Simone sat in silence as the limo drove down the road. She sat opposite Warren and Jonah. Simone looked out the window at the rolling hills and all the beautiful scenery.

“ It’s very beautiful, isn’t it?”, Warren asked. “ Some of the most beautiful land ever.”

“ It’s breathtaking.”

” Your first time in the South?”, Jonah asked.

“ We’ve been to Disneyworld in Orlando, but that’s it.”

” It’s a different climate, but I think you’ll like it.”, Jonah told her.

Just then the limo turned, and as it drove over the hill the house came into view. It was enormous – Georgian style. The limo stopped, and they got out. Simone just  stood there, looking at the house. Jonah came up next to her.

“ It’s even more beautiful on the inside.”

Just then, the door opened and a man in formal dress came out.

” Welcome home, Mr. Johnston. Mr. Marshall. “

” E.D. , it’s good to be home.” Warren pulls Simone up by his side. “ This young woman is Simone Russell. She’ll be living in the 1920’s gatehouse.”

“ Nice to meet you, Miss Russell. I’m E.D. Vinson. I help Mr. Johnston run the house. “

“ Don’t let him kid you, Simone. He runs the house.”

” Well, there is lunch set up in the Solarium. You go enjoy lunch, and I’ll have the luggage delivered.”

” Thank you, E.D.”

Warren entered the house, followed by Simone and Jonah.

Simone looked around  the house, coming up to the artwork on the walls, checking in the corners.

“ Yes, they’re all originals.”, Jonah whispered to her. They went through several rooms, finally coming into a huge room, full of windows. There were three elaborate place settings at the table. Jonah pulled out the chair for Simone.

“ Thank you.”, Simone replied.

The maid came in and poured the iced tea into the glasses. Simone reached for the sugar packets, but Jonah spoke up. “ This is the South, Simone. We wouldn’t think of serving iced tea that wasn’t already sweetened.”

Simone picked up her glass and sipped her tea. “ It’s good.”

“ Thank you.”, Warren replied.

They sat and ate a terrific lunch.
 

“ I was glad you agreed to meet me, Gwen.”

“ My lawyer said you wouldn’t proceed with the divorce unless I met you here. What is this?”

Ethan led Gwen into the house.

“ This is the house that I bought. It could be our house, Gwen. A home for us to raise our child.”

” Ethan..”

” Gwen. This could be the first place where we could be together as a family. I thought you always wanted that, Gwen. For us to be a family.”

” I did, Ethan. Once upon a time, it’s all I ever wanted. But, not anymore. I don’t trust you, Ethan. And, I shouldn’t have a relationship with someone that I don’t trust – AT ALL.”

” Gwen…”

” Ethan, we are finished. As hard as that is for me to say, it is. Theresa will never give up.”

” Theresa is out of my life.”

Gwen laughed. “ You can’t possibly believe that. Theresa is NEVER going to give up on you. NEVER. And, I’m not going to spend my life attached to her. I deserve better.” Gwen stepped around the house. “ It’s got a lot of natural light. I see that the backyard is huge. It will be perfect for you, the baby and Theresa. “

” I DON’T WANT THERESA!”

” Ethan, how many times did I hear that? How many times did I believe you, only to be betrayed? Too many too count. I deserve better. I really do. “

“ Gwen, we can be a family.”

” I know not growing up with Sam as your father hurt you, but I’m not willing to sacrifice myself so that you could have your makeup fantasy. I want someone who won’t fall for their teenaged stalker. I’m glad I came, Ethan. Once you finish with it, I think our child will spend many happy times with you here. Sign the divorce papers, Ethan. We both need to be free.”

Gwen kissed Ethan on the cheek and left him in the house – alone.
 

“ Whitney! I’m so glad you’re back!”, Theresa squealed, coming into Whitney’s room to hug her.

“ Thanks, Theresa.”

” How was your weekend at the Four Seasons?”

” Really nice. We had a good time, and did some sightseeing.”

” Well,  now that you’re back. We can take a ride in my new convertible over to the house. We closed on the house just this morning.” I want you to see it!”

Whitney rolled her eyes and sighed. “  Alright, Theresa.”
 

Julian was sitting on a blanket with Little Ethan, playing with his toys.

” My my…what a sight. I never would have believed it.”, Eve said, coming upon them.

Julian got up and greeted Eve. “ I was so glad you agreed to meet me.”

” Julian, how did you know I was back?”

” I have my sources.”

Eve looked down at Little Ethan, and sat down on the blanket. “ How are you, young man? Your Daddy taking good care of you?”

” He’s trying. “
Little Ethan looked up at Eve and smiled. He crawled over to Julian, and climbed into his lap. He played with his toys happily.

” When I see you like this, Julian..”

” You wonder if I could have been a father like this to our son. The answer I want to give is yes. The truth of the matter is that I didn’t know how to be a father back then. I don’t think I know how, but now, I’m willing to do the work.”

” Ethan Martin deserves this, Julian. So do you.”

” Well, his mother certainly is going for the gusto.”

” How so?”

” Theresa went and got herself THREE cars. THREE Eve!”

Eve laughed. “ I’m sure she had her reasons.”

” Well, if I can remember. The Mercedes convertible is because she’s a young woman who needs a fun car. The Range Rover is for when she has to take Little Ethan around. After all, he can’t ride in the front seat of a convertible. And, then, the mini-van was bought because the Nanny has to have something to drive in also.”

” See? I told you she had an explanation.”

Julian rolled his eyes.

“ Then, I got the news this morning. She bought a new house. One million, five hundred thousand.”

“ Oooh. Sounds nice. Sounds like she found a good home for your son. So, the custody agreement seems to be working.”

“ So far. “

“ I….I wanted to thank you for the news about Simone.”

” You’re sure that you don’t want me to track her down?”

” I’m sure. It’s very weird, Julian. I had a strong calm come over me when I thought about Simone. I think she’s fine. And, she’ll call me when she’s ready.”

” I know that’s hard for you. You’re so close to your children.”

” You can say it, Julian. Overprotective.”

” How are things with you and Whitney? “

“ I think the trip we took was good for all of us. Not just us, but more  importantly, Whitney and TC. They’re healing.”

“ I have a nice picnic lunch. Would you join us?”

“ Julian…”

” Eve, please. It’s just a lunch. This is a private part of the park. “

Eve sighed. “ Ok.”

Julian removed Little Ethan from his lap to Eve’s. He smiled the moment he was put in Eve’s arms, and they played with one another.

Julian came back with the baby seat for Little Ethan and the picnic basket.

” Julian, what is this?”

” It’s a special seat for Little Ethan.”

” I’ve never seen this before.”

” It’s a special invention.”

Julian put Little Ethan in his seat, and put a bib on him. Julian pulled out all of the special baby dishware and silverware.

While Julian set up Little Ethan, Eve pulled out the rest of the spread.
 

Whitney walked around the house with Theresa.

“ Didn’t I tell you how fabulous it is, Whitney?”

” It is amazing, Theresa. “

” Look at the best part.” Whitney followed Theresa into one of the upstairs bedrooms and out onto an attached deck. Theresa looked through a telescope.

” Look in here, Whitney.”

Whitney looked into the telescope, and saw a house.

” What’s this, Theresa.”

” That’s Ethan’s house! I have a way to watch Ethan at his new house.”

” Ethan has a new house?”

” Yes. I overheard the real estate agent when  I was there. When I looked through the lens and first saw Ethan, I thought he was there with a client. Now, I know it is his house! It’s FATE!”

” Theresa…”

” Whitney, don’t you see? Ethan and I are destined to be together.”