Later That Afternoon

As soon as they walked through the door of the Crane Mansion Theresa slumped down on a stuffed chair in the hallway, pulling off her high heels with a grateful sigh. "I can't go through two more days of this." She groaned to Gwen, who was standing there with an amused look on her face. "Making nice with all those stuffy principals, touring campuses in these killer shoes, sucking up with unbelievable shamelessness. I mean, their tuitions are already through the roof-we have to grovel, too?"

Gwen shrugged as she reapplied her faded lipstick. "We all have to sacrifice in the name of motherhood, Theresa." She ended with a melodramatic sigh and Theresa rolled her eyes.

"Well, I just think we should pick one of the schools we've already been to. They offer everything under the sun from French class to tennis lessons, and this is just for elementary school."

Gwen frowned. "We already have appointments and a set itinerary. I'd still like to see what else is out there, but I admit I did like the Carrisford Institute."

"The Carrisford Institute?" Theresa limped into the living room, Gwen following closely behind. "I hated that place. Don't you remember the way the headmaster talked to us, like he'd been doing us a favor by letting Sarah in, and reserving a place for Jane? He kept referring to 'the unfortunate tabloid headlines' that we both seem to keep creating. And having Institute in the title is a dead giveway. It's an institution designed to create upper class snots by the boatload."

"It is slightly elitist." Gwen admitted. "But it is the best private school in the state. Their test scores are off the charts. I really think we should consider it."

Theresa shook her head. "No way. I won't let Jane go there. I can't stop you from putting Sarah in that place, but I really don't think you should. She's been through enough without having to deal with the pressure that place will put on her at such a young age."

"Maybe you're right." Gwen admitted with a sigh. "OK, so we can eliminate The Carrisford Institute. How about the Montgomery School?"

"Now that's an idea." Theresa smiled. "It was a little bit more uppercrust then I'd like but the headmaster actually seemed to have some common sense, and they also do very well in the academic areas. I think we have a winner."

"I don't know." Gwen chewed her lip. "I still think we should check out the other schools."

At that moment, Kieran came down the stairs and walked into the room, giving Gwen a quick kiss, and then turning to Theresa with a smile. "From what I heard, your day was very successful. The kids and I had a great day too, although we didn't catch much. And Sheridan brought Jane back...all three of them are upstairs in the playroom, watching some excessively loud cartoon." He turned back to Gwen, putting his arm around her.

"So it's decided then." Theresa smiled brightly, the idea of not having to spend the next two days with Gwen making her positively giddy.

Gwen made a face. "Not so fast, Theresa. We still have a few more schools to check out."

Theresa sighed, and Kieran spoke up.
"You know, sweetheart, if you make your decision now you'll still have the extra two days off work. Two days that you could spend with me. Doing...things." He flashed her one of his patented grins.

"Hmmm." Gwen murmured as Kieran pulled her close. "When you put it like that it puts things in a whole different perspective." She giggled as Kieran nuzzled her ear. "Montgomery School...good choice." she managed to say as Kieran gently steered her towards the door. Before they walked through it she turned back. "You know, I'll bet we could still get EJ a spot there too." She smiled brightly at Theresa.

"No way. I've told you a million times that EJ is perfectly happy at his school, and I'm not moving him." Theresa's voice was firm.

"Alright." Gwen sighed. "Thank you for keeping Jane and Sarah tonight, by the way. We'll pick them up in the morning."

"No problem-I promised them a sleepover as soon as school got out for the summer. See you tomorrow!" Theresa waved them off, thankful she didn't have to watch them kissing any more. "They'll be happy for the rest of their lives. Who would have thought that Gwen would finally realize that Ethan was never the man she was meant to be with?" She sighed to herself. "And who would have thought that I'd ever give him up?" She looked at the framed picture of Jared on her coffee table. "I made the right choice-I did."

If only saying the words was enough to convince her...

Bennett Residence

Jessica sat in her room at her desk, looking at the newspaper spread out before her. Kieran and Gwen's wedding announcement stared up at her, their smiling picture seeming to mock her. She chewed her lip in agitation, staring at it. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed to make sense. Kieran was the man for her. He was practically perfect-everyone in Harmony said so. And after all she'd been through, didn't she deserve a man like that? A man who would take care of her and make her laugh, instead of hit her and sell her to the highest bidder. Why did everyone else get to be happy except for her? Giving in to her anger, she picked up the scissors lying on the desk and furiously stabbed through Gwen's face in the picture.

