~Present Day~
"It feels good to be back home", Rebecca said walking into the Smith mansion.
"Well mother, Steven and his father are the ones to thank, we should have went after them along time ago", Gwen grinned.
They sat down in the in the living room. The house was he, and they built a wing for Rebecca to live in. Like always, she had plans for the patriarch of the Smith family. She would be Mrs. Richard Smith in no time, besides, his wife wasn't in the best health, and it was a matter of time before she would be replaced, why not it be her.
"Mother, I know that look, it was the look you had about Julian. You are trying to go after.."
"Yes, but for now, I'll be his mistress. I have nothing against Ashleigh, besides, she is dying, I can't be that cruel, and I do have some morals left".
"Okay, so we need a plan".
"I know, and from what you and Steve told me, I think I may have one".
"I think the one my son and I have will be excellent", Richard said.
He stepped into the room, going for his drink table. He was an image of his son. Caramel skin, with broad shoulders, dark hair, and groomed nicely. He always carried himself with class, and demanded respect. Something he liked about Rebecca and Gwen. He discussed with his wife, about re-marrying. She wanted him just to be happy. He wanted someone as ruthless as he, and Rebecca just may be the woman he's looking for. For some time, he wanted revenge for his son, he knew Michelle was no good, but business is business. Their family was worth more than he could dream of, and he wanted the money.
Walking over to the desk he sat down, enjoying the plotting of these two women.
"Rebecca, or should I call you Ms. Osborn".
"That is so formal, Rebecca is fine", she grinned.
"Rebecca, I feel that exposing Michelle's mental state will be just the start of the taking of our company".
"Mental? She's a nut?", Gwen asked.
"Well, she was never the same after miscarrying so many times. The board will have to decide in my son's favor, and trust me, after that is done, we can move on to Ethan".
"Wow, I didn't know, I understand how traumatizing that can be", Gwen said.
Her conscious told her, to leave her be, but her other voice told her to make her feel like she did after she stole her husband away.
"Do you still want this?", he asked.
"Yes, more now, than ever before".
"Alright, so when is meeting?"
"Tomorrow evening, at 6pm".
~Winthrop residence~
Ethan was in his office going over some documents of Michelle's. She wanted everything to be prepared for tomorrow's meeting. He didn't know why she was worried, and tomorrow he would find out why she was so concerned.
She was going over the last of the contact she and her brother signed to join with the Lopez Fitzgerald Empire officially. They had moved there business to Harmony and helped the new family get into the business aspect of things, and now, Luis and Sheridan decided to sign them as a partner in the corporation.
The doorbell rang, and Theresa answered the door.
"Hey you two, come in", she said to Fox and Whitney.
"We came to help with tomorrow, the presentation Michelle has in Connecticut", Whitney answered.
"We need all the help we can get right now, Luis and Sheridan will be over after Martin goes to bed, so it's us four and Ethan and Michelle".
"Between the four of us, how are they seriously", Fox whispered.
"Honestly, she's been really withdrawn, and he's noticed too. He's beginning to worry about her, and she is talking in secret coding", Theresa said.
"Yeah, they sleep in separate rooms, and it's been that way since they came home from the wedding, it's like she thinks he's going to leave her", Chad said.
"Wow, I didn't know, she made it sound like everything was okay when we talked yesterday at lunch", Fox said.
"Come on, just don't say anything, we're here to help them, because I don't trust Gwen or Steven", Theresa said.
They walked into the office where Ethan was.
"Help is here dear brother of mine".
"Hey, we need it, this is a lot of things to go over, Michelle is down the hall, going the contact Luis gave her".
"We'll go down the hall, you two stay here".
Whitney and Theresa walked down the hall to Michelle's room, not knowing what to expect.
"So, sit down, and grab a tote to go through", he said finding his pen.
"Wait, we need to talk", Fox said grabbing him.
~Michelle's office~
She had a fire going, and above was her picture she loved of her Ethan and herself. The same picture she got from Pilar, when they graduated Law School. No one knew of the picture, until when they walked into her office. She had plenty of pictures, and loved the tabloid ones she got from the store. But that one, that Pilar snapped after the ceremony, it captured what she always wanted, his love and acceptance. Before all the pain and scandals. She knew after tomorrow, at the very least, she would have some explaining to do. She didn't know about her marriage, but she owed him an explanation. She also knew, and was working on the documents to file, that she would take the newlywed Smiths, to court. No matter what, she would get Steven back for everything he ever did, and this time marrying her enemy, Gwendolyn Hotchkiss-Smith.
