Katherine Crane Bennett. She thought. Katherine Bennett Crane? Katherine C. Bennett. Katherine B. Crane. “Ugh,” Katherine made a noise out loud as she folded her arms across her chest sitting at her desk in her bedroom. “This sucks. Now I think I know what Edumb felt like.”

Her eyes fell on a picture of her and her parents...of Julian and Ivy. She was sitting in a chair, and her parents stood above her. For years she had thought about how much she felt more like her father than her mother, now when she really looked at it, she did really see the resemblance so much.

With a heavy sigh she pushed away from her desk and stood. Pacing the room she thought. Thought about what her life now meant. She looked around the walls of her bedroom in the mansion. She didn’t even belong here. No matter what any one said. Julian or Ivy....mother of father. Kay was a Crane. She had to be from what she had heard about her. She didn’t have any thing against her but....well, this was not even about Kay. It was about her.

Stopping her pacing she rolled her eyes as they fell on her car keys. Walking over to her vanity she grabbed them and made her way out of her bedroom.

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

Nicholas raised an eye brow at his sister as she lay on his bed without movement. “Do you think maybe we killed her?” He asked looking towards Miguel.

Miguel rolled his eyes. “Please,” He stated. “Kay’s always been a drama queen......she faints for the craziest things.” He smiled. “One time, in Biology we were dissecting a frog, and as a joke Reese, Simone and I gave her a live one, and right when she was going to cut then thing jumped right on her arm.” Nicholas chuckled some. “After she screamed for half the hour, she spent the other half passed out on the floor. Then she would not talk to us for like a week.”

Nicholas smiled. “Well I’ll give her one thing, she is most certainly Ivy Crane’s daughter.” He stated. “Mother fainted one time when she saw me putting a log in the fire place. The big deal was because I was five. The second she saw me light the match, she was gone.”

“Well, a five year old lighting a match...it is some what scary.” Miguel stated.

Nicholas shook his head. “Father and Pilar were standing right next to me.” He stated.

Miguel smirked. “Well may be that is just a little over reactive.” He stated.

“No it’s not.” Kay’s voice fell on their ears from the bed as her eyes began to flutter open.

Miguel smirked. “Well it’s about time Bennett.” He stated reaching his hand out and helping Kay sit up.

Kay only rolled her eyes. “How long was I out?” She asked.

Nicholas looked down at his watch. “Around half an hour.” He stated. “God I hope nothing serious happens, if you can’t handle learning a little thing like I’m gay, God knows what you most likely will want to die after labor.”

Kay rolled her eyes. “Well this isn't small news.” She stated. “My brother and my best friend are gay, but not only that but they are lovers? Miguel do you know what your family is gonna say?” She asked. “And Nicholas ....for the love of God you are a Crane....your parents and Alistair....Oh My God they will go crazy.”

“Which is why no one knows.” Nicholas stated. “And no one will because you will not say anything.”

Kay sighed heavily and shook her head. “This is just too much for my big mouth.” She stated. “First Elizabeth, Luis and Sheridan and now you two.”

Miguel looked at her curiously. “What do you mean Luis Elizabeth and Sheridan?” He asked.

Kay quickly tensed as she stood. “Nothing, never mind.” She said nervously.

Miguel grabbed her arm. “No way Kay Bennett...I mean....Crane.” She smiled some. “You are my best friend now tell me what you know.”

Kay rolled her eyes. “I can’t.” She stated.

“Why not?” Nicholas asked his own suspicion rising.

Kay once again rolled her eyes. “Because I just can’t.” She stated. “I am sworn to stay quiet.”
 

Miguel sighed. “Please.” He stated. “Like you can keep a secret.”

Nicholas smiled some. “Relax Miguel.” He stated. “Trust me when you have been a Crane as long as I have you learn, every thing in this house comes out eventually.”

Kay nodded her head. “That’s right.” She paused. “Wait, come again.”

Nicholas smirked evilly. “Trust me just keep no secrets.” He stated.

Kay narrowed her eyes. “Is that a threat?” She asked.

Nicholas pretended to look hurt. “My darling Kay,” He stated. “We're family now.” He stated smiling.

“Exactly.” Kay stated, her eyes then flickered up mischievously. “But just remember, you are only suspecting I have a secret. I know yours.” She then stood. “Good day dear brother, Miguel.” And then she exited the room.

Nicholas grinned. “I like her.” He stated. “She has almost as much nerve as me.”

Miguel smiled. “Believe me you have no idea.” He stated thinking of all the things Kay had done since they were children to now. “But that’s Kay, you learn to deal.”

Nicholas smiled. “I think I will.” He stated. His eyes then lit up. “So you know before Kay came in we were doing some thing.”