A knock on the door distracted her. Jessica quickly threw the paper in the trash and hurried to open it. Simone and Paloma were standing there, smiling. "We've come to rescue you from your self imposed exile." Paloma smiled at her. "Get your purse-let's hit the town!"

"I don't know." Jessica hesitated. "I kind of have some thinking to do."

Simone gasped as she saw the scissors still clutched in Jessica's hands. "Jess, what's going on?" She and Paloma stepped in the room. "Have you been cutting yourself again?'

"No!" Jessica showed them her arms, bare in her short sleeved shirt. "See, I'm fine. I'm just been...listen, you guys are my best friends, right?"

Paloma stared at her in confusion. "Of course we are. We'd do anything for you."

"That's what I wanted to hear." Jessica smiled. "I need your help. I think I've found the guy of my dreams, and I want you two to help me get him."

"Really?" Simone brightened and she and Paloma flopped down on Jessica's bed. "Tell us, Jessica-who is he?"

Jessica smiled widely. "Kieran Brady."

The room was silent for a moment as Paloma and Simone stared at each other, open mouthed. Paloma was the first to speak.

"Jessica, are you completely loco? Are we talking about the same Kieran Brady who is going to marry Gwen Hotchkiss in less than two weeks?"

Jessica shrugged. "Not if I have anything to say about it."

Simone shot off the bed. "You are crazy, Jessica! Why Kieran? Has he ever shown any interest in you? Have you two even had a conversation that's lasted for more than five minutes?"

"No, but..." Jessica smiled at the memory. "He's always really nice to me and today, he touched my face when he was talking to me. For no reason at all...he just reached out and touched my face."

"So?" Paloma was still amazed at how delusional her friend was being. "Kieran is very touchy feely with the ladies. I don't think there's a female in this town that he hasn't hugged, or kissed on the cheek, or touched, for that matter. Everyone else knows that's just how he is-he doesn't mean anything by it. Even a blind man could see that he has eyes for no one but Gwen. And speaking of Gwen, can you even imagine what she'd do to you if she ever finds out that you want to break them up? She'd tear you to pieces without breaking a sweat. Theresa barely survived their battles, and I hate to say it but she's a lot stronger than you are."

"Emotionally and physically." Simone added with a nod.

"Thanks a lot!" Jessica snapped. "I thought you guys would actually be supportive for once, but I guess I overestimate my 'friends', don't I?" Her voice was filled with malice.

"Jessica.." Simone was stung by her words. "Don't be like that. We want to help you, and nothing would make us happier than to see you finally find the guy of your dreams. But that's not Kieran and you're living in a fool's paradise if you think otherwise. I'm sorry, honey, but that's just the way it is."

"You're wrong!" Jessica exploded. "Kieran wants me-I know he does! I can make him happy!" Her voice was gaining a hysterical edge, and Paloma reached out to her friend, trying to calm her.

"Get away from me! If you're not going to help me, I'll do it by myself. You two just better stay the hell out of my way, or I'll make you regret it!"

"Jessica, that's enough!" Simone was furious herself now. "We have tried over and over to be there for you, and to help you, and you've treated us like dirt. I understand that you're hurting, but enough is enough. Get over it already! Get some help, or cry it out, or whatever it is that you need to do but stop being so damn self destructive, and lashing out at everyone around you, or someday you'll look up and there will be no one left."

"I don't care!" Jessica yelled. "I don't need you...either one of you! Get out! Get out, get out, get out!"

She was so hysterical by this time that Paloma and Simone saw no other choice. Shaking their heads sadly, they both exited the room. Jessica slammed the door behind them, and then collapsed on her bed, sobbing.

"They're wrong." She whispered to herself. "They don't want me to be happy, just like everyone else in this stupid town. I'll get Kieran. They'll see...they'll all see." She smiled through her tears.

