The party was in full swing.

Luis is standing near the bandstand. He takes the microphone.

“ If I can have your attention, I’d like to say a few words.”

Everyone gathered around.

“ Sheridan…come here.” Sheridan came to Luis and kissed him.

” I’m glad to see everyone here. Our family and friends. It’s been a long road for Sheridan and I. But, we made it. Our love has seen us through so many bad times. And now, we want it to see us through the good times. Sheridan and I have an announcement..”

” Luis..”

” Sheridan and I are having a baby!”

The entire room erupted in applause, and from the back of the room, we heard someone yell, ‘ Here Here’. The room turned around to see Antonio standing there with a young woman.

” Antonio.”, Sheridan said softly.

“ Dios Mio.”, Pilar said.

Antonio took a glass of champagne. “ Let me toast the happy couple. I can’t say that I’m not hurt, because I am. But, I took a long look at my life, and realized that I had to get it together. That’s why this wonderful young woman is here with me.”

“ P…Paloma?”, Pilar gasped.

“ Hello, Mama.” Paloma rushed into Pilar’s arms.

Antonio went up to Luis and Sheridan. “ I walked out on my family a long time ago, and I realize now the position I put Mama in. I know how much you sacrificed for the family, Luis. I know you loved Sheridan first. I know all you did for her, and how this was the happiness you were supposed to have. She’s a wonderful woman, but not the woman for me. Nothing is more important than family, which is why I brought Paloma home. I know that we should all be together.” Antonio stuck out his hand for Luis to shake. “ Congratulations, Luis.” Luis pulled his brother into a hug. Sheridan was crying, and the Lopez-Fitzgerald clan began to hug one another, happy to have Paloma back in the fold.
 
 

“ Hello, Gwen.”

Gwen turned around to see the woman who called out to her.

” Hello, Ivy.”

” You look wonderful, my dear.”

” Thank you. So do you. I hear congratulations are in order for you. You got a nice settlement from Julian.”

” Yes, I did. Gwen…I was wondering…did you see Ethan?”

Gwen put up her hand. “ Ivy, I don’t wish to discuss your son. That part of  my life is over.”

” But, Gwen, if you could find it in your heart to forgive him. Ethan’s had a ‘bad time’ as of late.”

Gwen laughed. “ A bad time? Ivy, I don’t care if he’s drunk, drugged out and homeless on the street. I have no compassion for Ethan. I’m sorry if I sound bitter, but I can’t give a crap about Ethan. It took me long enough to be able to get out of the bed in the morning. You’re his mother, you have to love him. I don’t have any compassion left, Ivy. Please understand.”

Ivy nodded. “ I know what happened to you was hideous…it’s just that I’m his mother, and I love him.”

” Be there for him, Ivy. But, don’t expect me to be. Have a nice evening.”

Gwen walked away and Hank came up to her.

” Anything wrong?”

Gwen smiled at him. “ No. This evening has been pretty good. I’ve faced a lot of demons, and I’m still standing.”

” Of course you are. You’re amazing.”, Hank said, kissing her.

” I was so lucky to find you.”

” Nope….I’m the lucky one. Let’s dance….we can practice for our wedding.”
 

The party was going wonderfully when a maid came to Sheridan and whispered something in her ear.

” I’ll be right back. I have to handle a situation.”, Sheridan told Luis.

“ You want me to help you?”

” No, I…we’ll be fine.” Sheridan kissed Luis and followed the maid.

Luis was standing around, looking at the party, thinking about how happy he was when he heard Sheridan’s voice.

“ Ladies and gentleman, if you’d give me your attention.”

The music stopped, and everyone turned to look at Sheridan.

“Well, tonight seems like a night for reunions. For family. And, I’m happy to announce that I’m lucky to have MY family here too.”

Nicholas whispered in Simone’s ear. “ I wonder what she’s talking about. I know my grandfather wouldn’t be caught dead celebrating Sheridan’s relationship with Luis.”

” Maybe it’s your sisters?”

” Naw, they never got along with Sheridan.”

” Well, we’re about to find out.”

All the eyes were on the door, and in walked Julian and Eve.

“ Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is going to be a double celebration. It’s seems like BOTH the Crane siblings have weddings to celebrate. “

The gasps went through the audience as Sheridan exclaimed,

” May I introduce to you Mr. And Mrs. Julian Crane!”

Sheridan hugged her brother and Eve while the photographers took pictures.

