knew she would see.

“KAY.”

Hearing his voice, she rose, and turned to ace the door, held out the letter, before he even opened the front door.

“KAY.” Antonio yelled as he yanked open the door, surprised to see Jody already up, still wearing her clothes from the night before. “Jody have you seen….”

“It’s all in the letter Tony.” She handed him the envelope, the simply had his name printed in small cursive script.

“She’s back at the hospital?” He said as he gripped the letter in his hand tightly almost ripping it.

“The letter, Tony, the letter.”