New Beginnings, Chapter 53
by SIPort

There were only a few people left at Chad’s house. Theresa looked over and saw Julian approaching. She kissed Chad and told him, “ I’m going to walk Mama to her car.”

Theresa caught up with Pilar and Miguel.

” Theresa, is something wrong?”, Pilar asked.

” No, Mama. I just think Julian wants to talk to Chad, and I’m giving them space.”

” That’s considerate of you.”

“ But, Mama?”

” I wonder why you’re being so considerate of Julian Crane. He’s not exactly your favorite person.”

“ Mama, I have nothing against Julian. He wasn’t the one that was against me.”

” You mean that he’s not against your relationship with Chad. Or so you think.”

” I think he likes me with Chad.”

” Don’t be ridiculous, Theresa. To someone like Julian Crane, you’ll always be The Housekeeper’s Daughter.”

” Well, that’s too bad, Mama, because I’m not going to let anyone keep me down. Not even Julian.”

” Theresa, you know how this world works. Alistair didn’t come to that party because he likes Chad. That girl…he has plans for that girl and Chad.”

” Chad’s not interested.”

” No? Theresa, Chad is a Crane. I like him, but he’s a Crane man. And Crane men do certain things. They live in their own world by their own rules.”

” Mama, I love you. But, I’m not going to give up on Chad. I have faith in him.”

” Is this about Chad, or is this about being a Crane?”

” Mama..”

” There. I said it, Theresa. I have to wonder. I’m your mother, and I don’t want to think like that, but I can’t help it. I remember how you just KNEW you and Ethan were ‘fated’ to be together, even though you had never met him. You looked at that house on the hill, and all the articles, and I could see you falling for the lifestyle. And, I have to ask, first Ethan, now Chad? What is it that you really want, Theresa?”

” I want someone to love me, Mama. I want someone who knows me and likes me anyway. Chad does that for me. Do I want to be a Crane? You bet I do. I want to throw it in all their faces. They think they can look down on me: Alistair, Ivy, even Sheridan – don’t think that I’m ignorant as to how Sheridan feels about me.”

” Theresa, Sheridan is..”

” Sheridan is a CRANE, Mama. You, Luis, don’t want to see it. But, I do. When push came to shove, she was right there, with Alistair and Ivy, in their punishment of me. That’s ok. It’s good to know where she stands. To know who I can count on. But, I’m not going to deny that it’ll feel good the day I become Mrs. Chad Crane.”

” MRS. Chad Crane? Don’t you think you’re counting your chickens Theresa?”

“ No. I want Chad. I want to be his wife. And, I’ll do what I have to do in order to make that happen.”

” I don’t like the way that sounds, Theresa.”

“ Mama, I mean no disrespect, but I’m not going to give up on Chad.”

“ Theresa..”

” Mama, I know what I’m doing. I know Chad.”

Julian brought his brandy over to Chad.

” Would you like one, Son?”

Chad didn’t think he’d ever get used to Julian calling him that, and nodded. “ Sure.”

” I think Theresa wanted to give us a chance to talk. It was a nice party. You certainly have decorated the place well. It feels like you.”

” How would you know what I’m like?”

Julian smiled. He knew that Chad would continue to challenge him. “ It’s masculine, simple, but with taste. That’s you to a tee.”

Chad laughed. “ Nothing I say will rattle you, will it?”

” Nope. I wasn’t there for your mother when I should have been. Now that I’ve found you, NOTHING is going to push me away. Nothing.”

“ You know, it’s weird for me. All of this. I accepted this house because you said I needed privacy. I do. It’s so strange. People I knew before all of this happened are treating me differently. More distance. Just because they know I’m a Crane.”

” I have to admit I don’t know your situation. I was born a Crane, so for me, it’s normal.”

“ Then, there are those that seem to only want to meet me because I’m a Crane. Everytime I go to the Book Café, someone interrupts me. And, the damn reporters. They seem to be everywhere. Everywhere I turn, it looks like I can feel a telephoto lens focused on me. I sometimes think that I should just give an interview, and maybe they’ll go away.”

Julian shook his head. “ That’s a bad idea. Especially since the identity of your mother is still a secret, and any interview that you have will ultimately go to that question.”

“ I know.”

” Refuse them enough and they’ll go away. It will add to your mystique.”

” Mystique? I didn’t know I had mystique.”

” Sure you do. All Cranes do.”

” Well, now that we’ve gotten basic Crane chitchat out of the way, you wanna get down to business?”

” You mean Father and Veronica Townsend?”

“ Yes.”

” Chad, be careful. I know you hate your grandfather.”

” Don’t call him that!”

“ I know. By its very nature it implies a relationship, that clearly doesn’t exist. But, that’s who he is, Chad. He’s your grandfather, and now that he can’t hide you, he wants to use you. If you’re going to be a Crane, you’re going to be of use to him.”

” Veronica.”

” Yes.”

” She’s pretty and all, but I’m involved with Theresa.”

” That doesn’t matter to him.”

” Well, it matters to me.”

” I didn’t care anything for Ivy either when he decided that it was strategic for the family for her to be my wife.”

” I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but I’m not punking out like you. I’m not rolling over for that man. I have a backbone.”

Julian winced only a bit at the truth coming out of his son’s mouth and its implications.

“ All I’m saying is that you need to watch out. My father didn’t bring Ms. Townsend to your party without a plan. A plan he’s already worked out in his mind. Be careful.”

” I hear what you’re saying, and I will.”

They drank their brandy.

Veronica was sitting in her bathtub at the Harmony Hotel, sipping on champagne.

” Yes, Mother, I met him. …what’s he like? He’s handsome. He has an edge to him. But, he’s smart……What did he think of me? I think he thinks I’m beautiful….I wasn’t exactly invited, Mother. Alistair lied about that. And, of course, Chad already knows what Alistair has planned…..I don’t know, Mother. I don’t know if he’s marriage material…..Yes, I know….marrying well should always be a goal. He’s involved with someone……she’s beautiful, but not suitable…if I’m correct, she’s the Crane Housekeeper’s daughter…..exactly – out of her league. I have to admit that I wasn’t too pleased when you and Daddy suggested this trip, but  I’m going to stick around Harmony. ….See where it goes with Chad.”