The Best Laid Plans - Chapter 30

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Justus is in his car, on his way to his destination, and he is recalling the discussion with Edward.

" Edward, I got your phone call. I am here, bright and early, as you requested. A strange thing happened. As I was on my way, out the door, Faith called. She said that you wanted to see her. That you offered to send the ELQ Jet for her."

" And she turned me down."

" She told me that also. Why? Why, Edward, would you need Faith here? "

" Because, what I have to say, affects the both of you. Profoundly."

" Well, I told Faith that I would listen to what you had to say, and inform her on our discussion."

" Good. I have the ELQ Jet ready for you whenever you want to go see her."

" It's THAT serious?"

" Yes."

" Well, then, I'm all ears."

" Good. Justus, you know the history between Mary Mae and myself."

" That I do."

" And you believe. Even Mary Mae believed, that once I agreed to her demands that she raise Bradley in her world, that that was the end for me. That I washed my hands of the situation."

" And you did."

" No. I didn't. I never did. I never forgot that Bradley was my son. I never forgot that he was my firstborn that I had to deny. I never forgot anything about Bradley. I couldn't. He was of me. He was my flesh and blood. How could you think that I could ever forget him?"

" Edward...."

" No. When I got the letter from Mary Mae about Bradley's birth, I wrestled with what I could do for him. I felt that contact with Mary Mae was out of the question, because of the danger, emotionally, to everyone involved. So, I decided, that if I could not be there for my son, in reality, that the least I could do would be to provide for him financially. So, I did."

" I don't understand."

" From practically the moment that Bradley was born, I have been investing in a blind trust that I set up for Bradley and his legitimate heirs. Which would be you and Faith. It is an irrevocable trust: whatever is placed into it, cannot be removed by me or anyone else. I , and another investment banker friend of mine, Leland Westfield.."

" Leland Westfield? The Golden Boy of Dallas?"

" One in the same. He's run it for me. As a private favor between us. The original terms of the trust were to be that it would continue, until my death, or, if I decided, after Bradley were 50, to reveal it, I could. Well, Bradley is dead, I am not getting any younger, and this last heart attack, awakened some things for me. It is time that I gave it to you NOW, while I was alive. And while I could explain things to you. I have never been ashamed that Bradley was my son. Not for any reason, Justus. And I'm not ashamed that you and Faith are my grandchildren. I am pleased at the lives that you have made for yourselves, even though, I had nothing to do with it. It is the irrationality of blood ties. And of pride. So, early this morning, the final papers were messengered over to me. I have released the trust, in equal parts, to you and Faith. All that's needed are your signatures, and it will be settled."

"  I see."

Edward hands the papers over to Justus. He looks them over, and signs where he is supposed to.

" I am assuming that this other copy is where you need Faith's signature."

" Exactly. I thought, when you went to visit your sister, that you could get her to sign the papers, and all would be settled."

" Edward, neither Faith, nor myself, ever thought that you owed us anything."

" It wasn't up to you to think I owed you. It was up to me to know that I owed you. You are the children of my eldest child. Of course, I am as responsible for you, as I am for any of my other grandchildren. They all have trust funds, why shouldn't you?"

" I just don't want you thinking that , well, that was all you're good for."

(laughing) " Justus. I know that. Because I know you. I would like to get to know your sister, but she seems to want nothing to do with me. But, I still hold out hope on that front. You haven't even asked how much it is."

" I thought you would tell me."

" Well, the contents of the trust are in the folder."

Justus opens the folder. And inside were pages upon pages of investments. Stocks, bonds, moneymarket accounts. Companies. Both domestic and foreign. Minority interests in all sorts of businesses. He could not believe it. His mouth got even wider in disbelief at the extensiveness of the portfolio. When Edward said that he had Leland Westfield manage the portfolio, he expected something nice, but nothing like this. Asides from Warren Buffet, there hadn't been a better stock picker in this century than Westfield. Justus knew that he had stopped taking clients in  1970. He didn't need any more. Justus sat back, actually he staggered into the chair.

" Justus. Do you need something to drink?"

" No. I will be fine. The bottom line, the total down here. That's divided between Faith and myself, correct?"

" Correct."

" ALL of it?"

" All of it. Of course, we've done some magnificent tax accounting on the trust, so you will have to pay minimally to the government, so after taxes, it will still be around 80 85% of what you see there. Leland and I made sure of that."

