Chapter 6 Mommy Dearest

"This is your captain speaking," the pilot over the intercom said, "We will be landing in Salem shortly. The weather is currently 65 degrees and partially cloudy. Please note that the 'fasten your seat belt' sign has been turned on. We hope you enjoyed your flight today and as always, thank you for choosing Midwestern Airlines."

Avery sighed as she looked down at her hometown. She was starting to doubt her decision to jump on this plane, "Dad is going to be so pissed at me," she mumbled to herself.

"What's that dear?" a voice said next to her.

"I was just commenting that's it is good to be home Mrs. Wallace," she lied as she smiled as the elderly woman next to her.

"And you're dad will be there to pick you up?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am," she lied again, she wasn't able to get a hold of her dad yet. And wasn't sure if his phone was still off. "I have a ride waiting for me."

"Okay," she said, "you're just a nice young lady and I want to make sure someone's here for you. It's a dangerous world you know."

Avery laughed. She liked this little old lady, she had some spunk and weirdness all wrapped into one, "I know Mrs. Wallace. My grandfather, grandmother and great uncle are police officers. I know how to take care of myself."

"Okay dear," Mrs. Wallace said with a bright smile as the plane began its descent.

Avery turned back towards the window and watched as Salem got bigger with the descent. She sighed again, wondering how much trouble she was going to be in as the wheels touched the ground. "Dad's going to kill me," she mumbled to herself in a defeated tone. She looked over at the little old lady that had kept her company for the three hour flight and smiled, "Or maybe not," she thought to herself, "Maybe he will realize how much we need each other during this time." She shook her head to clear her thoughts, there was no lying to herself, she knew her father was going to be incredibly pissed off at her and scream at her grandmother. Then her grandmother will find out how she was lied to by her own granddaughter. She sighed again as she rubbed her temples when the captain had turned off the 'Fasten seatbelt' sign and the Stewardess began ushering people out, "I'm in so much trouble."

Avery grabbed her carry on and proceeded to the baggage claim. She tried calling her father again but it went straight to voicemail. She pocketed her cell phone as she reached for her suitcase. She walked away from the madhouse of the remaining passengers getting there luggage and dialed a new number, "Hey, I'm at the Salem airport," she said.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine," she assured her caller, "can you come pick me up?"

"Where's your dad?"

"I'm stuck at the airport calling you," she snapped, "Obviously he's not here or answering his phone."

"What your tone with me young lady!"

"Sorry," she said in a meek voice, "I need a ride."

"Does your dad even know you're in town?"

"Please," Avery begged, "He needs me; he just doesn't know it yet."

She heard a sigh, "This is a really bad idea kid."

"Are you coming to get me or am I hitchhiking?" she asked.

"I'll be there in 10 minutes."

"Thanks," she said as she moved to the window by the pick up station and waited for her ride. The longer she waited, the more she believed, "This was a really bad idea," she said to herself, "Dad's going to freak out."

Jayden Douglas sat behind her desk rubbing her temples. This was hands down the worst day of her life; the irony of it all was that it started out the best day of her life. She was starting her dream job working under the infamous John Black, something she worked hard for, for the past five years and all it turned out to be was a nightmare. Jayden had spent five years not having a clue to who she was and countless searches coming up empty. There wasn't a woman who looked like her that was reported missing around the time she woke up in the hospital with no memory. Then she comes to Salem and finds that her face looks identical to a dead woman who died five years ago. A dead woman who died two weeks before she woke up in the hospital bed and what now seems like a twist of fate, she woke from a two week coma. And this woman had so much love in her life that Jayden was jealous of and who won't be jealous? Shawn Douglas Brady was still very much in love with the woman and she had a feeling he was even more in love with her as the time passed. What person in their right mind wouldn't want that type of love and devotion? She was lying to herself that she didn't wish she was that woman his whole being craved for; but Jayden had to remind herself that Miriam Jayden Brady had died five years ago and she is very much alive. She dropped her head with a big thump, "I can't believe I'm jealous of a dead person," she mumbled to the desk as she lifted her head to pound again on the desk.

