Episode 3.04

Shavano Inn Room 8

Ryan woke up and reached across the pale pink sheets to discover Chad was long gone. Holding the sheet against her body she saw his clothes were gone—he had left her in the middle of the night, just as Doug had. She raked a shaking hand through her bed hair and took a long breath. For a kid that was adopted he shared many qualities with his father.

Hallow Hills—Nursery

Chad stared at the sunlight breaking into the nursery as he waited for Del and Fallon to begin stirring. His mind was clouded and he felt unsure, he was physically drawn to Ryan and yet he had felt so much pain when he saw his new found cousin Ethan kissing Abby.

He stood up and paced the room, glancing between his son and Daughter. He knew that he couldn’t allow his children to be caught up in some struggle between two blasted women. He stopped and Del’s crib, a soft sigh came as he made a promise.

“I’ll only marry someone I feel will do justice as your mother figure. That’s more important then anything else. Everything will be for you and Fallon.” He reached down and brushed a lock of Del’s sandy hair away from his eyes, “We’ll have a family again. I won’t give-up until then.”

Abby and Dan’s Apartment

Abby walked into her kitchen, her pajama pants rolled over the waistband a little with a slightly loose tank top. She reached for a coffee mug from above the sink, only to drop it when she heard the door open. “Shit!” she yelled, turning, ready to demand her key back from her mother or father.

Abby’s anger immediately faded when she saw her early morning intruder was actually her older brother Dan. She picked-up a dish rag and threw it at him, “You Ass!”

Dan smiled as he dropped his bags to catch the towel, “Here I thought you would’ve missed me.”

Abby came around the counter and hugged her older brother, “I didn’t know you’d be back today.”

Hugging her back he lifted her off the ground, “Best way to catch some guy who found his way into your bedroom.”

Abby slipped out of his arms and rolled her eyes, “Dan, stop being an over protective fool.”

“Abs, sister dear no guy will destroy your virtue. Not until your married.” Dan kicked the door closed and picked up his bags.

“Last I checked I had to look out for you after Ciel.” Crossing her arms over her chest, “Besides I’m only dating Ethan.”

Dan stopped in the hall just outside his room, “The Rev, again?”

“Yes I’m seeing Ethan again. Please Mom’s already trying to get me to chase after Chad Davis.”

“Excuse me but why him? You don’t even know him.”

“He’s my boss.”

214 Shavano Court

Kyle pushed the old lawn mower over the grass, humming to himself. He was very thankful to have a case out to jury, giving him just a little bit of time to get the yard in order.

Looking across the street he noticed that the single mom hadn’t mowed the grass in a few weeks. His curiosity was growing as he finished near the sidewalk. Turning off the mower he started across the street and up the front walk.

Just as he was about to ring the bell his cell phone rang with the Law and Order theme. Flipping open the plastic case he glances at the caller ID and sees his assistant Glory show up. “Hey Glory, what’s going on?” he stepped off the porch.

“Jury’s back, you have to be here in an hour and a half.”

Kyle nodded and looked back to Graces house before returning to his. “Alright, I’ll be at the courthouse soon.”

65 Princeton Drive

Lysa walked into the house and tossed her messenger bag on the bench by the door, “Grandma, are you home?”

Getting no answer she went into the kitchen and grabbed an apple. As she bit into the ripe meat of the fruit she heart the front door open, “Mom? Dad?”

Lysa could feel her heart racing, could it be her father? She ran into the foyer and dropped the apple when she saw her Uncle Sean closing the front door. “Hey, it’s the Greek Goddess, how are you kiddo?”

Lysa sighed, “Hey, fine I guess. I was just hoping it was my Dad at the door.”

Sean put his bag down and looked at his young niece and smiled, “You know he’ll be back here with you as soon as he can be. Nothing could keep a man like my brother away from you.”

Lysa rolled her eyes, “I have homework to do.” she grabbed her bag and then went up to her room, logging on to the Internet and immediately opened up her buddy list. “Damnit, IrishSon where are you?”

Beaumont Hotel—Chicago, IL

Laura stood at the front desk, tapping her fingers against the mahogany counter as she waited for the teenager behind the computer to give her a room key.

“Sorry about the delay, we’ve had just a few computer glitches. You’ll be in Suite 18C. The bellboy will bring your bags up Ms. Davis.”

Laura nodded, “Thank you.” She then went over to the elevator to go to her suite. As she pushed the key card in and opened the door she was greeted with a beautiful room. She walked over to the window and threw the blinds open and gazed out at the lake and smiled.

The bellboy put her bags down in the corner and she turned and gave him a tip before closing the door and taking out a few essential bathroom items and immediately started the hot shower water.

