Life Brings Many Surprises
Back To Business
Danielle Davis Equine Center; Monday June 2, 2008. 6:00 PM.
Dani Davis walks into the clinic and heads into her office. She sits down and sighs as she picks up some papers she had forgotten to file the other day. She's reading through the papers when her cell goes off. She picks it up and sees Matt Ritter's name on the screen. She sighs and presses decline.
It's been a week since her feelings for Matt came rushing back and she wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do about them yet. Her and Matt have tried the whole dating thing before and it never ended well. Her phone goes off again, but this time Junior Davis' name is on the screen. She smiles and answers.
"Hey big brother. How's the honeymoon going?"
"Oh it's fantastic. How are things with you?"
"Fine. What makes you ask?"
"Well, I've been talking to Matt an-"
Dani sighs. "Junior, please don't."
"Don't what, Dani?"
"You know what, Junior. I don't want to talk about me and Matt. There actually isn't even a me and Matt."
"So I've been told. I just don't get it. Before we left, you guys seemed to be heading in that direction."
"Yeah well things changed. Hey shouldn't you be with your wife?"
"Nice subject change. She's in the shower. Look Dani, I just want you to be happy."
"Who says I'm not?"
"Hey maybe you are."
"Yeah, I am. You don't have to worry about me Junior. Just go and enjoy the last night of your honeymoon."
"Alright, fine. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Dani."
Dani smiles. "Bye Junior." She hangs up the phone and goes back to the papers on her desk.
Things at the clinic weren't exactly going all that well since Noah left. She had been closed for a few days untill she could find a new doctor and she is scheduled to get her tomorrow so she has a few things she needs to take care of before she comes. She gets up and puts the papers in the filing cabinet and then locks up and heads home.
Raintree Thoroughbred Farm; 6:34 PM.
Matt Ritter finishes cleaning the stalls in the barn. He walks over to the office and checks his phone. No calls, well none from Dani. He heads back in the house and walks into the livingroom. When he walks in, he finds his mom, Jean, and her boyfriend, Pablo Betart, kissing on the couch.
"Geez, mom!"
Jean and Pablo break apart. "Hi Matty."
"Yeah, hi mom. Pablo."
"Matt." Pablo nods.
Matt holds up his hand and heads into the kitchen. Jean walks in after him. "It's just gonna take me a while to get used to you two. And even then, it's so not cool to see your mom making out."
Jean laughs. "Sorry. I thought you were going to see Dani?"
"I was. I mean, I called her but she didn't answer." Matt shrugs. "She's probably busy at the clinic. That new vet comes tomorrow so."
"How are things with you and Dani?"
"I don't know. I mean I thought things were ok, they were last week. But then after Kris and Junior's wedding, she just seems" He pauses for a second. "Distant. I don't know."
"Well I'm sure things will work out Matty. So the newlyweds come home tomorrow, huh?"
"Yeah. I talked to Junior earlier and that's what he said."
"Kris and Junior are married. Things are definitely changing around here. You still doing ok with it?"
"Honestly, I always knew Kris and Junior would end up together. And I guess I kind of knew that Dani was the one for me, just got a little sidetracked for a while I guess."
"Well I just want you to be happy Matty."
"I know mom."
Jean smiles and walks out of the kitchen.
Fiji; 10:15 PM.
Kris Furillo-Davis walks out of the bathroom drying her hair with a towel. She looks over at her husband sitting on the bed and smiles.
Junior gets off the bed and walks over to his wife. "That was a pretty long shower there, Mrs. Davis."
Kris grins. "I didn't think it was to long."
"Believe me, it was long." Junior smirks and pulls her close and kisses her. She wraps her arms around his neck and deepens this kiss. "I don't think there's any rush for you to get dressed." He kisses her again.
Kris lets out a soft moan. "I don't think there is either." She smirks and pushes him back towards the bed.
11:45 AM.
Kris wakes up the next morning and feels the bed empty next to her. She groans and sits up and looks around the room. She hears the shower going. She smiles and gets out of bed and gets dressed. She walks over to the window and hears the shower shut off. Junior walks out of the bathroom and walks over behind Kris and wraps his arms around her waist. He kisses her cheek.
"Good morning wife."
Kris smiles. "Good morning husband." She sighs. "I can't believe we're leaving today."
"Yeah, I know. But duty calls I guess."
"I guess. But I still don't want to leave."
"But we have to."
"I know." She turns around and puts her arms around his neck and kisses him. "We should probably start packing then, huh?" She scrunched her nose.
"Probably." He gives her a quick kiss and turns to get dressed.
