He had dreaded seeing her since the moment he came back in town. He knew it would be hard for him, but he didn’t realize it would stun him like it was doing. Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald was standing in front of him, tears glistening her eyes and he wanted to run again. She hadn’t change much, but he noticed almost immediately that time had took the dreams from her eyes.

“I must look like a mess.” She spoke wiping her eyes.

Noah sighed deeply his blue eyes glancing away as he shrugged. “You look like you’ve lost your best friend.” He answered honestly. “How is Whitney anyway?”

“Why don’t you ask Fox Crane?” She whispered. “I’m sure he knows.”

“Crane.” Noah muttered shaking his head. “I should have known.”

“It doesn’t matter I’m finished with the Cranes!” Theresa spoke lifting her head in the air.

Noah chuckled softly ignoring Theresa’s sharp glare. He couldn’t help but laugh even if it seemed to hurt Theresa somehow. “You’ll never be finished with the Cranes.” He spoke as his smirk went away, “Don’t you have a son with one of them?” He could see she was confused by his behavior; the fact that he hadn’t embraced her yet, or even spoke a kind word.

“Ethan Martin.” She spoke her eyes twinkling at the thought of her son. “He’s wonderful.”

“Kay told me about him.” He spoke. “Told me you named him Ethan, I can’t say I was surprised. Ethan has always been your mission in life.”

Theresa’s eyes narrowed as she looked up at Noah. She shoved her hands in her coat pockets and frowned. “Are you angry with me Noah?” She asked her voice naïve and confused.

Noah stepped back and stared down at Theresa. She had changed from the girl he once knew; yet at the same time she seemed the same. He wanted to laugh at her question, but he wouldn’t. He had played it over in his head a million times. He had thought about what he would do when he ran into Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald again. He had imagined her running to him and apologizing, or going out of her way to tell him how much she had grown, changed from the girl that he had once knew, the girl that had hurt him so deeply. However he had never imagined that she would play dumb, act like she had no clue why he was so clearly upset.

“Now Resa, do I have a reason to be angry?” He asked searching her eyes for some sort of truth. Instead he saw that she was thinking, trying to figure out what she had did.

Theresa dropped her head, “I hope this isn’t because I stopped calling and writing you.” She spoke. “But you never answered my calls so I assumed you were busy.”

“Yes Resa, college is very busy.” He shrugged. “I left town to start a new life, to try to forget the things in Harmony that had left me bitter.”

“We used to be such good friends.” She smiled. “I just couldn’t believe it when you decided to go to college out of state. You had made so many plans to stay here, it was so shocking to me.”

“You were shocked?” Noah choked. “You’re joking right?”

“Of course I’m not joking Noah.” She spoke honestly. “We had made so many plans to hang out that summer. It would have been so much fun, but you just took off.”

“Imagine that.” Noah whispered under his breath. Looking at Theresa he realized she really was clueless to why he was so angry. He wasn’t sure how it was possible, but it was. “Theresa, do you remember my senior prom?” He questioned hoping to jog her memory slightly.

“Of course.” She spoke. “You asked me to go with you.” She nodded. “I couldn’t believe you wanted to go with me as friends when half the girls in school wanted you. I felt terrible that I didn’t get to go.” She sighed.

“Didn’t get to go?” Noah asked. “Theresa you ditched me to sneak on the Crane property because you thought Ethan was in town and you wanted to get a peek of him.” Noah fumed. “You don’t remember that?”

“Of course I do.” Theresa spoke with a frown, “Ethan wasn’t even there!”

Noah took a deep breath and let out a small grunt, “Ethan.” He grumbled under his breath. “You know, I always thought the Ethan thing was some celebrity crush and you’d out grow it with time. I thought you’d grow up and change but I can see you haven’t Theresa. Your still the same self-absorbed kid you always were!”

Noah turned to walk off as Theresa chased behind him. “Excuse me? You can not talk to me like that!” She yelled.

“Guess what princess, I’m not the same guy that kissed your feet years ago. You have a lot to learn Theresa, and I really don’t have time to deal with this right now.” Shaking his head he turned and walked off leaving Theresa alone on the pier her mouth gapped open.

