Julian was being served breakfast in the dining room when Ivy walked in.

“ Well, Julian, are you ready?”

” Ivy, shut up.”

Ivy hums as she sits down and is promptly served by a maid.

“ Mr. Harper is here, Mr. Crane.”, a butler announced.

” Well, I’m glad Harper is here, Julian. Right on time.”

Julian turned to the butler. “ Tell him to meet me in the Library.” Julian got up and left the room. Julian made it to the Library.

” Harper.”

” Julian. I have the papers for you. I was sent copies by fax from Ivy’s lawyer.”

” Ivy’s lawyer. Ugh. I’m Julian Crane. She shouldn’t have been able to find a lawyer.”

” Ah, but I did, Julian. A wonderful lawyer.”, Ivy said, walking into the Library with Michelle right behind.

Julian walked over to Michelle. “ You must be MIZ Chavez. The one who has made my legal staff run around in circles.”

” Yes, I am.”

” After this business with Ivy is concluded, how would you like a job at Crane Industries?”

” Sorry, Mr. Crane, but I like working for myself.”

” Ah, a ‘be your own boss type’. And, so lovely.” Julian leaned in to kiss her hand, and Michelle let him.

” He’s absolutely charming, Ivy. I can see why you’d want to stay married to him.”

” Darling, that only lasts 15 more minutes. It’s what the title of Mrs. Julian Crane can offer me which makes him worth anything.”

” Yes, Ivy, My Pet, being married to a lying slut had always been my life’s goal.”
 

“ Well, what do you know, Julian? You actually achieved something in your miserable life.”

Michelle looked at Harper who just rolled his eyes, so Michelle spoke up.

” Well, as charming as these ‘Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolff ‘ moments are, may we get down to business?” Julian and Ivy sat down. Michelle gave Julian and Harper a copy of the document.

” In return for the complete withdrawal of the divorce petition, Mr. Crane agrees to provide Mrs. Crane with compensation for the time that they’ve been married. The payments will be paid over the next 2 months, to these five accounts. You and Mrs. Crane can remain married…whatever passes for ‘Happily Ever After’ around here.”

” ‘Happily ever after’? Please. It’s my own personal torture chamber.”, Julian snorted.

“ Neverless, sign here, Mr. Crane. Mrs. Crane.”

Julian and Ivy signed on the dotted line. Julian turned to Ivy. “ There’s your blood money. Happy?”

“ Thrilled Jules. Well, Michelle and I have things to discuss. You boys enjoy yourselves.” Michelle and Ivy leave the library.

” Julian, I have the other papers you wanted. Are you sure about this?”

” Yes, Harper. If something happens to me, I want Chad to be provided for completely. “ Julian read the papers. “ The changes are excellent.”

” Everything is spelled out. No room for interpretation.”

” Good. I don’t plan on dying anytime soon, but I’m not about to let Father or Ivy haul my son into court, trying to deny him his due as a Crane.”

” Julian, you and I both know what Chad will inherit.”

” Harper, you and I both know that my father is working on cheating Chad out of it. I know what he SHOULD have. Today is about making sure that he has at least part of it.”

” Well, this part will make sure he never works a day again in his life.”

” Which is the point. Speaking of father, have you heard from him?”

” When Alistair heard that I had helped you set up the accounts, he fired me. I don’t have to tell you how scary it is to be on the other side of Alistair Crane.”

” I know, but, I had to do right by my son.”

” You think Ivy is going to keep her mouth shut?”

” Harper, what do you mean?”, Julian said with sarcasm.

” Julian, you wouldn’t pay God that much money unless he was blackmailing you. So, is Ivy going to keep her mouth shut?”

” She better.”

” Do you want to tell me what she has on you?”

” No.”

” I’ll wallow in ignorance.”

” That’s best.”

” I’ll take these papers and process them. Talk to you later, Julian.” Harper left the library.

Julian went to his desk and looked at a picture of Chad. “ I’ll keep my promises to you.”
 

“ Another glass of champagne, Michelle?”

” No, Ivy. I just want to get back to Brooklyn and talk to my realtor and financial advisor.”

” Moving to Manhattan?”

” No. I love my brownstone. I restored every inch of it myself. I can’t part with it, but I always wanted a farmhouse in upstate New York. I’m going to get it.”

” Sounds lovely.”

” Ivy, are you going to be Ok? I know you wanted to remain Mrs. Crane, but…”

” Michelle, I have what I want. For now, the Crane money and power are enough. When the time comes and a divorce comes, I’ll be protected. That’s all thanks to you. Maybe one day Ethan will forgive me.”

Michelle sees a vulnerability in her usually steely client.

” Ivy, your son will forgive you. It takes time.”

” I know. The irony isn’t lost on me. When Ethan’s paternity was exposed, I enjoyed Julian losing him. Hurting him that way. But, I didn’t think that I would ever lose Ethan. And now? Julian has a son. Karma is indeed a bitch. “

” What are you going to do about that?”

” About Chad? Nothing. Julian, for the first time in his miserable life, actually did the right thing. Shocked the hell out of me, but, in a weird way, I’m proud of him. I never thought I’d live to see the day. Part of me thinks that if I help Julian with Chad, maybe I’ll get some good Karma for myself.”

” Sounds good to me. You have my cards?”

” Yes. I’ll pass them out to all the ladies at the Country Club. I return tomorrow quite the triumphant Mrs. Julian Crane. In fact, I’m going to hold a party displaying my return to power.”

Michelle laughed. “ Well, you enjoy yourself. Thank you, Ivy. It’s been a pleasure.”

Ivy turns serious and goes to hug Michelle. “ I had nothing. It was so much fun watching someone stick up for me.”

” Ivy..”

” You kicked their ass. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t belong with the A-team. Michelle, you are better than 10 Harvard Wall Street Lawyers combined. I expect to see your name in the papers.”

“ Don’t you know it. Bye, Ivy.”

Michelle left Ivy alone in her bedroom.
 

Chad awoke and looked over to his clock. He checked the time. Before he had time to react, he felt Theresa move. She turned to him and smiled.

“ Morning.”

“ Morning.”

” Well, I guess I should leave.”

” Why?”

” Chad, not that I don’t enjoy this, but I don’t want to disrespect my mother.”

” Of course. I’m sorry. Maybe I should move.”

“ Move? I like you being here. We…we’ll work something out.”

” Ok. But, do you have to leave now?”, Chad said, nuzzling her, showering her with kisses.

“ Um, I guess not.”

Chad covered her mouth with his, and convinced her not to leave. They were deep into making love and didn’t hear the knock on the door. They only stopped when they heard the scream.

“ OH MY GOD”

Chad and Theresa looked to see Whitney standing in the doorway.