Kriss walks over and begins packing her bag. "So, did you talk to Dani?"
"Yeah, I called her yesterday while you were in the shower. She seemed fine. I tried asking about her and Matt, but she didn't want to talk about it."
"I totally thought they would be together by now. I mean they seemed that way at the wedding."
He shrugs, walks over and starts to help her pack. "Matt and Dani have always been complicated. They'll work things out."
"Hope so."
Davis Mansion; Tuesday June 3, 2008. 7:00 AM.
Dani finishes getting ready for the day and heads downstairs. Her father, Ken, is sitting in the kitchen drinking his coffee and reading the paper.
"Morning daddy." She walks over and pours herself a cup.
"Morning Dani." He says with his eyes never leaving the paper.
"Junior and Kris get home today."
"Oh, that's right."
Dani walks over to the island and sits down next to her father. She takes a sip and places her cup down and turns to face him. "Daddy don't you think it's about time you stop being-" She pauses trying to find the right word. "Immature." She finally says.
Ken scoffs. "Immature?"
Dani sighs. "Daddy, Kris is a part of the family now. And she makes Junior happy. Honestly the happiest I've ever seen him. You need to except that. You're little boy's all grown up and is starting a family of his own."
He takes a sip of his own coffee. "It's only a matter of time before your brother realizes he made a huge mistake. He should've married Laura."
"Why? Because she's a senators daughter? Junior wasn't happy with her."
"He was before that girl came back to town."
"No, he wasn't. He acted that way, but he really wasn't."
"I thought you didn't like her anyway?"
"I didn't but then I got to know her. Just promise you'll behave yourself when they get home."
"I believe I'm the parent here."
"Maybe but you're acting like the child. But I have to go get to the clinic. The new vet gets there today." She gets up from the chair and gives her father a kiss on the cheek. "Bye daddy." She walks out the door and gets into her car.
Danielle Davis Equine Center; 7:45 AM.
When she arrives at the clinic, she sees Matt sitting in his truck. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath and gets out of the car. She walks over to his truck and knocks on the window. Matt jumps a little then rolls down he window.
"Dani, hey."
"Hey Matt. What are doing here?"
Matt opens the door and climbs out of his truck. "I wanted to talk to you. And you don't really answer my phone calls so-"
"I've been really busy. I-I can't talk right now either. The new vet's coming today and I have to make sure everything's all set and-"
Matt stops her by kissing her. "Dani, please."
"I-I'm sorry, Matt. I have to go." Dani pulls away and rushes inside. She heads back to her office and falls down on her chair. She puts her head in her hands and sighs. She stands up and walks out of he office and into the back room. She does a quick inventory of everything to make sure everything's stocked up. When she's satisfied, she heads into the main are just in time for the new vet to walk in.
"Danielle Davis?" The woman asks, holding out her hand.
Dani takes her hand and shakes it. "Please, call me Dani. Dr. Goldstein, right?"
"Yes. This is quite a lovely place you got here."
"Thank you. I have been closed for a while after N- left. But I do have some clients that plan on coming back once we get settled. So would you like me to show you to your office?" Dani smiles.
San Jose National Airport; 10:30 AM.
Junior and Kris get off the plane and find Dani waiting for them. Dani squeals when she sees them and runs over, pulling Kris into a hug first.
"Welcome home! I missed you!"
Kris smiles. "I missed you too."
Dani lets go of Kris and then hugs her brother. "And I guess I missed you too."
"Oh gee, thanks Dani." Junior laughs.
Dani pulls back. "So, how was Fiji?"
"Amazing." Kris says. "I didn't want to leave."
"Well I'm glad you did. I mean, unless you're not going to help out at the clinic."
"I thought it was closed? Wait, did you finally hire a new vet?"
"Yeah. She started today."
"That's great. And of course I'm going to help out."
"Good. And what about you, Junior?"
"What about me?"
Dani shrugs. "Well I mean you passed on that job in Alaska, so what are you going to do? Go back working for dad?"
"Uh, no actually. Me and Calvin might actually start working on something else."
"Really? Like what?"
"I don't know."
"I'm sure dad will just love that."
Junior shrugs. "Honestly, I don't really care what dad thinks."
"Well then I guess things are definitely changing around here."
Junior puts his arm around Kris' waist. "It sure is." He gives her a quick kiss and they walk out to the car and head home.
Kris and Junior's Home; Wednesday June 4, 2008. 12:35 PM.
Kris and Junior moved into the guest house on the Davis Farm. Junior's dad barely spoke to them when they came home. Kris knows that Ken Davis would probably never except her as a part of his family, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to try and get him to come around. Junior keeps telling her it's hopeless, but she's not giving up.
