Chapter One

Kay walked down the steps that lead to the football field, her eyes staring at one man. The wind hit her, blowing her hair in her face. With a groan she walked up behind the muscular man tapping him on the shoulder.
“Kay.” He spoke looking at her. “What are you doing here?”
“Miguel, where were you?” She questioned. “You were suppose to be in the gym today.”
”I had to talk to Walter’s coach. He’s trying out for junior football this season and I wanted to know what his chances are.”
Kay gripped her fists and frowned. “Well in case you’re wondering, your daughter made cheerleader. You do remember your daughter Miguel, your first born?”
“Oh. That was today.” He frowned. “I forgot. I asked Charity this morning and she assured me it was tomorrow. Then I asked Gracie and she agreed.”
“Well your daughter lied.” Kay fumed. “She knew it was today. Everyone in the school knew Miguel. Carmen called you and told you last week, how could you forget?”
“Gracie wouldn’t just lie.” He frowned. “That’s not like her.”
Kay lowered her head. “Carmen is crushed. She waited for you for a hour and when you didn’t come she wasn’t sure she could even try out. It took me, Peyton and Dad all three to talk her into trying out.”
“Kay, I really am sorry I missed it. I don’t know what I was thinking. Charity asked me to talk to the coach about Walter. He’s being picked on a lot lately and we thought football might help him. I guess I wasted my time because the coach said he wasn’t cut out for football.”
“Well you broke Carmen’s heart. I’m leaving it up to you to explain this to her Miguel. “
“I’ll talk to her. I do love her Kay, and I wanted to be there.” Miguel promised.
Kay rolled her eyes, “Where have I heard that before Miguel? Oh wait I know, you said that when you missed her first dance recital and when you didn’t make it to her sixth grade play. Oh didn’t you say that last year when you weren’t there to see her getting ready for the big dance? Miguel, you have three children, I think its time that you and your family realized that.”
“My family?” Miguel questioned.
“Yes your family, Charity and your children. For the last sixteen years Luis has been trying to fill for you, but he has his own life and family. Pilar and Theresa have tried, but they can only do some much. You are Carmen’s father, and its time that you started acting like it.”
“I am a good father!” Miguel insisted.
“Yeah, you’re a wonderful father to Walter and Gracie, but what about Carmen? She deserves your love and attention too Miguel.”
Miguel dropped his head. “I’ll make it up to her.” He promised.
Kay shook her head as she turned to go. “Sure you will Miguel.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Chad Crane stood in the Crane mansion, watching as his father laughed with his mother. He had accepted his role as Crane heir years ago, but accepting his mother and father’s reunion had been much harder. At first he couldn’t understand why a woman like Eve would want Julian Crane. It had taken a very special person to change his mind about them. The mother of his son, Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald had been the one person who knew just what to say. She was the one that told him, not to question love. Love just happened, she had said one night as they watched their son sleep. Love came when it was time, and lasted if the people allowed it. Theresa, he had learned was much smarter than she let on. She had talked him through many lonely nights, and even though they had wrestled with feelings for each other at one time, it just wasn’t meant to be. Turning back to see his parents he smiled, one day he would have love like that.
“Chad!” He heard Theresa’s voice call out. Looking up he saw her coming down the stairs a huge smile on her face.
“Theresa, what are you doing here?”
She laughed as she walked up to him, hugging him gently for a moment. “Eth left his jacket here, and he needs it tomorrow night.”
“He couldn’t come get it himself?” Chad questioned.
”He’s too lazy.” She sighed. “I should tell you.” She paused. “I spoke to Ethan last night.”
“Wonderful.” He frowned. “How are things going with him?”
“Oh you know Ethan, life must be a soap opera for him.”
Chad smirked watching as Theresa tossed her medium length hair off her shoulder. Theresa married Ethan when Ethan Martin was four years old. He accepted the fact that she had a child with Chad and promised to love her no matter what. Two years into the marriage, Chad walked in on Ethan and his new law partner and Ethan admitted he had been seeing the woman for months. The divorce was brutal on Theresa, but because of her children and her family she was able to make it.
“What’s going on with him now?” Chad questioned.
Theresa grinned her brown eyes sparkling. “His wife has been cheating on him. His perfect little life is falling apart and he called me to let me in on all the little details. I of course told him, that if he ever tried calling me again I would take actions that he wouldn’t care for.” She laughed.
“Tough lady.” Chad smiled. “But I’m glad you stood up to him. He doesn’t deserve you.”
“You’ve got that right.” Theresa agreed with a smiled. “I also talked to Whit last night.” She sighed.
“Oh?” Chad frowned. “What’s happening with her?”
Theresa searched his eyes and saw hints of sadness. It had been so many years since Whitney had left town after finding out the truth about Chad. In the end, it was revealed that Chad wasn’t even her brother, and that Liz had switched Whitney and Eve’s real daughter at birth. Liz admitted the truth after bonding with Whitney, explaining that Whitney was a weak baby and she the doctors didn’t think she would make it at first. No one understood the woman’s twisted motive, but Chad was relieved in knowing that the woman he loved wasn’t his sister. Loving Whitney wasn’t enough however, when the woman learned that he had gotten her best friend pregnant. Whitney turned to Fox and married him a year later.
“Whitney and Fox are expecting again.” Theresa spoke. “She just wanted me to know.”
“Well that’s great for them.” Chad said forcing a smile to his face. “Whitney always wanted a big family.”
“Speaking of families.” Theresa spoke. “I overheard our son on the phone last night.”
“What has Alex done now?” Chad asked crossing his arms.
”Nothing, but he was talking to Gwen’s daughter. I think he asked her out.”
Chad’s eyes became wide. “When did we tell him he could date?”
“We didn’t.” Theresa frowned. “That’s a issue in itself, but the big issue is he wants to date Ethan’s daughter.”
“Peyton seems like a good kid, but I thought we agreed that he could date at sixteen.” Chad sighed. “I don’t wanta go back on that now T.”
“Did I mention that its Ethan’s daughter?” Theresa asked her eyes wide. “Peyton Winthrop?”
Chad touched her arm. “I know, and that is a little freaky.” He smirked. “But he is your son. I guess he sees something in Peyton.”
“She’s Ethan’s kid. If he dates Ethan’s daughter, he could marry her. Then he could have kids with her and I would be bonded to Ethan forever. He can’t do that; we can’t let him do this Chad. I would be in-laws with Ethan and I don’t want to be anything with Ethan.” Theresa rambled. “You have to do something, anything Chad.”
Grabbing her shoulders with his hands he looked at her. “Are you finished?” He asked trying not to laugh. “We can’t tell him who to date T, but he’s not dating until he’s sixteen. It was a rule we set a while ago and its not changing.”
”Well, I wouldn’t let Eth date until he was sixteen either. He snuck out a few times but I always caught him. So we just tell him he can’t date.” She smiled. “He won’t be sixteen for almost a year, by then Peyton will be old news.”
“You hope.” Chad laughed. “How long did it take you to get over Ethan?” Chad asked. “Just be prepared, our son may really like this girl.”
“She’s Ethan’s daughter.” Theresa grunted, “He has to get over her.”