" I see.......Well, Edward, I must go."

" No, Justus. That's not all."

" There's MORE?"

" Yes. You are my grandson. And House Counsel. It is more than time that you be given the same privileges as my other grandsons. So, here you go."

Justus looks at the papers that Edward has just handed him. It is 2% of ELQ stock. In his name. And with that stock...

" A Seat on the ELQ Board."

" That's right. Your own stock and a seat on the Board."

" Am I supposed to split this with Faith also?"

" No. If and when your sister decides that she would like to be a part of this family before my demise, then one day, possibly, she'll get her own stock. That, is for you only."

" Edward..."

" Don't say anything, Justus. I suppose you have to think about what just happened here."

" What DID just happen here, Edward?"

" Well, in the matter of minutes, my boy, you became one of the richest, most powerful young men in America. That's what happened. I think I'll go check on Lila."

Edward leaves Justus there. And Justus leaves soon after.

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Ned is in his office when he gets a knock on the door. The door opens and...

" Alexis?"

" Yep. It's me. Are you up for company and a snack?"

" Only if that company is the snack."

" Well, maybe it's dessert. But, we'll see if you're full after you eat."

Alexis comes in with a huge picnic basket.

" You made this?"

" Don't be silly. Why else would we have Mrs. Lansbury?"

" Why indeed?"

" So. Are you hungry, Mr. Ashton?"

" Starved, Ms. Davis."

Alexis goes over to the door. And locks it. She then takes off her coat and jacket, and shoes. Ned is placing the considerable spread out on the table, in front of the couch. He has his jacket, tie and shoes off too. He has poured Alexis a glass of champagne. And the spread. Assorted cheeses and fruits and pastries, along with a great pasta dish.

" So, Ms. Davis. Champagne?"

" Always."

They eat their pasta.  Alexis is sitting on the couch and Ned very slyly moves his body into prone position so that it just happens that his head is in Alexis' lap. He is holding a plate of fruit on his chest.

" What is this? Ancient Rome? or Egypt. You're the Pharaoh and expect me to feed you?"

" Does everything between us, my Empress, have to be a battle? I would feed you. But, I doubt you could handle that sense of loss of control."

" Very funny. But, your dimples, are cute, so, I'll feed you. And in between bites, you'll tell me something wonderful about me."

" Hey, I want to actually eat some of this fruit."

" Watch it, Ashton."

" Can't you take a joke?"

" Maybe. Let's start."

Alexis gives him a grape.

" Your eyes."

" What about them."

" They can express so much. Or so little, depending upon your mood. You wanna know when I think their at their sexiest?"

" No. When?"

" When I gleam just a hint of vulnerability."

" So. You do want a weepy woman."

" Not at all. On other women, vulnerability looks weepy. On you, it's sexy as hell. Go figure."

Alexis feeds him a strawberry.

" I love your neck."

" My neck?"

" Yes. I've had all sorts of fantasies as to what I could do to it if ever given the opportunity."

Ned flashes the entire dimples. And Alexis blushes.

" Boy, you're batting a thousand."

Alexis gives him a piece of watermelon.

" Oops. A little juice has gotten on your chin. Let me help you with that."

Alexis leans down and kisses Ned where the juice was. He repositions himself quickly to where his lips meet hers. They kiss passionately. Ned gets up and moves himself to where he has Alexis in his arms. They are in the middle of a serious makeout session when....

" Mr. Ashton?"

" Moira. What is it?"

" It's Mrs. Ashton, sir. She says it's about Brooke Lynn."

" Ok." Ned goes to the phone. " Lois?....Uh-huh. Uh-huh. I see. Well, I'll be there, as soon as possible." Ned hangs up the telephone.

" Is there something wrong with your daughter?"

" Lois was calling me from the hospital. It seems they want to remove her tonsils."

" But, she's only a baby."

" I know. But, Lois says that they've tried everything else. And that they found out the hard way that she's allergic to penicillin. And that three doctors have said this was best."

" When are they operating?"

" As soon as I get there."

" Well, I guess you have to go then."

" I'm sorry."

" Don't ever apologize for wanting to be with your child. Ever."

" I will continue this." Ned kisses Alexis and leaves. After a few minutes, Alexis walks over to Ned's chair and sits in it and faces the window.

" He was right. Wyndemere does look small from here."