Chapter One..
 

Kay stood and watched through the glass as Miguel talked to their daughter. She had given him time with Maria alone because she knew he needed it. She knew Miguel needed to talk to the one person in his life that had never let him down.

“I knew you were bad Kay, but I never knew you were evil.” A voice spoke.

Kay turned around her arms crossed as she glared at the woman in front of her. “I don’t want to hear it Theresa.” She spoke. “Not now.”

“Of course not, of course you don’t want to hear the truth.” Theresa spoke shaking her head. “What you did, it’s unforgivable.”

“Well lucky for me that’s not your call to make.” Kay spoke glaring at Theresa.

“I hope Miguel takes his daughter away from you!” Theresa declared. “You don’t deserve that child.”

“You know what Theresa? As much as I dislike you, I have never once thought you deserved to be without your son. I really don’t care what you think about me, because let’s be honest, I probably think the same about you, but I do love my daughter, and I am a good mother.”

Theresa rolled her eyes, “There’s no way my brother will allow you to raise his child.”

Kay frowned, “Miguel isn’t taking Maria, he told me so today. He may hate me, but he knows Maria needs me. So you might as well get used to me raising your niece because I’m not going anywhere.” Watching as Theresa’s eyes widened Kay shook her head, “Don’t you have bigger problems to worry about anyway? Like I don’t know, you’re son?”

“I have no problems.” Theresa spoke. “Julian is giving me my son back.”

“So why are you here harassing me? Shouldn’t you be at the Crane mansion getting your son?” Kay questioned shaking her head, “The poor kid needs you and what are you doing? You’re here running you mouth. We both have our children, so why don’t you go get yours while I go see mine?” She asked taking a deep breath.

“Except you don’t deserve to raise Maria.” Theresa huffed.

Kay took a deep breath and stepped forward, “A year ago I would have already put your butt on the floor.” She whispered in a growl, “But you did give up Ethan to save my daughter and because of that, I’m going to walk away.”

“I did help save Maria, and I’m also going to try to make sure my brother never forgets the kind of horrible monster you are!”

“Enough both of you!” A voice spoke as a small form started to slowly appear. Golden curls fell around the face of the pale-faced angel as she stared at the two women. Her white gown pooled to the floor as she stood a step toward them. “Last night you were both given a second chance.” She spoke crossing her arms. “You were both willing to put your obsessions aside to save Maria, and now look at you.” She huffed. “This town has been full of evil and obsession for years, and last night was a chance for it to all end! People took steps to save a sweet child’s life, and then today you two are bickering?”

“She’s evil.” Theresa muttered.

“I suppose you’re perfect.” Kay shot back.

“I said enough!” The young angel sighed. “Please, stop this now.” Turning to Theresa she shook her head, “Your attachment to Ethan has been holding you back for years now. Last night you agreed to let that go. You will now get your son back and have a chance to start a new life for yourself. Instead of verbally assaulting Kay, you should be at the Crane Estate picking up your son.”

“I, um I’m sorry.” Theresa whispered to the angel dropping her head.

Looking at Kay the angel frowned, “And you! You freed yourself last night Kathleen! You are now free of the evil that had been surrounding you for years. You’re daughter is alive because you put her first, so ignore what other’s say and think about being a parent to young Maria. This child is pure and holds great power of goodness. She will need you in her life; she will need you to guide her as she learns her powers. You have a chance to find yourself, and that is more important that whispers of people in this town.”

Kay frowned at the scolding and nodded her held, “You’re right, I’m sorry.”

“Good, now Theresa shouldn’t you be getting your son?” The angel asked. “I believe he’s missed his mother.”

“Yes of course.” Theresa nodded shooting Kay a glare as she slowly walked away.

Kay rolled her eyes as she watched Theresa go and then turned back to the angel. “You wanted me alone didn’t you? What is it now?”

“You’re not done.” The angel spoke. “Sheridan is without her child and you have to wrong that right.”

“But, how?” Kay whispered. “I don’t want this town to hate me anymore than they already do.”

The angel sighed, “You have to be honest Kay. You need to be honest to start fresh. You know what if felt like when you thought Maria was dead. Sheridan has been living with the constant pain of believing her baby boy is dead. You can stop that pain for her and Luis. Please Kay, just be honest.”