___________________________________________
 

The street was dark and lonely as she walked toward Tabitha’s house. Miguel had told her to go home and calm down. He said he would go to the hospital that she was in no shape to be there for their daughter. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she shivered in the night wind, she hated knowing that at that moment Miguel was right. Her tears refused to stop, as hard as she tried to be strong they just kept raining down her face. It was as if something had opened and she couldn’t shut it off. Feelings and emotions she had buried inside her were all coming out at once. Her legs were shaky as she looked up at the stars. Stopping to catch her breath she wiped her eyes and frowned.

“What’s wrong with me?” She questioned the empty street.

“Looks like your having a break down.” A voice spoke behind her.

Kay rolled her eyes and turned to see a bright light, the angel girl beaming down with a smile on her face. “You?” She questioned. “Great that’s all I need.”

“You know Kay, you won’t be any help to anyone if you have a nervous breakdown.” The angel spoke. “But you do need this, you need to cry these tears.”

“I don’t get this, what am I suppose to do? Do you want me to be strong? Or do you want me to be weak and weepy?” Kay asked crossing her arms as she shivered again.

“I want you to be Kay.” The angel spoke simply. “It shouldn’t be that hard to do really. You just need to find Kay again.”

“I don’t know who that is anymore.” Kay whispered. “I honestly don’t.”

“She’s Maria’s mother, and Sam’s daughter, she was the hero on the softball team, and Miguel’s best friend. She was funny and tough, but tender and shy. Find her again, you can do this.”

Kay swallowed, “I want to be good again, I really do. I want to be that person, the one my daddy adored, and Jess looked up to. I just can’t remember her.”

The angel shook her head, “You are good Kay, and your father does adore you. Even if your sister won’t admit it, she still looks up to you and so will your daughter. You just need to see the wrong you did, take responsibility for it and move on.”

Kay smiled through tears, “I think I like you better like this, you on my side, it’s a lot better than before.”

“It is much better for me as well.” The angel smiled. “People are going to need you Kay, they will need you to listen and be strong, but at the same time its ok to be weak, and it’s ok for you to reach out and need people as well. Allow people to love you again Kay, and learn to love yourself again.”

“Everyone hates me, Miguel doesn’t even want to look at me.” Kay spoke looking at the angel. “I turned him against me.”

“Miguel is a gentle soul, his heart is good and kind and he’s sensitive. Contrary to what you think he doesn’t hate you. It’s odd really, but it seems you hurt him with your actions more so than Charity.” Shaking her head the angel smirked, “I sure didn’t see that coming.”

Kay rolled her eyes, “Thank you for taking such pleasure in my misery, now if you’ll excuse me I have to go home.”

“Home?” The angel questioned arching a eyebrow. “Do you really think your home is at Tabitha’s now? You sold her out Kay, maybe you didn’t reveal her for the witch she is, but you told many of her little secrets.”

“So what are you saying that I’m homeless?” Kay asked her mouth dropping open.

“Don’t be so dramatic Kay, you have a father who loves you, you have a place you can live.”

“No!” Kay answered quickly. “I can’t live there, not with Jessica hating me, and Charity she’s still there! No there’s no way I’m moving back home.”

“Stop being stubborn Kay. Stay at your father’s tonight, good things will come to you if you start listening.” The angel smiled.

Kay rolled her eyes, “You keep saying that, but what good things?”

"You have a beautiful daughter, that’s as good as it gets.” The angel spoke. “And you will be rewarded for the good you do. I was very proud of you, confessing to Luis and Sheridan, it was the right thing to do.”

“It was the only thing.” Kay agreed.

“Go home Kay.” The angel spoke pointing her finger, “Get some sleep and remember, you’re no good to your daughter if you can’t take care of yourself.”

With that the angel disappeared leaving Kay once again alone on the street. “Great so now I have no home and no friends. I hope that reward comes soon because right now I’m at the bottom trying to find my way up.” She muttered.
 

_____________________________________________________

Julian Crane looked up from his desk to see his son standing at his door. Fox was propped against the doorway with a smug look on his face. “Where is the lovely Dr. Russell at father?”