“Here you go Mr. Adams, I hope you find this suite suitable. We’re very sorry about the computer error.” The manager said with a smile, “Again I’m sorry, and I hope that you enjoy your time here in the windy city for your convention.”

John took the key as he walked into the room and tossed his bag down by the door, “Thanks, I’m glad we got this confusion fixed.”

“But of course, if you need anything here’s my direct line.” he took out a business card and handed it to John. “Have a good night.”

John closed the door and rolled his eyes. He took his bag into the bathroom, and looked around, realizing it was very warm and smelled like fruit. He glanced at the mirror and saw the last signs of recent steam. He looked around and saw a bottle of French perfume sitting next to the sink. He stepped out of the other bathroom door and gasped when he saw Laura Davis rubbing lotion into her legs. “Laura, what the hell are you doing in my room?”

Laura dropped the bottle of lotion and looked at her former lover, “You’re room? This is mine. I just got the key at the front desk.”

John took a step forward, watching as she slowly reached for the bottle before sitting up straight, “The manager just let me in, you’ve got to leave.”

Laura stood up, crossing her arms over her chest, “Why? Is Lydia around to flip out?”

“Just because she ripped the strap on your prom dress is no reason—.”

Laura rolled her eyes and interrupted, “To be upset with her? God, just leave John. Go get another room.”

“I can’t this was the last one.” he stood tall, and for a moment he let his eyes lock with hers and he could feel the pounding of his heart with feelings he thought had died YEARS before.

Laura rubbed her temples, “Well thankfully there are two beds, well since the couch folds out. I hope you don’t mind.”

John sighed, “Fine, just don’t answer the phone. No need for Lydia to freak out because you’re here.”

Laura took a few steps closer to the man she had always believed was her soul mate, “Why is she so afraid of me, I mean we ended years ago could I really be that much of a threat to the current relationship you share with her?”

“Were you always comfortable when your husbands, what all three of them were near ex’s?” John countered.

Laura grew visibly tense at the suggestion, “All three of my marriages were farces, me searching for something I couldn’t get after losing the only man I ever loved.” Her voice was slightly broken as she spoke and John could tell she was trying to hold back tears of a deep pain.

“I’m sorry, this is just stressful.”

Laura nodded her head, “Um I’m going to go get dressed. I have a symposium later this evening.”

“Male Authors Creating Realistic Heroines?”

“Let me guess, you’re on the panel?”

John nodded, “We could have dinner before, why eat alone when you don’t have to.”

Laura smiled, “Well I was planning on eating with Gerald, husband number 2 if you’d like to join me.”

Curiosity creped over John, wondering what the men who Laura had married were like, “That sounds great.”

Memorial Hospital—3rd Floor On Call Room

Trista stretched out on the small bed, as she tried to get some rest before things got crazy again in the ER. She had her eyes closed but she could still hear the door open and the footsteps across the floor.

“Hey Trista.” called out the familiar voice of Carsyn Raleigh.

She sighed, knowing this was his way of wanting to talk, “What’s going on Raleigh?”

He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table, “Do you know Maggie Williams?”

“Sort of, she lived in my building before she got married.” Sitting up she stretched out her arms and tried to hide her yawn. “Why?”

“I’m dating her.”

“Really? I’d be careful, gossip around the Peaks was floating that she and Conner McKay had a thing and she only married Siobhan’s brother to heal her broken heart. Some people think she cheated on her husband with Conner.”

Carsyn looked at his good friend, and former lover, “Are you just telling me this cause your jealous?”

Trista rolled her eyes, “No I’m telling you this because you’re my friend and I worry about you. Besides I have a wonderful boyfriend whom I live with.”

“Yeah who had to ruin a perfectly good reality show finale by declaring his love for you.

Rolling her eyes Trista got up and went back over to the bed, “I need a nap, just be careful will you. I still worry about you sometimes.”

A smile crossed his face, “Thanks, it means a lot coming from you.”

Hallow Hills

Kathryn parked her rental car just outside the mail box for the estate. She took out a pale blue envelop with giant script letters that simply said Adel. She opened her purse and found a copy of Quincy, now known as Isabella’s birth certificate. She also retrieved a pocket knife and removed the name of the mother completely and then cut out Davis from the father’s name. Nothing better then causing trouble in paradise for the man she thought had loved her and then stole her child.

She placed it in the envelope and sealed it closed before sticking it into the box and driving away.

Jeff watched the car drive away before opening the mailbox and finding the pale blue envelope. He tore it opened and pulled out the birth certificate. As soon as he saw the name of the father, he knew he had to keep this from Adel. She would never be able to handle finding out her husband had a child with another woman.

