Chapter Five
 
 

Fox Crane had never been one to walk away when an opportunity stood right in front of him, and he wasn’t going to start now. Kay Bennett stood in front of him, and he could tell she was very upset.
 

“Theresa’s in the house.” She repeated bluntly.
 

“Yes, I heard you the first time.” Fox smirked. “It’s a beautiful night isn’t it?” He questioned looking up at the night sky.
 

“Do you use that line on all the girls?” Kay questioned rolling her eyes. “Do you really think I don’t know all about you Nicholas Crane? We do share a brother after all.”
 

“So you’ve heard one side of the story. If Ethan has told you anything about me, I’m going to assume none of it was good.”
 

“And he’s a scholar too.” Kay shot at Fox before she could stop herself. She knew she was taking her pain out on him, but right now she just didn't care.
 

“I’m smarter than Ethan will ever be.” Fox answered back quickly. “You’re having a bad night, perhaps I should just go inside.”
 

Kay’s face soften and she dropped her head, “Fox wait.” She sighed. “I’m sorry, I’m just in a mood tonight.” She shrugged. “I’m really not always this, well.”
 

“Rude?” He answered for her with a smirk.
 

“I was going to say sarcastic but yeah.” She nodded forcing a smile.
 

“Theresa told me you just had a child, I’m sure you are very tired. I’ll forget about the bad mood if you agree to let me buy you dinner sometime.” Fox smiled.
 

Kay’s eyes glanced up at Fox’s and she chuckled. “Are you asking me out?”
 

“That’s what it sounded like.” Fox laughed. “So what do you say?”
 

“I say you don’t even know me.”
 

Fox nodded his head, “And how else would I get to know you? Look I see a pretty woman in front of me and I want to get to know her better.”
 

Kay looked back at the house and thought about the kiss she had just shared with Miguel. It had been intense, and for the first time it had been real. Shutting her eyes for a moment, a image of her cousin, pale, alone and scared came into her mind as she gasped. Opening her eyes quickly she looked over at Fox. She wouldn’t hurt Charity again. She would not be the cause of any more pain to the cousin that just wanted to be loved. “Dinner sounds nice.” She answered almost regretting the words as they slipped from her lips.
 

“Your saying yes?” Fox asked confused. “No fight, or anything? Wow.”
 

“Don’t let it go to your head.” Kay joked. “You know if your going to see Theresa you might want to get in there. She’s been looking for Ethan all night, last I saw of her she was starting to get frantic.”
 

Fox let out a groan, “Ethan is going to be the death of her.” He grumbled.
 

“Hey Kay, are you ok?” A voice spoke as the back door slammed shut.
 

Kay and Fox both looked up to see Miguel standing staring at them.
 

“I’ll be going now.” Fox spoke, “I’ll get your number from Theresa.”
 

Miguel stared at Fox as he walked into the house, and then his eyes fell back on Kay. “Why is Crane getting your phone number?”
 

“Because he asked me out.” Kay answered back lowering her head. “And I don’t want to hear about it Miguel.” She warned.
 

“Kay!”
 

“Miguel, I told you, not a word.” Her blue eyes were filled with tears as she looked back up at him. He was standing in front of her, his own eyes showing confusion. “Charity loves you Miguel, and you love her. Whatever that kiss was, it didn’t mean anything. We are friends, and parents and that’s it. In a few weeks you’re going to marry Charity and that will be that.”
 

“Kay, that kiss wasn’t just some empty kiss.” Miguel whispered.
 

Kay shook her head, “Miguel, we are going to forget about that kiss. I’m going to tell you what you used to tell me, Charity deserves better. You have been head over heels for her for years and I don’t think one stupid kiss should change that.”
 

Miguel kicked the ground as he saw Kay’s stubborn face. “Do you think going out with Fox Crane is going to make things better Kay? He’s a user, you have to see that.” Shaking his head he frowned, “I know you know that, because you’re smart. You know that Fox Crane can’t be trusted, but you don’t care do you? You’re going to go out with him to protect Charity aren’t you?”
 

“I can date whoever I want.” Kay shrugged. “Fox Crane asked me out and I said yes. I can handle myself with him stop worrying.”
 

“He’ll hurt you.” Miguel whispered.
 

Kay shook her head, crossing her arms against her chest she frowned, “He can’t hurt me Miguel. I promised myself a while ago I’d never let another man hurt me.”
 

“Like I hurt you, you mean?” Miguel asked.
 

Kay ignored Miguel’s questioned as she walked past him, “I’m going to check on Jamie, and then I’m going home. Are you sure you want him to stay again tonight?”
 

“He’s my son Kay, of course I’m sure.”
 

“You’re a good dad Miguel.” Kay smiled, “Jamie is lucky to have you.”
 

Miguel watched as Kay walked away. Part of him wanted to run after him, but the other part wanted to kick himself for even thinking about running after her. “Fine mess you’ve created.” He muttered as he slowly entered the house his head filled with more emotions that he knew he had.
 

__________________________________________
 

Sheridan Crane stood in her brother’s study pacing. She wasn’t sure if she should be crying or laughing. She had made plans to tell Antonio the truth, and yet once again that wouldn’t be happening. As the study door opened she saw Julian stroll in and she frowned.
 

“Have you heard?” She questioned her blue eyes staring over at him.
 

“Heard? Heard what Sheridan?” Julian asked shocked to see his sister standing in his home.
 

“Father was rushed to the hospital tonight, he had a heart attack Julian.” Sheridan frowned.
 

“He what?” Julian asked his mouth falling open slightly.
 

“He had a heart attack, I suppose we should go to the hospital now.” Sheridan sighed.
 

“Father is in the hospital? How bad is it?” Julian asked as he poured himself a drink.
 