"Careful," a playful voice said from her door, "I would hate to see you suffer from any permanent brain damage because you were pounding your beautiful head against your desk in frustration."

"Did you just call me beautiful?" she said jokingly as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Wouldn't dream of it Ms. Douglas," he said with a smirk, "Besides, I do believe I said your head was beautiful, not you."

"Oh," she said with a smile, "thanks for the clarification Mr. Brady."

"Anytime Mitzi," Shawn said with a wink before leaving her office.

"Shawn!" she yelled as she got up and started towards her office door before even processing her movements.

"Miss me already?" Shawn said as he popped his head into her office.

"Dream on Brady," she said.

"Oh believe me I will," he said. Shawn couldn't believe he was openly flirting with her. He never felt more alive since the last time he saw his wife. It was like life was breathed into his tainted soul. His heart ached for her; he knew it had to be true. This woman has to be Mimi, not just a look a like.

"I um…" she was kicking herself for stumbling over her words and thoughts. She hadn't really planed on what she would do when she caught up with him. She said that first thing that popped into her mind. "Jayden Douglas," she said sticking out her hand.

Shawn looked at her funny and turned his head to the side, "What are you doing?"

"I'm introducing myself," she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I see that," he said gesturing to her hand that was still sticking out, "But we've already been introduced and I don't think you could have forgotten that incredible kiss already."

"You are so full of yourself," she said reaching out a little further with her hand, "Jayden Douglas."

"I don't get it," he said in a serious tone.

"I'm reintroducing myself since you can't seem to remember my name," she said.

"Shawn Douglas Brady," he said grabbing her hand and pulled her against his body.

"What are you doing?" she asked as she put her free hand to his chest.

"Well we did make out during our first introduction," he said before leaning closer with a small glint in his eyes, "Wanna do it again?"

"Pig," she said as she pushed him away as she missed the warmth of his body already when he let her go, "And as for that make out comment. You mauled me before you even knew my name." She turned away from him and started walking towards her desk.

"Good point," he grabbing her from behind, "Since I missed it the opportunity before the introductions," he whispered in her ear, "I guess I should maul you now," emphasizing maul.

Jayden just shook her head and removed his arms from around her. Her heart was falling for him but she knew it was wrong. Any woman would be stupid and blind to get involved with this broken man before her. He was still grieving the great and only love of his life; leaving her or any woman out in the cold. "The reason for the introduction," she said, finally remembering why she went after him in the first place, "was because you keep calling me the wrong name."

"I do not," Shawn said, "I know you're name."

"Who's Mitzi?" she asked.

"What?" he said looking at her.

"You keep calling me Mitzi," Jayden said, "I don't know who she is; my first instinct told me she was your wife but her name was Mimi. I guess I was just curious.

Shawn stood there numb, not sure what to say to her. He skirted around the question before but wasn't sure if he could do that again. He didn't even realize he was calling her by the nickname he gave his beloved. He looked into her curious eyes; he was at a loss for words. "I'm…."

"Jayden," John said coming into the office and saving Shawn.

Jayden saw Shawn look up to the ceiling with a small smile as he ducked out of her office. She made mental note to try and track him down. He was going to answer her question but what she couldn't comprehend was why the answer was so import to her. "Yes John?"

"I have the figures for the campaign," he said handing her a folder, "we meet in five minutes. Bring whatever you have already and we'll go from there."

"Yes Sir," she said looking down at the figures.

John looked at her and was torn between asking her or not. His curiosity own the better of him, "Jayden," he said, "can I ask you something that's non work related?"

"As long as I'm not required to answer it," she said hesitatingly, not sure where he was going with this.

"You don't have to answer it if you don't want to."

"Then shoot."

"Does the name 'Papi' mean anything to you?"

Jayden looked at him confused as she racked her brain. Was it a client or a potential client? But she came up empty every time. "No," she said, "I'm sorry. Is it someone important?"

