Julian shook the rain off of his jacket as he entered into Crane industries. “Good God,” He said to himself. “It’s terrible out there.”
 

His driver approached him with an umbrella. “What time should I report back to you sir?” He asked.
 

Julian looked down at his watch, and cleaned it some with his sleeve. “No later than an hour.” He responded to the younger man. “And I do not like to wait so I suggest that what ever you do in your free time you cut it short, and be careful with my car, it’s furious out there.”
 

“Yes sir.” The driver said as he reopened his umbrella and headed back out into the rain.
 

Julian turned back to his watch and thought for a minute. “Let’s see,” He said walking towards the board room. “If I can close this deal real quickly I can still make it back home in time to appease Rebecca with a trip to some exotic country, and then.........”
 

“Julian!” He winced in irritation at the person who called his name.
 

“Oh Becky,” Julian said pushing aside his irritation. “Where have you been these last few days?” He asked. “I have been utterly miserable.”
 

Rebecca smiled some as she pulled out a number of pamphlets. “I have been planning our gale wedding.” She said with a evil grin. “Oh poky it’s going to be marvelous.”

Julian smiled a false smile and inside cursed his luck. “Becky darling I was thinking.” He stated. “You know that you are the only real Mrs. Crane in my heart and I don’t see why......”

“Oh stop right there!” Rebecca stated as they entered Julian’s office. “I know what this is you are once again trying to slither out of marrying me but it wonk work.”

Julian pretended to look hurt. “Perish the thought my dear heart.” He stated. “You are the only one for me.”
 

Rebecca smirked. “I’ll believe that when this engagement ring becomes a wedding ring.” She stated. “And you know what will happen if I don’t.”

Julian sighed a heavy, depressing sigh. “I am sure you are going to tell me.”

“I will have to tell every one that you and Alistair ordered your sisters death, and you know what Luis, oh and Antonio would do if they.......”

“Stop this bickering I am sick of it.” Alistair Crane entered from the bathroom with a half dressed blonde assistant on his arm.

“Alistair.” Rebecca said surprised. “Wh....how long have you been here?” She asked.

“Long enough.” Alistair said sitting into his sons seat at his desk leaving Natasha standing by his side in only a long sports jacket. “And no Rebecca you will not tell Luis or Antonio about Julian and my plans to get rid of Sheridan.”

Rebecca bravely squared her shoulders some. “I......I don’t see what’s stopping me.” She stated sounding any thing but brave.

“I am, Dear.” Alistair smiled evilly and pulled out a blank video tape. “Can you guess what this is?” He asked.

Rebecca shifted uncomfortably. “No......no not really.” She stated.

“Well then allow me to inform you.” Alistair stated. “This is a copy of the fake tape you made of Ethan killing Julian!”

Julian’s entire face dropped as he faced Rebecca. “Becky!” He said shocked.

“Now I...I can explain love button.” Rebecca said nervously.

“Oh I am sure you can.” Alistair stated. “And when you do I am sure Luis, Ethan, and as I said before even Pilar would love to be present.”

Rebecca quickly shook her head. “No, no, no you can’t!” She stated.

“Well that depends.” Alistair said. “Do you think that you can drop the dime on myself and Julian’s plans?” He asked.

Rebecca’s entire face mocked Julian’s and fell. “Your blackmailing me?” She asked in shock. “I never get blackmailed.”

“Well now dear times like the seasons change.” Alistair stated puffing on one of his cigars. “And Rebecca might I remind you that the idea of you dropping the bomb on Julian and myself was a rather idiotic idea any way because you would have to explain how you knew about our crime and when you informed every one that you had been in on it from the begging but never said a word, then what ever Luis and Antonio do to Julian and I they will finish off by doing to you!”

Rebecca nervously gulped at being left at the mercy of Luis and Antonio in a not sexual way. “So Becky,” Alistair spoke up feeling like the victor as always. “What were you saying about blackmail.”

Rebecca looked to Alistair and narrowed her eyes and your entire family Alistair Crane!” She cursed as she ran out of the room and out of the office building.

Julian looked to his father, and seconds later a huge grin lit up his face. “Father that was terrific!” He stated. “Pure magic.”

“I aim to please Julian you should know that by now!” Alistair stated as he continued to puff on his cigar.

“ I knew that my plan would work!” Julian smiled as he flopped down on his office sofa. “And now I have hopefully taken care of my last problematic wife!”

“Well there is still Ivy.” Alistair stated.