Julian groaned and shoved his papers away from his face. “Eve went home.” He spoke looking up at his son. “She went to talk to her husband.”

“And that doesn’t bother you?” Fox asked arching an eyebrow.

“I encouraged Eve to go home and talk with her husband. Not that it’s any of your business but I only want the best for her. She loves that man, and if she can save her marriage it is best for her family.” Julian sighed.

“Well I must admit I’m impressed.” Fox spoke walking over to his father’s desk. “You putting someone else before yourself? How UnCrane like of you father.”

“I love Eve dearly.” Julian spoke standing as his eyes met those of his son. “And loving her means wanting the best for her. If that means that she saves her marriage, then I will step aside.”

“How noble of you.” Fox chuckled. “Really father what is your game? Are you just standing on the sideline waiting for the good doctor’s marriage to crumble so she’ll come running to you? Not a bad idea actually, you look like the good guy and you get the woman.” Fox smirked.

“That is not my intention at all.” Julian spoke his tone so serious that Fox’s smirk fell and his eyes widen. “I would love nothing more than to hold Eve in my arms for the rest of my life. Some things however aren’t so simple. Yes, this town knows about my former relationship with Eve now. It is also true that she has admitted feelings for me, but those feelings don’t erase the marriage she has with T.C. You must understand that she loves him, and though she may care for me, he is still her husband and they share a family.”

Fox shook his head and let out a sigh. “Well that was very deep.” He muttered. “But I’m not sure I buy it.”

“I don’t care what you buy.” Julian frowned. “What I said was the truth.” He insisted. “Now I must ask you, have you decided to let go of the silly notion that you belong with Whitney?”

“It isn’t a notion father.” Fox spoke through gritted teeth. “And after all you just rattled on about, I would think you of all people would understand that. I am not going to walk away from my feelings for Whitney. In fact I told Theresa that I was in love with Whitney. It was a bitter scene, but in the end I believe it will be worth it.”

“You did what?” Julian yelled. “You are only going to bring Whitney great pain!”

“No, that’s where your wrong father. I’m willing to fight for Whitney. I just ruined a perfectly good friendship because of my love for her. I love Whitney, and if loving her means I have to stand up and fight for her then I will. I believe Whitney cares for me already, and it’s only a matter of time because she realizes we belong together. It’s my fault you didn’t fight for her mother all those years ago, but I’m glad you didn’t because if you had of Whitney would have never been born!”

“You have no idea what fighting father entails!” Julian fumed. “You have never went up against him and your not prepared. Whitney doesn’t deserve that kind of pain. Do you realize what he could do? He could ruin her entire life or worse.” Julian spoke his voice worried as he looked at his son. “I realize you’re thinking with emotion, but you must stop this at once. If you love Whitney walk away now.”

“Like you did all those years ago father?” Fox spoke. “No I will not do that, maybe you weren’t strong enough to stand up to grandfather, but I am!”

“You’re young son, you think you can take the world on and win, but its not that simple.” Julian frowned.

“And how would you know father? You never tried.”

Julian stood and watched his son turn and storm out of the room. Slowly he sat down in his chair and frowned. “I hope you are stronger than I was Fox.” He whispered. “But I fear you are in for a bitter wake up call.”
 

_______________________________________________
 

Eve Russell walked inside her home and slowly shut the door behind her. The lights were off, and there was silence. There was never silence in her home, but today it was almost eerie. Her husband wasn’t sitting at the kitchen table looking at playbooks for the next game. The television wasn’t blaring like it usually was when Simone forgot to turn it off because she had a phone call. Whitney’s music wasn’t sounding from upstairs. No there was nothing, just a silence that reminded her of what she had done.

She sat her purse down on the coffee table and took a deep breath; her life would never be the same. She just had to realize that. The lies on top of lies had changed everything. She was ashamed of herself, of the deceit that she had caused. She loved her family, needed them desperately but she had drove them away.

She heard the back door open and she went stiff. Shock went through her as she realized she was actually afraid to see her family. She didn’t know who was home, but it didn’t matter, her daughters and her husband hated her.