"Use to be," John said as apart of him died inside as his face remained neutral, "I'll see you in a few minutes in the conference room."

Jayden watched him leave her office quickly and couldn't help but wonder who Papi was and why she should know who he is. Jayden looked over the figures quickly before gathering her stuff for the meeting. Her arms were full as she walked out of her office. She was crossing the lobby area when she ran into something or someone and dropped everything she was carrying. Jayden let out a frustrated noise and dropped to pick up her belongs, "So much for punctuality and organization," she mumbled. Neither one noticed the sound of the elevator doors opening and the laughter from its occupants.

"I am so sorry baby," Shawn said as he bent down and helped her gather the papers.

"Well do me a favor and next time watch were you are going!" she scolded.

"Same thing could be said for you!" he barked at her.

Avery watched as a slick black BMW pulled up to the pick up/drop off area of the airport. She grabbed her luggage and walked out the door. The man climbed out of his car and grabbed Avery's suitcase to put in the truck, "Thanks for coming Uncle Phil," she said.

"Well I couldn't really have my favorite niece hitchhike home now could I?" he said with a sideways glance to her, "Now get your butt in the car I have to stop at Basic Black before dropping you off."

Avery did as instructed and got into the car. She was buckling her seatbelt when Philip climbed into the car and put his seatbelt on as well, "Why do you have to go to Basic Black?" she asked, "Grandpa hates it when you go there."

"Which one?" Philip asked, knowing both John and Victor hated him going to John's company.

"Grandpa John, but I guess both since neither one can stand you," she giggled as her own joke.

"Ha ha, very funny," he said in a un amused tone, "Your aunt left me a voicemail, she sounded freaked out about something."

"What?" Avery said getting serious again.

"I don't know kid," he said, "I couldn't understand a single word she said. I tried calling but she didn't pick up. Stephanie said that she's working still so I want to stop in and check on her before I take you home."

"Then back to work for my serious Uncle Phil," she said in a mocking tone.

"Knock it off kid," Philip said giving her a sideway glance.

"You don't fool me one bit Uncle Phil," she said seriously.

"And what is that?"

"I know that secretly you're a closet clown," she said seriously, "with the funny suit and big shoes" Avery couldn't hold back her laughter any longer as she burst out into giggles.

"You know I feel really sorry for your father," Philip said, "Because you are way too much like your mother it is ridiculous! You even have her corny sense of humor!"

Avery stopped laughing and gave a small smile that always comes out when someone compares her to her mother, "Really?"

"Really what?"

"Am I really like my mommy?"

"Very much Avery," Philip said in a sincere voice, "Honestly those Gilmore Girls have nothing on you and your mother."

"I wish I remembered her more," she said looking out the window.

"Me too kid," Philip said, "me too."

"I barely remember her," Avery confessed, "I wonder if I didn't see all those home videos or listen to everyone's stories about her that I won't remember her." She looked over at her uncle who had parked his car and was looking at her with compassionate eyes. "When she had just died, I hated it," she said, confessing her inner most sins to her favorite uncle, "I hated that when people looked at me, they saw her. I hated that my daddy couldn't look at me for the longest time because I looked like her. I hated her for that because I was me and she was her. I hated her for dying because I wasn't me anymore. I was like her and my daddy….he just died with her."

"Avery…" Philip said, his voice was shaking as he fought back his tears as he watched Avery fight her own tears. Avery was 11 years old now and hardly ever referred to Shawn as 'Daddy' anymore. She only called him that when she was trying to manipulate him into doing something or when she was remembering her mother or talking about her. Those moments it was always my mommy and daddy, like she was six years old again.

"I hated her for dying and leaving us in this endless limbo. I hated her for killing my daddy," she continued, "but then I was playing with my ball outside and it got away from me. I chased it into the street. I remember hearing my daddy screaming and this car was coming right at me."