Miguel looked to him and his own face lit up. “Is that all you think about?” He asked scotting closer.

Nicholas quickly covered Miguel’s lips in a sinful kiss, then parted form him. “Is that a problem?” He asked.

Miguel shook his head. “No complaining here.” He stated as Nicholas laid him back and began to cover him with more sweet tender kisses.

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

Katherine made her way to the front door and tensed some as she knocked. She felt a million things in her stomach as she looked around the nice comfy middle class house. She frowned some. “I never thought of myself as a snob until now.” She stated not being able to hold her frown as she looked at the house.

A few seconds later after knocking it opened revealing Grace Bennett. Grace gasped some when she saw who was on the other side. “Katherine,” She said in a surprised breath.

Katherine smiled some. “Hi.” She stated. “I....I thought....well.....” She sighed some. “God I feel like such a fool. I had it all planned out in the car and now.....”

Grace smiled some at her long lost daughter. “Believe me,” She said on the verge of tears. “You just being here, says every thing I nodded to hear, especially right now.”

Katherine smiled some as she got a good feeling. A feeling that old her one way or the other, she was going to survive this, and survive it with a smile.

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

Julian managed to catch up with Eve as she got to the gate of the mansion. “Eve....Eve slow down.... I am not that young anymore.” He stated.

Eve sighed and turned back to Julian. “I’m sorry Julian but I just can’t.” She stated. “It...it’s all just too much.”

Julian shook his head still catching his breath. “Eve I promise you,” He stated. “No one will speak ill of you if you live in the mansion.”

Eve looked at Julian in shock. “Julian, your son just called me your mistress.” She stated. “After every thing that’s happen that is really not the reputation I am looking to build.” She stated.

Julian shook his head. “Alright then I will speak to all of my children.” He stated. “And Ivy as well.”

Eve rolled her eyes. “Oh don’t bother.” She stated. “Ivy’s constant bitchyness is just part of her no matter who talks to her.”

Julian nodded his head. “Yes...that’s true.” He stated. “But she’ll only be around a few more hours.”

Eve looked at him curiously. “What do you mean?” She asked.

“Well Ivy and I have....we have decided to go our separate ways.” Julian informed. “We have come to a settlement and things between us are good now, well at least as good as good can be.”

Eve smiled some. “So she willingly decided not to be your wife.” He stated. “Maybe there is a decent human being in her after all.”

“You may not feel that way when you talk to Grace.” Julian stated. “I am sure by now that the honorable Chief of Police has told his wife that he and Ivy have made love and are back together.”

Eve’s mouth completely feel. “Oh My God.” She stated. :”Julian are you sure?” She asked.

Julian nodded his head. “Ivy came in this morning floating on air to deliver the news.” He stated. “She and Sam are back together.”

“Oh poor Grace,” Eve stated. “I have to see her.”

She turned to leave but Julian softly caught her arm making her turn back around. “Will you come back?” He asked.

Eve sighed some. “I...I’ll think about it.” He stated. “I promise.”

Julian nodded his head. “While your at it, think about this.” He said and he brought his lips to hers in a soft but body quivering kiss.

Eve thought about pulling away, but after responding to the kiss, her thoughts faded and she pressed herself against Julian and enjoyed the feeling of being close to him again, all she could do was pray that this time it did not manage to fall apart.

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

Elizabeth smiled as she handed the invitations to Pilar. “Now Pilar make sure that every one in town gets one.” She stated. “I want this to be a gala event.”

Pilar nodded her head. “Yes Ms. Crane.” She stated.

“Oh and Pilar also take the night off.” She stated. “Since your children will be here with your friends I think it only far that you enjoy yourself too.”

“I would love too,” Pilar stated. “But I promised your mother I’d help her pack?”

Elizabeth looked at her confused. “Pack?” She questioned. “Pack why?”

“You don’t know?” Pilar asked.

“Know what?” Elizabeth asked.

“Well your mother and father finally plan to finalize the divorce.” Pilar informed. “They settled on some thing this morning, and in the mean time your mother will be staying at the Plaza until she finds a place.”

Elizabeth frowned some what sadly. “I see.” She stated.

Pilar looked at her sadly. “You were hoping they would work things out weren’t you?” She asked.

Elizabeth shrugged. “I suppose.” She stated. “I mean, Christmas is this week, I was hoping for sort of a miracle.” She stated.

Pilar touched her arm sadly. “I am sorry Ms. Crane.” She stated. “But not all marriages work out, and some times it’s best for every one when people can part their separate ways peacefully.”

Elizabeth nodded her head. “I suppose.” She stated. She then smiled. “But I know when I get my love, I am never letting him go.”