“You’re right.” Kay nodded. “Sheridan belongs with her son.”

“I knew deep down you had a heart.” The angel smiled. “Good things will come for you Kay, but you must stay way from evil.” With that the angel was gone in a flash leaving Kay alone in the hospital hall.

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

Noah Bennett took a few steps back as he blinked quickly. He had been watching his sister and Theresa fight and then, then he saw ‘it’. “I did not just see that.” He spoke closing his eyes for a moment. “I did not just see my sister having a conversation with a angel.”

Shaking his head he watched as Kay shrugged her shoulders and went back to watching Miguel and Maria through the glass. His sister had just been talking to the figure that had just disappeared just as it came but she didn’t seem shook at all. “This can’t be happening.” He whispered. “It’s just crazy.”

The thoughts he was having were quickly pushed aside as he saw his sister wiping tears from her eyes. He was confused when he saw the sadness in his sister’s eyes. His little sister never cried, but the woman in front of him wasn’t his little sister. She had changed from a girl to a woman, a woman who had done horrible things. The guilt in her face was apparent to him, and suddenly the anger he had been feeling turned to hurt as he realized he had let her down.
 

________________________________________________________________
 

Kay watched as the nurse allowed Miguel to hold their daughter. Tears fell down her eyes as the man she had loved her whole life glanced her way and then turned away.

“You won’t ever hurt me will ya Kay?” A curious eleven-year-old Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald questioned his best friend.

Kay looked over at Miguel and shrugged. “Hurt you how?” She asked as they walked toward her house. “If this is about last week, I didn’t mean to knock ya down during the basketball game.” She smirked. “Honest.”

“No not that.” Miguel nodded. “I mean I dunno.” He frowned. “Other night I heard Luis tell Hank he was trying to steal his girlfriend. Best friends don’t do that.”

“Um Miggs, what does that have to do with us?”

“It’s just that Luis said Hank was jealous cause he had a girlfriend now.” Miguel spoke turning to Kay. “When we get older we won’t let stupid stuff like dating mess up our friendship right?”

“Course not!” Kay exclaimed. “You don’t plan on letting some girl ruin our friendship do you?”

“No.” Miguel spoke.

“Ok then.” Kay nodded.

“So we won’t ever hurt each other?” Miguel questioned. “Cause you’re the only one that understands about papa and stuff.” He frowned shifting uncomfortably. “I don’t wanta talk to know one else about that.”

“Relax Miggs.” Kay laughed. “You worry way too much. We’re gonna be best friends when we’re old. I won’t ever hurt you, I promise.”

“I’m sorry Miguel.” Kay whispered touching the glass that separated her from her daughter and Miguel. “I’m so sorry I did this too you.” Tears fell down her face as she remembered the little boy that trusted her so much. “I promised that I’d never hurt you, and I did.” She frowned. “And now I’ve lost my best friend forever.”

“I thought I was your best friend.” A familiar voice whispered behind her.

Kay quickly turned around, her eyes becoming big as she looked up at the man standing in front of her. “Noah.” She mouthed.

He expected her to run to him. He wanted his little sister to come to him and let him hold her, but instead she just stared. He remembered the look she was giving him. He had saw it many times when they were children. He watched as her blue eyes searched his and he sighed. Yes, that look was the same one she gave him the day she lost his game winning baseball. It was the look she had on her face when she accidentally told his high school girlfriend that Noah had kissed another girl. Kay was terrified at what her brother was thinking, of how he was going to react to what she had done. Instead of going to her himself, he simply flashed her a small nodded his head and spoke two words he knew she wouldn’t expect to hear. “It’s ok.”

“You know.” She spoke dropping her head. “You know.”

“Dad told me.” He told her reaching out his hand to her. “And I’m here, I thought you might need someone.”

Kay shifted nervously, “You want to be here for me?” She questioned. “Why? After what I’ve done, why?”

“I’m your brother.” He shrugged without thought. “You’re not off the hook.” He added, “But I want to hear your side.”

She saw the honesty in his eyes and slowly the tears begin to flood her eyes again. “I’ll never forgive myself.” She choked out as she ran to her brother. He grabbed her in his arms and hugged her letting her cry against his shoulder as he looked through the glass at the man she had sold herself for. “He wasn’t worth it.” He muttered under his breath as Miguel looked up to see the exchange.