Eve heard the footsteps and knew instantly who was in the house. She braced herself and prepared for the worse as she saw the shadow in the doorway.

“Simone.”

“How’d you know it was me?” The girl questioned coming into view. “I could’ve been Whitney.”

“A mother knows her child just by their footsteps.” Eve spoke nervously.

“Whatever.” Simone muttered. “I’m going upstairs.”

“Simone wait.” Eve spoke watching as her daughter shot her a glare.

“I don’t want to talk to you.” Simone insisted.

“We need to talk, Simone please listen to me for a moment.”

“There’s nothing that you have to say that I want to hear.” Simone spoke crossing her arms. “You and Julian Crane? I just can’t bare even thinking about it.”

Eve dropped her head, “So now you know the bitter truth about your mother. I’m not perfect, I am human just like you and everyone else. I’ve made mistakes, and I covered those mistakes with more mistakes. That is the truth Simone, I have emotions, and I do things that are wrong. I hate myself for all the lies, for letting my family believe me to be some sort of saint. I have never been perfect, and I was very much in love with Julian Crane once. I loved him, and the son we lost, that is the truth and I’m so very sorry that it hurts you.” The words poured out of Eve’s mouth and she couldn’t stop them. Her mind had told her to shut up, but the words just seeped, and she was done her daughter had tears falling from her face.

“How did you do it mom? Live with all those things?” Simone asked.

“I just did it.” Eve whispered wiping her eyes. “I did what I thought I had to do to protect my family.”

“But you didn’t have to do that mom, you didn’t have to let us believe you were perfect. We could have accepted you as flawed, if only you had given us the chance. You never let us in, you just kept lying and deceiving us and that’s what hurts.” Simone spoke.

“I’m so sorry for that, I’m sorry I didn’t trust my family enough to let them in. I pray that you can forgive me Simone. I love you so much, you and your sister are my life and I need you.” Eve pleaded. “I need my girls Simone.”

“I need time.” Simone spoke looking at her mother. “I just need time to figure all this out.”

Eve nodded her head, “Of course you do, but Simone please remember I love you more than anything.”

Simone let out a sigh, “Despite your lies mom, I know how much you love us.” With that she turned and walked up the stairs leaving Eve alone with her tears and with a little more hope than she had had before.”

_________________________________________________
 

She stepped out of her limo and onto the concrete that was known as the Crane Drive. With a loud sigh the young blonde dropped the black bag in her hand, and stared up at the Estate in front of her. Her long sandy blonde hair hung in a loose ponytail, as her deep blue eyes scanned the property.

“Feel like home?” Her driver spoke touching her arm. She looked up and smiled at the man, but shook her head no.

“Franklin, this has never been my home.” She replied. “The last time I was here I was thirteen years old, and neither of my parents cared what I was doing.”

“You deserved better Miss Crane.” Franklin smiled.

“Yes, yes I did.” She agreed. “But when my brother came back to this place, I decided if he could do it, so could I.”

“Nicholas has always been a brave man.” Franklin chuckled. Looking over at the young woman he smiled. “Would you like me to take your bags in now Miss Crane?”

“Malaya, Franklin, I’ve told you before, you’ve known me since I was in diapers, you can call me by my name.” She smiled.

“Yes of course, forgive me.” The older gentleman smiled.

“Can I tell you a secret Franklin?” Malaya asked looking over at the gazebo, “Something no one else knows?”

“If you wish, of course you may.”

“You see that gazebo?” She asked pointing, “I received my first kiss there, the night I left Harmony to go away to school.” Blushing she dropped her head, “It sounds silly I know, but that night was very special.”

“That’s a wonderful memory.” Franklin spoke. “Was he a special boy?”

Malaya shrugged her shoulders, “You know, I didn’t know him very well. His mother worked here at the mansion, Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald. He came a few times with her, he seemed like a sweet boy, but I never got a chance to find out.” Looking over at Franklin she frowned, “Listen at me babbling, I should go inside, surprise my family.” With a chuckle she rolled her eyes, “I’m not even sure they remember me.”

“If you’re ready Malaya.” Franklin spoke picking up her bag.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”