"Michelle, I got some more help", Theresa said interrupting her thoughts.
"Hey! How are you?', she said hugging Whitney.
"Good, what about you?"
"Could be better, but, I'm dealing".
"What about the little one?"
"He or she is giving me grieve. Eve says I'm about 5 months along".
"So you were farther along than you thought?"
"Yeah, either way, it's Ethan's. I haven't been with anyone else in years".
"He's happy, I can tell. What about Ivy and Sam's case?"
"Oh god, that is getting uglier by the day. Sit, I have to wait on Sheridan anyway. I'll fill you in".
They sat and begin to talk about the case. Theresa was glad that Whitney asked her about that. It took her mind off of tomorrow for the time being.
~Across Town~
Charity and Michael were walking down the pier. She was enjoying herself, and so was he. She never met anyone like him, and she was happy that Miguel let her go. She never met anyone as interesting and handsome as him. She realized her getting married out of high school wasn't the best idea, and she felt what Miguel was talking about, that she wanted to experience more of life before settling down with anyone.
"So you were with Theresa's younger brother? This town is too small", he joked.
"I know, I want to leave, but Michelle and Theresa offered me a job here. I don't know if I should take it or not".
"Well, as someone who works with family, Michelle is a hard ass. She gives you work, and expects it to be done on time, unless there is an emergency, and even then, it better be good".
"I understand that, I just don't know if I want to stay here in Harmony".
"I want you to stay here, I want to get to know you better", he grinned.
"Well, that is a good reason to stay, it's not the best idea to try and get relationship started long distance", she grinned back.
"See, and Michelle likes you, so go in tomorrow, and see what you think, besides, you'll show Miguel that your life doesn't revolve around him".
"I know, I used to think that wives were supposed to be that way, girlfriends, for that matter, are not supposed to be that way".
"Exactly, and hopefully, you and I can work together, if not, I would love to take you out tomorrow night".
"Alright, I would like that".
~Winthrop Residence~
"So you think that will happen?", Ethan said.
"Most likely, Steven and Gwen together are like poison, and you two are the innocent mice that happened to get in the way", Fox said.
"Wait, if they succeed, Theresa and I are in danger too".
"Why?"
"Michelle owns half of our creative rights. If she finds out that Gwen is her boss in some way, she just may kill her", Chad said.
"Wow, this is effecting more people than I thought, no wonder why Michelle is so stressed, and that doesn't even count in that she's pregnant, that's stressful also".
"Well, we better get everything together, just so if we have to go to court, we can win".
"You mean will, we will win, I'm not letting my ex-wife, or that wife beater win, not in this lifetime", Ethan said to Chad.
~Michelle's Room~
"She said that? She feels everyone is against her?", Theresa said.
"Yeah, it was really ugly. She told the judge that Ethan was siding with Sam because of me, that in time he will understand why she wants her child with her, not in this environment".
"Doesn't she see that she setting herself up to lose?"
"I think she knows that, she wants Sam to have the child, just so she has an excuse to go see him , and destroy your mother's and his blossoming relationship", Michelle said.
"I never thought about that, Michelle, you think she would be that cruel. I mean my mother was good to her for years".
"Theresa, I never put anything past Ivy. You of all people should know about that. She figures, if he has to deal with Ethan and this new child, he still want her and Pilar will get tired of it, and break things off. I warned the both of them at dinner. They told me, it will take a lot more than that to split them up", Michelle said.
"That's good, I meant to ask you about dinner, Chad and I were so busy with work", Theresa responded.
"That's bullshit Theresa, and you know it, I did most of the work before I left, you to were, shall I say, 'exploring in the office', is what we called it in college", Michelle grinned.
Theresa blushed, and Whitney laughed. It had been a while since Michelle joked around with her friends. It was still shocking to her that she and Theresa were such good friends. She didn't want to come between her and Ethan's relationship about their child, but Theresa informed her, that in some way she was Little Ethan's mother too, and she was part of his life just as much as Chad was.