Pinõn Hallow Mall—Day Spa

Siobhan walked into the new addition of the mall, a full service day spa and salon. All she really wanted as a refill on her nails, since it had been a while and it was the only thing she had found to keep them from breaking.

Sally Payne came out; her red hair swept up on her head, and held there with a pair of painted chopsticks. She had a pair of jeans on, and her top was covered with a white jacket. Obviously a dress code was in force here. “Detective, what could I do for you?”

Siobhan smiled, “I just need a refill on my nails. Could I get that done today?”

Sally nodded, “Just follow me and I’ll get you set up back here.”

“Thanks, things have been so crazy I’ve let this go for an extra week more then I normally would.” Siobhan sat in the chair and Sally sat across, taking hold of her hand.

“It’s not too bad, another week and it would’ve been though.”

Beaumont Hotel—Chicago

John’s mouth feverishly devoured Laura’s as he ached to be close to her once again. His fingers desperately undid the buttons of her blouse and he brought his mouth to the plump breasts hidden in her lace bra. He tugged it away and began to suckle on her like a hungry newborn.

The alarm rang and John sat up in bed, sweat soaked his body as he remembered the dream. He turned off his travel alarm and looked around the room, he’d gone to dinner with Laura and met one of her ex-husbands. All he could really think about was how, when Laura had gone to the restroom, Gerald Kensington leaned over and told him he and Laura made the perfect couple and that he should never let her get away from him again.

The whole thing made him nervous and suddenly unsure of himself and his feelings. Part of him ached to knock on the door and take Laura in his arms and make love to her all night long, to run away with her to Paris and spend his days writing and his nights loving. Not that he didn’t love Lydia, but Laura was his first love and he knew that was something he couldn’t ignore. He had never gotten over her, and now she was a few yards away.

Could he break his marriage vows?

Pinõn Hallow Mall—outside the Day Spa

She felt eyes watching her as she locked the door of the spa. Clenching the keys in her hand she walked to the employee only door. Sally looked back and saw the jewelry store guys hanging around the railing, checking out the girls on the lower level. She sighed feeling silly and left to the dock doors.

Shamus Becker stepped out of the jewelry store. He had watched her and his stomach turned. Why the hell had she picked Pinõn Hallow? Of all the places to pick to start over she choose his.

He combed his short dark hair with his fingers and prayed he could stay away from her.

Abby and Dan’s Apartment

Abby put the diner dishes away and opened the fridge, taking out a can of soda. She popped the tab and took a long sip.

“So you and the Rev going out tonight?” Dan walked into the living room and turned on the television.

Abby leaned against the counter, “Grand Theft Auto time?”

Dan held the remote firmly in his hand, “Actually, I think I’d rather just chill and watch Joey.”

“No Grand Theft Auto?” Abby  stared at him with confusion. She stood up and walked over, placing her hand on his forehead, “No fever.”

“Abigail!” called out Lydia Adams as she let herself into her children’s apartment.

Dan saw Abby role her eyes, “Hi Mom!” he jumped up like a little puppy dog and ran to his mother.

“Daniel, is this really you?” His hair was trimmed, and not messy. He had also filled out a bit in the muscle department. “Why you look like a man.”

Dan blushed, “I missed you Mom. How’s Dad and the business?”

Lydia smiled proudly, “Your father’s fine. He’s in Chicago for a book conference.” She paused for a moment, “I think he’s staying at the Beaumont Hotel.”

Dan went pale, would his father meet Ciel?

Abby glanced at her brother and could see he was thinking about that bitch Ciel.

“I just wish your father would let me see his books.” Lydia spoke as she removed her scarf and jacket.

Her mother’s attitude was pushing her so Abby went over to the bookshelf and found a worn romance novel, “Here Mom, this is one of Dad’s books.”

Dan and Lydia stared at the cover, the bare chest male clung to a woman wearing a flapper dress, that seemed to be falling off. Daisy finds a Speakeasy.

“Not funny Abigail.” Lydia handed the book back to her daughter.

“It’s not a joke, Dad wrote this he’s written tons.”

212 Shavano Court

The dark night sky beckoned Maggie outside. The crisp Colorado night air fought to get through her pajama’s and robe. She didn’t know why she had to get to Grace’s basement window, she just felt she had to.

She went to the window and turned on her flashlight, letting it shine into the basement. Her heart was racing as she saw him come to the window. He placed his hand against the glass and she did as well.

Tears stung her eyes as she watched him mouth I Love You.

Maggie knew what she had to do as she ran back to her kitchen and dialed 911.