~*~*~**~*~*~*~

Carmen Lopez-Fitzgerald smiled as she ran up to her cousins. Madison Lopez-Fitzgerald stood beside Ethan Martin and Alex Crane, her blonde hair falling in waves down past her shoulders. Her completion was dark like her father Luis, but other than that she was Sheridan made over. Ethan’s dark brown hair was spiked short with blond tips and his eyes a light hazel. Alex was a reflection of his father, his brown eyes piercing at Carmen as he wore his usual smile.
“We have got to go out tonight and celebrate.” She told Madison hugging her cousin tight. “Can you believe we both made cheerleader?”
Madison giggled. “Its so cool isn’t it? Mom and dad were both so excited for me.”
Carmen rolled her eyes. “My father was missing as usual.” She frowned. “I suppose he had better things to do.”
Ethan shook his head. “Carmen dear, you have Gracie to thank for this.” He frowned. “I heard the little brat telling some of her friends that she lied to Uncle Miguel and told him tryouts would be tomorrow.”
“She did what?” Carmen yelled. “Tell me she did not say that.”
Alex frowned. “I heard her too.”
Madison grabbed Carmen’s arm, “Carmen, you know how she is. She’s a fourteen-year-old brat. You have to ignore her.”
“I can’t stand her Maddie. I try to be nice and what does it get me? Everyone thinks Gracie is so perfect, just like her mother. She’s such a fake.”
“And that’s why you have to ignore her.” Alex spoke. “She wants you to get mad. Its all part of some twisted game she’s playing with you.”
“You think?” Carmen questioned taking a deep breath. “Because right now I could hurt her.”
“But you won’t.” Madison smiled. “Because you’re a good person Carmen.”
Carmen frowned. “She kept my father from being here today. I’m not going to let Gracie do this to me Maddie. I can’t let everyone think she’s some sort of saint, when I know the truth.”
“You know what, lets forget about the wicked sister and go back to your original plan.” Ethan smirked. “Did you say party?”
Carmen rolled her eyes, “No, I said celebrate.”
“We could throw a party.” Ethan grinned. “The biggest party of the year.”
“No.” Carmen spoke crossing her arms. “Not interested.”
Madison smiled. “Carmen’s right, your parties always lead to trouble Eth.”
”Yeah, but father always gets me out of it.” He frowned. “You people really need to learn to live a little.”
“Forgive us, but spending a night in jail isn’t our idea of a good time.” Alex spoke agreeing with his cousins.
“No, your idea of a good time is spending a night with Peyton Winthrop huh little brother?” Ethan asked nudging his brother.
“Man, shut up.” Alex blushed.
”You know mom is never going to go for that, you and her ex husband’s kid? And what about your old man? Didn’t he say you had to be sixteen to date?”
“I can talk to them.” Alex shrugged.
“Oh that’s right, because you’re the good kid. Good is very boring bro.”
“Women like the good guys.” Carmen smiled.
Ethan laughed. “Sure they do, but only after they’ve dated a few bad boys.”
“So not true.” Madison frowned. “Don’t listen to him Alex, he just hasn’t had a date in awhile.”
“Me? Please I can get a date anytime I want one.” The boy boasted.
“Sure you can bro.” Alex laughed. “Sure you can.”