"You're right; I don't know what it is with him and me. There is a chemistry there that I can't explain. Ethan and I were new, and I loved the idea of being in love, but I wasn't for sure I loved him, or just was fascinated with him. Fox was my rebound guy, and he was fun. I was free with him, but this relationship is a lot deeper for me. That we connect on lots of things, besides the drama here", she grinned.
"Yeah, you connect alright, in more ways than one", Whitney added.
The laughter was loud and contagious. The women continued to talk as they went over there documents, and the guys heard the laughter as they took a break to get a snack.
"She needed to have a break. I know she's still worried, but maybe them talking with her will help her worries", Ethan said.
"Yeah, just wait Aunt Sheridan and Luis are coming by, and you know how she and Sheridan can be", Fox said.
~Flashback~
Sheridan and Michelle were talking as she walked to her dorm.
"So you met Ethan, and I know you two had your first date last night, spill", Sheridan said.
"It was so nice and I really got to know Ethan, outside of being a Crane".
"So did you?"
"What?"
"Share toothbrushes, or just saliva?"
"You are such a horny woman. I gave him a kiss, and he walked me back to the dorm, nothing else happened".
Ethan was standing at her door waiting; he wanted to surprise her with a late lunch, since his class let out late. He didn't know she was friends with Sheridan, and was surprised to see her walking with her.
"Sheridan! Hi! What are you doing here?" he said hugging her.
"Seeing my old friend Michelle, I hear you and she had a date last night".
"Yes, and I was hoping to have another with her this afternoon".
"Listen, I know that my father, and my brother would be against this, but I'm not telling anything, because I wouldn't want my life pre-determined without my say. I also was going to see Gwen. I don't really want to, but it's for appearances. At least this way, she won't bother you Ethan, so I'll leave you two alone".
She kissed her nephew goodbye, and hugged her childhood friend. She noticed the way he looked at Michelle, and she knew that she was the one. She just wished she could find someone like that.
Ethan was standing in the kitchen with Chad and Fox, when the doorbell rang again. He answered it, to find Luis and Sheridan.
"Where is she?", Sheridan said.
"In her office/ bedroom".
"What?, we need to talk".
She stormed to her office, and Luis came over the kitchen.
"I got some news for you, and it's in your favor, just hopefully they don't play dirty", he said handing him a stack of papers.
"Michelle Bradford Winthrop, what is wrong with you?", Sheridan said angry.
"Nothing, we were talking....."
"NO, you sleeping with, or should I say, not sleeping, in the same bed as Ethan, are you still worried about cooties, because at least I could sympathize with you on a childish level".
Theresa and Whitney decided to exit, as it looked like it was getting ready to get ugly.
"Sheridan, please, I lost that theory a long time ago".
"Then what is it?"
~Kitchen~
"I see you and Theresa made my wife laugh, she hasn't done that since the night before the wedding", Ethan said drinking a beer.
"Yeah, but you drinking isn't going to help matters either", Theresa said making her something to snack on.
"OK, you got me there, but what is it, why won't she open up to any of us".
"I think two people know that answer, and one of them is here right now talking to her", Whitney said.
"And the other?"
"Is out with Charity", Theresa added.
"Michael Bradford, the younger Bradford. Maybe we should call him", Ethan said going to the phone.
"Not yet, if she walks out here not telling us why she has this attitude, then call him, but wait first".
Spoilers~
Michelle finally tells about her mental past, and why she is so worried.
The meeting takes place, and the outcome is nothing either side was prepared for.
Gwen and Steven grow closer as husband and wife, deciding to adopt a child.
Eve and Julian run into each other after everything, what will she do?
The verdict of Sam and Ivy case comes back, someone flies off the handle!
Miguel gets tired of Kay, and decides to "remove" the only thing keeping them close, by trying to prove she is an unfit mother, which makes everyone pick sides, including Ethan and Michelle.
Rebecca and Richard finally marry, after Steven's mother passes. They cause more drama for the Winthrops.
And
The Independence Charity Ball gets under way, and we all know, a dance in harmony without drama could never happen.......
Stay Tuned!