“I don’t know, I didn’t ask. I was shocked.”
 

“The great one has fallen.” Julian spoke as he turned to stare out his window. “Will he live?”
 

“Julian I didn’t ask!” Sheridan huffed. “I told you, the hospital called me and I just took the little bit of information they gave me and came right over here. I thought you would have been called first.”
 

“Yes, well I had my phone off.” Julian shrugged.
 

“You’re up to something Julian, I don’t know what but you are up to something.”
 

Julian closed his eyes and thought of the beautiful woman he had just been to see. Her chocolate eyes still appeared to him in his thoughts as he smiled. “This is our chance Sheridan.” He suddenly announced turning to look at his sister. “We both can have everything we want if we act fast.”
 

“Julian are you drunk? I just told you that our father might be near death.” Sheridan frowned.
 

“Which means sister dear, he isn’t I his comfy chair manning his hidden cameras. As long as he is unconscious he has no idea what we are doing.”
 

Sheridan stared at her brother completely lost. She had no idea what he was talking about. He was rambling on with a huge smirk on his face, it was almost scary. “Julian what on earth are you talking about?”
 

“You know I’m not fond of either of your Lopez-Fitzgerald men, but I do know what its like to be in love and have our father tell you what to do. Sheridan if you want to be free of him, right now is your chance.”
 

“I’m listening.” Sheridan sighed. “Go on.”
 

“Father has a safe in his house Sheridan, that will open many doors for both of us. It has the answers to my past, and I’m sure it has things that you could hold against him as well. If you agree to help me, we’ll get in that safe tonight, but you have to make me a promise.”
 

Sheridan rolled her eyes, “I knew it! I knew it was too good to be true. What is it Julian?”
 

“There are things in that safe that make me look bad as well Sheridan. You have to promise me that you’ll keep quiet about my shady doings if I help you with this.”
 

“You say this will help me force our father to leave me and Luis alone for good?”
 

“Oh I can guarantee that.” Julian smiled.
 

“Count me in.” Sheridan sighed. “I’ll do anything to stop father from running my life Julian. I’ll even ignore all your wrong doings.”
 

Julian smiled; soon he would find out the truth about the son he and Eve lost so many years ago. He would finally know if that child was dead or alive, and if he was alive, he would finally be able to find him.
 

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Chad Harris watched as Whitney flipped through the book she was reading. She seemed distant, almost unaware of him even being in the room. He knew it was his own fault, after all he did spend more time at work than with her. He wanted to give her a good life, but that required work.
 

“Did I tell you I may sign that girl that was at the studio a few days ago?” He spoke watching as she glanced up for a moment.
 

“Oh?” She questioned her eyes falling back to the book.
 

“Yeah, she’s young but she has lungs. You should hear that child sing Whit, she’s going places.”
 

“That’s great Chad.” Whitney spoke smiling as she flipped the page.
 

“Yeah, oh I saw Gwen today.”
 

Whitney’s eyes left the book and finally fixed themselves on Chad, “Gwen?” She questioned. “Where did you see Gwen?”
 

“I saw her when I was getting that perfume for you.” He smiled. “She had Hanna with her. She’s a cute kid, looks just like her mom.”
 

“Did you and Gwen talk?” Whitney asked sitting up.
 

“She asked about Ethan. I told her he hasn’t been around much lately. She was actually acting kind of funny, but I guess that’s to be expected. I mean I am one of Ethan’s closest friends and she is his ex.”
 

Whitney nodded nervously, “Yeah, yeah I guess so.”
 

“Anyway it was nice to see that she’s still friendly and all. She’s not a bad person, I kind of feel bad for her.”
 

Whitney gave him a strange luck, “Why would you feel sorry for Gwen Hotchkiss?”
 

“I don’t know.” Chad shrugged, “The divorce papers had barely been sighed before Ethan was back seeing Theresa. I mean I love Theresa and all, but Gwen went through a lot ya know? I can’t imagine being cheated on like she was. To think that the person your with would never hurt you, and then find out they’ve been seeing someone you’ve come to consider a friend? Had to sting.”
 

Whitney dropped her head as Chad’s words stung her deep. Collecting herself she looked at Chad and saw him staring back at her, a smile on his face. The gulit she felt was worse than ever before. She had to fight not to cry, fight to sit staring at Chad knowing she had betrayed him and her best friend.
 

“Ethan and Theresa weren’t the only two people to blame there. You know Gwen played her part too Chad.” Whitney spoke her voice shaky.
 

“Yeah of course she did.” Chad nodded. “I’m just saying, must have been tough for her. I really felt sorry for her and Theresa. I may be Ethan’s best friend, but lets face it, he did both those women wrong for way too long.”
 

“Ethan had two women chasing after him, he was in a very bad situation.” Whitney frowned.
 

Chad shook his head, “Ethan had it bad for both of those women Whit. Not like it matters now, he’s going to be with Theresa, guess she was right huh? Fate was on her side.” He chuckled.
 

“Yeah fate.” Whitney nodded. “Chad, I think I’m going to bed. You can come when you’re ready.”
 

“Is everything ok Whit?” Chad asked watching as she rose to her feet.
 

She didn’t look him in the eyes, instead she simply nodded and walked out of the room.
 

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Pilar watched as her son stood staring down at his little boy. In the other room her daughter was laughing at something Fox Crane had said. It had been a long tiring day for her. She could tell Miguel was troubled, just as Theresa was. She had prayed from the moment they were born that they would have good lives. She didn’t want either of them to mirror mistakes she had made in her own life. She knew she had been hard on Theresa, but she just wanted her daughter to have a future. She would never tell her children about her own mistakes, nor would she admit to her daughter that at times she was a mirror image of the girl she had once been. No, she would simply pray that all her children overcame, just as she had.