Kris is finishing setting everything up when she hears a car pull up. She walks over to the window, thinking it's just Junior, but is surprised when she sees her brother, Jace, get out of the car. She rushes to the door and throws it open.
"Jace?"
"Hey sis."
"Oh my god!" Kris runs over and throws her arms around his neck. "What are you doing here?"
"What, I can't come and congratulate my little sister on getting married?"
Kris grins and hugs him again. "It's been what, a year?"
"Maybe 2. No but really, congrats. Although I am a little disappointed I wasn't invited."
Kris smiles. "Hey it was all last minute, literally. I had a race and Junior was supposed to be heading to Alaska for a year. He gave up the job and put together the wedding in only like 5 hours. It was crazy."
"Well I'm happy for you. So, where is your husband?"
"He went to his friend Calvin's. He'll be back soon. Do you want to come in?"
"Yeah, that'd be great. I actually have some news for you."
"Oh? What on earth could it be?" She chuckles. They head inside. "Do you want a drink or anything?"
"Nah, I'm good."
Dani opens the door and walks in. "Hey Kris who's ca-" She stops when she sees Jace. "Oh, hi. You're Jace, right? Kris' brother?"
"That's me."
"Last time I saw you, you were stealing my brother's car."
Jace smiles. "And you were gonna have me arrested."
"So I was. And now we're family." She smirks.
"So we are."
Kris can't help but let out a small giggle. "So Dani, how's Dr. Goldstein doing?"
"Oh she's awesome. And when are you coming back to the clinic?"
"Uh, I think I can come tomorrow."
"Great, see you then." Dani starts to head out but Kris stops her.
"Hey wait. I, uh, talked to Matt yesterday."
Dani sighs. "You too, huh? I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told my brother, I'm not gonna talk about me and Matt."
Kris puts her hands up defensively. "Hey I just want you both to be happy. And you two did seem real happy at the wedding so-"
"Things with Matt and me, they were always so complicated. I don't think I want to go down that road again."
Kris bites her lip and sighs. "Fine, I'll stay out of it."
"Thank you." She turns and heads out the door.
Kris sits down at the table across from Jace. He smiles. "She's almost how I remember her. And I didn't steal the car, I borrowed it."
"Yeah, without permission. I think that's technically stealing."
"Technically." He points his finger. "But I did give it back."
Kris laughs. "So, what's this news you have for me?"
Jace smiles. "Well, I kind of met someone."
"How is this news? You're always meeting, 'someone'."
"No, I mean I met someone. Possibly 'the one' someone."
"O-Oh my god, are you serious?"
"Yeah. I mean we've only been seeing each other for like a month, but I don't know. She really is something."
"Well she'd have to be for you to be with the same girl for a month." Kris smirks.
"Hey, I've done relationships before." Kris raises her eyebrow. "Ok, ok. Maybe I haven't."
"Wow. So, what's she like?"
"She's amazing. I think you'd really like her."
"Well I can't wait to meet her."
"Meet who?" Junior come into the house.
Kris gets up and walks over to him and gives him a quick kiss. "Hi." She smiles.
He smiles back. "Hi."
"You remember my brother Jace, right?"
Junior looks over at Jace. "Yeah." Jace gets up and walks over to Junior and Kris. They shake hands. "You stole my car last time you were here."
"technically I borrowed it. I brought it back."
"So you did. But hey, that's in the past now, right?"
"Yeah. I mean hey, we're family now."
Kris smiles and clear her throat. "So Jace was actually just telling me about his girlfriend."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Can't wait to meet the girl that got him to consider settling down."
"Oh come on, you make it sound like I'm not that serious with relationships."
"How many girls have you actually dated? And I mean for longer than a week?"
"Ok fine, I get you're point."
Kris laughs. "So when can I meet her?"
"How's tomorrow?"
"Great. Why don't you come here?"
"Sounds good. I'll let her know. I should probably get going." He gives Kris a hug and kisses her on the cheek. "See you tomorrow." He puts his hand up at Junior. "Later bro." He walks out and drives off.
Davis Mansion; 9:20 PM.
Dani pulls up to the house and finds Matt sitting outside on the step. She gets out of the car and sighs. Matt sees her walking up and stands up.
"Hey Dani."
"Matt, I can't ta-"
"No. Dani I'm not leaving untill you talk to me."
"What is there to talk about?"
"Us?"
"Matt-"
"I just don't get it, Dani. I mean one minute everything's great, and the next you're avoiding me."