Julian looked to his father some what nervously. “Yes Ivy.” He said in a low voice. “Don’t worry about that father, I am taking care of her.” He lied.

“Well I should hope so,” Alistair stated. “Then maybe we can regain some piece around this family.”

Julian only nodded his head. “Now, onto more pressing matters.” He stated.

“YOU BASTARD!” A scream suddenly filled both their ears and they looked to the door to see Eve Russell.

Julian sighed heavily and rolled his eyes as he stood. “Eve, what a pleasant surprise, how....” The sting of her wet hand connecting with his face sent Julian right back on the couch.
 

“Don’t you dare insult me by pretending you care!” She screamed back at him. “Do you have any idea the hell that my life has become because of you! My marriage my children, they have all been destroyed and I blame you!”
 

“My, my, my Julian.” Alistair chuckled. “She certainly isn’t the friendly one in your string of mistresses.”

Eve looked at Alistair her eyes narrowing at him in disgust. “Don’t even get me started on you!” She snapped.

“Believe me I won’t.” Alistair said in a bored tone. “Now make your choice Eve, leave willingly are have security throw you out into the street like the whore you are.”

“That’s enough Father!” Julian said standing quickly. “I will not stand here and allow you to insult her!”

“If I were you Julian I would remember my manners.” Alistair stated. “Speak when spoken to.”

“Well your not me.” Julian stated. “Now I am sorry Father but I am going to have to ask you to leave.”

Alistair huffed. “From my own building?” He asked. “You humor me, Son.”

“This may be your building, but it is my office.” Julian stated calmly. “And I would think you have bigger fish to fry than to hang around here all day and insult the woman I lo.....” He quickly bit his tongue. “That I know has every reason to be angry.”

Alistair smiled at his son. “Some backbone Julian.” He said standing. “Very well, I’ll leave.” He said looking to his assistant who quickly ran his way. “But we will speak of this later Julian, that I promise you.” And with that said, he was gone.

Julian turned back to Eve who was still glaring at him. “Beautiful performance but it gains you no points.” She stated.

Julian shook his head. “I didn’t do it to gain points.” He stated. “I meant every word.” He said in a desperate voice hoping she would believe him.

“I’m supposed to believe you?” Eve asked folding her arms over her chest.

“Eve you know that I loved you.” Julian stated stepping some what closer to her. “With every fiber of my being I loved you, and I have already apologized for allowing my father to bully me out of that love, now what else can I do to show you that when it comes to you, every thing I do is done out of love.”

Eve sighed heavily and softened her expression. “I want to believe you.” She stated as she allowed herself to fall deep into his warming cunning eyes, however, she quickly pulled out of them and stepped back some. “I just can’t.” She stated.

“If you allow your self to you.....”

Eve shook her head as she turned around. “No Julian,” She stated as she walked to his door. “I can’t.” With that she exited the door to his office leaving Julian there with a heavy heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

Elizabeth Crane smiled warmly as she opened the door to the mansion revealing her aunt, and her husband. “Aunt Sheridan,” She smiled as she let them come in out of the rain. “My what a lovely surprise, to what do we owe the honor?” She asked.

“Oh Luis and I just wanted to come and check on Katherine and Kay.” Sheridan stated. “I did not realize they would be leaving the hospital so soon.” She said removing her wet jacket and hanging it on a wrack.

“Well, Katherine is a sleep.” Elizabeth informed. “We all kind of wore her out, but I think Kay is upstairs right now with little Ethan and Theresa, and big Ethan.”

Sheridan smiled at the thought. “I’m really glad you are all getting along.” She stated. “After last night’s many revelations I thought every thing in here would be crazy.”

“Were managing.” Elizabeth stated.

“Well, I am going to go and see the kids,” Sheridan looked to Luis. “Lets go.”

Luis nodded his head, some what tensely. “Oh wait Luis,” Elizabeth quickly called him. “I am sorry, but I was wondering if you could just help me with some thing.” She stated. “I actually wanted to start a fire, and I was wondering if you could help me put a few logs in?” She asked smiling some.

Luis’s tension grew even more. “Elizabeth I am sure that one of the maids could help you with that.” He stated clearing his throat some.

“Oh Luis go help her.” Sheridan said hitting his arm playfully. “I’ll see you up stairs.” She gave him a quick kiss and before he could protest any more she quickly scurried up the stairs.

Luis looked back to Elizabeth, his eyes narrowed some. “You think your really smart don’t you?” He asked.