“What?” Kay spoke slowly pulling away. “Did you say something?”

“No, nothing.” Noah lied. “I just can’t believe my little sister is all grown up now.”

Kay nodded her head wiping the tears from her eyes, “I want you to meet someone.” She spoke. “I want you to meet my daughter.”

“Daughter.” Noah swallowed. “I still just can’t believe it.”

Kay smiled gently, “She’s beautiful, and she’s a fighter.”

”Sounds like you.” Noah whispered touching his sister’s shoulder.

“I pray she is nothing like me.” Kay frowned. “I want her to be just like her father.”

“Weak?” Noah questioned. “Because Miguel is weak Kay.”

“How can you say that?” Kay questioned. “After all I’ve done to him? You should be defending him, not talking about him.”

“Defending him?” Noah asked. “No Kay, I don’t dislike Miguel but he’s no angel. He lead you on, I saw it before I went to college and I doubt anything changed. The boy had no idea what he wanted when he was younger, and he has no clue now.”

“He wanted Charity.” Kay frowned. “Until last night that’s all he wanted.”

“And all you wanted was Miguel.” Noah frowned. “You’re better than that Kay, don’t you know you’re worth so much more than a man who plays with your emotions.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Kay huffed. “I have too much on my mind as it is.”

“We will talk about it later.” Noah instructed. “I’m not dad, and you can’t run from me.”

“You’re acting like dad.” Kay spoke. “But its great to have you home anyway.”

Noah smirked at his sister’s attitude. He watched as her eyes floated away from him and back to her daughter and Miguel. She was a mother now, he just couldn’t make that ring true in his head. His little sister, the superstar of the softball team was no longer a teenage girl in high school. No, now she was a single mother with a tiny baby girl. “When’s she coming home?” He asked as he stood behind her.

“Tomorrow maybe.” She shrugged. “I just want her with me again.”

“Kay, can I ask you something.” Noah asked touching her shoulder. “Was it necessary to name her Ivy?”

Kay looked back up at her brother her blue eyes catching his, “I suppose that was a little low.” She frowned. “Miguel isn’t fond of it that’s for sure.”

“So change it.” He smiled. “Give her a middle name that isn’t about revenge.”

“Change it? Noah it’s not that simple.” She frowned.

“Sure it is, you’re her mother you can change it. You named her after the woman who destroyed our parent’s relationship Kay. Just think about it.”

“Back ten minutes and already ordering me around.” Kay chuckled lightly.

“I just really want to see my family get back to normal.”

Kay rolled her eyes, “Good luck with that.”

_____________________________________________________

Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald stood inside the Crane mansion beside Eve watching for her son to appear at the top of the stairs.

“It’s really going to happen.” Theresa smiled. “My son is really coming home to live with me.”

“Yes dear he is.” Julian spoke walking down the stairs three year old Ethan Martin in his arms. “I must apologize for what I have done to you. Our son belongs with you.”

Theresa saw the outstretched arms of her son and put all the angry words she had been thinking out of her mind. “Come to mommy sweetie.” She whispered.

“Mommy!” Little Ethan squealed wrapping his arms around Theresa’s neck.

“Oh baby I’ve missed you so much.” Theresa cried showering her son with kisses.

Julian watched Theresa and her son and looked over at Eve. “This was the right thing.”

“Yes Julian it was.” Eve smiled touching his arms. “I’ve very happy that you’ve done this.”

Julian nodded his head, “You look tired Eve, how are you doing?”

Eve’s smile disappeared as Julian pulled her aside. “I’ve never hurt this much in my life, but I must be strong.”

“You must rest Eve, and then you have to fight for your daughter’s.” Julian instructed. “Those girls need you.”

“Whitney ran from me Julian, she had a look of horror in her eyes and she ran. I suppose she went home with T.C. and I honestly don’t see how that helped my case.”

“Where did you stay last night darling? I looked all over for you and couldn’t find you until this morning.”

“I stayed at the bed and breakfast. I just wanted time alone to clear my head. I can’t imagine what I’ve done to my precious daughters Julian.”