Pilar smiled some. “Good for you.” She stated. “And who knows this party may be your lucky night.” She stated. “Now if you’ll excuse me. I have some errands that I need to attend to.” She said exiting Elizabeth’s room.

Elizabeth waited a second to make sure that Pilar was gone, and then, when she was positive, she went to her desk drawer and pulled out a picture. It was of her and Luis in Spain, she smiled. “Believe me Pilar,” She stated. “This will be my lucky night....the night Luis and I make love and reunite. I swear it.”

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

Kay was so into enjoying the fresh air of the Harmony Park, she was completely taken of guard when a hand fell on her shoulder. “Hey stranger.”

Kay gasped and looked up, then let out a relieved, and some what irritated sigh. “You.” She stated rolling her eyes as he sat besides her. “What in God’s name could you possibly want John?” She asked. “Shouldn’t you be packing or some thing.”

“Packing?” John Hastings questioned. “And why is that.”

Kay smiled. “Oh, has no one spelt it out for you yet?” She asked. “Your father was not my ex mothers husband, erego you are not her son.”

John shrugged. “So?” He asked. “I mean, she isn’t your mom and your sticking around.”

“But I have family in Harmony.” Kay smiled proudly. “The richest family in the world mind you.” She stated.

John shrugged once more. “Well I may not come form the richest family but my dad still lives in Harmony and that means I have as much right to be here as you.”

Kay frowned at not having the upper hand. “Is there some thing that you wanted?” She asked.

“What, is the park only open to Cranes today?” John asked.

Kay pursed her lips some. “Well I have the power to make it so, I may just do it.” She stated.

John shook his head. “I don’t know how any one confused you with being a Bennett.” He stated. “That constant bitchiness is most certainly a quality of Ivy Crane.”

Kay mocked shock. “Doth mine ears deceive me?” She asked. “Did good little Johnny boy actually say a word that began with....bitch?”

John smirked. “Ha, ha.” He stated. “To be very honest I was never as good as I seemed, I was just trying to show off in front of mo......Grace.” He corrected himself.

Kay smiled sadly, for the first time realizing that he was actually hurting some. “Old habits die hard huh?” She asked.

John nodded his head. “I just.....I can’t believe that my own father would do that to me.” He stated. “He always said he loved me so much.”

“Well, maybe he did.” Kay stated.

John made a look of disgust. “How?” He asked.

Kay smiled. “Trust me people will do any thing to either get the one they love, and keep the one they love protected. Maybe he thought he was protecting you.” She stated.

“But from what?” John asked. “I mean, I still don’t know what Ivy Crane had on him that made him do this.”

Kay thought for a moment, then looked to him. “Would you like to know?” She asked. “I mean, Ivy and I are kind of close, and I am sure if I asked that....well I am sure she would confide in me.”

John shook his head. “It won’t make a difference any way.” He stated. “No matter what it was it can’t erase what has been done.”

‘Well Johnny boy you may not want to know, but I most certainly do.’ Kay thought to herself. Suddenly, Pilar passed by them. “Oh, Pilar.” Kay called out loud causing her to turn around.

“Oh, Ms. Crane.” Pilar stated. “I didn’t see you.”

Kay rolled her eyes. “Pilar please, Ms. Crane.” She stated. “Kay, will be just fine it has been for the past 19 years.” She stated.

Pilar smiled and then a thought dawned on her. “Oh I am glad I ran into you though,” She stated. “I am on my way to deliver invitations for tonight's party.”

“Party?” Kay questioned.

Pilar nodded her head. “Yes Elizabeth is throwing it.” She stated. “A some what Holiday season party I suppose. I just thought you should know as much ahead a time so you can pick out a dress. It is your first party as a Crane.”

Kay smiled. “Oh this will be so cool.” She stated. “Thanks Pilar.”

Pilar nodded her head. “Well I must be going.” She stated. “Good day to both of you.” She said continuing on her way.

Kay smiled and looked down at John. “Come on.” She said pulling his arm.

John frowned. “Where?” He asked.

“Shopping.” Kay stated. “I am going to turn your frown upside down in a matter of hours.”

John shook his head. “No thanks Kay.” He stated. “I am just gong to go on home and.....”

“What’s my last name?” Kay asked smiling.

“Crane.” John answered. “But.....”

“Okay then lets go.” Kay said pulling him along.

John could not help but smile at her enthusiasm as she dragged him alone, and some how he felt, that things between them would be a hell of a lot better if they were not siblings.

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

Ivy smiled some as she hung up he phone in the hotel room. She had managed to take al of the important things with her from the mansion. A few suits and other clothes, important heir looms, and jewelry. Since Elizabeth was planning this party she decided to take every thing else from the mansion tomorrow.