“I pride myself.” Elizabeth smiled wickedly walking closer to him. “So, how about we start that fire?” She asked gently touching his face.

“Back off Lizzy.” Luis said stepping out of her reach.

Elizabeth’s smile grew some. “You called me Lizzy.” She stated. “The last time you did that I believe we were in Spain and you were making hot passionate love to me.”

“That was a long time ago.” Luis stated firmly. “And I thought that Sheridan had died.” He folded his arms over his chest. “Besides, we ended whatever it was we had in Spain nearly a year ago.”

Elizabeth’s smile dropped. “Yes we did.” She stated. “But it never stopped my love for you. You left to come back to Harmony, but I know you never got over me.”

Luis walked past her and into the living room suspiciously. When he got there, a fire was already roaring. He smirked bitterly. “Figures.” He stated. “Typical Crane lie.”

“Might I remind you that you fell in love with this Crane.” Elizabeth stated.

“I loved Sheridan first.” Luis said turning back to her at the hurt that winced in her eyes at his tone, Luis quickly softened some. “Listen Lizzy I am sorry.” He stated. “I am sorry that things did not work out between us but you have to learn to let it go. For your own good.”

“You might as well ask me to let go of my heart.” Elizabeth stated. “Luis you were my first real love. I can’t just forget it because it’s convenient for you.”

“Well your going to have to.” Luis stated firmly. “Because I love Sheridan now, and I will forever. It’s over Elizabeth. Over.” Ignoring her forming tears we walked past her and hurried up the stairs to find his wife.

Elizabeth watched him go a small tear trickling down her face. “I don’t except that Luis.” She stated. “I love you, and I know that part of you still has feelings for me. I just have to find that part. And I swear To God I will.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

When Luis reached upstairs he saw an open door and heard laughter coming from inside. He followed the sounds and came upon Sheridan, Ethan, Theresa, Nicholas, and Kay all smiling as little Ethan looked up at them a toyed with his toys.

“Well isn’t this a pretty picture.” Luis said going in the room and pulling Sheridan into his arms. “How’s my little nephew?” He asked looking down at the baby.

“He’s fine.” Theresa said as she touched his belly some. “Cute as ever.”

“Indeed, just like his mother.” Ethan said holding Theresa’s hand softly.

Nicholas watched the two of them, and he could not help but smirk some. “Poor Edumb.” He whispered to himself. “Just when he finally thinks he can have a little happiness, he has no Idea that it’s all ready to come down on him.”

Ethan’s cell phone ringing caused him to pull away from Theresa and answer it. “Hello?” He called into the phone.

“Ethan, It’s me Gwen.” Gwen said in her phone from the hotel she was staying in.

“Gwen?” Ethan said surprised into the phone, causing Theresa to look to him. “Gwen, what’s up?” He asked, he then quickly became alarmed. “Wait, nothings wrong with the baby is it?” He asked.

Gwen shook her head. “No, no it’s fine.” She stated smiling. “In fact I have good news.”

“Really?” Ethan asked a small smile playing on hi slips. “What’s up?”

“Well I wanted to let you know that I just found out that we are going to be the parents of a beautiful baby girl..” Gwen beamed proudly.

Ethan’s entire face lit up. “A girl, really?” He asked.

Sheridan turned around and faced Ethan with a smile on her facing. “Gwen found out what it is?” She asked walking over to him.

Ethan nodded his head. “It’s a girl.” He stated.

“Ohh,” Sheridan squealed happily. “Congratulations Gwen.” She called into Ethan's phone.

Gwen laughed into the phone at hearing her friends excitement for her. “Thanks Sheridan.” She said caressing her stomach.”

Ethan’s smile fell some. “God, I just wish that I could be there.” He stated. “Or at least for us to be closer.”

“Well Ethan, I’m closer than you think.” Gwen said into the phone. “I’m in Harmony.”

Ethan’s face fell into shock. “Harmony?” He questioned. “Right now?” He asked.

“Yes right now.” Gwen stated. “I am at the Plaza Hotel as we speak. I was thinking about driving over there.”

“Oh no Gwen it's pouring out side!” Ethan stated. “Look, you stay put and I’ll make it over there.” He suggested.

“Are you sure?” Gwen asked. “I mean your right, it is very dangerous out there right now.”

“Look, I’m coming over there and that’s final.” Ethan said with a big smile. “And we are going to have a celebration like never before. “You me, and our baby girl.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in a little while then, bye.” Gwen said hanging up her phone.