"It feels good to be back home", Rebecca said walking into the Smith mansion.
"Well mother, Steven and his father are the ones to thank, we should have went after them along time ago", Gwen grinned.
They sat down in the in the living room. The house was he, and they built a wing for Rebecca to live in. Like always, she had plans for the patriarch of the Smith family. She would be Mrs. Richard Smith in no time, besides, his wife wasn't in the best health, and it was a matter of time before she would be replaced, why not it be her.
"Mother, I know that look, it was the look you had about Julian. You are trying to go after.."
"Yes, but for now, I'll be his mistress. I have nothing against Ashleigh, besides, she is dying, I can't be that cruel, and I do have some morals left".
"Okay, so we need a plan".
"I know, and from what you and Steve told me, I think I may have one".
"I think the one my son and I have will be excellent", Richard said.
He stepped into the room, going for his drink table. He was an image of his son. Caramel skin, with broad shoulders, dark hair, and groomed nicely. He always carried himself with class, and demanded respect. Something he liked about Rebecca and Gwen. He discussed with his wife, about re-marrying. She wanted him just to be happy. He wanted someone as ruthless as he, and Rebecca just may be the woman he's looking for. For some time, he wanted revenge for his son, he knew Michelle was no good, but business is business. Their family was worth more than he could dream of, and he wanted the money.
Walking over to the desk he sat down, enjoying the plotting of these two women.
"Rebecca, or should I call you Ms. Osborn".
"That is so formal, Rebecca is fine", she grinned.
"Rebecca, I feel that exposing Michelle's mental state will be just the start of the taking of our company".
"Mental? She's a nut?", Gwen asked.
"Well, she was never the same after miscarrying so many times. The board will have to decide in my son's favor, and trust me, after that is done, we can move on to Ethan".
"Wow, I didn't know, I understand how traumatizing that can be", Gwen said.
Her conscious told her, to leave her be, but her other voice told her to make her feel like she did after she stole her husband away.
"Do you still want this?", he asked.
"Yes, more now, than ever before".
"Alright, so when is meeting?"
"Tomorrow evening, at 6pm".
~Winthrop residence~
Ethan was in his office going over some documents of Michelle's. She wanted everything to be prepared for tomorrow's meeting. He didn't know why she was worried, and tomorrow he would find out why she was so concerned.
She was going over the last of the contact she and her brother signed to join with the Lopez Fitzgerald Empire officially. They had moved there business to Harmony and helped the new family get into the business aspect of things, and now, Luis and Sheridan decided to sign them as a partner in the corporation.
The doorbell rang, and Theresa answered the door.
"Hey you two, come in", she said to Fox and Whitney.
"We came to help with tomorrow, the presentation Michelle has in Connecticut", Whitney answered.
"We need all the help we can get right now, Luis and Sheridan will be over after Martin goes to bed, so it's us four and Ethan and Michelle".
"Between the four of us, how are they seriously", Fox whispered.
"Honestly, she's been really withdrawn, and he's noticed too. He's beginning to worry about her, and she is talking in secret coding", Theresa said.
"Yeah, they sleep in separate rooms, and it's been that way since they came home from the wedding, it's like she thinks he's going to leave her", Chad said.
"Wow, I didn't know, she made it sound like everything was okay when we talked yesterday at lunch", Fox said.
"Come on, just don't say anything, we're here to help them, because I don't trust Gwen or Steven", Theresa said.
They walked into the office where Ethan was.
"Help is here dear brother of mine".
"Hey, we need it, this is a lot of things to go over, Michelle is down the hall, going the contact Luis gave her".
"We'll go down the hall, you two stay here".
Whitney and Theresa walked down the hall to Michelle's room, not knowing what to expect.
"So, sit down, and grab a tote to go through", he said finding his pen.
"Wait, we need to talk", Fox said grabbing him.
~Michelle's office~
She had a fire going, and above was her picture she loved of her Ethan and herself. The same picture she got from Pilar, when they graduated Law School. No one knew of the picture, until when they walked into her office. She had plenty of pictures, and loved the tabloid ones she got from the store. But that one, that Pilar snapped after the ceremony, it captured what she always wanted, his love and acceptance. Before all the pain and scandals. She knew after tomorrow, at the very least, she would have some explaining to do. She didn't know about her marriage, but she owed him an explanation. She also knew, and was working on the documents to file, that she would take the newlywed Smiths, to court. No matter what, she would get Steven back for everything he ever did, and this time marrying her enemy, Gwendolyn Hotchkiss-Smith.