"Matt, we've tried the whole relationship thing before. A few times, actually. And it always seemed to end badly."
"So you're scared?"
"No. I-I mean, maybe. I don't know. I just don't think it's a good idea. I've been hurt a lot and I don't want to get hurt again Matt. So, I'm sorry but I think we should just stay friends."
"I know I've hurt you before but believe me I'm not going to do that again. I love you, Dani."
"Don't. Please Matt, I just want to be friends. That's all I can handle right now."
"I can't just be friends, Dani."
"I'm sorry." She pushes past him and walks inside.
Davis Farm; 11:45 PM.
The horses are all in their stalls and the farm is quite. A girl around 16 comes running past the Davis farm away from cops. She dives behind the barn and watches the cop car as it pulls into the farm and stops. The cops get out of the car and look around for a few minutes. They head back to the car and drive off.
The girls waits for them to disappear and then walks out from behind the barn. She glances around and decides to head into the barn. She walks past a few stalls untill she comes to the office. She tries the door and finds it unlocked. She looks around and heads inside.
"I've slept in worse places." She says to herself and puts her bag down on the floor and lays down on the couch and falls asleep.
Davis Farm; Thursday June 5, 2008. 7:15 AM.
The next morning Kris wakes up around 7. She takes a shower and gets dressed for the day. She looks over at Junior, still sound asleep and smiles before heading out to the barn. She starts to head towards Wildfire's stall when she notices the office door open. She opens the door and walks in. She notices the bag and the sleeping girl on the couch. She stands in front of the couch, crosses her arms and clears her throat. The girl groans and rolls over. She opens her eyes and falls off the couch.
"Uh, hi there." Kris says, her arms still crossed.
"H-Hi. I'm sorry. The, um, the door was open." She stands up and point towards the door.
"So you just came in?"
"I'm sorry. I just- I needed a place to crash. I was running from the cops and found this place and-" The girl sighs. "I really am sorry. I-I'll just go." She grabs her bag, puts it over her shoulder and starts to head out.
"Wait a second. What's your name?"
"T-Tasha Aleszczyk. Well Natasha but I hate that. "
"I don't like my full name either. Kristine." She scrunched her nose. "I go by Kris." She smiles. "So why were you running from the cops?"
Tasha shrugs. "I was with some friends and we were all looking for a place to crash and we kind of broke into this old factory. Must've still had an alarm set up or something."
"Does your mom and dad know where you are?"
"Well I never knew my dad, he bailed when I was a kid. And my mom's either always working or getting high to even notice when I'm not there."
"Oh. Well I totally get it."
"You? Seriously, you live in a place like this. How do you get it?"
"I didn't grow up here, are you kidding me? No my life wasn't too different than yours, actually."
"Really? So how'd you get to live here? If me asking is ok. Y-You don't really have to tell me."
Kris smiles. "It's fine. Like I said, my life wasn't much different than yours. I grew up in New York, the ghetto part. I rebelled alot and my mom was always in and out of rehab. I got caught stealing a car and I resisted arrest so I was sent to Camp LaGrange. And then I got into horses and was offered a job at a farm, not this one but the one down the road a bit. Raintree. I met the guy that lives here and we kind of had a complicated relationship, but we just recently got married."
"So now you pretty much have a perfect life?"
Kris chuckles. "I wouldn't say perfect, but I guess so. And I owe it all to my friend Pablo. He's the one who got me my job a Raintree."
"So you're into horses?"
"Yeah, I am. I actually race them. I'm a Jockey."
"No way, really?"
"Yeah. Do you want to see my horse?"
"Sure."
"Come on." Kris walks out of the office and Tasha follows. She stops in front of Wildfire's stall and opens it. They walk inside. "His names Wildfire and he's the first horse I ever rode. He's also my best friend."
"And you race him?"
"Well, not anymore. Actually, I'm not sure. He had an injury and he might be done with racing. We still need to get him checked out."
"He's beautiful."
Kris smiles. "You into horses?"
Tasha shrugs. "I don't know, maybe."
"So, are you hungry?"
"Oh, I-I don't want to impose on you or anything. I really should go."
"Come on. When's the last time you ate something?" She raises her eyebrow.
"O-Ok."
Kris smiles. She kisses Wildfire on his cheek. "I'll be back, buddy." She walks out and heads to the guest house, Tasha following. Kris opens the door and finds Junior sitting at the table. He gets up and walks over to her and gives her a quick kiss.
"Visiting Wildfire already?"
"He hasn't seen me for a whole week, he missed me. You know he's not used to sharing me with other guys."