“Why don’t you speak with Whitney and find out?” Julian questioned. “I saw Her and Fox sneaking in sometime this morning. He cares for her deeply Eve and he was there for her last night.”

“Are you saying my daughter is here? In your home?” Eve gasped.

“She has no idea I saw her come in.” Julian smiled. “I suppose she needed a shoulder to cry on and my son was there.”

“I hope a shoulder was all he offered.” Eve frowned becoming worried. “Whitney was so hurt, so fragile.”

“Eve, I know that Fox is a womanizer but I do not believe he would ever take advantage of Whitney. As I said he cares a great deal for her.”

Eve nodded her head, “I just want both my daughters to forgive me. I love Simone and Whitney more that life itself. I just couldn’t let Kay and Miguel loose their daughter.” She whimpered. “When Death came to me, I remembered what it felt like to loose our son and I couldn’t bare to let those poor kids go through that. I had to tell TC the truth, I had to help save Maria.”

Julian wrapped his arms around Eve, “You did the right thing Eve.”

“I just pray I don’t loose everything because of it.” Eve sighed.

“You won’t Eve, my darling you won’t.”

______________________________________________________

Theresa had heard Julian mention that Whitney was upstairs with Fox. Looking at her son she smiled, “Ethan might not have loved us sweetheart, but your uncle Fox does. Aunt Whitney told me so.” She smiled.

Knocking on Fox’s door her brown eyes sparkled when Fox opened the door.

“Look who I have.” Theresa laughed holding little Ethan close to her.

“Theresa! Does Julian know you have Ethan?” Whitney asked jumping up from the chair she was sitting in.

Theresa smiled, “Relax Julian gave my son back to me.”

“Oh my gosh Theresa! That’s wonderful.” Whitney shrieked hugging her best friend.

“I’ll leave you two ladies alone.” Fox smiled, “I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about.”

“Don’t go to far Fox, I really want to talk to you.” Theresa spoke looking up.

“Don’t worry I’ll be around.” Fox laughed shutting the door slightly behind him. When he stepped in the hall he leaned up against the wall, “What do you want to talk to me about Theresa?” He sighed peeking in.
 

Theresa hugged Whitney as they sat down on Fox’s bed. “How are you doing? I’m so sorry about your parents Whit.”

“I just can’t believe my mom and Julian. It’s so, so strange.” Whitney frowned. “All this time she’s been living this lie.”

“Whitney, your mom loves you. Whatever she may have done doesn’t change that.” Theresa frowned. “She wanted to hang on to her family, I actually understand that.”

“But Theresa, we were raised to think mom was so perfect, and to learn she had a child with Julian and still loves him now? It’s just so hard to believe.” Whitney frowned.

”You’re father wanted to believe your mother was perfect. He portrayed her as perfect to you because in his eyes she was.” Theresa spoke, “Ethan did that with me for a long time. You can’t give up on your mom because she’s not perfect. You’ve never given up on me have you?” She smiled.

“No, but this is my mother and she told so many lies.”

“To protect her family.” Theresa defended. “All I’m saying is think about this from your mothers point of view.”

“Enough about my mother, how are you doing? Letting go of Ethan, telling him to leave town with Gwen? Sweetie that must have hurt you.”

“It did, but I realized last night there must be a reason that I was asked to let Ethan go.”

“Yeah so Maria could live.” Whitney nodded.

Theresa sat her son down on the bed beside her and shook her head, “Yes that, but there was another reason. I thought about Fox and how he’s been with me. I was suppose to let Ethan go so I can be with Fox.” She smiled.

“What?” Whitney said her tone shocked.

“Of course Whit it all makes sense now.” Theresa giggled. “Fox and I we belong together, I just know it.”

“Theresa don’t you think you’re rushing things?” Whitney questioned standing up.

”Maybe but I know Fox and I care about him already. It’s fate.”
 

Fox stood outside the door and frowned. Taking a deep breath he thought about the time his father and spent apart from Eve Russell. Loving the woman from afar, wanting her, needing her yet staying away. Leaning against the wall he dropped his head, “I have to tell you the truth Theresa. I can’t let my life turn into my father’s. I won’t risk loosing Whitney the way he lost her mother.”