Philip remembered that day perfectly. It was a few weeks after Mimi's funeral. Shawn was a zombie and Avery was spending most of her time away from Shawn. Philip was picking her up for the day. He remembered glancing at the road when Shawn screamed bloody murder as he ran quickly to the street. It was the first and rare times after Mimi's death that Shawn showed genuine emotion. Both men raced to save her. Shawn had reached her first, grabbing her and jumping out of the way at the last possible moment.

"It all happened so fast," she said, "I was staring at the car and the next thing I knew I was on top of Daddy on the ground and he was crying. I could hear him cursing as he almost lost his daughter to some 'reckless bastard" she said using her fingers for quotation, "and I remember crying so hard."

"I know kid," Philip said as he recalled that horrifying moment himself, "I was there."

"I was crying because I was mad at myself for being mad at her," she looked at her uncle as the tears broke free from its hold, "I hated Mommy for leaving us like this…all broken, but when I heard Daddy crying, I just knew. I knew that Mommy didn't want to leave us, someone took her from us."

"That's right baby girl," Philip said, "You're mother never wanted to leave you or your dad."

"And that's when I stopped hating her," Avery confessed, "and started hating that unknown face who took her from us…that reckless jerk who took Mommy from us," she looked away and whispered the last part to her reflection in the window, "who took Daddy from me and made me an orphan."

"You're not an orphan," Philip said surprising the girl as she looked at her uncle. Philip gently wiped her tears, "Your dad loves you. You have a whole crazy family who loves you. And you know what kid?"

"What?" she asked timidly.

"Somewhere in heaven your mom is there loving you like crazy too," Philip said.

"Thanks Uncle Phil," she said before throwing her arms around him. It was moments like this that reminded her why he was her favorite uncle. And it wasn't that Max, Connor, or Patrick wasn't good uncles, it was just this special connection she had with Philip. He always knew what to say to make her feel better no matter how gloomy her mood, he knew what to do.

"Let's go check on my wife and then how about we go to the Brady Pub for some burgers," Philip suggested.

Avery's eyes widen with delight, "As long as you're buying you know," she said casually, "You are the one with all the money here."

"I won't dream of making a princess like you pay for her own food."

"Now you're speaking my language," she said as she opened the door and raced towards the building, "Hurry up Uncle Phil!" she yelled, "I'm hungry!"

Philip chuckled as he ran after his niece, "She is so much like her mother," he thought to himself, "it's scary."

Philip found her in the elevator holding the door open as she tapped her foot impatiently, "Took you long enough," she huffed as he walked into the elevator.

"Sorry," he said, "but I do believe you are the one that constantly reminds me how old I am and I should start acting my age."

"So?" she said confused.

"Well old people run slower," he said, "still want me to act my age?"

Avery paused for effect, "Only when we're racing," she said, "so I can eat faster…but hey if we were at the Pub I'd already have my food eaten before you get there, so it doesn't matter because I'm already have my food eaten before you got in."

"You are definitely Shawn Brady's child," Philip said laughing, "Only thinks with her stomach."

"Hey!" she protested as the elevator doors open but she soon broke out laughing as well. Avery saw her father bent over picking up some papers. She heard him arguing with the woman whose face she couldn't see.

"I am so sorry baby," Shawn said as he bent down and helped her gather the papers.

Avery looked at her uncle who was matching her confused expression, "Did he just call that woman baby?" she thought to herself.

"Well do me a favor and next time watch were you are going!" she scolded.

"Same thing could be said for you!" he barked at her.

"Daddy?" she asked, "Who are you yelling at?"

Shawn froze when he heard his daughter's voice. He looked at Jayden with wide eyes as she started to stand up. Shawn grabbed her and pulled her back down.

"What are…" Jayden tried to say but was cut off when Shawn covered her mouth with his hand. If she spoke, Avery would recognize her voice from the home videos. Jayden started to struggle against him as she licked and then bit his hand.

"Owe!" he said pulling his hand away from her mouth, "Damn it woman!"

"Serves you…" but was cut off by his hand again. He turned his head and saw his daughter and Philip approaching.