Ethan smiled as he tucked his phone back in his pocket. “This is great.” He stated skipping into his jacket.

“Ethan, did I hear right?” Theresa asked trying to hold a brave smile. “Is Gwen in Harmony?” She asked.

Ethan nodded his head with excitement. “Yea, she’s staying at the plaza.” He informed. “I gotta see her? I wonder if she’s grown any?”

“Well, let me come with you.” Theresa stated with a hopeful smile.

“Oh no honey I don’t want to drag you out in this weather.” Ethan said giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Look stay here with the baby, and I’ll get back as soon as I can. Bye, I love you.” With that he was dashing out the room on his way to Gwen.

Theresa smiled as she looked back at the others. “Wow.” She stated. “He’s really excited.”

Sheridan took her hand. “Theresa it’s just because this is his first.” She stated. “Don’t take his reaction as any thing more than excitement for his baby.”

“Yes Theresa, Ethan loves you.” Kay added as she played with baby Ethan. “I am sure that this is all about the baby.”
 

“Yea, and you need to expect shocks like that too Kay.” Luis added smiling at her.

Kay smiled sadly. “Yea, but I am going to be expecting them alone.” She stated.

Luis walked a little closer to her. “Hey no you're not.” He stated. “I know Miguel, he’s going to do the right thing and take care of you and your baby.”

Kay shook her head. “You haven’t spoken to him lately then.” She stated. “Miguel loves Charity, there’s no way he’ll come to me if he believes it will affect his relationship with Charity.”

“Maybe things change.” Every one looked to the door way as another voice filled the room, and there was Miguel his eyes fixed on Kay. “We need to talk.” He stated. “About a lot of things.”

Kay looked back at Miguel, her outsides held a strong front, but on the inside, she was shaking like a leaf. Had Miguel picked her and the baby over Charity, or was he here to tell her they would never be a family. Either way, she knew that things were about to change forever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ivy rolled her eyes as she came to the entrance of the gym and realized that it was still pouring down out side. “God, there is no way I am going out in that.” She said to herself. “I have a bad history with storms.” She looked to her car and found it parked in the drive way a few feet away. “I guess I’ll just wait it out for a few minutes and hope that it’s slows some.”
 

“That would be my suggestion.” Ivy turned startled as a voice sunk up behind her.

When she saw who it was she let out an angry and yet relieved sigh. “How the hell did you get in here!” She snapped.

Sam smirked some. “I’m sorry.” He stated. “Is the gym restricted only to Cranes now?”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “ I meant that I did not see you come in.” She stated. “I have been in here an hour or so just to work out my legs a little more and I never heard a door open or anything.”

“Well that’s because I just go t here and I came in through the back Mrs. Crane.” Sam said stressing her name some.

Ivy frowned some. “And what is that about?” She asked pretending to not be bothered.

“Well that is your name right?” Sam asked. “I mean you are playing wife to Julian again.”

Ivy narrowed her eyes some. “And what’s that supposed to mean?” She asked.

“You know exactly what it means!” Sam snapped. “I saw you and Julian kissing earlier today at the mansion. I came by to talk to you about some thing, but I saw you were other wise occupied.”

“And why does that bother you?” Ivy snapped some. “As I recall you have made it very clear that you love Grace and have no feelings for me, and you have kissed Grace numerous amount of times in front of me.”

Sam nodded his head some. “Well what I do with MY wife is my business.” He stated.

“And what I do with MY husband in mine!” Ivy shot back angrily. She shook her head in disgust. “You know what I just realized I’d rather take my chance in the storm than be here with you!” She said turning on her heel.

Sam quickly grabbed her arm. “Now wait a minute Ivy.” He stated. “Now make since, your a woman who is just barely getting out of a wheel chair who you not be driving and you want to go in a storm and take your risk on wet and slippery roads. That’s crazy!”

“Well according to you I have done a lot of crazy things, so don’t look so shocked!” Ivy stated bitterly yanking free of him.
 

Before she could make it to the door Sam grabbed her arm again. “Ivy this is nuts!” He stated. “Now I am not going to let you go out there!”

“Let me go!” Ivy commanded. “I mean it!”

“No!” Sam yelled back in an authorize voice. “Look you can be mad at me al you want but I am not going to allow you to risk your life like this!”

“What I do with my life is none of your business now let me....”

Sam quickly grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer to him. “May be this will shut you up.” And he then pressed her harder against him and brought his lips to hers in a tantalizing and hungry passionate kiss.