“ Nicholas, did she say what I THOUGHT she said?”

” Yep. Your mother and my father.”

“ I dunno what to say.”

” Me either.”

” Oh, what do I care! My Mom’s home! Let’s go and congratulate them!”, Simone pulled Nicholas as they went across the room to get to Julian and Eve.

Julian and Eve were accepting congratulations from well wishers when Eve spotted Simone.

” MOM!”, Simone yelled and ran into Eve’s open arms. The hug seemed to last forever. Eve began to tear up. She looked over to Julian, who had a big smile on his face.

” Honey, I don’t know what to say.”

” Mom, you don’t have to say anything. I’ve missed you SOO much!”

“ Baby, you forgive me?”

” Mom, I forgave you a long time ago. I just prayed you would come back so that you’d know it. I know how things were when you left.”

” I…I thought I had destroyed your love for me.”

” Mom, that could never happen.”

Eve pulled her daughter in for another long hug.

Nicholas came up to Julian and put his hand out. “ Congratulations, Father.”

Julian accepted his hand. “ Thank you, Son.” He pulled Nicholas into a hug, which surprised him.

” Are you happy, Father?”

” I’ve never been happier in my life.”

” Then, I can’t help but wish you the best.” Nicholas went over to Eve and kissed her. “ Welcome to the family.”

“ Thank you, Nicholas.”

Eve looked at how Simone and Nicholas were looking at one another, and spoke up, “ Is there something that we should know?”

” Mom, I’ll explain it later, ok?”

Eve nodded. “ Ok.”

Julian turned to Sheridan, “ I bet you never thought I could find anyone to love.”

” I had my doubts, but not after I see you and Eve together. I can’t believe it’s you, Julian. You have an entirely different aura. “

” That’s what love will do for you.”

” Well, Julian, you’re back.”, Luis said sarcastically.

” Indeed I am, Luis.”

Luis looked at Julian, long and hard. Sheridan held her breath. She knew there was no love lost between her husband and brother. Luis stuck out his hand.

” Congratulations, Julian. I hope you work to deserve a good woman like Eve.”

Julian grinned and accepted Luis’ offer. “ I plan on working on it everyday.”

“ I want to thank you for getting rid of Alistair as a thorn in our lives, and for finding that experimental drug for Antonio.”

” It’s the least I could do. Congratulations on the baby. I know you’ll be terrific parents.”

” Thanks.”

TC, Liz, Whitney and Chad are standing together.

” I can’t believe she’s back, and has the nerve to be married to Julian!”, TC hissed. “ Who does she think she is!”

” She’s the same tramp she always was.”, Liz tartly replied.

” I don’t know. Mom looks happy.”, Whitney replied.  Whitney started to go toward Julian and Eve, and TC grabbed her arm.

” Where do you think you’re going?”, TC asked.

” I’m going to say hi to my mother.”

” Why would you want anything to do with that horrible woman?”, Liz added.

” She’s my mother. You’ve married again, Daddy. What, was Mom supposed to be alone and miserable for the rest of her life? “

“ That was the point.”, Liz muttered under her breath.

” Did you say something Liz?”, Whitney asked.

” No. It’s just that you know how your father feels about Julian Crane.”

” Yes, and I respect it. But, the truth is, Mr. Crane saved my life. I wouldn’t be with Chad if he hadn’t encouraged me. And, my mother deserves happiness too. You don’t have to say anything to them. This is all me.”

Before they could say anything else, Whitney was walking towards her mother.

Liz put her hand on TC’s arm. “ Don’t, TC. That whore isn’t worth it. After all, what kind of woman would marry Julian Crane?”

” You’re right. This only confirms even more that she was nothing but a liar and a whore. I can’t believe I married her. It’s good to be married to a fine, decent woman like yourself.”

Liz smiled and kissed TC. “ That’s right, Baby. I’m here now.”

Liz pulled TC away from the crowd, looking over her shoulder at Julian and Eve.

“ Well, well….if it isn’t my ex and his former mistress.”

” Ah, Poison Ivy. Still bitter, are we?”

” About what, Julian? I’m free from you, and I got a boat full of money. I’m not stuck with you, Eve is. She’s under some delusion that you actually love her, UNLESS, you’ve decided to go for the money after all, Eve?”