Harmony-The Blue Note
Two days before the Hotchkiss/Brady wedding

Kieran slid on the bar stool with his usual grin. "Beer, please-Samuel Adams."

Noah nodded and reached for a glass. "So you're going to be a married man in a few days, huh? That would drive anyone to drink." His eyes were merry, and Kieran laughed.

"I'm counting the minutes, actually. It's a dream come true, being married to the woman I love. You should try it sometime." Kieran raised an eyebrow at Noah, who snorted.

"Not interested. I learned my lesson after Fancy ground my heart into hamburger. I date here and there though-definitely not feeling lonely, believe me." Noah winked.

Kieran didn't believe him, actually, and there was a lingering sadness in Noah's eyes that said the other man didn't quite believe his own words either. Before Kieran could say anything else, he was distracted by a female voice.

"Is this seat taken?" Jessica purred.

Kieran shrugged. "It's all yours." He watched the dark haired young woman as she sat down. "We seem to be running into each other an awful lot lately."

Jessica smiled. "Well, I guess you're just lucky." Her tone was flirtatious but inside, she was frustrated. Kieran was right-she'd practically been stalking him all over Harmony but as of yet, she hadn't been able to get him alone for more than a minute or two, and he had given no sign that he'd been aware of how hard she was trying. At least tonight he'd noticed her, but it wasn't for her lack of trying. She'd purposely worn a low cut, turquoise colored top and her lightest fitting jeans, and she knew she looked good.

"Buy me a drink?" She asked Kieran, licking her ruby red lips suggestively.

"Of course." Kieran smiled. "What would you like, a Coke? Or an iced tea, perhaps?"

Jessica scoffed. "I'm old enough to have something stronger than that, Kieran. In fact, I'm old enough to do a lot of things." She looked right into his eyes.

"I see." Kieran's eyebrows raised. He had to be misreading her signals, and yet, the girl seemed to be coming on awfully strong. Noah had noticed it too, and his face was set in a deep frown as he looked at his youngest sister.

Jessica turned to Noah, pretending not to see the look he was giving her. "I'll have what he's having."

"One Sam Adams, coming up." Noah said reluctantly. He put the glass in front of her, looking as though he wanted to say something else, but Kieran leaned forward.

"I was hoping to talk to you, Noah. I heard a rumor that the current owner of The Blue Note is hoping to sell. Is that true?"

"Actually, yes. How did you know? It's not official yet." Noah looked at Kieran quizzically.

Kieran grinned. "I've had my eye on this place for a while, and people are aware of my interest, so they pass along information." He sighed and his face become downcast. "Of course at this point, it doesn't do me a lot of good. I have some savings, but not nearly enough to make the down payment that would be required."

"Down payment?" Noah's eyes shot up. "You want to buy this place?"

Kieran nodded. "I do. You know, I was horrified the first time I came in here and discovered that you all don't even serve Guinness, and then it occurred to me what Harmony needs...an authentic Irish bar. I could hire Irish bands to play here...really get this place jumping." He frowned again and idly swirled his beer. "Well, I guess it's not meant to be right now, but maybe in a few years."

Noah looked at Kieran thoughtfully. "An Irish bar. That could be a really, really good idea." He thought for a moment, then smiled. "Maybe you can do it now...or should I say, WE could do it. How do you feel about having a partner?"

Kieran looked surprised. "A partner? You would want to go into this with me?"

"Absolutely. I don't want to be just mixing drinks for the rest of my life. I've got some savings too...if we pool our money we just might be able to pull this off. So what do you say?"

Kieran stood up, grinning and reached out to shake Noah's outstretched hand. "I say let's talk numbers, partner."

"Wait!" Jessica stood up. "Before you two get to talking facts and figures for the rest of the night, I have a proposal of my own to make. If you guys really do take over The Blue Note, would you be willing to give me a job? I need something to do-I feel horrible about still living with Dad and having him pay my way." She smiled sweetly at the two of them.

"Never bothered you before." Noah muttered under his breath but Kieran gave him a warning look.

"That can probably be arranged, Jessica, but let's see if we can actually make this work first. We'll get back to you, alright?"

"Great." Jessica flashed a smile at them and then turning, made her way to the dance floor, being sure to add some sway to her step in case Kieran was still watching.

