Ann got up the next morning still sore and stiff. Bobby wasn't in the bedroom and when she looked at the clock she realized she'd slept until almost nine. She walked slowly to the bathroom and studied herself in the mirror. Her normally bright eyes were dull and lifeless, held hostage by dark circles. The bruises on her forehead and cheek were a startling bluish purple. Were they that bad yesterday? She wondered as she brushed her teeth then washed her face. She dried her face with a towel and when she opened her eyes back up she gasped at Bobby's reflection in the doorway behind her.
"Good lord, Bobby, you scared me." She said her heart about to leap out of her chest, "I thought you'd already left. I can't believe I slept so late."
He walked over to her and stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders, "I'm sorry." He moved his arms around her waist and kissed her behind her ear, "I'm worried about you being so jumpy."
She stiffened slightly at this show of affection, "I'm fine."
"Maybe I shouldn't go to the office today." He suggested
"Oh no, I'm promise I'm fine. Just a little tired and sore." She forced a smile as she turned in his arms to face him and he winced looking at her bruises up close, "I know, I look awful." she said
"You're beautiful." He said loosening his grip and resting his hands on her hips, "I know you're worried about Emma but Harris is probably right that you shouldn't know where she is."
She clenched her jaw and narrowed her eyes, "Well we know one place she isn't goin' to be." She pulled away from him and walked back into the bedroom, "Here with me."
He sighed and dropped his arms to his sides, "Ann, we've been through all that. You know she couldn't stay here after what happened. In the same house with John Ross and Pamela. Now what is this about?"
"I'm just worried about her, that's all." She said looking out the window, "'She's my daughter and I don't even know where she is."
He came up behind her, "She's going to be okay. Harris will make sure of that makes. But if you know where she is that makes you vulnerable." He began to massage her shoulders
She pulled away, "Don't Bobby, please." She said
It was in that moment he realized so much had been left unsaid when she stormed out that day and now that things had settled down it needed to be dealt with, "Ann, I know you are angry about Cliff and I was wrong not to tell you. I was wrong to lash out at you like I did about John Ross and Emma."
She looked at him and saw true remorse, my god how can I do this?, she thought, "We both should have been honest. You were right, we're supposed to be a team and neither of us acted like it."
He came over to her and put his arms around her, pulling here close, "I know it may take some time but I want to get back to that. I believe we're worth fighting for."
She felt the bitter taste again of guilt rising in her throat, "I do, too." She managed, moist tears stinging her eyes
"I love you, Annie." He said, "I can't imagine my life without you." He hugged her tight, the warmth of her body comforting him, but then he felt her starting to sob and shake, "Hey, it's alright. I promise everything will be okay."
"I love you, Bobby." She said through her tears, "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
He stroked her back, "Hey, no more tears." He said, "We've both made mistakes but we can fix it. I know we can. I never want to be the reason you cry ever again, Annie. I hope you believe that."
She pulled back and looked at him, "You're still the best man I know."
He smiled, "And you still need to get out more."
She managed to laugh but her expression grew serious again, "I know I shouldn't have kept John Ross and Emma a secret from you. But I...I didn't know how to tell you that the daughter I'd longed to find and finally had back in my life was doing something like that when I'd let her into our home."
"And it is our home, Annie. We've been through this and John Ross is just as responsible." he acknowledged, "And I never should have accused Emma of sending the tape. But who would have thought what really happened."
Our home, she thought, and it'll be the last place you'll want me if you were to ever know the truth.
"Well, it's not like John Ross would have so who else would have been the most likely? As hard as it is to admit, I thought it, too, especially after finding out Pamela walked in on them after they both swore it was over." She said pushing her guilt back down and trying to stay focused
He nodded in acknowledgment and sighed heavily, "Are you sure you don't mind if I go to the office?"
She wiped her eyes and nodded, "No, I'm just gonna take it easy. Besides, you've got to figure out what to do about this mess. Do you have any ideas?"
"Unfortunately not at the moment." he said
"Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out." She said mustering another smile, "So, go on. You've got more important things to worry about than me."
"Oh Annie, there's nothing more important than you." He said, "I'm sorry that I've ever made you feel that way."
"I think we both forgot we should've been leanin' on each other. You got caught up with John Ross and I got caught up with Emma and if this situation reminded me of anything, it's that life is precious."
"Well, now we can have a fresh start." He smiled and she managed a smile and a nod then he kissed her, "I'll call you later, Honey." He gently caressed her bruised cheek
"Okay." She replied softly as she watched him leave their bedroom
/
The smell of the horses always made him nauseous and he never understood how Emma could be so taken with the filthy animals except that she got it from Ann. Years spent apart yet there was something innate between them. Over the years it did not escape him the traits she had inherited from her mother. When he had met Ann she'd been a bit wild and reckless and Emma had that streak as well. She could be sweet one minute and willful the next. Not to mention every time he looked into her eyes he saw Ann and they could flash with anger just like her mother's.
"Well, well. Mr Ryland." a voice brought him back from his reverie, "To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting. I hope there is no trouble with out arrangement again."
"No but I've come about a different deal." he said, "One you apparently made with my mother regarding my ex wife."
"Ah the lovely Mrs. Ewing." He acknowledged, "You're mother was quite upset but I'm not returning the money. We had a deal and I'll take care of it."
"I'll pay you double what she paid not to do it." Harris offered
"Well, now, that's tempting but how do I explain that to your mother?" Luis asked, "She made it clear she wanted the situation 'handled' as she put it, and no mistakes this time. Now I tried to explain we couldn't predict that the 'accident' wouldn't be fatal."
"I don't care how you explain it to my mother. I want you to leave Ann and Emma alone." Harris insisted, "So what's your price?"
"What are they worth?" he asked
Harris grabbed him by the lapels of his leather jacket, "Everything."
/
He entered the house and found her sitting in the den with a brandy, reading. He couldn't help but be repulsed by the sight.
"Where the hell have you been?" She asked
"Nice to see you too, Mother." He asked pouring himself a drink
"I've been callin' you. Now why didn't you pick up?" She asked
"I was busy." he said, "I had business to attend to."
"Sure you did." She said, "You went to see her, didn't you?"
Hearing her mention Ann sent him over the edge, "You don't know what you're talkin' about." He tried to keep his cool
"I know more than you think, Harris." She said and a cold chill went up his spine
So do I, Mother, So do I