"Well he's gonna have to learn." Kris giggles and then Tasha clears her throat. Junior looks over Kris' shoulder at her. "Uh, hi." He looks at Kris. "Who's this?"
"Oh, right. Junior this is Tasha. Tasha, this is my husband Junior Davis."
"Hi." Junior smiles.
"Hi." Tasha says and waves her hand quickly.
"I, uh, actually found Tasha sleeping in the office in the barn this morning. I was just offering her some breakfast."
"But I don't have to say, really. I-I can go."
"Oh don't be silly." Kris says.
"Yeah, you can stay." Junior says. "I actually was going to head over to Calvin's for a bit. What time was your brother coming over with his mystery girl?"
"I don't know. I'll give him a call."
"Ok. I'll see you later, Mrs. Davis." He smirks and gives her a kiss.
"Bye Mr. Davis." She giggles as he walks out the door. She turns to Tasha. "So, anything particular you want?"
"Just whatever." She shrugs.
Kris and Junior's Home; 1:25 PM.
Kris had called Dani and told her about Tasha. Dani knocks in the door once and walks in.
"Hey so where's the stowaway?"
Kris chuckles. "She's out in the barn with Wildfire."
"So she really slept in the barn?"
"Yeah, I was going to see Wildfire this morning and she was in the office. She said she was running from the cops."
"Wait, what? Kris, don't you think maybe it's not such a good idea if she's here?"
"Dani you didn't hear how her life's like. It's exactly like mine was growing up. Her dad bailed and her mom's never there for her, and when she is she's high. I hated growing up that way, but I did have Jace. She doesn't have anybody."
"So you see yourself in her, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess I do. I just know how hard my life was like untill I met Pablo and came here. Maybe she just needs someone to push her in the right direction like Pablo did with me."
"I get it. So, what exactly do you want to do? Take her in? Because you and Junior just got married and I don't think-"
"I just think she needs some place to stay."
"You really think my dad would let her stay in the mansion?"
"No, are you kidding?"
"Then what's your other option?"
Just then there's a knock on the door and Kris smiles. "Why don't you get that?"
Dani raises her eyebrow curiously but opens the door. She sees Matt standing on the other side and shoots Kris a glare.
"Oh, hi Dani."
"Hey Matt." Dani steps aside and lets Matt in.
"So, where is she?"
"Out in the barn. I'll go grab her." Kris walks towards the door.
Dani sighs and turns towards Matt. Matt clears his throat. "Look Dani, I'm sorry about last night. Maybe it wasn't fair of me to do that, but I just want you to know how much I love you and want to be with."
"Matt-"
"No, let me finish. But if what you really want is to just be friends, then that's what I'll do. Because I can't not have you in my life."
Dani goes to say something when Kris and Tasha come inside. She gives Matt a quick smile. "Tasha this is my sister-in-law Dani, and my friend Matt Ritter. Guys this is Tasha."
"Hi." Tasha says. "So, am I supposed to stay with one of you or something?"
"Only if you want to." Matt says. "We have an extra room at our house and it's yours if you want it."
Tasha looks from Kris to Matt. "You really don't need to do that."
"You can't just keep sleeping wherever you end up at the end of the night." Kris says.
"Kris is right." Dani says. "And the Ritter's are really amazing people." She catches Matt's eye and gives him a quick smile.
Matt smiles back at Dani. "Like I said, you don't have to stay. But I think it'd be better if you did."
Tasha bites her lip and looks from Kris to Matt to Dani. "Maybe for a little while." She smiles.
"Great." Matt says.
"Dani, why don't you go help Matt get Tasha settled?" Kris asks.
"Uh, I actually think I need to get to the clinic."
"My brother's coming over soon so I can't exactly go."
She glances sideways at Matt and bites her lip. "I guess the clinic can wait."
Dani and Matt walk out and Tasha follows. Kris turns and goes to the fridge and grabs a bottle of water. Junior comes inside.
"Hey babe. So I see you got Dani and Matt taking Tasha someplace. Together?"
Kris shrugs. "Jace is coming over soon so I can't exactly leave."
"Oh, I see what you're doing."
"What?"
"Hey, I'm glad you're doing it. Those two really need to work things out."
Kris chuckles. "I know." Kris hears a car pull up. "That must be Jace." Kris and Junior walk outside. She smiles when she sees Jace get out of the car. He walks over to the other side and opens the door for his girlfriend. Kris' smile fades when the girl gets out of the car. She looks up at Junior and sees the same expression on his face.
"Oh my god." Kris and Junior whisper at the same time.