Although she was feeling rather happy at the moment. She had just got off the phone with her attorney who recently informed her that not only was she going to be given Julian’s money, but her mother left her a rather large trust fund almost as close to the amount that she was getting from Julian. It was only to be given to her if for some reason she and Julian’s marriage came to an end, and well it was.

Walking over to the refrigerator in the hotel room, Ivy opened it, and took out the ice that she had some champagne sitting in. She had already spoken to Sam and told her where she was, and he had called a few moments earlier and told her that he was coming over.

Ivy smiled as she poured herself a glass of champagne. “God, things are working out perfectly.” She stated. “Sam and I are back together. I am filthy rich, and I am not a Crane, and Julian and I have managed to part on good terms.” She drank from her glass. “Now, if I can only get Nicholas to see that I do truly care for him.” She said out loud. “I haven’t been that bad a mother, every thing I did was to protect them, all of them. From some thing they can never know.”

A knock sounded at the door. Ivy quickly smiled. “Oh, that must be Sam.” She said placing her glass down. She quickly ran to the mirror and looked herself over. After toying with her hair for a second, she went to the door.

“Well I knew you said you were on your way but.....” Ivy’s entire body froze in fear when she opened the door and saw who stood on the other side. “Oh dear God.” She said in a fearful breath.

The person on the other side of the door smiled evilly at Ivy. “What’s the matter mother?” He asked in a low fear gripping tone as he stepped into the hotel suit and closed the door behind him. “You look like you’ve see a ghost.”

Ivy looked back at him. His eyes were a dark, dark evil color. Blacker than any night she had ever seen. His face was contorted in a sinister grin as he looked at her. His body, though muscular, it itself gave off a vibe of..........of pure evil.

“You........you,” Ivy could not manage to find the words. “How can you be here.”
 

He smirked. “Just as I suspected.” He stated. “The perfect home coming. The look on your face is pure horror. It’s wonderful.” His eyes then lit up even more evilly. “And guess what mommy dearest. I have a score to settle with you.”

Without thinking, in a quick instant Ivy tried to dash to the adjoining door to the suit next to her, but the predator was as quick as any thing she had ever seen and swiftly grabbed Ivy by the neck and sent her tumbling back into a glass table.

Ivy cried out in pain as she rolled over onto her stomach and tried to rise, but the intruder was already there, and with a swift move he snatched a piece of broken glass and lifted her stitched wrist. “I wonder if the second time is a charm?” He asked evilly.

Ivy shook her head as tears poured from her eyes onto her frightened face. “No, please .......don’t!” But her pleas was short lived as the attacker dug the weapon as deep into Ivy’s skin as he felt needed and the slit.

Ivy screamed in unbearable pain as he released her arm and shoved her back to the floor. He stood with an evil grin. “Don’t worry, I’ll give my regards to daddy and the rest of the family. I swear it.” And then, he shot out through the door, leaving Ivy there.

Gasping in pain, Ivy pulled herself up from the ground and yanked the shard of glass out of her arm. “Oh dear God,” She said in a fearful breath as she managed to get to her legs. “God help me.” She said rushing to the phone. Just as she was about to pick i up, the front door opened.

“Surprise my......” The roses that were held in a beautiful glass vase went crashing to the floor as Sam’s eyes fell on Ivy. “Ivy what the hell!” He asked running to her.

“Oh God Sam please help me!” Ivy begged clutching the glass in her other hand causing more blood to fall from it. “I don’t know what I’m doing.” She stated hysterical.

“What the hell are you doing to yourself”! Sam demanded carefully snatching the glass from her hand.

Ivy looked up at him, and for the first time realized what Sam was thinking. “No...no Sam this wasn’t me I didn’t do this.”

“God Ivy what is wrong with you!” Sam asked as he tore his shirt and began trying to wrap it around her shaking wrist.

Ivy shook her head. “Sam I swear this wasn’t me I didn’t do it!” She stated.

“Damn it!” Sam cursed. “I need to get you to the hospital this isn’t working!”

Ivy shook her head. “No we have to call the mansion!” Ivy said suddenly.

Sam looked at her as if she had lost her mind. “Ivy are you crazy!?” He asked. “You cut yourself really bad and we...”

Ivy yanked away from Sam. “Damn it Sam didn’t you hear me I did not do this I was just attacked!” She screamed.

“Ivy stop it!” Sam yelled at her. “That’s what you said the last time you tried to do this!”

“Sam I never tired to kill myself!” Ivy said desperately trying to make him listen. “I was attacked then. I was just attaced now!”

“Fine!” Sam yelled. “By who?!” He asked.

“By my son!” Ivy screamed, and suddenly, as the words escaped her mouth, every thing went dark.