"Well, things are looking up. If Kieran and I are working together, I'll have plenty of chances with him. I may not be able to stop this wedding, but that's not going to keep me from my goal-and that's to get Kieran with me, Gwen or no Gwen." Jessica thought to herself.

At the Hotchkiss residence-

Gwen put her purse on the table and closed the front door behind her. Another long day, but it was all worth it because in a mere two days she was going to be Gwen Brady, the happiest woman on earth. Smiling, she looked at her simple diamond engagement ring. It wasn't nearly the size of the rock Ethan had once given her, but it was given in love, with no regrets, and that made it more valuable then the Hope Diamond in her eyes.

A beeping noise caught her attention, and Gwen followed the sound to its source, her cell phone, lying on the kitchen table where she'd forgotten it earlier that day.
"I have a message. Hope none of the arrangements have gone wrong." She said out loud to herself as she dialed her voice mail.

"Gwen, it's Ethan. I'm sorry I waited so long to get back to you but I wanted you to know that I've decided. Save a dance for me at your wedding-I'm coming home."

"Yes!" Gwen squealed in delight. "This is going to work-it's totally going to work!" She was about to do a completely undignified happy dance of triumph when a nasally voice broke into her reverie.

"What's going to work?"

Whirling around in shock, Gwen faced her mother, gasping. "Mother, what are you doing here? You scared me to death! How did you get in?"

Rebecca dangled a keychain from her fingers. "I made a copy of your house key months ago, dear. It's a mother's privilege, after all."

"You've got to be joking." Gwen rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I'm having the locks changed tomorrow." She set her phone down and stalked off to the kitchen. There was no way she could get through an entire conversation with Rebecca without some wine to soothe her nerves.

"Don't change the subject, Gwennie. You're up to something, I know that look. So what's the plan? Tell me...you know I love your nefarious little schemes. Maybe I can even help." Rebecca sat down on the couch and reached for a candy from the dish on the coffee table.

Gwen walked back into the living room, holding her glass of wine. She really shouldn't tell her mother what she was planning, but seeing the look on her face would be too good to miss.

"It's nothing much. I'm just doing a little matchmaking...for Ethan and Theresa." She smiled wickedly.

Sure enough, Rebecca immediately began choking on the candy she'd just popped into her mouth. Gwen was tempted to let her just choke but when her mother started turning purple she gave in. Setting her glass down on the coffee table, she stepped behind her mother. A quick Heimlich maneuver later, Rebecca spat the candy out. It landed in Gwen's glass of wine, much to her disgust.

"Gwen, say it's not so!" Rebecca looked at her daughter, horrified. "Have you lost your mind? If you had any sense at all, you'd dump that fisherman you're about to marry and get Ethan back for yourself!"

Gwen rolled her eyes. "This is why I don't invite you over. All you do is complain about the way I run my life. If you're not going about Theresa, you're grumbling about Kieran. Ethan never loved me the way Kieran does. I'm the only woman in his life. Does the fact that I'm finally happy mean nothing to you?"

Rebecca waved a dismissive hand. "Happy, schmappy-who cares? What matters in life is money, social position, and power. Ethan may not be a Crane anymore, but he is still very well respected in social circles. Kieran, well, he's a tad bit delicious, I'll give him that, but he's not husband material! If you want to keep him as a boy toy to while away a lonely afternoon, I can't fault you for that but for God's sakes, call off this wedding! If you make that man my son in law I'll be laughed out of the country club for good."

"And here I thought they couldn't laugh any harder." Gwen looked heavenward for patience. "I'm not calling off my wedding, and I'm certainly not going to start chasing Ethan again. That ship sailed a long time ago, and you're just going to have to deal with the way things are now."

Rebecca groaned. "I need a drink." Before Gwen could stop her, she snatched the glass of wine off the table and downed it in one swallow. A second later she gagged and began choking once more.

"G-gwen!"

"Here we go again." Gwen rolled her eyes. She only hoped Rebecca wouldn't make a huge spectacle of herself at the wedding.

TBC
Coming soon...
Gwen and Kieran's wedding day arrives, much to Jessica's fury.
The reception is full of surprises for everyone-will Ethan return as he promised?