~*~*~*~

Gwen Hotchkiss sat at her desk holding her phone as she stared out the window. On the other end, Ethan was mumbling about his life, causing her to roll her eyes. “So the wife left you? I’m sorry to hear that, but what does that have to do with our daughter? She is suppose to come to Boston to see you next week, and she’s looking forward to it.”
Letting out a sigh Gwen paused as Ethan spoke into the phone. “So you’re telling me you can’t see Peyton? Ethan, she has been so excited about this trip. Look, why don’t you come to Harmony? You can spend time with Peyton and your mother. It might be good for you.”
Again she frowned as she gripped the phone tighter. “You know what Ethan? In the past you’ve went on and on about Miguel and how he was a bad father to Carmen. You are no different than him! Your daughter loves you and wants to see you. I’m sorry that your wife ran off with another man, but that’s not Peyton’s fault. I’ve got to go, I’ll have Peyton call you later.”
Slamming the phone down she let out a loud sigh. “I hate men.”

“Now I know that’s not true.” A voice laughed. Gwen looked up and smiled seeing Sheridan standing at the door.
”Sher, I didn’t know you were here.” Gwen smiled.
“So what has Ethan done now?” Sheridan asked taking a seat.
“You haven’t heard?” Gwen asked raising an eyebrow. “His wife ran off with a client.” She smiled. “And now he isn’t sure when he can see our daughter again.”
“Oh my.” Sheridan gasped. “I can understand him being heartbroken, but he needs to be there for Peyton.”
“I suggested that he come to Harmony for awhile, but he refused. He said he needed a few weeks, but I’m not sure Peyton will understand that, Sheridan.”
“I’m so sorry Gwen. I know how much Peyton loves her father.”
“You know what, forget Ethan, he’s not the reason you came now is he?” Gwen smiled.
“No, he’s not. I actually came because I heard a interesting rumor.”
“A rumor?” Gwen asked perking up. “Do tell.”
“Well I heard Maddie talking to Carmen last night, and she was saying that Alex likes Peyton.” Sheridan smirked. “I shouldn’t have been listening, but I just happened to walk by Maddie’s room and well, I’m a nosy mother.”
Gwen relaxed in her chair. “Yeah, Carmen told me about that. I haven’t talked to Peyton about it yet, because I thought she might tell me.” Staring over at her daughter’s photo she turned back to Sheridan. “You know Theresa’s boy’s pretty good, what do you think of them?”
Sheridan smiled. “Ethan is a mixture of his parents. Stubborn and determined like Theresa, and a ladies man like Julian. He’s a good kid, but he loves to have fun, a little too much fun. Alex, now he’s different. He’s a quite kid, loves music just like Chad. You should hear him sing, he’d make a grown woman swoon.” She laughed. “He’s a good boy Gwen. Theresa and Chad have raised him right. He has good morals, and really believes in love.”
”He’s fifteen, he shouldn’t be thinking about love.” Gwen frowned.
Sheridan smiled. “I overheard him talking to Maddie once after this guy had broke her heart. He was such a sweetheart, telling her that one day she would find a man that loved her like she deserved to be love. He’s a very sincere person.”
“You make him sound perfect.”
Sheridan shook her head. “He has his faults. He can be very shy at times, and like most Crane men he does like the women. He’s not like his brother though, he doesn’t want all women, just girls that he really likes.”
“And he likes my Peyton.” Gwen frowned. “Theresa’s son likes my baby girl.”
“It could be worse.” Sheridan smirked. “It could be Ethan Martin and trust me, you don’t want that.”