"Michelle, I got some more help", Theresa said interrupting her thoughts.
"Hey! How are you?', she said hugging Whitney.
"Good, what about you?"
"Could be better, but, I'm dealing".
"What about the little one?"
"He or she is giving me grieve. Eve says I'm about 5 months along".
"So you were farther along than you thought?"
"Yeah, either way, it's Ethan's. I haven't been with anyone else in years".
"He's happy, I can tell. What about Ivy and Sam's case?"
"Oh god, that is getting uglier by the day. Sit, I have to wait on Sheridan anyway. I'll fill you in".
They sat and begin to talk about the case. Theresa was glad that Whitney asked her about that. It took her mind off of tomorrow for the time being.
~Across Town~
Charity and Michael were walking down the pier. She was enjoying herself, and so was he. She never met anyone like him, and she was happy that Miguel let her go. She never met anyone as interesting and handsome as him. She realized her getting married out of high school wasn't the best idea, and she felt what Miguel was talking about, that she wanted to experience more of life before settling down with anyone.
"So you were with Theresa's younger brother? This town is too small", he joked.
"I know, I want to leave, but Michelle and Theresa offered me a job here. I don't know if I should take it or not".
"Well, as someone who works with family, Michelle is a hard ass. She gives you work, and expects it to be done on time, unless there is an emergency, and even then, it better be good".
"I understand that, I just don't know if I want to stay here in Harmony".
"I want you to stay here, I want to get to know you better", he grinned.
"Well, that is a good reason to stay, it's not the best idea to try and get relationship started long distance", she grinned back.
"See, and Michelle likes you, so go in tomorrow, and see what you think, besides, you'll show Miguel that your life doesn't revolve around him".
"I know, I used to think that wives were supposed to be that way, girlfriends, for that matter, are not supposed to be that way".
"Exactly, and hopefully, you and I can work together, if not, I would love to take you out tomorrow night".
"Alright, I would like that".
~Winthrop Residence~
"So you think that will happen?", Ethan said.
"Most likely, Steven and Gwen together are like poison, and you two are the innocent mice that happened to get in the way", Fox said.
"Wait, if they succeed, Theresa and I are in danger too".
"Why?"
"Michelle owns half of our creative rights. If she finds out that Gwen is her boss in some way, she just may kill her", Chad said.
"Wow, this is effecting more people than I thought, no wonder why Michelle is so stressed, and that doesn't even count in that she's pregnant, that's stressful also".
"Well, we better get everything together, just so if we have to go to court, we can win".
"You mean will, we will win, I'm not letting my ex-wife, or that wife beater win, not in this lifetime", Ethan said to Chad.
~Michelle's Room~
"She said that? She feels everyone is against her?", Theresa said.
"Yeah, it was really ugly. She told the judge that Ethan was siding with Sam because of me, that in time he will understand why she wants her child with her, not in this environment".
"Doesn't she see that she setting herself up to lose?"
"I think she knows that, she wants Sam to have the child, just so she has an excuse to go see him , and destroy your mother's and his blossoming relationship", Michelle said.
"I never thought about that, Michelle, you think she would be that cruel. I mean my mother was good to her for years".
"Theresa, I never put anything past Ivy. You of all people should know about that. She figures, if he has to deal with Ethan and this new child, he still want her and Pilar will get tired of it, and break things off. I warned the both of them at dinner. They told me, it will take a lot more than that to split them up", Michelle said.
"That's good, I meant to ask you about dinner, Chad and I were so busy with work", Theresa responded.
"That's bullshit Theresa, and you know it, I did most of the work before I left, you to were, shall I say, 'exploring in the office', is what we called it in college", Michelle grinned.
Theresa blushed, and Whitney laughed. It had been a while since Michelle joked around with her friends. It was still shocking to her that she and Theresa were such good friends. She didn't want to come between her and Ethan's relationship about their child, but Theresa informed her, that in some way she was Little Ethan's mother too, and she was part of his life just as much as Chad was.