Eve smiled. “ Ivy, you never did understand Julian and me. How could you? You never learned from your mistakes. You want to know WHY you have your boat full of money, Ivy? Because ‘ I’ told Julian that he should have pity on you and give it to you. I’m not under any delusions, Ivy. Julian loves me. You wouldn’t recognize it, because he never loved you. So, while Julian and I are nice and comfy upstairs in OUR bedroom, you’ll be all alone in your penthouse. By the way, how IS Sam?”

Before Ivy could respond, Julian and Eve had walked away.
 

Julian and Eve were about to dance when Eve saw Whitney.

“ Hello, Whitney.”, Eve said softly.

“ Hi Mom.”

Eve looked at Whitney, who seemed like she was near tears.

“ Why don’t you two go to the Library.” Julian ushered the two of them into the Library.

Once Julian closed the door, Whitney went and hugged her mother. “ Oh, Mom, I’ve missed you. I didn’t even realize how much until I saw you.”

Eve hustled Whitney over the couch, and they sat down. “ Whitney, what’s wrong? Honey, I love you too. I missed you. I just didn’t think…”

” That I needed you? That I still loved you? Yeah, I know you didn’t. I was pretty cruel to you.”

” No, you were just..”

” Mom, I was cruel. I’m sorry. It’s just that I was disillusioned when you told us about your past.”

” I know.”

” But, then I realized, after you left, that I wasn’t one to throw stones.”

” I…I don’t understand, Whitney.”

” Mom, my relationship with Simone is gone.”

” Whitney, you can’t mean it.”

” Yes, she found out about me and Chad in the worst possible way.”

” What, you and Chad? But, I thought..”

” Yes. I lied to all of you. Especially Simone. Mom, she hates me. It’s obvious.”

” Maybe she’s just hurt.”

” It’s gone beyond that. I tried blaming Simone for our relationship, but then I took a step back and thought about it sincerely, and I realize that Simone has every right to feel the way that she does. I don’t know what to do.”

” Well, maybe I can talk to Simone about it.”

” Would…would you?”

” Yes. So, how are you and Chad?”

” That’s another thing. Now my relationship with Chad doesn’t seem to be ‘all that’ to me anymore. It’s like I was deluding myself about its importance. I don’t love him anymore. God, it feels good to be able to admit that to someone.”

” Chad doesn’t know?”

” No. He thinks that my problems are with Simone.”

” Whitney, is that why you’ve cooled on your relationship with Chad? Simone?”

” I used to think it, Mom. But, I just want more from life. Our lives are going in different directions. I will always care for Chad, but I’m not in love with him. I’m just..”

” Scared to admit the truth? I’ve been there, many times. Whitney, you have to be honest. If there’s anything I can tell you , it’s about the importance of honesty. How much pain could be avoided if I had been honest? I love you, your sister and I loved your father. But, I hurt all of you. I’m sorry.”

” I know….”

” So, be honest with Chad. It will be better this way.”

“ Well, enough about me. Are you happy?”

Eve smiled. “ Very.”

“ You’re the woman Mr. Crane told me about in the elevator, aren’t you?”

” Yes.”

“ You know people will talk.”

” I don’t care. I don’t have much of a reputation anymore, remember? So, being with someone as scandalous as Julian fits.”
 

” Do you love him more than you loved Daddy?”

” It’s not the same, Whitney. I don’t think you love two people in the same way. I had what I had with your father. But, now, my future’s with Julian. Will you give him a chance?”

Whitney nodded. “ I will.”

” Well, you’re welcome here at the Mansion anytime. Just stop by.”

“ Ok.”

“ Will you come by tomorrow for lunch?”

“ Sure.”

There was a knock on the door.

“ You two ok?”, Julian asked.

” We’re fine, Julian.”

” It’s ok, Mr. Crane.”

” Whitney, call me Julian.”

” Ok, Julian. I’m going back to the party. I love you, Mom.”, Whitney said, hugging her, and then left the Library.

Julian went to Eve, “ Are you ok?”

Eve nodded. “ My daughters still love me, Julian.”, Eve said with tears in her eyes.

“ Of course, they do.”

“ Julian, could you give me a few moments alone.”

“ You sure?”

“ Yes. I just need some minutes to process it all.”

“ Ok. But, I’m saving every dance for you.” Julian kissed Eve and left the Library.

Eve was standing in front of the fireplace, thinking about the changes that had happened in her life. Then, she heard the voice.

“ Well, well,…if it isn’t the whore done good.”

Eve turned, “ Hello, Elizabeth.”