"What's going on Daddy?" she asked, she still couldn't see the woman's face, but her voice….it sounded familiar.

"Stop moving!" Shawn yelled at his daughter and Jayden, "Turn around and get on that elevator and leave this instant young lady." Shawn was struggling against Jayden's attempt to break free and Avery's quick approach.

"Shawn she's with me," Philip said, "Belle called freaked out…"

"Get her out of here Philip!" Shawn barked, "Right now!"

"Is this tramp the reason why you broke it off with Amy?" Avery yelled at her father, "How could you do that to Amy, to Mommy!"

Shawn pulled Jayden tight to his body and continued to fight her resistance at the same time, keeping Avery from seeing her as he backed them towards the nearest office. "Avery…" he stopped talking when she got too close and quickly turned around and grabbed Jayden from behind, pulling her tight against his back.

"Let me go!" Jayden yelled.

"Avery Grace Brady!" Shawn yelled over Jayden's voice, he saw his daughter hesitant, he wasn't sure if it was because she heard Jayden or his threatening voice. The only thing he was grateful for what Jayden had stopped fighting him and started hiding behind him. He was grateful for at least peace on that front. If Avery saw her it would be disastrous, "Get your ass on that elevator right now or so help me God…"

"Shawn Douglas Brady you will not speak to her in that manner!" Philip said defending Avery who stood frozen.

"Get her out of here right now Philip!" Shawn demanded.

"She came here fro you…"

"Avery Grace Brady if your ass is not in that elevator by the time I count to five so help you God this time next year you will still be feeling my wrath!" he chastised her, "ONE!"

"She's just a kid Shawn," Jayden whispered, "She's scared. Use your kind words with her and she's do what you want."

"Silence!" he barked at her, "TWO!" he yelled at Avery.

Jayden didn't know what to do, part of her wanted to slap Shawn for treating his daughter like this but she knew that he was protecting Avery from her face. If Avery saw her face, it would be disastrous.

"THREE!" Shawn yelled.

"What is going on here!" Belle demanded as she walked into the room. Her whole demeanor changed when she saw Avery now approaching her father who was trying to hide Jayden behind his back as he walked back towards the office twenty feet away from him.

"Belle would you…" Philip tried to say but saw the panic in his wife's eyes, "What's wrong?"

Belle ignored Philip and ran to Avery. She grabbed the girl's hand and started pulling her towards the elevator, "You have to leave now Avery."

"Belle!" Philip protested, "What the hell is going on here! You and Shawn are acting nuts!"

"Help me get her out of here Philip!" Belle demanded her husband and Avery struggled against Belle's interface.

"I want to see the tramp my dad has been cheating on Amy with!" Avery said with determination.

"What your language little girl!" Shawn disciplined, "FOUR!"

"Avery…" Philip started saying but was cut off when he finally understood the urgency that Shawn had for Avery to leave. He saw the woman's face. He saw Mimi, "That can't be," he said looking at Belle for an explanation. It started to click in his head Belle's frantic call earlier.

"It's not what you think," Belle quickly said, "but someone" gesturing to Avery, "won't understand."

"We need to go kid," Philip said quickly as he grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder as Shawn grabbed Jayden's hand pulling her to the nearest office. Philip jogged to the elevator that Stephanie had been holding open since the scene started.

"Put me down!" Avery screamed.

"Soon kid," Philip said.

Avery was hitting and kicking him as much as she could. She looked up to glare at her dad to let her know how angry she was at him when she saw it…more like saw her. "Mommy?" she cried in a childlike voice, "Mommy you're alive!"

"Oh shit," Philip said under his breath.

Avery took advantage of Philip's stillness to break free from him and started running to her mother, "Mommy!" Philip recovered quickly and went after Avery as Shawn pushed Jayden into the office and shut the door. He stood guard, waiting to grab his daughter when she reached him but Philip got to her first and pulled her into his body, "Let me go!" she screamed through her tears, "That's my mommy!"