"You're right; I don't know what it is with him and me. There is a chemistry there that I can't explain. Ethan and I were new, and I loved the idea of being in love, but I wasn't for sure I loved him, or just was fascinated with him. Fox was my rebound guy, and he was fun. I was free with him, but this relationship is a lot deeper for me. That we connect on lots of things, besides the drama here", she grinned.
"Yeah, you connect alright, in more ways than one", Whitney added.
The laughter was loud and contagious. The women continued to talk as they went over there documents, and the guys heard the laughter as they took a break to get a snack.
"She needed to have a break. I know she's still worried, but maybe them talking with her will help her worries", Ethan said.
"Yeah, just wait Aunt Sheridan and Luis are coming by, and you know how she and Sheridan can be", Fox said.
~Flashback~
Sheridan and Michelle were talking as she walked to her dorm.
"So you met Ethan, and I know you two had your first date last night, spill", Sheridan said.
"It was so nice and I really got to know Ethan, outside of being a Crane".
"So did you?"
"What?"
"Share toothbrushes, or just saliva?"
"You are such a horny woman. I gave him a kiss, and he walked me back to the dorm, nothing else happened".
Ethan was standing at her door waiting; he wanted to surprise her with a late lunch, since his class let out late. He didn't know she was friends with Sheridan, and was surprised to see her walking with her.
"Sheridan! Hi! What are you doing here?" he said hugging her.
"Seeing my old friend Michelle, I hear you and she had a date last night".
"Yes, and I was hoping to have another with her this afternoon".
"Listen, I know that my father, and my brother would be against this, but I'm not telling anything, because I wouldn't want my life pre-determined without my say. I also was going to see Gwen. I don't really want to, but it's for appearances. At least this way, she won't bother you Ethan, so I'll leave you two alone".
She kissed her nephew goodbye, and hugged her childhood friend. She noticed the way he looked at Michelle, and she knew that she was the one. She just wished she could find someone like that.
Ethan was standing in the kitchen with Chad and Fox, when the doorbell rang again. He answered it, to find Luis and Sheridan.
"Where is she?", Sheridan said.
"In her office/ bedroom".
"What?, we need to talk".
She stormed to her office, and Luis came over the kitchen.
"I got some news for you, and it's in your favor, just hopefully they don't play dirty", he said handing him a stack of papers.
"Michelle Bradford Winthrop, what is wrong with you?", Sheridan said angry.
"Nothing, we were talking....."
"NO, you sleeping with, or should I say, not sleeping, in the same bed as Ethan, are you still worried about cooties, because at least I could sympathize with you on a childish level".
Theresa and Whitney decided to exit, as it looked like it was getting ready to get ugly.
"Sheridan, please, I lost that theory a long time ago".
"Then what is it?"
~Kitchen~
"I see you and Theresa made my wife laugh, she hasn't done that since the night before the wedding", Ethan said drinking a beer.
"Yeah, but you drinking isn't going to help matters either", Theresa said making her something to snack on.
"OK, you got me there, but what is it, why won't she open up to any of us".
"I think two people know that answer, and one of them is here right now talking to her", Whitney said.
"And the other?"
"Is out with Charity", Theresa added.
"Michael Bradford, the younger Bradford. Maybe we should call him", Ethan said going to the phone.
"Not yet, if she walks out here not telling us why she has this attitude, then call him, but wait first".
Spoilers~
Michelle finally tells about her mental past, and why she is so worried.
The meeting takes place, and the outcome is nothing either side was prepared for.
Gwen and Steven grow closer as husband and wife, deciding to adopt a child.
Eve and Julian run into each other after everything, what will she do?
The verdict of Sam and Ivy case comes back, someone flies off the handle!
Miguel gets tired of Kay, and decides to "remove" the only thing keeping them close, by trying to prove she is an unfit mother, which makes everyone pick sides, including Ethan and Michelle.
Rebecca and Richard finally marry, after Steven's mother passes. They cause more drama for the Winthrops.
And
The Independence Charity Ball gets under way, and we all know, a dance in harmony without drama could never happen.......
Stay Tuned!